The Price He Paid — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

42 A PLAIN TALK, “Sad thatthe child should have fallen to such parents, and have had such a bringing-up!” he mut- tered. “How long willit be before Gabrielle be- comes a coquette like her mother, caring for noth- ine but dress, intrigues, and society gossip? The pity of it!” As has already been said, the governor’s official quarters, whither he now repaired, were situated on the basement floor of the castle. He transacted much of his business in his own private study, but would frequently visit the bureaus of the various departments. The clerks therein employed were never safe from a sudden and unforeseen descent of the master, whose keen eyes descried the smallest irregularity. The official who wasso unlucky as to be surprised in any breach of the regulations never escaped without a sharp reprimand from “the chief,” who, so far as possible, directed everything in person, and introduced into his bureaus the samy iron discipline which marked his general adminis. tration. | The business of the day had begun long before, and the clerks were allin their places when the baron entered, and slightly bowing, walked through the offices. Some of the sections he merely passed through with one brief inquisitorial glance around; in others he stopped, put a question, made a remark, in several cases asking to look ata document. His manner to his subordinates was cool and deliberate, but polite, andthe young men’s faces showed in what awe they stood of the governor’s frown. As the latter entered the last room of the series, an elderly gentleman, who was at work there alone, rose respectfully from his desk. Tall and meager of person, with a face deeply lined, and a stiff, unbending carriage, this in- dividual bore himself with the grave dignity ofa judge. His gray hair was carefully brushed, not a wrinkle nora speck of dust was visible on his black suit of clothes, while a broad white neckcloth of portentous dimensions gave toits wearer a cer- tain peculiar solemnity of aspect. “Good-morning, councilor,” said the baron, with "ECoOmichboo cS (E()