The Price He Paid — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

THE ICE BEGINS TO THAW. 1538 He would have at once given the coachman the order, but Gabrielle stopped him. “No, thank you. I prefer even this chill keen air to a close carriage. My cloak protects me _ per- fectly.” “As you like.” Raven stooped, drew up a rug which had slipped to their feet, and wrapped it round his companion’s slender form. ‘Then she said, inalow and almost timid voice: “Uncle Arno, I have a request to make of you.” “T am listening,” he replied laconically. “Tf this close intercourse with Colonel Wilten’s family is to be kept up in town, let me be free from sharing 1n it.” “Because, during our stay in the country, I have discovered that mamma was following out a pre- meditated plan in accepting that invitation, a plan which you favor.” . “IT favor nothing,” said Raven, coldly. “Your mother is guided by her own wishes, and acts on her own responsibility. I take no part in the matter.” “But they will ask for your decision,” returned Gabrielle. “At least, mamma hinted to me that Albert von Wilten would shortly apply to you with a request which——” | “Which will concern you,” concluded Raven, as she paused. “That seems probable, certainly, but you alone can decide thereupon. I shall refer him to you for an answer.” “Spare us both that,” interposed the girl, hastily. “Tt would be as mortifying to him to take a refusal from my lips as it would be painful for me to speak it.” “You have made up your mind, then, to decline his offer?” | She looked up at him with great reproachful eyes. “Can you ask me? You know that I have given my word to another.” ; “And you know that I do not recognize that promise, given in haste, as a pledge which is to bind gs) (eC) Eomicboo