第9章

Theairofcompletenessandsuperioritywithwhichshewalkedatmyside，andtheairofyouthfulnessandsubmissionwithwhichIwalkedathers，madeacontrastthatIstronglyfelt。Itwouldhaverankledinmemorethanitdid，ifIhadnotregardedmyselfaselicitingitbybeingsosetapartforherandassignedtoher。

Thegardenwastooovergrownandrankforwalkinginwithease，andafterwehadmadetheroundofittwiceorthrice，wecameoutagainintothebreweryyard。IshowedhertoanicetywhereIhadseenherwalkingonthecasks，thatfirstoldday，andshesaid，withacoldandcarelesslookinthatdirection，`DidI？\'Iremindedherwhereshehadcomeoutofthehouseandgivenmemymeatanddrink，andshesaid，`Idon\'tremember。\'

`Notrememberthatyoumademecry？\'saidI。`No，\'saidshe，andshookherheadandlookedabouther。Iverilybelievethathernotrememberingandnotmindingintheleast，mademecryagain，inwardly-andthatisthesharpestcryingofall。

`Youmustknow，\'saidEstella，condescendingtomeasabrilliantandbeautifulwomanmight，`thatIhavenoheart-ifthathasanythingtodowithmymemory。\'

IgotthroughsomejargontotheeffectthatItookthelibertyofdoubtingthat。ThatIknewbetter。Thattherecouldbenosuchbeautywithoutit。

`Oh！Ihaveahearttobestabbedinorshotin，Ihavenodoubt，\'saidEstella，`and，ofcourse，ifitceasedtobeatIshouldceasetobe。ButyouknowwhatImean。Ihavenosoftnessthere，no-sympathy-sentiment-nonsense。\'

Whatwasitthatwasborneinuponmymindwhenshestoodstillandlookedattentivelyatme？AnythingthatIhadseeninMissHavisham？

No。InsomeofherlooksandgesturestherewasthattingeofresemblancetoMissHavishamwhichmayoftenbenoticedtohavebeenacquiredbychildren，fromgrownpersonwithwhomtheyhavebeenmuchassociatedandsecluded，andwhich，whenchildhoodispassed，willproducearemarkableoccasionallikenessofexpressionbetweenfacesthatareotherwisequitedifferent。

AndyetIcouldnottracethistoMissHavisham。Ilookedagain，andthoughshewasstilllookingatme，thesuggestionwasgone。

Whatwasit？

`Iamserious，\'saidEstella，notsomuchwithafrown(forherbrowwassmooth)aswithadarkeningofherface；`ifwearetobethrownmuchtogether，youhadbetterbelieveitatonce。No！\'imperiouslystoppingmeasIopenedmylips。`Ihavenotbestowedmytendernessanywhere。I

haveneverhadanysuchthing。\'

Inanothermomentwewereinthebrewerysolongdisused，asshepointedtothehighgallerywhereIhadseenhergoingoutonthatsamefirstday，andtoldmesherememberedtohavebeenupthere，andtohaveseenmestandingscaredbelow。Asmyeyesfollowedherwhitehand，againthesamedimsuggestionthatIcouldnotpossiblygrasp，crossedme。Myinvoluntarystartoccasionedhertolayherhanduponmyarm。Instantlytheghostpassedoncemore，andwasgone。

Whatwasit？

`Whatisthematter？\'askedEstella。`Areyouscaredagain？\'

`Ishouldbe，ifIbelievedwhatyousaidjustnow，\'Ireplied，toturnitoff。

`Thenyoudon\'t？Verywell。Itissaid，atanyrate。MissHavishamwillsoonbeexpectingyouatyouroldpost，thoughIthinkthatmightbelaidasidenow，withotheroldbelongings。Letusmakeonemoreroundofthegarden，andthengoin。Come！Youshallnotshedtearsformycrueltyto-day；

youshallbemyPage，andgivemeyourshoulder。\'

Herhandsomedresshadtrailedupontheground。Shehelditinonehandnow，andwiththeotherlightlytouchedmyshoulderaswewalked。Wewalkedroundtheruinedgardentwiceorthricemore，anditwasallinbloomforme。Ifthegreenandyellowgrowthofweedinthechinksoftheoldwallhadbeenthemostpreciousflowersthateverblew，itcouldnothavebeenmorecherishedinmyremembrance。

Therewasnodiscrepancyofyearsbetweenus，toremoveherfarfromme；wewereofnearlythesameage，thoughofcoursetheagetoldformoreinhercasethaninmine；buttheairofinaccessibilitywhichherbeautyandhermannergaveher，tormentedmeinthemidstofmydelight，andattheheightoftheassuranceIfeltthatoutpatronesshadchosenusforoneanother。Wretchedboy！

Atlastwewentbackintothehouse，andthereIheard，withsurprise，thatmyguardianhadcomedowntoseeMissHavishamonbusiness，andwouldcomebacktodinner。Theoldwintrybranchesofchandeliersintheroomwherethemoulderingtablewasspread，hadbeenlightedwhilewewereout，andMissHavishamwasinherchairandwaitingforme。

Itwaslikepushingthechairitselfbackintothepast，whenwebegantheoldslowcircuitroundabouttheashesofthebridalfeast。But，inthefunerealroom，withthatfigureofthegravefallenbackinthechairfixingitseyesuponher，Estellalookedmorebrightandbeautifulthanbefore，andIwasunderstrongerenchantment。

Thetimesomeltedaway，thatourearlydinner-hourdrewcloseathand，andEstellaleftustoprepareherself。Wehadstoppednearthecentreofthelongtable，andMissHavisham，withoneofherwitheredarmsstretchedoutofthechair，restedthatclenchedhandupontheyellowcloth。AsEstellalookedbackoverhershoulderbeforegoingoutatthedoor，MissHavishamkissedthathandtoher，witharavenousintensitythatwasofitskindquitedreadful。

Then，Estellabeinggoneandwetwoleftalone，sheturnedtome，andsaidinawhisper:

`Isshebeautiful，graceful，well-grown？Doyouadmireher？\'

`Everybodymustwhoseesher，MissHavisham。\'

Shedrewanarmroundmyneck，anddrewmyheadclosedowntohersasshesatinthechair。`Loveher，loveher，loveher！Howdoessheuseyou？\'

BeforeIcouldanswer(ifIcouldhaveansweredsodifficultaquestionatall)，sherepeated，`Loveher，loveher，loveher！Ifshefavoursyou，loveher。Ifshewoundsyou，loveher。Ifshetearsyourhearttopieces-andasitgetsolderandstronger，itwillteardeeper-loveher，loveher，loveher！\'

NeverhadIseensuchpassionateeagernessaswasjoinedtoherutteranceofthesewords。Icouldfeelthemusclesofthethinarmroundmyneck，swellwiththevehemencethatpossessedher。

`Hearme，Pip！Iadoptedhertobeloved。Ibredherandeducatedher，tobeloved。Idevelopedherintowhatsheis，thatshemightbeloved。

Loveher！\'

Shesaidthewordoftenenough，andtherecouldbenodoubtthatshemeanttosayit；butiftheoftenrepeatedwordhadbeenhateinsteadoflove-despair-revenge-diredeath-itcouldnothavesoundedfromherlipsmorelikeacurse。

`I\'lltellyou，\'saidshe，inthesamehurriedpassionatewhisper，`whatrealloveis。Itisblinddevotion，unquestioningself-humiliation，uttersubmission，trustandbeliefagainstyourselfandagainstthewholeworld，givingupyourwholeheartandsoultothesmiter-asIdid！\'

Whenshecametothat，andtoawildcrythatfollowedthat，Icaughtherroundthewaist。Forsheroseupinthechair，inhershroudofadress，andstruckattheairasifshewouldassoonhavestruckherselfagainstthewallandfallendead。

Allthispassedinafewseconds。AsIdrewherdownintoherchair，IwasconsciousofascentthatIknew，andturning，sawmyguardianintheroom。

Healwayscarried(Ihavenotyetmentionedit，Ithink)apocket-handkerchiefofrichsilkandofimposingproportions，whichwasofgreatvaluetohiminhisprofession。Ihaveseenhimsoterrifyaclientorawitnessbyceremoniouslyunfoldingthispocket-handkerchiefasifhewereimmediatelygoingtoblowhisnose，andthenpausing，asifheknewheshouldnothavetimetodoitbeforesuchclientorwitnesscommittedhimself，thattheself-committalhasfolloweddirectly，quiteasamatterofcourse。WhenIsawhimintheroom，hehadthisexpressivepockethandkerchiefinbothhands，andwaslookingatus。Onmeetingmyeye，hesaidplainly，byamomentaryandsilentpauseinthatattitude，`Indeed？Singular！\'andthenputthehandkerchieftoitsrightusewithwonderfuleffect。

