This painting,
painted in 1895,was a popular favourite, when first exhibited at the Royal Academy. The
defendant, a lone woman, is well-dressed in a silver dress, hat, and fur coat.
She looks apprehensive, but gazes directly back at the viewer. She is earnestly
questioned by her counsel, as his assistants listen attentively. What has she
done?! A newspaper of the day ran a competition to find am answer. The picture
is skillfully painted, highly finished, and poses a question.
