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COLLECTION 


BRITISH  AUTHORS. 


(JBEAT  KXrKCTATIOXS  BY  CEAEIES  BICKEliS. 


IS    TWn    TOLTMES 
VOL.  1. 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


CHARLES   DIGKEK 


COPTIiWIlT  EDITIO.W, 


LEIPZIG 

EKNHABD      TAUCUXITZ 


GREAT  EXPECTATIOA^S. 


CHAPTER  I. 

■  father's   family    name    being   I'irrij),    anil  my 

■  i  -tian  name  Philip,  my  infant  tongiie  could  make  of 

iiamea   nothing  longer  or  more  espliirit  than  Pip. 

1  called  myself  Pip,  and  eame  to  be  called  Pip, 

i    give  Pinip  as  my  father's  family  name,  on  tlio 

mi-ity  of  his  tombstone  and  my  siater  —  Mrs.  Jiie 

_'iTy,    who  married  the    blacksitiith.      Ae  I  never 

my  fiither  or  my  mother,  and  never  saw  any  like- 

.  ')f  either  ot  them  (for  their  days  were  long  before 

ilays   of  photographs),    my  first  fancies   regarding 

L  they  were  like,  wei-e  nnreasonably  derived  from 

I    tombstones.      The    shape    of  the  letters   on  my 

''■  i'b,  gave  me  an  odd  idea  that  he  was  a  sqnare, 

.  [ ,    dark  man  with  early    black  hair.      From   the 

K^ter  and  turn  of  the  inscription,   "Also  Georgirma 

of  thff  Above"  I  drew  "childish  conclusion  that 

mother  was   freckled   and  sickly.      To  five  littlo 

..■    lozenges,    each  about  a  foot   and   a  half  long, 

ii   were  arranged  in  a  neat  row  beside  their  grave, 

'.vere  sacred  to  the  memory  of  five  little  brothers 

line  - —  who  gave  ap  trying  to  get  a  living,    ex- 

uAy  early  in  that  universal  struggle  —  1  am  in- 

lior  A  belief  I  religiously  entertained  that  ftve^ 

*^--T  bom  oa  their  backs  with  thoir  liauda  m 


^■p;  aXEi-T  BXPSCTATIOKS. 

^^■tiieir  trousers-pockets,   and  h^i.  qeflej-taltfin-  tliem  out 
in  this  state  of.  existenaB;  .'  ";    •;  '.;■,'"" 

Gill's.  ves-t?ie  njaJsttOKhtry,    down  by  the  .river, 

.  .••withiH,   as  the  river  wound,  twenty  miles  of  the  sea. 

J  "."•Bfy'-firHi  most  vivid  and  broad  impression  of  the  iden- 

■  ■  tity  of  things,  'seema  to  me  to  have  been  gained  on  a 
memorable  raw  afternoon  towards  evening.  At  Bucb 
a  time  I  found  out  for  certain,  that  this  hleak  plauQ 
overgrown  with  nettles  was  the  churchyard;  and  thai 
Philip  Pirrip,  late  of  this  parish,  and  also  Georgiana 
wife  of  the  above,  were  dead  and  buried;  and  thai 
Alexander,  Bartholomew,  Abraham,  Tobias,  and  Kogor, 
infant  children  of  the  aforesaid,  were  also  dead  and 
buried;  and  that  the  dark  flat  wilderness  beyond  thQ 
churchyard,  intersected  with  dykes  and  moandi 
and  gates,  with  scattered  cattle  feeding 
the  marshes;  and  that  the  low  leaden  lino  beyon^ 
was  the  river;  and  that  the  distant  savage  lair  froi 
which  the  wind  was  rushing,  was  the  sea;  and  that  the 

Ismail  bundle  of  shivers  growing  afraid  of  it  all 
beginning  to  cry,  was  Pip. 
"Hold  your  noise!"  cried  a  terrible  voice,  as  a 
started  up  from  among  the  graves  at  the  side  of  the 
church  porch.  "Keep  ^11,  you  little  devil,  ov  I'll  cut 
your  throat!" 

A  fearful  man,  all  in  coarse  grey,  with  a  great 

Kn  his  leg.  A  man  with  no  hat,  and  with  broken  shoes, 
ad  with  an  old  rag  tied  round  his  head.  A  man  whi 
ad  been  soaked  in  water,  and  smothered  in  mud,  ani 
•dmed  by  stones,  and  cut  by  flints,  and  stung  by  ne( 
ties,  and  torn  by  briars;  who  limped,  and  shivered,  ano 
^iarfd  and  growled;  and  whose  teeth  chattered  in  his. 
^e»d  aa  he  aefeed  me  by  the  diin. 


O!  Don't  tut  my  throat,  sir,"  I  pleaded  iu  terror. 
don't  do  it,  air." 

■  nami;!"   said  the  man.     "Quick!" 


'  said  tLe  i 


my 

"Tell  as 
"Pip,  sir. 

Once  mi 

intt!" 

Pip.     Pip,  sir." 

Show  us  where  you 
the  place!" 
I  pointed  to  where 


lid  tie 


"Pint 


•  village  lay,  ontbe  flat 
■   the   alder-trees   and  pollards,   a  mile 
.  iiL-  fi'om  the  church. 

The  man,  after  looking  at  me  for  a  moment,  turned 

i  ■  upside-down,  and  emptied  my  pockets.     There  waa 

liiing    in   them   but  a  piece    of  bread.      When   the 

-'Mxh    came   to   itself  —  for  he  -was  ho  sudden  and 

;iiUK  that  he  made  it  go  head  over  heels  before 

-:ini    E   savf   the  st'eeple  under  my  legM  —  when  the 

gdroreh  came  to  itself,  I  say,   I  was  Heated  on  a  high 

BBkbetODe,    trembling,  while  he   ate  the   bread  ravo- 

■faaly. 

W     "Tou  young  dog,"  said  tlie  man,   licking  his  lips, 
'  "what  fat  cheeks  you  ha'  got,'" 

I  believe  they  were  fat,  though  I  was  at  that  time 
[  undersized  for  my  years,  and  uot  strong. 
I         "l>arn  Me  if  I  couldn't  eat  'em,"   said  the  man, 
I  irilh  a  threatening  shako  of  his  head,  "and  if  I  han't 
I  liidf  a.  mind  to'tl" 

I  oaniOBtly  expreased  my  liope  that  he  wouldn't, 

I  ud  held  tighter  to  the  tombstone  oa  which  he  haA  ^uit 

me;  fMTtlx,   to  keep  myself  npon  it-   partly,   to  koB 


1^  flilEAT"  EIPEOTATIOWS. 

"Now  then,  lookee  here!"  said  the  man.    "Wliere' 
your  mother?" 
"There,  Bir!"  aaid  I, 
He  started,   made   a  short  run,    and   stopped   anc 
Looked  over  his  shoulder. 
"There,   sir!"  I  timidly  explained.     "Also  GeoB 
giana.     That's  my  mother." 
"OhI"  said  he,  coming  back.     "And  ia  that  yoiii 
taihet  alonger  your  mother?" 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  I;  "him  too;  late  of  this  ( 
"Hal"  he  muttered  then,  considering.     "Who  d'ye 
live  with  —  supposin'  you're  kindly  let  to  live,  whidi 
I  han't  made  up  my  mind  about?" 

"My  Biater,   sir  —  Mrs,  Joe  Gargery  —  wii'e   d 
Joe  Gargery,  the  blaeksmith,  sir," 

"Blacksmith,  eh?"  said  ho.     And  looked  down  ai 
bis  leg. 

After  darkly  looking  at  his  leg  and  at  me  several 
,  he   came  closer  to  my  tomhstone,  took  i 
I  Iwth  arms,  and  tilted  me  back  as  far  as  he  could  holi 

0  that  his  eyes  looked  most  powerfully  dow 
'  mine,  and  mine  looked  most  helplessly  up  into  i 
"Now  lookee  here,"   he  aiiid,    "the  question 
whether  you're  to  be  let  to  live.     You  know  what  i 
file  ia." 

"Yes,  sir." 

»"And  you  know  what  wittles  is." 
"Yes,  sir." 
After  each  question  he  tilted  me  over  a  little  mow 
BO  as  to  give  mo  a  greater  sense  of  helples 
danger. 

"Yftij  ^ot  me  a  file."     He  tilted  me  again.     "An 
.rag gvt  me  jnttl«B."    Ha  tilted  ms  ^tam.  "'Ywil'q' 


^Ejni 


^Rn  bol 


♦l 


both  to  me."     He  tilted  me  again.     "Or  I'll  liav 

heart  and  liver  oat."     He  tilted  me  again. 
!   was  dreadfuUj'  frightened,  and  so  giddy  that  I 

■  :'j  to  him  with  both  hands,  and  said,  "If  you 
il'I  kiiidJy  please  to  let  me  kei3p  nprighl,  air,  per- 

,■'   I  slioi^dn't  bo  sick,  and  perhaps  I  coidd  attend 

ilo  gave  me  a  most  tremendons  dip  and  roll,  so 
r  the  church  jumped  over  its  own  weathercock. 
,  he  held  ine  by  the  arms,  in  an  nprigbt  position 

e  top  of  the  stone,  and  went  on  in  these  fearful 

'You  bring  mc,  to-morrow  morning  early,  that  file 
them.  wittle§,  You  bring-  the  lot  to  me,  at  that 
Battery  over  yonder,  You  do  it,  and  yoa  never 
t«  say  a  word  or  dai-e  to  make  a  sign  concerning 
having  seen  such  a  person  as  me,  or  any  person 
I'.ver,  and  you  shall  be  let  to  live,  Y'ou  fail,  or  yoa 
from   my  words  in  any  partickler,  no  matter  how 

■  ill  it  is,  and  your  heart  and  your  liver  shall  he  tore 
,  roasted,  and  ate.  Now,  I  ain't  alone,  as  you  may 
,ik  I  am.  There's  a  young  man  hid  with  me,  in 
lip.iriaon    with    which  young  m;m  I   am    a  Angel. 

i(  yoimg  inan  hears  the  words  I  speak.  That  young 
n  has  a  secret  way  peeooliar  to  himself,  of  getting  at  a 
. ,  and  at  his  heart,  and  at  his  liver.  It  is  in  wain  for  a 

I  to  attempt  to  hide  himself  fi«m  that  young  man.  A 
.  may  lock  his  door,  may  be  warm  in  bed,  may  tuck 
■i-.(ilf  up,  may  draw  the  clothes  over  hia  head,  may 
Ilk    himself  comfortable   and   safe,   hut  that  young 

II  -will  softly  creep  and  creep  his  way  to  Mm  a,ii4 
him  open.  I  tm  a  keeping  that  youog  man  trow, 
.         ■■—-^d^preaent  momeat,   with 


1 


"»  eRHA*  EltPEOTATIONg. 

ficulty.  I  fiyid  it  wery  linrd  to  liold  that  young  mi 
off  of  yOEr  inside.     Now,  wLat  do  you  say;'" 

I  said  that  I  would  get  liim  the  file,  and  I  wc 
get  him  what  broken  bits  of  food  I  could,  and  I  wc 
come  to  him  at  the  Battery,  early  in  the  morning. 

"Say  Lord  strike  you  dead  if  you  don't!"  said 

I  said  so,  and  he  took  me  down. 

"Now,"  he  pnrsaed,   "you  remember  what  yoi^ 
nndcrtook,   and  you  remember  that  young  ma 
you  get  home!" 

"Goo-good  night,  sir,"  I  faltered. 

"Much  of  that!"  said  he,  glancing  about  him  oi 
the  cold  wet  flat     "I  wish  I  was  a  frog.     Or  a 

At  tlio  same  time,  he  hugged  hia  shuddering  boi 
in  both  hia  arms  —  clasping  himself,  as  if.  to  hi 
himself  together  —  and  limped  towards  the  low  chul 
wall.  As  I  saw  him  go,  picking  his  way  among 
nettles,  and  among  the  brambles  that  bound  the  gre 
xnounda,  he  looked  in  my  yoang  eyes  as  if  he  a 
eluding  the  handa  of  the  dead  people,  stretching 
cautiously  out  of  their  graves,  to  get  a  twist  upon  1 
&nkle  and  pull  him  in. 

When  he  came  to  the  low  church  wall,  he  got  ay 
it,  like  a  man  whose  legs  were  numbed  and  stiff,  aj 
then  turned  round  to  look  for  me.  When  I  saw  hi 
turning,  I  set  my  face  towards  home,  and  mitde  t 
best  USB  of  my  legs.  But  pi-eaently  I  looked  o 
shoulder,  and  saw  him  going  on  again  towards  i 
still  hugging  himself  in  both  arms,  and  pickij 

way  with  his    sore  feet   among    the  groat  ston 
dropped  into  the  marshes  here  and  there,  for  steppiq 
'  ga  the  raioB  were  hoavy,  oi  tita  ti&ft  ^tM  1 


i  marshes  warn  just  n  long  black  lioriEontal  lino 

5  I  stopped  to  ltn)k  after  him;  and  the  river  waa 

-.riotlier  horizontfil  line,  not  nearly   bo  broiid  nor 

■  ir    black;   and  the  sky   waa  juat  a  row  »f  long 

^  y  red  lines  and  dense  black  IJne^  intermixed.     On 

ia  edge    of  the  river,   I  could  faintly  make  out  the 

«ly  twp  Iilack  things  in  all  the  prospect  that  seemed 

"ii  he   staniliiig  upright;  one  of  these  was  the  beacon 

'.liicJi  the  sailors  steered  —  like  an  nnhooped  cask 

:i  pole  —  an  ugly  thing  when  you  were  near  it; 

tlier,    a   gibbet  with  some   chains  hanging  to  it 

I  hati  once  held  a  pirate„  The  man  waa  limping 
iM-artls  this  latter,  as  if  he  were  the  pirate  come  to 
^md  come  down,  and  going  back  to  hook  himself 
L':iin.  It  gave  me  a  terrible  turn  when  I  thought 
:iiil  as  I  saw  the  cattle  lifting  their  heads  to  gaze 

liim,    I    wondered  whether  they  thought  so  too. 
■koJ    all    round  for  the  horrible  young  man,  and 
■  ;.|  Hee  uo  signs  of  him.     But,  now  I  was  frightened 
i^fiin,  and  ran  home  without  stopping. 

'  CHAPTER  n. 

\r>-  aiater,  Mrs.  Joe  Gargery,  waa  more  than  twenty 
^  older  than  I,  and  had  established  a  great  rnpu- 

II  with  herself  and  the  neighbonra  betauae  she  had 
_'ht  jne  tip  "by  hand."  Having  at  that  time  to 
iiut  for   myself  what  the    expression  meant,   and 

.  ^  tug  her  to  have  a  hard  and  heavy  hand,  and  to 
;iiiL-h  in  the  habit  of  laying  it  upon  her  husband 
.  11  as  upon  me,  I  sapposed  that  Joa  Q-argery  ani 
,-,.  bu/A  broagbt  np  by  hand. 

f  jiot  a  good-looking  woman,    my   wHaat; 


son 
^Fofiet 


ORSAT  ErraCTATIOSS. 

and  1  had  a  general  impieasion  that  she  must  haveJ 
mfld)»»Gargery  marry  her  by  hand.  Joe  was 
man,  with  curia  of  flaxen  hair  on  each  side 
amooth  face,  and  irith  eyes  of  ench  a  very  undecidefflj 
blue  that  they  seemed  to  have  somehow  got  mixed" 
with  their  own  whites.  He  was  a  mild,  good-natured, 
sweet-tempered,  eaay-going',  foolish,  dear  fellow  —  a 
sort  of  Eercnles  in  strength,  and  also  in  weakness. 

My  sister,  Mrs.  Joe,  with  black  hair  and  eyes,  had 
ih  a  prevailing  redness  of  skin  that  I  sometimes 
Bfied  to  wonder  whether  it  was  possible  she  washed 
hMself  with  a  nutmeg-grater  instead  of  soap.  She  was 
tall  and  bony,  and  almost  always  wore  a  coarse  npron, 
fastened  over  her  figure  behind  with  two  loops,  and 
having  a  square  impregnable  bib  in  front  that  was 
stuck  full  of  pins  and  needles.  She  made  it  a  power-  ' 
fnl  merit  in  herself,  and  a  strong  reproach  against  Joe, 
that  she  wore  this  apron  so  much.  Though  I  really  ' 
see  no  reason  why  she  should  have  worn  it  at  j  " 
•why,  if  she  did  wear  it  at  all,  she  should  not  havi 
''taken  it  off,  every  day  of  her  life. 

Joe's  forgo  adjoined  our  house,  which  was  a  wooden 
house,   as  many  of  the  dwellings  in  oip:  country  woreTt 
—  most  of  them,    at  that  time.     When  I  ran  home  % 
from  the  churchyard,  the  forge  was  shut  up,   and  Joe  % 
was  sitting  alone  in  the  kitchen.     Joe   and  I  being  % 
fellow-sufferers,   and  having  confidences  as  such,    Joe 
imparted  a  confidence  to  me,    the  moment  I  raised  the 
latch  of  the  door  and  poeped  in  at  him  opposite  to  it, 
sittinj;  in  the  chimney  comer. 

"Mrs.  Joe  has  been  out  a  dozen  times,  looking  for 
jvir,  Pip.    And  she's  out  now,  making  it  a  baker's 


ind  what'§  worae,  she's  got 


"Id  she?" 

"Yes,  Pip,"  said  Joe 
ler  with  her." 
At  tilts  disnial  iateHigence,  I  twisted  tUe  only 
my  waistcoat  roasd  aiid  round,  and  li)ok<>d 
'great  deprcMJon  at  the  fire.  Tickler  wns  a  wnx- 
of  cane,  worn  smooth  by  collision  with  my 
led  frame. 

"She  sot  dowu,"  said  Joe,    "and  she  giit  up,    aud 

made  a  grab  at  Tickler,    and  she  Esmpagcd  out. 

..It's  wLat  she  did,"  said  Joe,    slowly  cleaiing  the 

■■■  hetween  the  lower  bars  with  the  poker,  and  looking 

i[  il;   "ahe  Rampaged  out,  Pip." 

"Has  she  been  gone  long,  Joe?"  I  always  treated 
^JiD  as  a  larger  species  of  child,  aud  as  no  more  than 
ly  equal. 

"Well,"  said  Joe,  glancing  up  at  the  DnHih  clock, 
she's  been  on  the  liam-page,  this  last  spell,  about 
tie  minntea,  Pip.  She's  a  coming]  Get  behind  the 
ionr,    old    cLap,    and    have-  the  jack-towel    betwixt, 

I  took  the  advice.  My  sister,  Mrs.  Joe,  throwing 
kii  door  wide  open,  and  finding  an  obstruction  behind 
',  immediately  divined  the  cause,  and  applied  Tickler 
!■  ii^  further  investigation.  She  concluded  by  throw- 
nr  me  —  I  often  served  her  aa  a  connubial  missile  — 
■I  Jt»o,  who,  glad  to  get  hold  of  in5  "on  any  terms, 
i-tw.d  me  oo  into  the  chimney  and  quietly  fenced  me 
|i  tliBPo  with  his  great  leg. 

"Where  have  you  been,  you  young  monkey?"  said 
'lr».  Joo,    stamping  ber  foot.      "Toll  me  directly  "w\iat 
-..",■«>  heendoing  to  wear  nw   away   with    fret    xcA 
vvTtt,  or  I'd  haw  you  out     " 


t 


■"I 

-ainH 


gheAV  i*pbctatkws. 

if    you    was    fifty   Pips    and    lie    -was    five    bundredj 
Gfargerys." 

"I  have  only  been  to  the  churchyard,"  said  I,  from  ' 
my  stool,  crying  and  nibbing  myself. 

"Churchyardl"  repeated  my  sister.     "If  it  i 
for  me  you'd  have  been  to  the  churchyard  long  ago,.3 
and  stayed  there.     "Who  brought  yon  up  by  hand?" 
■Tou  did,"  said  I. 

And  'why  did  I  do  it,  I  should  like  to  knowl-^ 

lelaimed  my  sister.  ^ 

I  whimpered,  "I  don't  know." 

"/Aon'tl"  said  my  sister.     "Pd  never  do  it  again 

know  that.     I  may  truly  say  I've  never  had  thw'' 

i^oa   of  mine  off,    since   bom  you  were.      It's    bad  "T' 

enough  to  be  a  blacksmith's  wife  (and  him  a  Gargery^** 

without  being  your  mother."  '• ' 

My  thoughts  strayed  from  that  question  as  I  looked  *  > 

disconsolately  at  the  fire.     For,  the  fugitive  out  on  the  ^ 

marshes  with  the   ironed  leg,    the  mysterious  yowag^p 

man,  the  file,  the  food,  and  the  dreadful  pledge  I  waft  'fti 

Blunder  to   commit  a  larceny  on  those  sheltering  pre-  ^m 

^ttises,  rose  before  me  in  the  avenging  coals.  %. 

'  "Hah!"    said  Mrs.  Joe,    reatoring   Tickler  to   I 

station.     "Churchyard,    indeed!     You    may  ' 

churchyard,  you  two."  »One  of  us,  by-the-by,  had  t 

Baid  it  at   all.     "You'll    drive  me  to  the   churchyard 

t  tetwist  you,  one  of  these  days,  and  oh,  a  pr-t-ri 

■  'pair  you'd  be  without  me!" 

'         As  she  applied  herself  to  set  the  tea-things,   Jo^ 
peeped  down  at  me  over  his  leg,    as  if  he  v 
tally  casting  me  and  himself  up,  and  calculating  wh) 
iim]  of  pair  we  practically  sliotrid  make,   under  T 
S^'eroaa  clrBainstauces   foreshadowed.     Al^et  ftia.\,. 


i.i-ling  his  right-side  flasen  curls  nnil  whisker,  and 

iiiug  jUt3.  Joe  about  with   his  blue  eyes,    ns  Iiis 

||  r  always  was  at  squally  times. 

Ir    slater    had  a    trenchant    way   of  cutting    onr 

I  ;ind-batter  for  lis,  that  never  variotl.     First,  with 

If'tit    hand   she  jammed    the    Inaf   hard    and  inat 

I  -T   her  bib  —  whore  it  sometimes  got  a  pin  into 

iiid   sumetimos  a  nt'cdle,   which  wo  afterwards  got 

mir  mouths.     Then,  she  took  some  butter  (not  too 

In    on  a  knifb   aud  spread   it  on  the   loaf,   in  an 

hecarr    kind    of  way    as    if  she  were    making  a 

-r-r  —  using  both  sides  of  tho  knife  with  a  slap- 

Icxterity,  and  trimming  and  moulding  the  butter 

iiivil   the  crust.     Then,  she  gave  the  kuife  a  fiual 

'  wipe  on  the  edge  of  the  plaister,  and  then  sawed 

:y    thick   round   off  the   loaf;    which   she  finally, 

.■  separating  from  the  loaf,  hewed  into  two  halves: 

ili'b  Joe  got  one,  and  I  the  other. 

I  hi  the  present  occasion,   though  I  was  hungry,  1 

1.1  not  eat  myslica     I  felt  that  I  must  have  Bome- 

^'  in  reserve  for  my  dreadful  acquaintance,  and  his 

the  still  more  dreadful  young  man.     I  knew  Mrs. 

'■>  honae-keeping  to  he  of  the  strictest  kind,    and 

tu  my  iareenous  researches  might  find  nothing  avail- 

I-Ih   in   tte   safe.      Therefore  J.  resolved    to    put  my 

ank  of  broad-and-huttcr  down  the  leg  of  my  trousers. 

The  effort  of  resolution  necessary  to  the  achieve- 

nt  of  this  purpose,   I  fonnd  to  be  quite  awful.     It 

ii*  ss  if  I  had  to  make  up  my  mind  to  leap  from  the 

'—fa  high  house,    or  plunge  into  a  groat  depth  of 

An<l'it  was  mnde  the  more    difficult  by  tbe 

.  ..•iovs./ae.^  am-  already-mentioaedi  frcemaaoniy 

f  ■.J6,mvrf4i^'¥^  ^Ms  ffood-nRtaied  compi    ■ 


r 

I 


I 


12  SHUAT  EXPBCTATIOWa, 

Bliip  ■with  me,  it  was  our  evening'  habit  to  compai 
way  we  bit  through  our  slices,  by  silently  holdb 
them  up  to  each  cither's  ftdmiration  now  and  then  - 
which  stimulated  us  to  new  exertions.  To-nig^ht, 
several  times  invited  me,  by  the  display  of  his 
diminishing  slice,  to  enter  upon  our  usual  friend 
competition;  but  he  found  me,  each  time,  with  q 
yellow  mug  of  toa  on  one  knee,  and  my  untouclM 
bread-and-butter  on  the  other.  At  last,  I  desperate 
considered  that  the  thing  I  contemplated  must  he  d<w 
and  that  it  had  best  bo  done  in  the  least  improb^ 

consiatent  with  the  circumstances.  I  took 
Tantage  of  a  moment  when  Joe  had  juat  looked  at 
tad  got  my  bread-and-butter  down  my  leg. 

Joe  was  evidently  mado  imcomfortable  by  wh 
he  supposed  to  be  my  loss  of  appetite,  and  took  a 
thoughtful  bite  out  of  his  slice  which  he  didn't  seem 
to  enjoy.  He  turned  it  about  in  his  mouth  much 
longer  than  usual,  pondeiing  over  it  a  good  deal,  and 
after  all  gulped  it  down  like  a  pOl.  He  was  about  to 
take  another  bite,  and  had  just  got  his  head  on  one 
rfde  for  a  good  purchase  on  it,  when  his  eye  fell  on 
me,  and  he  saw  that  my  bread-and-butter  was  gone.    J 

The  wonder  and  constei-nation  with  which  jM 
stopped  on  the  threshold  of  his  bite  and  stared  at  Urn 
were  too  evident  to  escape  my  sister's  observation.      W 

"What's  the  matter  now?"  said  she,  smartly,  M 
she  put  down  her  cup.  M 

"I  say,  you  know!"  mattered  Joe,  shaking  fl 
head  at  me  in  very  serious  remonstrance.  "Pip,  ifl 
ebap!  you'll  do  yourself  a  mischief.  It'll  stick  boqh 
Ijtong.     IToa  can't  jjare  chewed  it,  Pi^." S 


"Wliat's    tlie    matter    now?"     repeated    my   sister, 

e  sharply  than  before. 

"If  you  cftn  cough  any  trifle  on  it  up,  Pip,  I'd 
nommciid  yott  to  do  it,"  said  Joe,  all  a;;hafit. 
'Ibimers  is  manners,  but  still  yonr  eltb's  your  elth." 

By  this  time,  my  sister  was  quite  desperate,  no  she 
Mmced  on  Joe,  and,  tttkin^  him  by  the  twit  wLiskers, 
Qqcked  lu3  head  I'or  a  little  while  against  the  wall 
'iuc!  him:     wliiie  I  sat  in  the  comer,  looking  guilt- 

N'l  iw,    perhaps  you'll  mention  what's  the  niattei'," 
Liiy  Bister,  out  of  breath,  "you  staring  great  stuck 

i..L'  lookod  at  her  in  a  helpless  way;    then  took  a 

:  -■<  bite,  and  looked  at  me  again. 

Toll  know,  Pip,"  said  Joo,  solemnly,  with  his  last 

II  hie  cheek,  and  speaking  in  a  coniidential  voice, 

IV,;  two  were  quite  alone,  "you  and  me  in  always 

nh.  nnA  I'd  be  the  last  to  tell  upon  you,  any  time. 

iit  such  a"  ~  he  moved  his  chair  and  looked  about 

b  fluor  between  ua,  and  then  again  at  me  —  "such 

most  oncommou  Bolt  as  that!" 

"Been  bolting  his  food,    has  he?"   cried  taj  sister. 

"You  know,    old  chap,"   said  Joe,   looking  at  me, 

ail  not  at  Mrs.  Joe,   with  his  bite  still  in  hiii  cheek. 

1  Bolted,  myself,  when  I  was  your  ago- — frequent  — 

tid  as  a  boy  I've  been  among  a  many  Bolters;   but  I 

ti-er  see  your  Bolting  equal  yet,  Pip,  and  it's  a  mercy 

ti.u  aiu't  Bolted  dead." 

My  siater  made  a  dive  at  me,  and  fished  rae  up  by 
'  li.air;  saying  nothing  more  tLau  the  awful  words, 
iMii  etiwe  aloaff  Jind  be  dosed." 


pi4  ORBAT  EXTHBTA'nftjrB;  ^H 

Krdaya  as  it  line  medicine,  and  Mrs.  Joe  always  kept  ^M 
R- supply  of  it  in  the  cupboard;    having  a  belief  in  ^^| 

■  Vhluos  cuirespoadetit  to  its  naDtiness.  At  the  beet  '^H 
B  times,  bo  miLch  of  this  elixir  waa  administered  to  id^| 
I.  as  a  choice  restorative,   that  I  was  conscious  of  goii^H 

■  about  emelliug  like  a  new  feuce.  On  this  particul^H 
K  evening  the  lugency  of  my  case  demanded  a  pint  ^H 
PUuH  mixture,   which  wits  poured  down  my  throat,  fa^t 

toy  greater  comfort,  while  Mrs.  Joe  hold  my  heajPJi 
under  her  arm,  as  a  boot  would  be  held  in  a  boot-ja^'V 
Joe  got  off  with  half  a  pint;  but  was  made  to  swallow* 
that  (much  to  his  disturbance,  as  he  sat  slowly  munch--'* 
ing  and  meditating  before  the  fire),  "because  he  has** 
had  a  turn."  Judging  from  myself,  I  should  say  ht^i^ 
eertiunly  had  a  turn  afterwards,   if  he  had  had  noii«^ 

Conscience    is  a  dreadful    thing  when    it    accuaea 
■  boy;   hut  when,    ia  the  case  of  a  boy,   thoKd 
Bcret  burden  co-oporates  with  another  secret   burdM(|i 
Bown  the  leg  of  his  trousers,   it  is  (as  I  can  testify)  ^i| 


i  guilty  knowledge  that  I  i 


agoing,, 
lioiisiv;* 


sat  punishment. 
^ing  to  rob  Mrs.  Joe  —  I  never  thought  I  v 

I  rob  Joe,   for  I  never  thought  of  any  of  tl.- 

fkeeping  property  as  his  —  united  to  the  necessity  of' 
I  tdways  keeping  one  hand  on  my  bread  and  butter  as  TM 
•  when  I  was  ordered  about  the  kitchen  on  any:* 
small  eiTBud,  almost  drove  me  out  of  my  mind.  Theii,*i 
as  the  marsh  winds  made  the  fii-o  glow  and  flare,  T\y 
thought  I  heanl  the  voice  outside,  of  the  man  withV 
the  iron  on  his  leg  who  had  sworn  mo  to  secrecy,'iiji 
declaring  that  he  couldn't  and  woiddn't  starve  nntil'lil 
to-morrow,  but  must  be  ted  now.  At  other  times,  I 
tAoi^ht,    W^at  i£  tie  young  man  wW  -waa  -wSfc.  < 


IS 

h  difficulty  restrained  from  imbming  hia  Lands  in 

~Iioii]d  yield  to  a  conetitntioiial  impaticaco,  or 
I'l  mistake  the  time,  And  ehonld  tliiiik  IiimaeU'  ac- 
■<.'d   to  my  Ueart  and  liver  to-oight,    instead  of  to- 

m!  If  ever  auybody's  liair  stood  on  end  with 
I .  mine  must  have  doue  so  tlicu.  But,  pci'liajj!*, 
(v's  tvfr  didi' 

'  was  Christmas  Eve,  and  I  hud  to  Htir  tlio  jjud- 
I'-jr  next  day,  with  thecopper-atick,  from  seven  to 

Ijy  the  Dutch  tilocb.  I  tried  it  with  the  load  upon 

./y  (and  that  made  me  think  afi-esh   of  tlie  man 

tiic  load  on  his  leg),  and  fonnd  the  tendency  of 

rcise  to  bring  the  bread-and-butter  ont  at  uiy  ankle, 

unmanageable.  Happily.  I  slipped  away,  and 
ited  that  part  of  my  conscience  in  my  garret  bed- 

liiirk!"  said  I,  when  I  had  done  my  stimng,  and 
iking  a  final  warm  in  the  chinmey  corner  before 
I-  r.eut  up  to  bed;  "was  that  gi-eat  gnns,  Joei"' 
"Abl"   said  Joe.     "There's  another  conwict  off." 
"What  does  that  mean,  Joe?"  said  I. 
Mra.  Joe,   who  always  took  explanations  npon  her- 
',  said,    snappishly,    "Escaped.     Escaped."     Adrai- 
Baing  the  de^tiou  like  Tar-wator. 
Wliile  Sirs.  Joe  sat  with  her  head  bending  over  her 
illcivork ,   I  put  my  mouth  into  the  forms  of  saying 
.r«e,    "What's  a  convict?"   Joe  put  his  mouth  into 
fcirma  of  returning  snch  a  highly  elaborate  ansi^er, 
1 1  could  make  out  nothing  of  it  but  the  single  word 

last  night,"    said    Joe, 
JJad  they  fced 


i 


SSXAT'  l!XSiatJtl.TXOm. 


^^^  him.     Ami  uow,  it  appeai-s  tliey're  liriug  naming 

^^B  WlOtllGl'." 

^^1         "  W/io's  firing?"  said  I. 

^^M         "Drat  that  boy,"  interposed  my  sist«r,  frowning 

^^Bme  over  her  work,  "what  a  questioner  ho  ia.     Ask 

^^B  questions,  and  you'll  be  told  i 

^^H        It  was  not  very  polite  to  herself,  I  thought,  to  1 

^^PplytUat  I  should  he  told  lies  by  her,  even  if  I  did  i 

^^*  questions.     But  sho  never  was  polite,  unless  there  t 

company. 

At  this  point,  Joe  greatly  augmented  my  curioe 

by  taking  the  utmost  pains  to  open  his  month  ■ 

»'\nde,  and  to  ptit  it  into  the  form  of  a  word  that  loo^ 
to  me  like  "sulks."  Therefore,  I  [naturally  pointed 
Mrs.  Joo,  and  put  my  mouth  into  the  foi-m  of  say' 
"her?"  But  Joe  wouldn't  hear  of  that,  at  all, 
again  opened,  liis  mouth  very  wide,  and  shook  the  t 
of  a  most  emphatic  word  out  of  it.  But  I  could  m 
nothing  of  the  word. 
,1  ''Mrs.  Joe,"  said  I,  as  a  last  resource,  "I  shff 

like  to  know  —  if  you  wouldn't  much  mind  —  y 
the  firing  comes  from?" 
^_  "Lord  bless  the  boy!"   exclaimed  my  sister, 

^K  she   didn't  quite   mean  that,    but  rather  the  contra 
^■■■"From  the  Hulks." 

^H  "Oh-h!"  said  I,  looking  at  Joe.     "Hulks!" 

^^1  Joe  gave  a  reproachful  cough,  as  much  as  to  a 
^^t"WeU,  I  told  you  so." 
^^H  "And  please  what's  Hulks?"  said  I. 
^^ft  "That's  the  way  with  this  hoy!"  exclaimed  , 
^^B  Bister,  pointing  me  out  with  her  needle  and  tlu^ 
^^B>nd  shaking  Ler  head  at  me.  "Answer  hini  one  qt 
^Jl^g^  nfitl  be'U  ask  yon  a  doaen  dgwHJ-y.    " 


ipa,  right  'cross  th'  meslies."     Wc  always  nnvd 
IRine  for  marithoB,  in  our  cotuitiy. 
'I   wonder  wlio's  put  into   prison-ships,   and  why 
y're  put  tliere?"  said  I,  in  a  general  way,  iinil  with 
et  desperation. 

It  \ras  too  mach  for  Mrs.  Joe,  who  immediately 
?.  "I  tell  you  what,  youn^  fellow,"  said  she,  "1 
Mn't  bring  yoii  ti[]  by  hand  to  badger  people's  lives 
.  It  would  he.  blame  to  me,  and  not  praiao,  if  I 
L  People  are  pot  in  the  Hulks  lietanse  they  mmv 
,  and  because  they  rob,  and  forge,  ami  do  all  BortH 
\md\  and  they  always  begin  by  asking  quoations. 
IT,  yoa  get  along  to  bod!" 

I  w&s  never  allowed  a  canJle  to  light  me  to  bed, 
as  1  went  up-ataira  in  the  dark,  with  my  hiiad 
from  Mrs.  Joe's  thimble,  having  played  the 
ibnuriac  upon  it,  to  aecjjmpany  her  last  worda  —  I 
fearfally  eonsible  of  the  great  convenience  tlmt  the 
Ike  were  handy  for  me.  I  was  clearly  on  my  way 
n.  I  bad  begun  by  asking  fjaestions,  and  I  was 
ig  to  rob  Mrs.  Joa 

SsBiM  that  time,  which  is  far  enough  awny  now,  I 
e  often  tbougbt  that  few  people  know  what  secrecy 
le  is  in  tlje  young,  under  terror.  No  matter  how 
tcasonable  the  tenor,  so  that  it  be  terror.  I  was  in 
»t«l  terror  of  the  young  man  who  wanted  my  heart, 
i  liver;  I  was  in  mortal  terror  of  my  interlocutor 
th  llio  ironed  leg;  I  waa  in  mortal  terror  of  myself, 
n  whom  an  awful  promise  had  boon  extracted;  I  had 
bopo  of  deliverance  through  my  allpowerful  aitster, 
p  PSpaUcd  me  at  cvnty  tarn;  J  am  aftaid  to  think 
\i^iA'S  la'fiht  harerdone,    upon  requirement,    ia  tbo 


r 


^SfiXv  vi^atsTAmam. 


I 


If  I  slept  at  all  tbat  night,  it  was  only  to  im 
myself  drifting  dowu  the  river  ou  a  strong  spring  ti 
to  theHulks;  a  ghostly  pirate  calling  out  to  me  throt 
a  speaking-trumpet,  as  I  passed  the  gihhet-station,  ' 
I  had  better  come  ashore  and  be  hanged  there  at  o 
and  not  pnt  it  off.  I  was  afraid  to  sleep,  even  if  I 
been  inclined,  for  I  knew  that  at  the  first  faint  da 
of  morning  I  must  roh  the  pantry.  There  was  no  da 
it  in  the  night,  for  there  was  no  getting  a  light  by  el 
friction  then;  to  have  got  one,  I  must  have  struck 
out  of  flint  and  steel,  and  have  made  a  noise  like 
very  pirate  himself  rattling  his  chains. 

As  soon  as  the  great  black  velvet  pall  outside 
'Kttle  window  was  shot  with  grey,  I  got  up  and  v 
.flown  stairs;  every  board  upon  the  way,  and  e* 
crack  in  every  board,  calling  after  me,  "Stop  thie 
and  "Get  up,  Mrs.  Joel"  In  the  pantry,  which  was 
more  abundantly  supplied  than  usual,    owing  to  ' 

'as  very  much  alaimed,  by  a  hare  h 
up  by  the  heels,  whom  I  rather  thought  I  t 
when  my  back  was  half  turned,  winking.  I  had 
time  for  verification,  no  time  for  selection,  no  time 
anything,  for  I  had  no  time  to  spare.  I  stole  f 
bread,  some  rind  of  cheese,  about  half  a  jar  of  mi 
meat  (which  I  tied  up  in  my  pocket-handkerchief  ^ 
my  last  night's  slice),  some  brandy  from  a  stone  be 
(which  I  decanted  into  a  glass  bottle  I  had  seen 
used  for  making  that  into:£icating  fluid.  Span 
liquorice-water,  up  in  my  room:  diluting  the  ai 
bottle  from  a  jug  in  the  kitchen  cupboard),  a  b 
bone  with  very  little  ou  it,  and  a  beautiful  round  c 
let  pork  pio.  I  was  nearly  going  away  without 
'  J  WBB  tempted  to  monnt  upon.  it.  bV^^^' 


that  was  jiuf  sway  so  cnrpfallym 
i  (UbIi  in  n  comer,  and  I  foimd  it  wns  the 
took  it,  ia  tliH  hope  ttiut  it  was  not  in- 
eaily  nse,  anil  would  uot  lu  mi§eotl  for  sumu 

a  door  in  tha  kitchen,    communicatiiig 

ffge;    I  unlocked  and  unliolted  that  door,  and 

:firOin   among  Joo's  tools.     Then,   I  put  the 

»  I  liad  found  them,    opened  tho   d- 

I  entered  wLna  I  ran  homo  last  night,   shi 

for  tlie  misty  maralies. 


CHAPTER  m. 

and  v< 


daf 


!->r   a^y 
t,   shi^^l 

I  iiiJ^H 

vinclow,'  ^^^ 


a,  rimy  rooming,    and  VPiy 

up  lying  on  the  otitside  of  my  little  winrh 
goblin  had  heen  crying  there  all  night,  and 
lJow  for  a  pockot-handkercliief.  Now,  I 
pip  lying  on  the  bare  hedges  and  spare  grass, 
ser  sort  of  spiders'  webs;  hanging  ilsell'  from 
ig  and  blade  to  blade.  On  every  rail  and 
lay  clammy;  and  the  marsh-mist  was  so 
t  the  wooden  finger  on  the  post  directing 
3ur  village  —  a  direction  which  tliey  never 
Tor  they  never  came  there  —  was  invisible 
1  I  was  quite  close  under  it.  Then,  as  i 
Kt  it,  while  it  dripped,  it  seemed  to  my  op- 
!0  like  a  phantom  devoting  me  to  the 

LB  heavier  yet  wlien  I  got  out  upon  thu 

t  insteitd  ofiaj'  nwaiug  at  everythmg, 

vi  ta  nm  at  me.     This  was  very  dia- 

^^^ — 2^e.e'att!3  and  dykea  a^ 

2*  ^ 


^V  ban 


OBSAT  BXPBCTAiHOKS. 


I 


I 


banks  came  burBting  at  me  through  the  mist,  as  if  tl 
died  as  plamly  as  could  be,  "A  boy  with  Somebo* 
else's  pork  pie!  Stop  him! "  The  cattle  came  upon  i 
with  like  anddenncss,  staring  out  of  tlieir  eyes,  a 
Bteaming  out  of  their  noatrila,  "Halloa,  young  thief 
One  black  ojt,  with  a  white  cravat  on  —  who  even* 
had  to  my  awakened  conscienco  something  of  a  clerical 
air— fixed  me  so  obstinately  with  hia  eyes,  and  moTed; 
his  blunt  head  roimd  in  such  an  accusatory  raannei 
I  moved  round,  that  I  blubbered  out  to  him, 
couldn't  help  it,  sir!  It  wasn't  for  myself  I  took  itlflj 
TJpon  which  he  put  down  his  head,  blew  a  cloud  a 
smoke  out  of  hia  nose,  and  vanished  with  a  kick-up  ofk 
his  hind-legs  and  a  flourish  of  his  tail.  i 

All  thia  time,  I  was  getting  on  towards  the  river;; 
but  however  fast  I  wont,  I  couldn't  warm  my  feet,  to 
which  the  damp  cold  seemed  riveted,  as  the  iron  was 
riveted  to  the  leg  of  tho  man  I  was  rtmuing  to  meet. 
I  knew  my  way  to  the  Battery,  pretty  straight,  for  I. 
had  been  down  there  oq  a  Sunday  with  Joe,  and  Joe,, 
sitting  on  an  old  gim,  had  told  me  that  when  I  waa 
'prontice  to  him  regularly  bound,  we  would  have  sucl% 
Larks  there!  However,  in  the  confusion  of  the  ni' 
found  myself  at  last  too  far  to  the  right,  and  i 
qnently  had  to  try  back  along  the  river-side,  o 
bank  of  loose  stones  above  the  mud  and  the  stakes  ti 
staked  the  tide  out.  Making  my  way  along  here  ii 
all  despatch,  I  bad  juat  crossed  a  ditch  which  I  knj 
to  be  very  near  the  Battery,  and  had  just  scrarabl 
up  the  mound  beyond  the  ditch,  when  I  saw  th 
sitting  before  mu,  HIh  back  wjis  towards  me,  a 
ia*?  bjs  Arms  fdded,   and  was  nodding  forward, 


T  tliimgbt  lie  would  be  more  gItiJ  if  I  came  upon  iiini 

Tiiii  liis    breakfast,    m  that  unexpected  manni^r,    en  1 

I  <~!it  forward  sof'tlj  aud  toiieboil  biiu  on  the  shouliler. 

Il;  instantly  juiupeii  up,  and  it  was  not  tlio  same  man, 

'■'■  another  man! 

Viid  yet  tliis  man  was  dressed  in  coarse  grey,  too, 

i,iid  a  great  iron  on  liia  leg,   and  was  lami.',   and 

I  -  .    and  cold,   and  was  everything  tliat  the  other 

..  wiis;     except  that  be  had  not  tbe  same  face,    aud 

-i  a  flat  broad-brimmed  low-crowned  felt  bat  on.    All 

.-.    1  saw  iu  a  moment,  for  I  had  oiily  a  moment  to 

bit  in;  be  swore  aa  oath  at  me,  made  a  bit  at  me 
it  was  a  round  weak  blow  that  missed  me  and 
kuockud  hiniBclf  down,  for  it  made  him  etumbie 
and  tken  he  ran  into  the  mist,  stumbling  twice  as 
ifent,  aiid  I  lost  him. 

young  man!"  I  thought,  feeling  n)y  heart 
Iwt  as  I  idt-ntified  him.  1  dare  nay  I  should  have 
h  a  pain  in  my  liver,  too,  if  I  bad  known  where 
n«. 

1  was  soou  at  the  Battery,  aftertbat,  and  there  was 
right  man  —  hugging  himself  and  limping  to  and 
»,  as  if  he  bad  nevej^  all  night  left  off  hugging  and 
ang  —  waiting  for  ine.  He  was  awfully  cold,  to 
aire.  I  balf  expected  to  see  him  drop  down  before 
face  and  die  of  deadly  cold.  His  eyea  looked  so 
ShUy  bnngry,  too,  that  when  I  handed  liim  the  file, 
Kcurred  to  me  he  would  have  tried  to  eat  it,  if  he 
not  seen  my  bundle.  He  did  not  turn  me  upside 
a,  tliiH  time,  to  get  at  what  I  bad,  but  left  me 
iide    upwards    trij7e  I  opened    the    bundle    ani 

'J!"  said  Ji0i  J 


Bi? 


GREAT  BXPEOTATIONB. 


"Brandy,"  said  I. 

Ha  was  already  handing;  mincemeat  down  Lis  tliro 
in  the  most  unrioaa  imiumei  —  more  like  a  ma 
was  putting  it  away  somewhtire  in  a  violent  liurr 
than  a  man  who  was  eating'  it  —  hut  he  left  off 
take  Bome  of  the  liquor.  He  sliivored  all  the  while, 
violently,  that  it  was  quite  as  much  as  he  could  do  i 
keep  the  neck  of  the  bottle  between  his  teeth,  witho 
biting  it  off. 

I*       "I  think  you  have  got  the  ague,"  said  I. 
"I'm  much  of  your  opinion,  boy,"  said  he. 
"It's  bad  about  here,"  I  told  him.     "You'v' 
lying  out  on  the  meshes,   and  they're  dreadful  aguii 
Rheumatic,  too." 

I'll  eat  my  breakfast  afore  they're  the  death 
said  he.  "I'd  do  that,  if  I  was  going  to  be  stn 
ip   to  that  there  gallows  as  there  is   over  there, 
hreetly  arterwards.      I'll  beat  the  shivers   so   far, 
you." 

He  was    gobbling   mincemeat,    meat-bone,    br€ 
Cse,  and  pork  pio,  all  at  once:   staring  distiiistful 
hile  he  did  so  at  the  mist   all  round  us,   aud  <  ~ 
ijiping  —  even  stopping  bis  jawa  —  to  liston.    i 
fancied  sound,    some  clink   upon  the  liver 
ireathing  of  beast  upon  the  marsh,    now  gave  hi 
atort,  and  he  said,  suddenly: 

You're  not  a  deceiving  imp?  You  brought  uo 
with  you?" 

"No,  airl  No!" 

"Nor  giv'  no  one  the  office  to  follow  youi*" 

"No!" 

"Well,"  said  he,    "I  believe  you.     You'd  be  b 

'  Xotmg  hound  ixideod,    it  at  yoar  tuiw  o^  \iSa  i 


hmuLV 


■    help    to   hunt   n   wretched    wanniDt,    hunted   as 
ikatJ)    ajid   dunghill  as  tbis   poor   wrotched  war- 

-  'Tuetbiug  clicked  in  his  throat,  as  if  lie  had  workH 
111  like  a  clock,   und  was  going  to  strike.    And  he 
111!  his  ragged  rough  sleeve  over  his  cjob. 
:'iiyiiig    hie  desolation,    and  watching   him   as  lie 
.ii;illy  settled  down  upon  the  pic,   I  tnadu  bold  tu 
!•;■,  "I  am  glad  you  enjoy  it." 
"Did  yoa  speak?" 
"I  said  I  was  glad  you  enjoyed  i(.'' 
"Tliankee,  my  boy.     I  do." 

1  had  often  watched  a  largo  dog  of  ui^rs  eating  Ms 
od;    and  I  now  noticed  a  decided  similarity  lietweeu 
B  dog's  way  of  eating,  and  tho  man's.  The  man  took    / 
Bing    sharp    sudden  bites,    just   like   the  |dog.      He  ^ 
K^owed,  or  rather  snapped' up,  every  mouthful,   too 
1  and  too  fast;    and  ho  looked  sideways  here  and 
ure  while  ho  ate,   as  if  he  thought  there  was  danger 
■  ilirection,    of  somebody's  coming  to  [take  tlio 
K  Away.    He  was  altogether  too  unaottle<l  in  his  mind 
r  it,    to  appreciate  it  comfortably,    1  thought,   or  to 
w  anybody   to   dine  with  him,    without  making  a 
'ip  widi  his  jaws  at  the  visitor.     In  all  of  which  par- 
dura  he  was  very  like  the  dog. 
"1  am  afraid  you  won't  leave  any  of  it  for  |hiin," 
1 1,  timidly;  after  a  silence  during  which  I  had  ho- 
ted  as   to   the    politeness    of  making    the    remark. 
Riero'a  no  more  to  be  got  where  that  came  from."    It 
•  tine  certainty  of  this  fact  that  impelled  mo  to  offer 
i\aat. 
•J^Mra  iuif  /or  him?  Who's  him?"  sfUd  my  fi:iett6L,  " 


OaBAT  BXPSMWATICWra. 

"Tho  young  man.'     That  you  spoke  of.     Tbat  w 

"Oh  ah!"  he  rotiu'tied,  with  something  like  j 
laugh.     "Him?    Yes,  yes!  He  dou't  want  no  wittles." 
^^        "I  thought  ho  looked  as  if  he  did,"  eaid  I. 
^^L       The  man  stopped  eating,  and  regarded  me  with  t] 
^^BltBenest  Bcmtiny  and  the  greatest  surprise. 
^V      "Looked?    When?" 
"Just  now." 
"Where?" 

"Yonder,"  said  I,  pointing;    "over  there,   where 

found  him  nodding  asleep,  and  thought  it  was  yt 

He  held  me  hy  the  collar  and  stared  at  me  so 

I  began  to  think  his  first  idea  about  cutting  my  throi 

bad  revived. 

"Dressed  like  you,  you  know,  only  with  a  hat," 
explained,  trembling;  "and  . —  and"  —  I  was  v( 
anxious  to  put  this   delicately  —  "and  with  —  I 

»Bamo  reason  for  wanting  to  borrow  a  file.  Didn't  y 
Iltear  the  cannon  last  night?" 
"Then,  there  was  firing!"  he  said  to  himself. 
"I  wonder  you  shouldn't  have  been  sure  of  thaty' 
I  returned,  "for  we  heard  it  up  at  home,  and  that's 
fijrther  away,  and  we  were  shut  in  besides." 

