Her evidence was given in quiet but resolute tones, and for some time disclosed nothing sensational.  The circumstances in which Mr. Pretyman had sued for and obtained the promise of her hand differed in no important particular from those which ordinarily attend the fiancailles of respectable young persons in Troy; and for twelve years his courtship ran an even course.  “After this,” asserted Miss Cox, “his attentions cooled.  He was friendly and kind enough when we met, and still talked of enlarging his shop-front and marrying in the near future.  But his visits were not frequent enough to be called courting.”  Of late, though living in the same street, she had only seen him on Sundays; and even so he would be occupied almost all the day and evening with services, Sunday school, prayer-meetings, and occasional addresses.  At length she taxed him with indifference, and, finding his excuses unsatisfactory, was persuaded by her friends to bring the present action.  She liked the man well enough; but for the last two or three years “his heart hadn’t been in it.  He didn’t do any proper courting.”

Defendant’s counsel (a young man) attempted in cross-examination to lead Miss Cox to reveal herself as an exacting young woman.

“Do you assert that at length you came to see nothing of defendant during the week?”

“Only through the shop window as I went by to my work.  And of late, when he saw me coming, he would screw a magnifying glass in his eye and pretend to be busy with his watch-making.  I believe he did it to avoid looking at me, and also because he knew I couldn’t bear him with his face screwed up.  It makes such a difference to his appearance.”

“Gently, gently, Miss Cox!  You must not give us your mere suppositions.  Now, did he never pay you a visit, or take you for a walk, say on Wednesdays?  That would be early-closing day, I believe.”

“Never for the last three years, sir, after he became a Freemason.  Wednesdays was lodge-night.”

“Well then, on Saturday, after shop hours?”

“Yes, he used to come on Saturdays, till he was made a Forester.  The Foresters meet every Saturday evening.”

“Mondays then, or Tuesdays?  We haven’t exhausted the week yet, Miss Cox.”

“No, sir.  Mondays he was a Rechabite and went to tent.  Tuesdays he would be an Ancient Druid—­”

“Gently!  On Mondays, you say, he was a Rechabite and went to tent.  What is a Rechabite?  And what does he do in a tent?”

Plaintiff (dissolving in tears):  “Ah, sir, if I only knew!”

Here the Judge interposed.  A Rechabite, he believed, went to a tent, or habitation, for the purpose (among others) of abstaining from alcoholic drinks.

Plaintiff (briskly):  “But, my lord, you wouldn’t call that proper courting!”

Defendant’s counsel had taken this opportunity to resume his seat.  But counsel for the plaintiff now arose, with a smile, to re-examine.