Mrs. Anna Bingley, housekeeper to Sir Calvin Kennett, was the next witness called. Her evidence repeated, in effect, what has already been recorded, and may be passed over. Where it was important, it was, like the other, evidence of hearsay, and inadmissible.
Jane Ketchlove, cook to Sir Calvin, gave evidence. She had never seen the prisoner till the night of his arrival, though she had seen his master once or twice on the occasion of former visits. He, the Baron, had not at those times come accompanied by any gentleman. Mr. Cabanis made himself quite at home like: he was a very lively, talkative person, and easily excited, she thought. He showed himself very forward with the ladies, and they remarked on it, though putting it down to his foreign breeding. On the night of his arrival the valet went up to lay out his master’s things about seven o’clock. Shortly afterwards Annie followed him with the hot water. She, witness, rather wondered over the girl’s assurance in going alone, after the way the man had been acting towards her. He had seemed like one struck of a heap with her beauty; for the poor creature was beautiful, there was no denying it. It was as if he claimed her for his own from the first moment of his seeing her, and dared any one to say him nay. A few minutes later Annie came down, red with fury over his having tried to kiss her. She had boxed his ears well for him, she said. Mr. Cleghorn was in the kitchen, and he flew into a fury when he heard. He said she must have encouraged the man, or he never would have dared. He was a great admirer of Annie himself, and it was always said among us that they would come to make a match of it. Annie answered up, asking him what business it was of his, and there was a fine row between the two. In the middle this Cabanis came down. His cheek was red as fire, and he looked like a devil. He said no one had ever struck him—man, woman, or child—without living to repent it. He and Mr. Cleghorn got at it then, and the rest of us had a hard ado to part them; but we got things quiet after a time, though it was only for a time, Mr. Cleghorn having to go upstairs, upset as he was. They simmered like, and came on the boil again the next day at dinner in the servants’ hall. Annie was not there, and that seemed to give them the chance to settle things in her absence. Mr. Cleghorn began it, insisting on his prior claim to the girl, and Cabanis answered that, if he couldn’t have her, nobody else should; he would see her dead first. That led to a struggle, ending in blows between them; and at the last Cabanis broke away, declaring he was going out then and there to find the girl and put the question to her.
Q. What question?
A. Whether it was to be himself or Mr. Cleghorn, sir.
Q. Did he utter any threat against the girl, in case her choice was against him?
A. Not in so many words, sir; but we were all terrified by his look and manner.
Q. They struck you as meaning business, eh?
A. That was it, sir.
Q. About what time was that?
A. As near as possible to two o’clock.