human
You had never seen the testatrix before, I suppose?
gpt
Never.
human
But you took a good look at her when you did see her?
gpt
Well, I looked, of course, but I did not notice her very much--there was not very much light.
human
Oh! there was not very much light, said Mr. Daunt, steadying his spectacles and fixing his gaze on the clerk.
gpt
How much light?
human
One candle.
gpt
Only one candle when the testatrix was making her mark! Was that the reason she gave for not signing her name in full?
human
No. She said when Mr. Devaney asked her if she would sign her name, that she did not know how to write, but that she thought her mark would do.
gpt
Did not know how to write! interrupted the judge.
human
I thought testatrix was a lady of position.
gpt
So she was, my lord,
human
And did you take particular notice of the testatrix?
gpt
Well, not particular. I mean, I did not notice very much of her; but I noticed her hand and her finger when she was making her mark.
human
Oh, you did! Tell the Court and the jury what you noticed,
gpt
I noticed that her hands were very coarse for a lady, I thought, my lord, said the witness looking up towards the judge.
human
And I saw that her forefinger had a deep mark along it, as if it had been badly cut or crushed some time or other.
gpt
Come, said Mr. Daunt, leaning forward and looking the clerk full in the face.
human
Do you think you would know the testatrix if you saw her again?
gpt
If I saw her again? Sure she's dead.
human
Sure she's dead, said Mr. Daunt, echoing him;
gpt
I think I might.
human
And if you saw the hand and the finger would you recognise them?
gpt
I would.
human
Are you sure of that?
gpt
I--I--well, I am sure. I believe I would.
human
But Mr. Daunt, put in the judge,
gpt
Quite so, my lord; but the case is an extraordinary one, and I ask your lordship to bear with me for a moment in the interests of justice.
human
My lord, continued Mr. Daunt,
gpt
that was the name of the servant who had been examined--
human
But, my lord, said Mr. Star, Q.C., who was on the opposite side,
gpt
I shall call her forward, and then, if Mr. Daunt puts any question to which you take exception, I shall be happy to hear you, Mr. Star.
human
Thank you, my lord,
gpt
I do not intend to ask any questions, said Mr. Daunt.
human
So my learned friend need not have been in such a hurry to interpose.
gpt
Come forward, Agnes Marvel!
human
Lift up your veil, madam,
gpt
Now, will you be good enough to remove your gloves.
human
What is the meaning of this?
gpt
My lord, I make this request on my responsibility as counsel.
human
Where is the objection, Mr. Star?