"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.