第12章

WhenIhadgotridofhim，whichIthoughtitwelltodowithoutprolongingexplanations，mymindwasmuchtroubledbythesetwocircumstancestakentogether。Whereastheywereeasyofinnocentsolutionapart-as，forinstance，somediner-outordiner-at-home，whohadnotgonenearthiswatchman\'sgate，mighthavestrayedtomystaircaseanddroppedasleepthere-andmynamelessvisitormighthavebroughtsomeonewithhimtoshowhimtheway-still，joined，theyhadanuglylooktooneaspronetodistrustandfearasthechangesofafewhourshadmademe。

Ilightedmyfire，whichburntwitharawpaleflareatthattimeofthemorning，andfellintoadozebeforeit。Iseemedtohavebeendozingawholenightwhentheclocksstrucksix。Astherewasfullanhourandahalfbetweenmeanddaylight，Idozedagain；now，wakingupuneasily，withprolixconversationsaboutnothing，inmyears；now，makingthunderofthewindinthechimney；atlength，fallingoffintoaprofoundsleepfromwhichthedaylightwokemewithastart。

AllthistimeIhadneverbeenabletoconsidermyownsituation，norcouldIdosoyet。Ihadnotthepowertoattendtoit。Iwasgreatlydejectedanddistressed，butinanincoherentwholesalesortofway。Astoforminganyplanforthefuture，Icouldassoonhaveformedanelephant。WhenIopenedtheshuttersandlookedoutatthewetwildmorning，allofaleadenhue；whenIwalkedfromroomtoroom；whenIsatdownagainshivering，beforethefire，waitingformylaundresstoappear；IthoughthowmiserableIwas，buthardlyknewwhy，orhowlongIhadbeenso，oronwhatdayoftheweekImadethereflection，orevenwhoIwasthatmadeit。

Atlast，theoldwomanandtheniececamein-thelatterwithaheadnoteasilydistinguishablefromherdustybroom-andtestifiedsurpriseatsightofmeandthefire。TowhomIimpartedhowmyunclehadcomeinthenightandwasthenasleep，andhowthebreakfastpreparationsweretobemodifiedaccordingly。Then，Iwashedanddressedwhiletheyknockedthefurnitureaboutandmadeadust；andso，inasortofdreamorsleep-waking，Ifoundmyselfsittingbythefireagain，waitingfor-Him-tocometobreakfast。

By-and-by，hisdooropenedandhecameout。Icouldnotbringmyselftobearthesightofhim，andIthoughthehadaworselookbydaylight。

`Idonotevenknow，\'saidI，speakinglowashetookhisseatatthetable，`bywhatnametocallyou。Ihavegivenoutthatyouaremyuncle。\'

`That\'sit，dearboy！Callmeuncle。\'

`Youassumedsomename，Isuppose，onboardship？\'

`Yes，dearboy。ItookthenameofProvis。\'

`Doyoumeantokeepthatname？\'

`Why，yes，dearboy，it\'sasgoodasanother-unlessyou\'dlikeanother。\'

`Whatisyourrealname？\'Iaskedhiminawhisper。

`Magwitch，\'heanswered，inthesametone；`chrisen\'dAbel。\'

`Whatwereyoubroughtuptobe？\'

`Awarmint，dearboy。\'

Heansweredquiteseriously，andusedthewordasifitdenotedsomeprofession。

`WhenyoucameintotheTemplelastnight——\'saidI，pausingtowonderwhetherthatcouldreallyhavebeenlastnight，whichseemedsolongago。

`Yes，dearboy？\'

`Whenyoucameinatthegateandaskedthewatchmanthewayhere，hadyouanyonewithyou？\'

`Withme？No，dearboy。\'

`Buttherewassomeonethere？\'

`Ididn\'ttakeparticularnotice，\'hesaid，dubiously，`notknowingthewaysoftheplace。ButIthinktherewasaperson，too，comeinalongerme。\'

`AreyouknowninLondon？\'

`Ihopenot！\'saidhe，givinghisneckajerkwithhisforefingerthatmademeturnhotandsick。

`WereyouknowninLondon，once？\'

`Notoverandabove，dearboy。Iwasintheprovincesmostly。\'

`Wereyou-tried-inLondon？\'

`Whichtime？\'saidhe，withasharplook。

`Thelasttime。\'

Henodded。`FirstknowedMrJaggersthatway。Jaggerswasforme。\'

Itwasonmylipstoaskhimwhathewastriedfor，buthetookupaknife，gaveitaflourish，andwiththewords，`AndwhatIdoneisworkedoutandpaidfor！\'felltoathisbreakfast。

Heateinaravenouswaythatwasverydisagreeable，andallhisactionswereuncouth，noisy，andgreedy。SomeofhisteethhadfailedhimsinceIsawhimeatonthemarshes，andasheturnedhisfoodinhismouth，andturnedhisheadsidewaystobringhisstrongestfangstobearupon，helookedterriblylikeahungryolddog。IfIhadbegunwithanyappetite，hewouldhavetakenitaway，andIshouldhavesatmuchasIdid-repelledfromhimbyaninsurmountableaversion，andgloomilylookingatthecloth。

`I\'maheavygrubber，dearboy，\'hesaid，asapolitekindofapologywhenhemadeanendofhismeal，`butIalwayswas。Ifithadbeeninmyconstitutiontobealightergrubber，Imightha\'gotintolightertrouble。

Similarly，Imusthavemysmoke。WhenIwasfirsthiredoutasshepherdt\'othersidetheworld，it\'smybeliefIshouldha\'turnedintoamolloncolly-madsheepmyself，ifIhadn\'tahadmysmoke。\'

Ashesaidso，hegotupfromtable，andputtinghishandintothebreastofthepea-coathewore，broughtoutashortblackpipe，andahandfulofloosetobaccoofthekindthatiscalledNegro-head。Havingfilledhispipe，heputthesurplustobaccobackagain，asifhispocketwereadrawer。

Then，hetookalivecoalfromthefirewiththetongs，andlightedhispipeatit，andthenturnedroundonthehearth-rugwithhisbacktothefire，andwentthroughhisfavouriteactionofholdingoutbothhishandsformine。

`Andthis，\'saidhe，dandlingmyhandsupanddowninhis，ashepuffedathispipe；`andthisisthegentlemanwhatImade！TherealgenuineOne！

Itdoesmegoodfurtolookatyou，Pip。AllIstip\'late，is，tostandbyandlookatyou，dearboy！\'

IreleasedmyhandsassoonasIcould，andfoundthatIwasbeginningslowlytosettledowntothecontemplationofmycondition。WhatIwaschainedto，andhowheavily，becameintelligibletome，asIheardhishoarsevoice，andsatlookingupathisfurrowedbaldheadwithitsirongreyhairatthesides。

`Imustn\'tseemygentlemanafootingitinthemireofthestreets；

theremustn\'tbenomudonhisboots。Mygentlemanmusthavehorses，Pip！Horsestoride，andhorsestodrive，andhorsesforhisservanttorideanddriveaswell。Shallcolonistshavetheirhorses(andblood\'uns，ifyouplease，goodLord！)andnotmyLondongentleman？No，no。We\'llshow\'emanotherpairofshoesthanthat，Pip；won\'tus？\'

Hetookoutofhispocketagreatthickpocket-book，burstingwithpapers，andtosseditonthetable。

`There\'ssomethingworthspendinginthattherebook，dearboy。It\'syourn。AllI\'vegotain\'tmine；it\'syourn。Don\'tyoubeafeerdonit。

There\'smorewherethatcomefrom。I\'vecometotheoldcountryfurtoseemygentlemanspendhismoneylikeagentleman。That\'llbemypleasure。Mypleasure\'ullbefurtoseehimdoit。Andblastyouall！\'hewoundup，lookingroundtheroomandsnappinghisfingersoncewithaloudsnap，`blastyoueveryone，fromthejudgeinhiswig，tothecolonistastirringupthedust，I\'llshowabettergentlemanthanthewholekitonyouputtogether！\'

`Stop！\'saidI，almostinafrenzyoffearanddislike，`Iwanttospeaktoyou。Iwanttoknowwhatistobedone。Iwanttoknowhowyouaretobekeptoutofdanger，howlongyouaregoingtostay，whatprojectsyouhave。\'

