a native
Maharajah.'

'Is that matter relevant?' the judge asked, sharply.

'My lud,' the Q.C. said, in his blandest voice, 'I am striving to
suggest to the jury that this lady--the only person who ever beheld this
so-called will till Mr. Harold Tillington--described in its terms as
"Younger of Gledcliffe," whatever that may be--produced it out of his
uncle's desk-- I am striving to suggest that this lady is--my duty to my
client compels me to say--an adventuress.'

He had uttered the word. I felt my character had not a leg left to stand
upon before a British jury.

'I went there with my friend, Miss Petheridge----' I began.

'Oh, Miss Petheridge once more--you hunt in couples?'

'Accompanied and chaperoned by a married lady, the wife of a Major
Balmossie, on the Bombay Staff Corps.'

'That was certainly prudent. One ought to be chaperoned. Can you produce
the lady?'

'How is it possible?' I cried. 'Mrs. Balmossie is in India.'

'Yes; but the Maharajah, I understand, is in London?'

'That is true,' I answered.

'And he came to meet you on your arrival yesterday.'

'With Lady Georgina Fawley,' I cried, taken off my guard.

'Do you not consider it curious,' he asked, 'that these Higginsons and
these Maharajahs should happen to follow you so closely round the
world?--should happen to turn up wherever you do?'

'He came to be present at this trial,' I exclaimed.

'And so did you. I believe he met you at Euston last night, and drove
you to your hotel in his private carriage.'

'With Lady Georgina Fawley,' I answered, once more.

'And Lady Georgina is on Mr. Tillington's side, I fancy? Ah, yes, I
thought so. And Mr. Tillington also called to see you; and likewise Miss
Petherick-- I beg your pardon, Petheridge. We must be strictly
accurate--where Miss Petheridge is concerned. And, in fact, you had
quite a little family party.'

'My friends were glad to see me back again,' I murmured.

He sprang a fresh innuendo. 'But Mr. Tillington did not resent your
visit to this gallant Maharajah?'

'Certainly not,' I cried, bridling. 'Why should he?'

'Oh, we're getting to that too. Now answer me this carefully. We want to
find out what interest you might have, supposing a will were forged, on
either side, in arranging its terms. We want to find out just who would
benefit by it. Please reply to this question, yes or no, without
prevarication. Are you or are you not conditionally engaged to Mr.
Harold Tillington?