Every body tittered at this except Mr. Smoothbore and his solicitor; even the judge blew his nose.
"Now, not only did the prisoner at the bar spend most nights in the bar parlor, but, as I am given to understand, he spent most days there, or, at all events, in your society, did he not?"
"Father and Solomon were away most days, Sir, and so we were left a good deal together."
"Just so. Your father took care to be away most days, did he, in order that you should be left a good deal together?"
Mr. Smoothbore started to his feet. "My lud, I submit," etc.; meaning that this was a mode of interrogating the witness that he could not submit to for an instant.
"Very good," said Mr. Balais, smiling. "I will not put the question in that form, then. The form is of very little consequence. You were left together, however, and the consequence was that you two young people fell in love with one another, eh?"
Harry was crimson. "I—he—we;" and there she stuck.
"I am very sorry to embarrass you, my dear young lady, but I am necessitated to press this question. Did you fall in love with one another or not?"
No answer. Harry was thinking of Solomon, to whom she was to be married within ten days, and hung her head.
"Come, did he fall in love with you, then? There was ample apology for it, I am sure, and he ought to have been ashamed of himself if he hadn't. Now, did he 'court' you? I think you must know what that means."