The Price He Paid — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

FORTUNE AND MARRIAGE. Ais 69 he heard a familiar voice say: “Don’t trouble your- self. I can find my way to Mr. Winterfeld alone,” that he started up from his book, just as the new- comer entered. | “Good-morning, George, old fellow. HereI am, you see.” “Max! Isit possible? What brings you to——? How did you come here?” cried George, in joyful surprise, hurrying to meet his friend. “I came straight from home,” replied the latter, returning his friend’s greeting with equal hearti- ness. “lI only reached the hotel half an hour ago, and came up to see you immediately.” “But why not write me afewlines? Did you wish to take me by surprise?” “No, not that; the journey was rather a surprise to myself; for, my dear fellow, Iam not brought here by any sentimental feelings of friendship, as you may possibly flatter yourself, but by a most real and practical matter of business, arising from our succession to some property. But, in the first place, how are you? You are looking pale, as is but natural toa man who sits brooding in the early morning over his books. George, you are incor- rigible.” George laughed, eae away the hand that was stretched out to feel his pulse, and drew his friend to the sofa. | “Lay aside the doctor for the nonce,” saidhe. “I am perfectly well. So itis some succession-business which brings you here. Have riches peradventure ovrtaken you?” “Not riches, exactly,” said Max. “It isonly a matter of a very modest fortune left by a cousin of ours who owned a small estate in the neighborhood of R——. I had some acquaintance with him. He had quarreled with my father out and out, on ac- count of the latter’s political past; but now he has died without a will or direct heirs, and my father, as next of kin, has received a summons from the R—— tribunal tomake good hisclaims. This he cannot doin person. You know that he may not set foot in his native land without risking a return Gomicbooks (E(0)