The Price He Paid — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

26 CARRYING OUT ORDERS. “IT know it” said Raven, coldly. “I have not shown myself docile enough, subservient enough to them; and, besides this, they cannot forgive me my plebeian origin. To stay and hinder me in my career was beyond their power; but there has uever been any real cordiality toward me in those quarters. Kor which reason it behooves you to be prudent. Attempts are constantly being made to undermine your position. There is talk of ‘arbitrary action,’ of a ‘tendency to encroachment;’ and every measure adopted by you is discussed and subjected to sharp, if not malignant criticism. Do you apprehend no danger from all the intrigues which are being woven against your” | “No, for Tam too necessary in high places, and shall take good care to remain so, notwithstanding my ‘arbitrary action’ and ‘tendency to encroach- ment.’ I, better than any one, can estimate the difficulties of my position here. They will not so easily find another man equal to the task of govern- ing this province, and especially this rebellious, op- position-loving city of R——. But I thank you for. the warning, nevertheless; it accords perfectly with the advices I have myself received.” “Well, I thought I would give you a hint, at least,” said the colonel, rising to go. “But now I ai be leaving. You areexpecting visitors to-day, ear>’ “My sister-in-law, Baroness Harder, and her daughter,” replied the governor, accompanying his visitor to the door. “They have been spending a part of the summer in Switzerland, and are to arrive here to-day. I am expecting them every minute.” “YT had the pleasure of occasionally meeting the baroness in the capital some years ago,” remarked the officer; “and I shall hope to renew the ac- quaintance atan early date. Meanwhile, may I beg you to present my best respects to the lady? Good-morning, excellency.” Half an hour later, a carriage rolled up beneath the portico of the Government-house, and Baron von Raven came dcwn the main staircase to receive his guests. : : EOmiIichbooks. co