The staggering blow to Jerome was about to be dealt. Tense, nervous, and thrilled with emotions of pity, the spectators hung on every word of the pale Evelyn when she resumed her testimony.
Word of the impending revelations mysteriously got outside the court-room, although the doors were barred.
The corridors were filled, and scores of people, many of them women, tried in every possible way to force themselves by the officers at the courtroom doors, but after the preceding afternoon’s laxity the bars were put up again and very few were allowed to pass.
However, half a score of women managed to succeed. They were attired in their gayest costumes, in marked contrast with the costume of Mrs. Thaw.
Evelyn on the stand did not look even her 23 years. She was dressed in a plain dark blue gown, with a long coat and wore a broad white linen collar. Her hat was dark and low in the crown, with a broad soft brim, and trimmed with a small bunch of violets. She wore her hair in a loose knot low on her neck, tied with a large black ribbon. Her face, which until she took the stand, was unusually pale, was first flushed, then ghastly in its pallor. It was marked with delicate eye-brows and long lashes. Her eyes were large and dark, and appealing, and her dark hair required frequent brushing back from her eyes. Her slender figure was tense with excitement, and her voice was usually firm and clear.
Even while the women were fighting their way into the room, the questioning was resumed. Mrs. Thaw told of the startling crime of Stanford White, that blighted her young life, and made her beauty a mockery.
Attorney Delmas, ever alert to forestall the mass of objections by Jerome at every opportunity, cautioned the witness:
“Be kind enough to remember you are to omit,” said Mr. Delmas, “in relating the narrative of what you told Mr. Thaw, the name of any other person save that of Mr. White. Now continue.”
“A young lady asked my mother several times to
