There was a great sensation in the court at these words. And if any one among the audience had then looked at Randolph, he could not fail to have been struck by the ghastly rigidity of his features. But all were too deeply interested by the announcement which they had heard to attend to anything else. The plaintiff's counsel proceeded to say that he need not anticipate the details this witness would relate;--they would completely overthrow any claim founded upon this alleged marriage. It would be for his learned friends to show any subsequent ground for their title, if such they had. But unless they did so, he should confidently look for a verdict at the hands of the jury; and, as he should undoubtedly have another opportunity of addressing them, he would not now trouble them at greater length. A considerable rumour pervaded the court at the close of this speech, but soon yielded to the low calls for order. There followed some technical evidence respecting Mr. Pendarrel's descent, and the deaths of his brother and nephew, of no particular interest, and then the leader who had addressed the jury, re-awakened attention by desiring the crier to call Lewis Everope. Rereworth looked at the spendthrift, as he quietly took the oath, with utter astonishment, not knowing what to think. The examination began. "What are you, Mr. Everope?" "I belong to no profession, but have been nominally a student of the law." "You were educated at ---- University, I believe, sir?" The witness uttered an intimation of assent. "Were you acquainted, while there, with a gentleman named Ashton,--Theodore Ashton?" "I was." "How long is this ago? To a year or two?" "Twenty-three or four years. I do not exactly recollect." "Mr. Ashton was your senior, I believe?" "Considerably. In fact our acquaintance was very slight." "What became of him afterwards, do you know?" "He took orders, and quitted the University." "Did you ever see him after you had left college?" "I did." "Be so good as to tell the jury under what circumstances." "I was making a pedestrian tour through the western part of this county, and met him unexpectedly in the neighbourhood of Marazion." "What year was this? And month? Do you remember?" The witness mentioned those of Henry Trevethlan's marriage. "Did you visit Mr. Ashton at his then residence?" "Yes." "Well, I believe that was no great distance from Trevethlan Castle. Tell the jury anything that passed between you and your friend, having reference to that building or its inhabitants."