`` Some of these fables are really awful , '' observed Alice Vane , who had occasionally shuddered as well as smiled while her cousin spoke . `` It would be almost worth while to wipe away the black surface of the canvas , since the original picture can hardly be so formidable as those which fancy paints instead of it . '' `` But would it be possible , '' inquired her cousin , '' to restore this dark picture to its pristine hues ? '' `` Such arts are known in Italy , '' said Alice . The lieutenant-governor had roused himself from his abstracted mood , and listened with a smile to the conversation of his young relatives . Yet his voice had something peculiar in its tones when he undertook the explanation of the mystery . `` I am sorry , Alice , to destroy your faith in the legends of which you are so fond , '' remarked he , `` but my antiquarian researches have long since made me acquainted with the subject of this picture -- if picture it can be called -- which is no more visible , nor ever will be , than the face of the long-buried man whom it once represented . It was the portrait of Edward Randolph , the founder of this house , a person famous in the history of New England . '' `` Of that Edward Randolph , '' exclaimed Captain Lincoln , `` who obtained the repeal of the first provincial charter , under which our forefathers had enjoyed almost democratic privileges -- he that was styled the arch-enemy of New England , and whose memory is still held in detestation as the destroyer of our liberties ? '' `` It was the same Randolph , '' answered Hutchinson , moving uneasily in his chair . `` It was his lot to taste the bitterness of popular odium . '' `` Our annals tell us , '' continued the captain of Castle William , `` that the curse of the people followed this Randolph where he went and wrought evil in all the subsequent events of his life , and that its effect was seen , likewise , in the manner of his death . They say , too , that the inward misery of that curse worked itself outward and was visible on the wretched man 's countenance , making it too horrible to be looked upon . If so , and if this picture truly represented his aspect , it was in mercy that the cloud of blackness has gathered over it . '' `` These traditions are folly to one who has proved , as I have , how little of historic truth lies at the bottom , '' said the lieutenant-governor . `` As regards the life and character of Edward Randolph , too implicit credence has been given to Dr. Cotton Mather , who -- I must say it , though some of his blood runs in my veins -- has filled our early history with old women 's tales as fanciful and extravagant as those of Greece or Rome . '' `` And yet , '' whispered Alice Vane , `` may not such fables have a moral ? And methinks , if the visage of this portrait be so dreadful , it is not without a cause that it has hung so long in a chamber of the province-house . When the rulers feel themselves irresponsible , it were well that they should be reminded of the awful weight of a people 's curse . '' The lieutenant-governor started and gazed for a moment at his niece , as if her girlish fantasies had struck upon some feeling in his own breast which all his policy or principles could not entirely subdue .
He knew , indeed , that XXXXX , in spite of her foreign education , retained the native sympathies of a New England girl .
Alice England Greece Italy Lincoln Mather Rome William credence methinks