MissHavishamhadseenhimassoonasI，andwas(likeeverybodyelse)

afraidofhim。Shemadeastrongattempttocomposeherself，andstammeredthathewasaspunctualasever。

`Aspunctualasever，\'herepeated，cominguptous。`(Howdoyoudo，Pip？ShallIgiveyouride，MissHavisham？Onceround？)Andsoyouarehere，Pip？\'

ItoldhimwhenIhadarrived，andhowMissHavishamhadwishedmetocomeandseeEstella。Towhichhereplied，`Ah！Veryfineyounglady！\'ThenhepushedMissHavishaminherchairbeforehim，withoneofhislargehands，andputtheotherinhistrousers-pocketasifthepocketwerefullofsecrets。

`Well，Pip！HowoftenhaveyouseenMissEstellabefore？\'saidhe，whenhecametoastop。

`Howoften？\'

`Ah！Howmanytimes？Tenthousandtimes？\'

`Oh！Certainlynotsomany。\'

`Twice？\'

`Jaggers，\'interposedMissHavisham，muchtomyrelief；`leavemyPipalone，andgowithhimtoyourdinner。\'

Hecomplied，andwegropedourwaydownthedarkstairstogether。Whilewewerestillonourwaytothosedetachedapartmentsacrossthepavedyardattheback，heaskedmehowoftenIhadseenMissHavishameatanddrink；offeringmeabreadthofchoice，asusual，betweenahundredtimesandonce。

Iconsidered，andsaid，`Never。\'

`Andneverwill，Pip，\'heretorted，withafrowningsmile。`Shehasneverallowedherselftobeseendoingeither，sinceshelivedthispresentlifeofhers。Shewandersaboutinthenight，andthenlayshandsonsuchfoodasshetakes。\'

`Pray，sir，\'saidI，`mayIaskyouaquestion？\'

`Youmay，\'saidhe，`andImaydeclinetoanswerit。Putyourquestion。\'

`Estella\'sname。IsitHavishamor-？\'Ihadnothingtoadd。

`Orwhat？\'saidhe。

`IsitHavisham？\'

`ItisHavisham。\'

Thisbroughtustothedinner-table，wheresheandSarahPocketawaitedus。Mr。Jaggerspresided，Estellasatoppositetohim，Ifacedmygreenandyellowfriend。Wedinedverywell，andwerewaitedonbyamaid-servantwhomIhadneverseeninallmycomingsandgoings，butwho，foranythingIknow，hadbeeninthatmysterioushousethewholetime。Afterdinner，abottleofchoiceoldportwasplacedbeforemyguardian(hewasevidentlywellacquaintedwiththevintage)，andthetwoladiesleftus。

AnythingtoequalthedeterminedreticenceofMrJaggersunderthatroof，Ineversawelsewhere，eveninhim。Hekepthisverylookstohimself，andscarcelydirectedhiseyestoEstella\'sfaceonceduringdinner。Whenshespoketohim，helistened，andinduecourseanswered，butneverlookedather，thatIcouldsee。Ontheotherhand，sheoftenlookedathim，withinterestandcuriosity，ifnotdistrust，buthisfacenever，showedtheleastconsciousness。ThroughoutdinnerhetookadrydelightinmakingSarahPocketgreenerandyellower，byoftenreferringinconversationwithmetomyexpectations；buthere，again，heshowednoconsciousness，andevenmadeitappearthatheextorted-andevendidextort，thoughIdon\'tknowhow-thosereferencesoutofmyinnocentself。

AndwhenheandIwereleftalonetogether，hesatwithanairuponhimofgenerallyingbyinconsequenceofinformationhepossessed，thatreallywastoomuchforme。Hecross-examinedhisverywinewhenhehadnothingelseinhand。Hehelditbetweenhimselfandthecandle，tastedtheport，rolleditinhismouth，swallowedit，lookedathisglassagain，smelttheport，triedit，drankit，filledagain，andcross-examinedtheglassagain，untilIwasasnervousasifIhadknownthewinetobetellinghimsomethingtomydisadvantage。ThreeorfourtimesIfeeblythoughtIwouldstartconversation；butwheneverhesawmegoingtoaskhimanything，helookedatmewithhisglassinhishand，androllinghiswineaboutinhismouth，asifrequestingmetotakenoticethatitwasofnouse，forhecouldn\'tanswer。

IthinkMissPocketwasconsciousthatthesightofmeinvolvedherinthedangerofbeinggoadedtomadness，andperhapstearingoffhercap-whichwasaveryhideousone，inthenatureofamuslinmop-andstrewingthegroundwithherhair-whichassuredlyhadnevergrownonherhead。ShedidnotappearwhenweafterwardswentuptoMissHavisham\'sroom，andwefourplayedatwhist。Intheinterval，MissHavisham，inafantasticway，hadputsomeofthemostbeautifuljewelsfromherdressing-tableintoEstella\'shair，andaboutherbosomandarms；andIsawevenmyguardianlookatherfromunderhisthickeyebrows，andraisethemalittle，whenherlovelinesswasbeforehim，withthoserichflushesofglitterandcolourinit。

Ofthemannerandextenttowhichhetookourtrumpsintocustody，andcameoutwithmeanlittlecardsattheendsofhands，beforewhichthegloryofourKingsandQueenswasutterlyabased，Isaynothing；nor，ofthefeelingthatIhad，respectinghislookinguponuspersonallyinthelightofthreeveryobviousandpoorriddlesthathehadfoundoutlongago。WhatIsufferedfrom，wastheincompatibilitybetweenhiscoldpresenceandmyfeelingstowardsEstella。ItwasnotthatIknewIcouldneverbeartospeaktohimabouther，thatIknewIcouldneverbeartohearhimcreakhisbootsather，thatIknewIcouldneverbeartoseehimwashhishandsofher；itwas，thatmyadmirationshouldbewithinafootortwoofhim-itwas，thatmyfeelingsshouldbeinthesameplacewithhim-that，wastheagonizingcircumstance。

Weplayeduntilnineo\'clock，andthenitwasarrangedthatwhenEstellacametoLondonIshouldbeforewarnedofhercomingandshouldmeetheratthecoach；andthenItookleaveofher，andtouchedherandlefther。

MyguardianlayattheBoarinthenextroomtomine。Farintothenight，MissHavisham\'swords，`Loveher，loveher，loveher！\'soundedinmyears。

Iadaptedthemformyownrepetition，andsaidtomypillow，`Iloveher，Iloveher，Iloveher！\'hundredsoftimes。Then，aburstofgratitudecameuponme，thatsheshouldbedestinedforme，oncetheblacksmith\'sboy。Then，Ithoughtifshewere，asIfeared，bynomeansrapturouslygratefulforthatdestinyyet，whenwouldshebegintobeinterestedinme？WhenshouldIawakentheheartwithinher，thatwasmuteandsleepingnow？

Ahme！Ithoughtthosewerehighandgreatemotions。ButIneverthoughttherewasanythinglowandsmallinmykeepingawayfromJoe，becauseI

knewshewouldbecontemptuousofhim。Itwasbutadaygone，andJoehadbroughtthetearsintomyeyes；theyhadsoondried，Godforgiveme！soondried。

Chapter30

AFTERwellconsideringthematterwhileIwasdressingattheBlueBoarinthemorning，IresolvedtotellmyguardianthatIdoubtedOrlick\'sbeingtherightsortofmantofillapostoftrustatMissHavisham\'s。

`Why，ofcourseheisnottherightsortofman，Pip，\'saidmyguardian，comfortablysatisfiedbeforehandonthegeneralhead，`becausethemanwhofillsthepostoftrustneveristherightsortofman。\'Itseemedquitetoputhimintospirits，tofindthatthisparticularpostwasnotexceptionallyheldbytherightsortofman，andhelistenedinasatisfiedmannerwhileItoldhimwhatknowledgeIhadofOrlick。`Verygood，Pip，\'

heobserved，whenIhadconcluded，`I\'llgoroundpresently，andpayourfriendoff。\'Ratheralarmedbythissummaryaction，Iwasforalittledelay，andevenhintedthatourfriendhimselfmightbedifficulttodealwith。`Ohnohewon\'t，\'saidmyguardian，makinghispocket-handkerchief-point，withperfectconfidence；`Ishouldliketoseehimarguethequestionwithme。\'