"Why,  see  now!"  said  he.  "  When  a  man's  alona 
on  these  flats,  with  a  light  head  and  a  light  stomaclu 
perishing  of  cold  and  want,  ho  hears  nothin'  all  night 
bat  g^uns  firing,  and  voices  calling.  Hears?  He  i 
the  soldiers,  with  their  red  coats  lighted  up  by  tlw 
torches  carried  afore,  closing  in  round  him.  Hears  hii 
number  called,  hears  himself  challenged,  hears  tW 
i^tt/e  of  the  muskets,  hears  the  orders  'Make  readyt 
^^^entl  Cover  him  steady,  menl'  and  ia  \a\4  Wuift  o 


ij'i  there's  nothin'!  Why,  if  I  seo  one  punming 
-',-  liist  iiiglit  —  tTiming  up  in  ordyr,  Damn  'I'ni, 
-ir,  iLeir  tvump,  tramp  —  I  see  a  hondwd.  And  rb 
■  liringl    Why,  I  see  tfie  mist  shake  witli  the  cunnim, 

-  it  was  broad  day.  —  But  lliis  man;"  be  had  said 
lie    roat,    as  if  he  had  forgotten  niy  heiiig  there; 

i  VDU  notice  anything  in  him?" 
Hb  had  a,  badly  bruised  face,"   said  I,   recalling 
'tat  1  hardly  knew  I  kaew. 

LNot  hcre'i"'  exclaimed  the  man,   striking  his  left 
L  mwcilessly,  with  the  flat  of  his  hand. 
"Veal  Therol" 

"Where  is  he?"  He  crammed  what  little  food  was 
into  the  breast  of  his  grey  Jacket.  "Show  me  tlie 
lif-  weut.     I'll  pull  him  down,   like  a  bloodhgund. 

-  this  iron  on  my  sore  leg!  Give  us  hold  of  the 
i-">y-" 

i  indicated  in  what  direction  the  mist  had  shrouded 
[her  man,  and  he  looked  up  at  it  for  an  instant. 
!i'.'  was  down  on  the  rank  wet  grass,  filing  at  hjs 
like  a  madmati,  and  not  minding  me  or  minding 
.Mil  leg,  which  had  an  old  chafe  upon  it  and  was 
ly,  hut  which  he  bandied  as  roughly  as  if  it  had 
;i')re  feeling  in  it  than  the  file.  I  waa  very  much 
1  of  him  again,  now  that  he  had  worked  himself 
rilis  fierce  hurry,  and  I  was  likewise  very  much 
.  L  of  keeping  away  from  homo  any  longer.  I  told 
I  innst  go;  bnt  be  took  no  notice,  so  I  thought  the 
rbing  I  could  do  was  to  slip  off.  The  last  I  saw 
,  r  I ,  his  head  was  bent  over  his  knee  and  he  was  work- 
I  ;ird  at  his  fetter,  muttering  impRtient  im.precat\oiia 
:,„J  at  Ml  leg.  Tbelast  J  heard  of  hitSpfstopgiJi. 
"  a,,  and  the  Slo  wag  still  going.  ,^h 


<ntHAT  hxphotAtiohb. 


ii.vS 


CHAPTER  IV. 

I  FOLLY  expected  to  find  a  Constable  in  the  kitchen,"" 
waiting  to  take  ma  up.  But  not  only  was  there  no  > 
Constable  there,  bnt  no  discovery  had  yet  been  mado^ 
of  the  robbery.  Mrs.  Joe  was  prodigiously  busy  in,^ 
getting  the  houae  ready  for  the  festivities  of  the  day,'*(* 
ivad  Joe  had  been  put  upon  the  kitchen  door-step  to  *Bi 
keep  him  out  of  the  dustpan  —  an  article  into  which  ■'  ■ 
his  destiny  always  led  him  sooner  or  later,  when  i 
sister  was  vigorously  reaping  tlie  floors  of  her  cstablish- 
ment. 

"And  where  the  dence  ha'  you  been?"  was  Mrs.  'tt^' 
Joe's  Christmas  salutation,  when  I  and  my  consciencA  ;^M 
allowed  ourselves. 

I  said  I  had  been  down  to  hear  the  Carols.  "Ahit* 
welll"  observed  Mrs.  Joe.  "You  might  ha'  done  worse."  ^■ 
Not  a  doubt  of  it,  I  thought.  -(ij^ 

"Perhaps  if  I  war'nt  a  blacksmith's  wife,  and  {what'*  'k 
the  same  thing)  a  slave  with  her  apron  never  off,   I  ^tr^ 
Khimld  have  been  to  hear  the  Carols,"    said  Mrs.  Joe.  V^ja 
"I'm  rather  partial  to  Carols,   myself,    and  that's  the  %^ 
beat  of  reasons  for  my  never  hearing  any." 

Joe,  who  had  ventured  into  the  kitchen  after  mek 
iw  the  dustpan  had  retired  before  us,  drew  the  back  otft 
Ilia  hand  across  his  nose  with  a  conciliatory  air  when  i 
Mrs.  Joe  darted  a  look  at  Mm,  and,  when  her  eyes  1| 
were  withdrawn,  aecretly  crossed  his  two  forefingers,  (' 
and  exhibited  them  to  me,  as  our  token  that  Mrs.  Joa  i 
was  in  a  cross  temper.  This  was  so  mucli  her  normal  \ 
state,  that,  Joe  and  I  would  often,  for  weeks  together,  ^  4 
ie,  as  to  oar  Sngers,  like  monumental  Crusaders  as  toj 


^^s? 


Wa  were  to  have  a  superb  dinner,  cunmsUiif^  of  u 
i  t  pickled  pork  and  greens,  and  a  pair  irt  roast 
I  'i  fowls.  A  handaome  minco-pic  had  bciin  niadi 
'  [■lay  morning  (whicli  aecoiinted  for  the  mincoTOcat 
Ipiing  missed),  and  the  pudding  waa  alroiidy  on  iho 
TLeso  extensive  airangementh  occasioned  ui  to 
I  lit    ofl'    unceremonionsly  in  respect    oi    Lieakliu>t, 

I   an't,"   said  Mrs.  Joe,    "I  an't  a  goini;  tu  havt. 
.  ruial  cramming  and  busting  and  washing  up  now, 

what  I've  got  before  me,  1  promise  you!" 
-^u,    wB  had  our  slices  served  out,    as  if  wo  were 

■  ibousand  troops  on  a  forced  march   instead  of  a 
I  and  boy  at  home;  and  we  took  gulps  of  milk  and 

.  r,  with  apologetic  countenances,  fi-om  a  jug  on 
Irosser.  In  the  mean  time,  Mrs.  Joe  put  clean 
■i'  cartains  np,  and  tacked  a  now  flowered-flounce 
S-.  the  wide  chimney  to  replace  the  old  one,  and 
vered  the  little  state  parlour  across  the  passage, 
,.  i[  waa  never  uncovered  at  any  other  time,  but 
-.  (!  tbe  rest  of  the  year  in  a  cool  haao  of  Bilver 
.  I-,  which  even  extended  to  the  four  little  white 
'■■.•■ry  poodles  on  the  mantelshelf,  each  with  a  black 
;tnd  a  basket  of  flowers  in  hia  mouth,  and  eacli 
iounterpart  of  the  other.  Mrs.  Joe  was, a  very 
ii  liousokoepev,  but  had  an  exqitisite  art  of  making 
rk-anlioesa  more  nncomfitrtablo  and  unacceptable 
,  liirt  itself.     Cleanliness  is  next  to  Godliness,  and 

■  ■■  people  do  the  same  by  their  religion. 

Uy  sister  having  30  much  to  do,  was  going  to  church 
■liuusly;  that  is  to  say,  Joe  and  I  were  going.     In. 

vnrking  clothes,  Joe  was  a  weH-fenit  characteiislvt- 
..Jiiff  black'^th;  in  hia  holiday  clothes,  te  waa  roote 
^^-_.„  f         ^  circumstances,   thaa  anyttrng 


CFRXAT  BIMIOTATKHTB- 


^P  else.    Nothing  that  he  wore  then,  fitted  him  or  soen 
to  belong  to  him;  and  everything  that  he  wore  th 
grazed  him.    On  the  present  festive  occasion  he  emer; 
from  his  room,   whea  the  blithe  bells  wore  going, 
picture  of  misery,  in  a  ftiU  auit  of  Sunday  penitentL.^^ 

^.  As  to  mo,  I  think  my  sister  must  havo  had' Soti 
..general  idea  that  1  was  a  young  ofi'ender  whom  a 
Accoacheur  Policeman  had  taken  up  (on  my  birthdai 
■  and  delivered  oyer  to  her,  to  be  dealt  witli  aeeordia 
to  the  outraged  majesty  of  the  law.  I  was  always  treatt 
as  if  I  had  insisted  on  being  horn,  in  opposition  to  t' 
dictates  of  reason,  religion,  and  morality,  and  agaio, 
the  dissuading  arguments  of  my  best  friends.  Evi 
when  I  was  taken  to  have  a  new  auit  of  clothes,  t. 
tailor  had  orders  to  make  them  like  a  kind  of  Hefc 
matory,  and  on  do  account  to  let  me  have  the  free  u 
of  my  limbs. 

Joe  and  I  going  to  church,    therefore,   must  hai 
been  a  moving  spectacle  for  compassion itte  minds. 
what  I  suffered  outside,   was  nothing  to  what  I  unde 
went  within.     The  terrors  that  had  assailed  me  wbei 
ever  Mrs.  Joe  had  gone  near  the  pantry,  i 
room,   were   only  to    be  equalled  by  the  remorse  wit 
which  my  mind  dwelt  on  what  my  hands  had  done.  Und( 
the  weight  of  my  wicked  secret,   I  pondered  whetht 
the  Church  would  be  powerful  enough  to  shield  i 
from  the  vengeauce  of  tie  terrible  young  i 
divulged  to  that  establishment.     I  conceived  the  ideal 
that  Qie  time  when  the  banns  were  read  and  when  thej 
clergyman  said,  "Te  are  now  to  declare  iti"  would  b 
the  time  for  me  to  rise  and  propose  a  private  cooferenefl 
Ao  iiie  vestry.     I  am  far  from  being  sure  that  I  mi^~ 
^^^^jgT^etonished  oar  small  congregation. \>7  xtsaat&a 


a  lUis  extreme  measure,    bnt  fnr  its  bciug  Cliriiftiiiati 
Day  and  no  Suni^.iy. 

Mr.  Wopale,  tLo  clerk  at  ehurcii,  wiis  tn  dine  with 

u;  and  Mr.  Hubble  the  wheelwright  and  Mrs.  Ilabblo; 

Bill  Uncle   Pumblocliook.  (Joe's   uncle,   but   Mrs. 

«p(«ropriated  liim},  who  was  a  well-to-do  com-clisndler 

lu  the  nearest  town,  and  drove  his  nwii  cliaise-cnrt.  The 

iiimer  Lour  was  half-past  one.     When  Joe  and  I  got 

'lunie,    wi<  found  the  table  laid,    and  Mrs,  Joe  dresseil 

ml]  tht^  dinner  clreBsing,   and  the  front  door  unlocktid 

r'  never  was,    at  any  other  time)  for  the  comjiauy  to 

I     ^li.T   by,    and  everything  most  splendid.     And  still, 

!  .T  word  of  the  robbery. 

The  time  came,  without  bringing  with  it  any  relief 

I       my  feelings,    and  the  company  citmi.'.     Mr.  Wopsle, 

^nnted  to  a  Roman  nose  and  a  large  shining  bald  fure- 

^^hI,  huA  a   dee])   voice  which  he  was   nnuomroonly 

^^■ftd  of;  indeed  it  was  understood  among  ids  acquaint- 

^™«e  that  if  you  could  only  give  bim  his  head,  he  w( 

'        1  the  clergyman  into  fits;  he  himself  confessed  that 

■':'■  CiiHTch  was  "thrown    open,"   meaning  to   com- 

;ioii,    be  would  not  deupair  of  making  his  mark  in 

The  Church  not  being  "thrown  open,"  he  was,  as 

'  we  said,   onr  clerk,     Bnt  he  punished  tlie  Amens 

ji.'ucionsly;  and  when  he  gave  out  the  psalm  — 

■  ■.  giving  the  whole  verse  —  ho  looked  all  round 

r-nngregation  first,   as  much  as  to  say,    "You  have 

il  my  friend  overhead;  oblige  me  with  yom'  opiuioi 

Ms  Btylel" 

i  opcnud  the  door  to  the  company  —  making  he- 
■  thitl  it  was  a  habit  uf  oars  to  open  that  door  —  ■ 
Hf^j'^'f  /"  ^^■^^^ops'e,    next  to  Mr.  an4 


f  N.  B. 
Bevereat 


N.  B,    /was  not  allowed  to  call  him  uncle,   nnder 


"Mrs.  Joe,"  said  Uncle  Pmnblecliook:  a  large  liar 
breathing  middle-agod  slow  mail,  with  a,  mouth  like 
^^  fish,  dull  staring  eyes,  and  sandy  hair  atandiiig  uprigl 
^L  vn  liis  head,  so  that  he  looked  as  if  he  had  just  bee 
^H  all  but  choked,  and  had  that  mnment  come  to; 
^^L'have  brought  you,  as  the  compliments  of  the  s 
^B  son  —  I  have  brought  you.  Mum,  a  bottle  of  she 
^Hivine  —  and  I  have  brought  you.  Mum,  a.  bottle 
^H'  port  wine." 

B  Every  Christmas  Day  ho  presented  himself, 

profound  novelty,  with  exactly  the  same  words, 
carrying  the  two  bottles  like  dumbbcllB.  Every  Chrid 
mas  Day,  Mrs.  Joe  replied,  aa  she  now  replied. 
Un — cle  Pum — hie — chook!  This  is  kind!"  Evoi 
Christmas  Day,  he  retorted,  aa  he  now  retorted,  "It 
no  more  than  your  merits.     And  now  are  you  all  bol 

■bish,  and  how's  Sixpennorth  of  hal^ence?"  mea 
ing  me. 
,"  We  dined  on  these  occasions  in  the  kitchen,  a; 
adjourned,  for  the  nats  and  oranges  and  apples,  to  t 
parlour;  which  was  a  change  very  like  Joe's  chang 
from  his  working  clothes  to  his  Snnday  dress, 
sister  was  uncommonly  lively  on  the  present  occa 

»and  indeed  was  generally  more  gracious  in  the  societ 
of  Mrs.  Hubble  than  in  any  other  company,  I  r 
'.  ter  Mrs.  Hubble  as  a  little  curly  sharp-edged  poi-son  i 
sky-bine,  who  held  a  conventionally  juvenile  position 
because  she  had  married  Mr.  Hubble  —  I  don't  knoi 
at  what  remote  period  —  when  she  was  laiich  youngea 
eJ/na  he.  I  rememher  Mr.  Hubble  as  a  tough  high- 
^^AouJcfered  stooping  old  manj  ot  a  sa^id'o.'sV^  ixagiwttia 


li]  bis  legs  extraordinarily  irijo  npart:  so  that  iu  my 
"rt  days  X  always  saw  somo  miles  of  optm  country 
:ween  them  when  I  met  liSrn  coming  up  the  lano. 

Among  tliis  gooil  company,  1  should  have  fult  my- 
!!',  even  if  I  Ladn't  rohhed  the  pantry,  in  ft  falBfl 
-Ition.  Not  beuause  I  was  sqiieuzed  in  nt  nn  acute 
-•\b  of  the  tableciloth,  with  the  table  iu  my  chest, 
il  tliG  Pumbliiohnokian  elbow  in  my  eye,  nor  bocanse 
was  not  allowed  to  spook  (I  didn't  waJut  to  speak), 
I-  because  I  was  regaled  with  the  scaly  tips  of  the 
iiinstifrks  of  the  fowls,  and  with  those  obscure  comers 
L  porit  of  which  the  pig,  when  living,  had  had  the. 
|rt  reason  to  be  vain.  No;  I  should  not  have  minded 
■t,  if  they  wouhi  only  have  left  mo  alone.  But  they 
~  ~  't  leave  me  alone.  They  seemed  to  think  the 
loity  lost,  if  they  failed  to  point  the  conversa- 
I  at  me,  every  now  and  then,  and  stick  the  point 
Bmo.  I  might  have  been  au  unfortimate  little  bull 
I  Spoiiisk  arena,  I  got  so  smartiiigly  touched  up  by 
ifi  moral  goads. 
'  It  begAu  the  moment  we  sat  down  to  dinner. 
Wopsle  said  grace  with  theatrical  declamation  —  ( 
w  appears  to  me,  something  like  ft  religious  cross  of 
Ghost  in  Hamlet  with  Eichard  the  Third  —  and' 
led  witli  the  very  proper  aspiration  that  we  might 
truly  grateful.  Upon  which  my  sister  fixed  mo  with 
I  iuw  eye.  and  said,  in  a  low  reproachful  voice,  "Do  you 
I  liHar  that?     Be  grateful." 

"Kspewially,"   said  Mr.  Pumblechook,    "bo  ^atefiil, 
ly.  to  them  which  brought  you  up  by  hand." 
Mrs.  Hubble  shook  her  head,    and   contemplatrng 
-  ■     i^mournful  presmti'meat  that  I  should  « 
"Why  ia  it  that  the  young 


32  OBEAT  BSroOTATIOHB. 

never  g^ratoftil?"  Tliia  moral  mystery  seemed  too  mucl 
for  the  company  irntil  Mr.  Hubble  tersely  solved  it  bi 
Baying,  "Naterally  wicions,"  Everybody  then  nm] 
mared  "Tme!"  and  looked  at  me  in  a  particularly  n 
pleasant  and  personal  manner. 

Joe'B  station  and  influence  were  something  feeble 
(if  possible)  when  there  was  company,  than  when  thert 
was  none.  But  be  always  aided  and  comforted  m( 
when  he  could,  in  Home  way  of  his  own,  and  he  a 
ways  did  so  at  dinner-time  by  giving  me  gravy, 
tliere  were  any.  There  being  plenty  of  gravy  to-day 
Joe  apooned  into  my  plate,   at  this  point,    about  1 

A  little  later  on  in  the  dinner,  Mr.  Wopsle  reviewei 
the  sermon  with  some  seventy,  and  intimated  —  in  thi 
usual  hypothetical  case  or  the  Church  being  "throwi 
open"  — ■  what  kind  of  sermon  fic  would  have  givei 
them.  After  favouring  them  with  some  heads  of 
discourse,  be  remarked  that  he  considered  the  subjec 
of  the  day's  homily,  ill  chosen;  which  -was  tho  lei 
cusaUe,  he  added,  when  there  were  so  many  subjects^ 
"going  about." 

"True  again,"  said  Uncle  Pumblechook.  "You'v 
hit  it,  sir!  Plenty  of  subjects  going  about,  for  thera 
that  know  how  to  put  salt  upon  their  tails.  That's 
what's  wanted.  A  man  needn't  go  far  to  find  a  sub- 
ject, if  he's  ready  with  bis  salt-box."  Mr.  Pumblo^ 
idiook  added,  after  a  short  interval  of  reflection,  "Look 
lit  Pork  alone.  There's  a  subject!  If  you  want  a  sut 
ject,  look  at  Pork!" 

"True,   sir.     Many  a  moral  for  the  young," 

"  "  ^Wopale;  and  I  knew  ho  was  go™%.^^^ 


,  before  lie  said  it;  "might  be  deduced  irom  that 


1 


I*' You   listeii  to  this,"  said  my  sister  to  me,  in  a 

■  re  parenthesis.) 

Joe  gave  me  some  more  gravy. 
■'Swine,"  puTBiied  Mr.  Wopsle,  In  his  deepest  voice, 
;  pointing  liis  fork  at   my  blushes,   as  if'  lie  were 
litioning  my  ehristiau  name;  "Swine  were  the  com- 
.  linns  of  the  prodigal.    The  glattooy  of  Swine  is  put 
'..re  us,   as  an  example  to  the  young."     (1  thought 
•  pretty  well  in  him  who  had  been  praising  up  the 
k  for  being  bo   plump   and  juicy.)      "What  is  de- 
:;ilila  in  a  pig,  ia  more  detestable  in  a  boy." 
"Or  girl,"  fiuggeat«d  Mr.  Habble. 
"Of  course,    or  girl,    Mr.  Hubble,"   assented  Mr- 
]i^le,  rather  irritably,  "but  there  ia  no  girl  present." 
"Besides."   said  Mr.  Pumblochook,    turning  sharp 
me,    "think  what  you've  got  to  be  grateful  for.     If 
ii'd  been  bom  a  Squeaker  - — " 
"He  was,  if  ever  a  child  was,"  said  my  sister,  most 

!  ■  *^^y-  !"■    ' '  Z 

Joe  e*'''^  ">«  ^o'ws  ™0''e  gravy.  *-■ 

"Well,   but  I  mean  a  i'our^footed  Squeaker,"  said 
Pumblochook.    "If  you  bad  been  bom  such,  would 
.,  have  been  here  now?     Not  you  — " 
"Unless  in  that  form,''   said  Mr,  Wopale,  nodding 
:rds   the  dijh. 
■But  I  don't  mean  in  that  form,  sir,"  returned  Mr. 

■  I  lilccliook,  who  bad  an  objection  to  being  inter- 
.,..1;  "I  mean,  enjoying  himself  with  his  elders  and 
.-rs,  and  irajtioviug- himself  with  thoir  conversation, 

.    rol-li^r  '''  '^^  ''^P  of  lusury.       Would  he  bava 
,doii'S-  t^M?   No,  be  woalda't     And  what  "woviM 


^pM  SRHAT  BXI^OTATIOtm.  ^1 

^P  Iiave  been  your  deBtination?"  turning  on  me  agaiofl 

"You  would  hare  been  disposed  of  for  so  many  slu^| 

linga  according  to  tlie  market  price  of  the  article,  an^H 

Dunstable  the  butcher  would  have  eome  up  to  yon  ajH 

you  lay  in  your  straw,   and  he  would  have  whippe^H 

you  under  hia  left  arm,  and  with  his  right  he  wouI^| 

have  tucked  up  his  frock  to  get  a  penknife  from  oq^^ 

of  his  waistcoat-pocket,  and  he  would  have  shed  you^^ 

H^  ilood  and  had  your  life.      No   bringing  up   by  han3j|i 

^V&en.     Not  a  bit  of  it!"  I'l 

^H  Joe  offered  ma  more  gravy,  which  I  was  afraid  to  *' 

■  take.  '^ 

^V         "He  was  a  world  of  trouble  to  you,  ma'am,"  saict* 

^B  Mjs.  Hubble,  commiserating  my  sister.  * 

™  "Trouble?"    echoed  my  sister;    "trouble?"      And  ^ 

then  entered  on  a  feaxful  catalogue  of  all  the  iUnesaes 

I  had  been  guilty  of,  and  all  the  acts  of  sleepleaaness.j. 

X  had  committed,  and  all  the  high  places  I  had  tnmblod|i> 

from,  and  all  the  low  places  I  had  tumbled  into,  andii. 

all  the  injuries  I  had  done  myself,  and  all  the  timeflii; 

she  had  wished  me  in  my  grave  and  I  had  contnma-fj' 

ciously  refused  to  go  there.  . 

I  think  the  Bomans  must  have  aggravated  ondt  j 
another  very  much,  with  their  noses.  Perhaps,  thBy^|^ 
became  the  restless  people  they  were,  in  consequence,  t^i 

i  Anyhow,  Mr.  Wopsle's  Roman  nose  so  aggravated  me,  t 
'during  the  recital  of  my  misdomeanonrs^  that  I  should  \^ 
isvQ  liked  to  pull  it  until  he  howled.  But,  all  J  hadi 
endured  up  to  this  time,  was  nothing  in  comparison  ,, 
with  the  awful  feelings  that  took  possession  of  mu 
when  tho  jiause  was  broken  which  ensued  upon  my 
^g^fe^^  fflcftitt/.    and    in  whicli    paaaii  aveYsXnA-j  Vai^ 


M 


.  at  me  (as  I  fett  pajnfully  conscious)  with  in- 
1  and  ftbliorrence. 

,"    said   Mr.  Pnmblechook,    leading  the  com- 
I  gently  linek  to  the  theme  from  which  thay  had 
"Pork  —  regarded  as  biled  —  is  rich,  too; 
I  it?" 

f* Have  a  little  brandy,  uncle,"  said  my  sister. 
'  O  Heayetis,  it  had  come  at  last!    He  would  find  it 
"*M  weak,   ho  would  say  it  was  weak,  and  I  was  lost! 
held  tight  to  the  leg  of  the  table  under  the  cloth, 
itii  both  hands,  and  awMted  my  fate. 

My  sister  went  for  the  stoue  bottle,  came  back  with 
■  ■  stone  bottle,  and  poured  his  brandy  out:  no  one 
■■  taking  any.  The  wretched  man  tiifled  with  his 
^■J  —  took  it  up,  looked  at  it  through  the  light,  put 
■liiwn  —  prolonged  jay  mistry.  All  this  time,  Mrs. 
and  Joe  were  briskly  clearing  the  table  for.  the 
:iiid  pudding. 

I  couldn't  keep  ray  eyes  off  him.     Always  holding 

.  ill  by  the  leg  of  the  table  with  my  hands  and  feet, 

m'  the  miserable  creature  finger  his  glass  playfully, 

''  it  np,   smile,  throw  his  head  back,  and  drink  the 

inly  off.      Instantly  afterwards,    the  company  were 

..1.1    with   nnspeakable  consternation,   owing  to   his 

iiiging  to  his  feet,   turning  round   several  times  in 

!   iippalling    spasmodic  whooping-cough    dance,    and 

I    'inhiiig  out  at  the  door;  he  tlien  became  visible  through 

I  Ihe    window,    violently   plunging    and    expectorating, 

Firmking  the  most  hideous  faces,  and  apparently  out  of 

'  '  .  iTiind. 

t   held   on  tii^ht,   while  Mrs.  Joe  and  Joe  rsm  to 

J  d/do't  know  Low  I  Imd  ilono  it,    but  I  had 
■t  I  Juiil  aiurdered  Mm  gomehoy.      In  mj 


F 

■  and, 
^B  One  I 

m 


ataiiV  KspmsTAmom. 


I 


Mtnation,  it  was  a  relief  when  lie  was  brought  bact 
and,  surveying  the  company  all  ronnd  aa  if  the;/  hai 
idissgreed  with  him,  sank  down  into  his  chair  with  tU 
One  significant  gasp,  "Tar!" 

I  had  filled  up  the  bottle  from  the  tar-water  jiq 
I  knew  he  would  he  worse  by-and-by.  1  moved  ti 
table,  like  a  Medium  of  the  present  day,  by  the  vigom 
of  my  unseen  hold  upon  it. 

"Tar!"   cried  my  sister,    in  amazement.      "Whjl 
ADw  ever  conld  Tar  come  there?" 
I      But,  Uncle  Pumhieehook,  who  was  omnipotent  i 
that  kitchen,   wouldn't  hear  the  word,   wouldn't 
of  the  subject,  imperiously  waved  it  all  away  with  h 
hand,    and  asked  for  hot   gin-and- water.      My  eiste 
who  had  begun  to  be   alarmingly  meditative,   had  1 
employ  herself  actively   in  getting  the   gin,    the  hoi 
■water,  the  sugar,  and  the  lemon-peel,  and  mixing  them. '* 
For  the  time  at  least,  I  was  saved.     I  still  held  on  the'''* 
leg  of  the  table,  but  clutched  it  now  with  the  fervonr  ^ 
pf  gratitude.  *M 

By  degrees,  I  became  calm  enough  to  release  my  '•n 
graap  and  partake  of  pudding.  Mr.  Pumblechook  par-  ^. 
took  of  pudding.  All  partook  of  pudding.  The  courso  *« 
terminated,  and  Mr.  Pumblechook  had  begun  to  beam.*!; 
under  the  genial  influence  of  gin-and-Tvater.  I  began  ''* 
to  think  I  should  get  over  the  day,  when  ray  aistej" 
said  to  Joe,  "Clean  platea  —  cold."  j 

I  clutched  the  leg  of  the  table  again  immediately! 
and  pressed  it  to  my  bosom  as  if  it  had  been  the  conJ 
panion  of  my  youth  and  frjcud  of  my  soul.  I  foreaaia 
what  was  coming,    and  I  felt  that  this  time  I  reaUjI 

'  said  my  Biatei,  aAikftBam^  < 


1  her  best  grace,   "yon  must  tuste,  to  I 

a  delightful  and  delicious  present  of  Unc 
ink's!" 
hey!     Let  tLem  not  hope  to  taste  itl 

know,"  said  my  alster,  rising,  ' 

rouiy  pork  pie," 

^^mpany  tniu-miired  their  complimentB.    Unc 

}ok,  sensible  of  having  deserved  well  o 

.tures,  said  —  quite  vivacionsly,   all  thi 

—  "Well,  Mrs.  Joe,   we'll  do  our  best  6 

let  us  have  a  cut  at  this  same  pie." 

ster  went  out  to  get  it,     I  heard  he 

the  pantry.    I  saw  Mr.  Pumblechook  balance 

I  saw  re-awakening  appetite  in  the  Roman 

.'  Mr.  WopaJe.     I  beard  Mr.  Hubble  remark 

lit  of  savoury  pork  pie  would  lay  atop  of  any- 

CDuId  mention,  and  do  no  hiirm,"  and  I  heard 

,  "Ton  shall  have  some,  Pip."     I  have  never 

ilately  certain  whether  I  uttered  a  shrill  yell 

I,  merely  in  spirit,  or  in  the  bodily  bearing  of 

laiiy.     I  felt  that  I  could  bear  no  more,  and 

run  away.    I  released  the  leg  of  the  table, 

my  life. 

m  no  further  than  the  house  door,  for  there 
d  foremost  into  a  party  of  soldiers  with  their 
[one  of  whom  held  out  a  pair  of  handcuffs  to^ 
g:  "Here  you  are,  loyk  sharp,  come 


CnmA.T  EXPEOTATIOSS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

J  apparition  of  a  file  of  soldiers  ringing  dow 
ihe  butt-enda  of  their  loaded  n      ' 

caused  tLe  dinuer-party  to  rise  from  table  in  confiisiOM 
and   caused  Mrs.  Joe  re-enteiing-  the  kitchen  empty^ 
handed,    to    stop  short   aud  stare,    in    her  wonderinj 
lament  of  "Gracious  goodness  gracious  me,  what's 
—  with  the  —  pie!" 

The  sergeant  and  I  wore  in  the  kitchen  whei( 
Mrs.  Joe  stood  staring;  at  which  crisis  I  partially" 
recovered  the  use  of  my  senses.  It  was  the  sergeant  ' 
who  had  spoken  to  me,  and  he  was  now  looking^  round 
at  the  company,  with  hia  handcuffs  invitingly  extended 
towards  them  in  his  right  hand,  and  his  left  on  ray 
shoulder.  ^ 

"Excuse    me,    ladies    and    gentlemen,"    said    the  '» 
sergeant,  "but  as  I  have  mentioned  at  the  door  to  thiflJJ 
smart  young  shaver"  (which  he  hadn't), 
chase  in  the  name  of  the  King,  and  I  want  the  blacka 

"And    pray    what    might   you    want   with    himf 
retorted  my  sister,   quick   to  resent  hia  being  wanted  '( 
at  aU.  \ 

"Missis,"  returned  the  gallant  sergeant,  "speaking  ,^ 
for  myself,  I  shoald  reply,  the  honour  and  pleasure  of  1' 
his  fine  wife's  acquaintance;  speaking  for  the  King,  I  \i 
answer,  a  little  job  done." 

This  was  received  as  rather  neat  in  the  sergeants 
►.insomuch  that  Mr.  Pumblechook  cried  audibly,  "Goolf 
JtftfainJ" 


the  '<! 


Rthis  time  picked  oat  Joe  with  his  eye,  "wo  have 
H  ui  accident  with  these,  and  I  find  the  lock  of  one 
BW  goea  wrong,  and  tfa»  coupling  don't  act  pretty. 
Bdiey  are  wanted  for  immediate  service,  will  yoa 
Hjr  your  eye  over  theni?" 

^Boe  threw  bis  eye  over  thcni,  and  pronounced  that 

^Hib  wonld  necessitate  the  lighting'  of  his  forge  fire, 

^BrotUd  take  nearer  two  hours  than  one.     "Will  it? 

^H  will  you  set  about  it  at  once,  blacksmith,"  said 

^Hff-hand  sergeant,  "as  it's  on  hja  Majesty's  service. 

^Hif  my  men  can  be^r  a  hand  anywhere,   they'll 

^■S  themselves  aseful."     With  that,   he  called  to  his 

iiMi,    who   came  trooping  into  the  kitchen   one  after 

iiher,    and  piled  their  arms  in  a  comer.     And  then 

V  stood  about,  as  soldiers  do;  now,  with  their  hands 

■-*;ly  clasped  before  them;    now,  resting  a  knee  or  a 

'ulder;  now,  easing  a  belt  or  a  pouch;  now,  opening 

door  to  spit  stiffly  over  their  high  stocks,   out  into 

jVII  these  things  I  saw  without  then  knowing  that 
iw  thont,  for  I  was  in  an  agony  of  apprehension. 
.!  beginning  to  perceive  that  the  handcuffs  were  not 
.  ine,  and  that  the  military  had  so  far  got  the  better 
■■he  pic  as  to  put  it  in  the  background,  I  collected 
Jrilc  more  of  my  scattered  wits. 
"Would  you  give  me  the  Time?"  said  tho  sergeant, 
■reasing  himself  to  Mr.  Pumblechook,  as  to  a  man 
irie  appreciative  powers  justified  the  inference  that 
svas  equal  to  the  time. 
"It's  just  gone  haU'-paat  two." 

"Thnt'a  not  so  bad,"  sa/d  tho  sergeant,  reflectmg-, 
.  ;/  /  was  foroed  to  bait  hem  nigh  two  lioorB, 
"■  -  Mtw  At  mwAt_jg>it,  ^  yourselves  5ioi 


^*i! 


40  OSBAT  8XPnOTAT»»ra. 

the    marshes,     hereabouts?      Not    above 
reckon?" 

P"Just  a  mile,"  said  Mrs.  Joe. 
,     "That'll    do.      We    begin    to    close    in 
,    about    dusk.      A    little    boforo   dusk,    my  orders   are.H 
That'll  do." 

"Convicts,     sergeant?"     asked  Mr.  Wopsle, 
matter-of-course  way. 

"Ay!"  returned  the  sergeant,  "two.  They're  pretty 
well  known  to  he  out  on  tho  mnrsbes  still,    and  they. 
■won't  try  to  get  clear  of  'em  before  dusk.     Anybody;^ 
here  seen  anything  of  any  such  game?"  ^ 

^i.     Everybody,    myself  excepted,    said  no,   with  confi- ■ 
^Bpmce.     Kobody  thought  of  mo. 
^^-     "Weill"  said  the  sergeant,  "they'll  find  themselvea  J^ 
trapped  in  a  circle,   I  expect,   sooner  than  they  count    !• 
on.     Now,   blacksmith!     If  you're  ready,  His  Majesty  ^i* 
the  King  is."  *' 

Joe  had  got  his  coat  and  waistcoat  and  cravat  off,'*^ 
and  his  leather  apron  on,  and  passed  into  the  forge.  3 
One  of  the  soldiers  opened  its  wooden  windows,  another  ■ 
lighted  the  fii-e,  another  turned  to  at  the  bellows,  the  ''jb 
rest  stood  round  the  blaze,  which  was  soon  roaring.  \ 
Then  Joe  begun  to  hammer  and  clink,  hammer  and  S 
clink,  and  wo  all  looked  on.  V 

The  interest  of  the  impending  pui'suit  not  only  U 
absorbed  the  general  attention,  hut  even  made  my 
sister  liberal.  She  drew  a  pitcher  of  beer  from  the 
cask,  for  the  soldiers,  and  invited  the  sergeant  to  take 
a  glass  of  brandy.  But  Mr.  Pumbiechook  said,  sharply, 
"Give  him  wine,  mum.  I'll  engage  there's  no  Tar  in 
that:"  so,  the  sergeant  thanked  him  and  said  that  aaj 
^  jT^rred  bis   drink  without   tar,   ^e  -woiAi 


!]■■,  if  it  was  equally  convfnieiiL  Wlieu  it  was 
■11  liim,  he  driuik  bis  Mnjesty's  lieallli  nnd  Corapli- 
ii^.  of  the  Senson,  and  took  it  all  at  a  muutblul  auA 
ii-ked  Lis  lips. 

"Good  stuff,  eh,  aergoant?"  said  Mr.  Piiinlilechook. 
'TU    tell   you   something,"  retitmedthe  sergeant; 
"I  suspect  that  sfufTs  of  yo'ii"  providing." 

Mr-  PumLIecLook,  with  a  fat  sort  of  laugh,  said, 
■'Ay,  «y?      Why?" 

"Because,"    returned   tho  sergeant,    dapping    him 
Ki  the    shoulder,    "you're  a  man   that  knows   what's 

"D'ye  think  so?"  said  Mr.  Pomblechook,  with  his 
:iier  laugh.  "Have  another  glass." 
■•With  you.  Hob  and  nob,"  returned  the  sergeant. 
The  lop  of  mine  to  tho  foot  of  yotira  —  tho  foot  of 
piiirs  to  the  top  of  mine  —  Ring  once,  ring  twice  — 
ilip  beat  tune  on  the  Musical  Glasses!  Your  health. 
Sliiy  yon  live  a  thousand  years,  and  never  bo  a  worse 
"nlge  of  the  right  sort  than  you  are  at  the  present 
j"meiit  of  your  lifel" 

The  sergeant  tossed  off  his  glass  again  and  seemed 

i|aile    ready    for    another    glass.      I    noticed   that  Mr. 

fttniblccbook  in  his  hospitality  appeared  to  forget  that 

h  had  made  a  present  of  the  wine,  but  took  the  bottle 

frmn   Mrs,  Joe  and   had  all  the   credit  of  handing  it 

lAnmt  in  a  gush  of  joviality.     Even  I  got  some.     And 

be  was   so  very  free  of  the  wine  that  he  even  called 

ffir  the   other  bottle  and  handed  that   about  with  the 

riK-  liberality,  when  the  first  was  gone. 

As  I  watdied  them  while  they  aJ]  stood  cAuatetci 

1  jic  fia^  enjoying  themselves  so  mucli,  1  tiioug^A 

=*—fM«  good  Mace   for  a    dinner    my   SugV&T 


I 
f 


eKBSv  wcvB»tk'rmm. 

friend  on  tlie  marshes  was.  They  had  not  enjoyi 
themselvOB  a  qiiorter  ao  much,  hofore  the  entertainme 
■was  brightened  with  the  excitement  he  furnished.  Ai 
now,  when  they  were  all  in  lively  expectation  of  "tl 
two  villains"  being  tuJten,  and  when  the  belloi 
seemed  to  roar  for  the  fugitives,  the  fire  to  flare  fi 
them,  the  smoke  to  hurry  away  in  pursuit  of  ther 
Joe  to  hammer  and  clink  for  them,  and  all  the  marl 
shadows  on  the  wall  to  shake  at  them  in  menace  . 
the  lilaze  rose  and  sank  and  the  redhot  sparks  droppi 
and  died,  the  pale  afternoon  outside,  almost  seemed 
my  pitying  young  fancy  to  have  turned  pale  on  the 
aecoont,  poor  wretches. 

At  last,   Joe's  job  was  done,   and  the  ringing;  ai 
waring  stopped-     As  Joe  got  on  hia  coat,  he  mnaten 
courage  to  propose  that   some  of  us  should  go  doq 
with  the  soldiers  and  see  what  came  of  the  hunt.     M 
Pumblechook  and  Mr.  Hubble  declined,  on  the  plea 
B  pipe  and  ladies'   society;    but  Mr.  Wopsle   said   1 
would  go,    if  Joe  would.     Joe  said  ho  was  agreeabl 
and   he   would  take  me,    if  Mrs.  Joe  approved.     "W 
never  should  have  got  leave  to  go,  I  am  sure,  but  fc 
"MxB.  Joe's   curiosity  to  know  all  about  it  and  how 
ended.     As    it  was,    she  merely  stipulated,    "If  yi 
bring  the  hoy  back  with   his  head  blown  to  bits  h| 
a  musket,  don't  look  to  me  to  put  it  together  again. 

The  sergeant  took  a  polite  leave  of  the  ladies,  an 
parted  from  Mr.  Pumblechook  as  from  a  comradi 
though  I  doubt  if  he  were  quite  as  fully  sensible  i 
that  gentleman's  merits  under  olid  conditions,  as  whei 
something  moist  was  going.  His  men  resumed  thei 
musketfi  and  fell  in.  Mr.  Wopsle,  Joe,  and  I,  receivi 
the  tear,   oni  to  b\i«s^ 


^m 


mi  after  we  reached  the  marshes.  When  we  were 
lU  oat  in  the  raw  air  and  were  steadily  moving  to- 
nrds  our  biuinetis,  I  trcaBunably  whispered  to  Joe, 
'I  hope,  Joe,  we  shan't  find  thora."  And  Joe  wiiispered 
lu  me,    "I'd  give  n  shiUing  if  they  had  cut  and  run. 

We  were  joined  by  no  Btragglers  from  the  village, 
I'T  the  weather  was  cold  and  threatening,  the  way 
ilreary,  tlie  footing  bad,  darkness  coming  on,  and  the 
|>\iple  h&d  good  fires  in-doors  and  were  keeping  tbo 
itj.  A  few  faces  hurried  to  glowing  windows  and 
liii>kfd  after  us,  but  none  came  out.  We  passed  the 
(u{;er-iK>8t,  and  held  straight  on  to  the  churchyard. 
There,  we  were  stopped  a  few  minutes  by  a  signal 
him  the  Hergeant's  hand,  while  two  or  three  of  liis 
nen  dispersed  themselves  among  the  graves,  and  also 
riimined  the  porch.  They  came  in  again  without 
Sliding  anytliing,  and  then  we  struck  out  on  the  open 
Dumhes,  through  the  gate  at  the  side  of  the  church- 
jartL  A  bitter  sleet  come  rattling  against  us  here  on 
dp  east  wind,  and  Joe  took  me  on  his  back. 

Sow  that  we  were  out  upon  the  dismal  wildemesa 
they  little  thought  I  had  beou  within  eight  or 
3ar§  and  had  seen  both  men  hiding,  I  considered 

dio  first  time,  with  great  dread,  if  wo  should  come 
them,  would  my  particular  convict  suppose  that 
I  who  had  brought  the  soldiers  there?  He  had 
v^iicd  me  if  I  was  a  deceiving  imp,  and  he  had  said  I 
''luuld  be  B  fierce  young  hound  if  I  joined  the  hunt 

itBt  him.     Would  ho  believe  tliat  I  was  both 
hound  in    treachoroiw  caraest,    and  hail  betiajei 


44  RRi 

There  I  was,  on  Joe's  back,  and  there  was  Joe  benead 
mo,  chargiDg  at  the  ditches  like  a  hunter,  and  Btimu 
lating  Mr.  Wopsle  not  to  tumble  on  Lis  Roman  ii 
and  to  keep  up  with  us.  The  soldiers  were  in  fron 
of  us,  extended  into  a  pretty  wide  Hue  with  an  intervi 
between  man  and  man.  We  were  taking  the  course 
had  begun  with,  and  from  which  I  had  diverged  ; 
the  mist.  Either  the  mist  was  not  out  again  yet,  i 
the  wind  had  dispelled  it.  Under  the  low  red  glare  t 
sunset,  the  beacon,  and  the  gibbet,  and  the  mound  c 
the  Battery,  and  the  opposite  shore  of  the  river,  we 
plain,  though  all  of  a  watery  lead  colour. 

With  my  heart  thumping  like  a  blacksmith  , 
Joe's  broad  shoulder,  I  looked  all  about  for  any  stg 
of  the  convicts.  I  could  see  none,  I  could  hear  non 
Mr.  Wopsle  had  greatly  alarmed  me  more  than  one 
by  his  blowing  and  hard  breathing;  bat  I  knew  ti 
Bounds  by  tliis  time,  and  could  dissociate  them  fron 
the  object  of  pursuit,  I  got  a  dreadful  start,  when 
thought  I  heard  the  file  still  going;  but  it  was  only 
sheep  bell.  The  sheep  stopped  in  their  eating  anc 
looked  timidly  at  us;  and  the  cattle,  their  heads  tumet 
from  the  wind  and  sleet,  stared  angrily  as  if  they  hell 
US  responsible  for  both  annoyances;  but,  except  thes 
tilings,  and  the  shudder  of  the  dying  day  i 
blade  of  grass,  there  was  no  break  in  the  bleak  still 
ness  of  the  marshes. 

The  soldiers  were  moving  on  in  the  direction  o 
the  old  Battery,  and  we  were  moving  on  a  little  waj* 
behind  them,  when  all  of  a  sudden,  we  all  stopped; 
For  there  bad  reached  us  on  the  wings  i  "  ' 
I  long  shout.     It  was  repeated. 


.    there    seemed  to  be  two  ur  more   sliouta  mined 
.  -ln'T  —  if  one  might  judge  from  a  confusion  in  the 
4, 

I'vi  this  effect  the  sergeant  and  the  nearest  men  were 
ikiug  nnder  their  breath,  when  Joe  and  I  came  up. 

■  I  another  moment's  liflteniag,  Ji)e  (who  was  a  good 
_'  ,1  agreed,  and  Mr.  Wopsle  (who  was  a  bad  judge) 

.'d.      The   sergeant,   a  decisive  man,   ordered  that 

-■■und  should  not  be  answered,  but  that  the  course 

:ir!    be   changed,    and  that  his  men  should  mahe 

■ida  it  "at  the  double."    So  wo  slanted  to  the  right 

re  the  East  was),  and  Joe  pounded  away  so  wou- 

iilly,  that  I  had  trt  hold  on  tight  to  keep  my  seat. 

Ir  was  a  run  indeed  now,  and  what  Joe  eallcd,  in 

iiily  two  words  he  spoke  all  the  time,  "a  Winder." 

Ml  banks  and  up  banks,  and  over  gates,  and  splash- 

.  uito  dykes,  and  breaking  among  course  rushes:  no 

I  cared  whore  ho  went.     As  we  camo  nearer  to  the 

'boiiliiig,    it   became  more   and  more  apparent  that  it 

tas  made  by  more  than  one    voice.      Sometimes,    it 

temied  to  stop  altogether,  and  tlien  the  soldJcr.s  stop- 

}      When  it  broke  ont  again,  the  soldiers  made  for 

1  a  greater  rate  than  ever,  and  we  after  them. 
!■  a  while,  we  had  so  run  it  down,  that  we  could 
.me  voice  calling  "Murder!"  and  another  voice, 
.iivicts!  Runawaysl  Guard!  This  way  for  the  ran- 
■,-   convicts!"   Then  both  voices  would  seem  to  be 

■  ,1  in  a  straggle,  and  then  would  break  out  again. 

■  1  when  it  had  come  to  this,   the  soldiers  ran  like 
I.  and  Joe  too. 
The  sergemit  ran  in  Srst,    when    we   had  run   t\ie 

ygg^E^f  iiis  men  ran  in   cVoaa 


QBBA.T  SSTBCTAnnaSB. 

upon  him.      Their   pieces    were    cocked   and  levi 
■when  we  all  ran  in. 

"Here  are  both  men!"  panted  the  sergeant,  B^ 
gling  at  the  bottom  of  a  ditch.  "Surrender,  you; 
and  confound  you  for  two  wild  boasts !  C 
asunder!" 

Water  waa  Bplashing,  aud  mud  wae  flying, 
oaths  were  being;  sworn,  and  blows  were  being  st» 
when  some  more  men  went  down  into  the  ditch  to 
the  sergeant,  and  dragged  out,  separately,  my  eo^ 
and  the  other  one.  Both  were  bleeding  and  pan 
and  execrating  and  struggling-,  but  of  course  I  k 
them  both  directly. 

"Mind!"  said  my  conviet  wiping  blood  fi^m. 
face  with  his  ragged  sleeves,    and  shaking  torn 
from  his  fingers;  "/took  hira!  /give  him  up  to  y 
Mind  that!" 

"It's  not  muck   to  be  particular  about," 
sergeant;  "it'll  do  you  small  good,  my  man,  bein^ 
the  same  plight  yourself.     Handcuffs  there!" 

"I  don't  expect  it  to  do  me  any  good, 
want  it  to  do  me  more  good  than  it  does  now," 
my  convict,  with  a  greedy  laugk.  "I  took  him. 
knows  it.     That's  enough  for  me," 

The  other  convict  was  livid  to  look  at,  and,  i 
ditlon  to  the  old  bruised  left  side  of  his  face,  seal 
to  be  bruised  and  torn  all  over.  He  could  not  s 
aa  get  his  breath  to  speak,  until  they  were  both  a 
rately  handcuffed,  hut  leaned  upon  a  soldier  to  i 
himself  from  falling. 
—  "Take  notice,  guard  —  he  tried  to  murder  ^ 
'  *H  first  words. 
^Ried  to  murder  1; 


a 

■  "Try,  and  not  do  it?  I  took  him,  and  giv'  him 
iliat's  what  I  done.  I  not  only  prevented  him 
g  off  the  raareheB,  but  I  dragged  him  here  — 
d  him  tiiis  far  en  his  way  hack,  lie's  a,  gen- 
ii, if  you  please,  thla  villain.  Now,  the  Hulks  has 
itleman  again,  through  me.  Murder  himV 
Is  my  while,  too,  to  murder  him,  when  I  could  do 
IB  »im1  drag  him  back!" 

e  other  one  still  gasped,  "He  tried  —  he  tried 
b  —  murder  me.  Bear  —  hear  witness." 
PLiwkee  here!"  said  my  convict  to  the  sergeant. 
We-imnded  I  got  clear  of  the  prison-ship;  I  made 
i  md  I  done  it.  I  could  ha'  got  clear  of  these 
■cold  flats  likewise  —  look  at  my  leg  y  u  T^ont 
Jnnch  iron  on  it  —  if  I  hadn't  miJe  d  scovtry 
a  here.  Let  /iw»  go  freoi'  Let  /«  i  proht  by 
i  I  found  out?  Let  him  make  a  tool  t  me 
i  Bgaini"  Once  more?  No,  no,  no  If  I  had 
Fst  the  bottom  there;"  and  he  made  an  emphatic 
!"'iii?  at  the  ditch*with  his  manacled  hands,  1  d  have 
I  to  him  with  that  grip,  that  you  should  have  hcon 
■  (II  find  him  in  my  hold." 

The  other  fugitive,  who  was  evidently  in  oitremo 
"II'  of  Ids  companion,  repeated,  "lie  tried  to  murder 
1  should  have  been  a  dead  man  if  you  had  not 
■■  up." 
Ho  lies!"  said  my  convict,  with  fierce  energy. 
'  s  a  Ijitr  bom,  and  he'll  die  a  liar.  Look  at  hia 
,  iiin't  it  written  there?  Let  him  turn  those  eyea  oi 
.ji  mi?.     I  defy  him  to  do  it." 

I'lui    other,   with   an  effort  at  n  eeoniful  Biuile  — 

(i  con!J  oof,  however,   collect  the  nervous  worUVng 

li^oatl,  into  anyjtt  expresBlon  —  looked  sX  \\ie 


4%  oasAT  BXPBOVAfCIOtffil. 

soldiers,    and  looked  about  at  the  marsLes  and  at  tl 
sky,  but  certainly  did  not  look  at  the  speaker. 

"Do  you  see  him?"  purbued  my  convict  "Do  y< 
see  what  a  villain  he  is?  Do  you  see  those  grovellii 
and  wandering  eyesl'  That's  how  he  looked  whi 
we  were  tried  together.     He  never  looked  at  me." 

The  other,  always  working  his  dry  lips  a 
ing  his  eyes  restlessly  about  him  far  and  near,  did  i 
last  turn  them  for  a  moment  on  the  speaker,  with  tl 
words,  "You  are  not  much  to  look  at,"  and  with 
half-taunting  glance  at  the  bound  hands.  At  that  poin 
my  convict  became  so  frantically  exasperated,  that  h 
would  have  rushed  upon  him  but  for  the  iuterpoaitio 
of  the  soldiers.  "Didn't  I  tell  you,"  said  the  otha 
convict  then,  "that  he  would  murder  me,  if  he  could? 
And  any  one  could  see  that  he  shook  with  fear,  an 
that  there  broke  out  upon  his  lips,-  curious  white  flakec 
like  thin  snow. 

