protested against the introduction of this scene. (Laughter.) I am accustomed to author's protests. (Laughter.) I consider that authors should feel much indebted to me for the valuable interpolations suggested by my humour, experience and good taste. (Applause, in which the learned Judge joined.) I cannot say they usually do. (Laughter.) Authors are a singularly vain, captious, egotistical and thankless race. I have a strong personal regard for you, but I cannot regard you as an exception. Most certainly I never have been hissed in my life. The parts I have played have frequently been hissed. No one has ever hissed me. (Loud applause.)
The learned Judge.—I can quite believe that, Mr. Johnson.
Miss Jessie Jessamine.—I am a singing chamber-maid. I have heard the evidence of the last witness. I agree with the general tenor of it. I have no personal feeling against the Prisoner; on the contrary, I have a strong regard for him. I devoted myself to making his play a success, as far as it was in my power to do so. I introduced a song and dance in order to give briskness to the part. I do not charge extra when I introduce a song and a dance. I introduced them entirely from motives of regard for the Prisoner.
Cross-examined.—I am aware that you protested most strongly against their introduction. I did not regard you as my enemy on that account. The part I played was that of a simple-minded young governess in a country rectory, who is secretly in love with the