`Look\'eehere，Pip，\'saidhe，layinghishandonmyarminasuddenlyalteredandsubduedmanner；`firstofall，look\'eehere。Iforgotmyselfhalfaminuteago。WhatIsaidwaslow；that\'swhatitwas；low。Look\'eehere，Pip。Lookoverit。Iain\'tagoingtobelow。\'

`First，\'Iresumed，half-groaning，`whatprecautionscanbetakenagainstyourbeingrecognizedandseized？\'

`No，dearboy，\'hesaid，inthesametoneasbefore，`thatdon\'tgofirst。Lownessgoesfirst。Iain\'ttooksomanyyeartomakeagentleman，notwithoutknowingwhat\'sduetohim。Look\'eehere，Pip。Iwaslow；that\'swhatIwas；low。Lookoverit，dearboy。\'

Somesenseofthegrimly-ludicrousmovedmetoafretfullaugh，asI

replied，`Ihavelookedoverit。InHeaven\'sname，don\'tharpuponit！\'

`Yes，butlook\'eehere，\'hepersisted。`Dearboy，Iain\'tcomesofur，notfurtobelow。Now，goon，dearboy。Youwasasaying——\'

`Howareyoutobeguardedfromthedangeryouhaveincurred？\'

`Well，dearboy，thedangerain\'tsogreat。WithoutIwasinformedagen，thedangerain\'tsomuchtosignify。There\'sJaggers，andthere\'sWemmick，andthere\'syou。Whoelseistheretoinform？\'

`Istherenochancepersonwhomightidentifyyouinthestreet？\'saidI。

`Well，\'hereturned，`thereain\'tmany。NoryetIdon\'tintendtoadvertisemyselfinthenewspapersbythenameofA。M。comebackfromBotanyBay；

andyearshaverolledaway，andwho\'stogainbyit？Still，look\'eehere，Pip。Ifthedangerhadbeenfiftytimesasgreat，Ishouldha\'cometoseeyou，mindyou，justthesame。\'

`Andhowlongdoyouremain？\'

`Howlong？\'saidhe，takinghisblackpipefromhismouth，anddroppinghisjawashestaredatme。`I\'mnotagoingback。I\'vecomeforgood。\'

`Whereareyoutolive？\'saidI。`Whatistobedonewithyou？Wherewillyoubesafe？\'

`Dearboy，\'hereturned，`there\'sdisguisingwigscanbeboughtformoney，andthere\'shairpowder，andspectacles，andblackclothes-shortsandwhatnot。Othershasdoneitsafeafore，andwhatothershasdoneafore，otherscandoagen。Astothewhereandhowofliving，dearboy，givemeyourownopinionsonit。\'

`Youtakeitsmoothlynow，\'saidI，`butyouwereveryseriouslastnight，whenyousworeitwasDeath。\'

`AndsoIswearitisDeath，\'saidhe，puttinghispipebackinhismouth，`andDeathbytherope，intheopenstreetnotfurfromthis，andit\'sseriousthatyoushouldfullyunderstandittobeso。Whatthen，whenthat\'soncedone？HereIam。Togobacknow，\'udbeasbadastostandground-worse。Besides，Pip，I\'mhere，becauseI\'vemeantitbyyou，yearsandyears。AstowhatIdare，I\'maoldbirdnow，ashasdaredallmanneroftrapssincefirsthewasfledged，andI\'mnotafeerdtoperchuponascarecrow。Ifthere\'sDeathhidinsideofit，thereis，andlethimcomeout，andI\'llfacehim，andthenI\'llbelieveinhimandnotafore。Andnowletmehavealookatmygentlemanagen。\'

Oncemore，hetookmebybothhandsandsurveyedmewithanairofadmiringproprietorship:smokingwithgreatcomplacencyallthewhile。

ItappearedtomethatIcoulddonobetterthansecurehimsomequietlodginghardby，ofwhichhemighttakepossessionwhenHerbertreturned:

whomIexpectedintwoorthreedays。ThatthesecretmustbeconfidedtoHerbertasamatterofunavoidablenecessity，evenifIcouldhaveputtheimmensereliefIshouldderivefromsharingitwithhimoutofthequestion，wasplaintome。ButitwasbynomeanssoplaintoMrProvis(Iresolvedtocallhimbythatname)，whoreservedhisconsenttoHerbert\'sparticipationuntilheshouldhaveseenhimandformedafavourablejudgmentofhisphysiognomy。`Andeventhen，dearboy，\'saidhe，pullingagreasylittleclaspedblackTestamentoutofhispocket，`we\'llhavehimonhisoath。\'

Tostatethatmyterriblepatroncarriedthislittleblackbookabouttheworldsolelytoswearpeopleonincasesofemergency，wouldbetostatewhatIneverquiteestablished-butthisIcansay，thatIneverknewhimputittoanyotheruse。Thebookitselfhadtheappearanceofhavingbeenstolenfromsomecourtofjustice，andperhapshisknowledgeofitsantecedents，combinedwithhisownexperienceinthatwise，gavehimarelianceonitspowersasasortoflegalspellorcharm。Onthisfirstoccasionofhisproducingit，Irecalledhowhehadmademeswearfidelityinthechurchyardlongago，andhowhehaddescribedhimselflastnightasalwaysswearingtohisresolutionsinhissolitude。

Ashewasatpresentdressedinaseafaringslopsuit，inwhichhelookedasifhehadsomeparrotsandcigarstodisposeof，Inextdiscussedwithhimwhatdressheshouldwear。Hecherishedanextraordinarybeliefinthevirtuesof`shorts\'asadisguise，andhadinhisownmindsketchedadressforhimselfthatwouldhavemadehimsomethingbetweenadeanandadentist。ItwaswithconsiderabledifficultythatIwonhimovertotheassumptionofadressmorelikeaprosperousfarmer\'s；andwearrangedthatheshouldcuthishairclose，andwearalittlepowder。Lastly，ashehadnotyetbeenseenbythelaundressorherniece，hewastokeephimselfoutoftheirviewuntilhischangeofdresswasmade。

Itwouldseemasimplemattertodecideontheseprecautions；butinmydazed，nottosaydistracted，state，ittooksolong，thatIdidnotgetouttofurtherthem，untiltwoorthreeintheafternoon。HewastoremainshutupinthechamberswhileIwasgone，andwasonnoaccounttoopenthedoor。

Therebeingtomyknowledgearespectablelodging-houseinEssex-street，thebackofwhichlookedintotheTemple，andwasalmostwithinhailofmywindows，Ifirstofallrepairedtothathouse，andwassofortunateastosecurethesecondfloorformyuncle，MrProvis。Ithenwentfromshoptoshop，makingsuchpurchasesaswerenecessarytothechangeinhisappearance。Thisbusinesstransacted，Iturnedmyface，onmyownaccount，toLittleBritain。MrJaggerswasathisdesk，but，seeingmeenter，gotupimmediatelyandstoodbeforehisfire。

`Now，Pip，\'saidhe，`becareful。\'

`Iwill，sir，\'Ireturned。For，comingalongIhadthoughtwellofwhatIwasgoingtosay。

`Don\'tcommityourself，\'saidMrJaggers，`anddon\'tcommitanyone。

Youunderstand-anyone。Don\'ttellmeanything:Idon\'twanttoknowanything；Iamnotcurious。\'

OfcourseIsawthatheknewthemanwascome。

`Imerelywant，MrJaggers，\'saidI，`toassuremyselfthatwhatIhavebeentold，istrue。Ihavenohopeofitsbeinguntrue，butatleastI

mayverifyit。\'

MrJaggersnodded。`Butdidyousay"told"or"informed"？\'heaskedme，withhisheadononeside，andnotlookingatme，butlookinginalisteningwayatthefloor。`Toldwouldseemtoimplyverbalcommunication。

Youcan\'thaveverbalcommunicationwithamaninNewSouthWales，youknow。\'

`Iwillsay，informed，MrJaggers。\'

`Good。\'

`IhavebeeninformedbyapersonnamedAbelMagwitch，thatheisthebenefactorsolongunknowntome。\'

`Thatistheman，\'saidMrJaggers，`-inNewSouthWales。\'

`Andonlyhe？\'saidI。

`Andonlyhe，\'saidMrJaggers。

`Iamnotsounreasonable，sir，astothinkyouatallresponsibleformymistakesandwrongconclusions；butIalwayssupposeditwasMissHavisham。\'

