the night of the Great Storm. It was supposed he was drowned in crossing the river, as his body had never been found. Little did I imagine at the time that it was my own father to whom he referred.”
“I think I remember reading something about your father in the papers,” observed Wood. “Wasn’t he in some way connected with the Jacobite plots?”
“He was,” replied Thames. “He had been many years in this country before his assassination took place. In this letter, which is addressed to my ill-fated mother, he speaks of his friendship for Sir Rowland, whom it seems he had known abroad; but entreats her to keep the marriage secret for a time, for reasons which are not fully developed.”
“And so Sir Rowland murdered his friend,” remarked Wood. “Crime upon crime.”
“Unconsciously, perhaps,” replied Thames. “But be it as it may, he is now beyond the reach of earthly punishment.”
“But Wild still lives,” cried Wood.
“He; also, has paid the penalty of his offences,” returned Thames. “He has fallen by the hand of Blueskin, who brought me these packets.”
“Thank God for that!” cried Wood, heartily. “I could almost forgive the wretch the injury he did me in depriving me of my poor dear wife — No, not quite that,” he added, a little confused.
“And now,” said Thames, (for we must still preserve the name,) “you will no longer defer my happiness.”
“Hold!” interposed Winifred, gravely. “I release you from your promise. A carpenter’s daughter is no fit match for a peer of France.”
“If my dignity must be purchased by the loss of you, I renounce it,” cried Thames. “You will not make it valueless in my eyes,” he added, catching her in his arms, and pressing her to his breast.
“Be it as you please,” replied Winifred. “My lips would belie my heart were I to refuse you.”
“And now, father, your blessing — your consent!” cried Thames.
“You have both,” replied Wood, fervently. “I am too much honoured — too happy in the union. Oh! that I should live to be father-in-law to a peer of France! What would my poor wife say to it, if she could come to life again? Oh, Thames! — my lord marquis, I mean — you have made me the happiest — the proudest of mankind.”
Not many days after this event, on a bright October morning, the bells rang a merry peal from the old gray tower of Willesden church. All the village was assembled in the churchyard. Young and old were dressed in their gayest apparel; and it was evident from the smiles that lighted up every countenance, from the roguish looks of the younger swains, and the demure expression of several pretty rustic maidens, that a ceremony, which never fails to interest all classes — a wedding — was about to take place.
At the gate opening upon the road leading to Dollis Hill were stationed William Morgan and John Dump. Presently, two carriages dashed down the hill, and drew up before it. From the first of these alighted Thames, or, as he must now be styled, the Marquis de Chatillon. From the second descended Mr. Wood — and after him came his daughter.
The sun never shone upon a lovelier couple than now approached the altar. The church was crowded to excess by the numbers eager to witness the ceremony; and as soon as it was over the wedded pair were followed to the carriage, and the loudest benedictions uttered for their happiness.
In spite of the tumultuous joy which agitated him, the bridegroom could not prevent the intrusion of some saddening thoughts, as he reflected upon the melancholy scene which he had so recently witnessed in the same place.
The youthful couple had been seated in the carriage a few minutes when they were joined by Mr. Wood, who had merely absented himself to see that a public breakfast, which he had ordered at the Six Bells for all who chose to partake of it, was in readiness. He likewise gave directions that in the after part of the day a whole bullock should be roasted on the green and distributed, together with a barrel of the strongest ale.
In the evening, a band of village musicians, accompanied by most of the young inhabitants of Willesden, strolled out to Dollis Hill, where they formed a rustic concert under the great elm before the door. Here they were regaled with another plentiful meal by the hospitable carpenter, who personally superintended the repast.
These festivities, however, were not witnessed by the newly-married pair, who had departed immediately after the ceremony for Manchester.
CHAPTER 29.
HOW JACK SHEPPARD WAS TAKEN TO WESTMINSTER HALL.
Loaded with the heaviest fetters, and constantly watched by two of the jailers’ assistants, who neither quitted him for a single moment, nor suffered any visitor to approach him, Jack Sheppard found all attempts to escape impracticable.
He was confined in the Middle Stone Ward, a spacious apartment, with good light and air, situated over the gateway on the western side, and allotted to him, not for his own convenience, but for that of the keepers, who, if he had been placed in a gloomier or more incommodious dungeon, would have necessarily had to share it with him.
Through this, his last trial, Jack’s spirits never deserted him. He seemed resigned but cheerful, and held frequent and serious discourses with the ordinary, who felt satisfied of his sincere penitence. The only circumstance which served to awaken a darker feeling in his breast was, that his implacable foe Jonathan Wild had survived the wound inflicted by Blueskin, and was slowly recovering.
As soon as he could be moved with safety, Jonathan had himself transported to Newgate, where he was carried into the Middle Ward, that he might feast his eyes upon his victim. Having seen every precaution taken to ensure his safe custody, he departed, muttering to himself, “I shall yet live to see him hanged — I shall live to see him hanged.”
Animated by his insatiate desire of vengeance, he seemed to gain strength daily — so much so, that within a fortnight after receiving his wound he was able to stir abroad.
On Thursday, the 12th of November, after having endured nearly a month’s imprisonment, Jack Sheppard was conveyed from Newgate to Westminster Hall. He was placed in a coach, handcuffed, and heavily fettered, and guarded by a vast posse of officers to Temple Bar, where a fresh relay of constables escorted him to Westminster.
By this time, Jack’s reputation had risen to such a height with the populace — his exploits having become the universal theme of discourse, that the streets were almost impassable for the crowds collected to obtain a view of him. The vast area in front of Westminster Hall was thronged with people, and it was only by a vigorous application of their staves that the constables could force a passage for the vehicle. At length, however, the prisoner was got out, when such was the rush of the multitude that several persons were trampled down, and received severe injuries.
Arrived in the Hall, the prisoner’s handcuffs were removed, and he was taken before the Court of King’s Bench. The record of his conviction at the Old Bailey sessions was then read; and as no objection was offered to it, the Attorney-General moved that his execution might take place on Monday next. Upon this, Jack earnestly and eloquently addressed himself to the bench, and besought that a petition which he had prepared to be laid before the King
