The Price He Paid — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

AT THE BALL, 105 have been young or in love, could he have with- stood that smile and that appeal. “My Gabrielle!” was all he said, but infinite ten- derness lay in the softly-spoken words. A slight pressure from her hand answered his. The recon- ciliation was sealed. So the hours flew by, and the ball took the brilliant course usual to such assemblies. Midnight had long passed when the guests departed, and the great galleries grew empty once more. Baroness von Harder, well satisfied with the part she had played on the occasion, was about to retire to her own room. She had taken leave of her brother-in- law, and had turned to give some directions to the servants, when Gabrielle in her turn approached to bid her guardian good-night. Raven saw that she meant to give him her hand, but he remained immovable, with folded arms, and there was a look of cold severity on his features, as he addressed her in a low tone: “T have made a singular discovery this evening, Gabrielle. There appears to be a degree of famili- arity between you and Assessor Winterfeld which is highly unbecoming. Itis not compatible with his position, nor with yours in my house. I will venture to hope that in permitting him such freedom you have been misled by inexperience alone; but you will have to give me an explanation of this. I must know how far your acquaintance with this gentle- man has really gone.” She drew herself up with a resolute air. “Tf you wish it, Uncle Arno——” “Not now,” he interrupted, with a wave of the hand. “Itis too late to-night, and I do not wish that your mother should be present at our inter- view. I shall expect to see you in my study to- morrow morning early. and you will then have the kindness to answer such questions as I shall put to you. Good-night.” He turned away without offering her his hand or waiting for areply, and walked to the farther end of the room. A catastrophe was imminent, inevitable; thus — Eomicbooks (E(0)