rs, and why am I in a lock-up house three doors off?

"Yes. Such is the fact. As I was hastening to you, knowing full well the
danger to which I was subject:--but what danger will I not affront at
the call of such a benefactor as Mr. Warrington hath been to me?--I was
seized by two villains who had a writ against me, and who have lodged me
at Naboth's, hard by, and so close to your honour, that we could almost
hear each other across the garden walls of the respective houses where
we are confined.

"I had much and of importance to say, which I do not care to write down
on paper regarding your affairs. May they mend! May my cursed fortunes,
too, better themselves, is the prayer of--

"Your honour's afflicted Chaplain-in-Ordinary, J. S."

And now, as Mr. Sampson refuses to speak, it will be our duty to
acquaint the reader with those matters whereof the poor chaplain did not
care to discourse on paper.

Gumbo's loquacity had not reached so far as Long Acre, and Mr. Sampson
was ignorant of the extent of his patron's calamity until he received
Harry's letter and messenger from Chancery Lane. The divine was still
ardent with gratitude for the service Mr. Warrington had just conferred
on him, and eager to find some means to succour his distressed patron.
He knew what a large sum Lord Castlewood had won from his cousin, had
dined in company with his lordship on the day before, and now ran to
Lord Castlewood's house, with a hope of arousing him to some pity for
Mr. Warrington. Sampson made a very eloquent and touching speech to
Lord Castlewood about his kinsman's misfortune, and spoke with a real
kindness and sympathy, which, however, failed to touch the nobleman to
whom he addressed himself.

My lord peevishly and curtly put a stop to the chaplain's passionate
pleading. "Did I not tell you, two days since, when you came for money,
that I was as poor as a beggar, Sampson," said his lordship, "and has
anybody left me a fortune since? The little sum I won from my cousin was
swallowed up by others. I not only can't help Mr. Warrington, but, as I
pledge you my word, not being in the least aware of his calamity, I had
positively written to him this morning to ask him to help me." And
a letter to this effect did actually reach Mr. Warrington from his
lodgings, whither it had been despatched by the penny post.

"I must get him money, my lord. I know he had scarcely anything left in
his pocket after relieving me. Were I to pawn