"Yes, sir; I fear I did. It seemed unreasonable to me then, and I was very anxious he should have that opportunity to make fame and fortune which I thought his genius merited." "Miss Dare," inquired the District Attorney, calling to his aid such words as he had heard from old Sally in reference to this interview, "did you make use of any such expression as this: 'I wish I knew Mrs. Clemmens'?" "I believe I did." "And did this mean you had no acquaintance with the murdered woman at that time?" pursued Mr. Ferris, half-turning to the prisoner's counsel, as if he anticipated the objection which that gentleman might very properly make to a question concerning the intention of a witness. And Mr. Orcutt, yielding to professional instinct, did indeed make a slight movement as if to rise, but became instantly motionless. Nothing could be more painful to him than to wrangle before the crowded court-room over these dealings between the woman he loved and the man he was now defending. Mr. Ferris turned back to the witness and awaited her answer. It came without hesitation. "It meant that, sir." "And what did the prisoner say when you gave utterance to this wish?" "He asked me why I desired to know her." "And what did you reply?" "That if I knew her I might be able to persuade her to listen to his request." "And what answer had he for this?" "None but a quick shake of his head." "Miss Dare; up to the time of this interview had you ever received any gift from the prisoner--jewelry, for instance--say, a ring!" "No, sir." "Did he offer you such a gift then?" "He did." "What was it?" "A gold ring set with a diamond." "Did you receive it?" "No, sir. I felt that in taking a ring from him I would be giving an irrevocable promise, and I was not ready to do that." "Did you allow him to put it on your finger?" "I did." "And it remained there?" suggested Mr. Ferris, with a smile. "A minute, may be." "Which of you, then, took it off?" "I did." "And what did you say when you took it off?" "I do not remember my words." Again recalling old Sally's account of this interview, Mr. Ferris asked: "Were they these: 'I cannot. Wait till to-morrow'?" "Yes, I believe they were." "And when he inquired: 'Why to-morrow?' did you reply: 'A night has been known to change the whole current of one's affairs'?" "I did." "Miss Dare, what did you mean by those words?" "I object!" cried Mr. Orcutt, rising. Unseen by any save himself, the prisoner had made him an eloquent gesture, slight, but peremptory. "I think it is one I have a right to ask," urged the District Attorney. But Mr. Orcutt, who manifestly had the best of the argument, maintained his objection, and the Court instantly ruled in his favor. Mr. Ferris prepared to modify his question. But before he could speak the voice of Miss Dare was heard.