The Price He Paid — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

100 | AT THE BALL. “Because you dared not.” “T dare anything that is possible,” asserted Gabrielle, with some irritation; “but to hold out under Uncle Arno’s look, when one has anything to conceal from him, is just impossible, and it is of no use attempting it. Well, he pronounced most de- cidedly against the intended invitation. No per- sonal offense to you was meant, for, of course, he has not the faintest suspicion of any understanding between us; but he will not allow any intercourse between us and the younger officials in his bureaux —so we had to submit.” “T was sure of it,” said George. “Il know my chief. He and his must remain inaccessible to all whom he considers beneath him. Well, there is this to be said, not even his despotic will can sep- arate us much more completely than we have sep- arated during the last few weeks. I have never seen you but from a distance, and when, at last, we do meet, as to-night, we are forced to keep up an appearance of coldness and indifference. I have to look on while you are courted and made much of, to see every one able to approach you but myself. I, who have the first and sole right to you, am condemned to silence and the reserve of a stranger. Gabrielle, I can bear it no longer.” Gabrielle raised her eyes to his face. A bewitch- ing smile played round the corners of her dimpled mouth, as she replied: “T do not think the ‘stranger’ is so much to be pitied. He knows very well that I am his, and his alone.” “On a ball-night such as this you certainly are not mine,” replied George, rather bitterly. “You are given to the gayety and the dance and the homage paid you on all sides. You belong to anything and every one rather than to me. All the time that passed before that waltz, Iwas striving te meet your glance. Surrounded by your admirers, you had no eyes for me.” : The reproach struck home, wounding by its very justice; but the young lady was not accustomed to reproaches in this quarter, and she thought it very Gomicbooks (E(0)