"Enough  of  this  parley,"  said  the  sergeant.  "Ligh 
those  torches," 

As  one  of  the  soldiers,  who  carried  a  basket  in  liei 
of  a  gun,  went  down  on  his  knee  to  open  it,  my  con 
vict  looked  round  him  for  the  first  time,  and  saw  me 
I  had  alighted  froiu  Joe's  back  on  the  brink  of  thi 
ditch  when  we  came  up,  and  had  not  moved  since, 
looked  at  him  eagerly  when  ho  looked  at  me,  ant 
slightly  moved  my  hands  and  shook  my  head.  I  hat 
been  waiting  for  him  to  soe  me,  that  I  might  ti-y  to 
assure  him  of  my  innocence.  It  was  not  at  all  expres' 
sed  to  me  that  ho  even  comprehended  my  intention, 
lor  ho  gave  me  a  look  that  I  did  not  understand,  ,'and 
it  a}l  jiassed  in  a  moment.  But  if  he  Lad  looked  at 
|-^^W.tfg-<a  hmiT  ta  for  a  day,  I  con\i  atA  ^jctss 


GREAT  KXraoTATiotm,  49 

I    ilia    face  ever  afterwards,    ns  having  been  more 

III.?  snltli<!r  with  tlie  bftskpt  Motrn  got  a  liplit,  and 
I  il  three  or  four  torches,  and  took  one  himself  and 
itiiited  the  others.  It  had  been  almost  dark  before, 
.  ii.iw  it  seemed  quite  dark,  and  soon  afterwards  very 
rli.  Bcfitre  we  departed  from  that  spot,  four  aoldiera 
filing  iu  a.  ring,  fired  twice  into  the  air.  Presently 
~.i.»'  other  torches  kindled  at  some  distance  behind 
inii  others  on  tlie  marshes  on  the  opposite  bank  of 
iin?r,  "All  right,"  said  the  sergeant.  "March." 
\Vli  had  not  gone  far  when  three  cannon  were  fired 
il  of  uB  with  a  Boand  that  aeemed  to  burst  some- 
:l'  inside  my  ear.  "Ton  are  expected  on  board," 
t)ie  Bcrgeant  to  my  convict;  "they  know  you  are 
.'i(;r-  Don't  straggle,  my  man.  Close  up  here." 
riie  two  were  kept  apart,  and  each  walked  sur- 
ii-d  hy  a  separate  guard.  I  had  hold  of  Jou'a 
■  now,  and  Joe  carried  one  of  the  torches.  Mr. 
,.-le  had  been  for  going  back,  but  Joe  was  resolved 
■V  it  ont,  so  wo  went  on  with  the  party.  There 
^1  reasonably  good  path  now,  mostly  on  the  edge 
,,.  river,  with  a  ilivergenoe  here  and  therO  whei-e  a 
t-ame,  with  a  miniature  windmill  on  it  and  a 
(v  BluicB-gate.  When  I  looked  round,  I  conid 
:lie  other  lights  coming  in  after  us.  The  torches 
^irried,  dropped  great  blotches  of  fire  upon  the 
.,  and  I  could  see  those,  too,,  lying  smoking  and 
i:.'.  I  coald  see  nothing  else  but  black  darkness. 
li^-hts  warmed  the  air  abont  us  with  their  jitcliy 
.  and  the  two  prisoners  aeemed  rather  to  like  th&t, 
1  the  midst  of  the  muaketa.  "S^e 
?  of  their  lameness ,  ani  they 


80  BBEAT  BTPECTATIONS. 

were  so  spent,  tliat  two  or  three  times  we  had  to  hi 
■while  they  rested. 

After  aa  hour  or  so  of  tliia  travelling,  wo  came 
a  rongh  wooden  hut  and  a  landing-place.  There  w 
a  guard  in  the  hut,  and  they  cliaUenged,  and  the  w 
geant  answered.  Then,  wo  went  into  the  hut  wh« 
there  was  a  sniell  of  tobacco  and  whitewash,  and 
bright  fire,  and  a  lamp,  and  a  stand  of  muskets,  ai 
a  drum,  and  a  low  wooden  bedstead,  like  an  ovei^on 
mangle  without  the  machinery,  capable  of  holdii 
about  a  dozen  soldiers  all  at  once.  Three  or  four  si 
diers  who  lay  upon  it  in  their  great-coats,  were  n 
ranch  interested  in  ua,  but  jnst  lifted  their  heads  ai 
took  a  sleepy  stai-c,  and  then  lay  down  again.  T 
aergeant  made  some  bind  of  report,  and  some  entry 
book,  and  then  the  convict  whom  I  call  the  uth^ 
ivict  was  drafted  off  with  his  guard,  to  go  on  board 


K«b 


My  convict  never  looked  at  me,  except  that  once. 
While  we  stood  in  the  hot,  he  stood  before  the  flra 
looking  thoughtfully  at  it,  or  putting  up  his  feet  by 
turns  upon  the  hob,  and  lookiug  thouglitfully  at  them 
as  if  he  pitied  them  for  their  recent  adventuren.  Sud- 
denly, he  turned  to  the  sergeant,  audJremarked; 

"I  wish  to  say  something  respecting  this  cs<:ij,i>. 
It  may  prevent  some  persons  laying  under  susj)iciiin 
alonger  me." 

"You  can  say  what  you  like,"  j-etumed  the  ser- 
geant, standing  coolly  looking  at  him  with  his  arms 
folded,  "but  you  have  no  call  to  say  it  here.  You'll 
have  opportunity  enough  to  say  about  it,  and  hear 
about  it,  before  it's  done  with,  yoa  kTio>N." 

"I  know,    bat  this  is  another  pint,  a.  &e\ia.T».'i*,  wv».\/ 


^^m^  anakt  fHtvBovATiOM.  &t 

^HA   toau   can't  bitarve;   at  least    /  can't-      T  took 
^Kwittles,  up  at  the  willage  over  yonder  —  where 
^^hucfa  stands  a'most  out  on  the  marshes." 
^Hfou  mean  Gtole,"  said  the  sergeant. 
^^Knd  I'll  tell  you  where  from.     From  the  hlack- 

^^balioal"  said  the  sergeant,  staring  at  Joe. 

^^■alloa,  Pip!"  said  Joe,  staring  at  nie. 

^^K  was  some  hroken  wittles  —  that's  what  it  was 

^^K  a  dram  of  liquor,  and  a  pie." 

^^HftT6  you  happened  to   miss  such  an  article  as  a 

^■acksmith?"  aaked  the  iiergeant,  contideutially. 

^^Wy  trifo  did,  at  the  very  moment  when  you  came 

^^um't  yon  know,  Pip?" 

^^Bo,"  8^d  my  convict,  turning  hia  oyea  on  Joe  in 

fTmoody  manner,  and  without  the  least  glance  at  me; 
"  you're  the  blacksmith,  are  you?  Then  I'm  sony 
■  ^^y,  Fve  eat  your  pie." 

"God  knows  you're  welcome  to  it  — ■  bo  far  as  it 
I  ever  mine,"  returned  Joe,  with  a  saving  remem- 
..ii?e  of  Mrs.  Joe.  "We  don't  know  what  you  have 
.II',   hut  we  wouldn't  have  you  starved  to  death  for 

\  poor  miserable  I'ellow-creatur.  —  Would  us,  Pip?" 
'ITie  something  that  I  had  noticed  before,  clicked 


■  throat  again,    and   he  turned  his  back. 

\\f  (joat  had  returned,  and  hia  guard  were  ready,  so 

t'oflowad   him  to  the  landing-place  made  of  rough 

■■s    and   stones,    and  saw   him  put  into  the    boat, 

■  li  was  rowed  by  a  crew  of  convicts  like  himself. 

iiio  seemed  surprised  to  see  him,  or  interested  m 

1^  him,  or  £-}ad  to  see  bun,   or  sorry  to  see  "Vmn, 

jH'kD  »  woni,   except  that  somebody   in  the  boali 

.^/  aaifto  dogs.      "Give  way,  you!"  which  wa» 


r 


■62  sbBAt  BXpaotATrwffl, 

the  signal  for  the  dip  of  the  oara.  By  the  light  of 
torches,  we  saw  the  black  Hulk  lying  out  a  little  ^^ 
from  the  mud  of  the  shore,  like  a  wicked  Noah's  e 
Cribbed  and  barred  and  moored  by  mabaive  ni 
chains,  the  prisonship  Boemeil  in  ray  young  eyes  to 
ironed  like  the  prisoners.  We  aaw  the  boat  go  alo 
side,  and  we  saw  him  taken  up  the  side  and  disappt 
Then,  the  ends  of  the  torches  were  flung  hissing  i 
the  water,    and  went  oat,    as  if  it  were  all  over  « 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Mt  state  of  mind  regarding  the  pilfering  from,  whj 
|.I  had  been  so  unexpectedly  exonerated,  did  not  im 
E  me  to  frank  disclosure;  but  I  hope  it  had  some  difi 
r  of  good  at  the  bottom  of  it. 

"  I  not  recal  that  I  felt  any  tenderness  of  ( 
["  science  in  reference  to  Mrs.  Joe,  when  the  fear  of  b« 
t  was  lifted  off  me.     But  I  loved  Joe  —  -^ 
''h&pa  for  no  better  reason  in  those  early  days  than  fc 
cause  the  dear  fellow  let  me  love  him  —  and, 

iimer  self  was  not  so  easily  composed.  It  w 
much  upon  my  mind  (particulwly  when  I  first  saw  hi 
looking  about  for  liis  tile)  that  I  ought  to  tell  Joe  t 

►whole  truth.  Yet  I  did  not,  and,  for  the  reason  that 
mistrusted  that  if  I  did,  he  would  think  mo  wurse  t 
I  was.  The  tear  of  losing  Joe's  confidence,  and 
thenceforth  sitting  in  Iho  chimney  comer  at  night  st 
ring  drearily  at  my  for  ever  lost  companion  and  friea 
tied  np  my  tongue.  I  morbidly  represented  to  mysi 
fise  if  Joe  knew  it,  1  never  afterwards  could  see  hi 
3/  tie  Hreside  feeihig  Ids  fair  -wiBkeii  VaAuj-mS.  "Sm! 


bat  lie  w»B  meclitating  on  it.  Tliat,  if  Joe  knew 
uever  aAerwards  i^nulil  see  liini  glance,  however 
illy,  nt  yeBterilay's  ment  or  pudfling  when  it  ttimfi 
i-daj'a  table,  without  thinking  that  lie  was  debating 
lier  I  had  been  in  the  pantry.  That,  if  Joe  knew 
iiid  at  any  subsequent  ^leriod  of  our  joint  domestic 
remarked  that  his  heer  was  flat  or  thick,  the  con- 
that  he  suspected  Tar  in  it,  would  bring  a  rash 
id  to  my  facp.  In  a  word,  I  waa  too  cowardly 
■hat  I  knew  to  he  right,  as  I  had  been  too 
ly  to  avoid  doing  what  I  knew  to  be  wrong.  I 
had  no  intercourae  with  the  world  at  that  time, 
itated  nonu  of  its  many  inhabitants  who  act  in 
manlier.  Quite  an  untaught  genius,  I  made  the 
oceiy  of  the  line  of  action  for  myself. 
Ab  I  was  sleepy  before  we  were  far  away  from  the 
"  ip,  Joe  took  me  on  his  back  again  and  carried 
!,  He  must  have  had  a  tiresome  journey  of  it, 
■- Wopale,  being  knocked  up,  wa§  in  such  a  very 
temper  that  if  the  Church  had  been  thrown  open, 
'-.-'■iild  jirobably  have  excommunicated  the  whole  ex- 
'lition,  beginning  with  Joe  and  myself.  In  his  lay 
^[lacity,  lie  persisted  in  sitting  down  in  the  damp  to 
■Kh  an  inanne  extent,  that  when  his  coat  was  taken 
oiT  to  be  dried  at  the  kitchen  Are,  the  circumstantial 
#ideuce  on  bis  trousers  wotdd  have  hanged  him  if  it 
I  (!  been  ft  capital  ofFence. 

I  By  tbat  time,  I  was  staggering  on  the  kitchen  floor 
5  a  little  drunkard,  through  having  been  newly  set 
n  my  feet,  and  through  having  been  fast  aalfcey, 
'  thruugh  waking-  hi  the  heat  and  lights  and  iioV&e 
J*/  eame  to  mysdf  (with  the  aid  o?  a. 
-  iie  shoulders,  and  the  restoratW* 


the  I 


64  OfRBiT  GXPBtlTATIOHS. 

exclamation  "Yah!  Was  there  ever  hucIi  a  boy 
firom  my  Bister)  I  foond  Joe  telling  them  about 
viet'B  confeaaion,  and  all  theyisitora  suggesting' 
ways  by  which  he  had  got  into  the  pantr 
Pumblechook  made  out,  aft«r  carefully  Burvej 
premises,  that  he  had  first  got  upon  the  roo' 
forge,  and  had  theu  got  upon  the  roof  of  th) 
ami  had  then  let  himself  down  the  kitchen  chin 
a  ropo  mode  of  hia  bedding  cut  into  strips;  ai 
Pumblechook  was  very  positive  and  drove 
chaiae-cart  —  over  everybody  —  it  waa  agrei 
must  be  so.  Mr.  Wopsle,  indeed,  wildly  ci 
"No!"  with  the  feeble  malice  of  a  tired  man; 
he  had  no  theory,  and  no  coat  on,  he  was  nnan 
set  at  naught  —  not  to  mention  hia  smoking  f 
hind,  as  he  stood  with  hja  hack  to  the  kitchei 
draw  the  damp  out:  which  waa  not  calculated  to 
confidence. 

Thia  was  all  I  heard  that  night  before  m 
clutched  me,  as  a  slumberous  offence  to  the  co' 
eyesight,  and  assisted  mo  up  to  bed  with  anch  i 
hand  that  I  seemed  to  have  fifty  boots  on,  an 
dangling  them  all  against  the  edges  of  the  stai: 
state  of  ^mind,  as  I  have  described  it,  began 
was  up  in  the  morning,  andlasted  long  after  the 
had  died  out,  and  had  ceased  to  bo  mentionoc 
on  exceptional  occasions. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

i  time  when  I  etood  in  the  chtirchyard,  read- 

mily  tombstones,   I  had  just  enough  learning 

3)le  to  Bpell  them  out.     My  constniction  even  of 

'mple  meaning  was  not  very  correct,   for  I  read 

f  the  Above"  as  a  complimentary  reference  to 

flier's  oxaltation  to  a  better  world;    and  if  any 

ly  deceased  relations  had  heeu  referred  to  as 

I  have  no  doubt  I  should  have  formed  the 

bpimons  of  that  member  of  the  family.    Neither, 

y  notions  of  the  theological  positions   to  which 

echism  bound  me,  at  all  accurate;  for,  I  have  a 

memhrance  that  I  supposed  my  declaration  that 

"walk  in  the  same  all  the  days  of  my  life," 

B  tinder  an  obligation  always  to  go  through  the 

K  from  onr  house  in  one  particular  direction,    and 

>  vary  it  by  turning  down  by  the  wheelwright's 

r  the  mill. 

1 1  was  old  enough,  I  was  to  bo  apprenticed 

and  until  I  could  assume  that  dignity  I  was 

1  be  what  Mi-a,  Joe  called  "Pompeyed,"   or  (as  I 

■  r  it)  pampered.     Therefore,   I  was  not  only  odd- 

ibont  the  forge,  but  if  any  neighbour  happened  to 

i  an  extra  boy  to  frighten  birds,  or  pick  up  stones, 

.1  nay  such  job,   I  was  favoured  with  the  employ- 

Tti    order,    however,   that  our  superior  position 

it  not  be  compromised  thereby,   a  money-box  was 

on    the   kitchen  mantelshelf,    into  which  it  was 

]i:]y    made    'known    that    all    my    eammga   ■wets 

■..:l    I  have  Ml  imjiression  that  they  -were  to  ^je, 

■^IJI^eeataaJIjr  towards    the    IIr|iiidatiott  oi  ^M 


^HTatioaal  Dolit,   liut  I  know  I  had  uo  liopc  of  any  pea 
^Hpnal  participation  in  the  treasure.  J 

^T  Mr,  Wopsle'n  great-aunt  kept  an  eTening  school  ■ 
B|^B  Tillage;  tliat  is  to  say,  she  was  a  ridiculons  « 
r  Irmnan  of  limited  means  and  unlimited  infirmity,  wffl 
used  to  go  to  sleep  from  six  to  seven  every  eveninj 
in  the  society  of  youth  who  paid  twopence  per  w%m 
each,  for  the  improving  opportunity  of  seeing  her  « 
it.  She  rented  a  small  cottage,  and  Mr.  Wopsle  hfi| 
the  room  up-stairs,  where  we  students  used  to  overhei 
hira  reading  aloud  in  a  most  dignified  and  terrific  mai 
ner,  and  occasionally  bumping  on  the  ceiling.  Th€a 
was  a  fiction  that  Mr.  Wopale  "examined"  the  sckolfti! 
once  a  quarter.  What  he  did  on  those  occasions,  wi 
to  turn  up  his  cuffs,  stick  np  his  hair,  and  give  i 
Mark  Antony's  oration  over  the  body  of  Csesar.  Th 
was  always  followed  by  Collins'a  Ode  on  the  Pa 
aions,  wherein  I  particularly  venerated  Mr.  Wopsle 
Kevengo,  throwing  his  blood-stain'd  sword  in  thundei 
down,  and  taking  the  War  denouncing  trumpet  with 
withering  look.  It  was  not  with  me  then,  as  it  w 
later  life;  when  I  fell  into  the  society  of  the  Pasi 
and  compared  them  with  Collins  and  Wopsle,  rather  to 
the  disadvantage  of  both  gentlemen. 

Mr.  Wopslo'fl  great-aunt,  besides  keeping  this  Educar 
tional  Institution,  kept  —  in  the  same  room  —  a  littli 
general  shop.  She  had  no  idea  what  stock  she  had! 
or  what  the  price  of  anything  in  it  was;  but  there  wa^ 
a  little  greasy  memorandum-book  kept  in  a  drawer,' 
which  served  as  a  Catalogue  of  Prices,  and  hy  thid 
oracle,  Biddy  arranged  all  the  shop  transactions.  Biddy 
»vis  A/r.   Wopsle's  ^eat-aunt's  granddaughter-,  1  caafcaa 


owiniiv  '^vt&fi.rmvt.  ST 

relation   sbe  was   to  Mr,  "Wopsli?.      Slio   was   an 
like  myael)';  like  mc,  too,  had  been  Ijronghl  up 

id-  She  was  most  noticeable,  I  thought.  In  re- 
of  her  extremities;  for,  her  hair  always  wanted 
lag,  her  liands  always  wanted  washing,  and  her 
-a  always  vanted  mending  and  pulling  np  at  heel. 
>  description  must  be  received  with  a  week-day 
tation.  On  Sundays,  she  went  to  church  elaborated. 
Much  of  my  iinasBisted  self,  and  more  by  the  help 
'■iddy  than  of  J£r.  Wopslc's  great-aunt,  I  struggled 
ii^li  the  alphabet  as  if  it  had  been  a  biamble-bush; 
jng  considerably  worried  and  scratched  by  every 
■r.  Ai'tor  that,  1  fell  among  those  thieves,  the  nine 
res,  who  seemed  every  evening  to  do  something" 
lo  disguise  themselvea  and  baffle  recognition.  But, 
ii-it  I  began,  in  a  purblind  groping  way,  to  read, 
:u,  and  cipher,  on  the  very  smallest  scale. 
One  night,  I  was  sitting  in  the  chimney  corner  with 
slate,  expending  great  effoits  on  the  production  of 
tter  to  Joe.  I  think  it  must  have  been  a  full  year 
r  our  hunt  upon  the  mar.'ihes,  for  it  was  a  long  time 
r,  and  it  was  winter  and  a  hard  frost.  With  an 
Liibet  on  the  hearth  at  my  feet  for  reference,  I  eon- 
•■■1  in  an  hour  or  two  to  print  and  amear  this 
Ktle: 
id  dbEr  jo  i  opE  U  r  krWitE  wEll  i  opE  i 

BoN  B  baBelL  4  2  teeDgb  U  JO  aN  thbN 
BoOitt.  B  aO  glOod  aN  wBn  i  M  pkeNgtD  2  u 
ToT  lakX  an  blEvE  me  mF  xn  PiP." 
fTicre  was  no  inJispensable  necessity  for  my  c<na.- 
'■'''^SiJ'''^  ''^  *-*'  ■'^"'''■'  inasmuch   as  he  sat  \ief- 
^"=-*fff^»«jj|  Blone.     But,    I  delivered  ftA 


pits  (HtKAT  EXPSOTATIOHB. 

writteu    commimicatioa  (slato    and    all)    with  my 

band,  and  Joe  received  it  as  a  miracle  of  cradition. 

I  "I  say,  Pip,  old  chap!"  cried  Joe,  opening  hia 

eyes  wide,  "what  a  scholar  you  are!  An't  you?" 

"I  should  liko  to  be,"  said  I,  glancing  at  the  i 

I    as  he  held  it;    with  a  miBgivlng  that  the  writing 

rather  hilly. 
I  "Why,    bore's  a  J,"   said  Joe,    "and 

[  anythink!    Here's  a  J    and   a  0,    Pip,    and   a  J 

Joe." 

I  I  had  never  heard  Joe  read  aloud  to  any  groi 

'  extent  than  this  monosyllable,  and  I  had 
church  last  Sunday  when  I  accidentally  held  our  Prayi 
Book  upside  down,  that  it  seemed  to  suit  bis 
venienee  quite  as  well  as  if  it  bad  been  all  i 
Wishing  to  embrace  the  present  occasion  of  finding;  c 
whether  in  teaching  Joe  I  should  have  to  begin  qn 
at  the    beginning,    I  said,    "Ah!    But  read  the  rg 

"The  rest,  eh,  Pip?"  said  Joe,  looking  at  it  w 
a  slowly  searching  eye,  "One,  two,  three.  Wi 
here's  three  Js,  and  three  Oh,  and  three  J-0,  Joes 
it,  Pip!" 

I  leaned  over  Joe,  and,  with  the  aid  of  my  fo 
finger,  read  him  the  whole  letter. 

"Astonishing!"  said  Joe,  when  I  had  finish 
"Tou  AHB  a  scholar." 

"How  do  you  spell  Gargery,   Joe?"    I  asked 
with  a  TDodest  patronage. 

"I  don't  spell  it  at  all,"  said  Joe. 

"Bat  supposing  you  did?" 

"It  can't  be  auppoBcd,"  said  Joe. 
f  reading,  \too." 


L''Are 


Jr.e?' 


B'Oii-coiiimon.     Give  me,"  said  Joe,  "a  good  book, 

Bgood  ne^T^paper,  and  sit  me  down  afore  a  good 

f  and  I  ask  no  better.     Lord!"  he  uontiuued,  after 

^  hia  knees  a  little,  "when  you  do  come  to  a  J 

|tO,  and  says  you,  'Here,  at  last,  is  a  J-0,  Joo,' 

iateresting  reading  is!" 

Ederived  from  this,  that  Joe'e  edncation,  like  Steam, 

■yet  in  its  infancy.     Pursuing  the  subject,  I  in- 


aie?" 


r  go  to  school,  Joe,  when  you  were 


"No,  Pip." 

"Why  didn't  you  ever  go  to  school,  Joo,  when 
■iti  were  as  little  as  me?" 

"Well,  Pip,"  said  Joe,  taking  up  the  poker  and 
itling  himself  to  his  usual  occupation  when  he  was 
Mi^^htful,  of  slowly  raking  the  fiie  between  the  lower 
I-:  "ril  teU  you.  My  father,  Pip,  he  were  g^iveu  to 
■d\k,  and  when  he  were  overtook  with  drink,  he  bam- 
lyd  away  at  my  mother,  moat  oamerciful.  It  were 
!iiost  the  only  hammering  he  did,  indeed,  'xcepting 
myBelf,  And  he  hammered  at  me  with  a  wigour 
p  to  be  equalled  by  the  wigour  witb  which  he  didn't 

loer  at  bis  anwil.  —  You're  a  listening  and  under- 

,  Pip?" 

1,  Joe." 
"Consequence,  my  mother  and  mo  we  ran  away 
from  ray  father,  several  times;  and  then  my  mother 
,ij'd  go  out  to  work,  and  she'd  say,  'Joe,'  she'd  say, 
■  A',  please  God,  you  abaU  have  some  schooling,  diiVl,' 
;  sbs'dput  me  to  sobaol.  But  laj  father  weie  fti3.t 
^i^ht.  A„^  that  be  couldn't  ahtar  to   te   WithoxA 


p 


PIO  WfflAT  HiFBOTATftHW. 

8u,  lie'd  come  with  a  most  tremenjous  crowd  a 
make  such  a  row  a.t  the  doors  of  the  houses  vhere 
was,  that  they  used  to  be  obligated  to  have  no  ww 
[(h  us  and  to  give  ua  up  to  him.  And  th 
lie  took  ns  homo  and  hammered  us.  Which,  you  b 
,f  ip,"  Ba.id  Joe,  pausing  in  bis  meditative  raking  of  ^ 
'f-Sre,  and  looking  at  me,  "were  a  drawba^ik  on  : 
learning." 

"Certainly,  poor  Joel" 

"Though  mind  you,  Pip,"  said  Joe,  with  a  jadic 
lionch  or  two  of  the  poker  on  the  top  bar,  "renderil 
unto  all  their  doo,  aud  maintaining  equal  justice 
twixt  maa  and  man,  my  father  were  that  good  ii 
hart,  don't  you  see?" 

I  didn't  see;  but  I  didn't  say  so. 

"Weill"   Joe  pursued,   "somebody  must  keep 
pot  a  biling,   Pip,   or  tLo  pot   won't  hile,    don't  y( 
■  know?" 

I  saw  that,  aud  said  so. 

'"Consequence,   viy  father  didn't  make   objeetio! 

my  going  to  work;  so  I  went  to  work  at  my  pT 
it  calling,  which  were  hie  too,  if  he  would  have  ft 
ved  it,  and  I  worked  tolerable  hard,  I  assure  ya 
Pip.  In  time  I  were  able  to  keep  him,  and  I  kep  hi 
till  he  went  off  in  a  purple  Icptic  fit.  And  it  v 
intentions  to  have  had  put  upon  Ids  tombstone  th) 
"WLatsume'er  the  failings  on  his  part,  Remember 
lie  were  that  good  in  his  hart." 

Joe  recited  this  couplet  with  such  manifest  prit 
and  careful  jsgpicuttjr,   that  I   asked  him  if  h 
made  it  himself  ? 

"J^ made  it,"  said  Joe,  "my  own  s«U.    1^ 
It   was   like  striking  oat  a-  V> 


&  in  a  singlt?  blow.  I  never  was  so  miic-li  siir- 
KaU  my  lifti  —  couldn't  credit  iny  owii  cd  — 
Kin  the  trnth,  hardly  lielieved  it  were  my  own 
■I  was  saying',  Pip,  it  were  my  intentions  to 
K  it  cut  over  himi  but  poetry  costs  money,  cut 
Eiu  will,  mmli  or  lurge,  and  it  were  not  done. 
Kiontion  bearers,  all  the  money  that  could  be 
mexe  wanted  for  my  mother.     She  were  in  pfior 

■  quite  broke.  She  weren't  long  of  following, 
B,  and  her  share  of  peace  come  ronnd  at  last." 
K  blae  eyes  turned  a.  little  watery;  he  rubbed, 
K^tf  them,  and  then  the  other,  in  a  most  nn- 

■  and  imcomfortable  manner,  with  the  round 
BitLe  top  of  the  poker. 

Rrere  bat  lonesome  then,"  said  Joe,  "living  here 
and  I  got  acquainted  with  your  sister.  Now, 
-Tije  looked  iinnly  at  nie,  as  if  he  knew  I  was 
I   agree  with   him;  "yonr  sister  ia  a  fine 

1  not  help  looking  at  the  fire,  in  an  obvious 
ibt. 

iVEa-  family  opinions,  or  whatever  the  world's 
I  that  subject  may  be,  Pip,  your  sister  is," 
I  the  top  bar  with  the  poker  after  every  word 
-  figure  —  of  —  a  —  woman ! " 
i  tliink  of  nothing  better  to  say  than  "I  am 
'c.  80,  Joe." 
■■  returned  Joe,  catching  me  up.  "/am 
I,  Pip.  A  little  redness,  or  a  little  matter 
r  there,  what  does  it  signily  to  Me?" 

!(/,  j'f  it  didn't  aigoifj  to  Vim, 

^'That's    it.      y«^M 


I 


gubAt  expectatiosb. 


Tl 


right,  old  chap!  When  I  got  acquainted  with  ji 
sister,  it  were  the  talk  how  she  was  bringing  you 
by  hand.  Very  kiud  of  Iier  too,  all  the  folks  said,  i 
I  said,  along  with  all  the  folks.  As  to  yon,"  Joe  p 
eued,  with  a  countenance  expressive  of  seeing  someth 
very  nasty  indeed:  "if  you  could  have  been  aware  h 
small  and  flahhy  and  mean  you  was,  dear  me,  yo 
have  formed  the  most  contemptible  opinions  of 
self!" 

Not  exactly  relishing  this,  I  said,  "Never  mil 
me,  Joe." 

"But  I  did  mind  you,  Pip,"  ho  returned,  with  ten( 
eimplicity.  "When  1  offered  to  your  sister  to  kc 
company,  and  to  be  asked  in  church  at  snch  times 
she  was  willing  and  ready  to  come  to  the  forge,  I  s 
to  her,  'And  bring  the  poor  little  child.  G-od  bless 
poor  little  child,'  I  said  to  your  sister,  'there's  ro 
for  him  at  the  forge!'" 

I  broke  oat  crying  and  begging  pardon,  and  hugj 
Joe  round  the  neck:  who  dropped  the  poker  to  hug  i 
and  to  say,  "Ever  the  best  of  friends;  an't  us,  Pi 
Don't  cry,  old  chap!" 

When  this  little  interruption  was  over,  Joe  resume! 

"Well,  you  see,  Pip,  and  here  we  are!  Tha^ 
about  where  it  lights;  here  wo  are!  Now,  when  yo« 
take  me  in  hand  in  my  learning,  Pip  (and  I  tell  yoU 
teforehand  I  am  aivful  dull,  most  awful  dull),  Mrs.  Joe 
mustn't  see  too  much  of  what  we're  up  to.  It  must  be 
done,  aa  I  may  say,  on  the  sly.  And  why  on  the  sly? 
I'll  tell  yon  why,  Pip."  i 

He  had  taken  up  the  poker  again;  without  wliicl 
1^  doabt   if  ha   could  huve    jiroc^ded.  ui  \iS&  dnxasd 


^  «9 

■Tour  sisier  ie  given  to  goveniraent." 

BOiven  to  govornmcnt,  Joe?"     I  was  startled,  for 

Hgome  sltarlowy  ide^  (Add  I  nm  afrnid  I  uuHt  ndd, 

^BtJ>al  Joe  Imd  divorced  her  m  favour  of  tbe  liorAn 

^V  Admiralty,  or  Treasurj. 

Hpvon  to  government,"  said  Joe.    "Wliicli  I  nioan- 

B  Ihe  government  of  you  and  myself." 

H)b!" 

Buid  she  aa't  over  partial  to  having  scliolars  on 

Bvmises,"  Joe  continued,   "and  in  partikler  would 

H|  over  partial  to  my  being  a  scholar,  for  fear  as 

mkt  rise.     Like  a  sort  of  i-ebel,  don't  you  see?" 

Bras  going  to  retort  with  an  inquiry,  and  had  got 

Has  "Wliy  — "  when  Joe  stopped  me. 

Btay  il  bit.     I  know  what  you're  a  going  to  say, 

Baj  a  bit!     I  don't  deny  tliat  your  sister  comes 

^■-^nl  over  us,  now  and  again.    I  don't  deny  that 

B  throw  us  back-falls,  and  that  she  do  drop  down 

^k  heavy-     At  such  times  as  when  yonr  siRtur  is 

BiRam-pago,  Pip,"  Joe  sank  his  voice  to  a  whisper 

Bfateed  at  the  door,  "candour  compels  fur  to  ad- 

^■t  she  is  a  Buster." 

rnonnced  this  word,  as  if  it  began  with  at 
^^        capital  Bs. 

^fhj  don't  I  rise?     That  were  your  ohsei-vatiou 
Iklvoke  it  off,  Pip?" 
^fee,  JoB.^' 

^Fdl,"  said  Joe,  passing  the  poker  into  his  left 

^Ithat  he  might  feel  his  whisker;  and  I  Lad  no 

.'  of  liim  whenever  he  took  to  tliat  placid  occupa- 

"yoiir  sjstar's  ii  master-mlud.     A  master-mmi," 

""**°*'  -S-T*  Jbe  was  readier  with  hia  defe«= 


6i  ORBAT  BXPECTATIONS. 

tiou  than  I  had  expected,  and  completely  stopped 
by  arguing  circularly,  and  answering  with  a  fixed  lo 
"Her." 

"And  I  an't  a  maBter-mind,"  Joe  resumed,    wl 
he  had  unlixed  his  look,  and  got  b»ek  to  his  wbisl 
"And  laat  of  all,  Pip  —  and  this  I  want  to  say  vi 
serous  to  yoa,  old  chap  —  I  see  so  much  in  my  p 
mother,  of  a  woman  drudging  and  slaving  and  brei 
ing  her  honest  hart  and  never  getting  no  peace  in  heS 
mortal  days,  that  I'm  dead  afeerd  of  going  uTOng  iii 
the  way  of  not  doing  what's  rigiit  by  a  woman,  and 
I'd  fur  rather  of  the  two  go  wrong  the  t'other  way,  a^ 
be  ft  little  ill-conwenienced  myself.     I  wish  it  wi 
me  that  got  put  out,  Pip;  I  wisli  there  wara't  no  Tit 
ler  for  you,  old  chap;    I  wish  I  could  take  it  all 
myself;  hut  this  Is  the  up-and-down-nnd-straight  on 
Pip,  and  I  hope  you'll  overlook  short-comings." 

Young  as  I  was,  I  believe  that  I  dated  a  new  i 
.  miration  of  Joe  from  that  night.  Wo  were  equals 
terwarda,  as  we  had  been  before;  but,  afterwards 
'  quiet  times  when  I  sat  looking  at  Joe  and  thinki 
I  about  him,  I  had  a  new  sensation  of  feeling  consuio 
I  that  I  was  looking  up  to  Joe  in  m^jMs^i— 

"However,"  said  Joe,  rising  to  replenish  the  fi. 

"here's  the  Dutch-clock  a  working  himself  up  to  bei 

equal  to   striking  Eight  of  'era,   and   she's  not  coi 

I  home  yet!     I  hope  Uncle  Pumbleehook's  mare 

have  set  a  fore-foot  on  a  piece  o'  ice,  and  gone 

Mrs.  Joe  made  occasional  trips  with  Uncle  Pu: 
bleehook  on  market  days,  to  assist  him  in  buying  sucl 
housohold  stuffs  and  goods  as  required  a  woman's  judg 
^joeae,-  Uncle  Pumbleehook  being  a  bachelor  and 
L  posing  no  conSdencos   in  his  domeslw  t»;'£VB.ii\..    "XNi 


Let-day,  and  Mrs.  Joe  whs  out  on  one  of  thai 

Ude  the  fire  and  swept  the  Iiearth,  and  then 
a  the  door  to  listen  fur  the  i-.huisc-cart.  It 
cold  niglit,  and  the  wind  lilew  keenly,  and 
(TUB  white  and  hard.  A  man  would  die  to- 
.'lyiag  out  on  the  marshes.  I  thought.  And 
iked  at  the  stars,  and  considered  how  awfol 
for  a  man  to  turn  his  face  up  to  them  as 
death,  and  see  no  help  or  pity  in  all  the 
nltitade. 
lomes  the  mare,"  said  Joe,  "ringing  like  a 

as!" 

ound  of  her  iron  shoes  ujiuu  the  hard  road 
masical,  as  she  came  along  at  a  much  brisker 
OsuaL  We  got  a  chair  out  ready  for  Mrs. 
bH&g,  and  stirred  up  the  fire  that  they  might 
*  t  window,  and  took  a  final  survey  of  the 
;  nothing  might  be  out  of  its  place.  When 
ipletcd  these  preparations,  they  drove  up, 
to  Uie  eyes.  Mrs.  Joe  was  soon  landed,  and 
Mmblecheok  was  soon  down  too,  covering  tl 
tth  a  cloth,  and  we  were  boou  all  in  the  kitcht 
r  BO  much  cold  air  in  with  us  that  it  seemed 
U  the  heat  out  of  the  fire. 

'  said  Mrs.  Joe,   unwrapping  herself  with 
t  excitement,  and  throwing  her  bonnet  hack 
'umlders  where  it   bung   by  the  strings:    "if 
Vt  grateful  this  night,  he  never  will  be!" 
I  as  gratefuJ  as  any   hoy  possibly    ccm\4, 
ttomfonned  why  ho  ought  to   aSBOme 


th^^ 


I 

I 


"It's  only  to  be  hoped,"  said  my  sister,  "thai     , 
won't  bo  Pompeyed.     But  I  have  my  fears." 

"She  Jin't  in  that  line,  mum,"  said  Mr.  Pnaft^ 
cliook.     "She  knows  better." 

She?  I  looked  at  Joe,  making  the  motion 
my  iipa  and  eyebrows,  "She?"  Joe  looked  at 
making:  the  motion  with  hh  lips  and  eyebrows,  "f 
My  sister  catuhing  him  in  tho  act,  he  drew  the 
of  his  hand  across  his  noso  with  his  usual  eoncili 
r&ii  on  such  occasions,  and  looked  at  her. 

"Well?"  said  my  sister,  in  her  snappish  way. 
are  yon  staring  at?     Is  the  house  a-firo?" 

—  "Which  some  individual,"  Joe  politely  hiq 
"mentioned  —  she." 

"And  she  is  a  she,  I  suppose?"  said  my  sii 
"Unless  you  call  Miss  Havisbam  a  he.  And  I  d< 
if  oven  you'll  go  so  far  as  that." 

"Miss  Kavisham,  up  town?"  said  Joe. 

"Is  there  any  Miss  Havisham  down  town?" 
tamed  my  sister,  "She  wants  this  boy  to  go  and  j 
there.  And  of  course  he's  going.  And  he  had  be 
play  there,"  said  my  sister,  shaking  her  head  at 
as  an*encouragement  to  be  extremely  light  and 
ive,    "or  I'll  work  liim." 

I  had  heard  of  Miss  Havisham  up  town  — 
body  for  miles  round,  bad  heard  of  Miss  Havisham 
town  - —  as  an  immensely  rich  and  grim  lady  who  lii 
in  a  large  and  dismal  bouse  barricaded  against  robbf 
and  who  led  a  life  of  seclusion. 

"Well  to  be  sure!"  said  Joe,  astounded.  "I  w( 
der  how  she  come  to  know  Pip!" 

"JfoudJeJ"  cried  my  sister.  "Who  said  she  knew  himi 
^^^'WJiich   some  inttividua^ ,"   3ao  agwti  v<*\v 


mentioned  tbat  slio  wanted  him  to  go  iinil  pky 

I  couldn't  she  ask  Uncle  Pumblethiwk  if  lie 
f  a  boy  to  go  ami  play  there?  Isn't  it  jost 
^sible  Uiut  Unvlo  I'umhlechook  may  he  a 
f  hers,  and  that  he  may  sometimcB  —  wo  won't 
Brly  or  half  yearly,  for  that  wonld  be  requi- 
much  of  you  —  but  aomotimes  —  go  there  to 
rent?  And  wnlihi't  she  then  ask  Uncle  Ptim- 
t  if  he  inew  of  a  hoy  to  go  and  play  tliere? 
lldn't  Uncle  Pumllechonk,  heing  always  eon- 
and  thoughtful  for  ns  —  though  you  may  not 
,  Joseph,"  in  a  tone  of  the  deepest  reproacli, 
were  the  most  callouB  of  nephews,  "then  men- 
I  boy,  standing  Prancing  here"  —  whieh  I 
r  dedare  I  was  not  doing  —  "that  I  have  for 
a  willing  slave  to?" 

1  again!"  cried  Uncle  Pumblechook.  "Well 
wttily  pointedl  Good  indcedl  Now  Joaeph, 
r  tbe  case." 

:  Joseph,"  said  my  alstcr,  still  in  a  reproachful 
while  Joe  apologetically  drew  the  hack  of  his 
6  and  across  his  nose,  "you  do  not-yet  — 
I  may  not  think  it  —  know  the  ease.  You 
rader  that  you  do,  but  yon  do  not  Joseph.  Tor 
ot  know  that  Uncle  Putnhlachook,  heing  Ecn- 
i  for  anything  we  can  toll,  this  boy's  fortune 
iinade  by  his  going  to  Miss  ilavi sham's,  has 
1  ttte  him  into  town  to-night  in  his  own  chaise- 
l.  to  keep  him  to-night,  and  to  take  him  with 
ysoda  to  Misa  Haviaiam's  to-morrow  morning. 
i  my  sister,  casting  oH  Vei: 
ifdesperatioa,  "6ere  I  stand  talkis 
5» 


kin^^^ 


eitIiA1<  HX?»0TATI0H8. 

mere  Mooncalfa,  with  Uncle  PumblecrLook  waiting;,  i 

re  catching  cold  at  the  door,  and  the  boy  grimej 
irith  crock  and  dirt  from  the  hair  of  his  head  to  tlq 
iole  of  hie  foot!" 

With  that,  she  pouaced  upon,  me,  like  an  e: 
R  lamb,  and  mj  face  was  squeezed  into  wooden  bowl 
in  sinks,  and  my  head  was  put  under  taps  of  watei 
butts,  and  I  was  soaped,  and  kneaded,  and  towelle^ 
and  thumped,  and  harrowed,  and  rasped,  until  I  re-  -. 
ally  was  quite  beside  myself.  (I  may  here  remark 
that  I  suppose  myself  to  be  better  acquainted  than  any 
living  authority,  with  the  ridgy  effect  of  a  wedding- 
ring,  passing  unsympathetically  over  the  human  coun- 
t  tenance.) 

■    When  my  ablutigus  were  completed,  I  was  put  intar' 

clean  linen  of  the  stiffest  character,  like  a  young  peofeM 

tent  into  sackcloth,  and  was  tniBsed  up  in  my  tightd^| 

and  fearfullest  suit.     I  was  then  delivered  over  to  A^H 

Pumhiechook,  who  formally  received  me  as  if  he  we^| 

■i^B  Sheriff,  and  who  let  ofF  upon  mo  the  speech  that  ^M 

■knew  he  had  been  dying  to  make  all  along:  "Boy,  bH 

Hbt  ever  grateful  to  all  friends,  but  especially  unto  the^H 

■which  brought  you  up  by  baud!"  H 

W      "Glood  bye,  Joel"  H 

■       "Good  bless  you,  Pip,  old  chap!"  H 

t        I  had  never  parted  ftom  him  before,  and  what  wItM 

I  ray  feelings  and  what  with  soap-suds,   I  could  at  firsM 

F  aea  no  atara  irom  the  chaise-cart.     But  they  twinkleu 

|i,ont   one  by  one,   without  tlirowing  any  light  on  then 

|-qnestions  why  on  earth  I  was  going  to  play  at  Mian 

SBavisham's,    and  what  on  earth  I  was   expected   tofl 


CHAPTER  vra. 

JIr.  Pitmblechook's  premises  in  the  Iligh-Btreot  of 

■  market  town,  were  of  a  pepper-comy  and  f'arina- 

.-•'fii  character,  as  the  premisca  of  a  corn-chandler  ftn3 

•  '^d^man  should  be.     It  appeared  to  mi;  that  he  muBt 

a  very  happy  man  indeed,    to  have  so  many  little 

-Ti'jrs  in  his  shop;  and  I  wondered  when  I  peeped 

>  ime  or  two  on  the  lower  tiers,  and  saw  the  ticd- 

.   Iirown   paper  packets  inaide,    whether  the  flower- 

ib   and    balbs  ever  wanted  of  a  fine  day  to  break 

wii  of  thttse  jails,  and  hloom. 

It  was  in  the  early  morning  after  my  arrival  that 

f  entertained  the  speculation.     On  the  previous  night, 

'  liad  been  sent  straight  to  bed  in  an  attic  with  a 

iiing  roof,  which  was  so  low  in  the  comer  where  the 

■  I  > lead  was,  that  I  calculated  the  tiles  as  being  within 

!i.ot  of  my  eyebrows.     In  the  same  early  morning,  I 

-Kivered  «  singular  affinity  between  seeds  and  c 

■nivs.     Mr.  Pumhlechook  wore  corduroys,  and  so  did 

shopman;  and  somehow,   there  was  a  general  i ' 

.i|  flavour  about  the  corduroys,  so  mnch  in  the  natnre 

M*ds,  and  a  general  air  and  flavour  about  the  eoods, 

rimcli  in  the  nature  of  corduroys,  that  I  hardly  knew 

'ich  was  which.     The  same  opportunity  served  i 

■!  untieing  that  Mr.  Pumhlechook  appeared  to  conduct 

I"  business  by  looking  acroBS  the  street  at  the  saddler, 

I'll  appeared  to  transact  his  business  by  keeping  his 

V"  on   the  coach-maker,   who  appeared  to  get  on 

ii'  by  putting  bis  hands  in  bis  pockets  and  conltem.- ; 

'rf/V  '■■'"^  ^^^'''  "'^''  't  Ai's  tiim  folded  his  amia  BinJ 

-■"■oim'^  gTocer,  who  stood  at  Lis  door  and  ya^nw 


'^at  the  cLomist.  TJie  watulimaker,  always  ]K>ting  o 
I  little  dusk  with  a  magmfjang  glitsa  at  his  eye,  j 
always  inspected  by  a  gi-ovip  in  smock-frocks  pot 
over  him  throngli  tlio  glass  of  his  sliop-window,  seei 
to  be  about  the  only  person  in  the  High-street  who 
Ltode  engaged  bis  attention. 

B  Mr.  Pumblechook  and  I  breakfasted  at  eight  o'clo* 
Pin  the  parlour  behind  the  shop,  while  the  ehopnii 
took  bis  mug  of  tea  and  bunch  of  bread-and-butter  ( 
a  sack  of  peas  in  the  front  premises.  I  considered  1 
Pumblechook  wretched  company.  Besides  being  po 
eessed  by  my  sister's  idea  that  a  mortifying  and  pen 
Lltential  character  ought  to  be  imparted  to  my  diet  - 
KjlteBides  giving  me  as  much  crumb  as  possible  in  coni 
F^jination  with  as  little  butter,  and  putting  such 
quantity  of  waiin  water  into  my  milk  that  it  woul 
have  been  more  candid  to  have  left  the  milk  out  altc 
gether  —  his  conversation  consisted  of  nothing  bi 
arithmetic.  On  my  politely  bidding  him  Good  morp 
ing,  he  said,  pompously,  "Seven  times  nine,  boyi 
And  how  should  /  be  able  to  answer,  dodged  in  thai 
way,  in  a  strange  place,  on  an  empty  stomach!  I  wai 
hungry,  but  before  I  had  swallowed  a  morsel,  he  begai 
a  running  sum  that  lasted  all  through  the  breaki'a^ 
"Seven?"  "And  four?"  "And  eighti'"  "And  a' 
"And  two?"  "And  ten?"  And  so  on.  And  after  e«cl 
figure  was  disposed  of,  it  was  as  much  as  I  could  it 
to  get  a  bite  or  a  sup,  before  the  next  came;  whilti 
be  sat  at  his  ease  guessing  nothing,  and  eating  bacoB 
and  hot  roll,  in  (if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expreasionj 
a  gorging  and  gomjandising  manner. 

-for    tfuci    reaeona,    I    was   very    glad   when  ten 
o'clock   came   and    we   started   for  M-iaa  Hj).N\Av5ra;»« 


71 

mgh  I  was  not  at  all  at  ray  ease  regarding  tlio  niiiniier 

which  I  slinuld.  aeqnit  myself  under  that  lady's  niof. 

I  "'itliin   a  qaarter  of  iiu  hour  we  'came  to  Miss  Ilavi- 

:l.i[u's  honsii,  which  was  of  old  bridk,  and  dismal,  and 

I'l  .1  ^eat  many  iron  bars  to  it,  Some  of  the  windows 

uul  Ireeii  walled  ap;   of  thosu  that  remained,   all  the 

^'ifer  were  ruarily  barred.     There  was  a  court-yard  iu 

ituul,   and  that  wan  barred;  ho,  we  had  to  wait,  after 

r  the  bell,    until  some  one  should  come  to  open 

■While  we  waited  at  the  gate,   I  peeped  in  {even 

I  Mr.  Pumblecliook  said,    "And  fourteen?"   but  I 

npded  not  to  hear  him),    and  saw  that  at  the  side 

I  hoase  there  was  a  large  brewery;   no  brewing 

J  on  in  it,  and  none  seemed  to  have  gone  on 

Flong  long  time. 

\  witid.ow  was  raised,  and  a  clear  voice  demanded 
>Vbat  name?"  To  which  my  conductor  replied, 
i'limblecliook."  The  voice  returned,  "Quite  right," 
I'i  die  window  was  shut  again,  aud  a  young  lady 
:iiao  acroHs  the  court-yard,  with  keys  in  her  hand. 
■'This,"  said  Mr.  Pumhlechook,  "is  Pip," 
"Tbia  ia  Pip,  is  iti'"  returned  the  young  lady,  who 
Tjs  Tcry  pretty  and  seemed  very  proud;   "come  in, 

Pi,.- 

Mr.  Ptimblechook  was  coming  in  also,   when  she 
^]|[K:d  him  with  the  gate. 
ly"0hl"  she  said.     "Did  you  wish  to  see  Misa  Ha- 

Mias  Havisham  wished  to  see  me,"  returned 

ilechook,  discomfited, 
kl"  said  tie  ffir!,-  "bat  yon  see  she  don't," 

-'  'tso  SuaUjr,  and  ia  such  an  undiscwaaViiVe. 
Pmublecbook,   though  in  a  condWoft 


F  EXSECTATIOK8. 

unffled  dignity,  could  not  protest.  But  he  oyod  i 
severely  —  as  if  7  had  done  anything  to  him!  ~  ai 
departed  with  the  words  reproachfully  delivered:  "Bc» 
Let  your  behaviour  here  he  a  credit  unto  them  wM 
brought  you  up  by  hand!"  I  waa  not  free  from  a 
.jrehension   that    he    would    come    back    to    propoui 

lugh  the  gate,  "And  sixteen?"     But  he  didn't. 

My  yoimg  conductress  locked  the  gate,  and  i 
went  across  the  court-yard.  It  waa  paved  and  elea 
but  grasB  was  growing  in  every  crevice.  The  brewe 
buildings  had  a  little  lane  of  communication  with 
Euid  the  wooden  gates  of  that  lane  stood  open,  and  i 
the  brewery  beyond  stood  open,  away  to  the  high  e 
closing  wall,  and  all  was  empty  and  disused.  The  co 
■wind  seemed  to  blow  colder  there,  than  outside  t 
gate;  and  it  made  a  shrill  noise  in  howling  in  a^id  o 
at  the  open  sides  of  the  brewery,  like  tJie  noise  of  wii 
in  the  rigging  of  a  ship  at  sea. 

She  saw  me  looking  at  it,  and  she  said,  "You  ci 
driuk  without  hurt  all  the  strong  beer  that's  brew< 
ithere  n 

"I  should  think  I  conld,  mias,"  said  I,  in  a  sb 

way. 

■'Better  not  try  to  brew  beer  there  now,  or  it  a 
turn  out  sour,  boy;  don't  you  think  so?" 

"It  looks  like  it,  miss." 

"Not  that  anybody  means  to  try,"  she  added,  "ft 
that's  all  done  with,  and  the  place  will  stand  s 
.'u  it  is,  till  it  falls.  As  to  strong  heer,  there's  enoug 
of  it  in  the  cellars  already,  to  drown  the  Manor  House 

■'Is  that  the  name  of  this  house,  mias?" 