AsweweregoingbacktogethertoLondonbythemid-daycoach，andasIbreakfastedundersuchterrorsofPumblechookthatIcouldscarcelyholdmycup，thisgavemeanopportunityofsayingthatIwantedawalk，andthatIwouldgoonalongtheLondon-roadwhileMrJaggerswasoccupied，ifhewouldletthecoachmanknowthatIwouldgetintomyplacewhenovertaken。

IwasthusenabledtoflyfromtheBlueBoarimmediatelyafterbreakfast。

BythenmakingaloopofaboutacoupleofmilesintotheopencountryatthebackofPumblechook\'spremises，IgotroundintotheHigh-streetagain，alittlebeyondthatpitfall，andfeltmyselfincomparativesecurity。

Itwasinterestingtobeinthequietoldtownoncemore，anditwasnotdisagreeabletobehereandtheresuddenlyrecognizedandstaredafter。

Oneortwoofthetradespeopleevendartedoutoftheirshopsandwentalittlewaydownthestreetbeforeme，thattheymightturn，asiftheyhadforgottensomething，andpassmefacetoface-onwhichoccasionsIdon\'tknowwhethertheyorImadetheworsepretence；theyofnotdoingit，orIofnotseeingit。Stillmypositionwasadistinguishedone，andIwasnotatalldissatisfiedwithit，untilFatethrewmeinthewayofthatunlimitedmiscreant，Trabb\'sboy。

Castingmyeyesalongthestreetatacertainpointofmyprogress，IbeheldTrabb\'sboyapproaching，lashinghimselfwithanemptybluebag。

Deemingthatasereneandunconsciouscontemplationofhimwouldbestbeseemme，andwouldbemostlikelytoquellhisevilmind，Iadvancedwiththatexpressionofcountenance，andwasrathercongratulatingmyselfonmysuccess，whensuddenlythekneesofTrabb\'sboysmotetogether，hishairuprose，hiscapfelloff，hetrembledviolentlyineverylimb，staggeredoutintotheroad，andcryingtothepopulace，`Holdme！I\'msofrightened！\'feignedtobeinaparoxysmofterrorandcontrition，occasionedbythedignityofmyappearance。AsIpassedhim，histeethloudlychatteredinhishead，andwitheverymarkofextremehumiliation，heprostratedhimselfinthedust。

Thiswasahardthingtobear，butthiswasnothing。Ihadnotadvancedanothertwohundredyards，when，tomyinexpressibleterror，amazement，andindignation，IagainbeheldTrabb\'sboyapproaching。Hewascomingroundanarrowcorner。Hisbluebagwasslungoverhisshoulder，honestindustrybeamedinhiseyes，adeterminationtoproceedtoTrabb\'swithcheerfulbrisknesswasindicatedinhisgait。Withashockhebecameawareofme，andwasseverelyvisitedasbefore；butthistimehismotionwasrotatory，andhestaggeredroundandroundmewithkneesmoreafflicted，andwithupliftedhandsasifbeseechingformercy。Hissufferingswerehailedwiththegreatestjoybyaknotofspectators，andIfeltutterlyconfounded。

Ihadnotgotasmuchfurtherdownthestreetasthepost-office，whenIagainbeheldTrabb\'sboyshootingroundbyabackway。Thistime，hewasentirelychanged。Heworethebluebaginthemannerofmygreat-coat，andwasstruttingalongthepavementtowardsmeontheoppositesideofthestreet，attendedbyacompanyofdelightedyoungfriendstowhomhefromtimetotimeexclaimed，withawaveofhishand，`Don\'tknowyah！\'

WordscannotstatetheamountofaggravationandinjurywreakeduponmebyTrabb\'sboy，when，passingabreastofme，hepulleduphisshirt-collar，twinedhisside-hair，stuckanarmakimbo，andsmirkedextravagantlyby，wrigglinghiselbowsandbody，anddrawlingtohisattendants，`Don\'tknowyah，don\'tknowyah，ponmysouldon\'tknowyah！\'Thedisgraceattendantonhisimmediatelyafterwardstakingtocrowingandpursuingmeacrossthebridgewithcrows，asfromanexceedinglydejectedfowlwhohadknownmewhenIwasablacksmith，culminatedthedisgracewithwhichIleftthetown，andwas，sotospeak，ejectedbyitintotheopencountry。

ButunlessIhadtakenthelifeofTrabb\'sboyonthatoccasion，IreallydonotevennowseewhatIcouldhavedonesaveendure。Tohavestruggledwithhiminthestreet，ortohaveexactedanylowerrecompensefromhimthanhisheart\'sbestblood，wouldhavebeenfutileanddegrading。Moreover，hewasaboywhomnomancouldhurt；aninvulnerableanddodgingserpentwho，whenchasedintoacorner，flewoutagainbetweenhiscaptor\'slegs，scornfullyyelping。Iwrote，however，toMrTrabbbynextday\'spost，tosaythatMrPipmustdeclinetodealfurtherwithonewhocouldsofarforgetwhatheowedtothebestinterestsofsociety，astoemployaboywhoexcitedLoathingineveryrespectablemind。

Thecoach，withMrJaggersinside，cameupinduetime，andItookmybox-seatagain，andarrivedinLondonsafe-butnotsound，formyheartwasgone。AssoonasIarrived，IsentapenitentialcodfishandbarrelofoysterstoJoe(asreparationfornothavinggonemyself)，andthenwentontoBarnard\'sInn。

IfoundHerbertdiningoncoldmeat，anddelightedtowelcomemeback。

HavingdespatchedTheAvengertothecoffee-houseforanadditiontothedinner，IfeltthatImustopenmybreastthatveryeveningtomyfriendandchum。AsconfidencewasoutofthequestionwithTheAvengerinthehall，whichcouldmerelyberegardedinthelightofanante-chambertothekeyhole，IsenthimtothePlay。Abetterproofoftheseverityofmybondagetothattaskmastercouldscarcelybeafforded，thanthedegradingshiftstowhichIwasconstantlydriventofindhimemployment。Someanisextremity，thatIsometimessenthimtoHydeParkCornertoseewhato\'clockitwas。

Dinnerdoneandwesittingwithourfeetuponthefender，IsaidtoHerbert，`MydearHerbert，Ihavesomethingveryparticulartotellyou。\'

`MydearHandel，\'hereturned，`Ishallesteemandrespectyourconfidence。\'

`Itconcernsmyself，Herbert，\'saidI，`andoneotherperson。\'

Herbertcrossedhisfeet，lookedatthefirewithhisheadononeside，andhavinglookedatitinvainforsometime，lookedatmebecauseIdidn\'tgoon。

`Herbert，\'saidI，layingmyhanduponhisknee，`Ilove-Iadore-

Estella。\'

Insteadofbeingtransfixed，Herbertrepliedinaneasymatter-ofcourseway，`Exactly。Well？\'

`Well，Herbert？Isthatallyousay？Well？\'

`Whatnext，Imean？\'saidHerbert。`OfcourseIknowthat。\'

`Howdoyouknowit？\'saidI。

`HowdoIknowit，Handel？Why，fromyou。\'

`Inevertoldyou。\'

`Toldme！Youhavenevertoldmewhenyouhavegotyourhaircut，butIhavehadsensestoperceiveit。Youhavealwaysadoredher，eversinceIhaveknownyou。Youbroughtyouradorationandyourportmanteauhere，together。Toldme！Why，youhavealwaystoldmealldaylong。Whenyoutoldmeyourownstory，youtoldmeplainlythatyoubeganadoringherthefirsttimeyousawher，whenyouwereveryyoungindeed。\'

`Verywell，then，\'saidI，towhomthiswasanewandnotunwelcomelight，`Ihaveneverleftoffadoringher。Andshehascomeback，amostbeautifulandmostelegantcreature。AndIsawheryesterday。AndifI

adoredherbefore，Inowdoublyadoreher。\'

`Luckyforyouthen，Handel，\'saidHerbert，`thatyouarepickedoutforherandallottedtoher。Withoutencroachingonforbiddenground，wemayventuretosaythattherecanbenodoubtbetweenourselvesofthatfact。Haveyouanyideayet，ofEstella\'sviewsontheadorationquestion？\'

