Meddlechip. A
report had been circulated that he (the witness) was going to marry
Mrs Villiers, and Miss Marchurst asked him if it was true; he had
denied it, and Miss Marchurst had said that sooner than he (the
witness) should marry Mrs Villiers she would poison her; the next
morning he heard that Selina Sprotts was dead.
Kitty Marchurst heard all this evidence in dumb horror. She now knew
that after ruining her life this man wanted her to die a felon's
death. She arose to her feet and stretched out her hands in protest
against him, but before she could speak a word the place seemed to
whirl round her, and she fell down in a dead faint. This event
caused great excitement in court, and many began to assert
positively that she must be guilty, else why did she faint. Kitty
was taken out of Court, and the examination was proceeded with,
while Madame Midas sat pale and horror-struck at the revelations
which were now being made.
The Coroner now proceeded to cross-examine Vandeloup.
Q. You say you put the bottle containing this poison into your desk;
how did Miss Marchurst obtain it?
A. Because she lived with me for some time, and had access to my
private papers.
Q. Was she your wife?
A. No, my mistress (sensation in Court).
Q. Why did she leave you?
A. We had a difference of opinion about the question of marriage, so
she left me.
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