sky of sorrow; she had not yet
learned that, in drawing near the hand that holds the rod, the blow is
lightened, and she bitterly demanded of her Maker to be released from the
burden of life.

CHAPTER XXXV

"THE SANCTIFIED DEVOTION AND FULL WORK"

The sunlight of a warm spring day flashed through the open window, and made
golden arabesque tracery on the walls, and portraits of the parlour at
Huntingdon Hill. The costly crimson damask curtains had long since been cut
into shirts for the soldiers, and transported to the army of Tennessee, and
air and sunshine entered unimpeded. Electra sat before her canvas in this
room, absorbed in the design which now engaged every thought. The witchery
of her profession had woven its spell about her, banishing for a time the
spectral past.

The extension of the Conscription statute had, several months before,
deprived Irene of a valued and trusty overseer; and to satisfy herself
concerning the character of his successor, and the condition of affairs at
home, she and her uncle had returned to W----, bringing Electra with them.

Irene was with Electra in the parlour.

"What progress are you making, Electra?"

"Very little. I shall not hurry myself; I intend that the execution shall
be equal to my ideal--and that ideal entirely worthy of the theme. I want
to lay my '_Modern Macaria_,' as the first offering of Southern art, upon
my country's altar, as a nucleus around which nobler and grander pictures,
from the hands of my countrymen and women, shall cluster."

"Electra, in order to effect this 'consummation devoutly to be wished,' it
is necessary that the primary branches of Art should be popularized, and
thrown open to the masses; and in order to open for them new avenues of
support, I have determined to establish in W---- a School of Design for
Women--similar in plan, though more extensive, than that founded some years
ago by Mrs. Peter of Philadelphia. The upper portion of the building will
be arranged for drawing classes, wood-engraving, and the various branches
of Design; and the lower, corresponding in size and general appearance, I
intend for a circulating library for our county. Over that School of Design
I want you to preside; your talents, your education, your devotion to your
Art fit you peculiarly for the position. The salary shall be such as to
compensate you for your services; and, when calmer days dawn upon us, we
may be able to secure some very valuable lec