"What is it?" asked the poor woman.
"Either he or you must return with me," answered Jonathan.
"Take me, then," replied the widow. And she would have rushed to him, if she had not been forcibly withheld by her son.
"Do not go near him, mother," cried Jack; "do not believe him. There is some deep treachery hidden beneath his words."
"I will go," said Mrs. Sheppard, struggling to get free.
"Attend to me, Mrs. Sheppard," said Jonathan, looking calmly on at this distressing scene, "Attend to me, and do not heed him. I swear to you, solemnly swear to you, I will save your son's life, nay more, will befriend him, will place him out of the reach of his enemies, if you consent to become my wife."
"Execrable villain!" exclaimed Jack.
"You hear that," cried Mrs. Sheppard; "he swears to save you."
"Well," replied her son; "and you spurn the proposal."
"No; she accepts it," rejoined Jonathan, triumphantly. "Come along, Mrs. Sheppard. I've a carriage within call shall convey you swiftly to town. Come! come!"