The Price He Paid — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

110 | THE BARON’S DECREE. This word at length let loose the fury of the storm hitherto held in check. With a movement of rage, Raven dashed the chair aside, and strode up to the — young girl. “And you dare to say that to me?” he broke out. “You dare, without my knowledge and consent, to enter into an engagement which you know I shall decidedly oppose—to defy me openly? You build on the indulgent kindness | have shown you up to this time. It is at an end from to-day. Do not challenge me too far, Gabrielle; you may bitterly repent it. I have means of bringing a perverse, rebellious child to reason—means I shall unsparing|ly use against both youand him. Winterfeld shall answer to me for this surreptitious love-making, for the sweet speeches with which he has befooled you into giving a promise—a promise which is null and void, seeing that you are not free to dispose of yourself as yet. He courts in you the presumptive heiress, and calculates that through her he shall at- tain to wealth and influence. He may find himself deceived. I alone have to decide as to your future, which is altogether in my hands. Your lot in life depends on me, andif I accord to youa brilliant position, I shall expect implicit obedience in return. At no time, and under no circumstances, can there be a question of such a marriage. I refuse my con- sent, and you must perforce bend to my will.” Gabrielle had recoiled a step before this fierce outburst, but nevertheless she met it bravely. The “child” possessed more stability, more strength of purpose, than Raven supposed She was not to be Pea oe be by his imperious words or threatening - looks. 3 “You have no rights over me, except those of a guardian, and they will expire at my majority,” she replied, with most unusual energy. “My future and my position in life concern George alone. I shall accept the lot that he can offer me, whatever it may be. No calculating thought has ever entered his mind with regard tome. George’s affection——” The baron stamped furiously. “George, and nothing but George! I forbid you GEomicbooks (E(0)