It was a falsehood now, and as she uttered it the poor creature shrunk guiltily from her husband's side, and attempted to steal out of the cell.
"One moment," said the lawyer, beginning to kindle up in his unholy work. "Another thing is to be settled, and then you have the proud honor, the glorious reflection that it is to you this good, this innocent man owes his life. How long have you been married?"
The old woman looked at a gold ring on her finger, worn almost to a thread, and answered—
"It is near on forty years."
"Where?"
The old woman looked at her husband, but his eyes were bent sorrowfully downward, giving her neither encouragement or reproach, so she answered with some hesitation—
"We were married Down East, in Maine!"
"So much the better. Is the marriage registered anywhere?"
"I don't know!"
"The witnesses, where are they?"