The Sun. — 1867-09-17 (London, England)

THE LADY SWINDLER.  Yesterday Geraldine Meurice, described as "a lady," of the Villa, Swanage, Dorsetsbire, and having the aliases of "Durant," " Hope," " Grant," " Mrs. Somerset," the " Hon. Mrs. Meurice," &c., charged with obtaining an emerald and diamond ring, and divers other articles of jewellery, of the value of £ll4, by means of false pretences, from Mr. Douglas Cave, jeweller, of Mount-street, Grosvenor-square, was again brought before Mr. Tyrwhitt at the Marlborough-street Police-court. It may be remembered that on the last occasion it was stated that the prisoner, under different aliases, had been carrying on a most successful system of fraud, and that she was taken into custody at Wareham, Dorsetshire, on a warrant obtained through the exertions of• Mr. Cave. She was remanded last week, that Sergeant Cole, of the C division, might proceed to Wareham to take posses.. sion of the property obtained by the prisoner from the London tradesmen, a great deal being in her possession when she was taken into custody. Mr. Morgan, of the firm of Humphreys and Morgan, appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr. Edward Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street, for the  defence. Mr. Morgan said that by direction of his worship, Sergeant Cole went to Dorsetshire for the purpose of having the property obtained from the London tradesmen given up to him, but the superintendent of police there for some reason or other declined to let him have it, and he had therefore to ask that the cass might be allowed to stand over till the superintendent could be served with a Crown subpo3na to produce the property. Mr. Tyrwhitt said he thought it was understood that the property was to be given up by the Dorsetshire gentleman—that was the property obtained from the London tradesmen.  Sergeant Cole said that. in Dorsetshire they could not understand the giving up of property. They had an idea that all the property found in the prisoner's house belonged to her. Mr. Morgan said he would settle the matter by sending the superintendent a Crown subpoena. He was prepared to go on with one case, that of obtainng goods from Madame Mittens, milliner, of Berners-street, the prisoner representing herself to Madame Ruttens as the Hon. Mrs. Meurice. Madame Ruttens, believing the prisoner was the Hon. Mrs. Meurice, entrusted her with goods. On a future occasion he should be prepared with other cases. Madame Ruttens, wife of Mr. George Ruttens, of 64, Berners-street, Oxford-street, said--I know the prisoner as the Hon. Mrs. Meurice. She called upon me in July last, coming in a private carriage, and after telling me that she had been an invalid for seven years, and.that she had been lying on a sofa during that time, she said she wanted to be restored, and that she wanted some articles in the fashion, as she did not know what • was going on in London. She told me that she was the Hon. Mrs. Meurice, and I asked her to write her name in a book, and she did so. lam in the habit of asking customers to do so. Amongst other articles the prisoner ordered was a blue velvet dressing gown trimmed with antique lace. I told her that I gave no credit, and she said she would pay for the goods on delivery, and that she always did so. Some of the goods—two bonnets, two dresses, and a crinoline, altogether of the value of £7 Bs.—were forwarded, some being taken by the porter and some by myself. When I took the goods home I saw a squinting maid; and asked to see the Hon. Mrs. Meurice. I gave some of the goods to the prisoner and some to the maid. I afterwards sent to say that I could not send the other portion of the goods till I had been paid for the first. I went a few days afterwards and was told that the Hon. Mrs. Meurice could not be seen, and on going to the house subsequently she was gone, and I have not seen her since till she was in custody. Mr. Tyrwhitt—Was it believing that she was the Hon. Mrs. Meurice that you entrusted her with the goads ? Madame Ruttens—Yes. I should not have let her have the goods if I had not thought I should be paid on delivery. By M.r. Lewis—l let her have the goods because I thought she would pay me on delivery. I give credit if I think persons are respectable, and give a reference. Mr. Morgan—l have to ask that the prisoner may be ordered to remove her veil, as there are persons in court, I am informed, who believe that if she does so they can identify her. Mr. Tyrwhitt—l do not think I can interfere with the prisoner's veil. Any person wishing to see the prisoner with the view of identifying her will have an opportunity of doing so when she leaves the  court. Inspector Draper—Persons cannot identify her with her veil over her face. (The prisoner wore a thick veil.) Madame Mittens, in answer to Mr. Lewis, said— I do not know what is the prisoner's right name. I did make inquiries about her, and was told by her baker, grocer, &c., that she was in the habit of paying them. Had she left out the " honourable" when she wrote her name I do not think I should have let her have the goods. Mr. Morgan—Upon this I shall ask for a remand. Mr. Lewis.—There is a story about that the prisoner, while in custody in Wareham, attempted to commit suicide. I wish to state that nothing of the kind really occurred. The prisoner put on a dress which had been altered, and a needle, which had been accidentally left in it, penetrated the prisoner's breast. The prisoner, who was accommodated with a seat, and kept her face concealed from a large number of persons in court, amongst whom were several tradesmen who had been victimised by her, was then again. remanded.