The seafaring man looked at her steadily; there was nothing in her words or appearance to excite compassion, so he spoke out bluntly.
"No, marm, you are mistaken. His name is Thrasher, and he is not your husband, having been married to another woman long before you left the pine woods."
The color fled from her proud face, till the jewels, flashing their light across it, gave her features the appearance of marble. She turned upon Thrasher with deadly hate in her eyes.
"Is this thing true?" The words hissed through her white lips.
He did not answer, but stood before her dumb and sullen.
"Is this thing true?" she repeated, turning to the sailor.
"True as judgment, marm."
"And the woman, her name, I say!"
"His wife is my own sister, Katharine Allen."
"His wife!" she cried, fiercely turning upon Thrasher again. "Man, have you nothing to say?"