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17 in the name of justice and reason, protest against proceeding with this woman's evidence, it being manifest that she is talkng through a total deramgement of intelect. At first she is dumb, she cannot answer nor speak a word, and now she is answering in total disregard of all truth and propriety. I appeal to your Lordships if such a farrago as this can be at all inferential or relevant?"

"Sir, it was but the other minute," said the junior Judge, "that you announced to us with great importance, that this woman was a person noted for honesty and worth, and one who would not tell a lie for the king's dominions. Why not then hear her evidence to the end? For my own part, I perceive no tokens of discrepency in it, but rather a scrupulous conscientiousness. Of that, however, we will be better able to judge when we have heard her out, I concieve that, for the sake of both parties, this woman should be strictly examined."

"Proceed with the evidence, Mr Wood," said the senior Lord. bowing to his assistant.

Tibby was reminded she was on her great oath, and examined over again; but she adhered strictly to her former answers.