Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 297: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

*Am I too late to testify upon this case, your honor?” the lady questioned, anxiously addressing the judge. “You are somewhat late, madam,” the judge cour- teously replied, “but the jury have not yet rendered their verdict, and if you have anything of importance to offer we will listen to it.” ‘Is the diamond necklace in question here?” the lady asked. ra is; the counsel for the prosecution has charge of it,” “Will you allow me to examine it?” “Certainly, madam ;” and the judge ordered it to be handed to her. while every eye in the room, his own not excepted, was fixed upon her in astonish- ment and eager curiosity. The duchess and her party watched her with breath- less interest; Hazel sat like a beautiful statue, her face as colorless ag the snowy handkerchief in her lap. The Stewarts also appeared strangely agitated by this uaexpected interruption, Helena especially, and becoming scarcely less white than Hazel. The woman took tle necklace from the case, her hands trembling visibly as she did so, and examined each link with the closest attention, while a breath- less hush pervaded the court-room. Suddenly she gave a slight start, her face lighted, and she turned with an air of assurance to the judge. — “Well, madam, what have you to offer regarding the case?’ he asked, observing her earnestly. She was very pale, even to her lips, but she replied in a tone that could be heard in every part of the room: “This necklace belongs neither to Mrs. Stewart nor to the young lady known as Miss Gay—il is mine !”’ Seer Beene prevailed throughout the room at this startling statement. Mrs. Stewart started indignantly from Me ane aS