Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-14
Reoollections of Portrait Painter.


Painter.
Many have been the glad, and many the sor-
rowful occasions upon which my pencil has
been summoned; one or two of the scenes it
is my purpose to lay before the reader, in col
ors not bright, perhaps, but true.
Years have passed since, one morning in the
early season, was aroused from my labors in
my studio by the arrival of a visitor. He was
young, and there was in his air that which in
Dictated the union of high birth and mental SUI
periority His manner was elegant, and yet it
was not without touch of embarrassment.
81 have Called said he, din the hope--in
the belief that it is possible for an artist to
take likeness from-from memory-should
there be a dislike to sitting"
al have been able to do so,r replied I,
little surprised at his marked confusion.
of you would do it for me, | should be more
| grateful than you can imagine-but the cir
cumstances are peculiar, and | am fearful you
may refuse; butt added he, and his eyes fill
ing with tears proclaimed his emotion" my
| happiness-my only chance of happiness is in
your hands | am about to leave England for
years, and would wish to continue unknown to
you but there is lady
one in whom my very existence is bound mp
we have been brought up together, but we
must be separated. You shall see her, and if
you will give me sketch, however slight-
| For moment he covered his face with his
hands. promised ready compliance with
his wishes, If he would instruct me how to
proceed. II was arranged that | was to go
with him that night to the opera.-that should
| see the arbitress of his fate-the keeper of his
hearts treasure. Gone glance at her fea-
lures" he said, twill be my excuse" ltwoud
have been impossible for me to hesitate long,
for his passionate entreaties would have pre-
vailed upon far less sensitive nature than
mine. To the opera went with him that
night; and in all the dazzling circle around
there was not one whose beauty could for
moment compare with that of the young and
exquisite face that was to remember! Who
that had ever seen it could forget it?
My companion entered her box, and the
change that came over her bright cheek told
its own tale, whilst the aid of cold poiitenes
which the lady of stately and matronly appear
anc G who was by her side, greeted his APP
proach, showed that it was by stealth alone he
could ever hope to win even the dim, imper-
fe ctly-pictured remembrance of that glorious
face.
Once more went to gaze upon it and with
la throbbing heart sketched her matchless
features | had caught the smile with which
she welcomed him, and when placed it before
my stranger guest, thought that, in the folly
of his young love, he would have worshipped
the hand that gave consolation to his exile.
Months passed by, wien received request
from Lord R that / would paint mna-
ture of his young "fanceep Iof course COM
plied,and at the hour appointed for the sitting,
his lordship entered the room, a lady leaning
on his arm the same aye, the same fair crea-
ture whom had already sketched for another,
With cold and evident reluctance she allow
ed him to lead her to seat. Beautiful as she
still was, n shadow seemed to have passed
over her. Sorrow had been in the depths of
those blue eyes, and had stolen away the lustre
and the Ii CHIT that were native to them whilst
for the gladness Of youth which ! had seen in
them before, there was settled expression of
despair. | read in that face fearful story
The next day ! was informed that Lady
Louisa c. was too unwel to resume her
sitting | heard, at the same time, that it was
cher fathers will" that she should become the
bride of I.,Ord R. A short time after
saw their union announced in the papers.
The next spring found me still surrounded
by the Implements of the art ! love, when one
evening 1 received hurried note from Lord
R, requesting my immediate presence at
the honse in - street.
wemt, and in the most agitated manner
did lac beg OF me to take likeness of his
'beautifnl, his dying wife,
SHOCKED beyond expression, accompanied.
him TO the drawing-room; and there extended
on couch, was laid the wreck of the young
girl had seen but one little year before, in
all the "pride and prodgality" of beauty
The glorious eyes were sunk and dim; the
exquisite features sharpened by the hand of
death; the dark hair thrown back in the impa-
faint smile but met her husbands anxious eye
with an expression-wh was not loue.
sat down to my sad task, and had scarcely
commenced when domestic brought in card.
The large cheek of Lady R. flushed deep
ly, as she tremblingly exclaimed, ''Let him
come i'm
'My love-" interrupted Lord C, i'you are
not well enough to see strangers"
"Strangsrs' We were brought up together.
whispered the dying creature.
| The door flew open, and the visitor entered
knew him at the first glance. lie walked
hurriedly to the sofa on which the lady sat i'm
capable of rising Though evidently anxious)
to receive him, He appeared TO see but one
object in the apartment-of Lord Rs pre-
sence he seemed wholly unconscious lie
wildly pressed pale, thin, cold hand to his
lps-hers murmured some one word that
might be his name but it was scarcely audi
BILE. The hand grew colder in his feyered pres
sure. Yes, even before Lord R could in
terpose, or profter assistance-she, with one
long, intense look upon features familiar to her
from childhood, and imaged probably in her
marriage dreams, had fallen back, the lowell
est ruin ever eye beheld.
When left that stately and splendid man
sion il had no MISTRESS