The Price He Paid — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

THE BARON'S DECREE. 113 the tidings that his excellency was by no means graciously disposed that morning. Half an hour later, Assessor Winterfeld was summoned to the governor. There was nothing re- markable in this, as he had to take in his report in the course of the morning, and the fact of his being sent for before the appointed hour could easily be explained by the numerous pressing calls on the baron’s time. The young man, therefore, obeyed the summons with unsuspicious alacrity. He entered the cabinet, his head full of the statement he had prepared, set his papers in order, and waited for the signal to be- in, ae We will leave that,” said Raven. “The report can stand over for to-day. I have other matters to discuss with you.” George looked up in astonishment, and only then became aware of his chief’s altered attitude. The dignified calm with which that personage was wont to receive his officials had stiffened into freezing hauteur. George saw the hostility at a glance, and at once understood the words which had struck him as enig- matical. He understood that he alone was the ob- ject of the baron’s displeasure, and guessed what had provoked it. The long-looked-for catastrophe had come at last, and the young man braced himself to face it with quiet resolution. “[ have this morning had. an interview with Baroness von Harder, in which your name was men- tioned,” began the governor. “No explanations are required from you. I already know what has happened, and I must call you to account for the manner in which you have misled that young lady, causing her to fail most unpardonably in the sincer- ity and respect she owes to her family.” | George cast down his eyes. His quick sense of honor allowed the reproach as well-founded. ; “T have possibly erred in remaining silent until now,” he replied. “My only excuse lies in the fact that my position has not qualified me to prefer my suit openly.” Eomichoo (E(0) ¢s)