A few interviews with Gertrude served to dispel, in a great measure, these feelings. Her ready tact, and quick, womanly sympathies, served to bridge over the chasm to Rose's naturally trusting heart.
Oh, that parting with the life-boat of faith--that unsettled, drifting, sinking, weary feeling--that turning away even from the substance, for fear of the mocking shadow--that heart-isolation which makes a desert of the green earth, with all its fragrance, and music, and sunshine--who that has known misfortune has not deplored it? Who has not striven in vain to get anchored back again where never a ripple of distrust might disturb his peace.
"Tell me how you like it," said Gertrude, placing Charley's finished picture in the most favorable light. "Now don't say you are no connoisseur, that is only a polite way of declining to give an unfavorable opinion. Find all the fault you can with it; you at least should know if it is true to life."
"It is perfect," said Rose, delightedly; "it is Charley's own self; he _is_ a pretty boy," said the proud mother, looking alternately from him to the picture.
"You must remember," said Gertrude, "that of all the different expressions of a loved face, which the heart has daguerreotyped, the artist can catch but one, and that one may not always be to friends the favorite expression; hence you see, with all our good intentions, the craft sometimes labor to disadvantage. However, I seldom paint portraits; my forte is 'still life;' so, of course," she added, laughing; "your mercurial little _Charley_ was quite out of my orbit, but thanks to flowers and lump-sugar, I think I may say there is his double."
"A mother's eye sees no flaw in it," said Rose.
"Thank you," said Gertrude, with a gratified smile. "It has already found a purchaser. A gentleman who was in my studio this morning thought it a fancy sketch, and would not believe me when I told him that there was a beautiful living type; he offered me a sum for it that would at one time have made my heart leap; I can afford to refuse it now."
"How early did your artistic talent develop itself?" asked Rose.
"I was always fond of pictures," replied Gertrude; "but the 'talent' which prosperity 'folded in a napkin,' the rough hand of adversity shook out."