It was not without considerable difficulty, and threats of committal, and imprisonment, and much sternness from Sir Cresswell, and much blandness from Dr. Lobb, that these two ladies were induced to resume their seats. They only had eyes and ears for the object of their vindictiveness—a feeling which Mrs. Barber was far from reciprocating, as appeared by the touching expression of forgiveness in her countenance. It was beautiful to see the contrast between the infuriated, but baffled persecutors, and their tender victim.
Dr. D. “I believe, Mrs. Barber, that after leaving Poldadek, you went with Mr. Barber to Cheltenham?”
Mrs. B. “We did; and Mr. Barber took lodgings for us in Lansdowne Place, but he never paid for them?”
Dr. D. “Was it at Cheltenham that Mr. Barber struck you for the first time?”
Mrs. B. “It was. He was in his dressing-room. It was before dinner. We had had some discussion in the morning, because Mr. Barber wanted me to write home for some more money, which I declined to do; and when I went into the room, Mr. Barber was dressing, and he called me .”
Dr. D. “I am afraid, madam, we must have the very words.”
Mrs. B. “I don’t like to say.”
Papa!
Dr. D. “Did he swear at you?”
Mrs. B. (With considerable moral dignity blended with compassion). “I am sorry to say Mr. Barber used always to swear a great deal. When he was not swearing at anybody in particular, he would swear in a general way.”
Dr. D. “In a general way. But what did he say on this particular occasion?”
Mrs. B. “He called me—I suppose I must tell—a white-livered hussy, and said I was not fit to carry—indeed, I can’t tell you the exact word, but something or other—to a bear.”
Dr. D. “To a bear. Mr. Barber said you were not fit to carry something or another to a bear. What then?”
Mrs. B. “Then he struck me—O, so hard!—it hurt me so!—it was so unkind of him!”
Dr. D. “With his open hand, or his fist? or did he use some weapon, or implement?”
Mrs. B. “He had something in his hand, and he struck me with that.”
Dr. D. “Was it a poker, or a bootjack?”
Mrs. B. “It might have been the bootjack; and I put up my arm to guard myself, and he made a great mark, and that remained for many days.”
Dr. D. “Did he repeat the violence? Did he strike you again?”
Mrs. B. “Not upon that occasion; but it was just here!”
