The Price He Paid — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

THE ICE BEGINS TO THAW. 155 both were in danger, and that the danger did not come from without. Swiftly, steadily, the carriage rolled on its way toward the town, which still lay at some consider- able distance, all wreathed around in mist. The broad valley and its encircling hills were already robed in russet, for here, among the mountains, autumn entered on its dominion earlier than out in the open plain. As yet the trees and bushes stood clothed in all their wealth of leaves, but their fresh verdure had long ago disappeared. Everywhere nature had decked herself in rich and varied hues, ranging from darkest brown to brightest ochre, with here and there a flame of brilliant red or a dash of purple, deluding the eye with the sem- blance of flowers still blooming in among the thickets; though, in truth, there was nothing here but dying foliage sending forth one last bright gleam of color before it fell a prey to the chill wind now rustling through the forests, and sweeping with its cutting blasts over the bare fields and ‘pastures. This same landseape had once presented a very different aspect to the two who were now sitting side by side, mute and reserved as strangers. Then the valley had lain before them flooded in sunlight, bright with a golden haze, its blue mountains and glistening distances telling of a “ Paradise” beyond; while beneath the cool deep shade of the limes came the sparkle of the fountain and the mysterious rip- pling murmur of its waters, calling up those sweet, dangerous dream-visions! To-day the only sound was the low roar of the river, as they drove along its banks. : The baron’s eyes were moodily fixed on the set- ting sun and the great masses of cloud striving to- gether forthe mastery. At length, with a strong effort, as it seemed, he roused himself from his thoughts, and broke theong silence. ae “Thesky denotes a storm,” he said, turning to his young companion; “but it will probably not come upon us until night, and I hope we shall be safely housed in R—— before dusk.” EOmIichboo “S (E()