Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-02

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This answer, given with snap and
vim, created sensation. witness
added that she had never made direct
charge against seither the earl or Rob
erts. She admitted that she had writ
ten letter to Harry Marriellier, who
was best man at her wedding, assuring
him that she brought no charge against
Roberts, adding that she was in the
hands OF clever man, and would Drlng
no charges against the earl unless fully
able to prove them. Witness admitted
that she had former engagement to
marry before being betrothed to Rus
sell, and 1t was broken off owing to the
condition of her health.
Sir Charles asked witness whether she
was not attended by two doctors in 1883
for a certain complaint. The countess
replied that the doctors mentioned had
given her medicine from time to time.
Witness stated that the earl bad
/ shown her letter he had written to his
solicitor about her extravaganza. She
requested him not to send the letter.
and asked him to let her take copy OF
it. She held the letter in her hand
while making these requests. In reply
| the earl forced her to her knees on the
| floor and took the letter from her. He
used so much strength that he forced
the bangles on her arms into the flesh
until the blood flowed. She showed her
bleeding arms to her sister.
She further said that at an interview
she had with her husband she asked
him for G5. He threw her half-sover-
eign, saying: THAT is all you will get"
After separation she wrote offering to
return if the earl would offer her an
ample apology for his neglect and ill
treatment. Ii the earl had met her
half way, the countess said, she would
have returned to him. She made no
mention OF Roberts in this letter, but
the earl knew she objected to having
Roberts in the house. She thought 1T
very strange that the earl always left her
for Roberts.
Sir Charles Russell--Do you know that
your representative stated that no inn
putation against Roberts was meant, but
that the allegations regarding him were
to show that your husband cultivated
Roberts society by neglecting you?
Witness-I have forgotten.
Sir Charles-Did not you break off
attempts to arrange the troubles between
yourself and husband, really because OF
money affairs?
Witness--I thought his dishonoring
me in the eyes of the world by dishonor-
ing my checks showed that he was not
regardful of me; besides was told that
if were to go back to him l would be
treated worse than before.
Sir Charles-Is it fact that within a
few months of your marriage you were
found indebted to the extent of f4200
Witness-No.
Sir Charles here read several items
from a number of bills from various
tradesmen. The countess admitted that
her husband had demonstrated with her
about getting into debt. She never ran
in debt after marriage. She could not
remember that their first quarrel arose
from her debts.
When pressed to remember the cir
cumstances OF their first quarrel, the
countess burst into tears: "I'm sorry
Pm unable to remember, but Im not
WE'LL"
In answer to questions regarding her
health prior to marriage, witness said it
was always good, except that she sui
fered from specific female complaint
which was given as the reason for break
ing her earlier engagement. She denied
that the complaint in her case was as
sociated with hysteria. She had never
been hysterical or given to exaggera-
tion.
Witness declared that she had no re-
membrance of her mother coming into
her room and imploring her to make
friends with her husband. She was not
hysterical on that occasion, nor after
leaving the room did she lose self-con-
troll and begin to tear off her dress. She
never got in that state.
When Sir Charles began to probe into
the relations between the earl and
Roberts, interest became intense. Wit
ness, however, made her replies in such
low tone that only those close to her
could catch them. She said the earl
and Roberts had been friends in col
lege. After the earl undressed to go to bed
he told her he was going to see Roberts.
Sir Charles-Then do you make
charges against Roberts in any way?
Witness-I cannot make charges!
Still know my mind on the subject. q
Sir Charles--Did you intend to make
a charge? Z,
Witness-Yes.
Continuing, the countess said
after the separation, she heard
things from members of his family
pointing to improprieties. 2.
Sir Charles-What members? ;s.
Witness replied that it was much
against her wish to mention them, but
she heard them from the Dowager Count
ess Russell, Lady Agatha Russell and
Hon. Rollo Russell. She also received
letter from Lord Carlisle. The letter
from Carlisle was read. Itcontained no
allusion to misconduct. Witness ad-
mitted there was nothino in tha letter
to justify charges of misconduct against
the earl.
Recurring to the alleged cruelty Of her
husband, the countess said the earl
often showed her away when she tried
to kiss him, and struck her when she
was trying 10 make up quarrels with
him. She said she was certain she
never boxed his ears.
The court adjourned before her cross
examination was finished.