'One  of  its  names,  boy." 

more  than  one,  tlien,  i 


7» 

One  more.     Its  otter  name  was  Satis;   which   ia 
(k,  ew  Latin,  or  Hebrew,  or  all  three  —  or  all  one 
■jL'  —  for  enough." 
"Enoug^h  House,"  said  I;    "that's  a  curious  name, 

"Yes"   she  replied;   "hut  it  meant  more  than  it 

It  inoaut,  when  it  was  given,  that  whoever  had 

Imuse,  could  want  nothing  else.     They  must  have 

II  easily  satisfied  in  those  days,  I  should  think.  But 

I  loiter,  boy." 

Though  she  called  me  "boy"  so  often,  and  with  a 

ichsness  that  was  far  from  complimentary,   she  was 

iliriut   my   own   age  —  or   very  little  older.     She 

i-d  much  older  than  I,  of  course,  being  a  girl,  and 
.  ritttl  and  self-posBeaaed ;  and  she  was  as  scomt'ul  of 

'^  if  she  had  been  one-and- twenty,  and  a  queen. 

Wi!  Trent  into  the  house  by  a  side  door  —  the  great 
'!  entrance  had  two  chains  across  it  outside  ~  and 

fitst  thing  I  noticed  waa,   that  the  paasagos  were 

i.irk,  and  that  she  had  loft  a  candle  burning  there. 

look  it  iip,    and  we  went  through  more  passages 

'  rip  a  Btaircase,  and  stUl  it  was  all  dark,  and  only 

I  indle  lighted  us. 

Ai  last  we  came  to  the  door  of  a  room,  and  she 
■    "Go  in," 

!  answered,  more  in  shyness  than  politeness,  "After 

I'd  this,  she  returned:  "Don't  be  ridiculous,  boy;  I 
I  tiot  going  in."  And  scornfully  walked  away,  aud 
-  what  was  worse  —  took  the  candle  with  her. 

Thia  was  verjr  ancomfortabJe,  and  I  was  ha\t  a?Ya!\4. 
\a«vver^^//>e  only  thing  to  be  done  being  to  kivoiite.  »A 
d:i!d,  aud  was  told  from  mt\im  to  eatei:. 


/ 


i 


1  entered,  tberefnrD,  and  found  myself  in  a  pretty  lorg^l 
Doom  well  lighted  with  wax  candles.  ISo  glimpse  ^H 
Baylight  was  to  be  seen  in  it  It  waH  a  drensinj^-roo^H 
Kt  I  supposed  from  the  furuiture,  tLoiigli  much  cf  ^H 
was  of  forms  and  uses  then  quite  unkno'wn  to  mo.  B^H 
i^aminont  in  it  was  a  draped  table  with  a  gilded  lool^H 
■  iog'glass,  and  that  I  made  out  at  first  sight  to  be  ^H 
.fine  lady's  dressings-table.  ^B 

Wliether  I  should  have  made  out  this  object  ^P* 
soon,   if  there  Jiad  been  no  fine  lady  sitting  at  it,  B'' 
Peannot  say.     In  an  arm-chir,  with  an  elbow  resting  o^P 
tbe  table  and  her  head  leaning  on  that  hand,  sat  tha^ 
strangest  lady  I  have  ever  seen,  or  shall  ever  see. 

She  was  dressed  in  rich  materials  —  satins,  and 
lace,  and  silks  —  all  of  white.  Her  shoes  were  white. 
And  she  hud  a  lung  white  veil  dependent  from  I 
lliair,  and  she  had  bridal  flowers  in  her  hair,  but  he 
bair  was  white.  >Some  bright  jewels  sparkled  on  hQ 
I  neck  and  on  her  hands,  and  some  other  jewels  lai 
sparkling  on  the  table.  Dresses,  less  splendid  than  tb 
dress  she  wore,  and  half-packed  trunks,  were  scatterei 
sboiit.  She  had  not  (|uite  finished  di-essing,  for  sb 
had  but  one  shoe  on  —  the  other  was  on  the  tabl 
near  her  hand  —•  her  veil  was  but  half  arranged, 
watch  and  chain  were  not  put  on,  and  some  lace  f» 
her  bosom  lay  with  those  trinketfl,  and  with  her  hand 
kerchief,  and  gloves,  and  some  flowers,  and  a  prayer 
book,  all  confusedly  heaped  about  the  looking-glas 

It  was  not  in  the  first  moments  that  I  saw  all  those 

things,  though  I  saw  more  of  them  in  the  first  moment 

than  might  be  supposed.     Bnt,  I  saw  that  everythin 

within  my  view  which  ought  to  be  white,  had  hee 

^iite  long  ago,  and  had  lost  its  lufltie,  adi  'wtk  ^»ii 


fiv>Sitisomm<y!m. 


7B 


^Mlow.  I  SAW  tJiat  the  Uride  witliiii  tlio  \)th\ii\  i\n\a» 
WKtliereA  like  tlic  di-ess,  and  like  the  flowers,  iLiid  hud 
HSgittnesB  left  but  the  brightness  of  ber  suukeii  eyva. 
Bf.lhat  tho  dress  liud  bt'cn  pnt  upon  the  rounded  &gatG 
^Bguig  wDinau,  and  Ibat  tbe  figure  ujion  wbicli  it 
^^Kn^  lootui,  bad  shrunk  to  skin  and  bone.  Ouce,  I 
^Hbn  taken  to  see  some  ghastly  wax-work  at  thu 
^^■GlirCfienting;  I  knuw  nut  what  iinposaiblo  [jer- 
^^Klyin^  ill  atati;.  Oncin,  I  had  boon  taken  to  one 
^^■old  luoriili  uhuntbes  to  aee  a  skoletoii  in  tliu 
^HF  a  rich  dress,  thnC  bad  been  dag  out  of  a  vaidt 
^Bthe  chui-ch  pavement.  Now,  was- work  and 
^Bi  seemed  to  have  dark  ojee  that  moved  and  looked 
^^B  ~L  ehunld  have  cried  out,  if  I  could. 
^Klto  is  it?"  said  the  ladj  at  the  table. 
^^Kp,  ma'am." 

^Br-    Pamblechuok's    boy,    ma'am.      Come  —  to 

^^bme  nearer;  let  me  look  at  you.  Come  close." 
^^■ras  when  I  stood  before  her,  avoiding  her  eyes, 
^^Rook  note  of  the  surrounding  objects  in  detail, 
^aw  that  her  watch  bad  stopped  at  twenty  inimitus 
inf,  and  that  a  clock  in  the  room  had  stopped  at 
iv  ininules  to  nine. 

Look  at  me,"  said  Miss  Havisham,    "You  are  not 
.1    of  a  woman  who  has  never  seen  the  sun  since 

,ere  bom?" 
I    regret  to  state  that  I  was  not   afraid  of  telling 
iiormons  lie  comprehended  in  the  answer  "No." 
T>o   you  knoB'    wliai  I  touch    here?"     she  Bwl, 
b"  Aff  ^^^f'    "'«-*  aj>oa    the    otJiur,    on  Uei  \^ 


) 


p 


ipt  OKKkT  BXPSCtATIOHB,  ^H 

"Yes,  ma'am."     (It  made  me  think  of  the  foQU|  J 

man.)  ^^ 

"What  do  I  touch?"  Bjfl 

"Your  heart."  ^B 

"Brokenl"  ^1 

She  uttered  the  word  with  an  eager  look,  and  vil^H 

Btron^  emphasis,   and  with  a  weird  smtlo  that  had  f^fl 

kind  of  hoast  in  it.     Afterwards,   she  kept  her  hanaES 

there  for  a  little  while,  and  slowly  took  them  away  tkj 

if  they  were  heavy.  *^ 

"I    am    tired,"    said    Misa    Havisham.      "I    TraiwH 

dlyersioD,    and  I  have    done  with    men   and  womei^Q 

SI.}'."  ■ 

P  I  think  it  will  he  conceded  by  my  most  dispntatiot^^ 
fgader,  that  she  could  hardly  have  directed  an  unfortl^| 
nate  boy  to  do  anything  in  the  wide  world  more  dif^H 
cult  to  be  done  under  the  circumstances.  E 

"I  Bometiraea  have  sick  fancies,"  she  went  oiflf 
and  I  have  a  sick  fancy  that  I  want  to  see  somfln 
17,  There,  therel"  with  an  impatient  movement 
the  fingers  of  her  right  hand;    "play,    play,    playl'j| 

For  a  moment,  with  the  fear  of  my  sister's  workinjM 
me  before  my  eyes,  I  had  a  desperate  idea  of  startlngE 
round  the  room  in  the  assumed  character  of  Mr.  Pum-| 
blechook's  chaise-cart.     But,    I  felt  myself  s 
to  the  performance  that  I  gave  it  up,  and  stood  1 
ing  at  Miss  Havisham  in  what  I  suppose  she  took  f 
a  dogged  manner,  inasmuch  as  she  said,  when  we  hi 
taken  a  good  look  at  each  other: 

"Are  you  sullen  and  obstinate?" 

"No,   ma'am,   I  am  very  sorry  for  yon,   and  ve 
sorrf'  I  can't  play  just  now.     If  yon  complain  of  me 
.y  Biatet,  bo  \ -wo'Ai  i*; 


nv.'UpROVA'ndiM. 


7t 


^^^fcnld;    bat  it's  so  new  here,   anil  so  atrange,    niid 

^^^Be  —  aiid  melancfioly "     I  stopped,    foaring 

^^Wit  Bay  too  mui^L,  or  bad  already  said  it,  and  wq 
^^■annther  look  at  each  other. 

^^^hfore  she  spoke  again,  she  tamed  her  eyes  from 
^^^kid  looked  at  the  dress  she  wore,  and  at  tlio 
^^Hfg^table,    and  finally   at  herself  in  the  looking^ 

^^Hh>  new  to  him,"  she  muttered,  "so  old  to  me;  so 
^^^n  to  him,  so  familiar  to  mo;  so  melancholy  to  both 
^^B    Call  Estella." 

^^^K  ebe  was  still  looking  at  the  reflexion  of  herself, 
^^^B^bt  she  was  still  talking  to   hcrseli,   and   kept 

^^BUll  JSstella,"  she  repGntcd,  flashing  a  look  at 
^^vYoa  can  do  that  C^all  Estella.  At  the  door." 
^^^K  stand  in  the  dark  in  a  mysterious  passage  of 
^^Hbwwn  bouse,  h a wling  E Stella  to  a  scornful  young 
^^^Beither  visible  nor  responsive,  and  feeling  it  a 
^^^Rd  liberty  so  to  roar  out  her  name,  was  almost 
^^^H  as  playing  to  order.  But,  she  answered  at  la^t, 
^^^Br  light  came  along  the  long  dai-k  passage  like 

^^^bf  Havisham  beckoned  her  to  come  close,    and 

^^^p,p  a  jewel  from  the  table,    and   tried  its  effect 

iLlJon    her    fair  young  bosom   and   against  her  pretty 

■11  hair.     "Your  own,  one  day,  my  dear,  and  you 

I  use  it  well.     Let  me  see  you  play  cards  with  this 

'  With  this  boyl    Wb_y,  be  is  a  common  labmwiiiig-  \ 


78  OREAT  EXPBCTATIOsa. 

^only  it  seomcd  so  unlikely  —  "Well?   Tou  can  hi 
^hia  heart." 

"Wliat  do  yon  play,  boy?"  asked  Eatislla  of  ; 
-self,  with  the  frreateat  disdain, 

"Notliing  but  beggar  my  neiglibonr,  miss." 

"Beggar  him,"  said  Miss  Havlsham  to  Estella. 
wo  sat  down  to  cards. 

It  was  then  I  began  to  understand  that  everytl 
in  the  room  had  stopped,  like  the  watch  and  the  cl 
a  long  time  ago.  I  noticed  that  Miss  Kavisham 
down  the  jewel  exactly  on  the  spot  from  which 
had  taken  it  up.  As  Estella  dealt  the  cards,  I  glai 
at  the  dressing-table  again,  and  saw  that  the  shoe  D 
it,  once  white,  now  yellow,  hud  never  been  worn, 
glanced  down  at  the  foot  from  which  tho  shoe 
absent,  and  saw  that  tho  silk  stocking  on  it,  < 
white,  now  yeUow,  had  been  trodden  ragged.  WitS 
this  arrest  of  everything,  this  standing  atU!  of  all| 
pale  decayed  objects,  not  even  tho  withered  hrf 
dresa  on  ijie  collapsed  form  could  have  looked  so  ] 
grave-clothes,  or  the  long  veil  so  like  a  shroud. 

So  she  sat,  corpae-like,  as  we  played  at  cards;  ( 
frill  inga  and  trimmings  on  her  bridal  dress  look 
like  earthy  paper.  I  knew  nothing  then,  of  the 
coveries  that  are  occasionally  made  of  bodies  buriefl 
ancient  times,  which  fall  to  powder  in  the  momeij 
being  distinctly  seen;  but,  I  have  often  thought  sq 
■  that  she  must  have  looked  as  if  tlie  admission  of 
natural  light  of  day  would  have  struck  her  to  dust; 

"He  calls  the  knaves.  Jacks,  this  lioyl"  i 
Estella  with  disdain,  before  our  first  game  was  ■ 
"And    what    coai'se    hands  he  haa,     And  what 


GREAT  SXFKCTATIONS.  "9 

I  had  never  thought  of  being  ashamed  of  my  hands 
uliire;  bnt  I  began  to  consider  them  a  very  indiffi-rent 

lot.     Her    contempt  was  sii    strong,   thai  it   liecamo 
mfutioiLs,  nnd  I  caught  it. 

She  won  the   game,   and  I  dealt.     I  misdealt,   nn 

only  natural,  when  I  knew  she  was  lying  in  wait 
fci  me  to   do   wrong;    and   she  denounced   nie  fur  a 

J,  clumsy  labouring^lioy. 

You  say  nothing  of  her,"  remarked  Miss  Ha vi sham 
tane,  as  she  looked  on.  "She  says  many  bard  things 
tlyoii,  but  you  say  nothing  of  her.  What  do  you 
tok  of  her?" 

'I  don't  like  to  say,"  I  stammered. 

'Tell  me  in  my  ear,"  said  Misa  Ilavishnm,  bending 
In. 

I  think  pho  is  very  proud,"  I  ro|i!icd,  in  m. 
<lis[ier. 

"Anything  else?" 
r     "I  tiiink  she  ia  very  pre.tty." 

"Anything  else?" 

"J  think  she  is  very  insulting."     (She  was  looking 

ii"  then,  with  a  look  of  supreme,  aversion.) 

'Anything  else?" 

'  i  think  I  should  like  to  go  home." 

"  .A.nd    never    see    her    again,    though    she    is    so 

"I   am   not  sure  that  I  shouldn't  Like  to   see  her 
II.  hut  I  should  like  to  go  home  now." 

You  shall  go  soon,"    said  Miss  Uavlsham,    aloud. 
IV  the  game  out." 
Saving    for  the  one  veird  smih  at  first,  1  eivouVi 

-''L~  ^J^i  ^^  '^^'  ^^'ss  JTavisham'8  face  cmAA.  L 
■"  "    '  '      Kd  into  a  watchful  and  ^rooiinai 


&KBM  BTpmrAfTOffK 

'  Bspresaion  —  most  likely  when  all  the  things  &1 
had  become  transfixed  ' —  and  it  looked  ( 
nothing  could  ever  lift  it  up  again.  Her  chest 
dropped,  so  that  she  stooped;  and  her  voice  had 
ped,  so  that  she  Hpoke  low,  and  with  a  dead  lull  v 
her;  altogether,  she  had  the  appearance  of  ha'' 
dropped,  body  and  soul,  within  and  without,  under 
weight  of  a  crushing  blow. 

I  played  the  game,  to  an  end  with  Eatella,  and 
beggared  me.  She  threw  the  cards  down  on  the  U 
when  she  had  won  them  aU,    as  if  she  despised  th( 

»for  haying  been  won  of  me. 
"When  shall  I  have  you  here  again?"    said 
Havisham.     "Let  me  thiak." 
I  was  beginning  to  remind  her  that  to-day 
Wednesday,    when  she  checked  me  with  her  foi 
impatient  movement  of  the  fingers  of  her  right  hand. 
"There,   there!     I  know  nothing  of  days   of  ti 
week;    I  know  nothing  of  weeks  of  the  year.     " 

¥ ■ 

^H  eai 


1  down.    I^et  him  have  son 
lam  and  look  about  him  while  1: 


Eetolla,  take  hii 
eat,  and  let  him  r 

I.     Go,  Pip." 

I  followed  the  candle  down,  as  I  had  followed  thf 
candle  up,  and  she  stood  it  in  the  plac 
found  it.  Until  she  opened  the  side  entrance,  I  haj 
fancied,  without  thinking  about  it,  that  it  must  r 
sarily  be  night-time.  The  rush  of  the  daylight  quiU 
confounded  me,  and  made  me  feel  as  if  I  had  been  i 
tlie  candle-light  of  the  strange  room  many  hours. 

"You  are  to  wait  here,  you  boy,"  said  Eatellai 
fa/appeared  and  closed  the  door. 


81- 

k  titu  opportunity  of  being  alone  in  the  court- 
(  iook  at  my  etrnree  hands  and  ray  conimrin 
J  opinion  ot'  those  acceasoriBs  was  not  favour- 
fiey  bad  never  troubled  me  before,   but   tboy 
s  Tuigar  appendagea.    I  detcnuiued 
3  why  he  had  over  tauy:ht  me  lo  call  thoai! 
Is,  Jacks,  which  ought  to  bu  tailed  knavua. 
)  had  been  rather  more  genteelly  brought 
1  I  aUould  have  been  so  too. 
me  back,   with  aomo  bread  and  moat  and  a 
She  put  the  mug  down  on  the 
3  yard,   and  gave  me  the  bread  and  meat 
mc,  aa  inaolently  aa  if  I  were  a  dog 
I  was  so  humiliated,  bnrt,  apunied,  offendod,  ^ 

-  I  cannot  hit  upon  thu  right  name  for 
-  God  kiiowa  what  its  name  was  —  that 
I  to  ray  eyes.  The  m.onient  they  sprang 
irl  looked  at  me  with  a  quick  delight  iit 
u  of  them.  Thia  gave  me  power 
i'[i  thpm  baek  and  to  look  at  her;  so,  ahe  gave  a 
i|irn<ma  toas  —  but  with  a  aenao,  I  thought,  of 
K  made  too  sure  tliat  I  waa  so  wounded  —  and 

when  she  waa  gone,  1  looked  about  me  for  a 

■  face  in,   and  got  behind  one  of  the 

B  brewery-lane,  and  leaned  ray  aleeve  against 

!,  and  leaned  my  forehead  on  it  and  cried. 

,   I  kicked  the  wall,   aad  took  a  hard  twiat 

)  bitter  were  my  feelings,    and  ao  aharp 

vithout_  a_jaame,    that  needed  counter- 


'e  bringing  up  had  made  me  sewsitwa.    la 
I  liavc  tbeir  e^ 


vfhosoever  brings  thorn  up,  there  is  nothing  bo  fl 
perceived  and  so  finely  ft'lt  aa  injustice.  It  ma; 
onlj'  small  injustice  that  the  'child  can  be  exposet 
"but  the  child  is  Bmall,  and  its  world  is  small,  hi 
rocking-horse  stands  as  many  hands  high,  accordii 
scale,  as  a  big-honed  Irish  liunttr.  Within  myae! 
had  sustained,  trom  my  babyhood,  a  perpetual 
with  injustice.  I  had  known,  li'om  the  time  wh 
could  speak,  that  my  sister,  in  her  capricious  and 
lent  coercion,  was  unjust  to  me.  I  had  cherish* 
Iffbfound  conviction  that  her  biingiug  me  up  by 
'gave  her  no  right  to  bring  me  up  by  jerks.  Thrc 
all  my  punishments,  disgraces,  fasts  and  vigili 
other  penitential  performances,  I  had  nursed  this 
suranee;  and  to  my  communing  so  much  with  it. 
solitary  and  unprotected  way,  I  in  great  part  refe^ 
fact  that  I  was  morally  timid  and  very  sensitiTe. 

I  got  rid  of  my  injured  feelings  for  tho  time, 
kicking  them  into  the  brewery  wall,  and  twisting  t 
out  of  my  hair,  and  then  I  smoothed  my  face  with' 
sleeve,  and  came  from  behmd  the  gate.  The  h 
and  meat  were  acceptable,  and  the  boor 
ing  and  tingling,  and  I  was  soon  in  spirits  to  1 
about  me. 

To  be  sure,  it  was  a  deserted  place,  down  to 
pigeon-house  in  the  brewery-yard,  which  had  I 
blown  crooked  on  its  pole  by  some  high  wind, 
would  have  made  the  pigeons  think  themselves  at 
if  there  had  been  any  pigeons  there  to  he  rockedl 
it.  But,  there  wore  no  pigeons  in  the  dovecot 
horses  in  the  stable,  no  pigs  in  the  sty,  no  malt  in 
storehouse,  no  smells  of  grains  and  bew  in  the  co 
*w  tie  vat.     AM  the  uses  and  aceuta  t 


Ht  bave  evnporntt^^il  with  its  la.-<l  roi'k  (>f  tiiiinlci'.  In 
H'j'tfd,  there  wa»  a  wildcnieas  of  empty  icnsks,  wUit-b 
Bi  eectam  snur  ivmcmbrance  of  better  dnye  liugvr- 
Rdwat  them;  bat  it  was  too  sour  to  he  accepleil  aa 
Hmpk  lA'  the  beer  that  was"  gwne  —  and  in  this 
■^  I  remciDber  those  recluses  aa  being  like  most 

BBehiiuI  tlie  farthest  end  of  the  brewery,  was  a  raiik 
pui  with  an  old  wall:  not  so  high  but  tliat  I  could 
p^e  up  and  hold  on  long  enough  to  look  over  it, 
p  "M  that  the  rauk  garden  was  the  garden  of  the 
■■*,  ftiid  that  it  was  overgrown  with  tangled  weeds, 
IviliU  there  was  a  track  upon  the  green  and  yellow 
pwi  as  ii'  some  one  sometimes  walked  there,  and  that 
PWI"  was  walking  away  from  me  even  theji.  But 
|"*wtned  to  be  everywhere.  For,  when  I  yielded  to 
P l*niptatiuu  presented  by  the  casks,  and  began  to 
!«  on  tlipm,  I  saw  hev  walking  on  them  at  the  end 
jpilie  yai-d  of  casks.  She  liad  her  back  to  me,  and 
P"  iier  jin'tty  brown  hair  spread  out  in  her  two  hands, 
[■never  looked  round,  and  passed  out  of  my  view 
^^lly-  So,  in  the  brewery  itself — by  whiuh  1  mean 
'^  large  paved  loftiy  place  in  whieli  they  used  to  make 

'    iwr,  and   where  the  brewing  utensila  still  were. 
lii'ii  J  first  went  into  it,  and,  rather  oppressed  by  its 

'"'lu,  stood  near  the  door  looking  about  me,   I  saw 
)'»S8  among  tlie  extinguished  fires,  and  ascend  some 

'it  iron  stairs,    and  go  out  by  a  gallery  high  ovor- 
"',  as  if  she  were  going  out  into  the  sky. 
Ii  was  in  this  place,  and   at  this  moment,  that  a 

iir^'u  thing  happened  to  my  fancy.     I  thoiig\it  it  ft. 
r  tien,   lad  I  thought  it  a  sti-anger  t\img 


ORBAT  BXPECTATlOm, 

[  by  looking  up  at  the  frosty  light  —  towards  a  gi 
I  wooden  beam  in  a  low  nook  of  the  building  near 
I  my  right  hand,   and  I  saw  a  figure  hanging  tl 
t  by  the  neck.     A  figure  all  in  yellow  white,   with 
[  one  ahoe  to  the  feet-,  and  it  hung  so,   that  I  could 
[•  that  the  faded  trimmings  of  the  dress  were  like 
k  paper,  and  tliat  the  face  was  Miss  Havisham'a, 
Movement  going  over  the  whole  countenance  as  if 
were  trying  to  eall  to  me.     In  the  terror  of  seeing 
figure,   and  in  the  terror  of  being  certain  that  it  ', 
not  been  there  a  moment  before,  I  at  first  ran  from 
and  then  ran  towards  it.     And  my  terror  was  greai 
.  of  aU.  when  I  found  no  figure  there. 
I  Nothing  leas  than  the  frosty  light  of  the  cheerful  s 

the  sight  of  people  passing  beyond  the  bars  of  the  coi 
yard  gate,  and  the  reviving  influence  of  the  rest  of 
bread  and  meat  and  beer,  would  have  brought  mo  ron 
Even  with  those  aids,   I  might  not  have  come  to  u 
self  as  soon  as  I  did,  hut  that  I  saw  Estella  approa 
(  ing  with   the   keys,   to   let  mo  out.     She  would  hi 
lir  reason  for  looking  down  npon  me,  I  thoug 
t,  if  she  saw  me  frightened;  and  she  should  have 
r  reason. 

)  gave  me  a  triumphant  glance 
08  if  she  rejoiced  that  my  hands  were  so  coarse 
)t8  were  so  thick,    and  abe  opened  the  gate 
'   stood  holding  it.     E  was  passing  out  without  lool 
I  at  her,  when  she  touched  me  with  a  taunting  hand. 
"Why  don't  you  cry?" 
"Because  I  don't  want  to." 
"Yon  do,"   said  she.     "You  have  been  crying 
ire  b/Uf  blind,    and  you  BiB_.Bea,t  crying  ag( 


IVA9TOMH;  8ft 

coiitemptnoasly,    puslieil  me  out,   aiid 

e  gate  npou  me.    I  wont  utraight  to  Mr.  Pnm- 

'a,   and  was   iinnKinHely  relieved  to   find  Mm 

)tne.     S'l,    leaving;  word  witli  the  sliopmnn  on 

f  I  was  wanted  nt  Mias  Havisliam's  ngaia,   I 

a  the  four-niile  walk  to  onr  forge;   pondering, 

I  •  1  went  along,   on  all  I  had  soon,   and   deeply  ro- 

AJviug  that  I  was  a  comuiuu  labouring- boy ;  that  my 

)  coai'ae,  that  my  Lootn  Wfji'e  tldik;   that  I 

Jcjj  iuto  a  despicable  hahit  of  calling  kiinveB  Jackn; 

s  much  more  ignorant  than  I  had  coUBidored 

t  night,  and  geneTally  that  I  was  in  a  low-lived 

Id  way. 

CHAPTEK  rX. 

\"  I  reached  Lome,  my  sistCT  was  very  cnrioua 
tiiow  all  about  Miss  HaTialiam's,  and  awkeJ  a  num- 
r  uf  questions.  And  I  seon  fnuud  myself  getting 
Ally  bumped  from  behind  in  the  nape  of  the  neek 
.1  rhe  small  of  the  back,  and  having  my  face  igpq- 
'^ionsly  shoved  againat  tlic  kitchen  wall,  because  I 
not  answer  those  questions  at  aufficieiit  length, 
if  a  dread  of  not  being  understood  bo  hidden  in 
breasts  of  other  young  ]jeople  to  anything  like  the 

■  lit  to  which  it  uaed  to  be  hidden  in  mine —  which 
■insider  probable,  as  I  have  no  particular  reason  to 
|j('ct  myself  of  having  been  a  monstrosity  —  it  is 

■  key  to  many  reservations.  I  felt  convinced  that  if 
'■■scribed  MJas  Uaviaham's  as  ray  eyes  had  seen  it, 

•Nciuld  not  be  nnderatood.     Not  only  that,  bnt  I  felt 
iiinced  thut Ml/ai Havis/iain  too  would  not  bw  imdet- 
W^fe!£f  /jAe^ifasper/ect;^  iucorapreliena^V© 
"3  'mpressioD  that  theie  -wouXa  \n 


sometMng  coarse  and  treacherous  in  my  draggiiiL^ 
as  she  really  was  (ti)  sfty  nothing  of  Miss  Estulla' 
fore  the  contemplation  of  Mrs.  Joo,     Conaequentl; 
said  as  little  as  I  coald,  and  bad  my  face  shoved agi 
the  kitchen  wall. 

The  worst  of  it  was  that  that  bullying  old  Pun 
cbook,  preyed  upon  by  a  devouring  cariosity  to  hi 
formed  of  all  I  had  seen  and  heard,  came  gaping 
in  bis  chaise-cart  at  ton  time,  to  havo  the  detaiL 
vulged  to  him.  And  the  mere  sight  of  the  torn 
with  his  fisby  oyes  and  mouth  open,  his  sandy 
iaijuisitively  on  end  and  bis  waistcoat  heaving 
windy  arithmetic,  maJe  me  vicious  in  my  reticenc 

"Well,  hoy,"  Uncle  Pumblechook'began,  as  sod 
be  was  seated  in  the  chair  of  honour  by  the  fire.  ' 
did  you  get  on  up  town?" 

I  answered  "Pretty  well,  6ir,"  and  my  sister 
her  fiat  at  me. 

"Pretty  well?"  Mr.  Pumblecbook  repeated.  "Pr 
well  is  no  answer.  Tell  us  what  yon  mean  by  pr 
well,  boy?" 

Whitewash  on  the  forehead  hardens  the  brain 
a  state  of  obstinacy  perhaps.  Anyhow,  with  wl 
wash  from  the  waU  on  my  forehead,  my  obstinacy 
adamiuitine.  I  reflected  for  some  time,  and  then 
Bwered  aa  if  I  had  discovered  a  new  idea,  "I  i 
pretty  woU." 

My  sister  with  an  exclamation  of  impatience 
going  to  fly  at  me  —  I  had  no  shadow  of  defence, 
Joe  was  busy  in  the  forgo  —  when  Mr.  Pumblech 
mterposed  with   "No!  Don't  lose  joxn  tftm^t.     Iiji 
t^j's  /.-III  to  me,    tna'nm;  leave   rti'w  \ft.i  Xa  t""" 


GREAT  BZPECTATIOXB.  87 

echook  then  turned  me  towards  liim,    as   if  ho 
jioing  to  cut  my  hair,  find  said: 
Icirat  (to  get  our  thoughts  in  order);  Forly-lhrefi 
J?" 

tealcnl&ted  tUo  consequences  of  replying  "Four 
i  Pound,"  and,  finding  them  against  uie,  went 
r  the  answer  an  I  could — which  wns  somewliero 
eightpence  oS.  Mr.  Pumblcchook  tlien  put  me 
"i  my  pence-table  from  "twelve  pence  make  one 
t,"  up  to  "forty  pence  make  tliree  and  four 
.  and  then  triumphantly  demanded,  as  if  he  had 
Vow/  How  much  is  forty-three  pence?" 
lich  I  replied,  after  a  long  interval  of  reflection, 
|ft  know."     And  I  was  so  aggravated  that  I  al- 

nibt  if  I  did  know. 
L  Fumblechook  worked  his  head  like  a  Rcrew  to 
[it  out   of  me,    and   said,    "Is  forty-three  pence 
ind  sixpence  three  fardena,  for  instance?" 
"'  said  I-     And  although  my  sister  instantly 
'"'1  my  ears,    it  was  highly  gratifying  to  me  to  see 
the  answer  spoilt  his  joke,    and  brought  him  to  a 
■1  stop. 

"Boy!  WItat  like  is  Miss  Havisham?"  Mr.  Pum- 
])"ok  began  again  when  he  had  recovered;  fold- 
iiis  arms  tight  on  his  chest  and  applying  the  screw. 
Very  tall  and  dark,"  I  told  him. 
Is  she,  uncle?"  asked  my  sister. 
Ur.  Pumhiechook  winked  assent;  from  which  I  at 
inferred  that  ho  had  never  accn  Miss  Haviaham, 
^lie  was  nothing  of  the  kind. 

"Clood!"  said  Mr,  PuinbJefiJjook,  conceitedly,  (J'TVaa 
■■,=  WSJ-  /a  Jiave  bim!     Wo  are  begraiiiTigr  to  U*l\4^ 
^g,  J  think.  Miur""^  °  o  -^ 


SRBAT  BXPECTATI0N8, 

uncle,"   returned  Mrs.  Joo,    "I  wij 
you  had  him  always;   you  know  so  well  how  to  d 
with  him." 

"Now,  boyl    What  was  she  a  doing  of,  when  y 
went  in  to-day?"  asked  Mr.  Pumblechook. 

»"She  was  sitting,"  I  snswered,  "in  a  black  vel»i 
coach." 
Mr.  Famblochook  and  Mrs.  Joe  etarod  at  c 
Mber  —  as  tliey   well   might  —  and  both   repeatai 
"Ib  a  black  velvet  coach?" 
"Tes,"   Haid  I.     "And  Miss  Estella  —  that's 
niece,  I  think  —  handed  hex  in  cake  and  i 
coach-window,  on  a  gold  plate.     And  we  all  had  c 
and  wine  on  gold  plates.     And  I  got  up  behiud  1 
coach  to  eat  mine,  because  she  fold  me  to." 

t"Was  anybody   eke  there?"    asked  Mr.    Pumbl^^ 
ook. 
"Four  dogs,"  said  I. 
"Large  or  small?" 

"Immense,"   said  I.     "And  they   fought  for  ■ 
cutlets,  out  of  a  silver  basket." 

Mr.  Pumblochook  and  Mrs.  Joe  stared  at  one  i 
otheragain,  in  utter  amazement.    I  waB  perfectly  frantij 
—  a  reckless  witness  under  the  torture  —  and  woul^ 
have  told  them  anything. 

"Where  was  this  coach,  in  tho  name  of  gracious?*! 
asked  my  sister. 

"InMi9flHavisham'srooni."Theystaredagain.  ' 

there  weren't  any  horses  to  it."  I  added  this  saving  claused 

in  the   moment    of  rejecting  four   richly    capariBoneJJL 

coursers  which  I  had  had  wild  thoughts  of  hameasing.fl 

"Gao    this   he   possible,   uiitleV"    aaked  Mrs.  Joa^ 

^"Wiat  can  tho  boy  mean?" 


^^^■r         sasAT  BxrBflTimoMi  SB 

^VTU  tell  yon,  Mum,"  said  Mr.  I'limblccfiook.  "My 
^Bm  is,  it's  a  sedan-cliRir.     She's  Higlity,  you  know 
^Huy  flighty  —  ijitite  fllglity  enough   tu  pass  her 
^Bni  a  aedan-chair." 
^B)id  you  over  ei^e  h^r  iii  it,   uncle?"  asked  Mr§. 

^^BoT  could  I?"  ho  retumCHl,  forced  to  the  adinis- 
^WSrfa^i  I  nerer  see  htr  in  my  lifoi'   Nuvtjr  clapped 
^Kpon  her!" 
^Boodneaa,   uuclel     And  yet  yon  havo  spoken  to 

^HPlty,  don't  you  know,"  said  Mr.  Pumblechook, 
^H,  "that  when  I  have  boon  there,  I  have  been 
^Ep  to  the  outside  of  her  door,  and  the  door 
^Hood  ajar,  and  she  has  Kpoke  to  me  that  way. 
^Bsay  you  don't  know  lliti.  Mum.  Howsever,  the 
^vent  there    to  pUy.       What    did   you    play  at, 

^B7e  played  with  flags,"  I  said.    (I  beg  to  observe 
^Bthink  of  myself  with  amazement,   when  1  recal 
^Hb  I  told  on  thifi  occasion.) 
^^Ragsl"  echoed  my  sister. 

^T'es,"  said  1.  "Estella  waved  a  blue  flag,  and  I 
id  a  red  one,  and  Miss  Haviaham  waved  one 
Jikled  ail  over  with  little  gold  stars,  out  at  the 
I  li-window.  And  then  we  all  waved  our  swords 
i  iiurralied." 

".Swords!'"  repeated   my   sister.     "Where  did  jou 
■  -M'ords  from?" 

riut  of  a  cupboard,"  said  I.     "Aud  I  saw  pistole 
i;  —  and  jam  —  And  pilh.     And   tbcre  is-aa   aw 
bat  it  WHS  fill  lighted  Ug  •wV'4'^ 


J  aubat  flZpnoTATroiTe.  ^^^H 

"That's  trae.  Mum,"  said  Mr.  Pumblocliook,  '*''-*" ^^^^^B 

grave  nod.  "That's  the  state  of  the  case,  for  '^^*^3HS 
Tich  Fve  seen  myflelf."  And  then  they  both  stflT^^^^BiS 
.  me,  and  I  with  an  ohtrusive  show  of  artlcssnoss  ^^^B^H 
y  countenance,  atared  at  them,  and  plaited  t]ie  rig'^^^H^B 
g  of  my  tronsers  with  my  right  haod.  .  ^^|^| 

If  they  had  asked  me  any  more  questions  I  shoU^^^^^H 
idoubtedly  have  betrayed  myself,  for  I  was  even  tb^Q^^^H 
1  the  point  of  mentioning  that  there  was  a  baJlooa  ^^fl^^^l 
.eyard,  and  should  have  hazarded  the  statement  hut  f^^j|B^B 
y  invention  being  divided  between  that  phenomonoS^B'^H 
id  a  bear  in  the  brewery.  They  were  so  much  oco)4^Bl^| 
ed,  however,  in  diacuasing  the  man-cb  I  had  alreaC^^T  ^M 
resented  for  their  consideration,  thnt  I  escaped.  '-^^jjK^  ^| 
Lhject  still  held  them  when  Joe  came  in  from  his  ^o'S^^*!^! 

have  a  cup  of  tea.  To  whom  my  sister,  more  f"^^*^^! 
.6  relief  of  her  own  mind  than  for  the  gratification  '^^^^1 
3,  related  my  pretended  experiences.  f^^^     S 

Now,   when  I  saw  Joe  open  his  blue  eyes  and  rolB  ^M 

.em  all  round  the  kitchen  in  helpless  amazement,  E)«^  ^M 
as  overtaken  by  penitence;  but  only  as  rogardeS'^  J^^ 
m  —  not  in  the  least  as  regarded  the  otlier  twoft  ^^M 
owarda  Joe,  and  Joe  only,  I  considered  myself  ^'  ^J^ 
jung  monster,  while  they  sat  debating  what  resnllfflt^^J 
ould  come  to  me  from  Miss  Havishara's  acqualntancwtl  ^^3 
id  favour.  They  had  no  doubt  that  Miss  Eavishain  y^if^'^ 
ould  "do  Bometliing"  for  me;  their  doubts  related  to:  HJ§^3 
e  form  that  something  would  take.  My  sister  stood  ig^^ 
it  for  "property."     Mr.  Pumblechook  was  in  favoint  ii^^ 

a  handsome  premium  for  binding  me  apprentice  toi  _^ 

me  genteel  trade  —  say,  the  com  and  seed  trade  fnrvii-^'^ 
sijince.  Joe  Fell  into  the  deepeat  disgrace  with  both,  %l^^^^ 
^Saing  tho  bright  suggestion.  t\mt  1  mi^\\.  oii^  \st4  *.\^e^ 


aEEAT  BXPECTATIOSB.  91 

i  vith  one  of  the  dogs  who  had  fought  for  tic 

Intlets.      "If  a  fool's  head    can'l   express   better 

s  than  that,"    Bald  my  aistor,    "and  you    have 

ywork  to  do,  you  had  bolter  go  and  do  it."  So 

r  Mr.  Pumbleuhook  had  driven  off,   and  whou 

}  washing  up,   I  stole  into  the   forgo   to 

1  remained  ljy  him  until  he  had  dune  for  the 

t  Then  I  said,    "Before  tho  fire  goes  quite  out, 

isbonld  like  to  tell  you  something." 

mould  yon,  Pip?"  said  Joe,  drawing  hia  shocing- 

■  the  forge.     "Then  tell  us,     What  is  it, 

'  eaid  I,  taking  hold  of  his  rolled-up  shirt 
I  and  twiating  it  between  my  finger  and  thumb, 
member  all  that  about  Miss  Havisham's?" 

'  said  Joe.     "I  believe  you!     Won- 

i  terrible  thing,  Joe;  it  ain't  true." 
lat  are  yon  telling  of,  Pip?"  cried  Joe,  falling 
1  the  greatest  amazement     "You  don't  mean  to 

B  I  do;  it's  lies,  Joe." 

lit  not  all  of  it?     Wliy  sure  you  don't  mean  to 

IS  no  black  welwet  co— eh?" 

I  stood  ehakiug  my  head.     "But  at  least  there 

Pip.     Come,  Pip,"    said  Joe,  persuasively, 

,   wam't  no  weal-cutlete ,   at  least  there  was 

,  Joe." 

Hoff?"  8"''^  J^^-     "-A  puppy?    Come?" 
^^^iiere  was  nothing  at  all  of  tte  tml." 

-fepe/ess/yonJoe,  Joeconlem-pW 


n  dismay.    "Pip,  old  chap!  this  won't  do, 
kwl  I  say!  Where  do  you  expect  to  go  to?" 

"It'a  terrihle,  Joe;  an't  it?" 

"Torrihle?"  cried  Joe.  "Awt'ul!  What  posBOsi 
you?" 

"I  don't  know  what  possessed  me,  Joe,"  I  repli€ 
letting  his  shirt  sleeve  go,  and  Bitting  down  iu  t] 
asheH  at  his  feet,  hanging  my  head;  "but  I  wish  yi 
hadn't  taught  me  to  call  Knaves  at  cardB,  Jacks;  ai 
I  wisfi  my  boots  weren't  so  thick  nor  my  hands  i 
coarse." 

And  then  I  told  Joe  that  I  felt  very  miserabl 
and  that  I  hadn't  been  able  to  explain  myself  to  ~~ 
Joe  and  Pumblechook,  who  were  so  rude  Ja  me, 
that  there  had  heen  a  beautiliil  young  lady  at  Miss 
visham's  who  was  dreadfully  proud  and  that  she  ha 
said  I  was  common,  and  that  I  knew  J  was  commoi 
and  that  I  wished  I  was  not  common,  and  that  the  li< 

»liad  come  of  it  somehow,  though  I  didn't  know  how. 
"  This  was  a  case  of  metaphysics,  at  least  as 
iftilt  for  Joe  to  deal  with,  as  for  me.  But  Joe 
the  case  altogether  out  of  the  region  of  metaphyai 
and  by  that  means  vajiquished  it. 

''There's  one  thing  you  may  he  sure  of,  Pip,"  Bu 
Joe,  after  some  rumination ,  "namely,  that  lies  is  " 
HowsevBT  they  come,  they  didn't  ought  to  come, 
they  eome  from  the  father  of  lies,  and  work  round  tc 
the  same.  Don't  you  tell  no  more  of  'em,  Pip.  Thai 
ain't  the  way  to  get  out  of  being  common,  old  chap 
And  as  to  being  common,  I  don't  make  it  out 
c/c/ir.  Yoa  are  oucommon  in  some  things.  You' 
eommon  amalL    Likewise  you're  a  onconuntm  wiio\aa 


r  EXPB0TATI0X8.  93 

,  I  am  i^orant  and  backward,  Joe." 
"Why,    see   what    a  letter  yon   wtotfi   last   niglit. 
■  ^  in  print  even!  I've  seen  letters  —  Ah!  itnJ  frum 
l.folka!  —  that  I'll  swear  weren't  wrote  in  print," 

I  have  learnt  next  to  nothing,  Joe.     You  think 
II  of  me,     It's  only  that." 

'Well,  Pip,"  said  Joe,  "be  it  so  or  be  it  BOn't,  you 

'  he  a  conunon  siiholar  aforu  yon  can  be  a  oneoU' 

..  one,    1  should  Lope!   The  king  upon  his  throne, 

.  hia    crown   opon  his  ed,    can't  sit  and  write  his 

of  Parliament  in    jiriut,    without   havUig   bDgon, 

liim  he  were  a  unpromoted  Prince,  with  the  alphabet 

-Ah!"    added  Joe,   with   a  shake  of  the  head  that 

r';i  full  of  meaning,  "and  begun  at  A  too,  and  worked 

■.i-.iy  to  Z.  And  /  know  what  that  is  to  do,  though 

ni  say  I've  exactly  done  it." 

i'lic^re  was  some  hope  in  this  piece  of  wisdoni,  and 
licr  encouraged  me. 

Whether  common  ones  as  to  callings  and  earn- 
pursued  Joe,  reflectively,  "mightn't  be  the  better 
:iiiliiiiiing  for  to  keep  company  with  common  ones, 
id  of  going  out  to  play  with  oncommon  ones  — 
■  li  rumiudsmetohope  that  there  were  a  flag  perhaps?" 
No,  Joe." 

'I'm  sorry  there  weren't  a  flag,  Pip.)  Wliether 
might  be  or  mightn't  be,  is  a  thing  as  can't  be 
d  into  now,  without  putting  your  Bister  on  the 
;  ii'iige;  and  that's  a  thing  not  to  bo'  thought  of  as 
l;  done  intentional.  Lookee  here,  Pip,  at  what  is 
lo  you  by  a  true  Mend.  Which  tliiB  lo  -you  W» 
rncjid^aay.  ^  If  yon  can't  get  to  be  oncottimo'Q. 
never    do   it,  1,\no\i^k 


94  GREAT  EXPECTATI8MB. 

going  crooked.    So  don't  tell  no  more  on  'em,  P 
Jive  'woll  and  die  happy." 

"You  aro  not  angry  with  mo,  Joey" 
"No,  old  ehap.  But  boaring  in  mind  tha 
wcro  which  I  meantersay  of  a  stunning  and  onti 
sort  —  alluding  to  them  which  bordered  on'wi 
lets  nnd  dog-fighting  —  a  sincere  ■well-wisher 
adwise,  Pip,  theii  being  dropped  into  your  med 
when  you  go  up-stairs  to  bed.  That's  all,  oh 
and  don't  never  do  it  no  more." 

When  I  got  np  to  my  little  room  and  s! 
prayers,  I  did  not  forget  Joe's  recomraendation,  ; 
my  young  mind  was  in  that  disturbed  and  untl 
state,  that  I  thought  long  after  I  laid  me  dow 
common  Estelta  wonld  uonsider  Joe,  a  mere 
smith:  how  thick  his  boots,  and  how  coarse  his 
I  thought  how  Joe  and  my  sister  were  then  sit 
the  kitchen,  and  how  I  had  come  up  to  bed  fr 
kitchen,  and  how  Miss  Havisham  and  Estella 
sat  in  a  kitchen,  but  were  far  above  the  level  > 
common  doings.  I  fell  asleep  i-ecalling  what  I 
to  do"  when  I  was  at  Miss  Havisham's;  as  tli 
had  been  there  weeks  or  months,  instead  of  hou 
as  though  it  were  quite  an  old  subject  of  remem 
instead  of  one  that  had  arisen  only  that  day. 
^  That  was  a  memorable  day  to  me,  for  il 
great  changes  in  me.  But,  it  is  the  same  wi 
life.  Imagine  one  seleeted  day  struck  out  of 
think  how  different  its  course  would  have  been. 
you  who  road  this,  and  think  for  a  moment  of  t 
1  chain  of  iron  or  gold,  of  thorns  or  flowers,  that 
■  have  hound  you,  but  for  the  formation 
•MO  memoraHe  day.  ^^^^^^^ 


CHAPTKR  X. 

9  fblicitous  !cl(!n  occurred  tu  me  a  morning  or 
it  when  I  woki;,  that  the  bost  atep  I  ouiild  lake 
I  nwking   myself  uncouiinon  was  to  got  mit  ol' 
werytJimg  she  kuew.  In  piireuniice  of  this  Intui- 
tion I  mentionoil  tii  Biddy  when  I  went  to 
s  ^ttat-amit's  at  night,  ithat  1  had  a  parti- 
1  for  wisliing  to  get  on  in  life,  nnd  that  I 
i  very  much  obliged  to  her  if  slie  wonld  im- 
T  learning  to  me.     Biddy,  wlio  was  the  moat 
t  of  girls,    immediately    said    she   would,    and 
Begoa  tu  cany  ont  her  promise  within  fivo  mi- 

^ISdactktioual  scheme  or  Course  establiahed  by 
B  greal^aunt  may  be  resiilved  into  tlie  fot' 
lOpaia.  Tlie  pupila  ate  api)Ies  and  pat  straws 
■taothBr's  backs,  niitil  Mr-  Wopalo's  great-anut 
iillfft!!!  Uw  energies,  and  naade  an  indiscriminate  ti»t- 
■   tliiia  with  a  birch-rod.   After  receiving  thechargo 
t.vary  mark  of  derision,  the  piipila  formed  in  lino 
"'  Imasingly  paasod  a  raggeJ  book  from  band  to  hand. 
b_book  had  an  alphabet  in  it,  some  figures  aiid  ta- 
xi, luid  a  little  spelling  —  that  is  to  say,  it  had  had 
fL'.    As  soon 'as  this  volume  began  to  circulate,  Mr. 
'  li's  gi-eat-anot  fell  into  a  state  of  coma;  arising 
'  from  sleep  or  a  rheumatic  paroxysm.  The  pupils 
■■    entered    among    themselves   ujion    a  competitive 
imitiatiou  on  the  subject  of  Boots,  with  the  v' 
Brtaining   who  conlri  tread  tbo  iardoat  upon  w\\Ciaft 
'^.^^J"'^^_''-'^^^'se  lasted  iiutil  Biddy  maie  a 
Qmttd    three   defaced 


(sLaped  aa  if  they  had  lieen  unskilfully  cut  ofl 
chump-end  of  Komothing),  more  illegibly  printed  s 
best  than  any  curiosities  of  literature  I  have  since 
with,  speckled  all  over  with  ironmould,  and  hs 
various  specimenH  of  the  insect  world  smashed  bet 
their  leaves.  This  part  of  the  Course  was  ua' 
lightened  by  several  single  combats  between  B 
and  refractory  students.  Wlien  the  fights  were 
Biddy  gave  oat  the  number  of  a  page,  and  the] 
all  read  aloud  what  we  could  —  or  what  we  cou 
—  in  a  frightful  chorus;  Biddy  leading  with  a 
shrill  monotonous  voiee,  and  none  of  us  having 
least  notion  of,  or  reverence  for,  what  we  were  res 
about.  When  this  horrible  din  had  lasted  a  ce 
time,  it  mechanically  awoke  Mr.  Wopsle's  greats 
who  staggered  at  a  boy  foituiiously-.  and  pnllet 
eare.  This  was  understood  to  terminate  the  Ci 
for  the  evening,  and  we  emerged  into  the  air 
shrieks  of  intellectual  victory.  It  is  fair  to  rei 
that  there  was  no  prohibition  against  any  pupil's  c 
taining  himself  with  a  slate  or  even  with  the 
{when  there  was  any),  but  that  it  was  not  easy  to 
sue  that  branch  of  study  in  the  winter  season,  oi 
count  of  the  little  general  shop  in  which  the  el 
were  hotden  —  and  which  was  also  Mr.  Wopsle's  g 
aunt's  sitting-room  and  hed-chamher  —  being  but  i 
ly  illuminated  through  the  agency  of  one  low-spi 
dip-candle  and  no  snuffers. 

It  appeared  to  me  that  it  would  take  time,  t 
come  uncommon  under  tliese  circumstances:  u 
thelesB,  I  resolved  to  try  it,  and  that  very  evi 
SJddy  entered  on  our  special  agreement,  by  impa 

JofonaiitUin  from  her  Utt\e  <ia.\jj\o^ 


\.Q^^^^| 


S7 

tiiiJ«c  tbe  bead   of  moist  sugar,    and  lending  mn,  to 

"jjj'  at  home,   a  large  old  English  D  wliicb  slie  had 

imilAted  from   the  hendiiig  «t  enino    newspaper,    and 

•liirli  I  Biipposml,  until  she  told  me  what  it  was,  to  be 

t  ilwiga  for  a  buckle.  ^ 

Mf  course  there  was  a  public-houso  in  the  village, 

''  'if  course  Joe  liked  aometimes  to  nmoke  his  pipe 

ri'.    I  had  received  strict  ordera  from  my  sister  to 

I  'ill  I'nt  him  at  the  Three  Jolly  Bargemen,  that  even- 

Ji;,  on  my  way  from  school,  and  bring  him  home  at 

I  'v  peril.     To  the  Three  Jolly  Bargemen,   therefore, 

I  I  ilirpcted  my  steps. 

