“Well, sir, she said she had married a rich man, so naturally I didn’t suppose she would have to go on working for her living.”
“Did she ever send you word whether she had a child?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you know now whether or not she has ever had one?”
“No, sir.”
Lady Rellingham was the next witness called, and, in answer to her counsel, said she left home about the year 1875. It might be 1876; she could not be certain. She had left home with her sister, and they both obtained situations in the same milliner’s shop. There she had met Mr. John Rellingham, as he then was, and she had married him after a very short engagement. Their marriage had been kept secret by her wish at first. She did not wish to give up her employment. They never had a joint home. She and her sister shared rooms, and she used to go away with her husband for week ends.
“Then I think you separated from your husband. Can you tell the court the reason?”
“We couldn’t get on. We were always quarrelling, and we both felt it was hopeless to pretend to keep up the farce of appearing fond of each other. So we just agreed to part. That was easy. Because no one knew of our marriage except my sister.”
“Did Sir John make any provision for you?”
“He allowed me an income for a few years, and then it ceased.”