The Price He Paid — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

THE CY NOSURE OF INTEREST. 239 In his transport of delight he did not notice that her hand lay motionless in his, giving no pressure in return, and that all the answer he received to his tender greeting was a faint, sad smile. He went on, still joyously excited: “But what does all this mean? I thought you were far away in R——, and only now hear that you are in town, living close by me. And what am I to think of the little note which summoned me hither? Does your mother know of the invitation?” “No,” said Gabrielle, in decided accents, that sounded strangely from her lips. “She has driven out with Countess Selteneck; but I mean to tell her when she comes back that I asked you to come, and why. She would not have given her consent to this interview, and I felt that I must speak to you.” George looked at her in some astonishment. It had not formerly been Gabrielle’s way to proceed thus with plan and resolution. “TI, too, longed inexpressibly to see you again,” he replied. “There was no possibility of sending you news of me. I cannot keep up any communi- cation with the governor’s house, especially against his will. You know, I suppose, on what footing I stand toward him now?’” ° “T had to hear of it—from others. Your vague hints at parting were utterly unintelligible to me. You left me quite in the dark, and allowed the truth to break upon me unawares.” George understood the reproach. “Forgive me,” he entreated earnestly. “It was entirely on your account that I was silent. I could not make a confidante of you—could not let you share in the knowledge of a project which was to turn against your guardian and host. Are you angry with me for what I have done? You little know how fierce were the struggles I went through before I could resolve on taking that step.” “It has brought you good luck!”—there was a singular, almost a scornful inflection in the girl’s voice. “Ithas raised you from obscurity to fame at a stroke. Your name is now in everybody’s mouth. Winterfeld’s handsome face clouded over. Eomichoo ¢s) (E(0)