Mrs. Saumarez, who up to this had kept her eyes on the ledge of the witness-box, began to take courage. She lifted them towards the Coroner and, encountering his placidly benevolent gaze, let them remain there. "Well," she replied, "from about the time he became Mayor until the time of his death." "Regularly?" "Yes--regularly." "We may take it, then, that you were fond of each other's society?" Mrs. Saumarez hesitated. "He was a very interesting man," she said at last. "I liked to talk to him." The Coroner bent a little nearer. "Well, now, a more personal question," he said suavely. "You will see the importance of it. Mr. Wallingford was constantly visiting you. I want a plain answer to what I am going to ask you. Was he a suitor for your hand?" Mrs. Saumarez's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at the ungloved hand which rested, pressed on its gloved fellow, on the ledge before her. "He certainly asked me to marry him," she murmured. "When was that?" "Not--not long before his death." "And--I'm afraid I must ask you--what was your answer?" "I refused his offer." "Did that make any difference to your friendship?" "It hadn't done up to the time of his death." "He still visited you?" "Yes, just as often." The Coroner remained silent for a moment, glancing at his notes. When he looked towards the witness again he was blander than ever. "Now I shall have to ask you still more personal questions," he said. "It is, as you must be aware, Mrs. Saumarez, well known in the town that on your first coming here as a resident you became on terms of great friendship with Dr. Wellesley. Do you agree to that?" "Yes, I suppose so." "You used to go out a great deal with Dr. Wellesley--driving, and so on?" "Yes." "In fact, Dr. Wellesley at that time paid you great attention?" "Yes." "Did those attentions cease about the time that you became so friendly with Mr. Wallingford?" "Well, they didn't altogether cease." "But, shall we say, fell off?" Mrs. Saumarez hesitated, obviously disliking the question. "I have always been friends with Dr. Wellesley," she said eventually. "All the same, has your friendship with him been quite what it was originally, since you became so very friendly with the late Mayor?" "Well, perhaps not." "Will you give me a plain answer to this question? Was there any jealousy aroused between Dr. Wellesley and Mr. Wallingford because of you?" This time Mrs. Saumarez took a long time to answer. She seemed to be thinking, reflecting. And when she replied it was only to question the Coroner: "Am I obliged to answer that?" she asked. "I am afraid I must press for an answer," said the Coroner, "it is important." "I think there was jealousy," she replied in a low voice. "On whose part?" "Dr. Wellesley thought I had thrown him over for Mr. Wallingford." "Had Dr. Wellesley ever asked you to marry him?" Mrs. Saumarez's answer came with unexpected swiftness. "Oh, yes! two or three times!"