The Price He Paid — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

20 A DARK SPOT. wonder, if I ventured to propose to him for the hand of his ward and presumptive heiress? He stands in your father’s place. You are under his authority.” “Yes; but only until I come of age. In afew years, my lord’s guardianship and authority will ex- pire together. Then I shall be free.” “In a few years!” echoed George. “And what will be your feelings then?” There was such sorrowful apprehension in his words that Gabrielle looked up halt-frightened, half-offended. “George, do you doubt my love?” He clasped her hand tightly in his. “Tl have faith in you, my Gabrielle; trust ‘me in return. Jam not the first man who has worked his way up, and I have always been taught to look for- ward with confidence, and to depend on my own strength. I will strain every nerve for your sake. You shall not be ashamed of your choice.” “Yes; you will have to make me the wife of an excellency at least,” laughed Gabrielle. “I shall fully expect that-you will become a. governor or a minister some day. Do youhear, George? No other title will suit me.” George suddenly dropped the hand which still rested in his own. He had, no doubt, looked for some other answer to those fervent words which had come from the very depths of his heart. “You do not understand me. How, indeed, should you know anything of the sérious, earnest side of life? No shadow has as yet crossed your path.” “Oh, I can be serious enough,” Gabrielle assured him. “Most uncommonly serious. You do not know me, my real nature, thoroughly yet.” “Possibly,” said the young man, with a rush of bitterness. “In any case I have not had power to arouse your deeper self.” Gabrielle saw very well that he was hurt, but it did not please her to notice his humor. She teased and jested on, giving fullrein to her high spirits, and indulging in all her willful little ways, sure of her influence which had often stood fiery tests, and which worked again now. The cloud dispersed from Gomicbooks co