The Price He Paid — page 155: what you’re looking at

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146 THE ICE BEGINS TO THAW. who dare not speak- for themselves. The governor of R—— may return such answer as he sees fit. He has power on his side; his voice will be heard be- fore any other; but if I have all the danger, I have also right on mine. And now let us say good-by. If I can possibly manage it, you shall have news of me from the capital; but, though no single line | should reach you, you know that all my thoughts are given to you, that you inspire my every effort, and that I will never renounce my claim to your hand, unless I hear from your own lips that you have given me up.” He clasped her in his arms for the first time since the day on which he had made to her the avowal of his love. The parting was a bitter one. He would not prolong the painful moment—a few fervent words passionately whispered, a last pressure of the hand, then George tore himself away from her, and left the room. : Gabrielle sank onto a seat, And hid her face in her hands. Tear after tear trickled slowly through her fingers; but her low, half-suppressed weeping was not provoked by the grief of that separation alone. There was another secret, unspoken sorrow shadowing the girl’s soul, a great preoccupation which threatened to efface from her memory all that had come before. George had spoken truly. He had not read Gabrielle aright; but if her deeper nature was now stirring within her, revealing itself in word and look, he was not the magician whose spell had called it forth. CHAPTER XI. THE ICE BEGINS TO THAW. Life atthe castle during the last.few weeks had been anything but agreeable. Tobe sure, things had outwardly taken their usual course. ! The family met and talked at table, and fulfilled all their social duties; but the former easy, familiar intercourse had given place toa stiff reserve and (E(0) Gomicbooks