“I did not write the anonymous letter. But I believe I told Miss Somerset I loved Miss Bruce, and that _her_ lover was robbing me of mine, as he had robbed me of everything else.” “And that was all you said--on your oath?” “All I can recollect.” With this the strong man, cowed, terrified, expecting his letter to Somerset to be produced, and so the iron chain of evidence completed, gasped out, “Man, you tear open all my wounds at once!” and with this burst out sobbing, and lamenting aloud that he had ever been born. Counsel waited calmly till he should be in a condition to receive another dose. “Oh, will nobody stop this cruel trial?” said Lady Bassett, with the tears trickling down her face. The judge heard this remark without seeming to do so. He said to defendant's counsel, “Whatever the truth may be, you have proved enough to show Sir Charles Bassett might well have an honest conviction that Mr. Bassett had done a dastardly act. Whether a jury would ever agree on a question of handwriting must always be doubtful. Looking at the relationship of the parties, is it advisable to carry this matter further? If I might advise the gentlemen, they would each consent to withdraw a juror.” Upon this suggestion the counsel for both parties put their heads together in animated whispers; and during this the judge made a remark to the jury, intended for the public: “Since Lady Bassett's name has been drawn into this, I must say that I have read her letters to Mr. Bassett, and they are such as she could write without in the least compromising her husband. Indeed, now the defense is disclosed, they appear to me to be wise and kindly letters, such as only a good wife, a high-bred lady, and a true Christian could write in so delicate a matter.” _Plaintiff's Counsel._--My lord, we are agreed to withdraw a juror. _Defendant's Counsel._--Out of respect for your lordship's advice, and not from any doubt of the result on _our_ part. _The Crier._--WACE _v._ HALIBURTON! And so the car of justice rolled on till it came to Wheeler v. Bassett. This case was soon disposed of. Sir Charles Bassett was dignified and calm in the witness-box, and treated the whole matter with high-bred nonchalance, as one unworthy of the attention the Court was good enough to bestow on it. The judge disapproved the assault, but said the plaintiff had drawn it on himself by unprofessional conduct, and by threatening a gentleman in his own house. Verdict for the plaintiff--40s. The judge refused to certify for costs. Lady Bassett, her throat parched with excitement, drove home, and awaited her husband's return with no little anxiety. As soon as she heard him in his dressing-room she glided in and went down on her knees to him. “Pray, pray don't scold me; I couldn't bear you to be defeated, Charles.” Sir Charles raised her, but did not kiss her. “You think only of me,” said he, rather sadly. “It is a sorry victory, too dearly bought.” Then she began to cry.