ld ascertain for
what sums Mr. Warrington had been arrested, and forthwith repair to the
Baroness. Draper's emissaries speedily found out that Mr. Warrington was
locked up close beside them, and the amount of detainers against him
so far. Were there other creditors, as no doubt there were, they
would certainly close upon him when they were made acquainted with his
imprisonment.

To Mr. Sparks, the jeweller, for those unlucky presents, so much; to the
landlord in Bond Street, for board, fire, lodging, so much: these were
at present the only claims against Mr. Warrington, Mr. Draper found. He
was ready, at a signal from her ladyship, to settle them at a moment.
The jeweller's account ought especially to be paid, for Mr. Harry had
acted most imprudently in taking goods from Mr. Sparks on credit, and
pledging them with a pawnbroker. He must have been under some immediate
pressure for money; intended to redeem the goods immediately, meant
nothing but what was honourable of course; but the affair would have an
ugly look, if made public, and had better be settled out of hand. "There
cannot be the least difficulty regarding a thousand pounds more or less,
for a gentleman of Mr. Warrington's rank and expectations," said Madame
de Bernstein. Not the least: her ladyship knew very well that there
were funds belonging to Mr. Warrington, on which money could be at once
raised with her ladyship's guarantee.

Should he go that instant and settle the matter with Messrs. Amos? Mr.
Harry might be back to dine with her at two, and to confound the people
at the clubs, "who are no doubt rejoicing over his misfortunes," said
the compassionate Mr. Draper.

But the Baroness had other views. "I think, my good Mr. Draper," she
said, "that my young gentleman has sown wild oats enough; and when he
comes out of prison I should like him to come out clear, and without any
liabilities at all. You are not aware of all his."

"No gentleman ever does tell all his debts, madam," says Mr. Draper; "no
one I ever had to deal with."

"There is one which the silly boy has contracted, and from which he
ought to be released, Mr. Draper. You remember a little circumstance
which occurred at Tunbridge Wells in the autumn? About which I sent up
my man Case to you?"

"When your ladyship pleases to recall it, I remember it--not otherwise,"
says Mr. Draper, with a bow. "A lawyer should be like a Popish
confessor,--what is told him is a secret for ever, and for ev