`Asyousay，Pip，\'returnedMrJaggers，turninghiseyesuponmecoolly，andtakingabiteathisforefinger，`Iamnotatallresponsibleforthat。\'

`Andyetitlookedsolikeit，sir，\'Ipleadedwithadowncastheart。

`Notaparticleofevidence，Pip，\'saidMrJaggers，shakinghisheadandgatheringuphisskirts。`Takenothingonitslooks；takeeverythingonevidence。There\'snobetterrule。\'

`Ihavenomoretosay，\'saidI，withasigh，afterstandingsilentforalittlewhile。`Ihaveverifiedmyinformation，andthere\'sanend。\'

`AndMagwitch-inNewSouthWales-havingatlastdisclosedhimself，\'

saidMrJaggers，`youwillcomprehend，Pip，howrigidlythroughoutmycommunicationwithyou，Ihavealwaysadheredtothestrictlineoffact。Therehasneverbeentheleastdeparturefromthestrictlineoffact。Youarequiteawareofthat？\'

`Quite，sir。\'

`IcommunicatedtoMagwitch-inNewSouthWales-whenhefirstwrotetome-fromNewSouthWales-thecautionthathemustnotexpectmeevertodeviatefromthestrictlineoffact。Ialsocommunicatedtohimanothercaution。HeappearedtometohaveobscurelyhintedinhisletteratsomedistantideahehadofseeingyouinEnglandhere。IcautionedhimthatImusthearnomoreofthat；thathewasnotatalllikelytoobtainapardon；thathewasexpatriatedforthetermofhisnaturallife；andthathispresentinghimselfinthiscountrywouldbeanactoffelony，renderinghimliabletotheextremepenaltyofthelaw。IgaveMagwitchthatcaution，\'

saidMrJaggers，lookinghardatme；`IwroteittoNewSouthWales。Heguidedhimselfbyit，nodoubt。\'

`Nodoubt，\'saidI。

`IhavebeeninformedbyWemmick，\'pursuedMrJaggers，stilllookinghardatme，`thathehasreceivedaletter，underdatePortsmouth，fromacolonistofthenameofPurvis，or——\'

`OrProvis，\'Isuggested。

`OrProvis-thankyou，Pip。PerhapsitisProvis？Perhapsyouknowit\'sProvis？\'

`Yes，\'saidI。

`Youknowit\'sProvis。Aletter，underdatePortsmouth，fromacolonistofthenameofProvis，askingfortheparticularsofyouraddress，onbehalfofMagwitch。Wemmicksenthimtheparticulars，Iunderstand，byreturnofpost。ProbablyitisthroughProvisthatyouhavereceivedtheexplanationofMagwitch-inNewSouthWales？\'

`ItcamethroughProvis，\'Ireplied。

`Goodday，Pip，\'saidMrJaggers，offeringhishand；`gladtohaveseenyou。InwritingbyposttoMagwitch-inNewSouthWales-orincommunicatingwithhimthroughProvis，havethegoodnesstomentionthattheparticularsandvouchersofourlongaccountshallbesenttoyou，togetherwiththebalance；forthereisstillabalanceremaining。Goodday，Pip！\'

Weshookhands，andhelookedhardatmeaslongashecouldseeme。

Iturnedatthedoor，andhewasstilllookinghardatme，whilethetwovilecastsontheshelfseemedtobetryingtogettheireyelidsopen，andtoforceoutoftheirswollenthroats，`O，whatamanheis！\'

Wemmickwasout，andthoughhehadbeenathisdeskhecouldhavedonenothingforme。IwentstraightbacktotheTemple，whereIfoundtheterribleProvisdrinkingrum-and-waterandsmokingnegro-head，insafety。

NextdaytheclothesIhadordered，allcamehome，andheputthemon。

Whateverheputon，becamehimless(itdismallyseemedtome)thanwhathehadwornbefore。Tomythinking，therewassomethinginhimthatmadeithopelesstoattempttodisguisehim。ThemoreIdressedhimandthebetterIdressedhim，themorehelookedliketheslouchingfugitiveonthemarshes。Thiseffectonmyanxiousfancywaspartlyreferable，nodoubt，tohisoldfaceandmannergrowingmorefamiliartome；butIbelievetoothathedraggedoneofhislegsasiftherewerestillaweightofirononit，andthatfromheadtofoottherewasConvictintheverygrainoftheman。

Theinfluencesofhissolitaryhut-lifewereuponhimbesides，andgavehimasavageairthatnodresscouldtame；addedtothese，weretheinfluencesofhissubsequentbrandedlifeamongmen，and，crowingall，hisconsciousnessthathewasdodgingandhidingnow。Inallhiswaysofsittingandstanding，andeatinganddrinking-ofbroodingabout，inahigh-shoulderedreluctantstyle-oftakingouthisgreathorn-handledjack-knifeandwipingitonhislegsandcuttinghisfood-ofliftinglightglassesandcupstohislips，asiftheywereclumsypannikins-ofchoppingawedgeoffhisbread，andsoakingupwithitthelastfragmentsofgravyroundandroundhisplate，asiftomakethemostofanallowance，andthendryinghisfinger-endsonit，andthenswallowingit-inthesewaysandathousandothersmallnamelessinstancesarisingeveryminuteintheday，therewasPrisoner，Felon，Bondsman，plainasplaincouldbe。

Ithadbeenhisownideatowearthattouchofpowder，andIhadconcededthepowderafterovercomingtheshorts。ButIcancomparetheeffectofit，whenon，tonothingbuttheprobableeffectofrougeuponthedead；

soawfulwasthemannerinwhicheverythinginhimthatitwasmostdesirabletorepress，startedthroughthatthinlayerofpretence，andseemedtocomeblazingoutatthecrownofhishead。Itwasabandonedassoonastried，andheworehisgrizzledhaircutshort。

WordscannottellwhatasenseIhad，atthesametime，ofthedreadfulmysterythathewastome。Whenhefellasleepofanevening，withhisknottedhandsclenchingthesidesoftheeasy-chair，andhisbaldheadtattooedwithdeepwrinklesfallingforwardonhisbreast，Iwouldsitandlookathim，wonderingwhathehaddone，andloadinghimwithallthecrimesintheCalendar，untiltheimpulsewaspowerfulonmetostartupandflyfromhim。Everyhoursoincreasedmyabhorrenceofhim，thatI

eventhinkImighthaveyieldedtothisimpulseinthefirstagoniesofbeingsohaunted，notwithstandingallhehaddoneforme，andtheriskheran，butfortheknowledgethatHerbertmustsooncomeback。Once，I

actuallydidstartoutofbedinthenight，andbegintodressmyselfinmyworstclothes，hurriedlyintendingtoleavehimtherewitheverythingelseIpossessed，andenlistforIndiaasaprivatesoldier。

Idoubtifaghostcouldhavebeenmoreterribletome，upinthoselonelyroomsinthelongeveningsandlongnights，withthewindandtherainalwaysrushingby。Aghostcouldnothavebeentakenandhangedonmyaccount，andtheconsiderationthathecouldbe，andthedreadthathewouldbe，werenosmalladditiontomyhorrors。Whenhewasnotasleep，orplayingacomplicatedkindofpatiencewitharaggedpackofcardsofhisown-agamethatIneversawbeforeorsince，andinwhichherecordedhiswinningsbystickinghisjack-knifeintothetable-whenhewasnotengagedineitherofthesepursuits，hewouldaskmetoreadtohim-`Foreignlanguage，dearboy！\'WhileIcomplied，he，notcomprehendingasingleword，wouldstandbeforethefiresurveyingmewiththeairofanExhibitor，andIwouldseehim，betweenthefingersofthehandwithwhichIshadedmyface，appealingindumbshowtothefurnituretotakenoticeofmyproficiency。

Theimaginarystudentpursuedbythemisshapencreaturehehadimpiouslymade，wasnotmorewretchedthanI，pursuedbythecreaturewhohadmademe，andrecoilingfromhimwithastrongerrepulsion，themoreheadmiredmeandthefonderhewasofme。