I      There  was  a  bai'  at  the  Jolty  Bargemen,  with  some 

riaingly  long  chalk  scores  in  it  on  the  wall  at  the 

li-  i)f  the  door,  wliieh  seemed  to  mc  to  be  never  paid 

■    They  had  been  there  ever  since  I  could  remember, 

,  -^'1  had  grown  more  than  I  had.     But  there  was  a 

■iutity  of  chalk  about  our  country,  and  perhaps  the 

I    "iile  neglected  no  opportunity  of  turning  it  to  account. 

I      il  being  Saturday  night,  I  found  the  landlord  look- 

I    '  mther  grimly  at  these  records,  but  as  my  biisinesa 

■'  with  Joe  and  not  with  him,  I  merely  wished  liim 

''III  livening,   and  passed  into  the   common  room  at 

■*  find  of  the  passage,  where  there  was  a  bright  large 

*lien  fire,    and  where  Joe  was  smoking  his  pipe  in 

^[luny  with  5tr.  Wopsle  and  a  stranger.   Joe  greeted 

>!  ae  usual  with   "Halloa,   Fip,   old  cbapl"  and  the 

^ent  he  said  that,  the  stranger  tamed  his  head  and 

Wed  at  me. 

He  was  a  secret-looking  man  whom  I  Imd  Tiww 

(1  before.   His  bead  was  all  on  one  side,  and  one  o(\ia 

■  Hwr  bidf  shut  up,  as  if  be  were  taking  aim.  B.t , 


ma  SBBAT  KFECTATIOKS. 

rjiis  mouth,  and  lie  took  it  out,  anci,  after  slowly  bio 
ing  all  hiB  smoke  away  and  looking  liard  at  me  t 
tlie  time,  nodded.  So,  I  nodded,  and  then  he  noddi 
again,  and  made  room  on  tlio  settle  beside  him  that 
might  sit  down  there. 

But,  as  I  was  used  to  sit  teside  Joe  whenever 
itered  that  placo  of  resort,  I  said  "No,  thank  j 
and  fall  into  the  space  Joe  made  for  me  on 
opposite  settle.  The  s^ange  man,  after  glancing  ; 
Joe,  and  seeing  that  his  attention  was  otherwise  engage 
nodded  to  me  again  when  I  had  taken  my  seat, 
then  mbbed  Ms  leg  —  in  a  very    odd  way,    a 

tgbrack  me. 

k      "Ton  was  saying,"   said  the  strange  man,  tun 

■o  Joe,  "that  you  was  a  blacksmith." 

I      "Tes.     I  said  it,  yon  know,"  said  Joe, 

f,      "What'll  you  drink,   Mr.  — ?  Tou  didn't  mentis 

^ur  name,  hy-the-by." 

r      Joe  mentioned  it  now,  and  the  strange  man  call 

pim  by  it.     "What'll  you  drink,  Mr.  Gargery?  At  i 

expense?  To  top  up  with?" 

r      "Well,"   said   Joe,    "to  tell  yon  the  truth,   I  ai 

iSnch  in  the  habit  of  drinking  at  anybody's  expens 

lint  my  own." 

[      "Hahit?  No,"  returned  the  stranger,  "but  oni 

*way,   and  on   a  Satiwday   night  too.     Come!   Put 

Wne  to  it,  Mr.  Gargery," 

[       "I  wouldn't  wish  to  be  stiff  company,"   said  Jo( 

(.  "Rum,"  repeated  the  stranger.  "And  will  th 
^er  gentleman  originate  a  sentimeut?" 


QREAT  BxrCCTAIIOlWI.  W 

"Three  Rtuhs!"  mod  the  stranger,  culling  to  the 
I  kadlord.     "GiaBscB  round!" 

"This  other  gentlemaD,"  observed  Joe,  by  way  of 

I  intiodncing  Mr.   Wopsle,    "ja   a    gentlemati  that  you 

'■■luld  like  to  hear  give  it  out.     Our  clerk  at  ehureL" 

"Ahal"  said  the  stranger,  quickly,  and  cocking  his 

at   me.     "The  lonely   church,    right  out  on  the 

■  ii^hes,  with  the  graves  romid  it!" 

"That's  it,"  Bsid  Joe. 

The  stranger,  with  a  comfortnble  kind  of  grunt 
nVCT  his  pipe,  put  his  legs  up  on  the  settle  that  ho  had 
1"  idnieelf.  lie  wore  a  flapping  broad-brimmed  trav- 
't'-r's  hat,  and  under  it  a  handkerchief  tied  over  hia 
■■A  in  the  manner  of  a  cap:  bo  that  he  sbowed  no 
r,  Ab  he  looked  at  the  fire,  I  thought  I  saw  a  cun- 
r;i'  espreBsiou,  followed  by  a  half  laugh,  come  into  his 

''I  am  not  acquainted  with  this  country,  gentlemen, 
"111  it  Beems  a  solitary  country  tijwarda  the  river." 

"Moat  marahes  is  solitary,"  said  Joe. 

"No  doubt,  no  doubt  Do  yon  lind  any  gipsies, 
aur,  or  tramps,  or  vagrants  of  any  sort  out  there?" 

"No,"  said  Joe;  "nouu  but  a  runaway  eon^Hct  now 
ittii  iben.  And  we  don't  find  thfin,  easy.  Eh,  Mr. 
WnpgleV" 

Ur.  Wopsle,  with  a  majestic  rememhrance  of  old 
'iisccrafiture,  assented;  but  not  warmly. 

"Seems  you  have  been  out  after  auch?"  asked  the 
«nmger- 

"Once,"  returned  Joe.  "Not  that  we  wanted  to 
Uke  them,  ^ou  undcjstaml;  wc  went  out  as  \ook.fcT8-o\i-. 
£r.^J^'  Y"-^^^'  ^°'^  ^^P-     ■t'itiii't  US,  Pip?" 


GHBAT  BXPHOTATIOlffl. 


^V       The  straii{;'er  looked  at  mQ  again  —  still  eoekin 
Tiis  eye,  as  if  he  were  expressly  taking 
his  invisible  gun  —  and  said,    "He's  a  likely  youn 
parcel  of  bones  that.     What  is  it  yon  call  Iiim?" 

^"Pip,"  said  Joe. 
"Christened  Pip?" 
"No,  not  chriatened  Pip." 
"Surname  Pip?" 
"No,"  said  Joe,  "it's  a  kind  of  a  family  name  whi 
gave  himself  when  a  infant,  and  is  called  by." 
"Son  of  yours?" 
"Well,"  said  Joe,  meditatively  —  not,  of  court 
that  it  could  be  in  any  wise  necessary  to  considi 
about  it,  but  because  it  vas  the  way  at  the  JoU 
Bargemen  to  seem  to  consider  deeply  about  everythio 
ijQtat  was  discussed  over  pipes;  "well  —  no.  No,  I 
'  "t." 

"Newy?"  said  the  ati'ange  man. 
"Well,"   said  Joe,    with  the  same   a])pearance 
cofound  cogitation,    "he  is  not  - —  no,  not  to  deceivi 
he  is  not  —  my  newy." 

"What  the  Blue  Blazes  is  he?"  asked  the  atrangei 
Which  appeared  to  me  to  b^an  inquiry  of  unnecesaan 
strength. 

Mr.  Wopsle  struck  in  upon  that;  as  one  who  kneH 
all  about  relationships,  having  professional  occasioi 
bear  in  mind  what  female  relations  a  man  might 
many;  and  expounded  the  ties  between  me  and  Jo6 
Having  his  hand  in,  Mr.  Wopsle  finished  off  with  t 
most  terrifically  snarling  passage  from  Richard  thi 
Third,  and  seemed  to  think  he  had  done  quite  enougl 
ft>  Mccoant  for  it  when  be  added  " —  as  ^.Ve  '^witfta-ya^ 
Ajid  here  J  may  remark  ihat  wlusa  Mi.  "^  o^iia 


attui^asraOTATTOM. 


101 


le,  he  considered  il  a  uece'fasar^,  p^'^[:qtic^'. 

3  to  rumple  mj  Iiair  and  poke  it  into  my'oyes."  • 
r  canoot  conceive  wliy  everyboity  nf  his  standing  who 
'sited  at  our  lionso  should  aways  have  put  me  through 
le  same  inflammatury   process  under  similar  circ 
auees.     Tet  I  do  not  call  to  mind  that  I  was  ever  in 
y  earlier  youth  the  subject  of  remark  in  our  k 
r[iily  cirele,  but  some  large-handed  person  took  Bome 
II  II  ophtbajpiiy  stepa  to  patronise  me. 

All  this  while  the  strange  man  looked  at  no  body 
::  me,   and  looked  at  me  as  if  he  were  determined  to 
e  a  shot  at  me  at  last,   and  bring  me  down. 
jpd  nothing  after  offering  his  Blue  Blazea  obaerva- 
mtil  the  glasses  of  rum- and- water  were  brought; 
1  lie  made  his  shot,  and  a  most  extraordinary 
t  was. 

t  was    not  a  verbal  remark,    but  a  proceeding  in 
i-flhow,   and  whb  pointedly  addressed  to  me.     ~ 
i  iiis  rum-and-water  pointedly  at  me,  and  he  tasted  ' 
n-and-water  pointedly  at  me.     And  he  stirred  it  i 
1  it:  not  with  a  apoon  that  was  brought  to 
li'bnt  with  a  fit'-. 

B  did  this  so  that  n^ody  but  I  saw  the  file;  and 

\  he  had  done  it  be  wiped  tlia  file  and  put  it  in  a 

It-pocket.     I  knew  it  to  be  Joe's  file,    and  I  knew 

the  knew  my  convict  the  moment  I  saw  the  instru- 

nent     I  sat  gazing  at  bim,  spell-bound.     But  he  now 

redined  on  his  settle,  taking  very  little  notice  of  me, 

mil  talking  principally  about  turnips. 

There   was  a   delicioua   sense   of  cloaning-up  and 
liking  a  quiet  pause  befora  gving  on  in  life  atteaW,  la 
i/y/^ips  on  Satnrdajr  aJglita,  wliich  Btinm\atoA  3« 
~^o^ifijf  an  tour   longer    on  Sa.t\u:4ag 


HI 


I 


-'tli(Ip!^;-oil;(if  times'. '  Tiie  liijt-bour  aud  tlie  rum- 
■  Waler  miming  out  togetliet,  Joe  got  up  to  go,  and 
me  by  the  hajid. 

"Stop  half  a  moment,  Mr.  Gargery,"  said 
strange  man.  "I  think  I've  got  a  bright  new  ahilli 
Momewhere  in  my  pocket,  and  if  I  have  the  boy  ak 
have  it. 

He  looked  it  out  from  a  handful  of  small  chanL 
folded  it  in  some  crumpled  paper,  and  gave  it  to  n 
Tours!"  said  he.     "Mind!  Your  own." 

I  thanked  him,  staring  at  him  far  beyond  the  boun 
of  good  manners,  and  holding  tight  to  Joe.     He  gai 
Joe  good-night,   and  he  gave  Mr.  "Wopslo   good-nig 
(who  went  out  with  us),  and  he  gave  me  only  a  Itx 
with  his  aiming  eye  —  no,   not  a  took,    for  he  shut 
i^p,  bnt  wonders  may  be  done  with  an  eye  by  hiding  it 
On  the  way  home,  if  I  had  been  in  a  humour  for 
liking,  the  talk  must  have  been  all  on  my  side,   for 
■.  Wopsle  parted  from  us  at  the  door  of  the  Jolly 
,   and  Joe  went  all  the  way  home  with  hia 
Louth  wide  open,  to  rinse  the  rum  out  with  as  much 
'  air  as  possible.     Bnt  I  was  in  a  manner  stupified  by 
this  turning  up   of  my  old^sdeed  and  old  acquaint- 
ance, aud  could  think  of  nothing  else. 

My  sister  was  not  in  a  very  bad  temper  when  we 
presented  ourselves  in  the  kitchen,  and  Joe  was  encou- 
raged by  that  unusual  cii'cumstance  to  tell  her  about 
the  bright  shilling.  "A  bad  nn,  I'll  be  bound,"  said 
Mrs.  Joe,  triumphantly,  "or  he  wouldn't  have  given  it 
to  the  boy!     Let's  look  at  it." 

/  tooi  it  out  of  the  paper,   ani  \\.  ^isrvfti  tsi  \>t.  a. 
good  oae.    "Bat  iriiat's  this?"  aaii  "Mja.  J*!*!,  'Cttno^'m.'s 


*II|0*T  BYPBCTATIONS.  W*   i 

II  (Jie  shilliag  and  catcliing  up  the  jiaper.     '"Two 
-i'ound  notea!'" 

Niitliing    less    than  two    fat    sweltering  one-pound 

^  that  seemed  to  have  been  on  terms  of  the  womioat 

Tiaey    with   all  the  cuttle    markets   in  the  county. 

cMight  np  his  hat  ng;ain,  and  ran  witli  thorn  to  the 

y  Bargemen  to  restore  them  to  their  owner.    While 

'■•■■■■Ls  gono,  I  Hat  down  on  my  usual  stool  and  looked 

iLilly  at  my  sister:  feeling  pretty  sure  that  the  man 

..III  not  be  there. 

I  'ri?9cntly,  Joe  came  back,  saying  that  the  man  was 

:■■■,    but  that  he,   Joe,   had  left  word  at  the  Three 

ilv  Bargemen  concerning  the  notes.    Then  my  eister 

'ill  tbem   up   in  a  piete  of  paper,   and   put  them 

'  ii'i'  Home  dried  rose-leaveti  in  an  ornamental  teapot  on 

Hi'  top  of  a  press  in  the  statu  jjarlour.     There,   they 

(i-uiuinud,  a  nightmare  to  me,  many  and  many  a  night 

■III J  day. 

I  had  sadly  broken  sleep  when  I  got  to  bed,  through  I 
liking  of  the  strange  man  taking  aim  at  me  with  his 
.^iljle  gun,  and  of  the  guiltily  coarse  and  common  'i 
iil;  it  was,  to  be  on  secret  terms  of  conspiracy  with  i 
.  I  iota  — -  a  feature  in  my  low  career  that  I  had  pre-  . 
iii-ly  forgotten.     I  was  Tiannted  by  the  file  too.     A 

III  possessed  mo  that  when  1  least  expected  it,  the 
'  would"  reappear.  I  coaxed  myself  to  sleep  by 
■  liking    of  Miss  Havisham'a,   next  Wednesday;   and 

iiy  sleep  I  saw  the  file  coming  at  me  out  of  a  door 
"iiliout  seeing  who   held  it,    and  I  screamed  myself 


ORBAT  BSPBCTATIONS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


At  tlie  appointed   timo  I  returned  to   Mies  Haf^ 
-^^wn'a,  and  1117  het^itatin^  ring  at  the  gate  brought  ow— , 
Estella.     She  locked  it  after  admitting  me,  as  she  ha(S^ 
(tone    before,    and  again  preceded  me  into  tlie  darltf 
passage  where  her  candle  stood.     She  took  no  notice' 
of  me  until  she  had  the  candle  in  her  Land,  when  shf 
looked  o¥er  her  shoulder,  superciliously  saying,   "Tol 
are  to  come  this  way  to-day,"  and  took  me 
another  part  of  the  house. 

The  passage  was  a  long  one  and  seemed  to  perva^L 
the  whole  square  basement  of  the  Manor  House.     Wfl 
traversed  but  one  side  of  the  square,  however,   and  a 
the  end  of  it  she  stopped,    and  put  her  candle  dow; 
and  opened  a  door.     Here,   the   daylight  reappeared, 
and  I  found  myself  in  a  small  paved  court-yaid,    the 
opposite  side  of  which  was  formed  by  a  detached  dweU: 
ing-house,  that  looked  as  if  it  had  once  belonged  to  ^ 
manager  or  head  clei-k  of  the  extinct  brewery.  There  w 
a  clock  in  the  outer  wall  of  this  house.  Like  the  clock  ii 
Miss  Havishara's  room  and  like  Miss  Havisham'a 
it  had  stopped  at  twenty  minutes  to  nine. 

We  went  in  at  the  door,  which  stood  opei 
into  a  gloomy  room  with  a  low  ceiling,  on  the  groanM 
floor  at  the  back.  There  was  some  company,  in  tlw 
room,  and  Estella  said  to  me  as  she  joined  it,  "Yon 
are  to  go  and  stand  there,  boy,  till  you  are  wanted.' 
"There,"  being  the  window,  I  crossed  to  it,  and  stood 
"there,"  in  a  very  uncomfortable  state  of  mind,  look-3 
ing  out.  \ 

-      It  opened  to  the  grotmd,    anl  \ooWe3.  VnX«  ? 


ion 

^^HlinUe  comer  of  tlic  neglected  garden,  upon  a  rniik 

^^^■a|lttage-gtalks,  and  one  box-tree  that  had  been 

^^^^^^B0  Ifmg  ago,  like  a  {ludding,  and  had  n  new 

^^^^^^^B  top  of  it,  out  of  sliape  aud  of  a  dtfT^rent 

^^Hi^^Fthat  part  of  the  pudding  bad  stuck  to  the 

^^^bm  and  got  bomt.  This  vne  my  homely  thought, 

^^H  contemplated  the  hox-trce.     There  had  been  Home 

^^Bt  snow  ower-njght,    and  it  lay  nowhere  el»e  to  my 

^^llwIeJge;  bnt,  it  had  not  quite  melted  from  the  cold 

l^iiow  of  this  bit  of  garden,    and  the  wind  caught  it 

:i  in  little  eddies  and  threw  it  at  the  window,  aa  if  it 

;li(d  me  for  coming  there. 

I  divined  that  my  coming  had  stopped  conversa- 
■u  in  the  room,  and  that  its  other  occupants  were 
"king  at  me.  I  could  aec  nothing  of  the  room  except 
(•  shining  of  the  fire  in  the  window-glasa,  but  I 
■.■ITi'UBd  in  all  my  joints  with  the  conscionsnesa  that  1 
I-  linder  close  inspection. 

ITiere  were  three  ladies  in  the  room  and  one  gentle- 

.11.     Before  I  had  been  standing  at  the  window  five 

ijiites,  they  somehow  conveyed  to  me  that  they  were 

'  toadies  and  humbugs,    but  that  each  of  them  pre- 

;ilL'd  not  to  know  that  the  others  were  toadies  and 

■  rrEbugs:    because   the  admission  -that  ho  or   she  did 

uw  it,    would   have  made  him  or  her/out  to  he  a 

.idy  and  humbug. 

They  all  had  a  listless  and  dreary  air  of  waiting 

"omebody's   pleasure,    and  the  most    talkative   of   the 

lidios  had    to   speak  quite  rigidly  to  repress  a  yawn. 

This  Iftdy,    whose  name  was  Camilla,   very  much  re- 

mmded  me  of  mj-  sister,    with   the  difference  that  ^a 

o/^tT  aud  {as  I  found  when  1  caught  siglvt  «i?  \ym> 

"— *-•  em  of  features.     Indeed,   "wlicii  1  Vaa^ 


H  her  better  I  begun  to  think  it  was  a  Mercy  g 
^Kwy  features  at  all,  bo  very  blank  and.  high  v 
^■Sead  wall  of  her  face. 

^V        "Poor  dear  aoul!"  said  this  lady,  with  an  abruf 
^KiLBB9  of  manner  quite  my  aister's.      "Nobody's 
VM  his  own!" 

H  "It  would  be  much  more  commendable  to  be  som 
•.Iwdy  else's  enemy,"  said  the  gentlemanj  "far  mo 
^P  natural" 

Br  "Cousin  John,"  observed  another  lady,  "we  are  : 
^■'love  our  neighbour." 

^E  "Sarah  Pocket,"  returned' Cousin  John,  "if  a  n 
^Bs  not  his  own  neighbour,  who  is?" 
^B  Miss  Pocket  laughed,  and  Camilla  laughed  i 
^^»)ud  (checking  a  yawn),  "The  idea!"  But  I  thou^ 
^B&6y  seemed  to  think  it  rather  a  good  idea  too.  T~ 
^B' other  lady  who  had  not  spoken  yet,  said  gravely  8 
^KCimphatically,  "Vei-j/  true!" 

HT  "Poor  soul!"  Camilla  presently  went  on  (I  knei 
^Biiey  had  all  been  looking  at  me  in  the  : 
^K^lie  13  90  very  strange!  Would  any  one  i 
^Kwhen  Tom's  wife  died,  he  actually  could  not  be  in 
^wSuced  to  see  the  impoi'tance  of  tlte  children's  havin 
^yuie  deepest  of  trimmingii  to  their  mourotngi'  'Goo 
^K^ord!'  says  he,  'Camilla,  what  can  it  signify  so  long  a 
'•  the  poor  bereaved  little  things  are  in  black?'     So  lik 

Matthew!     The  idea!" 

"Good  points   in  him;   good   points  in  him," 

Cousin  John;  "Heaven  forbidl  should  deny  good  points 

in  him;  but  he  never  had,  and  he  never  will  have,  any 

sense  of  the  proprieties." 

"I'oa  know  I  was  obliged,"  saii  Caitti.W.a.,  ' 
^liffcd  to  be  Brm.      I  said,    'It  YJUi  sot  hc 


my 

\ 


enu*  neMOTATioNs. 


107 


^^^W  of  {be  family.'  I  told  liim  lliat  without  (li?<-|i 
^^^fciugs,  the  family  was  diggi-acc<d.  I  ci'ied  iiboitt  it 
^^H  bruakfnat  tUl  diimcr.  1  isjured  my  digestioti. 
^^^ftlt  last  he  Rang  oat  in  his  violent  way,  aiid  said 
^^Hl  0,  'llien  do  as  you  like.'  lliank  Goodnuss  it 
^^Vvlvays  be  a  consolation  to  me  to  kiiuw  that  I 
^^^ptly  went  out  in  a  pouring  rain  and  bought  the 

^^^■ffe  paid  for  thcra,  did  he  not?"  asked  Estella. 
^^^P'b  not  the  question,  my  dear  child,  who  paid  for 
^^^V  returned  Camilla,  "/  bou<,rht  them.    And  I  shall 
^^^Hiink  of  that  with  peace,  when  I  wake  up  in  the 

^^^Ba  nnging  of  a  distant  bell,   combined  with  the 

^^^K  t£  eume  cty  or  call  along  the  passage  by  which 

^^^Bcome,   iuterrupted  the  conversation  and   caused 

^^Hr.  to  say  to  me,    "Now,    boy!"     On  my  turning 

^^^H  they  all  looked  at  me  with  the  utmost  cniiteuipt, 

^^^H  I  went  out,  I  heard  Sarah  Pocket  say,    "Well 

^^^■orel     Wkat  next!"  and  Camilla  add,    with  in- 

^^^Bdo,  "Wttii  there  ever  such  a  fancy!  The  i-di-a!" 

^^B  we  were  going  with  our  candle  along  the  dork 

pM8sge,    Estella  stopped  all  of  a  sudden,   and  facing 

mI  said  in  her  taunting  manner  with  her  face  quite 

■■-  to  mine: 

■VVeU?" 

■  Well,  miss?"   I  answered,  almost  falling  over  her 
i  i^hecking  myself. 

:Sli6  stood  looking  at  me,    and,   of  course,   I  stood 
--iiig  at  her. 
"Am  I  pretty-?'" 

.;  /  think  jroa^  ace  very  jjretty." 


108  OBEAT  EXPaCTATIOITS.  1 

"Not  BO  much  80  as  yoo  were  last  time,"  said 

"Not  80  much  HO?"  i 

"No." 

She  fired  when  she  asked  the  last  qneetioa,  an3 
slapped  mj  face  with  such  force  as  she  had,  whi 
answered  it. 

"Now?"  said  she.  "Ton  little  coarse  monster,  fl 
do  you  think  of  me  now?" 

"I  shall  not  tell  you." 

"Because  you  are  going  to  tell,  up-stairs.  Is  1 
it?" 

"No,"  said  I,  "that's  not  it." 

"Why  don't  yon  cry  again,  you  little  wretch?'^ 

"Because  I'll  never  cry  for  you  again,"  saii 
.Which  was,  I  suppose,  as  false  a  declaration  as  i 
was  made;  for  I  was  inwardly  crying  for  her  then, 
I  know  what  I  know  of  the  pain  she  cost  me  aj 
wards. 

We  went  on  our  way  up-etairs  after  this  episc 
and,  as  we  were  going  np,  we  met  a  gentleman  grc^ 
his  way  down. 

"Who  have  we  here?"  asked  the  gentleman,  B 
ping  and  looking  at  me, 

"A  boy,"  said  Estella. 

He  was  a  hurly  man  of  an  exceedingly  dark  e 
pleiion,  with  an  exceedingly  large  head  and  a  1 
respondingly  large  hand.  He  took  my  chin  in  his  Is 
hand  and  turned  np  my  face  to  have  a  look  at  mo 
the  light  of  the  candle.  He  was  prematurely  bald 
the  top  of  his  head,  and  had  bushy  black  eyebr 
that  wouldn't  lie  down  but  stood  up  bristling. 
^  e/'^w  were  set  very  deep  in  his  \ieB,l^  ko4 
'ejgrceabJjr  sfiarp  and  suspicioua.  He  tn.!  a' 


rmyr  ncnroTATtOKs.  109 

.   strong   black   dots    where   lilu    ln'.Mril    and 
1  wontd  have  bt^en  if  he  had  lot  thoai.  He  wa)< 
ig  to  no,  and  I  could  have  had  no  lorusight  then, 
Ic  ever  would  be  auything  to  me-,  but  it  happened 
I  bad  this  opportunity  of  obserFing  him  well. 
"Soy  of  the  neighbourhood?  Hey?"  said  he. 
W  'Iwi  sir,"  said  I. 
"H(FF  do  you  come  here?" 
"ffiss  Havisham  sent  for  me,  sir,"  1  explained. 

■  Weill    Behave  yourself,     I  have   a  pretty   large 
)  of  boys,    aiid  you're  a  bad  set  of  fellows. 

■mindl"  eaid  he,  biting  the  side  of  lus  great  fore- 
:r  as  he  frowned  at  me,  "you  behave  yourself!" 
Ifith  those  words,  he  released  me  —  which  I  was 
: !  iif,  for  his  hand  smelt  of  acented  soap  —  and  went 
vriy  down  stairs.  I  wondered  whether  he  conld  be 
'Mr;  but  no,  I  thought;  he  couldn't  be  a  doctor, 
i"  would  have  a  quieter  and  more  persuasive  manner. 
:i'  was  not  much  time  to  consider  the  subject,  for 
H're  soon  in  Miss  Havisham's  room  where  she  and 
i.  iliing  else  were  just  as  I  had  left  them.  Estella 
:iio  standing  near  the  door,  and  I  stood  there  until 

■  Havisham  cast  her  eyes  upon  me  from  the  dress- 
.  Mlile. 

■  :So!"  she  said,  without  being  startled  or  surprised; 
liays  Jiave  worn  away,  have  they?" 

Ves,  ma'am.     To-day  is  — " 

There,  there,  there!"  with  the  impatient  movement 
'I  lier  fingers.     "I  don't  want  to  know.  Are  you  ready 
:o  iJuy?" 
J  wjis  obliged  to  answer  In  some  conftiaioa,  "1  ioiit 


*tlO  oubat  bxMotatoobs. 

"Not  at  carils  again?"  she  demanded,  with 
jng  look. 

"Tea,  ma'aiB^  I  could  do  that,  if  I  was  wantei 

"Since  this  houso  strikes  you  old  and  grave,  1 
said  Miss  Havishain,  impatiently,  "and  you  are 
willing  to  play,  are  yoa  willing  to  work?" 

I  could  answer  tliis  inquiry  with  a  better  heart 
I  had  been  able  to  find  for  the  other  question,  a 
eaid  I  was  quite  williug. 

"Then  go  into  that  opposite  room,"  said  she,  p« 
ing  at  the  door  behind  me  with  her  withered  h 
"and  wait  there  till  I  come." 

I  crossed  the  staircase  landing,  and  entered 
jroom  she  indicated.  From  that  room  too,  the  day] 
was  completely  excluded,  and  it  had  an  airless  « 
that  was  oppressive.  A  fire  had  been  lately  kindle 
the  damp  old-fasliioned  grate,  and  it  was  more  disp 
to  go  out  than  to  bum  up,  and  the  reluctant  sn 
which  hung  in  the  room  seemed  colder  than  the  ch 
air — like  our  own  marsh  mist.  Certain  wintry  bran 
of  candles  on  the  high  chimney-piece  faintly  lig 
the  chamber:  oi-  it  would  be  more  expressive  to 
faintly  troubled  its  darkness.  It  was  spacious,  a 
dare  say  had  once  been  handsome,  but  every  diseer 
thing  in  it  was  covered  with  dust  and  mould,  and  cf 
ping  to  pieces.  The  most  prominent  object  was  a  ' 
table  with  a  table-cloth  spread  on  it,  as  if  a  feast 
been  in  preparation  when  the  house  and  the  clock 
stopped  togetlier.  An  epergne  or  centre-piece  of  i 
kind  was  in  the  middle  of  this  cloth;  it  was  so  hea 
overhung  with  cobwebs  that  its  form  was  quite 
tia^iu'sliable,  and,  as  I  looked  along  tW  "jeWww 
"  which  I  remember  its  seemmg  to 


OncAT  exPBOTATtONS.  Ill 

?j.ii'|lW  fungUB,  I  sftw  si)6ck1ed-legged  tipi dors  with  blotchy 
■MiM  ninning  homo  to  it,  and  runninff  out  from  it,  as 
Kfoiae  c-ircuiQfitance  of  the  greatest  public  importance 
»wjnst  transpired  in  the  spider  communitj'. 

I  Iieard  the  tniue  too,  Kittling  behind  the  panFils, 
iMiftliy  same  oecurrenue  were  important  to  their  in- 
Unt,  thes  black-beetlea  took  no  notice  of  the 
Rigitutinn,  Hnd  grojied  about  the  hearth  in  a  2>'*'"^'-'''<*''^ 
f  fMfifljr  way.  na  if  they  were  short-sighted  and  hard  of 
I  wing,  and  not  on  terms  with  one  another. 

These  crawling  things  Iiad  fascinated  my  attention 
(  watehing  them  from  n  distance,  when  Miss 
'i*liam  laid  a  hand  upon  my  shoulder.  In  her  other 
"I  nhe  had  ii  crutch-headed  sticJt  on  whieL  she  loaned, 
I.  -lie  looked  like  the  Witeli  of  the  place. 

'This,"  said  she,  pointing  to  the  long  table  with 
I  "itick,  "is  where  I  will  he  laid  when  I  am  dead. 
'  i",v  iJiall  come  and  look  at  me  here." 
With  Bome  vague  misgiving  that  she  might  get 
■■'I  the  table  then  and  there  and  die  at  onee,  the 
ii'lik'te  realisation  of  the  ghastly  waxwork  at  the 
if.  I  slffank  under  her  touch. 

"What  do  yon  think  that  is?"  she  asked  me,  again 
"'iTig  with   her  stick;    "that,   where  those  cobwebs 

"I  can't  guess  what  it  is,  ma'am." 
'fl's  a  great  cake.     A  bride-cake.     Mine!" 
>lie  looked  all  roimdthe  room  in  a  glaring  manner, 
tlipn  said,   leaning  on  me  while  her  hand  twitched 
i-boulder,    "Gome,   come,    come!    Walk  me,  wa.\t 

n  this,    that  the  wOrk  I  had  to  Ao, 
a  rouad  and  round  tlie  tooto. 


113  OaXAT  KXPB0TATION8. 

Accordiagly,  I  started  at  once,  and  slie  leaned  i 
my  shoulder,  and  we  went  away  at  a  pace  that  m 
bare  been  an  iraitatioa  (founded  ou  my  first  ini 
under  that  roof)  of  Mr.  Pumhleehook's  ehaise-cart. 

She  was  not  physically  strong,  and  after  a 
time  sbe  said  "Slower!"  Still,  we  went  at  an  impal 
fitful  speed,  and  as  wo  went,  she  twitehed  the  i 
upon  my  shoulder,  and  worked  ber  mouth,  and  led 
to  believe  that  we  were  going  fast  because  her  thoH| 
went  fast.  After  a  while  she  said,  "Call  Estellal' 
I  went  out  ou  the  landing  and  roared  that  name 
had  done  on  the  previous  occasion.  When  ber  ] 
appeared,  I  returned  to  MissHavisham,  and  we  sti 
away  again  round  and  round  the  room. 

If  only  Estella  had  come  to  be  a  spectator  of 
I  should  have  felt  aufficiently  " 
but,  aa  she  brought  with  her  the  three  ladies 
gentleman  whom  I  had  secu  below,  I  didn' 
what  to  do.  In  my  poKteness,  I  would  have  stopj 
but,  MisB  Havieham  twitched  mj  shoulder,  and 
posted  on  —  with  a  shamefaced  consciousness 
part  that  they  would  think  it  was  all  my  doing. 

"Dear  Miss  Havisham,"  said  Miss  Sarah  Poc 
"How  well  you  look!" 

"I  do  not,"  returned  MissHavisham.  "I  am  ye] 
akin  and  bone." 

Camilla  brightened  when  Miss  Pocket  mot  with 
rebnff;  and  she  murmured,  as  she  plaintively  cont 
plated  Miss  Havisham,  "Poor  dear  soul!  Certa 
not  to   be   expected   to   look    well,    poor  thing. 

"And    how    are    won?"    said  Mias    Hnvisbam 


US 

itopped  as  a  matter  of  course,  only  Miss  Havistiaiu 
Wfti't  fltop.     We  swept  on,   and  I  felt  tliat  I  was 
-My  nbnosioua  to  CamiUu. 
Tiiftok  you,  IMiasIInvisham,"  she  returned,  ''J  am 

■  I'll  ft9  can  be  expected." 

RTiy,  what's  the  matter  with  |you?"   asked  Miss 

■  ■■■lirtm,  with  exeeeding  sharpnesa. 

NiitJiiiig  worth  mentioning-,"  replied  Cnmilla.  "I 
I  wish  to  make  a  display   of  my  feelings,   hut  X 

■  liiibitually  UiougLt  of  you  more  in  the  night  than 
■  I  i]iiito  equal  to." 

Then    don't    thmk    of   me,"    retorted   Mihb  Ha- 

Vtay  easily  said!"    remarked   Camilla,    amiably 

ifting  a  soh,   while  a  hitch  came  into  her   upper 

iiiiJ  her  tears  overflowed.  "Rnymond  is  a  witness 
■i  ^'inger  and  sal  volatile  I  am  ohliged  to  take  in 

■ji;;ht.     Raymond  is  a  witness  what  nervous  jork- 

I  have  in  my  legs.  Chokings  and  nervous  jerk- 
.  Lowfivor,    are  nothing  new  to  me  when  I  think 

itiiieiy  of  those  I  love.     If  I  could  be  less  affec-         i 
(it:  and  sensitive,   I  Bliouid  have  a  better  digestion 

lu  iron  set  of  j'nerves.     I  am  sure  I  witih  it  could 
But  as  to  not  thinking  of  you  in  the  night  — 

iilca!"  Here,  a  burst  of  tears. 

liio  Raymond  referred  to,  I  understood  to  be  the 
liiuau  present,  and  liim  I  understood  to  he  Mr. 
Iltri.    Uq  came  to  the  rescue  at  this  point,  and  said 

consolatory  and  complimentary  voice,  "Camilla, 
'i';ir,  it  is  well  known  that  your  family  feelings  ate 
i;  dly   undermzung- j-oii   to   the  extent  of  mak.mg 

/  rvar  legs  shorter  thau  the  other." 

.-.,„  not  aware, "  observed  the  grave  lady  -WVioac 


v-  114  OfXkf  BXPSOrA-nONS. 

voice  I  had  heard  but  once,  "that  to  think  of  any  p 
Bon  is  to  make  a  great  claim  upon  that  person,  i 
dear." 

IJjBB  Sarah  Pocket,   whom  I  now  saw  to  be  a  U 

dry  brown  corrngated  old  woman,    with  a  sm 

that  might  have  been   made   of  walnut-ahelis, 

.    large  mouth  like  a  cat's  without  the  whiskers,  suppoi 

this  position  by  saying  "No,  indeed,  my  dear.    Hei 

"Thinking  is  easy  enough,"  said  the  gi'ave  lady 

"What  is  easier,  you  know?"  assented  Mis9  Sai 
Pocket. 

"Oh  yes,  yes!"  cried  Camilla,  whose  ferment! 
feelings  appeared  to  rise  from  her  legs  to  her  boa 
"It's  all  very  true!  It's  a  weakness  to  be  so  affectioni 
but  I  can't  help  it.  No  doubt  my  health  would 
much  better  if  it  was  otherwise,  still  I  wouldn't  eh 
viy  disposition  if  I  could.  It's  the  cause  of  i 
suffering',  but  it's  a  consolation  to  know  I  possess 
when  I  wake  up  in  the  night."  Here  another  burst 
■  feeling. 

Miss  Haviaham  and  I  had  never  stopped  all 
time,  but  kept  going  round  and  round  the  room:  i 
brushing  against  the  skirts  of  the  visitors,  and 
giving  them  the  whole  length  of  the  dismal  chamber, 

"There's  Matthewl"  said  Camilla.     "Ne'  '   ' 

with  my  natural  ties,    never  coming  here  to  see  h« 
Miss  Havisham  isl    I  have  taken  to  the  sofa  with 
Btaylace  cut,  and  have  lain  there  hours ,  iuBensible,  i 
my  head  over  tlie  side,  and  my  hair  all  down,  and 
feet  I  don't  know  where  — " 

("Much  higher    than  your  head,    my  love,"   i 
Jfc  CamiJla.) 

-^re  gone  off  into  that  Bta,te,  ^ovot 


^K^onsm,  „     ,       „  '"'erjiosed 

HS' f»j,»d  ,„t,T '°  i-  •.?/-l^T- 


"*=l»l^Btru.kfl 


116  8SSAT  BxtBCTATlOSH.  • 

table  witli  her  stick  in  a  new  place,      filie  now  ■ 
"Walk  me,  walk  nie!"  and  we  went  on  again.      I 

"I  suppose  there's  nothing  to  be  done,"  eieli 
Camilla,  "bnt  comply  and  depart.  It's  somethrj 
have  seen  the  object  of  one's  love  and  duty,  for  ' 
so  short  a  time.  I  shall  think  of  it  with  a  nielanj 
satisfaction  when  I  wake  up  in  the  night.  Ij 
Matthew  could  have  that  comfort,  but  he  sets  it  i 
fiance.  I  am  determined  not  to  make  a  display  aj 
feelings,  but  it's  very  hard  to  be  told  one  wants  t»l 
on  one's  relations  —  as  if  one  was  a  Giant  —  a^ 
be  told  to  go.     The  bare  ideal"  ' 

Mr.  Camilla  interposing,  as  Mrs.  Camilla  laifl 
hand  upon  her  heaving  bosom,  that  lady  assumd 
nnnatnral  fortitude  of  manner  which  I  supposed  j 
expressive  of  an  intention  to  di'op  and  choke  wh« 
of  view,  and  kissing  her  hand  to  Miss  Havishani{ 
escorted  fortli.  Sarah  Pocket  and  G^orgiiina  contfi 
who  should  remain  last;  but,  Sarah  was  too  kuoi 
to  be  outdone,  and  ambled  round  Gcorgiana  witM 
artful  slipperiness,  that  the  latter  was  obliged  to| 
precedence.  Sarah  Pocket  then  made  her  separate^ 
of  departing  with  "Bless  you.  Miss  Havisham  dji 
and  with  a  smile  of  forgiving  pity  on  hor  walnn^ 
countenance  for  tlie  weaknesses  of  the  rest.  ! 

While  Estella  was  away  lighting  them  down,  '■ 
Havisham  still  walked  with  her  hand  on  my  shoi 
but  more  and  more  slowly.  At  last  she  stopped  Ij 
the  fire,  and  said,  after  mnttcring  and  looking' 
some  seconds; 

"This  is  my  birthday,  Pip," 
/  was  ffoing  to  wish  her  many  Wg^  tt;\.\mia»,: 
'"^ed  ber  atick. 


^^Kon't  Bnffer  it  to  be  spoken  of.  I  don't  suffer 
^^Blo  WBTO  here  jaat  now,  or  any  one,  to  speitk  of 
^^Bey  come  bere  on  the  day,  hut  they  Aiae  not 
^Kit." 

Hwoonrae  I  made  no  further  effort  to  refer  ttj  It. 
"On  this  day  of  the  year,  long  before  you  were 
I  this  heap  of  decay,"  stabbing  with  her  cmtched 
;ii  the  pile  of  uobwehs  on  the  table  hut  not  touch- 
1^  "waa  brought  here.  It  and  I  have  worn  away 
iiiT.     The  mice  have  gnawed  at  it,   and  ttharper 

I  'hall  teeth  of  mice  have  gnawed  at  me." 

ilie  held  theheadof  her  Btick  against  her  heart  as  she 
AKxl  looking  at  the  table;  she  in  her  once  white  dress, 
U  yellow  and  withered;  the  once  white  cloth  all  yellow 
ml  withered;  everything  around,  in  a  state  to  crumble 

I I  a  touch. 

l\'beu   the  ruin   is   complete,"    said  she,    with   a 

:!yIook,  "and  when  they  lay  me  dead  in  my  bride's 

)i  un  the  bride's  table  —  which  shall  be  done,  and 

(liich  will  be  the  finished  curse  upon  him  —  so  much 

lie  better  if  it  is  on  this  dayl" 

She  stood  looking  at  tlie  table  as  if  she  stood  look- 
Sg  at  her  own  figure  lying  there.  I  remained  quiet. 
kella  returned,  and  she  too  remained  quiet  It 
Eemed  to  me  that  we  continued  thus  for  a  long  time. 
D  tliB  heavy  air  of  the  room,  and  the  heavy  darkness 
to  brooded  in  its  remoter  comers,  I  even  had  an 
larmJDg  fancy  that  Estella  and  I  would  presently 
igiu  to  decay. 

\t  length,  not  coming  out  of  her  diatraugUt  BtsAe 
'  instant,    JHiss  Ilaviaham  mA., 
0  phy  carda;  why  liave  you  noXi 
'^■retiirand  to  her  room,  sail  so-t 


I 


His  BXBXT  BXPBCTATI0H8. 

down  as  before;  I  was  beggared,  as  before;  and  again, 
as  before,  Miaa  Havisham  watched  us  all  the  time,  dj 
reeled  my  atteution  to  Estella's  beauty,  and  made  i 
notice  it  tlie  more  by  trying  her  jewels  on  Eatella' 
breast  and  hair. 

Estolla,  for  her  part,  likewise  treated  me  as  before; 
except  that  she  did  not  condescend  to  speak.  Wheni 
we  had  played  some  Lalf-dozeu  games,  a  day  was  ap 
pointed  for  my  return,  and  I  was  taken  down  into  ti 
yard  to  be  fed  in  the  former  dog-like  manner.  Ther 
too,  I  wa,9  again  left  to  wander  about  as  I  liked. 

It  ie  not  much  to  the  purpose  whether  a  gate  i 
that  garden  wall  which  I  had  scrambled  up  to  peq 
over  on  the  last  occasion  waa,  on  that  last  occasion* 
open  or  shut.  Enough  that  I  saw  no  gate  then, 
that  I  saw  one  now.  As  it  stood  open,  and  as  I  knew 
that  Estella  had  let  the  visitors  out  —  for,  she  had  r»- 
tnmed  with  the  keys  in  her  hand  —  I  strolled  into 
the  garden  and  strolled  all  over  it.  It  was  quite  i 
wildexness,  and  there  were  old  melon-frames  and  ci 
ber-frames  in  it,  which  seemed  in  their  decline  to  ha? 
produced  a  spontaneous'  growth  of  weak  attempts  i 
pieces  of  old  hats  and  boots,  with  now  and  tJien 
weedy  offshoot  into  tho  likeness  of  a  battered  saucepai 

When  I  had  exhausted  the  garden,  and  a  ^ 
house  with  nothing  in  it  but  a  fallen-down  grape-vii 
'  ftnd  some  bottles,  I  found  myself  in  the  dismal  co 
•.upon  which  I  had  looked  out  of  window.    Never  q^ 
tioning  for  a  moment  that  the  house  was  now  empt; 
I  looked  in  at  another  window,  and  found  myself, 
my  great  surprise,   exchanging  a  broad  stare  with  i 
/^/e  young  gentlemnu  with  red  eyeVila  ivai  W^A  baic 
This  pala  yoaiig  gentleman    qiuckVy    fiis'ft.\|\ftQW 


(HIMAT  8XPB0TAT1ON3.  119 

,uil  reappeared  Ijeside  me.  He  had  be«n  at  his  books 
vhen  I  had  found  myself  staring  at  him,  and  I  now 
Ktw  that  he  was  iaky. 

"Halloa!"  said  he,  "young  fellow!" 

Halloa  being  a  general  observation  whicli  I  have. 
Bsiially  observed  to  bo  best  answered  by  itBolf,  /  said 
"Halloa!"  politely  omitting  young  fellow, 

"Who  let  you  in?"  said  he. 

"Miss  Kstella." 

"Who  gave  you  leave  to  prowl  about?" 

"]Uiss  Eatella." 

"Come  and  fight,"  said  the  pale  yoimg  gentleman. 

What  could  1  do  but  follow  him?  I  have  often 
asked  myself  the  question  since;  but,  what  eke  could 
I  do?  His  manner  was  eo  final,  aild  I  was  so  aston- 
i^liH.d,  that  I  followed  where  he  led,  as  if  I  had  been 
ii;jder  a.  spell. 

"Stop  a  minute,  though,"  he  said,  wheeling  round 
'iifure  we  had  gone  many  patea.  "I  ought  to  give 
"II  a  reason  for  fighting,  too.  There  it  is!"  In  a  most 
iiir.ating  manner  he  instantly  slapped  his  hands  against 
■  r<i?  another,  daintily  flung  one  of  hia  legs  up  behind 
Ijiui,  pulled  my  hair,  slapped  his  hands  again,  dipped 
Ills  head,  and  butted  it  into  my  stomach. 

The  bull-like  proceeding  last  mentioned,  besides 
that  it  was  unq^uestionably  to  be  regarded  in  the  light 
of  A  liberty,  was  particularly  disagreeable  just  after 
biead  and  meat.  I  therefore  hit  out  at  him  and  was 
going  to  hit  out  again,  when  he  said,  "Aha!  Would 
you?"  and  began  dancing  backwards  and  forwards  in 
ii  manner  quite  ^mpariUleled   within    my  \mateA   ex.- 

<g!"  said  he.     Heie,  ta  sW^-sjei.' 


r 


l90  OHKAT  BXPBCTATI0R8. 


'  from  Ilia  left  leg  on  to    hia  right.      "Eeg:ular  rulea 

'  Here,    he  skipped  from  his  right  leg  on  to  his   li 

"Come  to  the  groimd.,  and  go  through  the  prelimii 

rieal"     Here,  he  dodged  backwards  and  forwards,  a 

^^    did  all  sorts  of  things  while  I  looked  helplessly  at  hi 

^^L .       I  was  secretly  afraid  of  him  when  I  saw  him 

^^1  fleiterous;  but,  I  felt  morally  and  phyaicaUy  convinc 

^^B  that  his  light  head  of  hair  could  have  had  no  busini 

^^kii  the  pit  of  my  etomach,  and  that  I  had  a  right 

^^Veonaider  it  irrelevant  when  so  obtruded  on  my  atte 

^^EtiotL     Therefore,  I  followed  him  without  a  word,  to- 

^^t  xetired  nook  of  the  garden  formed  by  the  junction 

two  walls  and  screened  by  some  rubbish.     On  his  at 

ing  me  if  I  was  satisfied  with  the  ground,  and  on  i 

replying  Tes,   he  begged  my  leave  to  absent  bimsi 

(for  a  moment,  and  quickly  returned  with  a  bottle 
■water  and  a  sponge  dipped   in  vinegar.      "Availab 
for  both,"  he  said,  placing  these  against  the  wall, 
then  fell  to  pulling  off,  not  only  bis  jacket  and 
float,  but  bis  shirt  too,  in  a  manner  at  once  light-hearti 
,1)iiainesBdike,  and  bloodthirsty. 
Although  he  did  not  look  very  healthy  —  Lavi 
pimples  on  his  face,  and  a  breaking  out  at  his  moi 
—  these  drtadful  prepai-ations  quite  appalled  me. 
judged  him  to  be  about  my  own  age,  but  he  was  mi 
taller,    and  he  had  a  way  of  spinning  himself  abi 
I  that  was  full  of  appearance.     For  the  rest,  he  was 
L  young  gentleman  in  a  gi"ey  suit  (when  not  denuded 
i  battle),  with  his  elbows,  knees,  wrists,  and  heels,  c 
I  siderably  in  advance  of  the  rest  of  him  as  to  devel 
nt 

Jfy  beart  failed   me  when  I  saw  twii  si^aaivQ^ 
~^''  every  demonstration  of  metlianicaX 


131 

■  iij^  my  anatomy  as  if  he  were  iniuutely  tLooaing 
ju.-*  tjHue.  I  never  have  been  so  surpriBud  in  my  litVi, 
ti  1  was  when  I  let  out  the  first  Ihiw,  and  saw  him 
lying  on  Iiis  back  looking  np  at  me  witli  a  bloody  nose 
Md  his  face  eieeedingly  fore-shortened. 

But,  he  was  on  hia  feet  directly,  and  after  sponging 
liiipgelf  with  a  great  show  of  dexterity  began  squaring 
sgain.  The  second  greatest  sm-prise  I  have  ever  had 
in  my  life  was  seeing  him  on  his  hack  again,  looking 
up  at  me  out  of  a  black  eye. 

Ilis  sjiirit  inspired  mo  with  great  respect.  He  Beamed 
lo  have  no  strength,  and  ho  never  <mce  hit  me  hard, 
*nd  lie  was  always  knocked  down;  hut,  he  would  be 
iji  again  in  a  moment,  sponging  lu'mself  or  drinking 
uHl  of  the  water-bottle,  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  in 
Kcunding  himself  according  to  form,  and  then  came  at 
lire  with  an  air  and  a  show  that  made  me  believe  be 
rtdly  was  going  to  do  for  me  at  last.  He  got  heavily 
bnuseJ,  for  I  am  sorry  to  record  that  the  more  I  hit 
lum,  the  hardur  I  hit  him;  but,  he  came  up  again  and 
igain  and  again,  until  at  last  he  got  a  bad  fall  with 
ftt  back  of  hia  head  against  the  wall.  Even  after  that 
tnsis  in  our  affairs,  he  got  np  and  turned  round  and 
Biuad  confusedly  a  few  times,  not  knowing  where  I  was; 
Init  finally  went  on  his  knees  to  hia  sponge  and  threw 
'<  U)i:  at  the  same  time  panting  out,  "That  means  you 

!!•■  seemed  so  brave  and  innocent,  that  although  I 

■  not  proposed  the  contest  I  felt  but  a  gloomy  satis- 
■11  in  my  victory.     Indeed,  I  go  so  far  as  to  W^a 

■  !  I  regarded  myself  while  dressing  as  a  sptcittft  o? 
-uri/iiaff  wolf,  or  other  wild    beast.     Howwtx,  1 

^^kjjr  wiping  my  sanguinary  fate  al  mXa^ 


^■93  obhat  xzpBOTATicniB. 

FTals,  and  I  said,  "Can  I  help  yon?"  and  he  said,  " 
thankee,"  and  I  said  "Good  afternoon,"  and  he  s 
"Same  to  you." 

When  I  got  Into  the  com-t-yard,  I  found  EstelK 
waiting  with  the  keys.  But,  she  neither  aaki 
where  I  had  been,  nor  why  I  had  kept  her  waiting 
and  there  was  a  bright  flush  upon  her  lace,  aa  thoog 
Bomething  had  happened  to  delight  her.  Instead  i 
I  going  straight  to  the  gate,  too,  nhe  stepped  back  i 
Uie  passage,  and  beckoned  me. 

"Come  here!  You  may  kiaa  me,  if  you  like." 
I  kissed  her  cheek  as  she  turned  it  to  me.  I  thin] 
\  I  would  have  gone  through  a  great  deal  to  kiss  I 
But,  I  felt  that  the  kiss  was  given  to  1 
1  eoarsB  common  boy  as  a  piece  of  money  might  hav 
Itbeen,  and  that  it  was  worth  nothing. 

