"You imply then that Captain Jadby was frightened of Sir Oliver?"
Witness (evasively): "I don't know, sir. I'm sure that my master was a terrible man, and only liked those who gave way to him."
In cross-examination, Cudworth for the defence asked: "Do you believe that prisoner is capable of committing the alleged crime?"
"No, sir, no," declared the lady's maid fervently. "Miss Chent is as good and kind a young lady as ever breathed. I don't think for one moment that she killed the master, and no more does anyone else."
The other servants gave similar evidence, all pointing to Sir Oliver's ungovernable temper, and to Miss Chent's dexterous way of managing him by meeting like with like. With Sir Oliver she fought on every occasion, otherwise she would have been reduced to slavery; but with other people Miss Chent was always kind and even-tempered. Although the witnesses called were for the prosecution, not one of them would confess to a belief in the prisoner's guilt. Belmain was rather disconcerted by his unanimous approval of Miss Chent, and tried his best to bully the witnesses into blaming her. But he failed on every occasion, and even when Mrs. Blexey was hoisted into the box he could not induce her to run down the girl. This loyalty created a deep impression, and prisoner for the first time showed emotion.
Mrs. Blexey was very stout, and very red-faced, and very tall, and extremely frightened. She looked like an elephant, and certainly possessed the timid nature of a rabbit. The contrast between her gigantic appearance and her timid speech amused those present so greatly that a continuous tittering was heard until the judge threatened to clear the Court.
Belmain: "You are Emma Blexey, the late Sir Oliver's housekeeper?"
Mrs. Blexey: "Yes, my lord!" (with a curtsey).
Belmain (facetiously): "You need not give me a title before I have earned it, my good woman." (Laughter.)
Mrs. Blexey: "Oh no, my lord—I mean my dear sir." (Laughter.)