The Price He Paid — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

250 MAX INTERVIEWS COUNCILOR MOSER. The information was not precisely needed, for Agnes knew very well how matters stood with her former patient. Since he had left her father’s roof, she had met him regularly at the house of their common protegee, the law-writer’s wife. The latter had now ina great measure recovered from her serious illness, and was no longer in need of med- ical or spiritual aid; but physician and ministering friend continued their visits with a fidelity which was really touching. , “Towe your daughter most special thanks,” re- plied Max. “To her alone, to her devoted care, I am indebted for my happy recovery. You will allow me, therefore to address to you one request bearing special reference to Fraulein Agnes?” Moser nodded a second time. He was inclined to grant the request; the young man would doubtless ct for permission to take leave of Agnes person- ally. But Max rose from his chair, and said point- blank, without any ceremonious preface: “I come to sue for your daughter’s hand.” The councilor, about to nod a third assent, stopped suddenly, and sat with open mouth. “J—I believe I did not hear aright,” said the old gentleman, at length. “You were saying——” “Tam asking for your daughter’s hand in mar- riage,” replied Max, with equanimity. “Are you out of your senses?” asked Moser, still in bewildered amazement; for though this strange thing was repeated, his mind refused to grasp it. “Not at all. I am in a perfectly normal con- dition,” Max affirmed, and then went on in the same breath, without giving his listener time to collect his wits: “As for my proposal, it is based - on our sincere mutual affection. Ihave already obtained your daughter’s promise. Allow me, then, my dear father-in-law.” He advanced toward the councilor with open arms, but by an agile rebound the latter saved him- self from the intended embrace. That terrible word “father-in-law” had roused him from his | Eomichooks:co