What  with  the  birthday  visitors,  and  what  with  '^ 
beards,  and  what  with  the  fight,  my  stay  had  lasted  i 
Kdong,  that  when  I  neared  home  the  light  on  the  ( 
■j«f  sand  ofT  the  point  on  the  marshes  was  gleamii 
I  iagainst  a  black  night-sky,  and  Joe's  furnace  was  fin 
ling  a  path  of  fire  across  the  road. 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

My  mind  grew  very  uneasy  on  the  subject  of 
I  pale  young  gentleman.  The  more  I  thought  of 
fight,  and  recalled  the  paie  young  gentleman  on 
back  in  various  stages  of  puffy  and  incrimaoned  ct 
tenance,  the  more  certain  it  appeared  that  sometL 
would  be  done  to  me.  I  felt  tbat  thft  pB.\ft  ■javva^  ^ 
ileman'a    blood  was    on  my  bead,   ani.  fti*,'^   "     " 


tmxkt  nxpBOTAmoira,  ISS 

VDold  avenge  it.  Without  having  any  definite  idea  of 
the  penalties  I  had  incurred,  it  waa  clear  to  me  that 
village  bojs  conld  not  go  stalking  about  the  countrj, 
mvaging  the  houspa  of  gentlefolks  and  pitching 
■Bill  the  stadioos  yonth  of  England,  without  laying 
Ivea  open  to  Bevere  punishment.  For  some  days, 
kept  close  at  home,  and  looked  out  at  the 
door  with  the  greatest  caution  and  trepidatio  _ 
ire  going  on  en  errand,  lest  the  oftLtere^of  the 
County  Jail  should  pounce  upon  me.  The  pale  young 
geutleman's  nose  Lad  stained  my  tTOusera,  and  I  tried 
lo  wash  out  that  evidence  of  my  guilt  in  the  dead  of 
iiig'ht.  I  hud  cut  my  knuckles  against  t!ie  pale  young 
MiUeman's  teeth,  and  I  twisted  my  imagination  into 
1  tluioaand  tangles,  as  I  devised  incredible  ways  of 
(ceounting  for  that  damnatory  circumstance  when  I 
jioald  be  haled  before  the  Judges, 

WTieu    the    day  came  round  for  my  return  to  the 

itxae  of  the  deed  of  violence,  my  terrors  reached  their 

iwight.     Wliether  myrmidons  of  Justice,  specially  sent 

ifiwa  from  London,   would  be  lying  in  ambuah  behind 

ill'  gate?    Wbcther  Miss  Ilavisham,  preferring  to  take 

■r-onal  vengeance  for  an  outrage  done  to  her  hoi 

i'lit  rise  in  those  grave-clothes  of  hers,  draw  a  pis 

.1  shoot   me  dead?     Whether   suborned  boys  — 

j;:eroua   band  of  mercenaries  —  might  be   engaged 

t.ill  upon  me  in  the  brewery,    and  cuff  me  until  I 

i^  no  more?   It  was  high  testimony  to  my  confidence 

ilie  sjiirit  of  the  pale  young  gentleman,  that  I  ne 

i^ined  Aim  acceesary  to  these  retaliations-,  tbe^  ^- 

ii-H  came  into  mjr  mind  as  the  acts   o£  inju^tvoiaa 

iC^^i'.  ^"'^^'^  °°  ^y  the  state  o£  \u6  Tiaa.^ 

ifpatby  with  the  famUy  ieat\tiea- 


r 


I 


191  QBEAT 

However,  go  to  Miss  Ilavisliam'a  I  must,  and  go. 
did.  And  behold.'  notliing  came  of  the  lato  BtruggT 
It  was  not  alluded  to  in  any  way,  and  no  pale  youi 
gentleman  was  to  be  discovered  on  tho  premises, 
found  the  same  gate  open,  and  I  explored  the  gardei 
and  even  looked  in  at  the 'windows  of  the  dotaohi 
house;  but,  my  view  was  suddenly  stopped  by  ti 
(^loBed  shutters  within,  and  all  was  lifeless.  Only  : 
the  comer  where  the  combat  had  taken  place,  could 
detect  any  evidence  of  the  young  gentleman's  exists 
There  were  traces  of  liis  gore  in  that  spot,  ani 
covered  thom  with  garden-mould  from  the  eye  of  n 

On  the  broad  landing  between  Miss  Havishon] 
llrwn  room  and  that  other  room  in  which  the  loi 
table  was  laid  out,  I  saw  a  garden-chair  —  a  ligl 
chair  on  wheels,  that  you  pushed  from  behind.  It  ha< 
been  placed  there  since  my  last  visit,  and  I  entered 
that  same  day,  on  a  regular  occupation  of  pushing 
Miss  Havisham  in  this  chair  (when  she  was  tired  of 
'alking  with  her  hand  upon  my  shoulder)  round  her 
room,  and  across  the  landiug,  and  round  the  other 
..  Over  and  over  and  over  again,  we  would  make 
lese  jonmeys,  and  sometimes  they  would  last  aa  lonj 

three  hours  at  a  stretch.  I  insensibly  fall  into  t 
[geaersA  mention  of  these  journeys  as  numerous,  because 
It  was  at  once  settled  that  I  should  return  every  alter- 
nate day  at  uoon  for  these  purposes,  and  because  1  a 
now  going  to  sum  up  a  period  of  at  least  eight  or  t< 
months. 

As  we  began  to  be  more  used  to  one  another,  Miss 
Havisham  talked  more  to  me,  and  asked  me  such 
qaeationa  as  what  had  I  learnt  and  w\iaX,  "«as  \  %oiii? 
o  be?    J  told  her  I  was  going  to  ^  aj'stea'Cicfti  \ 


jfje 


(WBA'^BXMSOTA'Pimw.  1 

e,    I  belifFetl;    and  I  enlar^d    ujxm  my  knowing 
liin^i^  anil  wanting  to  know  everything,  in  the  hope    ■ 
I  she  nii^ht  oiTcr  some  help  towards  that  desirable 
I.     But,    she  did  not;    on  the  contrary,   she  seemed    ' 
frrefer  my  being  ignorant.      Neither  did   she  e 
I-  me   any  money  —   or    anything   but    my  daily   ' 
rer  —  nor  ever  stipulate  that  I  uhodd  bo  paid  for    ' 


Estella  was  always  about,    and  alwnya  let  me 
ind  out,    but  never  told  me  I  might  kiss  her  again.    | 
Sometimes,    she  would  coldly  tolerate  me;    sometimes, 
aliu  wunld  condescend  to  me;   sometimes,  she  would  I: 
iinite  familiar  with  me;    sometimes,  she  would  tell  m 
metgotically  that  she  hated  me.    MissHaviaham  would 
often  ask   me   in  a  whisper,  or  when  we  were  alone, 
ta    she    grow  jirettier  and   prettier,    Pip?"     And 
il  eaid  yes  (for  indeed  she  did),   would  se-em  to 
Br.it  greedily  in  secret.      Also,  when  wo  played  at 
■MiB8  Havisham  would  look  on,  with  a  miserly  relish 
"    8  moods,  whatever  they  were.  Ami  sometimes, 
I  hee  moods  were  so  many  and  so  contradictory  of  ' 
■Wnother  that  I  was   punzled  what  to  say  or  do, 
Uiss  Havisham  would  embrace  her  with  lavialt  fondness, 
Lrmuring   BOmetUiug   in   her   ear   that  sounded  like 
i'rcak  their  hearts,  my  pride  and  hope,    break  their  1 
irts  and  have  no  mercy!"  | 

Thei-e  was  a  song  Joe  used  to  hum  fragments  of 
'  ihe  forge,  of  which  the  burden  was  Old  Clem.  This 
i.'i  not  A  very  ceremonious  way  of  rendering  homago 
ii  [latrnn  saint;  but,  I  believe  0!d  Clem,  atooi  W 
•■-a  relation  towards  amitha.  It  was  a  song  AiaA  'ma- 
''i'^Ji^^'^  °^  heating  upon  iron,  ana  -«».*  ' 
A«™,^  ^,  ^^^  ijitroductiou  o£  0\i  CYgo 


p 


c 


M36  CraSAV  MXSBOTATKMTB. 

respeeted  name.      Thus,    you  were    to   liammer  bo 

round  —  Old  Clem!     With  a,  tliump  and  a  sound  - 

Old   ClemI     Beat  it   out,   beat  it   out  —   Old   Clei 

With  a  clink  for  the  stout  —  Old   Clein!     Blow  1 

fire,  blow  the  fire  —  Old  Clera!     Koaring  dryer,  bo 

I  log  higher  —   Old   Clem!      One   day  soon   after  i 

Lsppearance    of  the    chair,    Miss    Havisham    sadden 

Baying  to  me,    with  the  irapatient  movement  ■ 

fing«ra,  "There,  there,  therol    Sing!"     I  was  snrpria 

into  crooning  this  ditty  aa  I  pushed  her  over  t' 

It  happened  so  to  catch  her  fancy,  that  she  took  it  i 

ifl  a  low  brooding  voice  as  if  she  were  singing  i: 

>  sleep.     After  that,    it  became  customary  with  ua 

I;  have  it  as  we  moved  about,   and  Estella  would  o" 

join  in;  though  the  whole  strain  was  so  subdued,  t 

when  there  were  three  of  us,  that  it  made  less  noise ' 

the  grim  old  house  than  the  lightest  breath  of  wind. 

What    could  I  become    with   these    eurroundingi 

How    could    my  character    fail    to    be    influenced 

I  them?     Is  it  to  he  wondered  at  if  my  thoughts  wf 

k  dazed,   as  my  eyes  were,    when  I  came  out  into  1 

natural  light  from  the  misty  yellow  rooms? 

Perhaps,  I  might  have  told  Joe  about  the  pi 
young  gentleman,  if  I  had  not  previously  been  betrays 
into  those  enormous  inventions  to  which  I  have  < 
fessed.  Under  the  circumstances,  I  felt  that  Joe  coul 
iardly  fail  to  discern  in  the  pale  young  gentleman,  i 
appropriate  passenger  to  be  put  into  the  black  velv) 
coach;  therefore,  I  said  nothing  of  him.  Besides:  tk 
shrinking  from  having  Miss  Havisham  and  Estella  d' 
cussed,  which  had  come  upon  me  in  the  begini  ' 
grew  much  more  potent  as  time  went  on,  \  "te\ 
'vaplete  conSilence  in  no  one  WtBiifty,  Wt,\^ 


1ST 

\Ay  everythiug.     Why  it  citmc  uaturtil  to  me 
and   why  Biddy  bad    a  deep    eoiicerii   in 
jthiag  1  told  hor,   I  did  not  know  tlien,    thougU  I 

councils    went    on    in    the   kitclipu   at 

rsught  with  almost  insupportable  aggravation 

leiated  spirit.      That   ass,    Piimblecbook, 

i  come  over  of  a  night  for  the  purpose  of 

'  ay  prospects  with  my  sister;   and  I  really 

K9   (to  this  hour  with   less   penitence  than  I 

E'feel),  that  IF  these  hands  conid  have  taken  a 

tout  of  his  chaiae-cart,   they  would  have  done 

J  miserable  man  was  n  man  of  that  confined 

Jof  mind,  that  he   could  not  discuss  my  pro- 

^oot  having  me  before  him  — -  as  it  were,  to 

feif  on  —  and  be  would  drag  me  np  from  my 

lally  by  the  collar)  where   I  was  quiet  in  a 

md,   putting  me  before  the  fire   an  if  I  were 

I  be  cooked,   would   begin   by  snjdng,    "Now, 

')  this  boy!     Here  is  tliis  boy  which  you 

mp  by  band.     Hold  up  your  head,    boy,    and 

r  grateful  unto  them  which  so  did  do.     Now, 

1&&  respections  to  this   boy!"     And   then  he 

^ple  my  hair  the  wrong  way  — -  which  from 

t  remembrance,  as  already  hinted,  I  have  in 

nied  the  right  of  any  fellow-creature  to  do 

old  hold  me  before  him  by  the  sleeve:    a 

(of  imbecility  only  to  be  equalled  by  himself. 

lie^ahd  my   sister  would  pair  off  in  such 

Bpeculations    about   Misa    Havisham,    ani 

t  she  wouJd  do  with  ma  and  for  me,  l\i.a.'t\ 

m—  ga/te  painfully  —  to  burst  into  B^\te- 

't.I^mblecbook,   and  pnmipeA.  "^Ai 


.iiv^y 


196  OSBAT  BXPBOT&TIOita. 

over.  In  these  (lialogncs,  my  sister  spoke  of  me 
she  were  morally  wrenchinff  one  of  my  teeth  on 
every  reference ;  wliile  Pumbiectook  himself, 
constituted  my  patron,  would  sit  supervising  nie 
a  depreciatory  eye,  like  the  architect  of  my  forti 
■who  thought  himself  engaged  on  a  very  unremun 
tive  job. 

In  these  diacussionB,  Joe  bore  no  part.  Bat, 
was  often  talked  at,  while  they  were  in  progress, 
reason  of  Mrs.  Joe's  perceiving  that  he  was  not  fav 
able  to  my  being  taken  from  the  forge.  I  was  f 
old  enough  now,  to  he  apprenticed  to  Joe;  and  w 
Joe  aat  with  the  poker  on  his  knees  thoughtfully 
king  out  the  ashes  between  the  lower  bars,  my  i 
would  80  distinctly  construe  that  innocent  action 
opposition  on  his  part,  that  she  would  dive  at 
take  the  poker  out  of  his  hands,  shake  him,  and  p 
away.  There  was  a  most  irritating  end  to  every 
of  these  debates.  All  in  a  moment,  with  nothii^ 
lead  up  to  it,  my  aiatcr  would  stop  herself  in  a 
and  catching  sight  of  me  as  it  wore  incidentally, 
Bwoop  upon  me,  with  "Come!  There's  enough  t 
You  get  along  to  bed;  you've  given  trouble  enough 
one  night,  I  liope!"  As  if  I  '  '  " 
favour  to  bother  my  life  out. 

We  went  on  in  this  way  for  a  long  time,  an 
spumed  likely  that  we  should  continue  to  go 
way  for  a  long  time,  when,  one  day  Miss  Havisi 
Btopped  short  as  she  and  I  were  wnlking,  she  leal 
on  my  shoulder;  and  said  with  some  displi 

"Toa  ai-e  growing  tall,  Pipl" 

lagbt  it  best  to  liiut,  tliicagb.  tVe 


HP 


^baiBtee  BxraoTijnoKa.  139      1 

intditative  look,  that  tliis  miglit  bu  uccaaioued  by  cir- 
mimstances  over  which  I  had  n<i  ci)utri>I. 

She  said  no  more  at  the  time;    hut,   she  presently 

tupped  and  luoked  at  me  again-,   and  preiieutly  again; 

luiil  after  that,   looked  frowning  and  moody.     On  the 

\:  Jiiy  "f  my  attendancs  when   our  nsual  exorcise 

n-er,    and  I  had  landed  her  at  lier  drosuing-table, 

■cayed    me    with  a    movement    of  her    impatient 

Tell   me   tlie  name   again   of  that  hlackamith   of 

'.loe  Gargery,  ma'am." 

Meaning  the  master  yoa  were  to  bo  apprenticed 

"Yes,  Miaa  Havishain." 

"Vou  had  better  he  apprenticed  at  once.  Would 
■-;i'irj  come  liere  with  you,  and  bring  your  inden- 
■-,  du  you  tliink?" 

I  signified   that  I  Lad  no  doubt  be  would  take  it 
■ill  honour  to  bo  asked. 
Then  let  him  come." 

At  any  partioular  time,  Miss  Havisham?" 

There,    there!    I  know  nothing  about  times.     Let 

'■■■'  i-irae  soon,  and  come  alone  with  you." 

WUi'n  I  got  home  at  night,  and  delivered  thia  mes- 

-■'  lor  .7oQ,  my  sister  "went  on  the  Hampage,"  in  a. 

■'■  alarming  degrge  than  at  any    previous   period. 

nakud  me  and  Joe  whether  we  auppoaed  she  was 

'  tniats   under  our  feet,    and  how  wo  dared  to   use 

I  ''"Hu,  and  what  company  wo  graciously  thought  eta 

^  fit  for?  WheJJ  she  bad  exijausfed  a  torroiil  ut  sMiii 
I  ^mies,  nhe  threw  it  candlestick  at  Joe,  buret  iiAo  a. 
I'^^obbiog,  got  out  thg  dastpaa  —  whicV  -was  ^ 


GAGAT  BXPBOTATIOIIB. 

1  yeiy  bad  eign  -^  put  on  her  coarse  apron,  . 
"  Ttegan  cleaning  up  to  a  terrible  extent.     Not  satisfie 
with  a  dry  cleimiug,  she  took  to  a  pnil  and  ttcrubbin 
brush,  and  eleaned  ns  out  of  house  and  home, 
we  etood    Bhivering    in    the  back  yai'd.      It  w 
^o'clock  at  night  before  we  ventured  to  creep  in 
K  wid  then  she  asked  Joe  why  he  hadn't  married  a  Negrq 
■fllave  at  once?  Joe  offered  no  answer,  poor  fe" 
stood  feeling  his  whisker  and  looking   dejectedly 
me,  as  if  he  thought  it  really  might  have  been  a  bet) 
speculation. 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

FSB  a  trial  to  my  feelings,  on  the  next  day 

jne,  to  see  Joe  arraying  himself  in  his  Sunday  cloth 

I  accompany  me  to  Miss  Havisham'a.     However, 

Be  thought  his  court-suit  necessary  to  the  occasion, 

s  not  for  me  to  tell  him  that  he  looked  far  better 

s  working  dress;  the  rather,  because  I  knew  he  ma 

maelf  so  dreadfully  uncomfortable,   entirely  mi  i 

^ount,  and  that  it  was  for  me  he  pulled  up  his  shi 

0  very  high  behind,  that  it  made  the  hair 

m  of  his  head  stand  up  like  a  tuft  of  feathe 

At  hreakfaat-time  my  sister  declared  her  intenti' 

of  going  to  town  with  us,  jm^  being  left  at  TJni 

Pnmbleehook'a,  and  called  for  "when  we  had  done  wi 

our  fine   ladies"  —  a  way  of  putting  the  ease,   frt 

which  Joe  appeared  inclined  to  augur  the  worst.     T 

forge  was  shut  up  l'i>t  the  day,   and  Joe  inscribed 

chalk  upon  tho  door  fas  it  was  Wb  cwaXjnu  to  do  <m  t 

jiay  rai-e  occasions  when  he  was  liot  at  wotVj  ■&«  ■ 


Dable  HOUT,  accompanied  by  a  eketcli  of  an  arrow 
IS^Bcd  to  be  flying  in  the  direction  he  had  taken. 

We  walked  to  town,  my  sister  leadbg  the  way  in 
I  vi?ry  large  beaver  bonnet,  and  carrying  a  baaket  like 
!J'-  Great  Seal  of  England  in  plaited  straw,  a  pair  of 
:  ::iena,  a  spare  shawl,  and  nn  umbrella,  though  it 
11-.  a  fine  bright  day.  I  am  not  quite  clear  whether 
'"■he  articles  were  carried  penitentially  or  ostentatiously; 
I'lif,  I  rather  think  they  were  displayed  as  articles  of 
|im|ierty  —  much  as  Cleopatra  or  any  other  sovereign 
Uily  on    the  Eampage  might  esliibit  her  wealth  in  a 


1  When  we  came  to  Fumble chook's,  my  sister  bounced 
I  in  and  left  us.  As  it  was  almost  noon,  Joe  and  I 
Mi  straight  on  to  Miss  Havisham's  house.  Estella 
'Vned  the  gate  aa  usual,  and,  the  moment  she  ap- 
'  ired,  Joe  took  his  hat  off  and  stood  weighing  it  by 
I"  hrim  in  both  his  hands:  aa  if  he  had  some  urgent 
'^Ki.D  in  bis  mind  for  being  particular  to  half  a  qiisx- 
ler  of  an  ounce. 

Estella  took  no  notice  of  either  of  ns,  but  led  ds 
ibe  way  that  I  knew  so  well.  I  followed  next  to  her, 
iml  Joe  came  last.  When  I  looked  back  at  Joe  in 
I  long  passage,  he  was  still  weighing  his  hat  with 
.1  wreastet  care,  and  was  coming  after  us  in  long 
iiiiles  on  the  tips  of  his  toes. 

Estella  told  me  we  were  iiotli  to  go  in,  so  I  took 
Ji*  liy  the  coat-cuff  and  conducted  him  into  Miss  Ha- 
lisliara's   presence.      She   was  seated  at  her  drossing- 
ii'lt',  and  looked  round  at  us  immediately. 
"Ohl"  said  she  to  Joe.      "You    are    the  "huaViani 
r  of  this  hoy?" 

W  iznag-iued  dear  old  3oe\oil 


I 


OKSi.T  EXMCTATIOKS. 


ing  so  unlike  himself  or  so  liko  some  estTiioi'iIiiiarjJ 
bird;  Btanding,  39  Le  did,  speechlesa,  witb  hta  tuft  tfi 
feathers  ruffled,  and  his  month  open,  as  if  lie  wiinted 
a.  worm. 

I        "You  are  the  husband,"  rojjeated  Miss  Havisham, 
"of  the  sister  of  this  boy  V" 
It  was  very  aggravating;   but,  throughout  the  in.' 
terview  Joe  persisted  in  addressing  Me  instead  of  Miss 
Havisham. 
"Which  I  laeantersay,  Pip,"  Joe  now  observed  in 
m  manner  that  was  at  onee  expressive  of  forcible  argu- 
mentation,  strict  confidence,    and  great  politeness,  "as 
X  hup  and  married  your  sister,  and  I  were  at  the  time 
what  you  might  call  {if  you  was  any  ways  inclined)  a 
single  man." 
^t  "Weill"    said   Miss  Havisham.      "And   you   have 

^H  .reared  the  boy,  with  the  intention  of  taking  hiiu  for 
^H  your  apprentice;  is  that  so,  Mr.  Gtargery?" 
^K  "You  know,  Pip,"  replied  Joe,  "as  you  and 
^H  trere  ever  Iriends,  and  it  were  look'd  for'nrd  to  betwi 
^B  BH,  83  being  calc'lated  to  lead  to  larks.  Not  but  whd 
wK  Pip,  if  yon  had  ever  made  objections  to  the  busing 
li  —  such  as  its  being  open  to  black  and  sut,  or  bu( 
like  —  not  but  what  they  would  have  been  attend 
to,  don't  yon  see?" 

"Has  the  boy,"  said  Miss  Havisham,    "ever  ma 
any  objection?  Does  he  like  the  trade?" 

"Wbioh  it  is  well  beknown  to  yourself,  Pip,"  1 
tamed  Joe,  strengthening  Lis  former  mixture,  of  org 
mentation,  confidence,  and  politeness,  "that  it  were  t 
wish  of  your  own  hart."  (I  saw  the  idea  suddenl 
break  apon  him  that  liB  woald  adtt.\i\,  \i»  k^\&^i& 
^^&a  occasion,    before  he  went  on  to  8b.^"1  "i^  'Ci 


r 

-iPtWen't  no  objeetion  on  yonr  part,  and  Pip  it  *ere  the 
Lvp.'it  wish  of  your  hartl" 

It  was  qiiita  in  vain  for  mo  to  endeavour  t<i  make 
::ii  «en£ililu  that  he  ought  to  Npcak  to  Miss  HaviBhato. 
Ik  more  I  made  facca  and  gestures  to  him  to  do  it, 

j    'k  more  confidential,    argumentative,   and  polit«,   he 

I   jB^rsistod  in  being  to  Mo. 

I        ''Have    you    brought  hiB    indentures    with    you?" 

'     '•ted  Miaa  Havisham. 

"Well,  Pip,  you  know,"  replied  Joe.  as  if  that 
iij  a  little  unreiwonable,  "you  yourself  seo  me  put 
II  in  my  'at,  and  therefore  you  know  as  they  are 
.'■,"  With  whii^h  he  took  them  out,  and  gave  tliem, 
:  Id  Miss  Uaviehani,  but  to  me.  I  am  afraid  I  was 
.;imed  of  tho  dear  good  fellow  —  I  Inow  I  was 
'limed  of  him  —  when  I  saw  that  Estella  stood  at 

■  '■■    Ij.ick  of  Miss  Havisham's  chair,   and  that  her  eyes 

ijliad  mischievously.  I  took  the  indanturea  out  of 
^  Irand  and  gave  them  to  Misa  Uavisham. 

"Vou  espeeted,"  said  Kiss  Haviaham,  as  she  looked 
■in  over,  "no  premium  with  the  boy?" 

■■Joe!"   I  remonstrated;  for  he  made  no   reply  at 

"Why  don't  you  answer — " 

'Pip,"  returned  Joe,  cutting  mc  abort  as  if  he  were 

II,    "which  1  meantersay  that  were  not  a  queation 

Miiring  a  answer  betwixt  youiaelf  and  me,  and  which 

I  know  the  answer  to  be  full  well  No.  You  know 
!■'  bo  Ko,  Pip,  and  wherefore  ahouJd  I  say  it?" 

Alias  Havisham   glanced   at  him   as  if  sho  under- 

■  "■'I  what  lie  really  wae,    bettor  than  I  had  thoaglA 

-lldc,  Boein^  what  be  waa  t/jere;  and  took  uip  aWttXa 
_  f:iMi  the  t»}ih  boalde  her. 

yaraed  a  premium  liorG,"  glie  saii,  "wx3* 


emxia  bx^iotatiorh.  183 


im  aSBkf  SZMOTAtTONS. 

here  it:  is.     There  are  five-iind-tweiity  guineas  m 
bag.     Give  it  to  your  master,  Pip." 

Ab  if  he  were  absolutely  out  of  his  mind  with, 
wonder  awakened  in  him   by  her  strange  figure 
atrauge  room,  Joe,  even  at  this  pass,  persisted 


This  is  wery  liberal  on  your  part,  Pip,"  said 
"and    it    is    as    such    received  and  grateful  welcoi 
though  never  looked  for,   far  nor  near  nor  nowho 
And  now,  old  chap,"  said  Joe,  conveying  to  me  »  i 
Bation,  first  of  huming  and  then  of  freezing,  for  I 
as  if  that  familiar  expreasion  were  applied  to  Miss 
yisham;    "and  now,   old  chap,   may  we  do  om-  dn 
May  you  and  me  do  our  duty,  both  on  us  hy  one 
another,    and  hy  tlicm  which  your  liberal  present 
have  —  conweyed  —  to  be  - —  for  tlie  satisfactioi 
mind  —  of  —  theni  as  never — "  here  Joe  showed  ■ 
he  felt  he  had  fallon  into  frightful  diffieuities,  until 
triumphantly  rescued  himself  with  the  words,  "and  ft 
myself  far  he  it!"  These  words  had  such  a  round 
convincing  sound  for  him  that  be  said  them  twice. 

"Good-by,  Pipl"  said  Miss  Havisbam,     "Let  th 
out,  Estella." 

"Am  I  to  come  again,  Miss  Havisbam?"  I  askei 

"No.      Gargery    is    your   master   now.      Gargf 
One  word!" 

Thus  calling  him  back  as  I  went  out  of  the  do 
I  heard  her  say  to  Jije,  in  a  distinct  emphatic  voi 
"The  boy  has  been  a  good  boy  here,  and  that 
reward.     Of  course,  as  an  honest  man,  you  will  < 

other  and  no  more." 

J2bw  Joe  got  out  of  the  room,  1  ^ave 
htermine;    hni,   I  know 


lie  was  Btoadily  proceeding  u  pat  aire  inftteail  (if 
::\i^  (lowii,  and  was  deaf  tn  all  remnnstrancos  uutil 
"nt  aJlcr  him  aiid  laid  hold  of  liim.  In  another 
:iu!c  we  were  outside  the  gate,  aud  it  was  lotted, 
:  Estella  was  gone. 

UTien  we  stood  in  the  daylight  alone  again,  Joe 
.i.d  Dp  against  a  wall,  and  said  to  ino,  "Aston- 
■;:!"  And  there  he  remained  eo  long,  saying  "Aa- 
^Ijing.'"  at  intervals,  so  often,  tliat  I  began  to  think 
-i-iises  were  never  coming  back.  At  length  he  pro- 
.1  il  hiu  remark  into  "Pip,  I  do  aseu)%  yoa  that  this 
i-ios-ishingl"  and  90,  by  degrees,  became  conver- 
iiiil  and  able  to  walk  away. 

I  liave  reason  to  think  that  Joe's  intellects  were 
^iitpned  by  tlie  encounter  they  had  passed  tlirongh, 
iiiiit  that  on  our  way  to  Pumblechook's  he  invented  a 
mlitle  and  deep  design.  My  reason  is  to  be  found  in 
'liat  took  place  in  Mr.  Pumblechook's  parlour:  where, 
'III  "ar  presenting  ourselves,  my  sister  sat  in  conference 
'>i  that  detested  seedsman. 

Welli"'   cried  my  sister,    addressing  us  both  at 
.I'.     "And  what's  happened  to  you?  I  wonder  yon 
'"iniesceud  to  come  back  to  snch  poor  society  as  this, 
I  sm  sure  I  do!" 

"Miss  Havisham,"   said  Joe,  with  a  fixed  look  at 
u<f.  like  an  effort  of  remembrance,  "made  it  wery  par- 
■ '^liT  that  we   should  give   her  —  were   it  compli- 
lis  or  respects,  Pip?" 
'fionipliments,"  1  said. 

"Which  that  were  my  own  belief,"  answered  Jt«. 
lier  comjihrncDts  to  Mrs.  J.  Gargery — ^" 
-.Vaii/i  good  they'll  do  me!"    observed  my  Bi6\fi.iv 
■"'•'' gratiSed  too.  ' 


ISS  QBZA.T  SXPEOTATIONS. 

"And  wishing,"  pursued  Joo,  with  another  fixec 
look  at  me,  liko  another  effort  of  retnfimbrance ,  "thi 
the  state  of  Miss  Havisham's  elth  were  sitch  aa  won] 
have  —  allowed,  were  it,  Pip?" 

"Of  her  having  the  pleaaure,"  I  added. 

"Of  ladies'  company,"  eaid  Joo.  And  drew  a  lot 
breath. 

"Well!"  cried  my  sister,  with  a  mollified  glance  ; 
Mr.  Pnmblechook.  "She  might  have  had  the  politona 
to  send  that  message  at  first,  but  it'a  better  late  th« 
never.    And  what  did  she  givo  young  Kantipole  bere. 

"She  giv'  him,"  said  Joe,  "nothing." 

Mrs.  Joe  was  going  to  break  out,  but  Joo  wont  o 

"What  she  giv',"  said  Joe,  "she  giv'  to  his  friend 
'And  by  his  friends,'  were  her  explanation,  'I  met 
into  the  hands  of  his  sister  Mrs,  J.  Gargery.'  The 
were  her  words;  'Mrs.  J.  Gargery.'  She  mayn't  ha' 
know'd,  added  Joe,  with  an  appearance  of  rofloctift 
"whether  it  were  Joo,  or  Jorge." 

My  sister  looked  at  Piimhlechook:   who   smootlu 

elbows  of  his  wooden  arm-chair,  and  nodded  at  h 
id   at  the  fire,   as  if  he  had  known  all  about  it  b 
forehand. 

"And  how  much  have  you  got?"  asked  my  sistc 
laughing.     Positively,  laughing! 

"What  would  present  company  Hity  to  ton  pound?' 
demanded  Joe. 

"They'd  say,"  returned  my  sister,  curtly,  "prefiy 
well,     Not  too  much,  but  pretty  well." 

"It's  more  than  that,  then,"  said  Joe. 

That  fearful  Impostor,  Pnmblechook,  immediately 
nodded,  and  said,  ns  he  rubbed  ^e  a.rct«  o?  Vvt  di3J.c. 
'It's  wore  than  that,  mum." 


i 


■  '  cmsAT  wemtrrATtmm.  137 

"Wliy  you  don't  mean  to  say — ''  IjDgan  luy  sji^toi-. 
"Yes  1  do,  miim,"  said  Pumliletliook;   "but  wait  a 
ii     Go  on,  Joseph.     Good  in  yon!  Go  on!" 
"Wliat  would  present  company  say,"  proceeded  Joe, 

I'm  iweaty  pound?" 
"Handsome    would    be    the   word,"    returned    my 
"Well,   then,"   said  Joe,    "it's  more  than  twenty 
'     ".iind." 

That abjectHypocrite,  Pumblechook,  noddodagain, 

■  ■-A  said,   with  a  patronising  laugh,    "It's   more  than 

I    in,  mnin.     Good  again!  Follow  her  up,  JoaepliI" 
"Then  to  make  an  end  of  it,"  said  Joe,  delightedly 
banding   the  bag   to   my  Biat«r;    "it's  five-aud-twen^ 
[»nmd." 

"It's  five-and-twenty  pound,    mum,"   echoed  that 
Lv.Ht  of  ewiudlora,  Pumbleehook,  rising  to  shake  hands 

■  ill  her;  "ajid  it's  no  more  than  your  meritB  {as  Im 
iiiitu  my  opinion  waa  asked),    and  I  wish  you  joy  of 
ilie  money! " 

If  the  Villain  bad  stopped  here,    his   case   would 

'lavB  been    sufficiently  awful,    but    he    blackened  his 

-Mi  by  proceeding  to  take  me  into  custody,  with  ( 

.-lit  trt"  patronage  that  left  all  his  former  criminality 

I.  ijshind, 

"Now  yon  see,  Joseph  and  wife,"  said  Pnmblechook, 

lie  took  me  by  the  arm  above  the  elbow,    "I  am 

■'■  i(  them  that  always  g(j  right  through  with  what 

iicyVe  begun.    This  boy  must  bo  bound,  out  of  baud. 

lt^8  mjf  way.     Bound  out  of  hand." 

"     ■■      s  knows,    Uncle  Pumblecliook,"   saiiisv^ 

^ff.,tLe  money),    "we're   deejiy  \ieiwj^ 


'Never  mind  me,   mum,"  retimiQtl  that  diabolica 

■chandler.     "A  pleasure's  a  pleasure,  all  the  worl 
But  tiiis  boy,    you   know;  wo  must  1 
;^und.     I  said  I'd  see  to  it  —  to  tell  you  the  truth." 

The  Justicea  were  sitting  in  the  Town  Hall  i 
at  hand,   and  we  at  once  wont  over  to  have  me  bo 
apprentice  to  Joe  in  the  Magisterial  preaence.     I  sa] 
we  went  over,  but  I  was  pushed  over  by  Pumblechooli 
exactly  as  if  I  had   that   moment  picked  a  pocket  a 
fired  a  rick;    indeed,   it  waa  the  general  impression  i 
Court  that  I  had  been  taken  red-handed,  tor,  i     ~ 
blechook  shoved  me  before  him  through  the  crowd,  ; 
heard  some  people  say,  "What's  he  done?"  and  othei 
'He's  a  young  'un  too,  but  looks  bad,  don't  he?"  On 
person  of  mild  and  benevolent  aspect  oven  gave  b 

tract  ornamented  with  a  woodcut  of  a  malevolent  yc      

man  fitted  up  with  a  perfect  sausage-shop  of  fetten 
and  entitled  To  be  head  in  my  Cell. 

TheHallwas  a  ijueer  place,  1  thought,  withhigho 
pews  in  it  than  a  church  —  and  with  people  hanginj 
over  the  pews  looking  on  —  and  with  mighty  Justice 
""^      with  a  powdered   Lead)   leaning  back  in  chairs 
with  folded  arms,    or  taking  snuff,    or  going  to  sle 
or  writing,    or  reading  the  newspapers  —  and  w 
some  shining  black  portraits  on  the  walla,   which  i 
unartistic  eye  regarded  an  a  composition  of  hardbak 
and  Bticking-plaister.  Here,  in  a  comer,  my  indenture 
were  duly  signed   and  attested,    and  I  was  "bound; 
Mr.'  Pumblechook  holding  mo   all  the  while  ! 
had  looked  in  on  our  way  to  the  scaffold,  to  have  thoB 
little  prelimiuarieB  disposed  of. 

Tf^en  we  had  come  out  again,  and  bai  gut  vid  < 
/*e  doys  who  b&d  been  put  into  gteat  ii^'iry\^|^ 


b 

I 

^pen 
^K^e 
P'pa. 


"ftatioti  of  seeing  me  publicly  tortured,  anil  who 
:■  mueh  disappointed  to  tind  that  my  friends  were 
.  Iv  rallyiag  round  me,  we  went  back  to  Pnm- 
liciuk's.  And  there  my  ulster  became  so  excited  by 
'weu(y-five  guineas,  that  nothing  would  serve  her 
H-e  must  have  a  tliouer  out  of  that  windfall,  at  the 
ii  Boar,  and  that  Pumhieehook  must  go  over  in  his 
i.iLse-cart,  and  bring  the  Hubbies  and  Mr.  Wopsle. 
%'Il  yraB  agreed  to  be  done;  and  a  most  melancholy 
For,  it  inscrutably  appeared  to  stand 
,  ip  the  minds  of  the  whole  company,  that  I 
a  excfeaceqpe  on  the  entertainment.  And  to  make 
they  all  asked  me  from  time  to  time  —  in 
■I',  whenever  they  had  nothing  else  to  do  —  why  I 
'lilt  enjoy  myself.  And  what  could  I  possibly  do 
"II.    but    say  I    wits    enjoying     myself  —    when   I 

However,  they  were  grown  up  and  had  their  own 
iv,  and  they  made  the  most  of  it.  That  swindling 
■Mubleehook,    exalted  into  the  beneficent  cnatriver  of 

whole  occasion,  actually  took  the  top  of  the  table; 
J ,  when  he  addressed  them  on  the  sabject  of  my  " 
iiii;  bound,  and  fiendishly  congratulated  them  on  my 
iijg  liable  to  imprisonment,  if  I  played  at  cards, 
ink.  strong  liijuors,  kept  late  hours  or  had  company, 
iiiihilged  in  other  vagaries  which  the  form  of  niy 
I  rilores  appeared  to  contemplate  as  next  to  in- 
i-iljlo,  he  placed  me  standing  on  a  chair  beside  him, 

IIiiiitTate  his  remarks. 

\Iy  only  other  remembrances  of  the  great  fettrsaX 

.  Tliat  tbe/f  wouldn't  let  me  go  to  sleep,  \iut  -w^ien- 
^^dmppisg  off,    woke  me  up  ao,&.  toVii; 
^oat,   rather  late  in  the  ©-vftmi 


r 

I 


*140  6RHAT  BJCWlCTA-nOSS. 

Mr.Wopsle  gave  us  Collins's  ode,  and  threw  Iiia  bit 
Btain'd  sword  in  thunder  down,  with  such  effect, 
a  waitor  cama  in.  and  said,  "The  CommercialB 
neath  sent  up  their  complimotita,  and  it  wasi 
Tumbler's  Ama."  That,  they  were  all  in  ex 
Bpirits,  on  the  road  home,  and  sang  0  Lady  Fi 
Mr.  Wopsle  taking  the  bass,  and  asserting  with;] 
tremendously  strong  voice  (in  reply  to  the  inquisil' 
bore  who  leads  that  piece  of  music  in  a  most 
nent  manner,  hy  wanting  to  know  all  about  ever 
body's  private  affaire)  that  Jie  was  the  man  with  1 
white  locks  flowing,  and  that  he  was  upon  the  wli 
the  weakest  pilgrim  going. 

Pinally,  I  remember  that  when  I  got  into  my  111 
bedroom  I  was  tnily  wretched,  and  had  a  strong  a 
Tiction  on  me  that  I  should  never  like  Joe'a  trade, 
bad  liked  it  once,  but  once  was  not  now. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

It  is  a  moat  misorahlo  thing  to  feel  ashamed 
rliome.  There  may  bo  black  ingratitude  in  the  thi 
1  and  the  punishment  may  be  retributive  and  well  ■ 
]  ecrved;  but  that  it  is  a  miserable  thing,  I  can  testif;y 

Home  bad  never  been  a  very  pleasant  place  to  ndj 
I  because  of  my  sister's  temper.  But,  Joe  had  sanctififl 
it,  and  X  had  believed  in  it.  I  had  believed  in  tS 
best  parlour  as  a  most  elegant  saloon;  I  had  believj 
in  the  front  door,  as  a  mysterious  portal  of  the  Temjw 
of  State  whose  solemn  opening  was  attended  with  i 
sacriiice  of  roast  fowls;  I  had  believed  in  the  kitcliei 
^  a  ciia^ta  ikoagh  not  magnifiwiiv*,  apR'ttmeat!,  I  lia( 
''"       '  *      "    miorge  as  tlio  glowvng  Toai  to  TOatJoM 


Bpcndence.  Witliin  a  siugic  your,  all  tUis 
:  wan  all  cc»rse  and  comiRtin,  n 
'  ant  liavo  had  Miss  Havialiara  and  KsWlla  s 
J  atconnt. 

(nuclx  of  my  tuigracious  condition  of  mind 
I  lay  own  faalt,  hitw  much  Miss  IlaviHliain'n, 
tmy  Bister's,  ia  now  of  no  monient  tit  me  or 
e.  The  change  was  made  in  mo;  the  thing 
Well  or  iU  done,  oxcnsably  or  inexcusably, 
>,. 
it  had  Beamed  to  me  that  when  I  should  at 
up  my  ahirt-fileeves  and  go  into  the  forgo, 
'prentice,  I  should  be  distin^ished  and  happy. 
he  reality  was  in  my  hold,  I  only  felt  that  I 
lity  with  the  dust  of  tnnallcoal,  and  that  I  had" 
ipon  my  daily  remembrance  to  which  the  anvil 
There  have  been  occasions  in  my  later 
ipose  as  in  moat  liven)  when  I  have  felt  for  a 
a  thick  curtain  had  fallen  on  all  ita  interest 
oe,  to  shut  mo  out  from  anj-thing  save  dull 
any  more.  Never  has  that  curtain  dropped 
and  blank,  as  when  niy  way  in  life  lay 
iloHt  str!Mght  bpforo  me  through  the  newly- 
of  apprentieeship  to  Joe. 
iber  that  at  a  later  period  of  my  "time"  I 
id  about  the  chuiehyiird  on  Sunday  eyeuiugs 
was  falling,  comparing  my  own  perspective 
idy  marsh  view,  and  making  out  aome  like- 
them  by  thinking  how  flat  and  low  both 
bow  on  both  there  came  an  unknown  way 
DUflt  and  then  the  sea.  I  was  quite  aa  4o- 
Srat  working-day  of  my  apprent\cea\^^  aa  ' 
•^-  hat  I  am  glad  to  know  that  1 1 


OSilAV  sxrucTAVfoira. 


Mthed  a  murmur  to  Joe  while  my  indeiitm'ea  Inste* 
s  abont  the  only  thing  I  am  glad  to  know  of  myaeS 
1  that  connexion. 

For,   though  it  includes  what  I  proceed  to  add,  al^ 
RiLhe  merit  of  what  I  proceed  to  itdd  was  Joe's,     It  ws^l 
Baot  because  I  was  faithful,    but  l)ecauso  Joe  was  fait] 
I'fiil,  that  I  never  ran  away  and  went  for  a  soldier  o 
Bailor.     It  was  not  because  I  had  a  strong  sonae  of 
virtue  of  industry,  but  because  Joe  had  a  strong  se 
of  the  virtue  of  industry,   that  I  worlced  with  tolerabi 
zeal  against  the  grain.     It  is  nut  possible  to  know  htt 
^^    far  the  influence  of  any  amiable  honest-hearted  dub 
^L  doing  man  flies  out  into  the  world;  but  it  is  very  pd 
^K  table  to  know  how  it  has  touched  one's  self  in  goid 
^P  by,    and  I  know  right  well  that  any  good  that  int« 
mixed  itself  with  my  apprenticeship  carae  of  plain  coi 
tented  Joe,    and    not    of    restlessly    aspiring    discoi 
tented  me. 

PWhat  I  wanted,  who  can  say?  How  can  /  sa| 
Then  I  never  knew?  AVTiat  I  dreaded  was,  that  i 
liome  unlucky  hour  I,  being  at  my  grimiest  and  con 
monest,  should  lift  up  my  eyes  and  seeEstella  lookii^ 
m  at  one  of  the  wooden  windows  of  tlie  forge.  I  i 
haunted  by  the  fear  that  she  would,  sooner  or  Iat« 
find  me  out,  with  a  black  face  and  hands,  doing  th 

►  Coareost  part  of  my  work,  and  would  exult  over  in 
•nd  despise  rae.  Often  after  dark,  when  I  was  pullin 
Uie  bellows  for  Joe  and  we  were  singing  Old  Clei 
^id  when  the  thought  how  we  used  to  sing  it  at  Mij 
Havisliam's  would  seem  to  show  me  Estella's  face  h 
the  fire  with  her  pretty  hair  fluttering  in  the  wind  ant 
£er  eycn  scorning  me,  —  often  M  Bvuiti  n.  tana  \  NtauU 
^ok  towarda  those  panels  of  black  tiigta.  "m  ^Va  -^ 


Jsok 


148 

e  wooden  windows  then  wero,  and  would  fancy 
her  juat  drawing  Ler  face  awny,  and  would 
t  she  had  come  at  last. 
r  that,   when  wo  went  in  to  supper,   the  place 
mtius  meal  would    have  n  more  homely  Iciok   than 
f  and  I  would  feel  more  aabamed  of  home  than  ever 
f  own  ungracious  breast. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

)  I  was  gettinp  too  big  fur  Mr.  Wopsla'a  great- 
i  Toom,  my  education  under  that  preposterouH 
'"ntdc  terminated.  Not,  however,  until  Biddy  had  ira- 
irli^rf  to  me  overythii^  she  knew,  from  the  little  cata- 
■■.'lie  of  prices,  to  a  comic  song  she  had  once  bought 
'■1  .1  halfpenny.  Althoitgli  the  only  coherent  part  of 
II.'  latter  piece  of  literature  were  the  opening  Unea, 


-  still,    in  my  desire  to  be  wiser,   I  got  this  compoai- 

11  by  heart  with  the  utmost  gravity;  nor  do  I  recollect 

It  I  qiicstioned  its  merit,  except  that  I  thought  (as" 

■JI  doj  the  amount  of  Too  rul  somewhat  iu  excess  o 

iJie  poetry.  In  my  hunger  for  information,  I  made  pro 

fiogals  to  Mr.  "Wopale  to  bestow  seme  intellectual  crumbs 

ujjou  miii  with  which  he  kindly  complied.  As  it  turned 

"li.  however,  that  he  only  wanted  me  for  a  dramatic 

figure,    to  be  contradicted  and  emljraced.  au4  ■^ft-^'s. 

'  ^^^"^f^  ""^  c7n(flied  and  stabbed  aniVnot^eA 

"^fl^s,  I  soon  decliiKid  that  cft\iM 


■H4  QltBAT  BXPEOTAnOim. 

•if  iilBtruction;  tlioughnot  iiutil  Mr.  Wopslc  i 
rfory  lia<i  BBvorely  mauled  me. 

r        Wliatever  I  acquired,    I  tried  to  impart  to  J( 
LTMh  statement  Bounds  so  well,   that  I  c 
/conscience  let  it  pass  nnesplained.     I  wanted  to  ma 
f  (Toe    less    ignorant    and    common,    that    he  might 
rtTorthier  of  ray  society  and  less   open  to  Estella's  ; 

The  old  Battety  out  on  the  marshes  was  our  pla 

of  study,  aad  a  broken  slate  and  a  short  piece  of  slat 

pencil  were  our  educational  implements:  to  which  Jo 

always  added  a  pipe  of  tobacco.     I  never  knew  Joe  t 

k.ramember  anything  from  one  Sunday  to  another, 

feicquire,   under  my  tuition,   any  piece  of  informatii 

P%hatovcr.     Tet  he  would  smoke  his  pipe  at  the  T 

tery  with  a  far  more  sagacious  air  than  anywhere  eli 

—  even  with  a  learned  air  —  as  if  he  considered  him 

aelf  to  be  advancing  immensely.     Dear  fellow,   I  hop 

pleasant  and  quiet  out  there  with  the 
c  passing  beyond  the  earthwork,    and  som< 
imes,   when  the  tide  was  low,   looking  as  if  they  b« 
longed  to  sunken  ships  that  were  still  sailing  on 
bottom  of  the  water.     Whenever  I  watched  the 
Standing  out  to  sea  with  their  white  sails   spread, 
somehow  thought  of  Miss  Havisham  and  Estella; 
-whenever  the  light  struck  aslauL  afur  off,  upon  a  cloi 
or  sail  or  green  hill-«ide  or  water-line,   it  was  just  1 
same.  Miss  HaviRham  and  Estella  and  the  strange  hoi 
and  the  strange  life  appeared  to  have  something  to 
with  everything  that  was  picturesque. 

One  Sunday  wbeu  Joe,   gitally  eTiiQ^ui!£  hia  oi 
Md  so  phuaed  Jiimself  on  tteing  " 


w 


(OaAT  SZPBOTATIOm> 


!  had  given  him  up  for  the  day,   I  lay  nn  the 

.■.i,..!;    I'.ir  some  time  with  my  thin  on  my  hand 

■lii^^es  of  Mis-s Haviaham  and  KsteUa  all  over 

■  I ,  in  tbti  sky  and  in  the  water,  until  at  last 

<    I    III  mention  a  thought  concerning  them  that 

'  liet'ii  much  in  my  head. 

"Joe,"    Bidd  I;    "don't  you  think  I  oug'ht  to  make 
i:-  Haviaham  a  visit?" 
,        'Well,     Pip,"    returned   Joe,    slowly   considering. 
■Wliat  for?" 

"What  for,  Joe?  What  is  any  visit  made  for?" 
I        "Thore  ia  some  wisits  pVaps,"  said  Joe,    "as  for 
ler  lemnine  open  to  the  question,  Pip.    But  in  regard 
■!  « i«ting  Slias  Havisham.  Sliemiglit  tliinkyou  wanted 
■jiflhiag  —  expected  sometliing  of  her," 
"Don't  yon  think  I  might  say  that  I  did  not,  Joe?" 
"\'oQ  might,  old  chap,"  said  Joe.  "And  she  might 
:'ilj't  it.     Similarly  elie  mightn't." 

•Toe  felt,  as  I  did,  that  he  had  made  a  point  there, 
.<i  he  pulled  faai-d  at  hia  pipe  to  keep  himself  from 
■ikpning  it  by  repetition, 

"Ton  see,   Pip,"  Joe  pursued,    as  soon  as  he  was 
-(  that  danger,    "Miss  Havisham  done  the  handsome 
iitf  by  you.     When  Miss  Havisham  done  the  hand- 
in'  ihing  liy  you,   she  called  rae  back  to  say  to  me 
'-  ilial  were  all." 
I        "Yes,  Joe.     I  heard  her." 
I        "AjM,,"  Joe  repeated,  very  emphatically. 
I        "Yw,  Joe.     I  tell  you,  I  heard  her." 

"Which  I  meantersay,  Pip,  it  might  be  that  her 
I  meaning  were  ■ —  Mako  a  end  on  it!  —  A.a  yo\3i  -was\ 
I  -  ».  ft>  rJie  North  and  j'ou  to  the  Soathl  —  "K-afc-j  \a. 


ORBAT  HXPBOTAWBIW. 

I  had  thought  of  that  too,  and  it  was  yoryfar  fro 
comforting  to  mo  to  find  that  he  had  thought  of  it; 
it  Bcemed  to  render  it  moro  prohable. 
"But,  Joe." 
"Tes,  old  chap." 

"Here  am  I,  gettiDgon  in  the  first  yoar  of  mytia 
tnd  since  the  day  of  my  being  bound  I  have  nev 
thanked  Miss  Havisham,  or  asked  after  her,  or  ehoi 
lat  I  remember  her." 

"That's  truB,  Pip;   and  unless  you  was  to  turn  1 
t  a  set  of  shoes  all  four  round  —  and  which  I  meant( 
Hiy  a.a  even  a  set  of  shoes  all  four  round  might  i 
iptahle  as  a  present,    in   a  total    wacancy 

"I  don't  mean  that  sort  of  remembrance,   Joe; 
Eclon't  mean  a  present." 

