The Price He Paid — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

AT THE BALL. 95 moderate man who seeks to mediate, and only obeys his chief because he must.” Meanwhile, in the ball-room, dancing was_ being pursued with much spirit, and the couples were already forming for the second waltz. Gabrielle was at the height of enjoyment, and fluttered from one dance to another without rest or respite. She delighted in the amusement at all times, and now drank in, in greedy draughts, the incense offered her on all sides. She lent a willing ear to the flat- tery and reverential homage of her partners, and never noticed with what grave, reproachful gaze George’s eyes followed her, as she thus accepted all their tributes with airy, playful coquetry. When at last he came to her to remind her of her promise and lead her out among the dancers, she gave him her hand with a bright smile indica- tive of perfect content. “Your young ward is really a charming creature,” said Colonel Wilten to his host, who had strolled into the ball-room, and, an unusual pro- ceeding on his part, staid looking on at the dance. “T only fear your excellency will not keep her long. Some gay cavalier will be coming to take her from ou.” “Bah!” answered Raven, with a touch of im- patience. “There can be no question of that at present. Gabrielle is little more than a child.” The colonel laughed. “Our young ladies are not children at seventeen. Fraulein von Harder would decidedly protest against such a notion. Just observe how grace- fully she floats along with her partner. The sunny style of beauty peculiar to her shines with wonder- ful effect this evening. Positively, l envy you your fatherly rights where that sweet girl is concerned.” Fatherly rights! The words seemed to jar on the baron. A deep frown gathered on his brow as, without replying, he watched every movement of — the young couple, who now absorbed all his atten- tion. Wilten had not spoken quite at random. He had remarked the assiduous court his eldest son was paying to the young baroness, who, as pre- Eomicbooks (E(0) =