 entrust you to deliver. And what,« he asked very sweetly, after a
moment's pause, »can I do for you? You may command me freely.«
    »I thank you, Sir John,« said Gabriel, with some pride in his manner, »but I
have come to ask no favour of you, though I come on business. - Private,« he
added, with a glance at the man who stood looking on, »and very pressing
business.«
    »I cannot say you are the more welcome for being independent, and having
nothing to ask of me,« returned Sir John, graciously, »for I should have been
happy to render you a service; still, you are welcome on any terms. Oblige me
with some more chocolate, Peak, and don't wait.«
    The man retired, and left them alone.
    »Sir John,« said Gabriel, »I am a working-man, and have been so, all my
life. If I don't prepare you enough for what I have to tell; if I come to the
point too abruptly; and give you a shock, which a gentleman could have spared
you, or at all events lessened very much; I hope you will give me credit for
meaning well. I wish to be careful and considerate, and I trust that in a
straightforward person like me, you'll take the will for the deed.«
    »Mr. Varden,« returned the other, perfectly composed under this exordium; »I
beg you'll take a chair. Chocolate, perhaps, you don't relish? Well! it is an
acquired taste, no doubt.«
    »Sir John,« said Gabriel, who had acknowledged with a bow the invitation to
be seated, but had not availed himself of it; »Sir John« - he dropped his voice
and drew nearer to the bed - »I am just now come from Newgate -«
    »Good Gad!« cried Sir John, hastily sitting up in bed; »from Newgate, Mr.
Varden! How could you be so very imprudent as to come from Newgate! Newgate,
where there are jail-fevers, and ragged people, and bare-footed men and women,
and a thousand horrors! Peak, bring the camphor, quick! Heaven and earth, Mr.
Varden, my dear, good soul, how could you come from Newgate?«
    Gabriel returned no answer, but looked on in silence while Peak (who had
entered with the hot chocolate) ran
