Should She Have Left Him? — page 274: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER X. THE DECREE OF FREEDOM. PUBLICITY, so much dreaded by all involved directly or indirectly, did not accompany the trial of the Waldemar divorce suit. The court designated a lawyer as referee to take the testimony, which was done behind closed doors. Under Mr. Magrane’s skillful management there was no public mention of the reference, and society was deprived of a choice morsel. The Waldemars were disconcerted by Hilda’s vigorous movement. At the time they thought they were adroitly playing the game of delay she had forced them to a defense. And that defense, the elder Waldemar knew, was weak and made weaker by the fact that the younger Waldemar, at the very time he was making pledges of reform, had foolishly complicated himself. These facts led the Waldemars to join in the effort for secrecy in the proceedings. The proofs of Hermann’s turpitude were incon- trovertible, and there was practically no defense. Consequently the taking of testimony occupied but one day and the report of the referee, promptly 261 CONnIICOO @ cS (GO)