Ishookmyheadgloomily。`Oh！Sheisthousandsofmilesaway，fromme，\'saidI。

`Patience，mydearHandel:timeenough，timeenough。Butyouhavesomethingmoretosay？\'

`Iamashamedtosayit，\'Ireturned，`andyetit\'snoworsetosayitthantothinkit。Youcallmealuckyfellow。Ofcourse，Iam。Iwasablacksmith\'sboybutyesterday；Iam-whatshallIsayIam-to-day？\'

`Say，agoodfellow，ifyouwantaphrase，\'returnedHerbert，smiling，andclappinghishandonthebackofmine，`agoodfellow，withimpetuosityandhesitation，boldnessanddiffidence，actionanddreaming，curiouslymixedinhim。\'

Istoppedforamomenttoconsiderwhethertherereallywasthismixtureinmycharacter。Onthewhole，Ibynomeansrecognizedtheanalysis，butthoughtitnotworthdisputing。

`WhenIaskwhatIamtocallmyselfto-day，Herbert，\'Iwenton，`I

suggestwhatIhaveinmythoughts。YousayIamlucky。IknowIhavedonenothingtoraisemyselfinlife，andthatFortunealonehasraisedme；

thatisbeingverylucky。Andyet，whenIthinkofEstella——\'

(`Andwhendon\'tyou，youknow？\'Herbertthrewin，withhiseyesonthefire；whichIthoughtkindandsympatheticofhim。)

`-Then，mydearHerbert，IcannottellyouhowdependentanduncertainIfeel，andhowexposedtohundredsofchances。Avoidingforbiddenground，asyoudidjustnow，Imaystillsaythatontheconstancyofoneperson(namingnoperson)allmyexpectationsdepend。Andatthebest，howindefiniteandunsatisfactory，onlytoknowsovaguelywhattheyare！\'Insayingthis，Irelievedmymindofwhathadalwaysbeenthere，moreorless，thoughnodoubtmostsinceyesterday。

`Now，Handel，\'Herbertreplied，inhisgayhopefulway，`itseemstomethatinthedespondencyofthetenderpassion，wearelookingintoourgift-horse\'smouthwithamagnifying-glass。Likewise，itseemstomethat，concentratingourattentionontheexamination，wealtogetheroverlookoneofthebestpointsoftheanimal。Didn\'tyoutellmethatyourguardian，MrJaggers，toldyouinthebeginning，thatyouwerenotendowedwithexpectationsonly？Andevenifhehadnottoldyouso-thoughthatisaverylargeIf，Igrant-couldyoubelievethatofallmeninLondon，MrJaggersisthemantoholdhispresentrelationstowardsyouunlessheweresureofhisground？\'

IsaidIcouldnotdenythatthiswasastrongpoint。Isaidit(peopleoftendoso，insuchcases)likearatherreluctantconcessiontotruthandjustice；-asifIwantedtodenyit！

`Ishouldthinkitwasastrongpoint，\'saidHerbert，`andI

shouldthinkyouwouldbepuzzledtoimagineastronger；astotherest，youmustbideyourguardian\'stime，andhemustbidehisclient\'stime。

You\'llbeone-and-twentybeforeyouknowwhereyouare，andthenperhapsyou\'llgetsomefurtherenlightenment。Atallevents，you\'llbenearergettingit，foritmustcomeatlast。\'

`Whatahopefuldispositionyouhave！\'saidI，gratefullyadmiringhischeeryways。

`Ioughttohave，\'saidHerbert，`forIhavenotmuchelse。Imustacknowledge，by-the-bye，thatthegoodsenseofwhatIhavejustsaidisnotmyown，butmyfather\'s。TheonlyremarkIeverheardhimmakeonyourstory，wasthefinalone:"Thethingissettledanddone，orMrJaggerswouldnotbeinit。"AndnowbeforeIsayanythingmoreaboutmyfather，ormyfather\'sson，andrepayconfidencewithconfidence，Iwanttomakemyselfseriouslydisagreeabletoyouforamoment-positivelyrepulsive。\'

`Youwon\'tsucceed，\'saidI。

`OhyesIshall！\'saidhe。`One，two，three，andnowIaminforit。

Handel，mygoodfellow；\'thoughhespokeinthislighttone，hewasverymuchinearnest:`Ihavebeenthinkingsincewehavebeentalkingwithourfeetonthisfender，thatEstellasurelycannotbeaconditionofyourinheritance，ifshewasneverreferredtobyyourguardian。AmIrightinsounderstandingwhatyouhavetoldme，asthatheneverreferredtoher，directlyorindirectly，inanyway？Neverevenhinted，forinstance，thatyourpatronmighthaveviewsastoyourmarriageultimately？\'

`Never。\'

`Now，Handel，Iamquitefreefromtheflavourofsourgrapes，uponmysoulandhonour！Notbeingboundtoher，canyounotdetachyourselffromher？-ItoldyouIshouldbedisagreeable。\'

Iturnedmyheadaside，for，witharushandasweep，liketheoldmarshwindscomingupfromthesea，afeelinglikethatwhichhadsubduedmeonthemorningwhenIlefttheforge，whenthemistsweresolemnlyrising，andwhenIlaidmyhanduponthevillagefinger-post，smoteuponmyheartagain。Therewassilencebetweenusforalittlewhile。

`Yes；butmydearHandel，\'Herbertwenton，asifwehadbeentalkinginsteadofsilent，`itshavingbeensostronglyrootedinthebreastofaboywhomnatureandcircumstancesmadesoromantic，rendersitveryserious。

Thinkofherbringing-up，andthinkofMissHavisham。Thinkofwhatsheisherself(nowIamrepulsiveandyouabominateme)。Thismayleadtomiserablethings。\'

`Iknowit，Herbert，\'saidI，withmyheadstillturnedaway，`butI

can\'thelpit。\'

`Youcan\'tdetachyourself？\'

`No。Impossible！\'

`Youcan\'ttry，Handel？\'

`No。Impossible！\'

`Well！\'saidHerbert，gettingupwithalivelyshakeasifhehadbeenasleep，andstirringthefire；`nowI\'llendeavourtomakemyselfagreeableagain！\'

Sohewentroundtheroomandshookthecurtainsout，putthechairsintheirplaces，tidiedthebooksandsoforththatwerelyingabout，lookedintothehall，peepedintotheletter-box，shutthedoor，andcamebacktohischairbythefire:wherehesatdown，nursinghisleftleginbotharms。

`Iwasgoingtosayawordortwo，Handel，concerningmyfatherandmyfather\'sson。Iamafraiditisscarcelynecessaryformyfather\'ssontoremarkthatmyfather\'sestablishmentisnotparticularlybrilliantinitshousekeeping。\'

`Thereisalwaysplenty，Herbert，\'saidI:tosaysomethingencouraging。

`Ohyes！andsothedustmansays，Ibelieve，withthestrongestapproval，andsodoesthemarine-storeshopinthebackstreet。Gravely，Handel，forthesubjectisgraveenough，youknowhowitis，aswellasIdo。I

supposetherewasatimeoncewhenmyfatherhadnotgivenmattersup；

butifevertherewas，thetimeisgone。MayIaskyouifyouhaveeverhadanopportunityofremarking，downinyourpartofthecountry，thatthechildrenofnotexactlysuitablemarriages，arealwaysmostparticularlyanxioustobemarried？\'

Thiswassuchasingularquestion，thatIaskedhiminreturn，`Isitso？\'

`Idon\'tknow，\'saidHerbert，`that\'swhatIwanttoknow。Becauseitisdecidedlythecasewithus。MypoorsisterCharlottewhowasnextmeanddiedbeforeshewasfourteen，wasastrikingexample。LittleJaneisthesame。Inherdesiretobematrimoniallyestablished，youmightsupposehertohavepassedhershortexistenceintheperpetualcontemplationofdomesticbliss。LittleAlickinafrockhasalreadymadearrangementsforhisunionwithasuitableyoungpersonatKew。Andindeed，Ithinkweareallengaged，exceptthebaby。\'

`Thenyouare？\'saidI。

`Iam，\'saidHerbert；`butit\'sasecret。\'

Iassuredhimofmykeepingthesecret，andbeggedtobefavouredwithfurtherparticulars。HehadspokensosensiblyandfeelinglyofmyweaknessthatIwantedtoknowsomethingabouthisstrength。

`MayIaskthename？\'Isaid。

`NameofClara，\'saidHerbert。

`LiveinLondon？\'

