The Price He Paid — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

72 FORTUNE AND MARRIAGE. “Hor heaven’s sake, stop!” interrupted his friend. “TT believe there are adozen sine qua non. Love does not figure among them, I suppose?” “Love comes after marriage,” replied the young surgeon, confidently, “at least, with rational peo- ple; and the unions which answer best are those based on the solid grounds of reason and common sense. When, after a mature consideration of character and circumstances, I find that my pro- gramme fits, I shall make my offer at once, and get married; and therewith all is said.” | George smiled rather sadly as he laid his hand on his friend’s arm. “My dear Max, I know very well for whom your sermon is intended. Unfortunately, it can avail nothing. You will not understand this until some passion, springing up in your own breast, dashes through all your clauses ata stroke, and upsets your conclusions.” “A minute, please. Mine is no romantic nature. I leave romance to certain other people of my ac- quaintance. By the by, how is your little affair progressing? May I expect again to fill the part of confidant, and when occasion offers, to resume my former functions as sentinel? JI am at your orders.” George sighed. : “No, Max, there is no question of that. I hardly ever see Gabrielle, and have only spoken to her once in her mother’s presence. The governor has built up around his house such a rampart of haughty reserve and exclusiveness, that it is. impossible to break through it.” “Poor old fellow! the melancholy of your appear- ance becomes explicable to me. Well, you see the consequences of taking these things too seriously. My programme and my clauses, at which you jeer in a most uncalled-for manner, protect me from such misadventures.” George looked at his watch. “Hxcuse me, I must be off to the Chancellery. Our office-hours begin early; but after three o’clock I am at liberty, and I will look you up immediately. Shall I go with you to the hotel?” Gomicbooks (EO)