Thisiswrittenof，Iamsensible，asifithadlastedayear。Itlastedaboutfivedays。ExpectingHerbertallthetime，Idarednotgoout，exceptwhenItookProvisforanairingafterdark。Atlength，oneeveningwhendinnerwasoverandIhaddroppedintoaslumberquitewornout-formynightshadbeenagitatedandmyrestbrokenbyfearfuldreams-Iwasrousedbythewelcomefootsteponthestaircase。Provis，whohadbeenasleeptoo，staggeredupatthenoiseImade，andinaninstantIsawhisjack-knifeshininginhishand。

`Quiet！It\'sHerbert！\'Isaid；andHerbertcameburstingin，withtheairyfreshnessofsixhundredmilesofFranceuponhim。

`Handel，mydearfellow，howareyou，andagainhowareyou，andagainhowareyou？Iseemtohavebeengoneatwelvemonth！Why，soImusthavebeen，foryouhavegrownquitethinandpale！Handel，my-Halloa！Ibegyourpardon。\'

Hewasstoppedinhisrunningonandinhisshakinghandswithme，byseeingProvis。Provis，regardinghimwithafixedattention，wasslowlyputtinguphisjack-knife，andgropinginanotherpocketforsomethingelse。

`Herbert，mydearfriend，\'saidI，shuttingthedoubledoors，whileHerbertstoodstaringandwondering，`somethingverystrangehashappened。

Thisis-avisitorofmine。\'

`It\'sallright，dearboy！\'saidProviscomingforward，withhislittleclaspedblackbook，andthenaddressinghimselftoHerbert。`Takeitinyourrighthand。Lordstrikeyoudeadonthespot，ifeveryousplitinanywaysumever！Kissit！\'

`Doso，ashewishesit，\'IsaidtoHerbert。So，Herbert，lookingatmewithafriendlyuneasinessandamazement，complied，andProvisimmediatelyshakinghandswithhim，said，`Nowyou\'reonyouroath，youknow。Andneverbelievemeonmine，ifPipshan\'tmakeagentlemanonyou！\'

Chapter41

INvainshouldIattempttodescribetheastonishmentanddisquietofHerbert，whenheandIandProvissatdownbeforethefire，andIrecountedthewholeofthesecret。Enough，thatIsawmyownfeelingsreflectedinHerbert\'sface，and，notleastamongthem，myrepugnancetowardsthemanwhohaddonesomuchforme。

Whatwouldalonehavesetadivisionbetweenthatmanandus，iftherehadbeennootherdividingcircumstance，washistriumphinmystory。Savinghistroublesomesenseofhavingbeen`low\'ononeoccasionsincehisreturn-onwhichpointhebegantoholdforthtoHerbert，themomentmyrevelationwasfinished-hehadnoperceptionofthepossibilityofmyfindinganyfaultwithmygoodfortune。Hisboastthathehadmademeagentleman，andthathehadcometoseemesupportthecharacteronhisampleresources，wasmadeformequiteasmuchasforhimself；andthatitwasahighlyagreeableboasttobothofus，andthatwemustbothbeveryproudofit，wasaconclusionquiteestablishedinhisownmind。

`Though，look\'eehere，Pip\'scomrade，\'hesaidtoHerbert，afterhavingdiscoursedforsometime，`IknowverywellthatoncesinceIcomeback-forhalfaminute-I\'vebeenlow。IsaidtoPip，IknowedasIhadbeenlow。Butdon\'tyoufretyourselfonthatscore。Iain\'tmadePipagentleman，andPipain\'tagoingtomakeyouagentleman，notfurmenottoknowwhat\'sduetoyeboth。Dearboy，andPip\'scomrade，youtwomaycountuponmealwayshavingagen-teelmuzzleon。MuzzledIhavebeensincethathalfaminutewhenIwasbetrayedintolowness，muzzledIamatthepresenttime，muzzledIeverwillbe。\'

Herbertsaid，`Certainly，\'butlookedasiftherewerenospecificconsolationinthis，andremainedperplexedanddismayed。Wewereanxiousforthetimewhenhewouldgotohislodging，andleaveustogether，buthewasevidentlyjealousofleavingustogether，andsatlate。ItwasmidnightbeforeI

tookhimroundtoEssex-street，andsawhimsafelyinathisowndarkdoor。

Whenitcloseduponhim，IexperiencedthefirstmomentofreliefIhadknownsincethenightofhisarrival。

Neverquitefreefromanuneasyremembranceofthemanonthestairs，Ihadalwayslookedaboutmeintakingmyguestoutafterdark，andinbringinghimback；andIlookedaboutmenow。Difficultasitisinalargecitytoavoidthesuspicionofbeingwatched，whenthemindisconsciousofdangerinthatregard，Icouldnotpersuademyselfthatanyofthepeoplewithinsightcaredaboutmymovements。Thefewwhowerepassing，passedontheirseveralways，andthestreetwasemptywhenIturnedbackintotheTemple。Nobodyhadcomeoutatthegatewithus，nobodywentinatthegatewithme。AsIcrossedbythefountain，Isawhislightedbackwindowslookingbrightandquiet，and，whenIstoodforafewmomentsinthedoorwayofthebuildingwhereIlived，beforegoingupthestairs，Garden-courtwasasstillandlifelessasthestaircasewaswhenIascendedit。

Herbertreceivedmewithopenarms，andIhadneverfeltbefore，soblessedly，whatitistohaveafriend。Whenhehadspokensomesoundwordsofsympathyandencouragement，wesatdowntoconsiderthequestion，Whatwastobedone？

ThechairthatProvishadoccupiedstillremainingwhereithadstood-forhehadabarrackwaywithhimofhangingaboutonespot，inoneunsettledmanner，andgoingthroughoneroundofobservanceswithhispipeandhisnegro-headandhisjack-knifeandhispackofcards，andwhatnot，asifitwereallputdownforhimonaslate-Isay，hischairremainingwhereithadstood，Herbertunconsciouslytookit，butnextmomentstartedoutofit，pusheditaway，andtookanother。Hehadnooccasiontosay，afterthat，thathehadconceivedanaversionformypatron，neitherhadIoccasiontoconfessmyown。Weinterchangedthatconfidencewithoutshapingasyllable。

`What，\'saidItoHerbert，whenhewassafeinanotherchair，`whatistobedone？\'

`MypoordearHandel，\'hereplied，holdinghishead，`Iamtoostunnedtothink。\'

`SowasI，Herbert，whentheblowfirstfell。Still，somethingmustbedone。Heisintentuponvariousnewexpenses-horses，andcarriages，andlavishappearanceofallkinds。Hemustbestoppedsomehow。\'

`Youmeanthatyoucan\'taccept——\'

`HowcanI？\'Iinterposed，asHerbertpaused。`Thinkofhim！Lookathim！\'

Aninvoluntaryshudderpassedoverbothofus。

`YetIamafraidthedreadfultruthis，Herbert，thatheisattachedtome，stronglyattachedtome。Wasthereeversuchafate！\'

`MypoordearHandel，\'Herbertrepeated。

`Then，\'saidI，`afterall，stoppingshorthere，nevertakinganotherpennyfromhim，thinkwhatIowehimalready！Thenagain:Iamheavilyindebt-veryheavilyforme，whohavenownoexpectations-andIhavebeenbredtonocalling，andIamfitfornothing。\'

`Well，well，well！\'Herbertremonstrated。`Don\'tsayfitfornothing。\'

`WhatamIfitfor？IknowonlyonethingthatIamfitfor，andthatis，togoforasoldier。AndImighthavegone，mydearHerbert，butfortheprospectoftakingcounselwithyourfriendshipandaffection。\'

OfcourseIbrokedownthere:andofcourseHerbert，beyondseizingawarmgripofmyhand，pretendednottoknowit。

`Anyhow，mydearHandel，\'saidhepresently，`soldieringwon\'tdo。Ifyouweretorenouncethispatronageandthesefavours，Isupposeyouwoulddosowithsomefainthopeofonedayrepayingwhatyouhavealreadyhad。

Notverystrong，thathope，ifyouwentsoldiering！Besides，it\'sabsurd。

YouwouldbeinfinitelybetterinClarriker\'shouse，smallasitis。I

amworkinguptowardsapartnership，youknow。\'

Poorfellow！Helittlesuspectedwithwhosemoney。

`Butthereisanotherquestion，\'saidHerbert。`Thisisanignorantdeterminedman，whohaslonghadonefixedidea。Morethanthat，heseemstome(Imaymisjudgehim)tobeamanofadesperateandfiercecharacter。\'