`Yes。perhapsIoughttomention，\'saidHerbert，whohadbecomecuriouslycrestfallenandmeek，sinceweenteredontheinterestingtheme，`thatsheisratherbelowmymother\'snonsensicalfamilynotions。Herfatherhadtodowiththevictuallingofpassenger-ships。Ithinkhewasaspeciesofpurser。\'

`Whatishenow？\'saidI。

`He\'saninvalidnow，\'repliedHerbert。

`Livingon-？\'

`Onthefirstfloor，\'saidHerbert。WhichwasnotatallwhatImeant，forIhadintendedmyquestiontoapplytohismeans。`Ihaveneverseenhim，forhehasalwayskepthisroomoverhead，sinceIhaveknownClara。

ButIhaveheardhimconstantly。Hemakestremendousrows-roars，andpegsatthefloorwithsomefrightfulinstrument。\'Inlookingatmeandthenlaughingheartily，Herbertforthetimerecoveredhisusuallivelymanner。

`Don\'tyouexpecttoseehim？\'saidI。

`Ohyes，Iconstantlyexpecttoseehim，\'returnedHerbert，`becauseIneverhearhim，withoutexpectinghimtocometumblingthroughtheceiling。

ButIdon\'tknowhowlongtheraftersmayhold。\'

Whenhehadoncemorelaughedheartily，hebecamemeekagain，andtoldmethatthemomenthebegantorealizeCapital，itwashisintentiontomarrythisyounglady。Headdedasaself-evidentproposition，engenderinglowspirits，`Butyoucan\'tmarry，youknow，whileyou\'relookingaboutyou。\'

Aswecontemplatedthefire，andasIthoughtwhatadifficultvisiontorealizethissameCapitalsometimeswas，Iputmyhandsinmypockets。

Afoldedpieceofpaperinoneofthemattractingmyattention，IopeneditandfoundittobetheplaybillIhadreceivedfromJoe，relativetothecelebratedprovincialamateurofRoscianrenown。`Andblessmyheart，\'

Iinvoluntarilyaddedaloud，`it\'sto-night！\'

Thischangedthesubjectinaninstant，andmadeushurriedlyresolvetogototheplay。So，whenIhadpledgedmyselftocomfortandabetHerbertintheaffairofhisheartbyallpracticableandimpracticablemeans，andwhenHerberthadtoldmethathisaffiancedalreadyknewmebyreputationandthatIshouldbepresentedtoher，andwhenwehadwarmlyshakenhandsuponourmutualconfidence，weblewoutourcandles，madeupourfire，lockedourdoor，andissuedforthinquestofMrWopsleandDenmark。

Chapter31

ONourarrivalinDenmark，wefoundthekingandqueenofthatcountryelevatedintwoarm-chairsonakitchen-table，holdingaCourt。ThewholeoftheDanishnobilitywereinattendance；consistingofanobleboyinthewash-leatherbootsofagiganticancestor，avenerablePeerwithadirtyfacewhoseemedtohaverisenfromthepeoplelateinlife，andtheDanishchivalrywithacombinitshairandapairofwhitesilklegs，andpresentingonthewholeafeminineappearance。Mygiftedtownsmanstoodgloomilyapart，withfoldedarms，andIcouldhavewishedthathiscurlsandforeheadhadbeenmoreprobable。

Severalcuriouslittlecircumstancestranspiredastheactionproceeded。

Thelatekingofthecountrynotonlyappearedtohavebeentroubledwithacoughatthetimeofhisdecease，buttohavetakenitwithhimtothetomb，andtohavebroughtitback。Theroyalphantomalsocarriedaghostlymanuscriptrounditstruncheon，towhichithadtheappearanceofoccasionallyreferring，andthat，too，withanairofanxietyandatendencytolosetheplaceofreferencewhichweresuggestiveofastateofmortality。Itwasthis，Iconceive，whichledtotheShade\'sbeingadvisedbythegalleryto`turnover！\'-arecommendationwhichittookextremelyill。Itwaslikewisetobenotedofthismajesticspiritthatwhereasitalwaysappearedwithanairofhavingbeenoutalongtimeandwalkedanimmensedistance，itperceptiblycamefromacloselycontiguouswall。Thisoccasioneditsterrorstobereceivedderisively。TheQueenofDenmark，averybuxomlady，thoughnodoubthistoricallybrazen，wasconsideredbythepublictohavetoomuchbrassabouther；herchinbeingattachedtoherdiadembyabroadbandofthatmetal(asifshehadagorgeoustoothache)，herwaistbeingencircledbyanother，andeachofherarmsbyanother，sothatshewasopenlymentionedas`thekettledrum。\'Thenobleboyintheancestralboots，wasinconsistent；representinghimself，asitwereinonebreath，asanableseaman，astrollingactor，agrave-digger，aclergyman，andapersonoftheutmostimportanceataCourtfencing-match，ontheauthorityofwhosepractisedeyeandnicediscriminationthefineststrokeswerejudged。

Thisgraduallyledtoawantoftolerationforhim，andeven-onhisbeingdetectedinholyorders，anddecliningtoperformthefuneralservice-

tothegeneralindignationtakingtheformofnuts。Lastly，Opheliawasapreytosuchslowmusicalmadness，thatwhen，incourseoftime，shehadtakenoffherwhitemuslinscarf，foldeditup，andburiedit，asulkymanwhohadbeenlongcoolinghisimpatientnoseagainstanironbarinthefrontrowofthegallery，growled，`Nowthebaby\'sputtobedlet\'shavesupper！\'Which，tosaytheleastofit，wasoutofkeeping。

Uponmyunfortunatetownsmanalltheseincidentsaccumulatedwithplayfuleffect。WheneverthatundecidedPrincehadtoaskaquestionorstateadoubt，thepublichelpedhimoutwithit。Asforexample；onthequestionwhether\'twasnoblerinthemindtosuffer，someroaredyes，andsomeno，andsomeincliningtobothopinionssaid`tossupforit；\'andquiteaDebatingSocietyarose。Whenheaskedwhatshouldsuchfellowsashedocrawlingbetweenearthandheaven，hewasencouragedwithloudcriesof`Hear，hear！\'Whenheappearedwithhisstockingdisordered(itsdisorderexpressed，accordingtousage，byoneveryneatfoldinthetop，whichIsupposetobealwaysgotupwithaflatiron)，aconversationtookplaceinthegalleryrespectingthepalenessofhisleg，andwhetheritwasoccasionedbytheturntheghosthadgivenhim。Onhistakingtherecorders-verylikealittleblackflutethathadjustbeenplayedintheorchestraandhandedoutatthedoor-hewascalleduponunanimouslyforRuleBritannia。

Whenherecommendedtheplayernottosawtheairthus，thesulkymansaid，`Anddon\'tyoudoit，neither；you\'readealworsethanhim！\'

AndIgrievetoaddthatpealsoflaughtergreetedMrWopsleoneveryoneoftheseoccasions。

Buthisgreatesttrialswereinthechurchyard:whichhadtheappearanceofaprimevalforest，withakindofsmallecclesiasticalwash-houseononeside，andaturnpikegateontheother。MrWopsleinacomprehensiveblackcloak，beingdescriedenteringattheturnpike，thegravediggerwasadmonishedinafriendlyway，`Lookout！Here\'stheundertakeracoming，toseehowyou\'reagettingonwithyourwork！\'IbelieveitiswellknowninaconstitutionalcountrythatMrWopslecouldnotpossiblyhavereturnedtheskull，aftermoralizingoverit，withoutdustinghisfingersonawhitenapkintakenfromhisbreast；buteventhatinnocentandindispensableactiondidnotpasswithoutthecomment`Wai-ter！\'Thearrivalofthebodyforinterment(inanemptyblackboxwiththelidtumblingopen)，wasthesignalforageneraljoywhichwasmuchenhancedbythediscovery，amongthebearers，ofanindividualobnoxioustoidentification。ThejoyattendedMrWopslethroughhisstrugglewithLaertesonthebrinkoftheorchestraandthegrave，andslackenednomoreuntilhehadtumbledthekingoffthekitchen-table，andhaddiedbyinchesfromtheanklesupward。

