And how were we to escape, burdened by this helpless girl, from pursuit, which, perhaps, had already started from Yellow Banks?
At all hazards I must now prevent this dazed, stupified woman from ever again falling into the power of Joe Kirby.

That was the one fact I knew.

I would rather kill her with my own hand, for I was convinced the fellow actually possessed a legal right, which I could not hope to overthrow.

However it had been accomplished, through what villainy, made no odds--she was his wife, and could only be released through process of law.

He could claim her, hold her in spite of me, in spite of herself.