The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-25

long. let l lOVcI my crcator, uiuy
though he was, for felt that he lovec
me, and that in every touch Of his pencil
he infused into me some portion OF hi'
soul. Often they came and stood togeth
er, the artist and the carrs lovely daugh
ter, 10, king at me. They talked, she
dropping the aristocratic hautcur which
hid a somewhat immature mind, ignorant
less from will than from circumstance and
neglect; while he, forgetting his worldly
rank, rose to that which nature and
genius gavehim. Thus both unconscious.
" fell into their true position as man and
woman, teacher and Learner, the greater
and the less. ...
"Anothcr sitting and the miniature
will be completed, fear" murmured
Norman, with consciencc-stricken look,
as he bent over me, his fair hair almost
touching my ivory. A caress, sweet,
though no longer new to me; for many
a time his lips-but this is telling tales,
so no more My painted yet not soullcss
eyes looked at my master as did Others,
Of which mine were but the poor shadow.
Both eyes, the living and the lifelcss, were
now dwelling on his countcnance, which
l hive not vet described, nor need L.
Never yet was there beautiful soul that
did not stamp upon the outward man
some reflex Of itself; and therefore,
whether Norman Bc,hunc's face and
figure were perfect or not, matters not.
at is nearly finished" mechanically
said the Lady Jean. She looked dull
that day, and her cyelids were heavy as
with tcars-tcars which (as have heard
many whisper say) harsh father gave
her just cause to shed.
AYES, yes, ought to finish it." hurried
" replied the artist, rs if more in answer
to his own thoughts than TO her, and he
began to paint; but evermorc something
was wrong. He could not work we'll !;
and then the lady Jean was summoned
away, returning with weary look, in
which wounded feeling struggled with
pride. Once, too, we plainly heard Il
know my master did, for he clenched his
hands the whilc) the carrs angry voice,
and Sir An,hony's hoarsc laugh; and
when the Lady Jean came back, it was
with a pale, stern look, pitiful in one SO
young. As she resumed the sitting, her
thoughts evidently were wandering, for
two great tears stole into her eyes, and
down her cheeks. Ny master could not
paint them, but he felt them in his heart.
lie left his work-his brush fell-his
chest heaved with emotion-he advanced
a experimenting "Jean, Jean ~ with
out the "Lady;" then recollectcd him.
sell, and with great struggle resumed
his brush, and went on painting. She
had never looked or stirred.
The last sitting camc-it was hurried
and bricf, for there seemed som cthlrg
not quite right in the house, and rs VIC
came to the castle, Norman and ] (for he
had got in the habit of always taking mt
home with him) heard about "marriage"
and "Sr Anthony" / felt my pool
master shudder Us he stood.
The Lady Jean rose to bid the arts
adieu. She had seemed agitated during
; the sitting at times, but was quite calm
now.
81 thank you," she added, mot mcrcl,
for this, (shc laid her hand on mel bn
; for your companionship,' and she pauset
!. rs it she would fain have said friendship,
b feared. "You have done me good
YOU have elevated my mind, and from
; YOU | have learncd-what else | nigh
never have learned-rcvcle encc for man
l God bless you with life full Of homo
!. and fame, and what is rarcr still, happi
, ness"
r She half.sighed, and extended hcI
hand without looking towards him; h,
{ clasped it n moment and thcn-shc wa
gone.
Nv master stared dizily around, fel
on his knees beside me, and groaned OH
in the anguish of his spirit. His onl,
. words were, "Jcan, Jean, so good, so pure
/ Thou, the earls daughter, aud ], poo
| artist" Ashc departed he moanedthen
out once more, kissed passionately IN,
unresponsivc image, and fled; but not err
the Lady Jean, believing him gone, ant
. coming to catch the precious likeness
had silently entered and seen him thus
She stood awhile in silence, gazing tn,
way he had gone, her arms folded on hc
heaving breast. She whispered to her
self, 10, noble heart. o, noble heart J
and her eyes lightcned, and a look o
rapturous pride, not pride OF rank, dawn
| cd in the face Of the earIs daughter
Then she, too, knelt and kissed me, bu
solcmnly, even with tears.
/ The next DAY, which was to have been
that of her forced marriage with Sir An
thony, Lady Jean had fled. She escapct
in the night, taking with her her old
{ nurse and me, whom she hid IN her bosom
!, "Would YOU follow the poor artist &c
wed himr p said the nurse.
"Nevcr." answered the Lady Jean
81 would live alone by the labor Of my
hands; but will keep true to him till
the day of my death. For my father
who has cursed me and cast me oil, here
l reuouncc my lineage; and am no long
or an earrs daughter" 81.
So went she forth, and her places knew
her no more. ....... ...
i For months, even years, lay shut up
in darkness, scarcely ever exposed to the
light of day: but l did not murmur; ]
knew that was kept as you mortals keep
your hearts best treasure in the silence
and secresy Of love. Sometimes, late at
night, pal,, wearied hand would unclasp
my coverings, and face worn, indeed,
but having sweet reposc, such as ! had
never seen in the face OF the former Lady
Jean, would come and bend over me with