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？'