The Price He Paid — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

126 GABRIELLE DEFENDS HER POSITION. side!” cried the baroness, who, on principle and constantly, ignored her brother-in-law’s attacks on herself. “I know that I have always given way too much to Gabrielle, and now she thinks she may be- have toward me as she likes. You, fortunately, have more authority over her. Act with firmness and severity, Arno. I myself implore it of you. Bounds must be set to the insolence of that young man; his pretensions must be checked. I will endeavor to make my daughter understand how completely she has forgotten herself and her station in life in lis- - tening to such proposals.” “There must be no reproaches,” said the baron, decidedly. “Gabrielle has already heard froin me the view you and I take of the matter. Remon- strance and worry will only drive her to more and more determined resistance. Besides, this attach- ment of hers is not so absurd, nor the young man so wholly insignificant, as you suppose. On the con- trary, | consider that the affair is very serious, and calls for immediate and energetic action. I hope it may yet be time for this to avail.” “Oh, thatit certainly will—certainly!” chimed in Madame von Harder. “It is impossible that my childish, volatile Gabrielle should be so deeply, so seriously attached. She will come to her senses by- and-by, and will see how foolishly she has acted.” “T hope so,” said Raven; “and to bring this about, I have already taken measures to prevent any meeting between the two in future. It is for you to see that there is no interchange of letters, and I am persuaded, Matilda, that you will know how to withstand such prayers and tears as may be used to soften vou, and that you will be guided solely by a regard for your daughter’ sfuture. I am not inclined to reward an open opposition to my wishes by making a will in her favor, still less am I. disposed to help Mr. Winterfeld to wealth and distinction by means of my fortune. Gabrielle is far too young and inexperienced to take such consideration into proper account. All the circumstances of the case are clearly before you, however, and therefore I fee] sure of your co-operation.” Gomicbooks (E(0)