Two half-length portraits were therefore fixed upon. After they had taken leave,
Walter Ludlow asked Elinor, with a smile, whether she knew what an influence
over their fates the painter was about to acquire.
"The old women of Boston affirm," continued he, "that after he has once got
possession of a person's face and figure he may paint him in any act or situation
whatever, and the picture will be prophetic. Do you believe it?"