156 PAlTtt UNTO DEATH. 



pleted the painter*s costume. A straight long-handled sword, 

 a cloak, and a flat cap of velvet with a white plume fastened by a 

 jewel on the left side, lay on a table beside him. 



Notwithstanding the power and fluency of his pencil, it was 

 apparent that eighteen years had scarce passed over the head 

 of the artist j his eye was full of bright enthusiasm, but his general 

 expression indicated a sweet serenity of mind 3 and the inflection 

 of the brow, the dilation of the nostril, the curve or compression of 

 the lip so often observable in the countenance of genius, were not 

 to be seen in the gentle lineaments of his face. Having, seeming- 

 ly, concluded his work, he drew back a few paces to take in the 

 effect J the rich mountainous country, the blue distances, the 

 subdued yet clear light on the horizon, like the dying radiance of 

 an autumnal eve, the deep azure above, the dark dottings of trees, 

 and the quaint and elaborate architectural ruins which represented 

 the stable of Bethlehem, were in the best style of old German art. 

 While the youth regarded the picture, the door opened noiselessly, 

 and a man of advanced years entered with a quiet step, and station- 

 ed himself unnoticed behind him. The stranger was plainly 

 apparelled in a long robe of green, with sleeves of great width 

 hanging loose at the wrist and showing under-ones of fine linen 

 looped with buttons of ruby 5 a tippet of grey squirrel-skin was 

 thrown over this, and a broad sash of crimson was girt round his 

 body J a richly-sheathed dagger lodged in his belt, and with the 

 gemmed links of a chain half-buried in the fur, declared him to be 

 one of consideration. He was unbonnetted j a few ebon locks 

 strayed on his temples, but the upper part of his head was bald j 

 his mien was imposing j the brow marked, the forehead high, the 

 eye dark and keen and lit with a burning fire, the nose hooked, the 

 mouth thin but small and shaded with thick mustachios, which, 

 ■with a square-trimmed beard, slightly silvered by time, gave 

 something of a military character to his countenance. For a short 

 space he looked, eagerly, over the shoulder of the youth j the 

 work of the latter evidently engaged his attention, and a smile of 

 pleasure flashed across his face. *' Hans ! thou hast, indeed, done 

 well ! " exclaimed he, at length, " thy design is immortality ; and 

 right worthy art thou of becoming the son of Cornelitz ! " and he 

 laid his square white hand upon the arm of the young man, and 

 dwelt with pride and satisfaction upon the kindling brow of the 

 latter. Some words of graceful diffidence, followed by an expres- 

 sion of gratefulness to his instructor, flowed from the lips of the 

 pupil J his accents were soft and melodious, and though his speech 

 was but brief, it showed that he was eminently gifted with the 

 magic of eloquence. Cornelitz turned intently to examine the 

 picture, and while thus occupied, the musical chimes of a steeple 

 caused both master and pupil to start from their positions j the 

 latter snatched up his cap, while his eye beamed with new light -, 

 Cornelitz smiled, but pensively ; " I was forgetful of thine appoint- 

 ment, my son," said he affectionately, — " musing on the rare 

 proof of thy genius, I marked not that the sun has gone down and 



