The Portrait Without Blemish

Amanda soon saw the success of her efforts to give Harriet's imagination new food: she soon came to appreciate Mr. Elton's physical advantages and pleasant manners as they should. On the other hand, she was convinced that the latter was very close to being in love, if he wasn't already. He expressed his appreciation of the progress Harriet had made since coming to Hartfield in terms that sounded conclusive:

"You gave Miss Smith what she lacked: fluency and taste. She was a lovely creature when you knew her, but in my opinion the charms with which you have adorned her far surpass those which she owed to nature.

"I'm glad to think my advice has been helpful to him; but truth be told Harriet had all the skills. My work is reduced to very little. If it were permissible to contradict a woman..." said Mr. Elton gallantly.

Perhaps his character has acquired a little more decisiveness: I suggested to him a few points on which his thoughts did not usually rest.

Precisely. And this result was achieved in such a short time. What lightness of touch! Say rather: what an easy culture! I have never met a more flexible spirit.I have no doubt about it. A few days later, during a conversation, she asked Harriet in the presence of Mr. Elton.

"Has your portrait of Harriet ever been painted?"

At this moment Harriet was called from Mrs. Goddard. Before leaving the living room she paused for a minute to reply with charming naiveté:

"No, never.

As soon as she was out Amanda said: "How nice it would be to have a good portrait of her; I almost want to try it myself. You probably don't know this, but two or three years ago I devoted myself passionately to painting portraits; then the taste passed. Notwithstanding if Harriet wanted to pose for me, I would risk myself again.

'Let me beg you, Miss Burton,' cried Mr. Elton, 'to exercise your charming talent in favor of your friend. I know your works. How can you assume otherwise? Isn't this living room lined with flowers and landscapes from your paintbrush? On the other hand ; I have been able to examine at Mrs. Weston's some delightful specimens of your drawings. Yes, excellent young man, thought Amanda, ​​but this has nothing to do with the gift of likeness! You don't hear a thing! Do not feign admiration for my painting; Save it for Harriet instead! Then she continued:

Well ! Mr. Elton, since you encourage me so kindly, I believe I will try my strength; Harriet's features are so fine that it will be difficult to capture their full delicacy; yet there is in the shape of the eye and in the contour of the mouth something so characteristic that the resemblance must not be impossible to grasp. You say well: the shape of the eye and the mouth! You will definitely succeed. It will be an exquisite work! But I am afraid, Mr. Elton, that Harriet does not willingly lend herself to this desire: she attaches so little importance to her beauty. Did you not observe with what detachment she answered my question? It was to say, "What purpose would my portrait have been made? I did notice and appreciate; but I cannot believe that she cannot be persuaded.

Harriet returned after a few moments: she did not take long to ask and after a weak protest agreed to the proposal of her friend. Amanda wanted to get to work without delay and accordingly fetched a portfolio containing various sketches. None of the portraits undertaken had been completed. They looked together for the process that would suit best. Amanda had tried everything: miniature, pastel, pencil, watercolor. But her perseverance was lacking and, despite her natural gifts, she did not manage to reach the degree of perfection that she aspired to. Without deluding herself about her abilities, she willingly put up with being deceived by others and was not sorry that her reputation exceeded her real merit. In the present case, the partiality of her friends was evident: most of Amanda's drawings did show some quality, but had they been entirely lacking, the admiration of Harriet and Mr. Elton would not have not been less warm. They were both ecstatic.

There isn't much variety," Amanda said. I had only my family members as models: here is my father, here he is again, but it made him so nervous to pose that I was reduced to drawing without his knowledge; as a result, the resemblance is poor...Here is Mrs. Weston in all her guises! This is my sister: it is her elegant figure and her lovely face; I would have, I think, done well with this portrait, but Isabelle was so preoccupied to see me begin that of her four children that she could not keep still… Finally here are the sketches of the three eldest: Henry, Jean and Bella; each of these designs could, moreover, apply equally well to one or the other; as you can imagine, there is no way to keep three and four year olds quiet; besides all these little faces look alike... There's the fourth one who was still just a baby; I drew him while he slept on the sofa: it is the exact likeness of his little bonnet, for he had taken care to conceal his face for my convenience. I am quite proud of this portrait of little Georges!… This is my latest work; my brother-in-law, Mr. Jean Knightley, had consented to pose; after going to great lengths, I was quite pleased with the result; As I prepared to place the final touches, Isabelle approached to offer her opinion: "I do see a slight resemblance, but I am forced to note that Mr. Jean Knightley is much better in reality. That was all she could think of to say. I felt a real annoyance, especially since the model was unquestionably flattered. I had promised myself not to expose myself to such setbacks again; nevertheless I am willing, in honor of Harriet, to break my vow, since there is, in the present case, no marital vanity at stake—for the moment at least!

