There could be but one answer: Quade would fight.

He would fight like a madman, and if this fight had happened and FitzHugh had been killed Joanne had already gone utterly and helplessly into his power.

He believed that FitzHugh had not revealed to Quade his relationship to Joanne while they were on the plain, and the thought still more terrible came to him that he might not reveal it at all, that he might repudiate Joanne even as she begged upon her knees for him to save her.

What a revenge it would be to see her helpless and broken in the arms of Quade! And then, both being beasts---- He could think no farther.

The sweat broke out on his face as he hobbled faster over a level space.