A WOMAN'S PROPOSALS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 139, 15 June 1907, Page 7

A WOMAN'S PROPOSALS.

Some curious evidence was given in the course of a case heard in the Sheriff's Court, in London, wlien Otway Cuffe, Duke of Pleneuf, of Alderney street, S.W., sued Rose, Lady Clarke, widow of Sir Philip Haughton Clarke, of 12, Egerton Terrace, W., for alleged slander and libel, and was awarded £250 damages. . The parties first became acquainted at Prince's Skating Rink. Acquaintance ripened into friendship, and friendship, on one side at least, into something warmer, so warm, in fact, that her ladyship, who was 60 years of age and of strong oharacter, is asserted to have proposed to the duke, who was but 26. But the duke was coy, and later the duchess is alleged to have said objectionable things about him, and to have refused to apologise. Looking very smart in a well-fitting frock coat the duke, a slim young man, went into the witness box and . gave evidence. He was not, and never had been, a married man, had no occupation, and lived on allowances from his family. He was introduced to Lady Clarke by the Marquis Rapa, ' Siamese Minister to England. "She invited me to tea and dinner on several occasions at her clubs, the Ladies' Army and Navy Club, the Lyceum Club, the Empress Club, and at her own house in Egerton Terrace," said witness. Did the lady claim to be a kinswoman of yours? —Yes; through her husband. . How long after your first acquaintanceship did the first difficulty arise?— About three years. What was the cause of it?— She wanted me to marry her. Did she actually propose to you herself ?—Yes; on more than one occasion.

Did you ever give her any reason to believe you were desirous of marrying her? —Oh, dear; No! No! What did you say to her when she proposed?—l smiled, and told her I was practically engaged to marry at the time, and that I thought she was a little bit too old. Laughter. Was she indignant?— Very indignant.

Counsel: Naturally, being a woman. Laughter. It was after his rejection of her ladyship's proposals, said the duke, that the objectionable postcards arrived. The first arrived in _ the ntorning, and lay with the writing upwards on the hall table. One passage on it was—"l hope you are enjoying the honeymoon with the Duchess Massey.'' The second postcard lay on the mantel-piece in the dining-room, also in full view of all in the house. There was a Miss Oldfield, a hospital nurse, who had nursed the duke through au attack of pneumonia, who saw it, also Miss Oldfield's sister. The sister observed to witness, " This is from that, disgusting old woman.'' Who was this "Duchess Massey?" —He is a gentleman friend. He was not sleeping at the place? No.

When the duke went to her ladyship and asked for an apology she poured a cup of tea over him. Since then she had made objectionable statements about him at her clubs, and his life had become unbearable in consequence. In the keenness of her disappointment, Lady Clarke made some strange confidants. Two messenger boys gave evidence that she had told them tliat the duke

Was an escaped convict. Had tried to shoot a man at Brighton.

Had tried to set 'ire to her house. Had tried to get money from her. Had stolen a diamond. Was a married man with two children starving at home. The mother of one of the boys added that Lady Clarke had told her that .the duke was an escaped convict, a thief and a murderer. In the result the jury award 3d the duke £250 damages.