The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

CRAZY JANE 213 the part,#f prisoner and witness was to cause the utmost suspefise and uncertainty still to prevail on the part of the audience. Mrs. Webber, in response to the leading questions put by the counsel for the prosecution, repeated the testimony she had already given before the committing magistrate and at the coroner’s inquest. The barrister further questioned her as to her own respectability, on which point she stated that she had for many years been in the service of good families, but that for some time previous to the murder she had resided with her daughter in London, and with her son-in-law, who was a gold-beater in good circumstances; that she possessed some little means of her own, —but that not being altogether comfortable and happy beneath her son-in-law’s roof, she had resolved to go out into service again, as a housekeeper; that her son-in-law, Mr. Smedley, having come down to Liverpool on business, had accidentally heard that there was such a place vacant at Mr. Pollard’s; that she had accordingly ap- plied for it, and on producing testimonials had received Now commenced the cross-examination of Mrs. Webber, and this we must give somewhat in detail. Will you state who were. the ladies of rank with whom you formerly lived,” inquired Lettice Rodney’s counsel, “‘ and -who gave you the testimonials which you exhibited to Mr. Pollard? ” Mrs. Webber, being prepared for this question, had her answer ready, and she accordingly named two or three ladies of whose deaths she had made herself aware. On this response being returned, Captain Stanley, who was present in the court, quitted it for a few moments, but not in a way to attract any particular attention. ‘Where are those testimonials?’ asked the barrister, *‘ and will you have any objection to produce them in court? ”’ “ Not supposing that they would be required,’”’ answered the woman, “‘.I left them behind me in London.”’ “And when did you come from London to attend this trial? ” asked the barrister. “ The day before yesterday,’’ was Mrs. Webber’s response. “Did you come alone? Answer me that question.” “There was a person in the same carriage with me, cer- tainly.” CoOnnicooolKs (CO)