e Philip, held its breath.
There were many there expecting what are called in the newspapers
"revelations:" the defence was taken by surprise, and did not know what
new piece of evidence was about to be produced: and even the examining
counsel was, for such a man, subdued a little by the other complicating
threads of the web among which he had to pick his way.

"You recollect," he said in his most soothing tones; "the evening of the
6th September, 1863?"

She bowed her head in reply. And then as if that was sparing herself too
much, added a low "Yes."

"As I am instructed, you were not then married, but engaged to Mr.
Philip Compton. Is that so?"

"Yes."

"One of the directors of the company of which the defendant was
manager?"

"I believe so."

"I am sorry to have to enter upon matters so private: but there was some
question, I believe, about an investment to be made of a portion of your
fortune in the hands of this company?"

"Yes."

"You received a visit from Mr. Compton on the subject on the day I have
mentioned."

The witness made a slight movement and pause: then answered as before,
but more firmly, "Yes:" she added, "not on this subject," in a lower
tone.

"You can recollect, more or less exactly, the time of his arrival?"

"Yes. It was in the evening, after dinner; in the darkening before the
lamps were lit."

"Were you looking for him on that night?"

"No; it was an unexpected visit. He was going to Ireland, and paused on
his way through town to come down to Windyhill."

"You have particular reasons for remembering the date, which make it
impossible that there could be any mistake?"

"No; there could be no mistake."

"You will perhaps inform the court, Mrs. Compton, why your memory is so
exact on this point."

Once more she hesitated for a moment, and then replied--

"It was exactly ten days before my marriage."

"I think that will do, Mrs. Compton. I will trouble you no further," the
counsel said.

The hubbub which sprang up upon this seemed to Philip for the moment as
if it were directed against his mother, which, of course, was not the
case, but intended to express the indignant surprise of the defence at
the elaborate examination of a witness who had nothing to say on the
main subject.

The leader on the other side, however, though taken by surprise, and
denouncing the trick which his learned brother had played upon the court
by producing evidence which had really nothing to