ving there received my
ministry on the day that you then declared to be 'the happiest of your
life,'" replied the minister.

"As Heaven is my witness, I never saw your face before I met you in this
office! Now then, reverend sir, please to look me in the eyes while you
answer my next questions. Being upon your oath, you declare that on a
certain day, in the month of last September, in your parish church, in
the city of Philadelphia, you performed the marriage ceremony between
Alden Lytton and Mary Grey?"

"I do most solemnly declare, upon my sacred oath, that I did so,"
answered Mr. Borden, meeting the searching gaze of the questioner
without flinching.

"This is the most astounding effrontery! But attend further, sir, if
you please. Being on your oath, you declare that I am the man and that
female is the woman whom you joined in marriage, under the names of
Alden Lytton and Mary Grey?"

"On my sacred oath I most solemnly declare that you are the man and she
is the woman I then and there united together," unflinchingly replied
the minister.

For a moment Alden Lytton was mute with amazement; and then he said:

"Let me look at that paper that is said to be a certificate of this
marriage."

Mr. Desmond handed over the document.

Alden Lytton read it, and then recommenced his cross-examination of the
minister.

"And this is the certificate you gave the pretended bride?" he inquired.

"That is the certificate I gave your wife, sir."

"And you persist in declaring, under oath, that you solemnized a
marriage between myself, Alden Lytton, and this woman, Mary Grey, here
present?"

"I do, most solemnly."

"Then, sir," said Alden Lytton, flushing to his temples with fierce
indignation, "all I have further to say is this--that you have basely
perjured yourself to assist and support an infamous conspiracy!"

"Sir--sir--Mr. Lytton!" said the magistrate, in trepidation. "This
gentleman is a most highly respected preacher of the gospel, quite
incapable of such a thing!"

"I do not care whether he be priest, bishop, pope or apostle! He has
basely perjured himself in support of an infamous conspiracy!"

"Mr. Lytton--Mr. Lytton," said the magistrate, "if you have anything to
bring forward to disprove this strange charge we shall be glad to hear
it. But vituperation is not testimony."

"I know it," said Alden Lytton, trying hard to control his raging
passion. "I know it, and I beg pardon of the magistrate. But this