The Law and the Lady · Chapter
XIX: The Evidence for the Defense explained
On the fourth day of the trial, the defense presents its witnesses.
What happens
On the fourth day of the trial, the defense presents its witnesses. The prisoner's mother, Mrs. Macallan the elder, testifies with dignity, denying that her son's diary reflects his true character and asserting that he was always considerate toward his wife. Mrs. Beauly then appears, denying any improper relationship with the prisoner and stating that the deceased had questioned her about cosmetics. Two school friends of Mrs. Eustace Macallan testify that they told her about arsenic used by Styrian peasants to improve complexion, and that they sent her a book on the subject, but she never expressed an intention to obtain arsenic. The chapter ends with the anticipation of the next witness, Miserrimus Dexter.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Truth
The defense attempts to establish the truth of the prisoner's innocence through witness testimony, but a fatal defect emerges as no direct evidence links the deceased to arsenic possession.
Secrets and Deception
The private conversations and the deceased's secret desire to improve her complexion are revealed, while the letter signed 'Helena' raises questions about hidden communications.
Gender Roles and Agency
Women's roles in the trial are highlighted: the mother defends her son, Mrs. Beauly navigates public scrutiny, and the deceased's actions are scrutinized through the lens of her appearance and marriage.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Macallan
Testifies as the prisoner's mother, defending her son's character and denying that his diary represents his true feelings.
- Mrs. Beauly
Appears as a witness, denying any improper relationship with the prisoner and recounting the deceased's questions about cosmetics.
- Eustace Macallan
The prisoner, present in court; he bursts into tears upon seeing his mother.
- Miserrimus Dexter
Announced as the next witness, referred to as the prisoner's old friend.
Key passages
“The extracts from my son's diary are a libel on his character. And not the less a libel because they happen to be written by himself.”
Mrs. Macallan claims that the diary entries unfairly misrepresent her son, even though he wrote them.
She argues that the diary reflects his worst moments, not his true self.
“In speaking to you of the defects in her complexion, did your daughter-in-law refer in any way to the use of arsenic as a remedy?”
The Lord Advocate asks if the deceased ever mentioned using arsenic for her skin.
This question aims to establish a link between the deceased and the poison.
“It required no lawyer's eye to discern the fatal defect which was now revealed in the evidence for the defense.”
Everyone could see the crucial weakness in the defense's case.
The defense failed to prove that the deceased intended to obtain arsenic.