_The Judge._ To be sure you may. And you, my good woman, must not run before the court, how do you know what evidence she may have in store? At present we have only heard one side. Be more moderate. The prisoner rose promptly to her feet. "My lord, I welcome the insult that has disgusted your lordship and the gentlemen of the jury, and won me those good words of comfort." To Ryder--"What sort of a night was it?" _Ryder._ Very little moon, but a clear, starry night. _Prisoner._ Could you see the Mere, and the banks? _Ryder._ Nay, but so much of it as faced my window. _Prisoner._ Have you marked your window? _Ryder._ I have. _Prisoner._ Now mark the place where you heard Mr. Gaunt cry for help. _Ryder._ 'Twas about here; under these trees. And that is why I could not see him: along of the shadow. _Prisoner._ Possibly. Did you see me on that side the Mere? _Ryder._ No. _Prisoner._ What colored dress had I on at that time? _Ryder._ White satin. _Prisoner._ Then you could have seen me, even among the trees, had I been on that side the Mere? _Ryder._ I can't say. However, I never said you were on the very spot where the deed was done; but you were out of doors. _Prisoner._ How do you know that? _Ryder._ Why, you told me so yourself. _Prisoner._ Then that is my evidence, not yours. Swear to no more than you know. Had my husband, to your knowledge, a reason for absconding suddenly? _Ryder._ Yes, he had. _Prisoner._ What was it? _Ryder._ Fear of you. _Prisoner._ Nay, I mean, had he not something to fear, something quite different from that I am charged with? _Ryder._ You know best, madam. I would gladly serve you, but I cannot guess what you are driving at. The prisoner was taken aback by this impudent reply. She hesitated to force her servant to expose a husband, whom she believed to be living: and her hesitation looked like discomfiture; and Ryder was victorious in that encounter. By this time they were both thoroughly embittered, and it was war to the knife. _Prisoner._ You listened to our unhappy quarrel that night? _Ryder._ Quarrel! madam, 'twas all on one side. _Prisoner._ How did you understand what I said to him about the constables? _Ryder._ Constables! I never heard you say the word. _Prisoner._ Oh! _Ryder._ Neither when you threatened him with your knife to me; nor when you threatened him to his face. _Prisoner._ Take care: you forget that Jane Bannister heard me; was her ear nearer the keyhole than yours? _Ryder._ Jane! she is a simpleton. You could make her think she heard anything. I noticed you put the words in her mouth. _Prisoner._ God forgive you, you naughty woman. You had better have spoken the truth. _Ryder._ My lord, if you please, am I to be miscalled--by a murderess? _The Judge._ Come, come, this is no place for recrimination. The prisoner now stooped and examined her papers, and took a distinct line of cross-examination.