hite robe, part of which is
arranged so as to form a veil. The dress, however, is not strictly that
of any religious order. In its hand the figure bears a lamp, by whose
light alone the form and face are illuminated; the features are marked
by an arch smile, such as pretty women wear when engaged in successfully
practising some roguish trick; in the background, and, excepting where
the dim red light of an expiring fire serves to define the form, totally
in the shade, stands the figure of a man equipped in the old fashion,
with doublet and so forth, in an attitude of alarm, his hand being
placed upon the hilt of his sword, which he appears to be in the act of
drawing.
'There are some pictures,' said I to my friend, 'which impress one, I
know not how, with a conviction that they represent not the mere ideal
shapes and combinations which have floated through the imagination
of the artist, but scenes, faces, and situations which have actually
existed. When I look upon that picture, something assures me that I
behold the representation of a reality.'
Vandael smiled, and, fixing his eyes upon the painting musingly, he
said:
'Your fancy has not deceived you, my good friend, for that picture is
the record, and I believe a faithful one, of a remarkable and mysterious
occurrence. It was painted by Schalken, and contains, in the face of the
female figure, which occupies the most prominent place in the design,
an accurate portrait of Rose Velderkaust, the niece of Gerard Douw, the
first and, I believe, the only love of Godfrey Schalken. My father knew
the painter well, and from Schalken himself he learned the story of
the mysterious drama, one scene of which the picture has embodied. This
painting, which is accounted a fine specimen of Schalken's style, was
bequeathed to my father by the artist's will, and, as you have observed,
is a very striking and interesting production.'
I had only to request Vandael to tell the story of the painting in order
to be gratified; and thus it is that I am enabled to submit to you a
faithful recital of what I heard myself, leaving you to reject or to
allow the evidence upon which the truth of the tradition depends, with
this one assurance, that Schalken was an honest, blunt Dutchman, and,
I believe, wholly incapable of committing a flight of imagination; and
further, that Vandael, from whom I heard the story, appeared firmly
convinced of its truth.
There are few forms upon which the mantl
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