But  Joe  had  got  the  idea  of  a  present  in  his  hei 
■  and  must  harp  upon  it.     "Or  even,"  said  L 
^Was  helped  to  knocking  her  up  a  new  chain  for  tl 
'  ront  door  —  or  say  a  gross  or  two   of  shark-headi 
crews  for  general  use  —  or  some  light  fancy  articl 
tuch  as  a  toasting-fork  when    she    took   her 
'  -  or   a   gridiron   when   she   took   a   sprat   or   si 
1  — " 
"I  don't  mean   any  present   at   all,   Joe,"  I 

"Well,"   said  Joe,    still  harping  on  it  as  though 

had  particularly  pressed  it,  "if  I  was  yourself,  Pip, 
wouldn't.     No,  I  would  not.     For  what's  a  door-chs 
when  she's  got  one  always  up?  And  shark-headers 
open  to  misrepresentations.     And  if  it  wa 
i&ri,  yon'd  go  into  brasa   anil  do  -joAKsalf  nn  cre^ 
^nd  the  ODCOinmonest  workman  camX  »\io-»(  Vvi»w^ 


'Maim  in  a  gridiron  —  for  a  gridiron  is  a  gridiron," 
i  JuL>,  Btcadi'astl^  impreBsing  it  upon  me,  as  if  he 
:i'  endeavouring;  to  rouse  me  from  a  fixed  delusion, 
111  yOQ  may  haim  at  wliat  you  like,   but  a  gridiron 

■  liU  come  out,  either  by  your  leave  or  again  your 
!'o,  and  you  can't  help  yourself — " 

"My  dear  Joe,"  I  cried,  in  desperation,  taking  hold 
'  iiis  coat,  "don't  go  on  in  that  way.    I  never  thonght 

■  ijiaidng  Miss  Havisham  any  present" 

"No,  Pip,"  Joe  assented,  as  if  he  had  been  contend- 
-■  tW  that,  all  along;  "and  what  I  say  to  you,   is, 

■  N  m  riglit,  Pip." 

"Vea,  Jne;  but  what  I  wanted  to  aay,  was,  that 
m  are  rather  slack  just  now,  if  you  could  give  me 
lj"lf  holiday  to-morrow,  I  think  I  would  go  up-towii 
:i!  make  a  call  on  MIbb  Eat  —  Uavixham." 

"Which  her  name,"  said  Joe  gravely,  "ain't  Es- 
'■i4[am,  Pip,  unless  she  have  been  rechris'ened." 

''I  know,  Joe,  I  know.  It  was  a  slip  of  mine. 
''  kit  do  you  think  of  it,  Joe?" 

In  brief,  Joe  thought  that  if  I  thought  well  of  it, 
;liought  well  of  it.  But,  he  wafl  particular  in  sti- 
l"ilating  that  if  I  were  not  received  with  cordiality,  or 
if  I  were  not  encouraged  to  repeat  my  visit  aa  a  visit 
wluch  had  no  ulterior  object  but  was  simply  one  of 
gratitude  for  a  favour  received,  then  this  experimental 
Irip  should  have  no  snccessor.  By  these  conditions  I 
inmised  to  abide. 

Now,.  Joe  kept  a  journeyman    nt  weekly  wages 
'vliihxe  name  was  Orlick.     lie  pretended  that  his  chris- 
(1  name  was  Ddlge  —  a  clear  impossibility  —  ^ilJA. 
.F.M  J)  fc/Zotr  of  that  obstinate  dispoBition  ftvatWw 
j^^io  to  Mare  been  the  pmy  of  no  delvislou 


QHEAT  BXPHCTATTOHS. 

particular,  but  wilfully  to  have  imposed  tbat  name  npo 

the  village  as  an  afFront  to  its  nnderstAsding'.     He  wt 

a  broad-shouldered  looae-Iimbed  swartlij'  fellow  of  g 

Btren^h,  never  in  a  hurry,  and  always  slouching. 

never  oven  seemed  to   come  to  his  work  on   purpoe 

^—^Jbot  would  slouch  in  as  if  by  mere  accident;  and  whi 

^■J{|8  went  to  the  Jolly  Bargemen  to  eat  his  dinner,  i 

^T'vent  away  at  night,  he  would  slouch  out,  like  Cain  t 

the  Wandering  Jew,   as  if  he  had  no  idea  where  h 

waa  going  and  no  intention  of  ever  coming  back.     H 

lodged  at  a  sluice-keeper's  out  on  the  marshes,  and  o 

working  days  would  come  slouching  from  his  hermitag 

^^vith  his  bands  in  his  pockets  and  his  dinner  loose' 

^K&d  in  a  bundle  round  his  nock  and  dangling  on  1 

^■i^ack.     On  Sundays  he  mostly  lay   all  day  on  sluic 

^^^ates,    or  stood  against  ricks   and  bams.     He  alway 

^Bilouched,  locomotively,   with  hia  eyes  on  tlie  ground 

^B^d,  when  accosted  or  othcrvcise  required  to  raise  them 

.     he  looked  up  in  a  half  resentful,  half  puzzled  way, 

though  the  only  thought  he  ever  had,  was,  that  it  w 

rather  an  odd  and  injurious  fact  tliat  he  should  nev 

be  thinking. 

This    morose  jonmeyman    had  no  liking  for  m 

"hen  I  was  very  small  and  timid,  he  gave  me  to  ui 

rBtand  that  the  Devil  lived  in  a  black  comer  of  th 

forge,  and  that  he  knew  the  fiend  very  well:  al 

it   was  necessary  to  make  np  the  fire  once  in 

seven  years,  with  a  live  boy,  and  that  I  might  c 

myself  fuel.     When  I  became  Joe's  'prentice,  ] 

perhaps  confirmed  in  some  suspicion  that  I  should  dis 

place  him;  howbeit,  he  liked  mo  still  loss.     Not  tha 

ie  ever  said  anything,  or  did  anytbmg,  o^nl-j  im^iatbi 

^g:  liostility-  I  ou]y  noticed  tiiat  \ie  aWw^a  \)fca.\,  "S 


^^.^ 


nJil«iia  iu  my  direction,  and  that  wbenever  1  sang  Old 
I  '^!'-m,  he  came  in  ont  of  time. 

Drilge  Orlick  waa  at  work  and  present,  npxt  day, 

'  I. -ti  1  remmfled  Joe  of  my   half-holiday.     He  said 

"iliing  at  the  moment,  for  he  and  Joe  had  jnst  got  a 

I  I'ifce  of  hot  iron  between  them  and  I  was  at  the  bel- 

I  !"»s:  but  by-and-by  he  said,  leaning  on  liia  hammer; 

I       "Sow,  nia5t<:r!    Sure  you're  not  a  going  to  favour 

■Illy  one  of  us.     If  Young  Pip  has  a  half-holiday,  do 

uach  for  Old  Orlirk."    I  suppose  he  was  about  five- 

'1  twenty,  but  he  usually  spoke  of  himself  a 

■   ui  persoii. 

"Why  what'll  yon  do  with  a  half-holiday,  if  you 
J' !  it?"  said  Joe, 

"What'll  /  do  with  it!    What'll  fie  do  with  it?    I'll 

■  a§  much  with  it  as  him"  said  Orlick. 
"As  lo  Pip,  he's  going  np-town,"  said  Joe. 
"Well  then  as  to  Old  Orlick,  he's  going  np-to» 

t''iijned  that  worthy.     "Two  can  go  up-town.     T 
imly  one  wot  can  go  up-town."' 
"Don't  lose  your  temper,"  said  Joe. 
"Shall  if  I  like,"  growled  Orlick.    "Some  and  their 
i|i-i.jwningt     Now,  master!     Come.     No  favouring  ii 

■  \'  rthop.     Be  a  man!" 

The  master  refusing  to  entertain  the  subject  until 

journeyman  was  iu  a  better  temper,  Orlick  plunged 

tbe  furnace,    drew  oat  a  red-hot  bar,   made  at  me 

}i  it  as  it'  be  were  going  to  run  it  through  laf  body, 

ilfked  it  round  my  head,  laid  it  on  the  anvil,  ham- 

iiii.Ted  it  out  —  as  if  it  were  I,    I  thought,    and  the 

i^bs   were   loy  apjrt'mg  Iilood  —   and  fenaW-j   %M.i^ 

^r^g  J"i  bad  bmumered  iimself  hot  and  t\i«  imii.  t*^^ 

2  his  liammei 


^KU/r  MMMrrA-nom.  14S 


I 


i80  GREAT  EXPECT  A  TIOHS. 

"Norf,  inaetGr!" 

"Are  you  all  right  now?"  demanded  Joe. 

"Ahl     I  am  aU  right,"  said  gruff  Old  OrUck, 

"Then,  as  in  general  you  stick  to  your  work  i 
well  as  most  men,"  said  Joe,  "let  it  be  a  half-hoUda 
for  alL" 

.  My  sister  had  been  standing  silent  in  the  yari 
within  hearing  —  she  was  a  most  unscrupulous  spy  an 
listener  —  and  she  instantly  looked  in  at  one  of  tt 
windows. 

"Like  you,  you  fool!"  said  she  to  Joe,  "givin 
holidays  to  great  idle  hulkers  like  that.  You  axe 
rich  man,  upon  my  life,  to  waste  wages  in  that  i 
I  wish  I  was  hia  master  1" 

"You'd  be  everybody's  master,  if  you  durst," 
torted  Orlick,  with  an  Ill-favoured  grin. 

("Let  her  alone,"  said  Joe.) 

"I'd  bo  a  match  for  all  noodles  and  all  rogues,' 
returned  my  sister,  beginning  to  work  hetaeU'  into 
mighty  rage.  "And  I  couldn't  be  a  match  for  th^ 
noodles  without  being  a  match  for  your  maater,  ' 
the  dunder-headed  king  of  the  noodles.  And  I  couldn't 
Ite  a  match  for  the  rogues,  without  being  a  match  for 
who  are  the  blackest-looking  and  the  worst  rogua 
;ween  this  and  France.     !NowI" 

You're  a  foul  shrew,  Mother  Gargery,"  growled 
the  journeyman.  "If  that  makes  a  judge  of  rogues, 
you  ought  to  be  a  good'un." 

("Let  her  alone,  will  you?"  said  Joe,) 

"Wliat  did  you  say?"  cried  my  sister,  beginning'; 
to  scream.  "What  did  you  say?  What  did  that  fel- 
'oir  Orlick  aay  to  me,  Pip?  W\io.t  OiiJ.  lia  call  nie,i 
'^th  my  husband  Btandiiig  by?     0\  OV  OV     "E.ajii. 


QREAT  EXPECT  ATI  OMS.  l&l 

tiipso  exclaraatione  was  a  sLrick;  and  I  must  remark 
['  my  aistcr,  what  Ib  eijually  true  of  all  the  violent 
-men  I  hxve  ever  Been,  that  paBsion  was  no  excase 
I  tier,  because  It  is  undeniable  that  instead  of  lapsing 
iio  passion,  she  conscioiiBly  and  deliberately  took  ex- 
Kirdiuary  pains  to  force  herself  into  it,  and  became 
iiidly  furious  by  regular  stages;  "what  was  the  name 
II'-  ^ave  me  before  the  base  man  who  swore  to  defend 
me?     OI     Hold  mel     01" 

"Ah-Ii-hl"  growled  the  journeyman,  between  his 
teeth,  "I'd  hold  you,  if  you  was  my  wife.  I'd  hold 
you  under  the  pump,  and  choke  it  out  of  yoiL" 
("I  tell  you,  let  her  alone,"  aaid  Joe,) 
"O!  To  hear  him!"  cried  my  sister,  with  a  clap  of 
lier  hands  aqd  a  scream  together  —  which  was  her 
next  stage.  "To  hear  the  names  he's  giving  mel  That 
Urliokl  In  my  own  house!  Me,  a  married  womaal 
AVlth  my  husband  standing  by!  01  0!"  Here  my 
sistci,  aftef  a  fit  of  clappings  and  ^croamings,  beat  her 
iiaoils  upon  hor  bosom  and  upon  her  knees,  and  threw 
ber  cap  off  and  pulled  her  hair  down  —  which  were 
the  last  stages  on  her  road  to  frenity.  Being  by  tiuB 
time  a  perfect  Fuiy  and  a  complete  success,  she  made 
a  dash  at  tbe  door,  which  I  had  fortunately  locked. 

Wliat  could  the  wretched  Joe  do  now,  after  his 
disregarded  parenthetical  inteixuptions,  but  stand  up  to 
lis  jonrncyman,  and  ask  him  what  ho  meant  by  inter- 
fering betwixt  himself  and  Mrs.  Joe;  and  further  whether 
be  was  man  enough  to  come  ou?  Old  Orlick  felt  that 
the  situation  admitted  of  nothing  less  than  coming  on, 
find  was  on  his  defence  straightway;  so,  without  so 
^ucb_  as  puUing  off  their  singed  and  Viumt  a^Tfttis, 
Mpne  another  Ilka  two  giants.     "But,Vf  ms; 


QHEAT  EXPECTATI0K3. 


in  that  neighbourfaood  could  stand  up  long  agBin 
■Joe,  I  never  saw  the  man.     Orlick,  as  if  he  had  bei 
of  no  more  account  than   the   pale  young  gentlema 
very  Boon  among  the  coal-dust  imd  in  no  huny  ■ 
;  out  of  it.     Then,   Joe    unlocked  the  door  ai 
picked  np  my  sister,  who  had  dropped  insenBible  at  ti 
irindow  (but  who  had  seen  the  fight  first,  I  think),  ai 
irho  waa  carried  into  the  house  and  laid  down,  and  wl 
recommended  to  revive,  and  would  do  nothing  bi 
straggle  and  clench  her  Lands  in  Joe's  hair.     The 
came  that  singular  calm  and  silence  which  eueeeed  s 
uproars;   and  then,   with  the  vague  sensation  which 
,Jiave  always  connected  with  such  a  lull  —  namely,  th 

Sunday,  and  somebody  was  dead  —  I  \ 
6tair8  to  dress  myself. 

When  I  came  down  again,  I  found  Joe  and  Orlib 
sweeping  up,  without  any  other  traces  of  discompoe 
than  a  slit  in  one  of  Orlick'a  nostrils,  which  was  neith( 
expreasive  nor  ornamental.    A  pot  of  beer  had  appears 
fiom  the  Jolly  Bargemen,  and  they  were  sharing  it  b 


faros  in  a  peaceable  manner.  The  lull  had  a  sedatif 
and  philosophic  influence  on  Joe,  who  followed  me  on 
into  the  road  to  say,  as  a  pai-tiag  observation  tha 
might  do  me  good,  "On  the  Eampage,  Pip,  and  off  th 
Rampage,  Pip  —  such  ia  Life!" 

With  what  absurd  emotions  (for  we  think  the  feel 
ings  that  are  very  serious  in  a  man  quite  comical  in  f 
boy),  I  found  myself  again  going  to  Miss  Haviaham's, 
matters  little  liere,  Nor  how  I  passed  and  repassed  the 
gate  many  times  before  I  could  make  up  my  mind  to. 
ring.  Nor,  how  I  debated  whether  I  should  go  away 
without  ringing;  nor,  how  I  should  undoubtedly  have 
'lad  been  my  own,  to  GQaift>«  " 


^  m 

^^fftiae  Sarah  Pocket  ciune  to  tLe  ^ate.    No  Esiollu. 
^^™*How,  then?    you  here  again?"  said  Miss  Pocket. 
[What  do  you  want?" 

I  "HTiGu  I  said  that  I  only  camo  to  see  how  MisB 
navi$haiu  was,  S«rah  evidently  deliheratej  whether  or 
nn  she  should  send  me  about  my  business.  But,  un- 
'  irUliti^  to  hazard  the  responsibility,  she  let  me  in,  nod 
I  |in!sent)y  brought  the  sharp  message  that  I  was 
I    "eome  op," 

Everything  was  unchanged,  and  Miss  Havisham 
I  irsa  alone.  "Well?"  said  she,  fixing  her  eyes  upon 
I  we.  "I  hope  ymi  want  nothing?  You'll  get  nothing." 
I  "Ko  indeed,  Miss  Havisham.  I  only  wanted  you 
I  ta  know  that  I  am  doing  very  well  in  my  apprentice- 
t  ihip.  and  am  always  much  obliged  to  you." 

"There,  there!"  with  the  old  restless  fingers.    "Coi 
■K  and  then;   come  on  your  birthday.  - —  Ayl"  she 
■!U(i  suddenly,  turning  herself  and  her  chair  towards 
v.,  "you  are  looking  round  for  Estella?     Hey?" 

I  had  been  looking  round  —  in  fact,  for  Estella 
■  I'.l  !  slammered  that  I  hoped  she  was  well. 

"Abroad,"  said  Aliss  Havisham;  "educating  for  a 
ly;  far  out  of  reach;  prettier  than  ever;  admired  by 
I  who  see  her.    Do  you  feel  that  you  have  loHt  he 

There  was  such  a  malignant  enjoyment  in  her  ut- 
I'liice  of  the  last  words,  and  she  broke  into  such  i 
.-i^eahle  laugh,  that  I  was  at  a,  loss  what  to  say. 
■ii'  spared  me  the  trouble  of  considering,  by  dismisa- 
iiLT  me.  When  the  gate  was  closed  upon  me  by  Sarah 
"f  the  walnutsheU  countenance,  I  felt  more  than  ever 
(Bwatisfied  with  my  home  ami  with  my  trade  aai  NTiSiv 
ything;-  and  that  iras  nil  I  look  by  that  m(A\OTi. 
i  J"  WHa  loitering  along   tiie  High-street,  \oQViffli 


r 


i6t  CHtnAT  UXPBCTATIOKe. 


diBconBolatfily  at  the  shop-wiadowtt,  and  tltinkl 
what  I  shoulil  huy  if  I  were  a  gentleman,  who  sho 
come  out  of  the  bookshop  hut  Mr.  Wopslc.  Mr.  Woj 
hail  in.  his  hand  the  affecting  tragedy  of  George  B« 
well,  in  which  he  had  that  moment  invested  sixpoi 
with  the  view  of  heaping  every  word  of  it  on  the  h 
of  Pamblechook,  with  whom  he  was  going  to  drink  t 
No  Booner  did  he  see  me,  than  he  appeared  to  c 
that  a  special  Providence  had  put  a  'prentice 
way  to  bo  reail  at;   and  he  laid  hold  of  me,  i 

my  accompanying  him  to  the  PumblechooW 
pailouT.  As  I  knew  it  would  be  miserable  at  hoi 
find  as  the  nights  were  dark  and  the  way  was  drea 
and  almost  any  companionship  on  the  road  was  bet 
than  none,  I  made  no  great  reBistanee;  consequent 
■ffe  turned  into  Pumhlechook's  just  as  the  street  and  1 

ops  were  lighting  up. 

As  I  never  assisted  at  any  other  representation  ■ 
■George  Barnwell,  I  don't  know  how  long  it  may  n 
take;  but  I  know  very  well  that  it  took  until  half-p. 
3iine  o'clock  that  night,  and  that  when  Mr.  Wopsle  | 
"  ito  Newgate,  1  thought  he  ne«r  would  go  to  i 
:affold,  he  became  so  much  slower  than  at  any  forn 
.period  of  his  disgraceful  career.  I  thought  it  a  lit 
too  much  that  he  should  complain  of  being  cut  shj 

his  flower  after  all,  as  if  ho  had  not  been  running 
seed,  leaf  after  leaf,  ever  since  his  course  began.  ' 
however,  was  a  mere  question  of  length  and  i 
BomenosB.  What  stung  me,  was  the  identification  i| 
the  whole  affair  with  my  unoffending  self.  Wlien  Bat 
wall  began  to  go  wrong,  I  declare  that  I  felt  positiv^l 
ajjologetic,  Pumblechook'a  indignant  stare  so  taxed  g 
With  it.      Wopalc,  too,  took  pains  \.o  pi'^cat  ■n 


ffilR&'P  RXPW?TATIO|!». 


tftS 


IB  wli&tever; 


ice  ferocious  and  mftttdlin ,  I  w»a 
T  uncle  witli  no  extenunting  circum- 
;  Millwood  put  mo  down  lu  argument, 
;  it  bocame  ahtier  monomania  in  uiy 
I  daagbttir  to  care  a  button  for  mo;  and  all  E 
J  fijr  my  gaaping  and  procrastinating  conduct 
i  fatal  momlnjE^,  is,  tliat  it  was  worthy  of  the 
1  feebleness  of  my  cliaractcr.  Kvon  after  1  was 
J  btmged  and  Wopsle  had  closed  the  book,  Pum- 
Kik  sat  staring  at  me,  and  shakinj^  his  head,  and 
"Take  warning,  boy,  take  waruiiig!"  as  if  it 
1  well-known  fact  that  in  my  private  capacity,  I 
n?naplated  murdering  a  near  relation,  provided 
'ilil  only  induce  one  to  have  the  weakneas  to  become 
■';  lienefactor. 

It  was  a  very  dark  night  when   it  was  all  over, 

■  I  when  I  set  out  with  Mr.  Wopslo  on  the  walk  home. 

vijiid  town  wo  found  a  heavy  mist  out,    and  it  fell 

t  and  tliick.     The  turnpike  lamp  was  a  blur,    quite 

-•■'.  (if  the  lamp's  usual  place  apparently,  and  its  rays 

'bid  solid  substance  on  the  fog.     We  were  noticing 

:;ii-,  and  saying  how  that  the  mist  rose  with  a  change 

»f  wind  from  a  certain  quarter  of  our  marshes,   when 

w  came  upon  a  man  slouching  under  the  lee  of  the 

turnpike  house. 

"Halloa!"  we  said,  fitopping.     "Orlick,  there?" 
"All!"  he  answered,  slouching  out.     "1  was  star 
injf  by  a  minute,  on  the  chance  of  company." 
"Zou  are  late,"  I  remarked. 
Orlick  not  unnaturally  answered,  "Well?  A-hAijouto 


I 


166  eSEAT  SlXPlBtWAnOSB.    , 

hid  late  pfrfnrmance,    "we  hare  been   indulging, 
Orlick,  in  an  intellectual  evening." 

Old  Orlick  growled,  aa  if  he  had  nothing  to 
about  that,  and  we  all  went  on  together,  I  asked 
presently  whether  he  had  been  spending  his  half-i 
day  up  and  down  town? 

"Yes,"  said  he,  "all  of  it.  I  come  in  behind  y( 
self.  I  didn't  see  you,  but  I  must  have  been  pi 
close    behmd    you.       By-the-by,    the   gune    is    go 

"At  the  Hulks?"  said  I. 

"Ay!  There's  eome  of  the  birds  flown  from 
cages.  The  guns  have  been  going  since  dark,  ah 
Tou'll  hear  one  presently." 

In  effect,  we  had  not  walked  many  yards  ftirt 
when  the  well -remembered  boom  came  towards 
deadened  by  the  mist,  and  heavily  rolled  away  al 
the  low  grounds  by  the  river,  as  if  it  were  puisu 
and  threatening  the  fugitives. 

"A  good  night  for  cuttiaig  off  in,"  said  Orli 
"We'd  be  puzzled  how  to  bring  down  a  jail-bird 
the  wing,  to-night." 

The  subject  was  a  suggestive  one  to  me,  a: 
thought  about  it  in  silence.  Mr.  Wopsle,  as  tht 
requited  uncle  of  the  evening's  tragedy,  fell  to  i 
tating  aloud  in  hia  garden  at  Camberweil.  Orl 
with  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  slouched  heavily  at 
side.  It  was  very  dark,  veiy  wet,  very  muddy, 
80  we  splashed  along.  Now  and  then  the  sound  of 
cannon  broke  upon  us  again,  and  again  ro' 
luikily  along  the  course  of  the  river.  I  kept  my 
fc  mj'self  and  my  thoughts.  Mr,  'WQ'^\e  ^eil  a 
■""   iberwell,    and   oxceetlingly   gaine  oii  "Bwb."* 


and  in  the  greatest  agonies  at  Glastimbury. 
Orliek  smnetimeB  f^'rowled,  "B«at  it  out,  beat  it  out 
—  old  Cleml  With  a  clink  fur  the  stout  —  old  Clem!" 
!   thongLt    he    httd    been    drinking    but    he    was    not 

Thus  we  camo  to  the  village.  The  way  by  which  we 
,j in. ached  it,  tntik  us  past  the  Three  Jolly  Bargemen, 
liifli  we  wore  surprised  to  find  —  it  being  eleven 
"  I'liick  —  in  a  state  of  commotion,  with  the  door  wide 
"|ii.'n,  and  unwonted  lights  that  had  been  hastily  caught 
!}■  and  put  down,  scattered  about.  Mr.  Wopsle  dropped 
in  to  ask  what  was  the  matter  (surmising  that  a  con- 
rict  had  been  taken),  but  came  running  out  in  a  great 
Irnrry. 

"There's  something  wrong',"  said  he,  without  stop- 
ping, "up  at  your  place,  Pip.     Kun  ail!" 

"What  is  it?"    1  asked,  keeping  up  with  him.    So 
,  did  Orlick,  at  my  side. 

I  "I  can't  quite  understand.  The  house  seema  to 
ivi?  been  violently  entered  when  Joe  was  oat.  Sup- 
■'■i*d  by  convicts.     Somebody  has  been  attacked  and 

I  We  were  running  too  fast  to  admit  of  more  being 
•ud,  and  wo  made  no  stop  until  we  got  into  our 
Utoken.  It  was  full  of  people;  the  whole  village  was 
Ihere,  or  in  the  yard;  and  there  was  a  surgeon,  and 
tbere  was  Joe,  and  there  were  a  group  of  women,  all 
on  the  floor  in  the  midst  of  the  kitchen.  ITie  unem- 
ployed bystanders  drew  back  when  tliey  saw  me,  and 
W)  I  became  aware  of  my  sister  —  lying  without  sense 
"T  movement  on  the  hare  boards  where  she  hai  \ie,ca 
j^o^tgd  dowa  by  a  (cemendons  blow  on  t\ie  \iaK>i  o^ 
10  imitnown  hand  wlieo.  Aiet  iwsft 


168  CffiBAT  BEPBCTATtONS. 

was  turned  t'lwarda  the  fire  —  deBtined  never  to  be 
tlie  Rampage  again  while  she  ■was  wife  of  Joe. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

With  my  head  full  of  George  Barnwell,  I  waa 
first   dinposcd  to  bcliere  that  /  must  have  had  soj 
hand  in  the  attack  upon  my  siatej-,  or  at  all  eyents  tl 
as  her  near  relation,    [lopularly   known  to   be  im( 
obligations  to  her,  I  was  a  more  legitimate  object 
suspicion  than  any  one  else.     But  when,  in  the  clea 
light  of  nest  morning,  I  began  to  reconsider  the  mat 
and  to  hear  it  discussed  around  me  on  all  sides,  I  to 
another  view  of  the  caae,  which  was  more  roasonabl 
Joe  had  been  at  the  Three  Jolly  Bargemen,  sn 
king  his  pipe,  from  a  quarter  after  eJght  o'clock  to 
quarter  before  ten.    While  he  was  there,  my  sister  had 
been  seen  standing  at  the  kitchen  door,  and  bad  ex- 
dianged  Good  Night  with  a  farm-labourer  going  home. 
The  man  could  not  be  more  particular  as  to  the  time 
at  whieh  he  saw  her  (he  got  into  dense  confusion  wlien 
-  he  tried  to  be),  than  that   it  must  have  been  before 
nine.    When  Joe  went  home  at  five  minutes  before  ten, 
he  found  hor  struck  down  on  the  floor,    and  promptly 
called  in  assistance.     The  fire  had  not  then  burnt  nn- 
nsually  low,  nor  was  the  snuff  of  the  candle  very  long; 

I  the  candle,  however,  Iiad  been  blown  out. 
'  Nothing  had  been  taken  away  from  any  part  of 
t  the  house.  Neither,  beyond  the  blowing  out  of  the 
I  eaadle  —  whieh  stood  on  a  table  between  the  door  and 
i  my  sister,  and  was  behind  her  when  she  stood  facing 
JjtSa  £re  aad  was  struck  —  was  them  aay  diaarrange- 
fnent  of  the  ^'tchen,  excepting  aat^i  aa  AiaVeswil'tai 


.:..n(e  ill  frtUJng  am!  lileeding'.  But,  thn-e:  was  oiio 
I  Ti^rkable  piece  of  evidence  on  tlie  spot.  She  hiid  lieeu 
nruiJc  with  somotliiii^  Iilnnt  and  heavy  on  llie  Lead 
tnd  Apine;  after  tlio  blows  w^ra  dealt,  Bometliing  heavy 
ts'l  been  thrown  down  at  her  with  considerable  violence 
-  -Le  liiy  OH  her  face.  And  on  the  ground  beside  hor, 
■li'.aJoe  picked  her  np,  was  a  convict'a  leg-iron  which 
'I  heen  filed  asunder. 

Now,  Joe,  examining  this  iron  with  a  smith's  eye, 
"  bred  it  to  have  been  filed  asunder  some  time  ago. 
1  'if  hue  and  cry  going  off  to  the  Hulks,  and  people 
ining  thence  to  examine  the  iron,  Joe's  opinion  was 
mrrotiorated.  They  did  not  undertake  to  say  when  it 
liail  left  the  prisonshipa  to  whiuh  it  undoubtedly  had 
"ate  Ijelouged;  but  they  claimed  to  know  for  certain 
liiat  that  particular  manacle  had  not  been  worn  hy 
eitter  of  two  convicts  who  had  escaped  last  night, 
furtlier,  one  of  those  two  was  already  retaken,  and 
lud  not  freed  bimnelf  of  his  iron. 

Knowing  what  I  knew,  I  set  up  an  inference  of  my 
cwii  here.  I  believed  the  iron  to  be  my  convict's  i' 
—  the  irou  I  had  seen  and  heard  him  tiling  at,  on 
iMishefl  —  but  my  mind  did  not  accuse  him  of  having 
.  ii  it  to  its  latest  use.  Tor,  I  believed  one  of  two 
iJiiT  persons  to  have  become  possessed  of  it,  and  t 
turned  it  to  this  cruel  account,  Either  Orliek,  or 
range  man  who  had  shown  me  the  file. 
.Fott,  aa  to  Orliek;  he  had  gone  to  town  exactly  as 
Isid  tts  when  we  picked  lum  up  at  the  turnpike,  he 
"Ti^ifl  heen  aeen  about  town  all  the  evening,  he  had  been 
■I  ilivers  companies  in  sevc-ral  public-honaea,  oai  Vfe 
"'  -^mg  A«ci  >r/(Zi  mj-aelf  aad  Mr.  WopaVe.  "Y^iew 
-•        '^~  agamat  him,    s8.Ya  the  tiuanreV-,   ani  m 


i^lSO  ti 


^^pist 


GKSJLT  BXPBOV&ISOIW. 


iter  had  qtiarrelletl  with  him,  and  with  everybod 
else  about  her,  tea  tbouaund  times.  As  to  the  straii| 
man;  if  he  hud.  coidb  back  for  his  two  hank  notes  the) 
could  have  been  no  dispnte  abont  thcin,  because  i 
Bister  was  fully  prepared  to  restore  them.  Beside 
there  had  been  no  altercation;  the  assailant  had  con 
in  so  silently  and  suddenly  that  she  had  been  fell( 
before  she  could  look  round. 

:S  horrible  to  think  thttt  I  had  provided  1 
however  undesignedly,  but  I  could  hard) 
I'ilunk  otherwise.  I  suffered  unspeakable  trouble  whi 
I  considered  and  reconsi''ered  whether  I  should  . 
last  dissolve  that  spell  of  my  childhood,  and  U 
Joe  all  the  story.  Por  months  afterwards,  I  evBi 
day  settled  the  question  finally  in  the  negative, 
reopened  and  reargued  it  nest  morning.  The  i 
tention  came,  after  all,  to  this;  —  the  secret  was  s 
an  old  one  now,  had  so  grown  into  me  and  become 
part  of  myself,  that  I  could  not  tear  it  away.  In  add 
tiou  to  the  dread  that,  having  led  up  to  bo  much  u  " 
chief,  it  would  be  now  more  likely  than  ever  to  alienaf? 
Joe  from  me  if  he  believed  it,  1  had  the  further  i 
straining  dread  that  he  would  not  believe  it,  but  won! 
assort  it  with  the  fabulous  dogs  and  veal  cutlets  a 
monstroua  invention.  However,  t-tefiaporised  with  i 
self,  of  course- — for,  was  I  not  wavering  between  righ 
and  wrong,  when  the  thing  is  always  done!  —  and  r 
solved  to  make  a  full  disclosure  if  I  should  see  ac 
such  new  occasion  as  a  new  chance  of  helping  in  tl 
discovery  of  the  assailant. 

The  Constables,  and  the  Bow-street  men  from  Loi 

for,    this  happened  in  tko  days  o^  \.te,  e 

}ated  police  —  were  about  Xiiift  \ 


r  two,  and  did  [ji'otty  miiuli  whut  I  have  hoard 
1^  of  like  autiini'itioij  doing  in  other  nuch  cases. 
■y  took  Up  several  obviously  wrong  people,  and 
,'  ran  their  huads  very  hard  against  wrong  ideas, 
persisted  iu  trying  to  fit  the  circumstances  to  the 
IS,  instead  of  trying  to  extract  ideas  from  the  cir- 
latances.  Also,  they  stood  about  the  door  of  the 
ly  Bargemen,  with  knowing  and  rcBer\'ed  looks  that 
d  the  whole  neighbourhood  with  admiration;  and 
f  Iiad  a  mysterious  manner  of  taking;  tlieir  drink, 
;  was  almost  as  good  as  taking  the  culprit  But  not 
te,  for  they  never  did  it 

Long  after  these  conatitutioual  powers  had  disperaed, 
sister  lay  very  ill  in  bed.  Her  sight  was  disturbed, 
that  she  saw  objects  multiplied,  and  grasped  at 
onary  teacups  and  wine-glaasea  instead  of  the  re- 
iea;  Uer  hearing  was  greatly  impaired;  her  memory 
i;  and  her  speech  was  unintelligible.  When,  at  last, 
came  round  so  far  as  to  bo  helped  down  stairs,  it 
still  necessary  to  keep  my  slate  always  by  her, 
'.  she  might  indicate  in  writing  what  she  could  not 
icate  in  speech.  As  she  was  (very  had  handwriting 
rt)  a  more  than  indifferent  speller,  and  as  Joe  was 
lore  than  indifferent  reader,  extraordinary  complica- 
is  arose  between  them,  which  I  was  always  called 
10  solve.  The  administration  of  mutton  instead  of 
licine,  the  substitution  of  Tea  for  Joe,  and  the 
;er  for  bacon,  were  among  the  mildest  of  my  own 
itakea. 

However,  her  temper  was  greatly  improved,  wii 
was  palien/.  A  tremulous  nncertainty  oS  t\ve  aat\an. 
,;//  ber  limbs  goon  becamo    a  part   o£  YiCT   Tegviax  ■ 
'  "^  •Ae^warda.    at    mtervals   of   two    ox  ;'    '-" 
W 


I 


W)3  OSBAT  SXFECTATIOKS, 

ftaonths,  she  would  often  put  her  liauJs  to  her  hei 
j»nd  would  then  remain  for  about  a  week  at  a  time 
,  some  gloomy  aberration  of  mind.  Wa  were  at  a  k 
.  io  find  a  suitable  attendant  for  her,  until  a  circu 
^«tance  happened  conveniently  to  relieve  ua.  Mr.  Wopsl 
■great-aunt  conquered  a  confirmed  habit  of  living  in 
-which  she  had  fallen,  and  Biddy  became  a  part  of  o 
eBtablistmient. 

It  may  have  been  abont  a  month  after  my  sistei 
reappearance  in  the  kitphen,   when  Biddy  came  to 
with  a  small  speckled  box  containing  the  whole  of 
worldly  effects,  and  became  a  blessing  to  the  houaebi 
Above  all,  she  was  a  blessing  to  Joe,  for  the  dear 
'fellow  was  sadly  cut  up  by  the  constant  contemplati( 
of  the  wreck  of  his  wife,   and  had  been  accustome 
while  attending  on  her  of  an  evening,  to  turn  to  r 
every  now  and  then  and  say,  with  his  blue  eyes  moll 
ened,  "Such  a  fine  figure  of  a  woman  as  she  once  wei 
Pip!"     Biddy  instantly  taking  the  cleverest  charge 
;i,er  as  though  she  had  studied  her  from  infancy,  Jt 
'l>Gcame  able  in  some  sort    to   appreciate    the  greatt 
quiet  of  his  life,  and  to  get  down  to  the  Jolly  Bargt 
men  now  and  then  for  a  change  that  did  him   good 
It  was  characteristic  of  tlie  police  people  that  they  ha<* 
all  more  or  less  suspected  poor  Joe  (though  he  never 
knew  it),  and  that  they  had  to  a  man  concurred  in  rer 
garding  him   as  one  of  the  deepest   spirita  they  had 
'Over  encountered. 

Biddy's  first  triumph  in  her  new  office,  was  to  solva 
a  difficidty  that  had  completely  vanquished  me.  I  had. 
tried  hard  at  it,  but  had  made  nothing  of  it.     Thus  it 

,   Affam  and  .ngaJn  and  again,   my  aiatei  ^lal  \.tv«* 


.Mti  tlie  alatf^  a  cliarncter  that  looked  like  a  curious 

iLiid  then  with  the  utmost  eagerness  hnd  culled  our 

ii'iitioti  to  it  as  something  sbo  partlcularlj  wanted.    I 

■  1  in  vain  tried  everything  proJurlhlo  that  began 
.    ,1  T,  from  tar  to  toast  and  tub.     At  length  it  had 

111/  into  my  head  that  the  aigd  looked  like  a  hammer, 
I  Lin  my  lustily  calliug  that  word  in  my  sister's  ear, 
had  begun  to  haminer  i>n  the  table  and  had  ei- 
i-?e(l  a  quaUfied  assent.  Thereupon,  I  Lad  brought 
;iil  out  hammers,  one  after  another,  hut  without 
rll.  Then  I  bethought  mo  of  a  crutch,  the  shape 
iii^'  much  the  same,  amllharrowed  one  in  the  village, 

■  [  displayed  it  to  my  sister  with  considerable,  con- 
!■  nee.  But  she  shook  her  head  to  that  extent  when 
!■  was  shown  it,  that  we  were  terrified  lest  in  1 
':ik  and  shattered  state  she  should  dislocate  her  neck. 

When  my  sister  found  that  Biddy  was  very  quick 
Nuderstand  her,  this  mysteriona  sign  reappeared  o 

slate.  Biddy  looked  thoughtfully  at  it,  heard  my 
iliinatior,  looked  thoughtfully  at  my  sister,  looked 
■ughtfuily  at  Joe  (who  was   always  represented 

■  slate  by  his  initial  letter),  and  ran  into  the  forge, 
ivad  by  Joe  and  me. 

~*h,y,  of  course!"   cried  Biddy,    with  an  exultant 
••Doa't  you  see?     It's  him!" 
Jrlick,   without  a  doubt!     She  had  lost  his  nai 
1  could  only  signify  him  by  his  hammer.     We  told 
a  why  we  wanted  him  to  come  into  the  kitchen,  and 
ha  slowly  laid  down  his  hammer,  wiped  his  brow  with 
,    took  another  wipe  at  it  with  hia  a^tow.,  i 
iiiu   sioachinff  out,    with    a    curious  loose  ^a.^afeo'sA. 
/,./  fa  the  knees  that  strongly  diatingmsYiei  \£a. 
/eoafess  that  I  eipQoted  ta  «f^  -^^  siatex  ieTiO^U 


OBflAT  BXPEOTA-HOMS. 

Tiiin,  aud  iJiat  I  wiia  diBappointed  by  the  different  r. 

Bult.     Sho  manifested  tlic  greatest  anxiety  to   be  c 

good  tenna  witli  him,   was  evidently  much  jdeaged  I 

bis  being  at  length  produced,  and  motioned  that  si 

wonld  have  bim  ^veii  something  to  drink.   She  watcb( 

^^Jlis  couuteoance  aa  if  abe  yrere  particularly  wishful  1 

^V-Ise  aBsnred  that  be  took  kindly  to  bis  reception,   si 

^B^iowed  every  possible  desire  to  conciliatp  bim,   ai 

^^raitte  was  an  air  of  bumblo  propitiation  in  all  she  dii 

^Knich  as  I  have  seen  pervade  the  bearing  of  a  child  t< 

j^B^Wards  a  hard  master.     After  that  day,   a  day 

paased  without  her  drawing  the  hammer  on  ber  slat 
and  without  Orlick's  slouching  in  and  standing  dogged 
before  her,  as  if  he  knew  no  more  than  I  did  what 
make  of  it. 

•  CHAPTER  XVn.       . 

I  NOW  fell  into  a  regular  routine  of  appreuticesh.  ^ 
life,  which  was  varied,  beyond  the  limits  of  the  villag 
and  the  marshes,  by  no  moro  remarkable  circumstanc 
than  the  arrival  of  my  birthday  and  my  paying  anotht 
visit  to  Miss  Havisbam.  I  found  Miss  Sarah  Focke 
still  on  duty  at  the  gate,  I  found  Miss  Havisbam  just 
as  I  had  left  her,  and  she  spoke  of  Estella  in  the  very 
same  way,  if  not  In  the  very  same  words.  The  inter- 
view lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  and  she  gaveme  a  guinea 
when  I  was  going,  and  told  me  to  come  again  on  my 
next  birthday.  I  may  mention  at  once  that  this  be-, 
came  an  annual  custom.  I  tried  to  decline  taking  tho 
^Tunea  on  the  first  occasion,  but  with  no  better  effect 
iAsn  caasing  her  to  ask  me  very  angrWy,  iS  \  t:t5>aiA»4 
aioiv?     Then,  and  aftfr  that,  I  took.  it. 


^  t^BBft. 


So  nnchangin^  was  t)ie  dull  old  house,    tbe  yellow 

.    r  in  die  darkeued  room,   the  faduil  spectre  in  the 

1-  by  the  dreHaing-tahle  glass,   that  I  foU  as  if  the 

■/mg  of  the  clocks  Lad  stoppe.d  Time  in  that  mya- 

'  <im  place,  and,  while  I  and  everytluug  elao  outside 

_iL'w   older,   it  Btood  sdll.     Daylight  never  entered 

Iwnee  as  to  my  thoughts  and  remembrancea  of  it, 

.    more   than  as  to  the  actual  fact.     It  bewildered 

;ind  under  its  influence  I  continued  at  heart  to  hate 

'    tividc  and  to  be  ashamed  of  home. 

Imperceptibly  I  became  conscious  of  a  change  in 

iitiJJy,   however.     Her  shoes  came  up  at  the  heel,  her 

hair  grew   bright  and  neat,    her  hands  were  always 

rlean.     She  waa  not  beautiful  —  she  was  common,  and 

("uld  net  be  like  Estella  —  bat  sUo  was  ploaaaut  and 

nlosome    and  sweet-tcmpeired.       She  had  not   been 

'I   ns  more  thau  a  year  (I  remember  her  being  newly 

iif  mourning  at  the  time  it  struck  me),  when  I  ob- 

ril  to  myself  one  evening  that  she  had  curiously 

HL'btful    and   attentive  eyes;    eyea   that  were  very 

I  r  y  and  very  good. 

It  came  of  my  lifting  up  my  own  eyes  from  a  task 

i.is  poring  at  —  writing  some  passages  ftom  a  hook, 

niiprove  myself  in  two  ways  at  once  by  a  aort  of 

.itji*^ni  —  and  seeing  Biddy  observant  of  what  I 

"Hi  about.     I  laid  down  my  pen,    and  Biddy  stopped 

ui  her  needlework  without  laying  it  down. 

"Biddy,"  said  I,  "how  do  you  manage  it?    Either 
I  am  very  stupid,  or  you  are  very  clever." 

""What  id  /(  tlmt  I  manage?     I  den't  Va«"«  "    xa- 
inrved  Biddy,  emiling. 
^^aoaged  oar  whole  domestic  l\?e,  aaS.  vjoTiiSO 


GHBAr  ErpECTATTOKS. 

■  ■fiilly  too;  Lut  I  did  not  mean  that,   though  that 
f  trhat  I  did  mean  more  Hnrpriaing. 

"How  do  yon  manage,  Biddy,"   said  I,    "to 
'  everything  that  I  leam,    and  always  to  keep  np 
?  beginning  to  he  rather  vain  of  my  ' 
ledge,  for  I  spent  my  hivthdjiy  guineas  on  it,    and 
aside  the  greater  part  of  my  pocket-money  for  simi 
inveatment;  though  I  have  no  douht,    now,   that 
little  I  knew  was  estremely  dear  at  the  price. 

"I  might  as  well  ask  you,"  said  Biddy,  "Low  yi 

r 

);  because  when  I  come  in  from  the  forge  of 
^ht,   any  one  can  aee  me  turning  to  at  it.     But  yi 
f  turn  to  at  it,  Biddy," 

I  suppose  I  inust  catch  it  —  like  a  cough,"  sa 
Biddy,  quietly;  and  went  on  with  her  sewing. 

Pursuing  my  idea  as  I  leaned  back  in  my  woodi 
chair  and  looked  at  Biddy  sewing  away  with  her  " 
on  one  side,  I  began  to  think  her  rather  an  extraoi 
nary  girl.     For,  I  called  to  mind  now,   that  she  i 
equally  accomplished  in  the  terms  of  our  trade  and  ' 
names  of  our  different  sorts  of  work,   and  our  varii 
tools.    In  short,  whatever  1  knew,  Biddy  knew.    Thee 
retieally,   she  was  already  as  good  a  blacksmith 
or  better. 

"Ton  are  one  of  those,  Biddy,"  said  I,  "who 
the  most  of  every  chance.     Ton  never  had   a  chano 
before  yon  came  here,    and  see  how  improved    yo 
arel" 

Biddjr  looked  at  me  for  an  instant,   and  went 


»g1 


r/i/i  her 


sewing. 


tfssa't  IP"  said  she,  as  she  sewod. 


your  first  t£s/^x  ■£&« 


JSiSAyt"  I  exclaimed,  in  amazement.    "Why,  you 
■  crying!" 
'  No  I  am  not,"  said  BidUy,  looking  up  and  laugh- 

"What  put  tbat  m  your  head?" 
'Aiiat  could  have  put  it  in  my  head,  but  the  glisten- 
'<!'  a  tear  as  it  dropped  on  her  work?  I  sat  silent, 
lling  what  adrndgeshe  had  been  until  Mr,  Wojiale's  , 
:-^iunt  success^lly  overcame  that  bad  habit  of 
.-,  BO  highly  desirable  to  be  got  rid  of  by  Bome 
ill-.  I  recalled  the  hopeless  circumatances  by  which 
liad  been  snrroundcd  in  the  miserable  little  shop 
1  he  miserable  little  noisy  evening  school,  with  tliat 

■  vible  old  bundle  of  incompetence  always  to  be 
_  .:i'd  and  shoiddered.  I  reflected  that  even  in  those 
mard  times  there  must  have  been  latent  in  Biddy 
!  was  now  developing,    for,   in  my  first  uneasiness 

iliscontent  I  had  fumed  to  her  for  help,  as  a  matter 
liirsc.  Biddy  sat  (juietly  sowing,  shedding  no  more 
and  while  I  looked  at  her  and  thought  about  it 
ii  occurred  to  me  thftt  perhaps  I  had  not  been  suf- 
iJtly  grateful  to  Biddy.    I  might  have  been  too  re- 

■  rl,  and  should  have  patronised  her  more  {though 
.jl  not  use  that  precise  word  in  my  meditations), 
.1  my  confidence. 

Ves,  Biddy,"  I  observed,  when  I  had  done  turn- 
.  i(  over,  "yoa  were  my  first  teacher,  and  that  at  a 

■  when  we  little  thought  of  ever  being  together  like 
.  in  this  kitchen." 

Ah,  poov  thing!"  replied  Biddy.     It  was  like  her 
liirgetfulncBS,  to  transfer  the  remark  to  'mj  svaXav, 

■  lo  ffet  up  and  be  buBy  adout  her,  making  W  iB.<iX« 
■TiAbh;  "tJiat's  sadly  true  1" 

"we   must   talk   togctUei   a.  'VA.'^ 


168  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 

more,   as  we  used  to  do.     And  I  mlist  consult  ya 
little  more,   as  I  used   to   do.     Let   us  have  a  ( 
■walk  on  the  marshes  next  8nnda7,  Biddy,  and  a 
chat." 

My  sister  was  never  left  alone  now;  bat  Joe  ; 
than  readily  undertook  the  care  of  her  on  that  Siin 
afternoon,  and  Biddy  and  I  went  out  together.  It 
Bummer  time  and  lovely  weather.  When  we  had  pal 
the  village  and  tha  church  and  the  chnrchyard. 
were  out  on  the  marahes  and  beg'an  to  see  the  sail 
the  ehipa  as  they  sailed  on,  I  began  to  combine  1 
Havisham  and  Estella  with  the  prospect,  in  n 
way.  When  we  came  to  the  river-side  and  sat  di 
on  the  bank,  with  the  water  rippling  at  our  feet,  mat 
it  all  more  quiet  than  it  would  have  been  wit' 
that  sound,  I  resolved  that  it  was  a  good  time 
place  for  the  admission  of  Biddy  into  my  inner 
fidence. 

"Biddy,"  said  I,  after  binding  her  to  secrecy, 
want  to  bo  a  gentleman."        » 

"Oh,  I  wouldn't,  if  I  was  you!"  she  returned, 
lon't  think  it  would  answer." 

"Biddy,"  said  I,  witli  some  severity,  "I  have 
ticular  reasons  for  wanting  to  be  a  gentleman." 

"You  know  best,  Pip;  but  don't  you  think  yoU 

\  happier  as  you  are?" 

V        "Biddy, ".Icxclaimed,  impatiently,  "lamnota 

happy  as  I  am,     I  am  disguMtcd  witli  my  calling 

with  my  life.     I  have  never  taken  to  either,    sin) 

was  bound.     Don't  bo  absurd." 

"Wan  I  absurd?"  said  Biddy,  quietly  raising 
Bj-ebrows;  "I  am  sorry  for  t\vat-,  1  ^iWl  tiiesai,  \i 
onl^  want  you  to  do  well,  ani  lu  ^^o  coTriCwrtsM 


h 


^^^^^^    UllliAll  WtWOTATIOMB.  199k 

^KVeB  then,  asdcTstnnd  ouce  for  n1!  that  1  never 
^Hpr  can  be  cdmforialili!  —  or  anything'  Ijut  miser- 
^B — there,  Biddy!  —  unless  I  can  lend  a  very  dif- 
^U  sort  of  life  from  the  lil'c  I  lead  now," 
^■Tlu.t'a  a  pity!"  eaid  Biddy,  ahaking  her  head 
^Bs  aoiTowfiil  air. 

^■OW,  I  too  had  BO  often  thought  it  a  pity,  that,  in 
^■ngular  kind  of  quarrel  ivith  myself  which  I  was 
^m»  carrying  on,  I  was  half  inclined  to  shed  tears 
^Rstion  and  distress  when  Biddy  gave  utterance  to 
^Bntiment  and  my  own.  I  told  her  she  was  right, 
^U  knew  it  was  much  to  be  regretted,  but  still  it 
^ftot  to  be  helped.  ^ 

Hpf  I  could  have  settled  down,"  I  said  to  Biddy, 
^Kng'  up  the  short  grass  within  reach,  much  as  I 
^nice  upon  a  time  pulled  my  feelings  ont  of  my 
^Bud  kicked  them  into  the  hrewery  wall:  "if  I 
^Bliftve  settled  down  and  been  but  half  as  fond  of 
^■rge  as  I  was  when  I  was  little,  I  know  it  would 
^■been  much  better  for  me.  You  and  I  and  Joe 
^B  1)A76  wanted  nothing  then,  and  Joe  and  I  would 
H^B  have  gone  partners  when  I  was  ont  of  my 
fflfl,  and  I  might  even  have  grown  up  to  keep  com- 
iiiy  with  you,  and  we  might  have  sat  on  this  very 
uk  on  a  fine  Sunday,  quite  different  people.  I  should 
■1';  been  good  enough  for  you;  shouldn't  I,  Biddy?" 

