The Price He Paid — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

116 THE BARON’S DECREE. such matters. Mark whatI say, Mr. Winterfeld.” “Your excellency, no doubt, acted more cor- rectly, and with more deliberation; but—l loved Gabrielle!” A furious gleam shot from the baron’s eyes, as he turned them on the audacious offender who dared to remind him that his own marriage had been one of calculation. “I must beg of you, in my presence, to give the Baroness von Harder her fitting title,” said he, in his sharpest tone. “As to the disinterestedness of your affection, were you unaware of the fact that my niece is generally looked upon as my heiress?” “No; but I supposed that any dispositions to that effect would be reversed in the event of the young baroness marrying without her guardian’s consent.” “The supposition was correct. And you are really selfish enough to rob the girl you profess to love of all the advantages bestowed on her by birth and fortune? You would condemn her to an exis- tence which would be nothing but one long series of sacrifices? A most noble and disinterested love, truly! Fortunately, Gabrielle von Harder is not the heroine required for such an idyl; and I will take care that she does not become the victim of a youth- ful error, which she would expiate with swift and bitter repentance.” George was silent. That was the sore spot with him. He had often felt, as the baron said, that Gabrielle was the last woman in the world for such abnegation as this “idyl” demanded. “Let us make an end of this,” said Raven, draw- ing himself up, and waving his hand imperiously. “7 cannot concede to my niece a right to dis- pose of her future without my knowledge or con- sent, and I decline to enter into a discussion re- specting wishes and hopes, which are, for me, simply non-existent. Open intercourse, I, naturally, prohibit from this date. You will give me your word that you will in no way seek to communicate with my ward in secret!” “Can I be allowed once more to see and speak to Eomichbooks.com