The Price He Paid — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

178 ASSESSUR WINTERFELD’S PAMPHLET. pulse had been to hasten toward him; but she stopped, confounded by his tone, which grated oddly, harshly on her ear. Now, looking more closely, she saw the strange change that had come over his features. This was not the Arno Raven who had yesterday held her in his arms and poured out to her the tale of his love, with an ardor and a passion which had metamorphosed the man’s whole being, inspiring her with warmth and tenderness. To-day he stood before her gloomy, reserved, icily severe. “You expected me earlier, perhaps,” went on the baron. “I had need of some time tomake myself acquainted with certain—certain communications which had reached me, and I felt that our present interview would come soon enough. It is unneces- sary for me to enter into explanations, for, though not generally familiar with my official concerns, on this occasion you probably know as well as Ido what has occurred.” “TI? No,” said Gabrielle, with failing breath. “How should I know?” “Do you mean to deny it? But of this we will speak later. In the first place, 1] must ask what led you to enter on this miserable comedy, the farcical part of which was reserved forme? Be- ware, Gabrielle. As I told you yesterday, I have but little talent for sucha role. The man who is duped and betrayed is only ridiculous while he patiently endures it. Iam not inclined to do this. The sorry game you have played with me will be eohack with danger both to yourself and to an- other.” “But what do youmean? Ido not understand you,” cried the girl, whose distress was momen- tarily increasing. Raven came close up to her, and fixed a keen, searching gaze on her countenance. “What was the meaning of those warning words which you whispered to me yesterday, as we drove home? How did you know that I was in any way threatened, and why did you start and turn deadly pale when that courier from the capital was an- nounced? Speak; I insist upon an answer.” Gomicbooks (E(0)