human
What have you to say about this matter, Miss Huxham?
gpt
Nothing at all,
human
Nothing at all,
gpt
No. I had quarrelled with my father on the afternoon of the night when he met with his terrible death. He refused to let me come to supper, so I retired to my room. Mrs. Coppersley brought me up tea and toast and then locked me in my room.
human
By her father's orders,
gpt
Silence, said the Coroner scowling;
human
I heard nothing, interrupted Bella, straightening her slim figure,
gpt
H'm! The Coroner looked at her shrewdly.
human
Mrs. Coppersley said something of that. Why were you drugged? Who drugged you?
gpt
My father drugged the cup of tea, brought by my aunt, with laudanum,
human
Yes, he did, cried Mrs. Coppersley.
gpt
I brought the tea to the study and then went to get the toast. Jabez had poured out the tea when I came back, and giving me a cup told me to take it to Bella. I never knew myself that it was drugged.
human
But I can state that it was, said Dr. Ward, rising.
gpt
Miss Huxham gave me the dregs to examine. I can prove----
human
All this is very much out of order, he said.
gpt
Let us proceed with caution. Miss Huxham, tell your story, and then we can hear Dr. Ward and Mrs. Coppersley.
human
I have scarcely any story to tell, said Bella, still apprehensive, yet still brave and discreet.
gpt
I am engaged to be married, but my father did not approve of my choice. He interrupted my meeting with my future husband----
human
Who is he, if I may ask?
gpt
Mr. Lister. He is a gentleman who has been stopping here----
human
Yes, yes, I know; and the Coroner did know, for his wife was a great gossip and collected all the scandal for miles around. In fact he had heard something of the philandering of Lister after Miss Huxham.
gpt
Go on.
human
My father would not allow me to come to supper, and sent up my aunt with tea and toast to lock me in my room. She did so. I did not eat the toast, but I drank the tea, and then fell asleep half on the floor and half on my bed. My aunt awoke me in the morning with the news of what had happened.
gpt
And you heard nothing?
human
How could she, growled Ward,
gpt
Silence there, said the Coroner sharply.
human
What time did you fall under the influence of the opiate, Miss Huxham?
gpt
Shortly after eight, so far as I can recollect.
human
Did you know that the tea was drugged?
gpt
If I had I should not have drunk it, retorted the witness.
human
It was only next morning that I guessed the truth, and then I kept the dregs for Dr. Ward to examine. He says----
gpt
He can give his evidence himself, interrupted the Coroner.
human
Why did your father drug you?
gpt
I can't say, sir, unless he feared lest I should elope with Mr. Lister.
human
Had you any such intention?
gpt
No, I had not.