(5) Breach of Promise Case. KING'S BENCH DIVISION Mr. Justice Owes-Leigh. Sonia _alias_ the Fair Girl _v._ Bimbashi Stew-Hot. Damages for Breach of Promise. Counsel for plaintiff, Mr. Wm. Sykes, K.C., of Dukes. The defendant defended himself, and was assisted, where necessary, by the learned judge. Mr. Sykes, on traversing the Statement of Claim, alleged that the plaintiff had been wrongfully deceived by certain overtures and advances on the part of the defendant in that he had, on many occasions, smiled at her, gesticulated towards her, called her "choke guzelle," winked, and even kissed his fingers at her when the postas were not looking. Moreover, written evidence of a formal declaration of affection and willingness to marry was in possession of the plaintiff. For these reasons, submitted Mr. Sykes, an offer of the contract of matrimony had been made by the defendant and accepted by the plaintiff. The defendant was unwilling to fulfil--or at least hung fire--plaintiff estimated her damages at piastres 500. The defendant, who was evidently a humorist, was understood to demur. Mr. Sykes then called his chief witness, the plaintiff, the Fair Girl herself. Her appearance caused a great sensation in the court. There came a dream in daisy-patterned chintz, the pattering of small red-stockinged feet, and a dainty whiff of garlic streamed over the court as the fragile and closely-hooded damsel clambered into the witness-box. Then, and not till then, she threw back her veil, and the whole court beheld, or rather heard, a tone poem of superlative beauty--a song without words. Her striking looks affected the public queerly, who fell to digging one another in the ribs, and the learned judge had twice to threaten to clear the court. She answered her counsel's questions firmly and sweetly. The defendant then put her through the following cross-examination, by the help of an interpreter. "Sonia, do you love me?" (Violent nods.) "How can you love me when I haven't talked to you?" "You tried to kiss me." "Who stopped me?" "The postas." "Do you want to marry everybody who kisses you?" "Certainly not. Some kiss for fun, and some for love." "How could I marry you when I am already married?" The learned judge here intervened to the effect that in Turkey a man might have several wives.