I knew that time would wear
them away."
"And I doubt you trusted to a father's authority?"
"No, sir. I promised my daughter that I would not force her inclinations."
"But you used all methods of persuasion. How long was it before July the
4th that Mrs. Angela consented to marry Sir Denzil?"
"I cannot be over precise upon that point. I have no record of the date."
"But you have the faculty of memory, sir; and this is a point which a
father would not easily forget."
"It may have been a fortnight before."
"And until that time the lady was unwilling?"
"Yes."
"She refused positively to accept the match you urged upon her?"
"She refused."
"And finally consented, I will wager, with marked reluctance?"
"No, sir, there was no reluctance. She came to me of her own accord, and
surprised me by her submission."
"That will do, Sir John. You can stand down. I shall now proceed to call a
witness who will convince the Jury of my client's innocence upon the first
and chief count in the indictment, abduction with fraud and violence. I
shall tell you by the lips of my witness, that if he took the lady away
from her home, she being of full age, she went freely consenting, and with
knowledge of his purpose.
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