“And until that time the lady was unwilling?”
“Yes.”
“She refused positively to accept the match you urged upon her?”
“She refused.”
“And finally consented, I will wager, with marked reluctance?”
“No, sir, there was no reluctance. She came to me of her own accord, and surprised me by her submission.”
“That will do, Sir John. You can stand down. I shall now proceed to call a witness who will convince the Jury of my client’s innocence upon the first and chief count in the indictment, abduction with fraud and violence. I shall tell you by the lips of my witness, that if he took the lady away from her home, she being of full age, she went freely consenting, and with knowledge of his purpose.”
“Lies—foul lies!” cried the old Cavalier, almost strangled with passion.
He plucked at the knot of his cravat, trying to loosen it, feeling himself threatened with apoplexy.
“Call Mistress Angela Kirkland,” said the Serjeant, in strong steady tones that contrasted with the indignant father’s hoarse and gasping utterance.