Ralph recognized her as the young person who had occasioned a
momentary disturbance near the door towards the close of the previous
trial. Sim recognized her also, but his recollection dated farther
back.
She described herself as the wife of a man who had been outlawed, and
whose estates had been sequestered. She had been living the life of a
vagrant woman.
"Was your husband named John Rushton?" asked Ralph.
"Yes," she replied meekly, and all but inaudibly.
"John Rushton of Aberleigh!"
"The same."
"Did you ever hear him speak of an old comrade--Ralph Ray?"
"Yes, yes," answered the witness, lifting her hands to her face and
sobbing aloud.
"The prisoner wastes the time of the court. Let us proceed."
Ralph saw the situation at a glance. The woman's evidence--whatever it
might be--was to be forced from her. "Have you seen these prisoners
before?"
"Yes, one of them."
"Perhaps both?"
"Yes, perhaps both."
"Pray tell my lords and the jury what you know concerning them."
The woman tried to speak and stopped, tried again and stopped.
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