For several years , until left an orphan , she had dwelt with her father in sunny Italy , and there had acquired a taste and enthusiasm for sculpture and painting which she found few opportunities of gratifying in the undecorated dwellings of the colonial gentry . It was said that the early productions of her own pencil exhibited no inferior genius , though perhaps the rude atmosphere of New England had cramped her hand and dimmed the glowing colors of her fancy . But , observing her uncle 's steadfast gaze , which appeared to search through the mist of years to discover the subject of the picture , her curiosity was excited . `` Is it known , my dear uncle , '' inquired she , `` what this old picture once represented ? Possibly , could it be made visible , it might prove a masterpiece of some great artist ; else why has it so long held such a conspicuous place ? '' As her uncle , contrary to his usual custom -- for he was as attentive to all the humors and caprices of Alice as if she had been his own best-beloved child -- did not immediately reply , the young captain of Castle William took that office upon himself . `` This dark old square of canvas , my fair cousin , '' said he , `` has been an heirloom in the province-house from time immemorial . As to the painter , I can tell you nothing ; but if half the stories told of it be true , not one of the great Italian masters has ever produced so marvellous a piece of work as that before you . '' Captain Lincoln proceeded to relate some of the strange fables and fantasies which , as it was impossible to refute them by ocular demonstration , had grown to be articles of popular belief in reference to this old picture . One of the wildest , and at the same time the best-accredited , accounts stated it to be an original and authentic portrait of the evil one , taken at a witch-meeting near Salem , and that its strong and terrible resemblance had been confirmed by several of the confessing wizards and witches at their trial in open court . It was likewise affirmed that a familiar spirit or demon abode behind the blackness of the picture , and had shown himself at seasons of public calamity to more than one of the royal governors . Shirley , for instance , had beheld this ominous apparition on the eve of General Abercrombie 's shameful and bloody defeat under the walls of Ticonderoga . Many of the servants of the province-house had caught glimpses of a visage frowning down upon them at morning or evening twilight , or in the depths of night while raking up the fire that glimmered on the hearth beneath , although , if any were , bold enough to hold a torch before the picture , it would appear as black and undistinguishable as ever . The oldest inhabitant of Boston recollected that his father -- in whose days the portrait had not wholly faded out of sight -- had once looked upon it , but would never suffer himself to be questioned as to the face which was there represented . In connection with such stories , it was remarkable that over the top of the frame there were some ragged remnants of black silk , indicating that a veil had formerly hung down before the picture until the duskiness of time had so effectually concealed it . But , after all , it was the most singular part of the affair that so many of the pompous governors of Massachusetts had allowed the obliterated picture to remain in the state-chamber of the province-house . `` 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 XXXXX the conversation of his young relatives .
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