¶1A novel question is presented here. Although the defendant denies á marriage de facto, he . , , has not denied cohabitation, or living together, nor the great cruelty set forth in the bill. .At this stage of the suit, I do not think the plea sufficient to prevent the granting of the application. In Smyth v. Smyth, 2 Adams, 254, the!' court, in effect, granted temporary alimony, when in point of form it could not allot it to the wife until the fact of marriage was either proved or confessed by the.husband.
¶2I shall direct a reference to -a master to 'ascertain the amount-which ought to be. allowed, according as the circumstances of the defendant may appear before him.
¶3Ordered accordingly.