l'm'n,« said Sam, »I'm a - stand steady, sir, if you please - I'm
a pris'ner, gen'l'm'n. Con-fined, as the lady said.«
    »A prisoner« exclaimed Mr. Winkle, with unaccountable vehemence.
    »Hallo, sir!« responded Sam, looking up. »Wot's the matter, sir?«
    »I had hoped, Sam, that -- nothing, nothing,« said Mr. Winkle,
precipitately.
    There was something so very abrupt and unsettled in Mr. Winkle's manner,
that Mr. Pickwick involuntarily looked at his two friends, for an explanation.
    »We don't know,« said Mr. Tupman, answering this mute appeal aloud. »He has
been much excited for two days past, and his whole demeanour very unlike what it
usually is. We feared there must be something the matter, but he resolutely
denies it.«
    »No, no,« said Mr. Winkle, colouring beneath Mr. Pickwick's gaze; »there is
really nothing. I assure you there is nothing, my dear sir. It will be necessary
for me to leave town, for a short time, on private business, and I had hoped to
have prevailed upon you to allow Sam to accompany me.«
    Mr. Pickwick looked more astonished than before.
    »I think,« faltered Mr. Winkle, »that Sam would have had no objection to do
so; but, of course, his being a prisoner here, renders it impossible. So I must
go alone.«
    As Mr. Winkle said these words, Mr. Pickwick felt, with some astonishment,
that Sam's fingers were trembling at the gaiters, as if he were rather surprised
or startled. Sam looked up at Mr. Winkle, too, when he had finished speaking;
and though the glance they exchanged was instantaneous, they seemed to
understand each other.
    »Do you know anything of this, Sam?« said Mr. Pickwick, sharply.
    »No, I don't, sir,« replied Mr. Weller, beginning to button with
extraordinary assiduity.
    »Are you sure, Sam?« said Mr. Pickwick.
    »Wy, sir,« responded Mr. Weller; »I'm sure so far, that I've never heerd
anythin' on the subject afore this moment. If I makes any guess about it,« added
Sam, looking at Mr. Winkle, »I haven
