The Price He Paid — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

86 AT THE BALL, the blooming young creature hanging on his arm and looking up at him with happy, beaming, radiant eyes. Gabrielle had never appeared more lovely than on this evening in her cloud-like white ball-dress, twined here and there with flowery wreaths, and with a garland of blossoms daintily set on her fair head. So fascinating was her charm, so dewy-fresh her youthful grace and beauty, she might have been one of the airy mischievous elves of the legend quickened into life and come hither to disport itself. In the sea of light which streamed through the halls, she was the culminating point of brightness. | They had finished their round, and arrived at the principal reception-room, which was adorned with the portraits of divers historical and princely per- sonages. A dazzling chandelier lit up the splendid, but as yet untenanted, space, which, in spite of its festive decorations, was almost awesome in its still- ness and emptiness. No sound was to be heard but the baron’s echoing step and the rustle of his companion’s dress. “It islike being in an enchanted castle,” said Gabrielle, playfully. “We are the only living creatures amid all this sleeping splendor. I had no idea you had so many fine things at: your disposal Uncle Arno. It must be grand to feel one’s self the master of such a place.” The baron cast a general, highly indifferent glance around, as he replied: “You think there is something very enviable in that, no doubt. I myself have never attached much importance to these adjuncts of my position.” “Nor to this, either ?” Gabrielle pointed to the ribbon on his breast. The order the baron wore was one of the highest in the land, and was conferred only in very ex- ceptional cases. “Nor to this either,” said Raven, quietly ; “though I would not willingly renounce the one or the other. External splendor should mark the seat of poe! To the generality of men, greatness is em- odied in these outward symbols; they should, Eomichooks. co