Unabashed, the defendant proceeded with his case, which was—
(1) That he had said or done nothing to encourage the plaintiff.
(2) If he had done so he had not meant it.
(3) If he had meant to do so he had had no idea——
"You are wasting the time of this court," thundered the learned judge, and demanded the line of defence.
"I have no defence, my lord."
"Then why on earth are you fighting the case?"
"I'm not fighting anybody. I am willing to marry her on certain conditions."
The elucidation of these conditions necessitated the clearance of the court, and for some time the case was heard in camera. However, it is generally known that the learned judge himself re-examined both parties, as a result of which the Fair Girl admitted to being secretly in love with a gendarme, and flatly declined to marry the defendant. The case was dismissed without costs on either side. Counsel for plaintiff explained that the officers of Kastamuni had subscribed the amount of plaintiff's court costs. A question by the Bimbashi as to whether plaintiff's counsel had received his professional costs from the Fair Girl was disallowed by the learned judge. Counsel for plaintiff, who became greatly heated, was distinctly heard by some to say something about "a jealous counsel," but the remark evidently did not reach the ears of Mr. Justice Owes-Leigh.
The court rose, and the Fair Girl, whose nerve possibly failed at the last moment, went out on her counsel's arm.