"You, then, were the son of a gentleman?" There was a hateful suggestion in the tone.
"I was."
"A legitimate son?"
Nothing in Crozier's face showed what he felt, except his eyes, and they had a look in them which might well have made his questioner shrink. He turned calmly to the judge.
"Your honour, does this bear upon the case? Must I answer this legal libertine?"
At the word libertine, the judge, the whole court, and the audience started; but it was presently clear the witness meant that the questioner was abusing his legal privileges, though the people present interpreted it another way, and quite rightly.
The reply of the judge was in favour of the lawyer. "I do not quite see the full significance of the line of defence, but I think I must allow the question," was the judge's gentle and reluctant reply, for he was greatly impressed by this witness, by his transparent honesty and straightforwardness.
"Were you a legitimate son of John Gathorne Crozier and his wife?" asked
Burlingame.
"Yes, a legitimate son," answered Crozier in an even voice.
"Is John Gathorne Crozier still living?"