The Price He Paid — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

GABRIELLE’S RETURN.—RETROSPECTIVE. 265 only be a standing reproach to her for whom it was intended. The baron threw down his pen, and rested his head on his hand. Not without reason had he dreaded the moment when the one great passion of his life, which had betrayed him into a passing weakness, but which he had resolutely driven from him far into the background, should break the re- straining dykes, and rush in upon him again with its swift, strong current. It was no soft or tender emotion which filled his breast. Arno Raven was not one easily to give up what he desired, or lightly to forgive where he be- lieved himself wronged. He, of his own free will, had decreed the separation—had sent Gabrielle from him; and he did not repent it. No half- measures suited him. “Let it be this, or that,” had been this motto through life; sonow he would have absolute and undivided possession of her love, or he preferred to lose her altogether. Well, he had lost her—given her over to another who could rally to his aid the mighty influences of youth and a first love. The baron never doubted that the connection with Winterfeld had been renewed in the capital. The tyrannical guardian, who had so long stood between the young people, separating them, had now stepped back, leaving them free to draw together again ; and the baroness was far too weak, too want- ing in character, to oppose any lasting resistance to her daughter’s wishes, when no longer fettered by fear of her brother-in-law. Besides, Winterfeld’s position had changed. He had risen in a most un- expected manner, and would surely rise further— thus the great barrier to the marriage was with- drawn. <All was going the natural, appointed course, which he in his madness, had sought to check and stay. How, indeed, could such a young creature as Gabrielle understand, far less return, a passion so profound, so all-absorbing as his? The fine, but short, autumn day was fast de- clining, and the rays of the setting sun sought and found their way into the study. ‘Through the deep Eomicbooks (E(0)