“‘Sit down, papa,’ said Lottie, as she caught him by the arm; ‘don’t you see how all the lawyers are laughing at you?’
“‘Let them laugh, Lottie—I hope it will do them good; I wish it could make them as happy as you have made me.’
“I thought while the excitement was up to fever heat that I would slip through the crowd and drop a kiss on my darling’s brow, in order to show the high appreciation I had for her great talent; but she evidently divined my object, for she pushed me back abruptly and exclaimed:
“‘Do, pray, Edward, take a seat—don’t you see papa has gone crazy? and I do believe you are trying to follow his example!’
“I felt quite sheepish, because I considered the rebuke well deserved; but I took my seat, and with great difficulty managed to regain my equanimity. Colonel Buff, who was near enough to hear what Lottie said to me, gave me a punch under the arm with his thumb, at the same time making a noise as a frog does when he jumps into his pond.
“‘Eh! Demar, your boat struck a snag, I see; well, never mind, old fellow, I saw from her looks that she was not offended.’
“‘Do you wish to introduce any more witnesses, Rockland?’ inquired the judge.
“‘My daughter informs me that she wishes to introduce her brother, Harry Wallingford, as a witness, who is now waiting in the clerk’s office.’
“‘Go after brother Harry, Edward,’ Lottie whispered as she caught hold of my arm, ‘and be sure to caution him about the control of his temper. Much depends upon the manner in which he shall conduct himself on the stand.’
“When I entered the clerk’s office, I found Wallingford seated near a table, with his face buried in his hands; and when I spoke to him, he started up suddenly and endeavored to conceal the tears that he had been shedding.