On this understanding, Percy’s evidence was extracted from him as follows:
“Was it Captain Bervie who quarreled with you?”
“Yes.”
“Was it about me?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He said I had committed an impropriety in waltzing with you.”
“Why?”
“Because your parents disapproved of your waltzing in a public ballroom.”
“That’s not true! What did he say next?”