"You've got to fight _me_! Understand?
You'll drag no woman into it.

You went to Hamlin's ranch the other day.

God's grace and a woman's mercy permitted you to get away, alive.

Just so sure as you molest a woman in the section, just so sure will I kill you, no matter who your friends are!" Apparently, in Lawler's code of morals, it was one thing to force one's attentions upon a pretty woman, and another thing to steal the affections of a woman promised to another man.
But Warden's passion permitted him to make no distinction.

And his rage was based upon the premise that Lawler was guilty.