WehadmadesomepaleeffortsinthebeginningtoapplaudMrWopsle；

buttheyweretoohopelesstobepersistedin。Thereforewehadsat，feelingkeenlyforhim，butlaughing，nevertheless，fromeartoear。Ilaughedinspiteofmyselfallthetime，thewholethingwassodroll；andyetIhadalatentimpressionthattherewassomethingdecidedlyfineinMrWopsle\'selocution-notforoldassociations\'sake，Iamafraid，butbecauseitwasveryslow，verydreary，veryup-hillanddown-hill，andveryunlikeanywayinwhichanymaninanynaturalcircumstancesoflifeordeatheverexpressedhimselfaboutanything。Whenthetragedywasover，andhehadbeencalledforandhooted，IsaidtoHerbert，`Letusgoatonce，orperhapsweshallmeethim。\'

Wemadeallthehastewecoulddown-stairs，butwewerenotquickenougheither。StandingatthedoorwasaJewishmanwithanunnaturalheavysmearofeyebrow，whocaughtmyeyesasweadvanced，andsaid，whenwecameupwithhim:

`MrPipandfriend？\'

IdentityofMrPipandfriendconfessed。

`MrWaldengarver？，\'saidtheman，`wouldbegladtohavethehonour。\'

`Waldengarver？\'Irepeated-whenHerbertmurmuredinmyear，`ProbablyWopsle。\'

`Oh！\'saidI。`Yes。Shallwefollowyou？\'

`Afewsteps，please。\'Whenwewereinasidealley，heturnedandasked，`Howdidyouthinkhelooked？-Idressedhim。\'

Idon\'tknowwhathehadlookedlike，exceptafuneral；withtheadditionofalargeDanishsunorstarhangingroundhisneckbyablueribbon，thathadgivenhimtheappearanceofbeinginsuredinsomeextraordinaryFireOffice。ButIsaidhehadlookedverynice。

`Whenhecometothegrave，\'saidourconductor，`heshowedhiscloakbeautiful。But，judgingfromthewing，itlookedtomethatwhenheseetheghostinthequeen\'sapartment，hemighthavemademoreofhisstockings。\'

Imodestlyassented，andweallfellthroughalittledirtyswingdoor，intoasortofhotpacking-caseimmediatelybehindit。HereMrWopslewasdivestinghimselfofhisDanishgarments，andheretherewasjustroomforustolookathimoveroneanother\'sshoulders，bykeepingthepacking-casedoor，orlid，wideopen。

`Gentlemen，\'saidMrWopsle，`Iamproudtoseeyou。Ihope，MrPip，youwillexcusemysendinground。Ihadthehappinesstoknowyouinformertimes，andtheDramahaseverhadaclaimwhichhaseverbeenacknowledged，onthenobleandtheaffluent。\'

Meanwhile，MrWaldengarver，inafrightfulperspiration，wastryingtogethimselfoutofhisprincelysables。

`Skinthestockingsoff，MrWaldengarver，\'saidtheownerofthatproperty，`oryou\'llbust\'em。Bust\'em，andyou\'llbustfive-and-thirtyshillings。

Shakspeareneverwascomplimentedwithafinerpair。Keepquietinyourchairnow，andleave\'emtome。\'

Withthat，hewentuponhisknees，andbegantoflayhisvictim；who，onthefirststockingcomingoff，wouldcertainlyhavefallenoverbackwardwithhischair，butfortherebeingnoroomtofallanyhow。

Ihadbeenafraiduntilthentosayawordabouttheplay。Butthen，MrWaldengarverlookedupatuscomplacently，andsaid:

`Gentlemen，howdiditseemtoyou，togo，infront？\'

Herbertsaidfrombehind(atthesametimepokingme)，`capitally。\'

SoIsaid`capitally。\'

`Howdidyoulikemyreadingofthecharacter，gentlemen？\'saidMrWaldengarver，almost，ifnotquite，withpatronage。

Herbertsaidfrombehind(againpokingme)，`massiveandconcrete。\'

SoIsaidboldly，asifIhadoriginatedit，andmustbegtoinsistuponit，`massiveandconcrete。\'

`Iamgladtohaveyourapprobation，gentlemen，\'saidMrWaldengarver，withanairofdignity，inspiteofhisbeinggroundagainstthewallatthetime，andholdingonbytheseatofthechair。

`ButI\'lltellyouonething，MrWaldengarver，\'saidthemanwhowasonhisknees，`inwhichyou\'reoutinyourreading。Nowmind！Idon\'tcarewhosayscontrairy；Itellyouso。You\'reoutinyourreadingofHamletwhenyougetyourlegsinprofile。ThelastHamletasIdressed，madethesamemistakesinhisreadingatrehearsal，tillIgothimtoputalargeredwaferoneachofhisshins，andthenatthatrehearsal(whichwasthelast)Iwentinfront，sir，tothebackofthepit，andwheneverhisreadingbroughthimintoprofile，Icalledout"Idon\'tseenowafers！"Andatnighthisreadingwaslovely。\'

MrWaldengarversmiledatme，asmuchastosay`afaithfuldependent-Ioverlookhisfolly；\'andthensaidaloud，`Myviewisalittleclassicandthoughtfulforthemhere；buttheywillimprove，theywillimprove。\'

HerbertandIsaidtogether，Oh，nodoubttheywouldimprove。

`Didyouobserve，gentlemen，\'saidMrWaldengarver，`thattherewasamaninthegallerywhoendeavouredtocastderisionontheservice-

Imean，therepresentation？\'

Webaselyrepliedthatweratherthoughtwehadnoticedsuchaman。

Iadded，`Hewasdrunk，nodoubt。\'

`Ohdearno，sir，\'saidMrWopsle，`notdrunk。Hisemployerwouldseetothat，sir。Hisemployerwouldnotallowhimtobedrunk。\'

`Youknowhisemployer？\'saidI。

MrWopsleshuthiseyes，andopenedthemagain；performingbothceremoniesveryslowly。`Youmusthaveobserved，gentlemen，\'saidhe，`anignorantandablatantass，witharaspingthroatandacountenanceexpressiveoflowmalignity，whowentthrough-Iwillnotsaysustained-therô；le(ifImayuseaFrenchexpression)ofClaudiusKingofDenmark。Thatishisemployer，gentlemen。Suchistheprofession！\'

WithoutdistinctlyknowingwhetherIshouldhavebeenmoresorryforMrWopsleifhehadbeenindespair，Iwassosorryforhimasitwas，thatItooktheopportunityofhisturningroundtohavehisbracesputon-whichjostledusoutatthedoorway-toaskHerbertwhathethoughtofhavinghimhometosupper？Herbertsaidhethoughtitwouldbekindtodoso；thereforeIinvitedhim，andhewenttoBarnard\'swithus，wrappeduptotheeyes，andwedidourbestforhim，andhesatuntiltwoo\'clockinthemorning，reviewinghissuccessanddevelopinghisplans。Iforgetindetailwhattheywere，butIhaveageneralrecollectionthathewastobeginwithrevivingtheDrama，andtoendwithcrushingit；inasmuchashisdeceasewouldleaveitutterlybereftandwithoutachanceorhope。

MiserablyIwenttobedafterall，andmiserablythoughtofEstella，andmiserablydreamedthatmyexpectationswereallcancelled，andthatIhadtogivemyhandinmarriagetoHerbert\'sClara，orplayHamlettoMissHavisham\'sGhost，beforetwentythousandpeople，withoutknowingtwentywordsofit。

Chapter32

ONEdaywhenIwasbusywithmybooksandMrPocket，Ireceivedanotebythepost，themereoutsideofwhichthrewmeintoagreatflutter；for，thoughIhadneverseenthehandwritinginwhichitwasaddressed，Idivinedwhosehanditwas。Ithadnosetbeginning，asDearMrPip，orDearPip，orDearSir，orDearAnything，butranthus:`IamtocometoLondonthedayafterto-morrowbythemid-daycoach。Ibelieveitwassettledyoushouldmeetme？AtalleventsMissHavishamhasthatimpression，andIwriteinobediencetoit。Shesendsyouherregard。

Yours，ESTELLA。\'Iftherehadbeentime，Ishouldprobablyhaveorderedseveralsuitsofclothesforthisoccasion；butastherewasnot，IwasfaintobecontentwiththoseIhad。Myappetitevanishedinstantly，andIknewnopeaceorrestuntilthedayarrived。Notthatisarrivalbroughtmeeither；for，thenIwasworsethanever，andbeganhauntingthecoach-officeinwood-street，Cheapside，beforethecoachhadlefttheBlueBoarinourtown。ForallthatIknewthisperfectlywell，Istillfeltasifitwerenotsafetoletthecoach-officebeoutofmysightlongerthanfiveminutesatatime；

andinthisconditionofunreasonIhadperformedthefirsthalf-hourofawatchoffourorfivehours，whenWemmickranagainstme。

