The Price He Paid — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

GRBRLELLE’S RETURN.--RETROSPECTIVE. 267 him. At last she took courage, and drew slowly nearer. “Will yourepulse me again now, Arno, when I tell you that you were wrong in suspecting me? I should have spoken long ago, but you put me from you so roughly, so harshly. You would not even hear me—that roused my pride. I would not beg for the confidence you refused me. I’—she stood close by his side now, and looked pleadingly into his face—“ I knew nothing of that attack upon you. Only, when he was going away, George told me there would soon be open war between you and him. I pressed in vain for some explanation. He would give me none, and afew minutes later we had to part. Since that day, not a word, not a syllable on the subject reached me, until you yourself held up the book before my eyes. If I had had the slightest suspicion of what was coming, you would have heard of it. I never betrayed you, Arno, believe me.” Truth rang in those accents, shone in her face. Raven caught her hand with a quick movement. Still with the same expression of eager, intense anxiety, he drew her to him, and, without uttering a word, looked into her eyes, which, through their glistening dew met his fearlessly. This silent, piercing scrutiny lasted some seconds; then the baron stooped suddenly, and pressed his lips to the oirl’s brow. f “No, you are true,” he said, withadeep long breath. “1 believe you.” His hand clasped hers more firmly. He now re- marked. that Gabrielle was still in her traveling dress; she had merely thrown off her hat and cloak before coming in to him. As yet, however, he was far from divining how matters really stood. His next question proved this. “Where is your mother, and what has caused this speedy return? I did not expect you for several weeks.” A deep crimson blush slowly mantled to the girl’s cheeks. sil “Mamma stayed behind. I could hardly make (E(0) Gomicbooks