land is completely in his power, the estates would
be yours--HIS! if he were your husband. Now do you see his motive?"

"I see nothing but your danger," replied his mother, tenderly.

"Granted it were as you say, Jack," said Wild;--"and I sha'n't take the
trouble to contradict you--the estates would be _yours_ hereafter."

"Liar!" cried Jack. "Do you affect ignorance that I am a condemned
felon, and can inherit nothing? But do not imagine that under any
circumstances I would accept your terms. My mother shall never degrade
herself by a connection with you."

"Degrade herself," rejoined Jonathan, brutally. "Do you think I would
take a harlot to my bed, if it didn't suit my purposes to do so?"

"He says right," replied Mrs. Sheppard, distractedly. "I am only fit for
such as him. Take me! take me!"

"Before an hour you shall be mine," said Jonathan advancing towards her.

"Back!" cried Jack fiercely: "lay a finger on her, and I will fell you
to the ground. Mother! do you know what you do? Would you sell yourself
to this fiend?"

"I would sell myself, body and soul, to save you," rejoined his mother,
bursting from his grasp.

Jonathan caught her in his arms.

"Come away!" he cried, with the roar of a demon.

This laugh and his looks alarmed her.

"It _is_ the fiend!" she exclaimed, recoiling. "Save me!--save me!"

"Damnation!" vociferated Jonathan, savagely. "We've no time for any
Bedlam scenes now. Come along, you mad jade. I'll teach you submission
in time."

With this, he endeavoured to force her off; but, before he could
accomplish his purpose, he was arrested, and his throat seized by Jack.
In the struggle, Mrs. Sheppard broke from him, and filled the room with
her shrieks.

"I'll now pay the debt I owe you," cried Jack, tightening his grip till
the thief-taker blackened in the face.

"Dog!" cried Wild, freeing himself by a powerful effort, and dealing
Jack a violent blow with the heavy bludgeon, which knocked him
backwards, "you are not yet a match for Jonathan Wild. Neither you nor
your mother shall escape me. But I must summon my janizaries." So
saying, he raised a whistle to his lips, and blew a loud call; and, as
this was unanswered, another still louder. "Confusion!" he cried;
"something has happened. But I won't be cheated of my prize."

"Help! help!" shrieked Mrs. Sheppard, fleeing from him to the farthest
corner of the room.

But it was of no avail. Jonathan again seized her, when the doo