"Ashton said he could arrange for the affair to take place the next day——"
"What day was that?"
"It was the third of September. Ashton instructed me how to present myself at the castle in his name. No one who would be present, he said, knew him, except Mr. Trevethlan, who expected something of the kind, and I looked considerably older than I was. And an intended witness to the wedding would conduct me."
"And what happened afterwards?"
"I went to the castle with the witness in question, and Mr. Trevethlan introduced himself to me without any remark, and presented a young woman as his intended bride. There was also another woman present, who, he said, was her mother. Mr. Trevethlan produced a document, which he stated to be a licence for a special marriage, but I did not look at it; and read the marriage service as fast as I could from a prayer-book which was given me. When it was over, Mr. Trevethlan handed me a sum of money, which I delivered to Ashton, and quitted the neighbourhood without delay, for I did not like my part in the business."
"I should think not," said the counsel. "Pray, sir, do you recollect any particular incident at this ceremony?"
"Only, that in my confusion I dropped the ring, and the bride's mother muttered something which I did not hear."
"You have not mentioned the name of the bride?"
"Margaret Basset."
"You were not in holy orders at that time?"