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，notsomuchwithafrownforherbrowwassmoothaswithadarkeningofherface；`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？\'
BeforeIcouldanswerifIcouldhaveansweredsodifficultaquestionatall，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。
HealwayscarriedIhavenotyetmentionedit，Ithinkapocket-handkerchiefofrichsilkandofimposingproportions，whichwasofgreatvaluetohiminhisprofession。Ihaveseenhimsoterrifyaclientorawitnessbyceremoniouslyunfoldingthispocket-handkerchiefasifhewereimmediatelygoingtoblowhisnose，andthenpausing，asifheknewheshouldnothavetimetodoitbeforesuchclientorwitnesscommittedhimself，thattheself-committalhasfolloweddirectly，quiteasamatterofcourse。WhenIsawhimintheroom，hehadthisexpressivepockethandkerchiefinbothhands，andwaslookingatus。Onmeetingmyeye，hesaidplainly，byamomentaryandsilentpauseinthatattitude，`Indeed？Singular！\'andthenputthehandkerchieftoitsrightusewithwonderfuleffect。
MissHavishamhadseenhimassoonasI，andwaslikeeverybodyelse
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，abottleofchoiceoldportwasplacedbeforemyguardianhewasevidentlywellacquaintedwiththevintage，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，IsentapenitentialcodfishandbarrelofoysterstoJoeasreparationfornothavinggonemyself，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，Imaystillsaythatontheconstancyofonepersonnamingnopersonallmyexpectationsdepend。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。Isaiditpeopleoftendoso，insuchcaseslikearatherreluctantconcessiontotruthandjustice；-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。ThinkofwhatsheisherselfnowIamrepulsiveandyouabominateme。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；herchinbeingattachedtoherdiadembyabroadbandofthatmetalasifshehadagorgeoustoothache，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！\'Whenheappearedwithhisstockingdisordereditsdisorderexpressed，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！\'Thearrivalofthebodyforintermentinanemptyblackboxwiththelidtumblingopen，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？\'
Herbertsaidfrombehindatthesametimepokingme，`capitally。\'
SoIsaid`capitally。\'
`Howdidyoulikemyreadingofthecharacter，gentlemen？\'saidMrWaldengarver，almost，ifnotquite，withpatronage。
Herbertsaidfrombehindagainpokingme，`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，andthenatthatrehearsalwhichwasthelastIwentinfront，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；leifImayuseaFrenchexpressionofClaudiusKingofDenmark。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，felonswerenotlodgedandfedbetterthansoldierstosaynothingofpaupers，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，aportlyuprightmanwhomIcanseenow，asIwriteinawell-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:
fittedupwithadiminishingmirrorquiteasuperfluousarticleconsideringthehole\'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，writelettersaboutyouanonymoussometimes，andyouarethetormentandtheoccupationoftheirlives。Youcanscarcelyrealizetoyourselfthehatredthosepeoplefeelforyou。\'
`Theydomenoharm，Ihope？\'