Last words of Thomas Carlyle - Warburg Institute

106 WOTTON REINFKEDCHAPTER VIThe inmates of the House in the Wold were afluctuating brotherhood; now coming, now departing; so that week after week, often day after day, anew assortment of characters appeared upon thescene. Bernard had not yet returned ; and Wottonwas spending the morning in a richly-furnishedpicture-gallery, under the conduct of his fair hostess,who had herself proposed this indoors occupation,less with the view of instructing her new friend inpictorial art, for which, however, she was wellqualified, than of gradually dispelling his reserve,and winning her way into more free communicationwith him. For such an object, which besides shecarefully kept out of sight, this place was not illchosen. Wotton knew little of art, but his susceptibilityfor it was deep and keen ; these noble picturescould not but pleasantly engage him; and whileunder the clear and graceful commentary of onespeaking from the heart and to the heart, many afigure rose with fresh loveliness before his eyes, andrevealed to him in glimpses the secret of its beauty,he felt as if acquiring some new sense, and distant