If Jack Sheppard could behold his mother in this state, he'd have a lesson he'd never forget--ay, and a severer one than even the hangman could read him.

Hardened as he may be, that would touch him.

But he has never been near her--never." Rambling in this way, the matron at length came to a halt, and taking out a key, pointed to a door and said, "This is Mrs.Sheppard's ward, Sir." "Leave us together, my good woman," said Jack, putting a guinea into her hand.
"As long as you please, Sir," answered the matron, dropping a curtsey.
"There, Sir," she added, unlocking the door, "you can go in.

Don't be frightened of her.

She's not mischievous--and besides she's chained, and can't reach you." So saying, she retired, and Jack entered the cell.
Prepared as he was for a dreadful shock, and with his nerves strung to endure it, Jack absolutely recoiled before the appalling object that met his gaze.