Curiosities of Legal Experience. 



cut my throat. Perhaps I may, but I'll not leave you behind ; no, 

 d n me if I do.' I was dreadfully frightened ; he saw it, and strode 

 close to my chair. I rose in terror. * Will you do it?' he said, and 

 his face was black with rage ; * To-morrow,' I gasped out, 'to-morrow 

 we will talk/ * Will you do it?' he roared in a frenzy of passion. 

 I trembled^so that I could scarcely stand, and my sight failed ; but I 

 had resolution enough to say, * I cannot, indeed I cannot.' Before I 

 could finish the sentence he uttered a fierce oath, and I felt myself 

 dashed back on the chair. He struck me he did indeed." 



She leaned forward on the table, and buried her face in her 

 hands. I observed that her neck was carefully muffled up in a shawl, 

 and there was a lump on the left shoulder which I fancied was a 

 poultice. In a minute or two she recovered herself. 



" What happened afterwards I do not know. I recollect hearing 

 his voice very loud, but not what he said : then every thing was 

 quiet, and I think I was on my knees a long time trying to utter a 

 prayer; but perhaps it was a dream. Oh! if all the rest were a 

 dream too. 



" I cannot live with him, Mr. D.," she resumed, concealing her 

 face with her handkerchief; the law, I suppose, will allow me to 

 separate, and I wish you to take the necessary steps immediately." 

 I assented to this, but added that there were many points to be 

 settled before commencing a suit, more particularly as to the chil- 

 dren. " They go with me," said she hastily ; " it is impossible to 

 leave them with him." On this point I felt considerable doubt ; 

 but, seeing the state of excitement she was in, I merely engaged to 

 take counsel's opinion on the whole case as soon as possible, and, if 

 favourable, to commence proceedings forthwith. On going away, 

 I met the nurse with the children ; desired her to take them in 

 to her mistress. Poor woman ! they are her only consolation now. 



Mem. What a strange thing it is after such a scene to put down 

 in one's books, 



u Sept. 29. Conversation with Mrs. S. - - - 13*. 4d.!" 

 ********** 



Sept. 30. Laid a case before Mr. M., who promises his opinion 



to-morrow. Dr. P would have been a month about it. Never 



go to a first-rate man if you are in a hurry. 



Oct. 2. Mr. M.'s opinion came yesterday evening. Thinks the 

 cruelty sufficient ; as to children, very doubtful, unless father has 

 taken them to a gaming-house, &c. &c. 



Had a long conversation with Mrs. S. at her aunt's (Mrs. Winston). 

 She went there immediately after my last visit, and took the children 

 with her. The probability that they would be left entirely in their 

 father's power shook her resolution; and I then suggested a com- 

 promise. See her again to-morrow. 



Mem. Read old Winston's will in registry. 



[Miss Winston was left 30,000 by her father as soon as she came 

 of age, to be settled to her separate use if she married. On her 

 elopement with Mr. S., the Court of Chancery considering his con- 

 duct disgraceful, deprived him even of his life-interest, directing it 

 to be paid to her separate use, and the principal to descend to her 



