Involuntarily, unconscious of the act, the sheriff pulled off his hat, and stood twirling it in his hands.
"Is it indeed true," she asked, her voice thrilling with suppressed feeling, "that you possess a warrant sworn out by Biff Farnham, charging Mr.Winston with the abduction of his wife ?" "Yes, ma'am," and the man changed the weight of his body to the other foot.

"I 'm sorry ter say it 's true." She lifted one hand suddenly to her forehead as though in pain.
"And you intend to serve it ?" "I have no choice, ma'am; I 'm an officer of the law." There followed a pause, seemingly endless, the eyes of the men turned away.

She lifted her head, sweeping her gaze swiftly across the faces, and a flush crept into the white cheeks.
"Gentlemen," her voice low and clear, but with a slight falter occasionally yielding peculiar power to the words, "it is true I am that man's wife." She looked directly at him, apparently oblivious of his attempt at smiling indifference.

"By the laws of God and men I am his wife.

I neither deny this, nor have ever sought to escape from its obligations.