No attested copy thereof was to be found, and Catherine was stunned on hearing that, even if found, it was doubtful whether it could be received as evidence, unless to corroborate actual personal testimony.

It so happened that when Philip, many years ago, had received a copy, he had not shown it to Catherine, nor mentioned Mr.Jones's name as the copyist.

In fact, then only three years married to Catherine, his worldly caution had not yet been conquered by confident experience of her generosity.

As for the mere moral evidence dependent on the publication of her bans in London, that amounted to no proof whatever; nor, on inquiry at A----, did the Welsh villagers remember anything further than that, some fifteen years ago, a handsome gentleman had visited Mr.Price, and one or two rather thought that Mr.Price had married him to a lady from London; evidence quite inadmissible against the deadly, damning fact, that, for fifteen years, Catherine had openly borne another name, and lived with Mr.
Beaufort ostensibly as his mistress.

Her generosity in this destroyed her case.