uestion now, since I
had not dared to allege in my letters or pleadings that I had breached
my promise owing to any misconduct of plaintiff. But, instead of
submitting to such objection, JESSIMINA answered in mellifluous accents
that she had never manifested more than ordinary civility towards any
gentleman-boarder, but that I had displayed passionate jealousy of them
all prior to my engagement--though never since, because she had never
afforded the slightest excuse for remonstrances.

Whereupon she was again flooded with tears, which stirred my heart with
tender commiseration; for her maidenly distress did only increase her
charms to infinity. And the Judge, feeling fatherly sympathy for myself,
observed very kindly that I had got my answer, which he hoped might do
me much good. For which good wish I thanked him gratefully; and the
Court was again dissolved in senseless cachinnations!

Next I cross-questioned her as to her refusal of my offer to marry on
the ground that I was already the husband of one infant wife, and
whether it was not the fact. She responded that I had referred her to Mr
CHUCKERBUTTY RAM for corroboration of my story, and that he had informed
her that my said wife was a _post mortem_.

Here I cleverly took the legal objection that what Mr RAM said was not
evidence, and warned her to be careful, while the Hon'ble Judge partly
upheld my contention, remarking that it was evidence that a conversation
was held, but not of the truth of the facts stated in such conversation,
thereby showing clearly that he did not credit her story.

Upon the whole, I am confident that I have at least silenced the guns of
WITHERINGTON, Q.C., for upon the conclusion of my cross-examination, he
admitted that he had no further questions to ask the plaintiff.

My solicitor says I shall have to buck myself up if I am to reduce the
damages to any reasonable amount, and that he had been desirous from the
first to brief WITHERINGTON. But this is to croak like a raven, for the
cross-examining is, after all, of very minor importance compared to the
Gift of the Gab--in which I am notoriously _nulli secundus_.

2.15 P.M.--The Court has returned. WITHERINGTON'S Junior has called
JESSIMINA'S mother, whom I shall presently have the bounden but rather
painful duty to cross-examine sharply.

Already I experience serious sinkings in stomach department. _Sursum
corda!_ I must buck it up.

XXIX

_Further proceedings in the Case