The Price He Paid — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

GABNRIELLE’S RETURN.—RETROSPECTIVE. 273 ee from the remembrance of the past its deepest sting. “Gabrielle, you have asked me nothing yet as to the cause of my overthrow,” the baron said, at length ; “and yet you know the charges brought against me. Do you believe them 2” ; “Why should lask? Of course, 1 knew at once the tale was false—a false and wicked calumny.” _“So you, at least, believe in me,” said Raven, with a deep breath of relief. “IT have never for an instant doubted you. But why do you bear the accusation in silence? Why do you not meet and utterly crush it? Hven for your own sake you are bound to repel so foul a charge.” “T have publicly declared the statement which has been given to the world to be absolutely devoid of truth. You see how my word has been believed. I can no more bring forward proofs than they can who accuse me. One man, only one, could have cleared me entirely, and he has long been in his grave. That man was your grandfather.” “My grandfather!” said Gabrielle, in surprise. “He died when Iwas quite a child, but I have al- ways heard from my parents that you were his favorite and his confidential friend.” Raven mused awhile in silence. Then he went on: “His was an exceptional nature. Perhaps that was why we understood each other so well, for I myself have never accepted common prejudices for the rule and guidance of my life. He, indeed, was born to the eminence I had laboriously to attain. An aristocrat through and through, he yet posses- sed sufficient impartiality to recognize talent and force of character wherever he found them, or however they might be employed. I, above all, have cause to know this. Itwas no small thing for the proud and wealthy nobleman, for the all-power- ful minister to accord his daughter’s hand toa young middle-class official who had yet to win for himself a name and a position. It led me upward to the dreamed-of height, but the price I had to pa for its help was too onerous, too great.” | Gomicbooks (Elo)