Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-27

Virgin"
The fire of genius which illuminated
the handsome countenance of Van
Dyck elected the admiration of all OBJ
servers.
"But 1 should imagine that there
would be no difficulty in obtaining mod
els for painters.
"The models which can be obtained
for hire are undoubtedly beautiful. 1
have sought in vain for the dignity and
purity, which l have never seen united
but in a noble lady, who would disdain
to sit to a poor artist"
The animated and ardent glance of
Van Dyck much embarrassed Lucy; it
told her he had at last found the object
his fancy had depicted. The Duchess,
however, had observed it. and asked:
"Who is this noble lady!"
"The Virgin herself, madam!" Bow
ing profoundly, and giving a parting
glance at Lucy, he added: " If gain
the prize, you shall see me again, mad
am; if not, 1 leave England"
He took immediate possession of his
apartments, where he could, at the same
time, paint his Madonna, and copy the
frescoes for the chapel. With his mind
full of the celestial face he had just seen,
he seized his pencil, and endeavored to
trace her lineaments. But the extreme
sensiblity, so useful to art when time
has Gained it, was now his chief obstacle.
He felt too deeply to succeed in express
ing the idea which filled his soul. The
day passed in fruitless attempt, and the
night surprised him, dissatisfied and des.
ponding.
In the mean time Lucy had suffered
severely for the preference shown her by
Van Dyck. The envy and jealousy ot
her companions found vent 10 imperti-
nent sarcasms; so that, on separating for
the night, her mind was filed with his
idea, and, after her nightly prayer, his
name was the last on her lips.
1t was midnight, the heavens shone
with Thousand sparkling stars, and a
soft light spread itself on the abbey,
which stood solitary and alone among
its ruins.
A window of the palace opened, aud
a shadow passed slowly along the bal
cony and grand staircase, crossed slons
the court, ard reached the monastery.
1t would be difficult 10 say how this
figure had left the palace and penetrated
SO far; but she must have been well &C.
quainted with all the turnings, for, in
short time, she crossed the long avenues.
and, arriving at one of the galleries of
the chapel, she found herself in the
painters work room, and, passing lightly
on, seated herself, without looking
around her, Immediately in front OF his
easel.
Oh, surprise! oh, joy! this being, so
calm, so beautiful, is Lucy! The des-
ponding artist who had been unable to
retrace her features on his canvas, now
beheld living model before his eyes.
What could have induced her to come?
What idea could have given her the
courage and resolutiong lie threw KIM
self on his knees before her, but Lucy,
motioning him to rise, pointed to his
pencil. Her look penetrated him with
flame so pure, that he forgot the reality
of bis vision; his astonishment seemed
TO him a want of faith. Transported by
his imagination to en- ethereal sphere, he
seemed above the earth, and in the midst
of the sublime concert of angels he be-
held Mary, environed by divine rays.
He was no longer the powerless artist.
who had just thrown at his feet his un-
successful pencil; the artist had replaced
the man. Mute and breathless, inspired
by mysterious strength, he seized his
palette. His colors gave the form, and
his soul the life-in few hours be ere
ated the most beautiful and most pure of
virgins.
When the young girl saw that after
tracing her features he was occupied in
imparting to his picture the soul which
animated him, she rose silently, and
with calm and assured step left the
monastery by the same road she had
come.
Van Dyck, with wondering eyes and
oppressed breathing, made not tie slight
est effort to detain her. Ia his eyes, she
"oS uO iOu&Ci anu III uCpdIb-
ure be thought he saw the Madonna re-
turning to her native skies. Enchanted
by his execution and excitement he fell
asleep 10 his armchair. On awaking,
his first thought was to examine his cam
vas. Transported with joy at his sue
cess, he thanked, on his knees, the angel
or woman who had so favored him. In
vain he endeavored again to impart the
ideality which existed in his imagination.
He had so combined the thoughts of the
Madonna and of Lucy, that he deter
mined to discover the truth, aud wrote
the following billet to the young girl:
"Tell me if you are indeed an angel,
if you do not wish to deprive of his
sences the poor artist to whom you have
condescended to appear this night.
Tell me if you are the Virgin, or NOR
tai p
II was part of the duty of the Dow
ager Duchess to open the billets address
ed to the young ladies confided to her
charge. What was her establishment on
reading the epistle Horror!" cried
she, " a child of high family thus to vic.
late her duty, in seeking painter at
midnight" She rung, and sent for the
guilty one; but her rage redoubled when