`Halloa，MrPip，\'saidhe；`howdoyoudo？Ishouldhardlyhavethoughtthiswasyourbeat。\'

IexplainedthatIwaswaitingtomeetsomebodywhowascomingupbycoach，andIinquiredaftertheCastleandtheAged。

`Bothflourishingthankye，\'saidWemmick，`andparticularlytheAged。

He\'sinwonderfulfeather。He\'llbeeighty-twonextbirthday。Ihaveanotionoffiringeighty-twotimes，iftheneighbourhoodshouldn\'tcomplain，andthatcannonofmineshouldproveequaltothepressure。However，thisisnotLondontalk。wheredoyouthinkIamgoingto？\'

`Totheoffice？\'saidI，forhewastendinginthatdirection。

`Nextthingtoit，\'returnedWemmick，`IamgoingtoNewgate。Weareinabanker\'s-parcelcasejustatpresent，andIhavebeendowntheroadtakingassquintatthesceneofaction，andthereuponmusthaveawordortwowithourclient。\'

`Didyourclientcommittherobbery？\'Iasked`Blessyoursoulandbody，no，\'answeredWemmick，verydrily。`Butheisaccusedofit。SomightyouorIbe。Eitherofusmightbeaccusedofit，youknow。\'

`Onlyneitherofusis，\'Iremarked。

`Yah！\'saidWemmick，touchingmeonthebreastwithhisforefinger；

`you\'readeepone，MrPip！WouldyouliketohavealookatNewgate？Haveyoutimetospare？\'

Ihadsomuchtimetospare，thattheproposalcameasarelief，notwithstandingitsirreconcilabilitywithmylatentdesiretokeepmyeyeonthecoach-office。

MutteringthatIwouldmaketheinquirywhetherIhadtimetowalkwithhim，Iwentintotheoffice，andascertainedfromtheclerkwiththenicestprecisionandmuchtothetryingofhistemper，theearliestmomentatwhichthecoachcouldbeexpected-whichIknewbeforehand，quiteaswellashe。IthenrejoinedMrWemmick，andaffectingtoconsultmywatchandtobesurprisedbytheinformationIhadreceived，acceptedhisoffer。

WewereatNewgateinafewminutes，andwepassedthroughthelodgewheresomefetterswerehanginguponthebarewallsamongtheprisonrules，intotheinteriorofthejail。Atthattime，jailsweremuchneglected，andtheperiodofexaggeratedreactionconsequentonallpublicwrong-doing-andwhichisalwaysitsheaviestandlongestpunishment-wasstillfaroff。So，felonswerenotlodgedandfedbetterthansoldiers(tosaynothingofpaupers)，andseldomsetfiretotheirprisonswiththeexcusableobjectofimprovingtheflavouroftheirsoup。ItwasvisitingtimewhenWemmicktookmein；andapotmanwasgoinghisroundswithbeer；andtheprisoners，behindbarsinyards，werebuyingbeer，andtalkingtofriends；andafrouzy，ugly，disorderly，depressingsceneitwas。

ItstruckmethatWemmickwalkedamongtheprisoners，muchasagardenermightwalkamonghisplants。Thiswasfirstputintomyheadbyhisseeingashootthathadcomeupinthenight，andsaying，`What，CaptainTom？

Areyouthere？Ah，indeed！\'andalso，`IsthatBlackBillbehindthecistern？WhyIdidn\'tlookforyouthesetwomonths；howdoyoufindyourself？\'Equallyinhisstoppingatthebarsandattendingtoanxiouswhisperers-alwayssingly-Wemmickwithhispost-officeinanimmovablestate，lookedatthemwhileinconference，asifheweretakingparticularnoticeoftheadvancetheyhadmade，sincelastobserved，towardscomingoutinfullblowattheirtrial。

Hewashighlypopular，andIfoundthathetookthefamiliardepartmentofMrJaggers\'sbusiness:thoughsomethingofthestateofMr。Jaggershungabouthimtoo，forbiddingapproachbeyondcertainlimits。Hispersonalrecognitionofeachsuccessiveclientwascomprisedinanod，andinhissettlinghishatalittleeasieronhisheadwithbothhands，andthentighteningthepostoffice，andputtinghishandsinhispockets。Inoneortwoinstances，therewasdifficultyrespectingtheraisingoffees，andthenMrWemmick，backingasfaraspossiblefromtheinsufficientmoneyproduced，said，`it\'snouse，myboy。I\'monlyasubordinate。Ican\'ttakeit。Don\'tgooninthatwaywithasubordinate。Ifyouareunabletomakeupyourquantum，myboy，youhadbetteraddressyourselftoaprincipal；

thereareplentyofprincipalsintheprofession，youknow，andwhatisnotworththewhileofone，maybeworththewhileofanother；that\'smyrecommendationtoyou，speakingasasubordinate。Don\'ttryonuselessmeasures。Whyshouldyou？Now，who\'snext？\'

Thus，wewalkedthroughWemmick\'sgreenhouse，untilheturnedtomeandsaid，`NoticethemanIshallshakehandswith。\'Ishouldhavedoneso，withoutthepreparation，ashehadshakenhandswithnooneyet。

Almostassoonashehadspoken，aportlyuprightman(whomIcanseenow，asIwrite)inawell-wornolive-colouredfrock-coat，withapeculiarpallorover-spreadingtheredinhiscomplexion，andeyesthatwentwanderingaboutwhenhetriedtofixthem，cameuptoacornerofthebars，andputhishandtohishat-whichhadagreasyandfattysurfacelikecoldbroth-withahalf-seriousandhalf-jocosemilitarysalute。

`Colonel，toyou！\'saidWemmick；`howareyou，Colonel？\'

`Allright，MrWemmick。\'

`Everythingwasdonethatcouldbedone，buttheevidencewastoostrongforus，Colonel。\'

`Yes，itwastoostrong，sir-butIdon\'tcare。\'

`No，no，\'saidWemmick，coolly，`youdon\'tcare。\'Then，turningtome，`ServedHisMajestythisman。Wasasoldierinthelineandboughthisdischarge。\'

Isaid，`Indeed？\'andtheman\'seyeslookedatme，andthenlookedovermyhead，andthenlookedallroundme，andthenhedrewhishandacrosshislipsandlaughed。

`IthinkIshallbeoutofthisonMonday，sir，\'hesaidtoWemmick。

`Perhaps，\'returnedmyfriend，`butthere\'snoknowing。\'

`Iamgladtohavethechanceofbiddingyougood-bye，MrWemmick，\'

saidtheman，stretchingouthishandbetweentwobars。

`Thankye，\'saidWemmick，shakinghandswithhim。`Sametoyou，Colonel。\'

`IfwhatIhaduponmewhentaken，hadbeenreal，MrWemmick，\'saidtheman，unwillingtolethishandgo，`Ishouldhaveaskedthefavourofyourwearinganotherring-inacknowledgmentofyourattentions。\'

`I\'llacceptthewillforthedeed，\'saidWemmick。`By-the-bye；youwerequiteapigeon-fancier。\'Themanlookedupatthesky。`Iamtoldyouhadaremarkablebreedoftumblers。couldyoucommissionanyfriendofyourstobringmeapair，ofyou\'venofurtherusefor\'em？\'

`Itshallbedone，sir？\'

`Allright，\'saidWemmick，`theyshallbetakencareof。Goodafternoon，Colonel。Good-bye！\'Theyshookhandsagain，andaswewalkedawayWemmicksaidtome，`ACoiner，averygoodworkman。TheRecorder\'sreportismadeto-day，andheissuretobeexecutedonMonday。Stillyousee，asfarasitgoes，apairofpigeonsareportableproperty，allthesame。\'Withthat，helookedback，andnoddedatthisdeadplant，andthencasthiseyesabouthiminwalkingoutoftheyard，asifhewereconsideringwhatotherpotwouldgobestinitsplace。

Aswecameoutoftheprisonthroughthelodge，Ifoundthatthegreatimportanceofmyguardianwasappreciatedbytheturnkeys，nolessthanbythosewhomtheyheldincharge。`Well，MrWemmick，\'saidtheturnkey，whokeptusbetweenthetwostuddedandspikedlodgegates，andwhocarefullylockedonebeforeheunlockedtheother，`what\'sMrJaggersgoingtodowiththatwatersidemurder？Ishegoingtomakeitmanslaughter，orwhat\'shegoingtomakeofit？\'

