The Price He Paid — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

256 | THE CHALLENGE. suavity of manner, though, taking his cue from the governor, he assumed a certain degree of reserve. No allusion to recent events did this wary individ- ual permit himself. The baron’s attitude was loftier, haughtier than ever; but there was some- thing in the proud man’s look that suggested a strange parallel, that recalled the hunted stag, which, feeling its strength exhausted and its end approaching, gathers together its last remaining energies, and turns at bay to face the pursuers. The undaunted spirit still visible in his every feature was perhaps no longer the sign of conscious power, but only the outcome of despair. , One part of the conversation had been brought to aconclusion. Speaking of the measures which it had lately fallen to his province to carry out, the superintendent alluded to the release ot Dr. Brun- now. The baron interrupted him, asking: “When was Brunnow set at liberty?” “Yesterday at noon.” “Indeed?” remarked Raven, laconically. “YT hear the doctor intends to leave this city to- morrow,” went on the superintendent. “He will return at once to Switzerland, where he intends to spend the remaining years of his life.” “He is right,” said the baron. “A man who has lived so many years in exile can seldom or never feel at home again in his native land. The adopted country generally prevails over the old.” He spoke indifferently, as though his remarks applied to some stranger, of whose pardon he had accidentally heard. A servant came in, bringing to the governor a dis- patch which had just arrived from the capital—a great official document. Raven signed to the man to withdraw, and broke the seal, saying carelessly: “You will excuse me for a minute?” “Pray do not let me be any restraint, your excel- lency,” replied the superintendent, politely; but, as he spoke, his eyes traveled with a peculiar, curi- ous gaze from the letter to its recipient. Raven unfolded the dispatch. Hardly had he cast a glance at its contents when he started violently. (E() Gomicbooks