`Iknowheis，\'Ireturned。`LetmetellyouwhatevidenceIhaveseenofit。\'AndItoldhimwhatIhadnotmentionedinmynarrative；ofthatencounterwiththeotherconvict。

`See，then，\'saidHerbert；`thinkofthis！Hecomeshereattheperilofhislife，fortherealizationofhisfixedidea。Inthemomentofrealization，afterallhistoilandwaiting，youcutthegroundfromunderhisfeet，destroyhisidea，andmakehisgainsworthlesstohim。Doyouseenothingthathemightdo，underthedisappointment？\'

`Ihaveseenit，Herbert，anddreamedofit，eversincethefatalnightofhisarrival。Nothinghasbeeninmythoughtssodistinctly，ashisputtinghimselfinthewayofbeingtaken。\'

`Thenyoumayrelyuponit，\'saidHerbert，`thattherewouldbegreatdangerofhisdoingit。ThatishispoweroveryouaslongasheremainsinEngland，andthatwouldbehisrecklesscourseifyouforsookhim。\'

Iwassostruckbythehorrorofthisidea，whichhadweigheduponmefromthefirst，andtheworkingoutofwhichwouldmakemeregardmyself，insomesort，ashismurderer，thatIcouldnotrestinmychairbutbeganpacingtoandfro。IsaidtoHerbert，meanwhile，thatevenifProviswererecognizedandtaken，inspiteofhimself，Ishouldbewretchedasthecause，howeverinnocently。Yes；eventhoughIwassowretchedinhavinghimatlargeandnearme，andeventhoughIwouldfarfarratherhaveworkedattheforgeallthedaysofmylifethanIwouldeverhavecometothis！

Buttherewasnoravingoffthequestion，Whatwastobedone？

`Thefirstandthemainthingtobedone，\'saidHerbert，`istogethimoutofEngland。Youwillhavetogowithhim，andthenhemaybeinducedtogo。\'

`ButgethimwhereIwill，couldIpreventhiscomingback？\'

`MygoodHandel，isitnotobviousthatwithNewgateinthenextstreet，theremustbefargreaterhazardinyourbreakingyourmindtohimandmakinghimreckless，here，thanelsewhere。Ifapretexttogethimawaycouldbemadeoutofthatotherconvict，oroutofanythingelseinhislife，now。\'

`There，again！\'saidI，stoppingbeforeHerbert，withmyopenhandsheldout，asiftheycontainedthedesperationofthecase。`Iknownothingofhislife。Ithasalmostmadememadtosithereofanightandseehimbeforeme，soboundupwithmyfortunesandmisfortunes，andyetsounknowntome，exceptasthemiserablewretchwhoterrifiedmetwodaysinmychildhood！\'

Herbertgotup，andlinkedhisarminmine，andweslowlywalkedtoandfrotogether，studyingthecarpet。

`Handel，\'saidHerbert，stopping，`youfeelconvincedthatyoucantakenofurtherbenefitsfromhim；doyou？\'

`Fully。Surelyyouwould，too，ifyouwereinmyplace？\'

`Andyoufeelconvincedthatyoumustbreakwithhim？\'

`Herbert，canyouaskme？\'

`Andyouhave，andareboundtohave，thattendernessforthelifehehasriskedonyouraccount，thatyoumustsavehim，ifpossible，fromthrowingitaway。ThenyoumustgethimoutofEnglandbeforeyoustirafingertoextricateyourself。Thatdone，extricateyourself，inHeaven\'sname，andwe\'llseeitouttogether，dearoldboy。\'

Itwasacomforttoshakehandsuponit，andwalkupanddownagain，withonlythatdone。

`Now，Herbert，\'saidI，`withreferencetogainingsomeknowledgeofhishistory。ThereisbutonewaythatIknowof。Imustaskhimpoint-blank。\'

`Yes。Askhim，\'saidHerbert，`whenwesitatbreakfastinthemorning。\'

For，hehadsaid，ontakingleaveofHerbert，thathewouldcometobreakfastwithus。

Withthisprojectformed，wewenttobed。Ihadthewildestdreamsconcerninghim，andwokeunrefreshed；Iwoke，too，torecoverthefearwhichIhadlostinthenight，ofhisbeingfoundoutasareturnedtransport。Waking，Ineverlostthatfear。

Hecameroundattheappointedtime，tookouthisjack-knife，andsatdowntohismeal。Hewasfullofplans`forhisgentleman\'scomingoutstrong，andlikeagentleman，\'andurgedmetobeginspeedilyuponthepocket-book，whichhehadleftinmypossession。Heconsideredthechambersandhisownlodgingastemporaryresidences，andadvisedmetolookoutatoncefora`fashionablecrib\'nearHydePark，inwhichhecouldhave`ashake-down\'。Whenhehadmadeanendofhisbreakfast，andwaswipinghisknifeonhisleg，Isaidtohim，withoutawordofpreface:

`Afteryouweregonelastnight，Itoldmyfriendofthestrugglethatthesoldiersfoundyouengagedinonthemarshes，whenwecameup。Youremember？\'

`Remember！\'saidhe。`Ithinkso！\'

`Wewanttoknowsomethingaboutthatman-andaboutyou。Itisstrangetoknownomoreabouteither，andparticularlyyou，thanIwasabletotelllastnight。Isnotthisasgoodatimeasanotherforourknowingmore？\'

`Well！\'hesaid，afterconsideration。`You\'reonyouroath，youknow，Pip\'scomrade？\'

`Assuredly，\'repliedHerbert。

`AstoanythingIsay，youknow，\'heinsisted。`Theoathappliestoall。\'

`Iunderstandittodoso。\'

`Andlook\'eehere！WoteverIdone，isworkedoutandpaidfor，\'heinsistedagain。

`Sobeit。\'

Hetookouthisblackpipeandwasgoingtofillitwithnegrohead，when，lookingatthetangleoftobaccoinhishand，heseemedtothinkitmightperplexthethreadofhisnarrative。Heputitbackagain，stuckhispipeinabutton-holeofhiscoat，spreadahandoneachknee，and，afterturninganangryeyeonthefireforafewsilentmoments，lookedroundatusandsaidwhatfollows。

Chapter42

`DEARboyandPip\'scomrade。Iamnotagoingfurtotellyoumylife，likeasongorastory-book。Buttogiveityoushortandhandy，I\'llputitatonceintoamouthfulofEnglish。Injailandoutofjail，injailandoutofjail，injailandoutofjail。There，yougotit。That\'smylifeprettymuch，downtosuchtimesasIgotshippedoff，arterPipstoodmyfriend。

`I\'vebeendoneeverythingto，prettywell-excepthanged。I\'vebeenlockedup，asmuchasasilvertea-kettle。I\'vebeencartedhereandcartedthere，andputoutofthistownandputoutofthattown，andstuckinthestocks，andwhippedandworriedanddrove。I\'venomorenotionwhereIwasborn，thanyouhave-ifsomuch。Ifirstbecomeawareofmyself，downinEssex，athievingturnipsformyliving。Summunhadrunawayfromme-aman-atinker-andhe\'dtookthefirewithhim，andleftmewerycold。

`Iknow\'dmynametobeMagwitch，chrisen\'dAbel。HowdidIknowit？

MuchasIknow\'dthebirds\'namesinthehedgestobechaffinch，sparrer，thrush。Imighthavethoughtitwasallliestogether，onlyasthebirds\'

namescomeouttrue，Isupposedminedid。

`SofurasIcouldfind，therewarn\'tasoulthatseeyoungAbelMagwitch，withuslittleonhimasinhim，butwotcaughtfrightathim，andeitherdrovehimoff，ortookhimup。Iwastookup，tookup，tookup，tothatextentthatIreg\'larlygrow\'duptookup。

`Thisisthewayitwas，thatwhenIwasaraggedlittlecreeturasmuchtobepitiedaseverIsee(notthatIlookedintheglass，fortherewarn\'tmanyinsidesoffurnishedhousesknowntome)，Igotthenameofbeinghardened。"Thisisaterriblehardenedone，"theysaystoprisonwisitors，pickingoutme。"Maybesaidtoliveinjails，thisboy。"Thentheylookedatme，andIlookedatthem，andtheymeasuredmyhead，someon\'em-theyhadbetterameasuredmystomach-andotherson\'emgivmetractswhatIcouldn\'tread，andmademespeecheswhatIcouldn\'tunderstand。

