The Price He Paid — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

104 AT THE BALL. have reached me, however. You, I dare say, are better informed through your friend and his father.” “Not at all—we have never gone into the subject. But, if the baron had chanced to be connected with the trialinany way, the fact could easily be ascer- - tained through the official reports of the case.” The superintendent cast a glance at the young man which seemed to say: “If that were so, I should hardly be wasting my time and pains on so stiffnecked a person as yourself.” He replied aloud: “The baron’s name is not mentioned in the official documents. If he really had anything to do with the business, all accounts were settled be- tween himself and his future father-in-law, the minister. He must have fully exonerated him- self from blame in the latter’s estimation, for the brilliant fortunes which have attended him through- out his career date from that precise time.” “Very probably,” assented George, with cool re- serve; “but these events, which happened fully twenty year ago, must be more familiar to you than tome. You, I should suppose, were then entering on your professional duties, while I was still a mere child.” The superintendent saw that here there was no inclination to enlighten him, that from this source he should not get the information he required. He gave up the attempt, and when they had exchanged a few unimportant remarks, the two gentlemen parted. Only once again during the evening did George find an opportunity of speaking to Gabrielle, or rather, she herself it was who gave him the oppor- tunity. As he stood looking on at the cotillon, tak- ing no part in it, she fluttered up to him, light and airy as any sylph, and led him to the dance. While they were making the tour of the room, their eyes met. ‘The moodiness had melted from his face, and about her lips there played again the captivating smile which his words had lately scared away. “Must I not enjoy myself? Are you still jealous?” whispered Gabrielle, with a delicious mixture of roguishness and penitence. George would not (e(ayaniicel aero <S (E(0)