The Price He Paid — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

242 THE CY NOSURE OF INTEREST. ment. This is why he parted us so inexorably; this was why he took from me all hope of ever pos- sessing you. That he would take your love itself from me, I never, never could have believed.” Gabrielle dried her tears, and rose. “Forgive me, George. I feel how cruel a wrong I have done you, but I cannot helpit. Idid not know what love was when I gave you my promise. The knowledge came to me when | met Arno, and now it would be treachery to withhold the truth from youany longer. 1 fought against it, so long as it was possible to fight; yesterday even I doubted and vacillated. Then this news reached me, and allmy doubts were atanend. I know now where my rightful place is, and nothing shall move me from it—but, first, I had to tell you all. Release me from that promise, |implore you. I cannot keep 1t.” The young man stood before her, rigid and pale with the fieree conflict of emotions. rs Was it for this you called me hither—to tell me this?” : “Yes,” was the answer, hardly audible. “You are free the instant you desire it,” said George, with profound bitterness. “I swore to you that no power on earth should move me to renounce my hopes until I should hear from your own lips that you gave meup. I have heard it now. Good-by.” He turned and walked to the door. Gabrielle rushed after him, and laid her hand on his arm. “Do not go from me so, George. Say you forgive me! Do not part from me in ill-feeling and bitter- ness. I cannot bear that you should be angry with me.” It was the old sweet tone, which had so often worked with captivating power. “Must I lose you?” he asked, in a voice tremulous with excessive emotion. “Think, Gabrielle, think— do not sacrifice our love, ali our lfe’s happiness so hastily. Raven’s passion has misled and blinded you. He has the secret of drawing hearts to him as with a magic spell, but he would never, never make Eomicbooks (E(0)