TheyalwayswentonagenmeabouttheDevil。ButwhattheDevilwasItodo？Imustputsomethingintomystomach，mustn\'tI？-Howsomever，I\'magettinglow，andIknowwhat\'sdue。DearboyandPip\'scomrade，don\'tyoubeafeerdofmebeinglow。

`Tramping，begging，thieving，workingsometimeswhenIcould-thoughthatwarn\'tasoftenasyoumaythink，tillyouputthequestionwhetheryouwouldha\'beenover-readytogivemeworkyourselves-abitofapoacher，abitofalabourer，abitofawaggoner，abitofahaymaker，abitofahawker，abitofmostthingsthatdon\'tpayandleadtotrouble，Igottobeaman。AdesertingsoldierinaTraveller\'sRest，whatlayhiduptothechinunderalotoftaturs，learntmetoread；andatravellingGiantwhatsignedhisnameatapennyatimelearntmetowrite。Iwarn\'tlockedupasoftennowasformerly，butIworeoutmygoodshareofkeymetalstill。

`AtEpsomraces，amatterofovertwentyyearsago，Igotacquaintedwi\'amanwhoseskullI\'dcrackwi\'thispoker，liketheclawofalobster，ifI\'dgotitonthishob。HisrightnamewasCompeyson；andthat\'stheman，dearboy，whatyouseemeapoundingintheditch，accordingtowhatyoutrulytoldyourcomradearterIwasgonelastnight。

`Hesetupfuragentleman，thisCompeyson，andhe\'dbeentoapublicboarding-schoolandhadlearning。Hewasasmoothonetotalk，andwasadabatthewaysofgentlefolks。Hewasagood-lookingtoo。Itwasthenightaforethegreatrace，whenIfoundhimontheheath，inabooththatIknow\'don。HimandsomemorewasasittingamongthetableswhenIwentin，andthelandlord(whichhadaknowledgeofme，andwasasportingone)

calledhimout，andsaid，"Ithinkthisisamanthatmightsuityou"-

meaningIwas。

`Compeyson，helooksatmeverynoticing，andIlookathim。Hehasawatchandachainandaringandabreast-pinandahandsomesuitofclothes。

`"Tojudgefromappearances，you\'reoutofluck，"saysCompeysontome。

`"Yes，master，andI\'veneverbeeninitmuch。"(IhadcomeoutofKingstonJaillastonavagrancycommittal。Notbutwhatitmighthavebeenforsomethingelse；butitwarn\'t。)

`"Luckchanges，"saysCompeyson；"perhapsyoursisgoingtochange。"

`Isays，"Ihopeitmaybeso。There\'sroom。"

`"Whatcanyoudo？"saysCompeyson。

`"Eatanddrink，"Isays；"ifyou\'llfindthematerials。"

`Compeysonlaughed，lookedatmeagainverynoticing，givmefiveshillings，andappointedmefornextnight。Sameplace。

`IwenttoCompeysonnextnight，sameplace，andCompeysontookmeontobehismanandpardner。AndwhatwasCompeyson\'sbusinessinwhichwewastogopardners？Compeyson\'sbusinesswastheswindling，handwritingforging，stolenbank-notepassing，andsuch-like。AllsortsoftrapsasCompeysoncouldsetwithhishead，andkeephisownlegsoutofandgettheprofitsfromandletanothermaninfor，wasCompeyson\'sbusiness。

He\'dnomoreheartthanaironfile，hewasascoldasdeath，andhehadtheheadoftheDevilaforementioned。

`TherewasanotherinwithCompeyson，aswascalledArthur-notasbeingsochrisen\'d，butasasurname。HewasinaDecline，andwasashadowtolookat。HimandCompeysonhadbeeninabadthingwitharichladysomeyearsafore，andthey\'dmadeapotofmoneybyit；butCompeysonbettedandgamed，andhe\'dhaverunthroughtheking\'staxes。So，Arthurwasadying，andadyingpoorandwiththehorrorsonhim，andCompeyson\'swife(whichCompeysonkickedmostly)wasahavingpityonhimwhenshecould，andCompeysonwasahavingpityonnothingandnobody。

`ImightatookwarningbyArthur，butIdidn\'t；andIwon\'tpretendIwaspartick\'ler-forwhere\'udbethegoodonit，dearboyandcomrade？

SoIbegunwi\'Compeyson，andapoortoolIwasinhishands。ArthurlivedatthetopofCompeyson\'shouse(overnighBrentforditwas)，andCompeysonkeptacarefulaccountagenhimforboardandlodging，incaseheshouldevergetbettertoworkitout。ButArthursoonsettledtheaccount。ThesecondorthirdtimeaseverIseehim，hecomeatearingdownintoCompeyson\'sparlourlateatnight，inonlyaflannelgown，withhishairallinasweat，andhesaystoCompeyson\'swife，"Sally，shereallyisupstairsalongerme，now，andIcan\'tgetridofher。She\'sallinwhite，"hesays，"wi\'

whiteflowersinherhair，andshe\'sawfulmad，andshe\'sgotashroudhangingoverherarm，andshesaysshe\'llputitonmeatfiveinthemorning。"

`SaysCompeyson:"Why，youfool，don\'tyouknowshe\'sgotalivingbody？

Andhowshouldshebeupthere，withoutcomingthroughthedoor，orinatthewindow，andupthestairs？"

`"Idon\'tknowhowshe\'sthere，"saysArthur，shiveringdreadfulwiththehorrors，"butshe\'sstandinginthecorneratthefootofthebed，awfulmad。Andoverwhereherheart\'sbrook-youbrokeit！-there\'sdropsofblood。"

`Compeysonspokehardy，buthewasalwaysacoward。"Goupalongerthisdrivellingsickman，"hesaystohiswife，"andMagwitch，lendherahand，willyou？"Buthenevercomenighhimself。

`Compeyson\'swifeandmetookhimuptobedagen，andheravedmostdreadful。"Whylookather！"hecriesout。"She\'sashakingtheshroudatme！Don\'tyouseeher？Lookathereyes！Ain\'titawfultoseehersomad？"Next，hecries，"She\'llputitonme，andthenI\'mdonefor！Takeitawayfromher，takeitaway！"Andthenhecatchedholdofus，andkeponatalkingtoher，andansweringofher，tillIhalfbelievedIseehermyself。

`Compeyson\'swife，beingusedtohim，givhimsomeliquortogetthehorrorsoff，andby-and-byhequieted。"Oh，she\'sgone！Hasherkeeperbeenforher？"hesays。"Yes，"saysCompeyson\'swife。"Didyoutellhimtolockherandbarherin？""Yes。""Andtotakethatuglythingawayfromher？"

"Yes，yes，allright。""You\'reagoodcreetur，"hesays，"don\'tleaveme，whateveryoudo，andthankyou！"

`Herestedprettyquiettillitmightwantafewminutesoffive，andthenhestartsupwithascream，andscreamsout，"Heresheis！She\'sgottheshroudagain。She\'sunfoldingit。She\'scomingoutofthecorner。She\'scomingtothebed。Holdme，bothonyou-oneofeachside-don\'tlethertouchmewithit。Hah！shemissedmethattime。Don\'tletherthrowitovermyshoulders。Don\'tletherliftmeuptogetitroundme。She\'sliftingmeup。Keepmedown！"Thenheliftedhimselfuphard，andwasdead。

`Compeysontookiteasyasagoodriddanceforbothsides。Himandmewassoonbusy，andfirsthesworeme(beingeverartful)onmyownbook-thisherelittleblackbook，dearboy，whatIsworeyourcomradeon。

`NottogointothethingsthatCompeysonplanned，andIdone-which\'udtakeaweek-I\'llsimplysaytoyou，dearboy，andPip\'scomrade，thatthatmangotmeintosuchnetsasmademehisblackslave。Iwasalwaysindebttohim，alwaysunderhisthumb，alwaysaworking，alwaysagettingintodanger。Hewasyoungerthanme，buthe\'dgotcraft，andhe\'dgotlearning，andheovermatchedmefivehundredtimestoldandnomercy。MyMissisasIhadthehardtimewi\'-Stopthough！Iain\'tbroughtherin——\'

