The Price He Paid — page 102: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AT THE BALL. — 93 Baron Wilten, and which, in all probability, she had held in reserve for Mr. Winterfeld. This familiarity may be accounted for, no doubt, by the previous acquaintanceship; but itis a proceeding which I, nevertheless, consider most improper. The promise she has given cannot be recalled; but I beg of you to see that Gabrielle does not dance more than once with this young man. I most de- cidedly object to it.” There was suppressed, but very evident, anger in his tone. The baroness was rather surprised at his displaying so much irritation, which the oc- casion hardly seemed to warrant; but she hastened to assure him that she would speak to her daughter, and then took the arm offered her by Colonel Wil- ten, who had come tolead her to the ball-room. The baron sauntered through the other rooms, where much animated conversation was going on. Joining first one group and then another, he would enter into a discussion here, make a few passing remarks there, or merely exchange amenities with some guest he had not hitherto welcomed. With the burgomaster he chatted amicably, making no allusion to the differences existing between them. “One would fancy we were the guests of our sovereign himself, and not of his representative,” said the burgomaster to the superintendent of police, as the two met. “Upon my word, the airs his excellency is pleased to give himself on these occasions are ineffable, but they would be more becoming in amonarch than in the governor of a province. Have you been honored yet with gracious speech and royal dismissal?” The person addressed smiled his ready smile, tak- ing no notice of the other’s caustic tone. “I amreally surprised to see you here,” he re- plied. “From the hostile attitude you and the other members of the corporation have lately adopted toward the governor, | was afraid you might collectively decline the invitation.” “How could we?” asked the burgomaster, with some heat. “The fete is given in honor of our sovereign. Had we refused to take part in it, our Eomichboo “S (€(0)