His wife would not consent; so he either got her signature by stratagem, or, what is more likely, gave somebody something to get him a passport under false pretences.
At any rate he was safe on board the steamer, when a middle-aged female, well dressed, but evidently arrayed in haste, and with a face crimson with hard running, came panting down to the steamer, and rushed on board.

Seizing upon the captain, she pointed out her husband, who had taken refuge behind the other passengers at a respectful distance; she declared that she had never consented to his going away, and demanded that his body should be instantly delivered up to her.

The husband was appealed to, but preferred staying where he was.

The captain produced the passport, perfectly _en regle_, and the lady made a rush at the document, which was torn in half in the scuffle.

All other means failing, she made a sudden dash at her husband, probably intending to carry him off by main force.