` Twould drive me mad , that awful face , '' said Hutchinson , who seemed fascinated by the contemplation of it . `` Be warned , then , '' whispered Alice . `` He trampled on a people 's rights . Behold his punishment , and avoid a crime like his . '' The lieutenant-governor actually trembled for an instant , but , exerting his energy -- which was not , however , his most characteristic feature -- he strove to shake off the spell of Randolph 's countenance . `` Girl , '' cried he , laughing bitterly , as he turned to Alice , `` have you brought hither your painter 's art , your Italian spirit of intrigue , your tricks of stage-effect , and think to influence the councils of rulers and the affairs of nations by such shallow contrivances ? See here ! '' `` Stay yet a while , '' said the selectman as Hutchinson again snatched the pen ; `` for if ever mortal man received a warning from a tormented soul , Your Honor is that man . '' `` Away ! '' answered Hutchinson , fiercely . `` Though yonder senseless picture cried ` Forbear ! ' it should not move me ! '' Casting a scowl of defiance at the pictured face -- which seemed at that moment to intensify the horror of its miserable and wicked look -- he scrawled on the paper , in characters that betokened it a deed of desperation , the name of Thomas Hutchinson . Then , it is said , he shuddered , as if that signature had granted away his salvation . `` It is done , '' said he , and placed his hand upon his brow . `` May Heaven forgive the deed ! '' said the soft , sad accents of Alice Vane , like the voice of a good spirit flitting away . When morning came , there was a stifled whisper through the household , and spreading thence about the town , that the dark mysterious picture had started from the wall and spoken face to face with Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson . If such a miracle had been wrought , however , no traces of it remained behind ; for within the antique frame nothing could be discerned save the impenetrable cloud which had covered the canvas since the memory of man . If the figure had , indeed , stepped forth , it had fled back , spirit-like , at the day-dawn , and hidden itself behind a century 's obscurity .
The truth probably was that Alice Vane 's secret for restoring the hues XXXXX the picture had merely effected a temporary renovation .
Though about as at by from like of that upon