Page:The Great Harry Thaw Case.djvu/91

 "When had Mr. Thaw proposed for the first time?"

"In June, 1903, in Paris."

"At the time did you refuse him?"

"I did."

"Did you state in explaining your refusal of his proposal that it had something to do with Stanford White?"

"Yes."

"State what happened."

"Mr. Thaw told me that he loved me and wanted to marry me. I stared at him for a moment and then he said, 'Don't you care for me?' and I said that I did. Then he asked me what was the matter. I said 'nothing.' 'Why won't you marry me?' he said. He put his hands on my shoulder and asked, "Is it because of Stanford White?' and I said 'yes.' Then he told me he would never love any one else or marry any one else. I started to cry. He said he wanted me to tell him the whole thing. Then I began to tell him how I first met Stanford White."

At this frail Evelyn collapsed utterly. Falling back in her chair, her beautiful features ghastly pale, she murmured:

"I can't go on! I can't! I can't!"

The court windows were opened, an alienist who was present applied restoratives, and in a few minutes Mrs. Thaw was able to go on to the story of her ruin.