After some hesitation, Amanda decided on a full-length watercolor portrait. The session began. Harriet, blushing and smiling under the watchful eye of the artist, brought together all the graces of youth. But Amanda felt she couldn't do anything as long as Mr. Elton stood beside her, watching every stroke of the pen. At first she says nothing to give him free rein to contemplate the model; after a few minutes she was obliged to put an end to this agitation and to ask him to go away. Then it occurred to him to occupy him with reading.

"If you would be kind enough to read us aloud, I would work more freely and the time would seem shorter to Miss Smith.

The arrested man declared himself only too happy to make himself useful. Harriet listened and Amanda drew in peace. She had, however, to allow Mr. Elton to come and have a look from time to time, and he was ecstatic at every progress; he was an encouraging critic who saw the resemblance even before the building blocks were put together! If Amanda thought little of Mr. Elton's artistic skill, she could only rejoice in his lover's blindness. The session was satisfying in every way: Amanda was happy enough with this first sketch to want to continue; there was already an air of resemblance, the demeanor was graceful and the details happily chosen; she hoped that this portrait would do honor to them both; he would perpetuate the memory of the beauty of the one, the talent of the other, and their common friendship; she also expected the associations of accessory ideas which the growing attachment of Mr. Elton would not fail to add to it.

Harriet was to pose the next day, and Mr. Elton did not fail to ask permission to attend the sitting and continue his readership.

"Certainly, we will be happy to consider you one of us.

The following day, the meeting was marked by the same cordiality and it was the same until the completion of the portrait which obtained general approval. As for Mr. Elton, his admiration knew no bounds, and he admitted no criticism. Miss Burton has endowed her friend with the one beauty she lacks," said Mrs. Weston, addressing Mr. Elton. "The eye expression is perfect, but Miss Smith has no such eyebrows and eyelashes; it is the only defect of his face. You find ? he resumed. I cannot agree with you; the likeness appears to me perfect in all its details. You have to calculate the effect of the shadow.

"You made it too big, Amanda," observed Mr. Knightley.

Amanda had realized this, but she wouldn't admit it, and Mr. Elton added warmly:

"Of course, the sitting position changes the proportions, but this shortcut suggests to me exactly the idea of ​​Miss Smith's height.

"Extremely pretty," said Mr. Burton, "and so well drawn and painted!" Like everything you do, my dear. There is only one thing I would find fault with: Miss Smith seems to be sitting outside and she has only a small shawl on her shoulders! But my dear dad, we are supposed to be in the beautiful season, the decor evokes a hot summer day. See the leaves of this tree!

"But my dear, it is never safe to sit outside. I bow to your advice, sir," said Mr. Elton, "but it seems to me, I must confess, it was a very happy idea to have Miss Smith out in the open; no other frame would have harmonized so perfectly with the grace and naturalness of the model. I cannot see any flaw in this portrait or take my eyes off it.

It was then necessary to think of framing the watercolor and in this connection some difficulties presented themselves; Amanda wanted the frame ordered... without delay... in London... through a person of intelligence and good taste; they could not dream of having recourse to Isabelle, for Mr. Burton could not bear the thought of his daughter having to go out in the December mists. As soon as Mr. Elton had been made aware of the bewilderment in which his friends were, he proposed a solution: would he be considered worthy of the commission? He would have infinite pleasure in performing it. It would be easy for him to get to London on horseback, and there was no telling how flattered he would feel at such a mission.

After thanking her and declaring that she would not want to cause him such an inconvenience at any cost, Amanda finally relented and accepted Mr. Elton's assistance; it was agreed that the latter would take the watercolor to London, choose the frame and give the necessary instructions. Amanda promised to pack him a small package so as to embarrass him as little as possible; but Mr. Elton seemed to have only one fear, and that was that the parcel was not bulky enough.

"What a precious deposit," he said with a sigh, when he received it.

I can't understand his gallant eagerness for me, given the circumstances, Amanda thought, but there are probably many ways to be in love. He is an excellent young man who will suit Harriet perfectly; I only find that he overdoes the sighs and compliments: for a minor character my share of praise is excessive. No doubt he does so out of gratitude.