whispered she , and shuddered . `` How came it there ? '' `` Madam , '' said the painter , sadly , taking her hand and leading her apart , `` in both these pictures I have painted what I saw . The artist -- the true artist -- must look beneath the exterior . It is his gift -- his proudest , but often a melancholy one -- to see the inmost soul , and by a power indefinable even to himself to make it glow or darken upon the canvas in glances that express the thought and sentiment of years . Would that I might convince myself of error in the present instance ! '' They had now approached the table , on which were heads in chalk , hands almost as expressive as ordinary faces , ivied church-towers , thatched cottages , old thunder-stricken trees , Oriental and antique costume , and all such picturesque vagaries of an artist 's idle moments . Turning them over with seeming carelessness , a crayon sketch of two figures was disclosed . `` If I have failed , '' continued he -- `` if your heart does not see itself reflected in your own portrait , if you have no secret cause to trust my delineation of the other -- it is not yet too late to alter them . I might change the action of these figures too . But would it influence the event ? '' He directed her notice to the sketch . A thrill ran through Elinor 's frame ; a shriek was upon her lips , but she stifled it with the self-command that becomes habitual to all who hide thoughts of fear and anguish within their bosoms . Turning from the table , she perceived that Walter had advanced near enough to have seen the sketch , though she could not determine whether it had caught his eye . `` We will not have the pictures altered , '' said she , hastily . `` If mine is sad , I shall but look the gayer for the contrast . '' `` Be it so , '' answered the painter , bowing . `` May your griefs be such fanciful ones that only your pictures may mourn for them ! For your joys , may they be true and deep , and paint themselves upon this lovely face till it quite belie my art ! '' After the marriage of Walter and Elinor the pictures formed the two most splendid ornaments of their abode .
They hung side XXXXX side , separated by a narrow panel , appearing to eye each other constantly , yet always returning the gaze of the spectator .
as beneath by if near on that though till within