Prisoner. This Leicester was a lover of yours?
Ryder. Not he.
Prisoner. Oh, fie! Why he offered you marriage; it went so far as that.
Ryder. Oh, that was before you set him up pedlar.
Prisoner. 'Twas so, but he was single for your sake, and he renewed his offer that very night. Come, do not forswear yourself about a trifle.
Ryder. Trifle, indeed! Why, if he did, what has that to do with the murder? You'll do yourself no good, madam, by going about so.
Wiltshire. Really, madam, this is beside the mark.
Prisoner. If so, it can do your case no harm. My lord, you did twice interrupt the learned counsel, and forebode him to lead his witnesses; I not once, for I am for stopping no mouths, but sifting all to the bottom. Now, I implore you to let me have fair play in my turn, and an answer from this slippery witness.
The Judge. Prisoner, I do not quite see your drift; but God forbid you should be hampered in your defense. Witness, by virtue of your oath, reply directly. Did this pedlar offer you marriage that night after he left the prisoner?
Ryder. My lord, he did.