Helookedabouthiminaconfusedway，asifhehadlosthisplaceinthebookofhisremembrance；andheturnedhisfacetothefire，andspreadhishandsbroaderonhisknees，andliftedthemoffandputthemonagain。

`Thereain\'tnoneedtogointoit，\'hesaid，lookingroundoncemore。

`Thetimewi\'Compeysonwasa\'mostashardatimeaseverIhad；thatsaid，all\'ssaid。DidItellyouasIwastried，alone，formisdemeanour，whilewithCompeyson？\'

Ianswered，No。

`Well！\'hesaid，`Iwas，andgotconvicted。Astotookuponsuspicion，thatwastwiceorthreetimesinthefourorfiveyearthatitlasted；butevidencewaswanting。Atlast，meandCompeysonwasbothcommittedforfelony-onachargeofputtingstolennotesincirculation-andtherewasotherchargesbehind。Compeysonsaystome，"Separatedefences，nocommunication，"andthatwasall。AndIwassomiserablepoor，thatIsoldalltheclothesIhad，exceptwhathungonmyback，aforeIcouldgetJaggers。

`Whenwewasputinthedock，InoticedfirstofallwhatagentlemanCompeysonlooked，wi\'hiscurlyhairandhisblackclothesandhiswhitepocket-handkercher，andwhatacommonsortofawretchIlooked。Whentheprosecutionopenedandtheevidencewasputshort，aforehand，Inoticedhowheavyitallboreonme，andhowlightonhim。Whentheevidencewasgivinthebox，Inoticedhowitwasalwaysmethathadcomefor\'ard，andcouldbesworeto，howitwasalwaysmethatthemoneyhadbeenpaidto，howitwasalwaysmethathadseemedtoworkthethingandgettheprofit。

But，whenthedefencecomeon，thenIseetheplanplainer；for，saysthecounsellorforCompeyson，"Mylordandgentlemen，hereyouhasaforeyou，sidebyside，twopersonsasyoureyescanseparatewide；one，theyounger，wellbroughtup，whowillbespoketoassuch；one，theelder，illbroughtup，whowillbespoketoassuch；one，theyounger，seldomifeverseenintheseheretransactions，andonlysuspected；t\'other，theelder，alwaysseenin\'emandalwayswi\'hisguiltbroughthome。Canyoudoubt，ifthereisbutoneinit，whichistheone，and，ifthereistwoinit，whichismuchtheworstone？"Andsuch-like。Andwhenitcometocharacter，warn\'titCompeysonashadbeentotheschool，andwarn\'tithisschoolfellowsaswasinthispositionandinthat，andwarn\'tithimashadbeenknow\'dbywitnessesinsuchclubsandsocieties，andnowttohisdisadvantage？

Andwarn\'titmeashadbeentriedafore，andashadbeenknow\'duphillanddowndaleinBridewellsandLock-Ups？Andwhenitcometospeech-making，warn\'titCompeysonascouldspeakto\'emwi\'hisfacedroppingeverynowandthenintohiswhitepocket-handkercher-ah！andwi\'versesinhisspeech，too-andwarn\'titmeascouldonlysay，"Gentlemen，thismanatmysideisamostpreciousrascal"？Andwhentheverdictcome，warn\'titCompeysonaswasrecommendedtomercyonaccountofgoodcharacterandbadcompany，andgivingupalltheinformationhecouldagenme，andwarn\'titmeasgotneverawordbutGuilty？AndwhenIsaystoCompeyson，"Onceoutofthiscourt，I\'llsmashthatfaceofyourn！"ain\'titCompeysonaspraystheJudgetobeprotected，andgetstwoturnkeysstoodbetwixtus？

Andwhenwe\'resentenced，ain\'tithimasgetssevenyear，andmefourteen，andain\'tithimastheJudgeissorryfor，becausehemightadonesowell，andain\'titmeastheJudgeperceivestobeaoldoffenderofwiolentpassion，likelytocometoworse？\'

Hehadworkedhimselfintoastateofgreatexcitement，buthecheckedit，tooktwoorthreeshortbreaths，swallowedasoften，andstretchingouthishandtowardsmesaid，inareassuringmanner，`Iain\'tagoingtobelow，dearboy！\'

Hehadsoheatedhimselfthathetookouthishandkerchiefandwipedhisfaceandheadandneckandhands，beforehecouldgoon。

`IhadsaidtoCompeysonthatI\'dsmashthatfaceofhis，andIsworeLordsmashmine！todoit。Wewasinthesameprison-ship，butIcouldn\'tgetathimforlong，thoughItried。AtlastIcomebehindhimandhithimonthecheektoturnhimroundandgetasmashingoneathim，whenIwasseenandseized。Theblack-holeofthatshipwarn\'tastrongone，toajudgeofblack-holesthatcouldswimanddive。Iescapedtotheshore，andIwasahidingamongthegravesthere，envyingthemaswasin\'emandallover，whenIfirstseemyboy！\'

Heregardedmewithalookofaffectionthatmadehimalmostabhorrenttomeagain，thoughIhadfeltgreatpityforhim。

`Bymyboy，IwasgivtounderstandasCompeysonwasoutonthemmarshestoo。Uponmysoul，Ihalfbelieveheescapedinhisterror，togetquitofme，notknowingitwasmeashadgotashore。Ihuntedhimdown。Ismashedhisface。"Andnow，"saysI"astheworstthingIcando，caringnothingformyself，I\'lldragyouback。"AndI\'dhaveswumoff，towinghimbythehair，ifithadcometothat，andI\'dagothimabroadwithoutthesoldiers。

`Ofcoursehe\'dmuchthebestofittothelast-hischaracterwassogood。Hehadescapedwhenhewasmadehalf-wildbymeandmymurderousintentions；andhispunishmentwaslight。Iwasputinirons，broughttotrialagain，andsentforlife。Ididn\'tstopforlife，dearboyandPip\'scomrade，beinghere。\'

`Hewipedhimselfagain，ashehaddonebefore，andthenslowlytookhistangleoftobaccofromhispocket，andpluckedhispipefromhisbutton-hole，andslowlyfilledit，andbegantosmoke。

`Ishedead？\'Iasked，afterasilence。

`Iswhodead，dearboy？\'

`Compeyson。\'

`HehopesIam，ifhe\'salive，youmaybesure，\'withafiercelook。`Ineverheerdnomoreofhim。\'

Herberthadbeenwritingwithhispencilinthecoverofabook。Hesoftlypushedthebookovertome，asProvisstoodsmokingwithhiseyesonthefire，andIreadinit:

`YoungHavisham\'snamewasArthur。CompeysonisthemanwhoprofessedtobeMissHavisham\'slover。\'

IshutthebookandnoddedslightlytoHerbert，andputthebookby；

butweneitherofussaidanything，andbothlookedatProvisashestoodsmokingbythefire。

Chapter43

WHYshouldIpausetoaskhowmuchofmyshrinkingfromProvismightbetracedtoEstella？WhyshouldIloiteronmyroad，tocomparethestateofmindinwhichIhadtriedtoridmyselfofthestainoftheprisonbeforemeetingheratthecoach-office，withthestateofmindinwhichInowreflectedontheabyssbetweenEstellainherprideandbeauty，andthereturnedtransportwhomIharboured？Theroadwouldbenonethesmootherforit，theendwouldbenonethebetterforit，hewouldnotbehelped，norIextenuated。

Anewfearhadbeenengenderedinmymindbyhisnarrative；orrather，hisnarrativehadgivenformandpurposetothefearthatwasalreadythere。

IfCompeysonwerealiveandshoulddiscoverhisreturn，Icouldhardlydoubttheconsequence。That，Compeysonstoodinmortalfearofhim，neitherofthetwocouldknowmuchbetterthanI；andthat，anysuchmanasthatmanhadbeendescribedtobe，wouldhesitatetoreleasehimselfforgoodfromadreadedenemybythesafemeansofbecominganinformer，wasscarcelytobeimagined。

NeverhadIbreathed，andneverwouldIbreathe-orsoIresolved-

awordofEstellatoProvis。But，IsaidtoHerbertthatbeforeIcouldgoabroad，ImustseebothEstellaandMissHavisham。ThiswaswhenwewereleftaloneonthenightofthedaywhenProvistoldushisstory。

