"No. I have laid them aside."
"In contemplation of matrimony?"
"No."
"Is not the accused your accepted suitor?"
"No."
Baynell was looking down at a paper in his hand. His eyelids flickered, then he looked up steadily, with a face of quiet attention.
A member of the court preferred the demand:—
"Was he ever a suitor for your hand?"
"Yes." Her face had flushed, but she kept her eyes steadily fixed on the questioner.
The president of the court cleared his throat as if minded to speak. Then obviously with the view of avoiding misunderstandings as to dates he formulated the query: "Was this recent? May I ask when you declined his proposal?"