`` How singular a thought , '' observed Walter Ludlow , `` that this beautiful face has been beautiful for above two hundred years ! Oh , if all beauty would endure so well ! Do you not envy her , Elinor ? '' `` If earth were heaven , I might , '' she replied . `` But , where all things fade , how miserable to be the one that could not fade ! '' `` This dark old St. Peter has a fierce and ugly scowl , saint though he be , '' continued Walter ; `` he troubles me . But the Virgin looks kindly at us . '' `` Yes , but very sorrowfully , methinks , '' said Elinor . The easel stood beneath these three old pictures , sustaining one that had been recently commenced . After a little inspection they began to recognize the features of their own minister , the Rev. Dr. Colman , growing into shape and life , as it were , out of a cloud . `` Kind old man ! '' exclaimed Elinor . `` He gazes at me as if he were about to utter a word of paternal advice . '' `` And at me , '' said Walter , `` as if he were about to shake his head and rebuke me for some suspected iniquity . But so does the original . I shall never feel quite comfortable under his eye till we stand before him to be married . '' They now heard a footstep on the floor , and , turning , beheld the painter , who had been some moments in the room and had listened to a few of their remarks . He was a middle-aged man with a countenance well worthy of his own pencil . Indeed , by the picturesque though careless arrangement of his rich dress , and perhaps because his soul dwelt always among painted shapes , he looked somewhat like a portrait himself . His visitors were sensible of a kindred between the artist and his works , and felt as if one of the pictures had stepped from the canvas to salute them .
Walter Ludlow , who was slightly known to the painter , explained the object XXXXX their visit .
After If among at before of that though till with