IresolvedtogoouttoRichmondnextday，andIwent。

OnmypresentingmyselfatMrsBrandley\'s，Estella\'smaidwascalledtotellthatEstellahadgoneintothecountry。Where？ToSatisHouse，asusual。Notasusual，Isaid，forshehadneveryetgonetherewithoutme；whenwasshecomingback？Therewasanairofreservationintheanswerwhichincreasedmyperplexity，andtheanswerwas，thathermaidbelievedshewasonlycomingbackatallforalittlewhile。Icouldmakenothingofthis，exceptthatitwasmeantthatIshouldmakenothingofit，andIwenthomeagainincompletediscomfiture。

Anothernight-consultationwithHerbertafterProviswasgonehome(I

alwaystookhimhome，andalwayslookedwellaboutme)，ledustotheconclusionthatnothingshouldbesaidaboutgoingabroaduntilIcamebackfromMissHavisham\'s。Inthemeantime，HerbertandIweretoconsiderseparatelywhatitwouldbebesttosay；whetherweshoulddeviseanypretenceofbeingafraidthathewasundersuspiciousobservation；orwhetherI，whohadneveryetbeenabroad，shouldproposeanexpedition。WebothknewthatIhadbuttoproposeanything，andhewouldconsent。Weagreedthathisremainingmanydaysinhispresenthazardwasnottobethoughtof。

Nextday，IhadthemeannesstofeignthatIwasunderabindingpromisetogodowntoJoe；butIwascapableofalmostanymeannesstowardsJoeorhisname。ProviswastobestrictlycarefulwhileIwasgone，andHerbertwastotakethechargeofhimthatIhadtaken。Iwastobeabsentonlyonenight，and，onmyreturn，thegratificationofhisimpatienceformystartingasagentlemanonagreaterscale，wastobebegun。Itoccurredtomethen，andasIafterwardsfoundtoHerbertalso，thathemightbebestgotawayacrossthewater，onthatpretence-as，tomakepurchases，orthelike。

HavingthusclearedthewayformyexpeditiontoMissHavisham\'s，I

setoffbytheearlymorningcoachbeforeitwasyetlight，andwasoutontheopencountry-roadwhenthedaycamecreepingon，haltingandwhimperingandshivering，andwrappedinpatchesofcloudsandragsofmist，likeabeggar。WhenwedroveuptotheBlueBoarafteradrizzlyride，whomshouldIseecomeoutunderthegateway，toothpickinhand，tolookatthecoach，butBentleyDrummle！

Ashepretendednottoseeme，Ipretendednottoseehim。Itwasaverylamepretenceonbothsides；thelamer，becausewebothwentintothecoffee-room，wherehehadjustfinishedhisbreakfast，andwhereI

orderedmine。Itwaspoisonoustometoseehiminthetown，forIverywellknewwhyhehadcomethere。

Pretendingtoreadasmearynewspaperlongoutofdate，whichhadnothinghalfsolegibleinitslocalnews，astheforeignmatterofcoffee，pickles，fish-sauces，gravy，meltedbutter，andwine，withwhichitwassprinkledallover，asifithadtakenthemeaslesinahighlyirregularform，I

satatmytablewhilehestoodbeforethefire。Bydegreesitbecameanenormousinjurytomethathestoodbeforethefire，andIgotup，determinedtohavemyshareofit。IhadtoputmyhandsbehindhislegsforthepokerwhenIwentuptothefire-placetostirthefire，butstillpretendednottoknowhim。

`Isthisacut？\'saidMrDrummle。

`Oh！\'saidI，pokerinhand；`it\'syou，isit？Howdoyoudo？Iwaswonderingwhoitwas，whokeptthefireoff。\'

Withthat，Ipokedtremendously，andhavingdoneso，plantedmyselfsidebysidewithMrDummle，myshoulderssquaredandmybacktothefire。

`Youhavejustcomedown？\'saidMrDrummle，edgingmealittleawaywithhisshoulder。

`Yes，\'saidI，edginghimalittleawaywithmyshoulder。

`Beastlyplace，\'saidDrummle-`Yourpartofthecountry，Ithink？\'

`Yes，\'Iassented。`Iamtoldit\'sverylikeyourShropshire。\'

`Notintheleastlikeit，\'saidDrummle。

HereMrDrummlelookedathisboots，andIlookedatmine，andthenMrDrummlelookedatmyboots，andIlookedathis。

`Haveyoubeenherelong？\'Iasked，determinednottoyieldaninchofthefire。

`Longenoughtobetiredofit，\'returnedDrummle，pretendingtoyawn，butequallydetermined。

`Doyoustayherelong？\'

`Can\'tsay，\'answeredMrDrummle。`Doyou？\'

`Can\'tsay，\'saidI。

Ifelthere，throughatinglinginmyblood，thatifMrDrummle\'sshoulderhadclaimedanotherhair\'sbreadthofroom，Ishouldhavejerkedhimintothewindow；equally，thatifmyownshoulderhadurgedasimilarclaim，MrDrummlewouldhavejerkedmeintothenearestbox。Hewhistledalittle。

SodidI。

`Largetractofmarshesabouthere，Ibelieve？\'saidDrummle。

`Yes。Whatofthat？\'saidI。

MrDrummlelookedatme，andthenatmyboots，andthensaid，`Oh！\'

andlaughed。

`Areyouamused，MrDrummle？\'

`No，\'saidhe，`notparticularly。Iamgoingoutforarideinthesaddle。

Imeantoexplorethosemarshesforamusement。Out-of-the-wayvillagesthere，theytellme。Curiouslittlepublic-houses-andsmithies-andthat。Waiter！\'

`Yes，sir。\'

`Isthathorseofmineready？\'

`Broughtroundtothedoor，sir。\'

`Isay。Lookhere，yousir。Theladywon\'trideto-day；theweatherwon\'tdo。\'

`Verygood，sir。\'

`AndIdon\'tdine，becauseI\'mgoingtodineatthelady\'s。\'

`Verygood，sir。\'

Then，Drummleglancedatme，withaninsolenttriumphonhisgreat-jowledfacethatcutmetotheheart，dullashewas，andsoexasperatedme，thatIfeltinclinedtotakehiminmyarms(astherobberinthestory-bookissaidtohavetakentheoldlady)，andseathimonthefire。

Onethingwasmanifesttobothofus，andthatwas，thatuntilreliefcame，neitherofuscouldrelinquishthefire。Therewasstood，wellsquaredupbeforeit，shouldertoshoulderandfoottofoot，withourhandsbehindus，notbudginganinch。Thehorsewasvisibleoutsideinthedrizzleatthedoor，mybreakfastwasputontable，Drummle\'swasclearedaway，thewaiterinvitedmetobegin，Inodded，webothstoodourground。

`HaveyoubeentotheGrovesince？\'saidDrummle。

`No，\'saidI，`IhadquiteenoughoftheFinchesthelasttimeIwasthere。\'

`Wasthatwhenwehadadifferenceofopinion？\'

`Yes，\'Ireplied，veryshortly。

`Come，come！Theyletyouoffeasilyenough，\'sneeredDrummle。`Youshouldn\'thavelostyourtemper。\'

`MrDrummle，\'saidI，`youarenotcompetenttogiveadviceonthatsubject。WhenIlosemytemper(notthatIadmithavingdonesoonthatoccasion)，Idon\'tthrowglasses。\'

`Ido，\'saidDrummle。

Againglancingathimonceortwice，inanincreasedstateofsmoulderingferocity，Isaid:

`MrDrummle，Ididnotseekthisconversation，andIdon\'tthinkitanagreeableone。\'

`Iamsureit\'snot，\'saidhe，superciliouslyoverhisshoulder；`I

don\'tthinkanythingaboutit。\'

`Andtherefore，\'Iwenton，`withyourleave，Iwillsuggestthatweholdnokindofcommunicationinfuture。\'

`Quitemyopinion，\'saidDrummle，`andwhatIshouldhavesuggestedmyself，ordone-morelikely-withoutsuggesting。Butdon\'tloseyourtemper。Haven\'tyoulostenoughwithoutthat？\'

`Whatdoyoumean，sir？\'

`Wai-ter！，\'saidDrummle，bywayofansweringme。