88. Where a defendant, subsequent to the issue of a process but before the hearing, makes any payment on account of the amount claimed which would have the effect of reducing it to an amount which would carry a smaller sum for costs than the amount claimed, the court may, upon proof of the date of such payment, make an order for the payment of the amount proved to be due at the issue of the process, with the appropriate costs, and direct that credit be given to the defendant for any sum paid.