“Mrs. Bradstone, I deeply regret having to call you, and believe me I will cause you as little pain as possible, and will detain you not one moment longer than I am obliged. You know Lord Clydesfold--that is, Mr. Faradeane?” “Yes,” came from her pale lips. “He is as close a friend of yours as he is of your father’s?” “Yes.” “Did you know that he was married?” “No,” and a spasm of pain passed over her lovely face. “You did not, until this morning, here in court?” “No.” “I ask you--I am sorry to have to do so--has Lord Clydesfold ever expressed his love for you?” It was an awful moment. She raised her eyes bravely. “Yes.” “When?” “He spoke--in an unguarded moment--a few words; that was all.” “And recalled them instantly, I imagine?” “He did; ah, yes, he did!” she said. “Did he know that you were engaged to Mr. Bradstone; did you tell him?” “I did.” “So that,” said Mr. Edgar, with one eye on the jury, “he knew there would be no hope of winning you, even if he were free?” “No,” she answered, faintly. “And you still continued friends?” “Yes.” “Such friends that you would have gone to him in any trouble?” “Ah, yes!” she breathed. “Then you married Mr. Bradstone, with whom you were in love?” he went on, his keen eyes, made pitiless by his desire to win the unequal battle, fixed searchingly on her. “I married him, yes,” was the almost inaudible reply. “With whom you were in love?” “I submit, my lord----” began Mr. Sewell; but the judge held up his hand. With the rest he was hanging upon these questions in breathless silence. “Answer me, please. Wait! I shall ask you, I must ask you: Did you love, had you given your heart to my client, Lord Clydesfold?” She covered her face with her hands and seemed as if she were praying for strength; then she let her hands fall, and said in a whisper that, low as it was, reached the farthest corner of the court: “Yes, I loved him.” Faradeane’s face worked, and he sank down in the chair that had been provided for him, and leaned his head upon his hand. The crowd drew a long breath. Surely there had never been so enjoyable a sensation as this! Mr. Edgar, still groping for light, went on: “Again my duty compels me to ask you why, if you loved Lord Clydesfold, and knew nothing of his marriage, did you marry Mr. Bradstone?” Intense silence. Her face went white, almost deathlike; then Mr. Edgar pointed to the Testament on which she had sworn. “The whole truth; you have sworn!” he said. “Because”--her voice faltered--“because he promised to give me the money to save my father----” A cry rose from beneath her, and the squire sprang forward. “Silence! Silence!” shouted the usher. The judge leaned forward, the crowd murmured their astonishment. But the effect upon Faradeane was more marked than upon others. He sprang to his feet and regarded Olivia with a horrified gaze. “To save your father--Mr. Vanley? He was in debt? Mr. Bradstone offered to assist him?”