The place seemed secluded, and was to me quite strange: I did not know it at all.
Once more I lay down.

My bed stood in a little alcove; on turning my face to the wall, the room with its bewildering accompaniments became excluded.

Excluded?
No! For as I arranged my position in this hope, behold, on the green space between the divided and looped-up curtains, hung a broad, gilded picture-frame enclosing a portrait.

It was drawn--well drawn, though but a sketch--in water-colours; a head, a boy's head, fresh, life-like, speaking, and animated.

It seemed a youth of sixteen, fair-complexioned, with sanguine health in his cheek; hair long, not dark, and with a sunny sheen; penetrating eyes, an arch mouth, and a gay smile.