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cannot plant discord in the spirit； but ascends； like a resounding
prayer； eternally to God。 But there are moments； dark moments' He
paused； and I observed that his bright face darkened； as though some
cloud crossed it for a moment。 'There is one incident of my life；' he
said。 'Up to this moment； I cannot understand what that terrible being
was of whom I painted a likeness。 It was certainly some diabolical
apparition。 I know that the world denies the existence of the Devil；
and therefore I will not speak of him。 I will only say that I painted
him with repugnance： I felt no liking for my work； even at the time。 I
tried to force myself； and； stifling every emotion in a hard…hearted
way； to be true to nature。 I have been informed that this portrait is
passing from hand to hand； and sowing unpleasant impressions；
inspiring artists with feelings of envy； of dark hatred towards their
brethren； with malicious thirst for persecution and oppression。 May
the Almighty preserve you from such passions！ There is nothing more
terrible。'
〃He blessed and embraced me。 Never in my life was I so grandly moved。
Reverently； rather than with the feeling of a son； I leaned upon his
breast； and kissed his scattered silver locks。
〃Tears shone in his eyes。 'Fulfil my one request； my son；' said he； at
the moment of parting。 'You may chance to see the portrait I have
mentioned somewhere。 You will know it at once by the strange eyes； and
their peculiar expression。 Destroy it at any cost。'
〃Judge for yourselves whether I could refuse to promise； with an oath；
to fulfil this request。 In the space of fifteen years I had never
succeeded in meeting with anything which in any way corresponded to
the description given me by my father； until now； all of a sudden； at
an auction〃
The artist did not finish his sentence； but turned his eyes to the
wall in order to glance once more at the portrait。 The entire throng
of auditors made the same movement； seeking the wonderful portrait
with their eyes。 But； to their extreme amazement； it was no longer on
the wall。 An indistinct murmur and exclamation ran through the crowd；
and then was heard distinctly the word； 〃stolen。〃 Some one had
succeeded in carrying it off； taking advantage of the fact that the
attention of the spectators was distracted by the story。 And those
present long remained in a state of surprise； not knowing whether they
had really seen those remarkable eyes； or whether it was simply a
dream which had floated for an instant before their eyesight； strained
with long gazing at old pictures。