The Price He Paid — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

GABRIELLE DEFENDS HER POSITION. 129 “T have spoken to Assessor Winterfeld,” Raven began again; “and have made known to him that I refuse, in the most decided manner, my consent to your engagement. This decision is irrevocable, for | know that such a union would after the first . fleeting illusions were dissipated, be productive of much care and bitter regret to you, and for your sake I must and will prevent it, You have been brought up with aristocratic notions, and with habits suitable to your rank; you are accustomed to wealth and luxury, and will never feel at home in another sphere. At the best, Winterfeld could only « offer you the most simple domestic life and very moderate means. You are not equal to such hero- ism; to endure it you would need to transform your whole nature; and I have let the assessor feel what egotism he would be guilty of, were he to require such sacrifices from you.” “He only asks me to endure them for a few years,” interposed Gabrielle. “George Winterfeld is but at the beginning of his career. He will work his way up, as you yourself have done.” Raven shrugged his shoulders. | “ It may be, orit may not. He certainly is not one of those men who take fortune by storm; he will, at best, conquer, win success by persistent quiet labor. But for this long years are needed, and above all, he must be free, independent, as he is at present. Family cares, and the thousand ties and considerations with which they shackle a man, would leave him no space for the development of his talents and of his ambitious projects. J must save you from a practical experience of that most painful of ideals—love in a cottage.” A tear glistened in Gabrielle’s eye as her guar- dian thus, with steady, unsparing hand, drew the picture of her future lot; but she defended her position courageously. “You have no faith left in any ideal,” said she. “You told me yourself that you looked on this world, and all men in it, with contempt. We still believe in love and happiness, and therefore they may be in store for us. George never thought of proposing to Eomichboo “S (E(0)