This plan would have delighted the lovers , but was necessarily rejected because so large a space of canvas would have been unfit for the room which it was intended to decorate . Two half-length portraits were therefore fixed upon . After they had taken leave , Walter Ludlow asked Elinor , with a smile , whether she knew what an influence over their fates the painter was about to acquire . `` The old women of Boston affirm , '' continued he , `` that after he has once got possession of a person 's face and figure he may paint him in any act or situation whatever , and the picture will be prophetic . Do you believe it ? '' `` Not quite , '' said Elinor , smiling . `` Yet if he has such magic , there is something so gentle in his manner that I am sure he will use it well . '' It was the painter 's choice to proceed with both the portraits at the same time , assigning as a reason , in the mystical language which he sometimes used , that the faces threw light upon each other . Accordingly , he gave now a touch to Walter and now to Elinor , and the features of one and the other began to start forth so vividly that it appeared as if his triumphant art would actually disengage them from the canvas . Amid the rich light and deep shade they beheld their phantom selves , but , though the likeness promised to be perfect , they were not quite satisfied with the expression : it seemed more vague than in most of the painter 's works . He , however , was satisfied with the prospect of success , and , being much interested in the lovers , employed his leisure moments , unknown to them , in making a crayon sketch of their two figures . During their sittings he engaged them in conversation and kindled up their faces with characteristic traits , which , though continually varying , it was his purpose to combine and fix . At length he announced that at their next visit both the portraits would be ready for delivery . `` If my pencil will but be true to my conception in the few last touches which I meditate , '' observed he , `` these two pictures will be my very best performances . Seldom indeed has an artist such subjects . '' While speaking he still bent his penetrative eye upon them , nor withdrew it till they had reached the bottom of the stairs . Nothing in the whole circle of human vanities takes stronger hold of the imagination than this affair of having a portrait painted . Yet why should it be so ? The looking-glass , the polished globes of the andirons , the mirror-like water , and all other reflecting surfaces , continually present us with portraits -- or , rather , ghosts -- of ourselves which we glance at and straightway forget them . But we forget them only because they vanish .
It is the idea of duration -- of earthly immortality -- that gives such a mysterious interest XXXXX our own portraits .
Amid During for if than that till to upon with