Mrs. Sheppard looked fixedly at him, as if she would penetrate the gloomy depth of his soul. "Swear that you will do this," she cried. "I swear it," rejoined Jonathan, readily. "But what is an oath to you!" cried the widow, distrustfully. "You will not hesitate to break it, if it suits your purpose. I have suffered too much from your treachery. I will not trust you." "As you please," replied Jonathan, sternly. "Recollect you are in my power. Jack's life hangs on your determination." "What shall I do?" cried Mrs. Sheppard, in a voice of agony. "Save him," replied Jonathan. "You _can_ do so." "Bring him here,--let me see him--let me embrace him--let me be assured that he is safe, and I am yours. I swear it." "Hum!" exclaimed Jonathan. "You hesitate--you are deceiving me." "By my soul, no," replied Jonathan, with affected sincerity. "You shall see him to-morrow." "Delay the marriage till then. I will never consent till I see him." "Yon ask impossibilities," replied Jonathan, sullenly. "All is prepared. The marriage cannot--shall not be delayed. Yon must be mine to-night." "Force shall not make me yours till Jack is free," replied the widow, resolutely. "An hour hence, I shall return with the priest," replied Jonathan, striding towards the door. And, with a glance of malignant exultation, he quitted the vault, and locked the door. "An hour hence, I shall be beyond your malice," said Mrs. Sheppard, sinking backwards upon the pallet. CHAPTER XXIII. The last Meeting between Jack Sheppard and his Mother. After escaping from the turner's house, Jack Sheppard skirted St. Sepulchre's church, and hurrying down Snow Hill, darted into the first turning on the left. Traversing Angel Court, and Green Arbour Court,--celebrated as one of Goldsmith's retreats,--he speedily reached Seacoal Lane, and pursuing the same course, which he and Thames had formerly taken, arrived at the yard at the back of Jonathan's habitation. A door, it may be remembered, opened from Wild's dwelling into this yard. Before he forced an entrance, Jack tried it, and, to his great surprise and delight, found it unfastened. Entering the house, he found himself in a narrow passage leading to the back stairs. He had not taken many steps when he perceived Quilt Arnold in the upper gallery, with a lamp in his hand. Hearing a noise below, Quilt called out, supposing it occasioned by the Jew. Jack hastily retreated, and taking the first means of concealment that occurred to him, descended the cellar steps.