The Price He Paid — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

34 A PLAIN TALK. that respect which an energetic, consistent charac- ter compels even from its enemies. Moreover, to him was owing a series of improvements which his keenest opponents could not see without satisfac- tion. This man, whose political action had earned for him hatred and mortal hostillity, became in another sphere the benefactor of the province com- mitted to his charge. Indefatigable as its representa- tive when any occasion offered of defending its in- terests, he was ever ready to introduce, or to sup- port, such reforms as tended to promote the public weal. His resolution and strong powers of initia- tive, which had worked so banefully in one direc- tion, grew most beneficent when turned to pacific account. Foremost among the advocates of any scheme likely to favor industrial enterprise, to be- friend the agriculturist, or in any way to enhance the general prosperity, he attached many interests to himself, and thus in time rallied partisans almost as numerous as his enemies. His administration was amodel of order, incorruptibility, and strict discipline, and throughout the province were visible blooming evidences of the many improvements he had planned with practical, sagacious insight, and executed witha hand which never wavered in its purpose. The governor lived in great style, for he pos- sessed a considerable fortune independently of his official income. His late father-in-law had been very rich, and at his death the property had been divided between his two daughters, Madame von Raven and the Baroness Harder. The former lady’s marriage had been one of those convenient matri- monial arrangements so common in the upper ranks of society. Raven had been guided in his choice simply and solely by calculation, but he never for- got that this union had opened to him his career, and his wife had at no time cause to complain of neglect or want of consideration on his part,; the affection, which was so signally absent, she did not miss. Madame von Raven was a person of very moderate intelligence, and could never have in- spired any serious passion. . She had accepted the Eomichooks:co