"I naturally asked Mr. Ashton some question respecting it, and he told me there was a strange story on foot about its owner, who wished to play the trick attempted by Thornhill, in the Vicar of Wakefield. He had applied to Ashton on the subject, but the latter told him, that if he performed the ceremony, the result would be the same as in the tale. But Ashton was to have a considerable fee, and he asked me to personate him, representing that the affair was only a joke, and that, if there were any family, Mr. Trevethlan would certainly confirm it legally. And I being young, and not at the time aware of the consequences, ultimately consented to what he proposed." "Well, sir, and what followed?" "Ashton said he could arrange for the affair to take place the next day----" "What day was that?" "It was the third of September. Ashton instructed me how to present myself at the castle in his name. No one who would be present, he said, knew him, except Mr. Trevethlan, who expected something of the kind, and I looked considerably older than I was. And an intended witness to the wedding would conduct me." "And what happened afterwards?" "I went to the castle with the witness in question, and Mr. Trevethlan introduced himself to me without any remark, and presented a young woman as his intended bride. There was also another woman present, who, he said, was her mother. Mr. Trevethlan produced a document, which he stated to be a licence for a special marriage, but I did not look at it; and read the marriage service as fast as I could from a prayer-book which was given me. When it was over, Mr. Trevethlan handed me a sum of money, which I delivered to Ashton, and quitted the neighbourhood without delay, for I did not like my part in the business." "I should think not," said the counsel. "Pray, sir, do you recollect any particular incident at this ceremony?" "Only, that in my confusion I dropped the ring, and the bride's mother muttered something which I did not hear." "You have not mentioned the name of the bride?" "Margaret Basset." "You were not in holy orders at that time?" "Neither then nor since." The plaintiff's counsel here sat down, and Rereworth's leader rose. The cross-examination was very long and severe. "So, sir," it began, "do you know that you have just confessed yourself guilty of felony?" "I know it now," Everope said, "but I did not know it at the time." "And you might have been transported for fourteen years?" "So I am told."