became human figures, which
moved about a focus of light in strange combinations. This focus was
to be the noblest form that ever was evoked by a painter's fancy, but I
vainly endeavoured, when this form appeared to me in a dream,
surrounded by the rays of heaven, to catch the features. Every attempt
to represent it proved an utter failure, and I seemed to fade away in a
state of the most ardent desire.' Florentin perceived the situation of
his friend, who was excited to a morbid degree, and gave him all the
consolation in his power. Often did he tell him that this was the very
time when illumination would break upon him; but Berthold merely slunk
about like a dreamer, and all his attempts were but the feeble efforts
of a puny child.

"In the vicinity of Naples was a duke's villa from which there was the
finest view of Vesuvius and the sea, and which, on this account was
hospitably kept open for foreign artists, especially landscape
painters. Berthold had often worked here, but still oftener in a
grotto in the park had he given himself up to his fantastic dreams.
One day he was sitting in this grotto tortured by the sense of longing,
that tore his bosom, and was shedding briny tears, hoping that the star
would shine upon his obscure path, when a rustling was heard in the
hedges, and the form of an exquisitely beautiful woman was before him.

"'The sunbeams fell upon her angelic countenance: she cast upon me an
indescribable glance. It was Saint Catharine. No, more than she, it
was my ideal. Mad with transport I threw myself on the ground, and the
form vanished with a benignant smile! My most ardent prayer was
realised.'

"Florentin entered the grotto, and was surprised at Berthold, who, with
beaming countenance, pressed him to his heart, while the tears streamed
from his eyes. 'My friend! my friend!' he stammered forth; 'I am
happy--I am blessed--she is found--found!' He hurried to his
_atelier_, and stretching the canvass began to paint as if inspired by
divine power, he charmed before him the superterrestrial woman--for so
he thought her--with the full glow of life. From this moment his
inmost soul was entirely changed. Far from feeling that melancholy
which preyed upon his heart, he was serene and cheerful. He
industriously studied the _chefs-d'oeuvre_ of the old painters. Many
of his copies were perfectly successful, and now, for the first time,
he began to produce paintings which caused astonishm