`Whydon\'tyouaskhim？\'returnedWemmick。

`Ohyes，Idaresay！\'saidtheturnkey。

`Now，that\'sthewaywiththemhere。MrPip，\'remarkedWemmick，turningtomewithhispost-officeelongated。`Theydon\'tmindwhattheyaskofme，thesubordinate；butyou\'llnevercatch\'emaskinganyquestionsofmyprincipal。\'

`Isthisyounggentlemanoneofthe\'prenticesorarticledonesofyouroffice？\'askedtheturnkey，withagrinatMrWemmick\'shumour。

`Therehegoesagain，yousee！\'criedWemmick，`Itoldyouso！Asksanotherquestionofthesubordinatebeforehisfirstisdry！Well，supposingMrpipisoneofthem？\'

`Whythen，\'saidtheturnkey，grinningagain，`heknowswhatMrJaggersis。\'

`Yah！\'criedWemmick，suddenlyhittingoutattheturnkeyinafacetiousway，`you\'redumbasoneofyourownkeyswhenyouhavetodowithmyprincipal，youknowyouare。Letusout，youoldfox，orI\'llgethimtobringanactionagainstyouforfalseimprisonment。\'

Theturnkeylaughed，andgaveusgoodday，andstoodlaughingatusoverthespikesofthewicketwhenwedescendedthestepsintothestreet。

`Mindyou，MrPip，\'saidWemmick，gravelyinmyear，ashetookmyarmtobemoreconfidential；`Idon\'tknowthatMrJaggersdoesabetterthingthanthewayinwhichhekeepshimselfsohigh。He\'salwayssohigh。Hisconstantheightisofapiecewithhisimmenseabilities。ThatColoneldurstnomoretakeleaveofhim，thanthatturnkeydurstaskhimhisintentionsrespectingacase。Then，betweenhisheightandthem，heslipsinhissubordinate-don\'tyousee？-andsohehas\'em，soulandbody。\'

Iwasverymuchimpressed，andnotforthefirsttime，bymyguardian\'ssubtlety。Toconfessthetruth，Iveryheartilywished，andnotforthefirsttime，thatIhadhadsomeotherguardianofminorabilities。

MrWemmickandIpartedattheofficeinLittleBritain，wheresuppliantsforMrJaggers\'snoticewerelingeringaboutasusual，andIreturnedtomywatchinthestreetofthecoach-office，withsomethreehoursonhand。

IconsumedthewholetimeinthinkinghowstrangeitwasthatIshouldbeencompassedbyallthistaintofprisonandcrime；that，inmychildhoodoutonourlonelymarshesonawintereveningIshouldhavefirstencounteredit；that，itshouldhavereappearedontwooccasions，startingoutlikeastainthatwasfadedbutnotgone；that，itshouldinthisnewwaypervademyfortuneandadvancement。Whilemymindwasthusengaged，IthoughtofthebeautifulyoungEstella，proudandrefined，comingtowardsme，andIthoughtwithabsoluteabhorrenceofthecontrastbetweenthejailandher。IwishedthatWemmickhadnotmetme，orthatIhadnotyieldedtohimandgonewithhim，sothat，ofalldaysintheyearonthisday，I

mightnothavehadNewgateinmybreathandonmyclothes。IbeattheprisondustoffmyfeetasIsaunteredtoandfro，andIshookitoutofmydress，andIexhaleditsairfrommylungs。SocontaminateddidIfeel，rememberingwhowascoming，thatthecoachcamequicklyafterall，andIwasnotyetfreefromthesoilingconsciousnessofMrWemmick\'sconservatory，whenIsawherfaceatthecoachwindowandherhandwavingtome。

Whatwasthenamelessshadowwhichagaininthatoneinstanthadpassed？

Chapter33

INherfurredtravelling-dress，Estellaseemedmoredelicatelybeautifulthanshehadeverseemedyet，eveninmyeyes。Hermannerwasmorewinningthanshehadcaredtoletitbetomebefore，andIthoughtIsawMissHavisham\'sinfluenceinthechange。

WestoodintheInnYardwhileshepointedoutherluggagetome，andwhenitwasallcollectedIremembered-havingforgotteneverythingbutherselfinthemeanwhile-thatIknewnothingofherdestination`IamgoingtoRichmond，\'shetoldme。`Ourlessonis，thattherearetwoRichmonds，oneinSurreyandoneYorkshire，andthatmineistheSurreyRichmond。Thedistanceistenmiles。Iamtohaveacarriage，andyouaretotakeme。Thisismypurse，andyouaretopaymychargesoutofit。

Oh，youmusttakethepurse！Wehavenochoice，youandI，buttoobeyourinstructions。Wearenotfreetofollowourowndevices，youandI。\'

Asshelookedatmeingivingmethepurse，Ihopedtherewasaninnermeaninginherwords。Shesaidthemslightingly，butnotwithdispleasure。

`Acarriagewillhavetobesentfor，Estella。Willyourestherealittle？\'

`Yes，Iamtorestherealittle，andIamtodrinksometea，andyouaretotakecareofmethewhile。\'

Shedrewherarmthroughmine，asifitmustbedone，andIrequestedawaiterwhohadbeenstaringatthecoachlikeamanwhohadneverseensuchathinginhislife，toshowusaprivatesitting-room。Uponthat，hepulledoutanapkin，asifitwereamagiccluewithoutwhichhecouldn\'tfindthewayup-stairs，andledustotheblackholeoftheestablishment:

fittedupwithadiminishingmirror(quiteasuperfluousarticleconsideringthehole\'sproportions)，ananchovysauce-cruet，andsomebody\'spattens。

Onmyobjectingtothisretreat，hetookusintoanotherroomwithadinner-tableforthirty，andinthegrateascorchedleafofacopy-bookunderabushelofcoal-dust。Havinglookedatthisextinctconflagrationandshakenhishead，hetookmyorder:which，provingtobemerely`Someteaforthelady，\'

senthimoutoftheroominaverylowstateofmind。

Iwas，andIam，sensiblethattheairofthischamber，initsstrongcombinationofstablewithsoup-stock，mighthaveledonetoinferthatthecoachingdepartmentwasnotdoingwell，andthattheenterprisingproprietorwasboilingdownthehorsesfortherefreshmentdepartment。Yettheroomwasallinalltome，Estellabeinginit。IthoughtthatwithherIcouldhavebeenhappythereforlife。(Iwasnotatallhappythereatthetime，observe，andIknewitwell。)

`Whereareyougoingto，atRichmond？\'IaskedEstella。

`Iamgoingtolive，\'saidshe，`atagreatexpense，withaladythere，whohasthepower-orsaysshehas-oftakingmeabout，andintroducingme，andshowingpeopletomeandshowingmetopeople。\'

`Isupposeyouwillbegladofvarietyandadmiration？\'

`Yes，Isupposeso。\'

Sheansweredsocarelessly，thatIsaid，`Youspeakofyourselfasifyouweresomeoneelse。\'

`WheredidyoulearnhowIspeakofothers？Come，come，\'saidEstella，smilingdelightfully，`youmustnotexpectmetogotoschooltoyou；

Imusttalkinmyownway。HowdoyouthrivewithMrPocket？\'

`Ilivequitepleasantlythere；atleast——\'ItappearedtomethatI

waslosingachance。

`Atleast？\'repeatedEstella。

`AspleasantlyasIcouldanywhere，awayfromyou。\'

`Yousillyboy，\'saidEstella，quitecomposedly，`howcanyoutalksuchnonsense？YourfriendMrMatthew，Ibelieve，issuperiortotherestofhisfamily？\'

`Verysuperiorindeed。Heisnobody\'senemy——\'

`Don\'taddbuthisown，\'interposedEstella，`forIhatethatclassofman。Buthereallyisdisinterested，andabovesmalljealousyandspite，Ihaveheard？\'

`IamsureIhaveeveryreasontosayso。\'

`Youhavenoteveryreasontosaysooftherestofhispeople，\'saidEstella，noddingatmewithanexpressionoffacethatwasatoncegraveandrallying，`fortheybesetMissHavishamwithreportsandinsinuationstoyourdisadvantage。Theywatchyou，misrepresentyou，writelettersaboutyou(anonymoussometimes)，andyouarethetormentandtheoccupationoftheirlives。Youcanscarcelyrealizetoyourselfthehatredthosepeoplefeelforyou。\'

`Theydomenoharm，Ihope？\'