Page:English laws for women in the nineteenth century.djvu/192

10 with Lord Melbourne. But what was the fact, as it now appeared from the questions he had put to the witness Mrs Morris? Why, that a quarrel had taken place between them on account of the proposed visit to Frampton; and that in consequence of that, Mr Norton gave orders that the children should be kept at home, and then sent them first to Berkeley-street, and afterwards to Wonersh; and Mrs Norton was thrown into the deepest consternation, and almost into a state of distraction, at finding that her children were to be thus separated from her. She pursued them all over the town, until she found them in Berkeley-street—where her tears and entreaties to see them were unavailing. &hellip; But it is quite clear that some persons have made Mr Norton a tool—an instrument of shame—he has been persuaded to allow his name to be used; and used merely for party and political purposes. Before I sit down, gentlemen, I think it right, in the name of Lord Melbourne, to declare, as he instructed me to do—in the most, and —that he never had criminal intercourse with Mrs Norton, nor did he ever do anything in the slightest degree to abuse the confidence which her husband reposed in him. I allow that you must find your verdict according to the evidence, and that you must not allow yourselves to be swayed by the solemn declaration of Lord Melbourne. You must look to the evidence—I wish you to do so—but looking at the evidence, I say that it is impossible to find a verdict for the Plaintiff." &hellip;

The Learned Judge summed up at some length.

The Jury having turned round, and conferred a few seconds.

The foreman said,—"My lord, we are agreed; it is my duty to say that our verdict is for the Defendant."

The announcement was received with loud bursts of applause.

A few days afterwards. Sir W. Pollett thus deprecated the notion that he had countenanced the proceedings which he conducted as counsel: and thus publicly disowned Mr Norton's cause. So much for the great scandals by which a woman's whole destiny may be darkened and wrecked!—See p. 123.

THE END.