"A nephew of the late Margaret Basset."
The witness was then led on, by further questions, to describe the hopes excited in his family by the marriage now in dispute; the manner in which he was allowed to hang about Trevethlan Castle; the offence which his demeanour gave to its owner, and the expulsion of his relations from their farm. Fencing with his examiner, he at first affected to treat this circumstance with indifference, but was forced by degrees into a confession of his bitter and rankling mortification.
"And so, sir," Rereworth suddenly asked, "all your family considered this marriage to be perfectly good?"
"It was for their interest," Sinson said, stammering.
"For their interest, sir!" Seymour exclaimed indignantly. "Why, sir, was not Mrs. Trevethlan's good name at stake?"
"My poor relative has been dead for a long time," the witness answered.
"And it is her nephew who comes forward to shame her in her grave! You are now in the service of Mr. Pendarrel, the real claimant in this action?"
"Of Mrs. Pendarrel."
The answer produced a slight titter in the court.
"What does Mrs. Pendarrel pay you for getting up her case?"