[Siddy  sighed  as  she  looked  at  the  ships  sailing  on, 
•i  returned  for  ajiswer,  "Yee;  I  am  not  over  par- 
liliir,"     It  scarcely  sounded  flattering,   but  I  knew 

meant  well. 

"Inateail  of  that,"  said  /,   plucking  up  tqoig  Eta£& 
'  ''^'2'^  ■*  ^^"'^^  *"■  '^°'  "see  how  1  am  euuie  o-o. 


QBEAT  BXPHCTATKBTSr. 

_nify  to  me,  being  coarse  and  ommon,  if  nobod 
had  told  me  so!" 

Biddy  turned  her  face  anddetdy  towards  mine,  an 
looked  far  more  attentively  at  me  than  she  had  looke 

tat  the  sailing;  ships. 
"It  waa  neither  a  very  true  nor  a  very  polite  thin 
to  say,"  she  remarked,  directing  her  eyes  to  the  ship 
igam.  "Who  said  it?" 
I  was  disconcerted,  for  I  had  broken  away  withoi 
jnite  seeing  where  I  was  going.  It  was  not  to  be  s' 
Sf  now,  however,  and  I  answered,  "The  beaatifi 
young  lady  at  Miss  Havisham's,  and  she's  more  heant 
ful  than  anybody  ever  was,  and  I  admire  her  dreai 
fully,  and  I  want  to  he  a  gentleman  on  her  account 

» Having  made  this  lunatic  confession,  I  began  to  thrq 
jaj  tom-up    grass  into  the  river,    as  if  I  had  son 
Noughts  of  following  it. 
"Do  you  want  to  be  a  gentleman,   to  spite  her  ( 
to  gain  her  over?"     Biddy  quietly  asked  me,  after 
ipanse. 
"I  don't  know,"  I  moodily  answered. 
■  "Because,  if  it  is  to  spite  her,"  Biddy  pursued,  ' 

should  think  —  hnt  you  know  best  —  that  might  b 
lietter  and  more  independently  done  ,by  caring  nothia 
for  her  words.  And  if  it  is  to  gain  her  over,  I  shoul 
think  —  but  you  know  best  —  she  was  not  woi 
gaining  over." 

Exactly  what  I  myself  had  thought,   many  t 

Exactly  what  was  perfectly  manifest  to  me  at  the  i 

ment.     But   how  could  I,   a  poor  dazed  village  ia( 

avoid  that  H'onderful  iuconaiateucy  mto  ■wWii.  ^iia\i' 

^^d  wisest  of  men  fall  every  day? 


k  shnkf  BzntOTATTom,  ITl 

r  he  all  quite  true,"  said  I  to  Biddy,    "but 
r  dreadfully." 

,  I  turned  oyer  on  my  face  when  I  cnme 

;  and  got  a  goud  grasp  on  the  hair  on  eacli  side 

■■  head,    and  wi'Miclied   it  well.     All   the  while 

■viug  the  madiiesa  of  my  heart  to  be  so  very  mad 

'    riiisplaeed,   that  I   was   quite   conscious  it  would 

served  my  face   right,    if  I  had  lifted  it  up  by 

liair,    ami  knocked  it    against   the 

-iimcnt    for    belonging  to   such  an  idiot. 

Jijddy  was   the   wisest   of  girla,    and  she  tried  to 

III  no  mure  witli  me.     She  put   her  hand,   which 

a  comfortable  hand  though  roughened  by  work, 

■  ,L    my   hands,   one  after  another,   and  gently  took 

I    out    of  my  hair.      Then   she    softly  patted  my 

Idiy  in  a  soothing  way,   while  with  my  face  upon 

-locve  I  cried  a  little  —  exactly  as  I  had  done  in 

l>n;wery  yard  —  and  felt  vaguely  convinced  that 

IS   very  much  ill  used  by  somebody,  or  by  every- 

;  I  can't  say  which. 

1  am  glad  of  one  thing,"  said  Biddy,  "and  that 
:l]:it  yon  havo  felt  you  could  give  me  your  con- 
.1.  e,  Pip.  And  I  am  glad  of  another  thing,  and 
i'i,  that  of  course  you  know  you  may  depend  upon 
ki.'epiug  it  and  always  so  far  deserv-ing  it.  If  your 
'cacher  (dear!  such  a  poor  one,  and  so  much  in 
'  of  being  taught  herself!)  had  been  your  teacher 
I.'  present  time,  she  thinks  she  knows  what  lesson 
V,  ould  set.  But  it  would  be  a  bard  one  to  \fta.Ta., 
yoa   have  got    beyoad  her,     and  it's    oS  11.0   u?, 

mt&  a   qniet  sigh   for  me,    B\li-y  ■£«?» 
""'*  '"'^     with  a  freali    and.  i^Yeaa^i' 


'     172  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

change  of  voice,  "Shall  we  walk  a  littls  further, 
home?" 

"Biddy  "  I  cried,  getting  up,  puttbg  my  arm 
her  neck,   and  giving  her  a  kiea,    "I  shall  always 
yott  everything." 

"Till  you're  a  gentleman,"  said  Bid^. 

"Ton  know  1  never  shall  be,  so  that's  always. 
that  I  have  any  occasion  to  tell  you  anything,  foi 
know  everything  I  know  ^  as  I  told  yoa  at  homi 
Other  night" 

"Ah!"     said  Biddy,    quite   in  a  whisper, 
looked  away  at  the  ships.     And  then  repeatei 
her  former  pleasant   change;    "shall  we   walk 
^.  turther.  or  go  home?" 

I  Baid  to  Biddy  we  would  walk  a  little  fui 
(|and  we  did  so,  and  the  summer  afternoon  toned  i 
',jnto  the  summer  evening,  and  it  was  very  heau 
I  began  to  consider  whether  I  was  not  more  nata 
and  wholesomely  situated,  after  all,  in  these 
stances,  than  playing  beggar  my  neighbour  by  ca 
light  in  the  room  with  the  stopped  clocks,  and  I 
despised  by  Eatella.  I  thought  it  would  be  very 
for  me  if  I  could  get  her  out  of  my  head,  with  al 
rest  of  those  remembrances  and  fancies,  and  coul 
to  work  determined  to  relish  what  I  had  to  do, 
stick  to  it,  and  make  the  best  of  it.  I  asked  iq 
tho  question  whether  J  did  not  surely  know  tit, 
Estella  were  beside  me  at  that  moment  insteA 
Biddy,  she  would  make  me  miaerahle?  I  was  obi 
to  admit  that  I  did  know  it  for  a  certainty,  and  I 
/  io  myself,  "Pip,  what  a  fool  you  are'" 
/  We  talked  a  good  deal  as  we  waWeA,  aai  ^ 

W  ^ddy  Baid  seemed  right.     Biddy  waa 


Bros,  or  Biddy  to-day  and  somebody  elfic  t^| 
KdK  would  liave  derived  only  pain,  and  n^7 
^B&oin  giving  me  pain;  she  would  fnr  ratlitirT 
B|dfld  her  own  brenst  than  mine.  How  couW 
K,  that  I  did  not  like  lier  much  the  better  («^ 

^b,"  said  I,  when  we  were  walking  hi>mewar^H 

H»ii  could  put  me  right."  S 

^■h  I  cooldl"  said  Biddy. 

^Bponld  only  got   mjsolt'  to   fall  in  love  with 

^Kt  don't  mind  my  speaking  ao  openly  to  such 

^Hoaintance?" 

Hfear,  not  at  all!"    Hald  Biddy.     "Don't  mindly 

Ebould  only  got  myself  to  do  it,  that  would  bo  ^ 
Dg  for  me." 

at  you  never  will,  yon  see,"  said  Biddy. 
did  not   appear  quite   ku   unlikely  to  me  tttat 
B  it  would  have  done  if  we  had  dia 
I  before.     I  tlierefore   observed  I 
laf  that.     But  Biddy  said  she  wits, 

'aively.     In  my  heart  1  believed  her  to 
1  yet  I  took  it  rather  ill,  too,  that  she  shoi 
tositive  on  the  point. 

ten  we  came   near  the  churuhyard,   we  had 
in  embankment,    and  get   over  a   stile  near 
[ate.     Tliera  started  up,  from  the  gati 
ihea,   or  from  the  ooze  (which  was  quite  in 
IE  way),  old  Orlick. 

' "'     he    growled,    "where    are    you   WtT 


tttat 

I 


oald  wo  be  going,    but  horned     '^'■"^^ 
'^^^J'Sgci-ed  if  I  don't  see  yoTi  'Vioi^l^ 


174  CHEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

Tliis  peniilty  of  being  jiggered  wna  ti  favw 
BupposititioTiB  cnse  of  hia.  He  attached  *io  dd 
meajiing  to  tlie  word  that  I  am  aware  of,  but  tiM 
like  his  own  pretended  christian  tiame,  to  af&ont  1 
kind,  and  convey  an  idea  of  something  sava 
damaging.  When  I  was  younger,  I  had  had  a  ga 
belief  that  if  he  had  jiggered  me  personally,  he  t( 
have  done  it  with  a  sharp  and  twisted  hook. 

Biddy  was  much  against  hia  going  with  i 
said  to  me  in  a  whisper,  "Don't  let  him  come; 
like  him."  Aa  I  did  not  like  him  either,  I  tool 
liberty  of  aaying  that  wo  thanked  him  but  we  d 
want  seeing  home.  He  received  that  piece  of  i 
mation  with  a  yell  of  laughter,  and  dropped  back, 
came  slouching  after  ua  at  a  little  distance. 

Curious  to  know  whether  Biddy  suspected  hi 
having  had  a  hand  in  that  murderons  attack  of  11 
my  sister  liad  never  been  able  to  give  any  accom 
asked  her  why  she  did  not  lite  him? 

"OhI"  she  replied,  glancing  over  her  should) 
he  slouched  after  us,    "because  I  —  I  am   afraii 

"Did    he  ever  tell  you  he  liked  you?' 
indignantly. 

"No,"    aaid    Biddy,    glancing    over   he: 
again,    "he  never  told  me  so;    but  he  dances  at 
whenever  he  can  catch  my  eye." 

However  novel  and  peculiar  this  testimony  c 

tacbment,    I  did  not  doubt  the  accuracy  of  the 

jtretation.     1  was   very  hot  indeed  upon  old   0* 

^d»rmg  to  admire  her;    ob  hot  aa  i£  'A  ^vxa  ml  a 


makes  no  differeace  to  j-oii,   you  kuoi 
r,  calmly. 

Biddy,  it  maken  no  difference  to  rae;  oi 
;  I  don't  approve  of  it." 
neitljer,"     said    Biddy.      "Though 
differonce  to  you," 

ifly,"  Bftid  I;    "hut  I  must  tell  you  I  should 
pinion  of  you,   Biddy,    if  he  danced  at  you 

1  consent." 

t  an  eye  on  Orlick  after  that  night,  and, 
'CiroiunBtancea  were  favourable  to  his  dancing 
;ot  before  him,  to  obscure  that  demonstration. 
rack  root  in  Joe'a  establishment,  by  reason 
t'b  sudden  fancy  for  him,  or  I  Bhould  have 
i  him  dismissed.  He  quite  understood  and 
L  my  good  intentions,    aa  I  had  reason  to 


because  lay  mind  was  not  confused 
,  I  complicated  its  confusion  fifty  thoa- 
by  having  states  and  seasons  when  I  was 
Biddy  was  immeasurably  better  than  Eatella, 
he  plain  honest  working  life  to  which  I  was 
.nothing  in  it  to  be  ashamed  of,  bat  offered 
at  means  of  self-respect  and  happiness.  At 
y,  I  would  decide  eonclusiyely  that  mj  dis- 
>  dear  old  Joe  and  the  forge  was  gone,  and 
I '  growing  up  in  a  fair  way  to  be  partners 
and  to  keep  company  with  Biddy  —  when 
e  confounding  remembrance  of  the 
<4ayB  would  fall  upon  me,  like  a  4es\.'m.(i\A^i'4 
ad  scatter  wy  wits  again.  Scatterei.  mVa 
■time  picking  up.  ^qJ  often,  \)eioTe"i-"\ia.i- 
;  tbej  would  be  (Us^peraei  uMd^ 


■■I7B  msk'r  BSPBCTATIOHB. 

1  directions  by  one  stray  thought,  thnt  perhaps  after 
f  Misa  Havisham  waa  going  to  make  my  fortune  wl 
I  my  time  waa  out. 

If  my  time  had  run  out,  it  would  have  left 
[  alill  i).t  the  height  of  my  perjilesitics,  I  dare  aay. 
1  never  did  run  out,  however,  but  was  brought  to  a 
[  mature  end,  as  I  proceed  to  relate. 


CHAPTER  XVm. 

It  was  in  the  fourth  year  of  my  apprenticeship 

Joe,  and  it  was  a  Saturday  night.    There  was 

'  aasembled  round  the  fire  at  the  Thi-oe  Jolly  Bargeia 

attentive    to   Mr.  Wopsle    as    he    read    the  nowapa] 

aloud.     Of  that  group,  I  was  one. 

A  highly  popular  murder  had  been  committed,  t 

Mr.  Wopsle  was    imbrued  in  blood  to    the  eyehr 

Ho    gloated    over    eA'ery    abhorrent    adjective    in 

r  description,    and  identified  himself  with  every  wit 

at  the  Inquest.     He  faintly  moaned,  "I  am  done  i 

as  the  victim,  and  he  barbarously  beUowed,  'Til  s 

I  you  out,"  as  the  murderer.     He  gave  the  medical  ta 

I  mony,    in  pointed  imitation  of  our  local   practition 

and  ho  piped  and  shook,   aa  the  aged  tumpike-kee| 

I   who  had  heard  blows,   to  an  extent  so  very  paralj 

t  a,s  to  suggest  a  doubt  regarding  the  mental  compete! 

I    of  that  witness.     The  coroner,  in  Mr.  Wopsle'a  ha 

r  became  Timon  of  Athens;  the  beadle,  Coriolanus, 

I  enjoyed  himself  tlioroughly,    and  we  all  enjoyed  ( 

I  selves,    and    were    delightfully    comfortable. 

wOfF  Bfats  of  mind  wo    came   to  tfae  -sexiiia.  "ffij 


^^B 


JUVBCTAT10K81 


Then,  and  not  Booner,  I  became  nwnre  df  a  stran^p 
■ili.mtin  leaning  over  tUe  hack  of  tho  settle  opposite 
li'uking  on.  There  was  an  expression  of.  contempt 
',\k  face,  and  he  bit  the  eide  of  n  great  forefinger 
jf  watched  the  group  of  faces.  "Well!"  enid  tho 
ii!.'er  to  Mr.  Wopsle,  when  the  reading  was  done, 
I  have  BOttled  it  all  to  yonr  own  satisfaction,  I 
■  110  doubt/"' 

Iherybody  started  and  looked  up,  as  if  it  were  the 
iiTer.  He  looked  at  everybody  coldly  and  earcasti- 

Guilty,     of    course?"     said    ho.     "Out    with    it. 

Sir,"  returned  Mr.  Wopsle,  "without  having  the 
.  :ur  of  your  acquaintance,  I  do  say  Guilty."  Upon 
,  we  all  took  courage  to  unite   in  a  confirmatory 

1  know  you  do,"  said  the  stranger;   "I  knew  you 

-III,  I  told  you  so.  But  now  I'll  ask  you  a  question. 
viiu  know,    or  do  you  not  know,   that  the  law  of 

.-liiud  supposes  evety  man  to  be  innocent,  until  he 

..i,\-ed  —  proved  - —  to  be  guilty?" 
Sir,"  Mr.  Wopsle  began  to  reply,  "as  an  Engliah- 

■I  myself,  I  " 

Come!"  said  tho  stranger,  biting  his  forefinger 
lilm.  "Don't  evade  the  question.  Either  you 
"■  it,  or  you  dont  know  it.  Which  is  it  to  be?" 
Hi'  stood  with  hia  head  on  one  side  and  himself  on 
■ide  in  a  bnllying  interrogative  manner,  and  he 
""  his  forefinger  at  Mr.  Wopsle  —  as  it  -^fcrfc  \.o 
i;  liim  out  —  before  biting  it  again. 
-.Voir/"  sAi'd  he.      "Do  yon  know  it,  or  IdTiY  -go'' 


ultt 


KTB  OBBAT  H!tPBOTATR>!ffl, 

I        "Certainly  I  know  it,''  replied  Mr,  Wopsle. 

I       "Certainly  you   know  it.     Then  why   didn't  ; 

Kty  ao  at  first?  Now,   I'U  ask  you  aiiotlier  questioii 

^nking  posseasion  of  Hr.  Wopsle,  as  if  he  had  « 

%o  him.     "Z)o  you  know  that  uone  of  these  witneBi 

Ibave  yet  Ijoen  croBB-esamined?" 

I       Mj.  Wopsle  was  heginniiig,  "I  con  only  say  - 

M'lien  the  stranger  stopped  him. 

[       "What?     You  won't  answer  the  question,  yes 

llio?     Now,  I'll  try  you  again,"     Tlu^wing  his  £in( 

Ut  him  again.     "Attend  to  me.    Are  you  aware,  i 

grou  not  aware,   that  none  of  these  witnesses  have  j 

S)6en  croBB-examined?     Come,   I  only  want  on 

^m  you.     Yes,  or  no?" 

[       Mr.  Wopsle  hesitated,  and  we  all  began  to  concei 

tedter  a  poor  opinion  of  him. 

f       "Come!"    said  the  stranger,    "I'U  help  you.     1 

'don't  deserve  help,   hut  I'll  help  yon.     Look  at  I 

awper  you  hold  in  your  hand.     What  is  it?" 

1        "What  is  it?"    repeated  Mr.  Wopsle,    eyeing 

leiKch  at  a  loss. 

"Ib  it,"   pursued  the  stranger  in  his  most  s 
and  suspicious  manner,   "the  printed  paper  you  ha' 
just  been  reading  from?" 

"Undoubtedly." 

"Undoubtedly.  Now,  turn  to  that  paper,  and 
me  whether  it  distinctly  states  that  the  prisoner 
pressly  said  that  his  legal  advisers  instructed  1 
altogether  to  reaerve  his  defence?" 

"I  read  that  just  now,"  Mr.  Wopsle  pleaded. 

"Never  inind  what  you  read  just  now,  air;  I  do 

jroa    whut  you  read.     You  may  ■ve»A  \Vft  Lc« 
ij'er  backwards,    if  you  liko  —  ati4,  -^^Va.^,  ^ 


OBBAT  SXPBOTATIOIM. 


W 


■    ll  before  to-day.     Turn  to   the  paper.     No,   no, 

iny  friend;    not  to   the  top   of  the  column;    you 
'1-  hotter  than  that;  to  the  bottom,  to  the  bottom." 

iill  began  to  think  Mr.  Wopsle  full  of  subtorfage.) 
'i. Ii:-'  Have  you  found  it?" 

Here  it  is,"  said  Mr.  Wopsle. 

Xi)w,  follow  that  passage  with  your  eye,  ami  tell 
whether  it  distinctly  states  that  the  prisoner  es- 
-\y  said  that  he  was  instructed  by  Lis  legal  ad- 
'-  wholly  to  reserve  hie  defence^  Cornel  Do  you 
iv  that  of  it?" 
Mr,  Wopsle  answered,    "Those  ai'e  not  the  exact 

'Xot  the  exact  words!"    repeated  the   gentleman, 

I  ily.     "Is  that  the  exact  substance?'' 

'i'es,"  said  Mr.  Wopsle. 

"Veal"  repeated  the  stranger,  looking  round  at  the 
:  ijf  tlic  company  with  his  right  hand  extended  to- 
i'U  the  witness,  "Wopsle.  "And  now  I  ask  you 
»Wt  you  say  to  the  con.wience  of  that  man  who,  with 
list  passage  before  his  eyes,  can  lay  his  head  upon 
liis  pillow  after  having  pronounced  a  fellow- creature 
palty,  unheard?" 

We  all  began  to  suspect  that  Mr.  Wopsle  was  not 
the  man  we  had  thought  him,  and  that  he  was  begin- 
liag  to  be  found  out. 

"And  that  same  man,  remember,"  pursued  the 
Reatleman,  throwing  bis  finger  at  Mr.  Wopsle  heavily; 
"tliiw  same  man  might  bo  siinimonod  as  a  juryman 
upon  this  very  trial,  and,  having  thus  dee.ply  towv- 
aitted  himself,  mj^ht  return  to  the  bosom  oi  \i\s  iwEti,'^ 
"^  Aj'  /'«  ^"""^  "po"  his  pillow,  after  4e\\\ieYa\aVj 
— -"'^-^^noo/d  well  and  truly  try  tVei  '  " 
1^* 


I 

I 


^^0", 


laRAT  EXPECTATION. 

Joined  between  Our  Sovereign  Lord  t.lie  Eing  and  1^ 
at  the  bar,  and  would  a  true  verdict  gi 
according  to  the  evidence,  so  help  hira  God!" 

We  were  all  deeply  persuaded  tbat  the  onfortoiu 
Wopsle  had  gone  too  far,  and  had  better  atop  in  1 
;»«ctless  career  while  there  was  yet  time. 

The  strange  gentleman,  with  an  air  of  anthoH 
'aot  to  be  disputed,  and  with  a  manner  expreBsiTfl^ 
knowing  something  secret  about  every  one  of  UB  th 
would  effectually  do  for  each  individual  if  be  cl 
disclose  it,  left  the  back  of  the  settle,  and  can 
the  apace  between  the  two  settles,  in  front  of  the  fii 
where  he  remained  standing;  his  left  hand  in  X 
pocket,  and  he  biting  the  forefinger  of  his  right 

"From  information  I  have  received,"  said  he,  loO 
ing  round  at  us  as  we  all  quailed  before  him,  "I  hxt 
reason  to  believe  there  is  a  blacksmith  among  you,  1) 
name  Joseph  —  or  Joe  - —  Gargery.  Which  is  ti 
man?" 

"Here  is  the  man,"  said  Joe. 

The  strange  gentleman  beckoned  bim  out  of 
place,  and  Joe  went. 

"Ton  have  an  apprentice,"  pursued  the  strangt 
"commonly  known  as  Pip?     Is  he  here?" 

"I  am  here!"  T  cried. 

The  stranger  did  not  recognise  me,  but  I  recognii 
Lim  as  the  gentleman  I  had  met  on  the  stairs,  on  1 
occasion  of  my  second  visit  to  Mias  Hayisham.  ] 
appearance  was  too  remarkable  for  me  to  Itave  fi 
gotten.  I  had  known  him  the  moment  I  saw  hi 
looking  over  the  spttle,  and  now  that  I  stood  confroi 
ing  bim  with  hia  hand  upon  my  b\i»>vi\4wc,  \  tWt'aj 
again  ia  detail,  his  large  head,  \^  4a.T\s.  wsto^wsa 


QMAT  aiMlOTATIOlrt. 


IM 


t  eyes,  Iiis,  baaliy  black  eyebrows,  liis  large 
1,  Ms  strong  black  dots  of  beard  and  whisker, 
Bren  the  edibII  of  Bc«ntod  soap  on  Lis  great  hand. 
"!  wish  to  have  a  private  conference  with   you 
1  he,  wbeu  be  had  surveyed  me  at  bis  leisure. 
%  little  time.     Perhaps  we  had  better  go 
place  of  residence.     I  prefer  not  to  anticipate 
municatioQ,  here;  you  will  impart  as  much  oc 
Je  of  it  as  you  please  to  your  friends  afterwards; 
ri.iTB  nothing  to  do  with  that," 
Amidst  a  wondering  silence,  we  three  walked  out 
'  ilie  Jolly  Bargomen,   and   in   a  wondering  silence 
■ilked  home.     WhUe  going  along,   the   strange  gen- 
man  occasionally  looked  at  me,  and  occasionally  bit 
i!if  side    of   hia    finger.      Aa   we    neared   home,    Joe 
i:i;iiely  acknowledging  the  occasion  as  an  impressive 
uij  ceremouioua  one,  went  on  ahead  to  open  the  front 
Our   conference  was  held  in  the   state-parlour 
a  feebly  lighted  by  one  candle. 
b  began  with  the  strange  gentleman's  sitting  down 
9  table,    drawing  the  candle  to  him,   and  looking 
"  1  his  pocket-book.    He  then  put  up 
iet-book  and  set  the  candle  a  little  aside;  after 
;  round  it  Into  the  darkness  at  Joe  and  me,  to 
1  which  was  which.  ,.    "~  . 

My  name,"  he  said,  "is  Jaggers,',  and  I  am  a 
TTiT  in  London.  I  am  pretty' vTcll:  knfiwn.  I  have 
i-ufti  business  to  ti'ansact  with  you,  and  I  commence 
t.-splaining  that  it  is  not  of  my  originating.  J£  my 
>  ii^e  had  been  asked,  I  should  not  have  been  \ 
i;i3  not  wfieJ,  and  you  see  me  here.  Wtat  1  Vava 
y  rJiecQDSdential  agent  o£  ajiothct,  1  do. 


"182 


OBEAT  BXPBCTATIOltB. 


Findino;  tliat  ho  could  not  seB  us  very  well  1 
where  he  sat,  he  got  up,  and  threw  one  leg  over  ' 
back  of  a  chair  and  leaned  upon  it;  thus  having  i 
foot  on  the  seat  of  the  chair,  and  one  foot  o 
ground. 

"Now,  Joseph  G-ar^ry,   I  am  the  bearer  < 
offer  to  relieve  you  of  this  young  fellow  your  appi 
tice.     You  would  not  object  to  cancel  his  indentir 
at  his  request  and  for  hia  good?     You  would  not  y 
anything  for  so  doing?" 

"Lord  forbid  that  I  should  want  anything  for  t 
standing  in  Pip's  wayl"  said  Joe,  staring. 

"Lord  forbidding  is  pious,  hut  not  to  the  pnrpMi 
returned  Mr.  Jaggers.  "The  question  is,  Would  y 
want  anything?     Do  you  want  anything." 

"The  answer  is,"  returned  Joe,  sternly,  "No." 

I  thought  Mr.  Jaggers  glanced  at  Joe,  as  if 
considered  him  a  fool  for  his  disinterestedness.  But 
was  too  much  bewildered  between  breathless  curioai 
and  surprise,  to  be  sure  of  it. 

"Very  well,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  "Kecolloct  the  i 
mission  you  have  made,    and  don't  try  to  go  from' 


Who's  a  going  to  try?"  retorted  J 

"I  don't  say  anybody  is.     Do  you  keep  a  dog? 

"  Yes,  I  do  keep  a    '  _  "' 

"Bear  in  mind  then,  that  Brag^ia  a  good  dog,  I 

Holdfast  is  a  better.     Bear  that  in  mind,    will  yorf 

repeated  Mr.  Jnggers,    shutting  his  eyes  and  noddi 

Mb  head  at  Joe,  as  if  he  were  forgiving  him  somethE 

"Now,   1  return  to  this  young  fellow.     And  the  c 

sjunloatioa  I  Jiave  got  to  maLlta  ia,  'l\uA  ^ift"\ioa  a 

rpectationa.'" 


188 

I'l.io  and  I  ga§ii(?(i,  and  looked  at  one  another. 
"I  am  insti'ucted  to  communicate  to  him,"  said  Mr. 
.LTi^rs,  throwing  his  finger  at  me,  nidcwayB,  "that 
"ill  come  into  a  liandsome  property.  Further,  that 
I-  tlie  desire  of  the  present  poHsesuor  of  that  pro- 
!v,  that  ho  bo  immediately  removed  from  lus  pre- 
'  'phere  of  life  and  from  thiH  place,  and  be  brought 
1^  a  gentleman  —  in  a  word,  as  a  young  fellow  of 
it  fxpectations."  "  ~ 

'fv  dream  was  ont;  my  wild  fancy  was  surpassed 
■iipljer  reality;    Miss  Haviabam  was  going  to  make 
iVmnne  on  a  grand  scale. 
"Now,    Mr.  Pip,"   pursued  the  lawyer,    "I  address 

■  n-st  of  what  I  have  to  say,   to  you.     You  are  to 
.  'iiTftand   first,   that  it  is  the  request  of  the  person 

ir'jin  whom  I  take  my  ItiBtructions,   that  you  always 

tear  the  name  of  Pip.     You  will  have  no  objection, 

1  dare  say,   to  your  great  expectations  being  encum- 

litwd  wicb  that  easy  condition.     But  if  you  have  any 

■■■■tion,  this  is  the  time  to  mention  it." 

My  heart  was  beating  bo  fast,    and  there  was  such 

■i^ing  in  my  ears,   tliat  I  could  scurcely  stammer  I 

I  no  objection. 

■r  should  think  not!     Now  you  are  to  understand 
!ly,  Mr-  Pip,  tliat  the  name  of  the  person  who  ia 

■  I  liberal  benefactor  remains  a  profound  secret,  until 

]n;rsoo  chooses  to  reveal  it.  I  am  empowered  to 
i[i(jn  that  it  is  the  intention  of  the  person  to  reveal 
I  first  hand  by  word  of  mouth  to  yourself.  "When 
intention  may  be  carried  out,  I  cannot  &ay,  ■&» 
r.ia  sajF.  It  may  be  years  hence,  Now ,  70U  osfc 
'icdy  to  anderstand  that  you  are  most  ■poai\.V»e\' 
^Jb^d  &om  making  any  inquiry  on  tliia  V(    " 


I 


SBBAT  BXFBGTA.TIAK6. 

alloaion  or  reference,  however  distant,  to  any  1 
dual  whomsoeTer  as  ihe  indiridual  in  all  the  coM 
munications  you  may  have  with  me.  If  you  have 
auspieion  in  your  own  breast,  keep  that  suspicion  i 
your  own  breast.  It  is  not  the  least  to  the  purpos 
what  the  reasons  of  this  proHbition  are;  they  may  h 
the  strongest  and  gravest  reaaons,"'or  they  may  be  m 
whim.  That  is  not  for  you  to  inijuire  into.  The  c 
dition  is  laid  down.  Your  acceptance  of  it,  and  yoi 
observance  of  it  as  binding,  ia  the  only  remaining  oi 
dition  that  I  am  charged  with,  by  the  person  froi 
whom  I  take  my  instructions,  and  for  whom  I  am  lu 
otherwise  responsible.  That  person  ia  the  person  firoi 
whom  you  derive  your  expectations,  and  the  secret  : 
solely  held  by  that  person  and  by  me.  Again,  not 
very  difficult  condition  with  which  to  encumber  such 
rise  in  fortune;  but  if  you  have  any  objection  to  i 
this  is  the  time  to  mention  it.     Speak  out." 

Once  more,  I  stammered  with  difficulty  that  I  ha 
no  objection. 

"I  should  think  noti    Now,  Mr.  Pip,  I  have  don 
with  stipulations."    Though  ho  called  me  Mr.  Pip,  an 
began  rather  to  make  up  to  me,   he  still  could  not  g 
rid  of  a  certain  air  of  bullying  suspicion;  and  evi 
now  he  occasionally  shut  his  eyes  and  threw  his  finge 
at  me  while  he  spoke,    as  much  as  to  express  that  l 
knew  all  kinds  of  things  to  my  disparagement,  i*"  ' 
anly  chose  to  mention  them.    "Wo  como  next,  to  i 
details  of  arrangement.    You  must  know  that,  altlioi  _ 
I  have  used  the  term  'expectations'  more  than  onw 
you  are  not  endowed  with  expectations  only.     Thertt 
already  lodged  in  my  hands,  a  sum  o4  muwe^  b 
Buitable  edacatw 


AisAT  HirBt^Armim. 


18» 


please  consider  rae  your  gTiardian.  tHi!"  for 
II  going  to  tbftnk  him,  "I  tell  you  at  once,  I  am 
'  f  my  services,  or  I  shouldn't  render  them.  It 
QBJdered  that  you  mtist  bo  bettor  educated  in  ac- 
9  with  your  iillerod  position,  and  that  you  will 
:  to  tbo  importance  and  necessity  of  at  once 
on  tbat  advantage." 
d  I  had  always  longed  for  it. 
"Never  mind  what  you  have  always  longed  for, 
I'.  Pip,"  be  retorted;  "keep  to  the  record.  If  you 
Li^'  for  it  now,  that's  enough.  Am  I  answered  that 
■ii  are  ready  to  be  placed  at  once,  under  some  proper 
■  -'ir?     Is  that  it?" 

I  stammered,  yes,  that  was  it. 

"Good.  Now,  your  inclinations  are  to  he  consulted. 
1  don't  think  .that  wise,  mind,  but  it's  my  trust.  Have 
Villi  ever  heard  of  any  tutor  whom  yon  would  prefer 
to  another?" 

I  had  never  heard  of  any  tutor  but  Biddy  and 
'l.   Wopflle'a   great  aunt;    so,   I  replied  in  the  nega- 


There  is  a  certain  tutor,  of  whom  I  have  some 
'ledge,  who  I  think  might  suit  the  purpose,"  said 
Jaggers.  "I  don't  reeoramend  him,  observe;  be- 
!  I  never  recommend  anybody.  The  gentleman 
■ak  of,  is  one  Miv-Mattbew  Eodtet." 

I  canglit  at  the  name  directly.  Miss  Havi- 
's  relation.  The  Matthew  whom  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ua  had  spoken  of.  The  Matthew  wbotro  ■yVatft 
to  be  Bt  Miss  HavJalmm's  head,  when  she  Xft.-^ 
io  ber  bride's  dress  on  the  bride's  taWe. 
^1^1^  tie  aawe?"   said  ilr.  Jaggers,  \ooVi 


Ah 


s 

H 


enBAT  ZZFEOTATIONS. 

P-Blttewdly  at  me,    and  tlion  shutting  up  his  eyos  whi! 
lie  waited  for  my  answer. 

My  answer  was,  titat  I  had  heard  of 
"Oh!"    said  he,     "You  have  heard  of  the  nam 
But  the  question  is,  what  do  you  say  of  it?" 

aid,  or  tried  to  say,  that  I  was  much  obliged 
1  for  hiH  recommendation  — 
"No,   my  lyoung  friend!"    he  interrupted,   shi 
iiiB  great  head  very  slowly.     "Recollect  yourself!" 
Not  recollecting  myself,  I  began  again  that  I  wt 
Btattch  obliged  to  him  for  his  recommendation 

"No,   my  young  Mend,"   he  interrupted,    shaMa 
s  head  and  frowning'  and  smiling  both  at  once;   '' 
,    no;    it's  very  well  done  hut  it  won't  do;    you 
1  young  to  fix  rae  with  it,     Kecommendation  is 
ford,  Mr.  Pip.     Tiy  another." 
Correcting  myself,  I  said  that  I  was  much  oblige 
9  him  for  his  mention  of  Mr.  Matthew  Pocket  — 
"  That's  more  like  it!"  cried  Mr,  daggers. 
-  And  (I  added),  I  would  gladly  try  that  gei 
1. 
"Good.     Ton  had  better  try  him  in  his  own  bona 
1  way  shall  bo  prepared  for  you,    and  you  can  a 
njiis  son  first,  who  is  in  London.     When  will  you  coi 

I  said  (glancing  at  Joe,  who  stood  looking  on  n 
tiooleas),  that  I  supposed  I  could  come  directly. 

"First,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  "you  should  have  aoi 
new  clothes  to  come  in,   and  they  should  not  be  wo> 
ing  clotlies.     Say  this  day  week.     You'll  want  boi 
wonej.     Shall  I  leave  you  twenty  guineas?" 
Me  produced  a  long  purse,  wife  fti*  gsea-Vcsh. 
Z.  counted  tbem  out  on  Oie  ' 


ORHIT  BX^MITATIOSS.  187 


r 

f  th^ra  over  to  mo.  'ITiia  w&e  tlio  first  timo  ho  had 
:  .kt'o  Ills  leg  from  the  chair.  lie  sat  astride  of  tlie 
.lir  -when  he  tad  pushed  the  money  over,  and  sat 
liri^iag  his  purse  and  eyeing  Joe~ 
"Well,  Joseph  Gargery?  You  look  dumb-foim- 
ilerad?" 

"I  ami"  said  Joe,  in  a  very  decided  manner. 
"It   was  nnderstood  that  you  wanted  nothing  for 
foQrdBlf,  remember?" 

"Il  were  understood,"  said  Joe.    "And  it  arc  under- 
(lood.     And  it  ever  will  ho  similar  according." 

"But  what,"  said  Mr,  Jaggers,  swinging  his  purae, 
■  ivtiat  if  it  was  in  my  instmctions  to  make  you  a  pro- 
iii.  as  compensation?" 
"As  compensation  what  for?"  Joe  demanded. 
"For  the  loas  of  his  serviceH."  I 

-Toe  laid  his  hand  upon  my  shoulder  with  the  touch 
n  woman.  I  have  often  tliought  him  since^  like  the  ; 
1  iiu-hammer,  that  can  crush  a  man  or  pat  an  eggshell, 
I  tiia  combination  of  strength  with  gentleness.  "Pip 
'  rhal  hearty  welcome,"  said  Joe,  "to  go  free  with 
-  services  to  honour  and  fortun',  as  no  woi-ds  can  tell  , 
Ml.  But  if  you  think  as  Money  can  make  compen- 
"i'lQ  to  me  for  the  loss  of  the  little  child  —  what 
I  !ii'  to  the  forge  —  and  ever  the  best  of  friends!  — " 
'.)  dear  good  Joe,  whom  I  was  bo  ready  to  leave 
il  so  unthankful  to,  I  sec  you  again,  with  your 
n^cidar  blacksmith's  arm  before  your  eyes,  and  your 
i':-id  chest  heaving,  and  your  voice  dying  away.  O 
ir  good  faithful  tender  Joe,  I  feel  tlie  loviag-tteoshVft 
i  your  band  upon  my  ana,  as  solemnly  this  4a-^  aft  \i 
,'i,'i'I  been  the  rustle  of  an  ansA's  wing'. 

/  encouraged  Joe  at    the  time.     1  vfaa  \o^  ^ 


rl88  eSEAT  aXPEOTATIOSS. 

the  mazes  of  my  future  fortunes,  and  coiild  not  retra 
the  by-patha  we  had,  trodden  together.     I  begged  Ji 
to  be  comforted,  for  [ns  he  said)  we  had  ever  beei 
best  of  friends,    and  (as  I  aaid)  we  ever  would  I 
^^'  Joe  scooped  his  eyea  with  his  disengfaged  wrist,   aB> 
^^U}tB  were  Sent  on  g-ou^iug  himsolf,  but  said  not  anoth 
^Hpword. 

^H         Mr.  Jaggers  had  looked  on  at  this,  as  one  who  t 
^B-cognised  in  Joe  the  village  idiot  and  in  me  bis  keep! 
^B''When  it  was  over,    he  said,   weighing  in  hia  hand  tl 
^^P.^nrae  he  had  ceased  to  swing: 
^r         "Now,   Joseph  Gargery,   I  warn  you  this  is  , 
last  chance.     No  half  measures  with  me.    If  you  r 
to  take  a  present  that  I  have  it  in  charge  to  n 
you,  speak  out,  and  you  shall  have  it.     If  on  the 
fc  trwy  you  mean  to  say  — "     Here,  to  his  great  an: 
mont  he  was  stopped  h^  Joe's  suddenly  working  rotu 
I  with  every  demonstration  of  a  fell  pugilistic  pn 

"Which  I  mesntersay,"  cried  Joe,  "that  if  j 
r  eomo  into  my  place  bull-haiting  and  badgering  m 
f  conie  out  I  Which  I  meantersay  as  such  if  you're  J 
I  man,  come  on!  Which  I  nieantersay  that  what  I  aa 
I  I  meantersay  and  stand  or  fall  by!" 

I    drew  Joe    away,    and  ho  immediately   becam 
L  placable;   merely  stating  to  me,  in  an  obliging  mannt 
F  »nd  as  a  polite  exgost^tory  notice  to  any  one  whoi 
I  it  might  happen  to  concern,   that  he  were  not  a  goin 
to  be  bnll-haited  and  badgered  in  his  own  place, 
Jaggers   had  risen  when  Joe  demonstrated,   and  ht( 
backed  to  near  the  door.     Without  evincing  any  in 
nation  to  coTRQ  in  again,   he  ttere  ift^veieiVia-s 
^ietory  remarts.      They  wore  tliese. 


■  0«BAT  BICPBOTATrnKS.  I89 

"Well,  Mr.  Pip,  I  think  the  sooner  you  loave  liero 
-  na  you  are  to  be  ft  gentleman  —  the  bettor.  Let 
siand  for  this  day  week,  and  you  shall  receive  my 
rii^ted  address  in  the  mean  time.  You  can  take  a 
vkney-coach  at  the  stage  coach*ofiice  in  London,  and 
.  :'i!ne  etraJKht  to  me.  Understand  that  I  expreaa  no 
■'[liiuon,  one  way  or  other,  on  the  trust  I  undertake. 
'  am  paid  for  tmdertaking  it,  and  I  do  ao.  Now, 
iuijfnitaiid  that,  finally.     Understand  that!" 

He  was  throwing  his  finger  at  both  of  ns,  and  I 
iiiili  would  have  gone  on,  but  for  liis  seeming  to  think 
!  I  ■  dangerous,  and  going  off. 

Something  came  into  my  head  which  indnced  me 
nm  ailer  him,   as  he  was  going  down  to  the  Jolly 
jJsr!,'eraen  where  he  had  left  a  hired  carriage, 
I        "I  beg  your  pardon,  Mr.  Jaggfrs." 
I       "Halloa!"    said    he,    facing    round,    "what's    the 
L  nutter?" 

I        "I  wish  to  be  quite  right,  Mr.  Jaggers,  iind  to  keep 

'    yoar    directions;    so   I  thought  I  had  better  ask. 

'■"iiiild  there  be  any  objection  to  my  taking  leave  of 

iiir  one  I  know,  about  here,  before  I  go  away?" 

"No,"    said  he,    looking   as  if   he   hardly  under- 

"I  don't  mean  in  the  village  only,  but  up  town?" 
"No,"  said  he.     "No  objection." 
I  thanked  him  and  ran  home  again,   and  there  I 
fonnd  that  Joe  had  already  locked  the  front  door,  and 
vacated  the  state-pariour,  and  was  seated  by  the  kitchen 
p    with    a    hand   on  each  knee  gazing    intently    a.t 
'  {mming  coals.     /  too  eat  down  before.  ft\e  foa  sai. 
L^  eoflis,    and  Dothhg  was  said  ioT  a.  \c«« 


Il90  aasAT  bxtbotatioxb. 

My  Bister  wag  in  lier  cualiionod  chaii'  in  lier  coi 

'  and  Biddy  eat  at  her  needlework  before  tlie  fire, 

Joe  sat  next  Biddy,  and  I  sat  next  Joe  in  the  co 

opposite  my  sister.     The  more  I  looked  into  the  g\oi 

ing  coals,   the  more  incapable  I  became  of  looking  | 

■Joe;  the  longer  the  silence  lasted,   the  more  tmablQl 


At  length  I  got  out,  "Joe,  have  yon  told  Biddy?' 
"No,  Pip,"  returned  Joe,  still  looking  at  the  fire 
md  holding  his  knees  tight,   as  if  he  had  private  in- 
formation that  they  intended  to  make  off  somewhere, 
■"which  I  left  it  to  yonraelf,  Pip." 
"I  would  rather  you  told,  Joe." 
"Pip's  a  gentleman  of  fortun'  then,"  said  Joe, 
I  God  bless  him  in  it!" 

Biddy  dropped  her  work  and  looked  at  me.     Joe 

i  held  his  knees  uud  looked  at  me.     I  looked  at  both  a 

I  ■  them.     After  a  pause,  they  both  heartily  congratulate* 

t.me;  but  there  was  a  certam  touch  of  sadness  in 

lugratulations  that  I  rather  resented. 

I  took  it  upon  myself  to  impress  Biddy  (and  througl 

Biddy,  Joe)  with  the  grave  obligation  I  considered  i 

friends  under,  to  know  nothing  and  t!ay  nothing  abi 

the  maker  of  my  fortnne.     It  would  all  co 

^good  time,  I  observed,  and  in  the  mean  while  nothi 
■ivas  to  be  said  save   that  I  had  come   into  great 
pectations  from  a  mysterious   patron.      Biddy  noddi 
aer  head  thoughtfully  at  the  lire  as  she  took  up 
work  again,   and  said  slie  would  be  very  particulai!| 
and  Joe,  still  detaining  his  knees  said,  "Ay,  ay,  Pll 
ekervaJly  partjcklor,  Pip;"  atil  fVienftiB^  con.^ai.MlB; 
~""  "     '   t  and  went  on  to  exptCBa  ao  mw^ii -vwAsaL 


of  my  being  a,  gentlemnn,  that  I  didn't  i 

i  pftiits  were  then  taken  by  Biddy  to  convey 
er  some  idea  of  what  had  happened.  To  the 
y  belief,  tlioBO  efforts  entirely  fp.iled.  Slie 
md  nodded  her  head  a  groat  many  times,  and 
«ted  after  Biddy  the  words  "Pip"  and  "Pro- 
But  I  doubt  if  they  had  more  meaning  in 
.  an  election  ery,  and  I  cannot  suggest  a 
tare  of  her  state  of  mind, 
f  could  have  believed  it  without  experience, 
W  and  Biddy  became  more  ut  their  cheerful 
,  I  became  quite  gloomy.  Dissatisfied  with 
;,  of  course  I  could  not  be;  but  it  is  possible 
ty  iaTB  been,  without  quite  knowing  it,  dis.- 
(rith  myself. 

t  with  niy  elbow  on  luy  knee  and  my 
my  hand,  looking  into  the  fire,  as  those  two 
loot  my  going  away,  and  about  what  they 
r  without  me,  and  all  that.  And  whenever  I 
i  of  them  looking  at  me  though  never  so 
^  (And  they  often  looked  at  me  —  particularly 
I  felt  offended;  as  if  they  were  expressing 
bust  of  me.  Though  Heaven  knows  they 
'.  by  word  or  sign. 

6»6  times  I  would  get  up  and  look  oat  at  the 
ear  kitchen  door  opened  at  once  upon  the 
I  stood  open  on  sirnimer  evenings  to  air  the 
B  Tery  stars  to  which  I  then  raised  my  eyes, 
^d  I  took  to  be  but  poor  and  humble  atarft 
ittg  oo  tiie  rustic  objects  among  w\iic\v  \  "\ia.i. 

i,  wliou  we  Bat  at  q-os  tt|a| 


il€2  GBSAT  ZXPBfiTATIO^ 

I    per  nf  brejid-anJ-clieese  and  beer.     "Five   more  daj 
I  and  tiion  the  day  before  the  duyl     They'll  soon  go." 

"Yes,   Pip,"   observed   Joe,   Those  voice  Bonn 
\  hollow  in  his  beer  mng.     "They'll  soon  go." 
"Soon,  soon  go,"  said  Biddy. 
"I  have  been  thinking,  Joe,  that  when  I  go  doi 
L  town  on  Monday,   and  order  my  new  clothes,  I  si 
tell  the  tailor  that  I'll  come  and  put  them  on  there, 
that  ril   have  them  sent   to  Mr.  Pumblechook's. 
would  he  very  disagreeable  to  be  stared  at  by  all 
people  here." 

"Mr,  and  lire.  Hubble  might  like  to  see  yon 
your  new  gen-teel  figure  too,  Pip,"  said  Joe,  indust 
ously  cutting  his  bread,  with  his  cheese  on  it,  in  t 
palm  of  his  left  hand,  and  glancing  at  my  nntaati 
supper  88  if  he  thought  of  the  time  when  we  used 
[  compare  slices.  "So  might  "Wopslo.  And  the  Jol 
I  Bargemen  might  take  it  as  a  complimeut." 

"That's  just  what  I  don't  want,  Joe.  They  won 
make  such  a  business  of  it  —  such  a  coarse  and  commt 
business- —  that  I  couldn't  bear  myself." 

"Ah,  that  indeed,  Pip!"  said  Joe.    "If  you  conlda! 

Iabear  yom-self  — " 
Biddy  asked  me  here,  as  she  sat  holding  my  sisteii 
plate,    "Have  you   thoaght    about  when    you'll   shol 
yourself  to  Mr.  Gargery,  and  your  sister,  and  me?  To 
■will  show  yourself  to  us;  won't  you?"  ■ 

"Biddy,"  I  returned  with   some  resentment,    "yo 
are  so  exceedingly  quick  that  it's  difficult  to  keep 
with  you." 
("Slie  always  were  quick,"  observed  Joe.) 
"If  yoa  bad  waited  another  momi:!^,  "B^ii^  ^ 
^aJd  have  Jioard  me  say  that  1  ahafi  Vititi^ 


1 


want  BXFBOTATIOMB.  198 

,  a  bundle  one  eveniug  —  most  likely  oa  the 

■  before  I  go  away,'' 

Biddy  said  no  more.     Handsomely  forgiving  lier,  I 

<i>Li  exchanged  an  affectionate  good  night  vith  her 

.,.!  Joe,    and  went  np  to  bed.     When  1  got  into  my 

I'  room,  I  eat  down  and  took  a  long  look  at  it,  aa  a 

II  little  room  thatlshould  soon  be  parted  from  and 

,  d  above,  for  ever.  It  was  fumiahed  with  fresh  young 

L-im-jnbrances  too,  and  even  al  the  same  moment  I  fell 

nto  much  the  same  confused  division  of  mind  between 

it  uid  the  better  rooms  to  which  I  was  going,  as  I  had 

Wn  in   so   often  between  the  forge   and  Miss  Havi- 

im's,  ajid  Biddy  and  Estella, 

riie  Bun  had  been  shining  brightly  all  day  on  the 

,  iif  my  attic,    and  the  room  was  warm.     Aa  I  put 

«viudow   open  and  stood   looking  ont,  I  saw  Joe 

;;'■  slowly  forth  at  the  dark  door  below,  and  take  a 

!  or  two  in  the  air;  and  then  I  saw  Biddy  come 

;  liring  him  a  pipe  and  light  it  for  him.     He  never 

"k'.'d  so  late,   and  it  seemed  to  hint  to  me  that  he 

iKfd  comforting,  for  Bome  reason  or  other. 

He  presently  stood  at  the  door  immediately  beneath 

jic,    smoking    his  pipe,    and   Biddy    stood  there  too, 

qnietly  talking  to  him,  and  I  knew  that  they  talked  of 

me,  for  I  beard  my  name  mentioned  in  an  endearing 

tone  by   both  of  tbcm  more  than  once.     I  would  not 

lisve  listened  for  more,  if  I  could  have  heard  more:  so, 

I  drew  away  from  the  window,   and  sat  down  in  my 

one  chair  by  the  bedside,  feeling  it  very  sorrowful  and 

(trange  that  this  first  night  of  my  bright  fortunes  should 

he  ihe  loneliest  I  had  ever  inown. 

Lookinff  towarda   the    open    window,   1  aa.'w  Yi^X. 
tM^AoB  Joe's  pipe  Soatiag  there,  and  1  ianssi  '  " 


I  was  like  a  blessing'  from  Joe  —  not  obtrudei]  on  4 
r  or  paraded  before  me,  bnt  pervading  the  air  we  sban 
t  together.     I  put  my  light  out,  and  crept  into  bed; 
'  m  uneasy  bed  now,  and  I  never  slept  the 
I  lotmd  sleep  in  it  any  more. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

MoRHiNG-    made    a,   considerable    difference    in  m 

I  general  proapect  of  Life,   and  brightened  it 

I  that  it  scarcely  seemed  the  same.     What  lay  heayitl 

ind  was  the  consideration  that  six  days  inta 

I  Tened  between  me  and   the  day  of  departi 

'   could  not  divest  myself  of  a  misgiving  that  somethia 

might  happen  to  Loudon  In  the  mean  while,   and  ttui 

when  I  got  there,   it  would  he  either  greatly  deta^ 

rated  or  clean  gone. 

Joe  and  Biddy  were  very  sympathetic  and  pl( 
-Bant  when  I  spoke  of  our  approaching  separation;  fc 
[  tbey  only  referred  to  it  when  I  did.  After  breakfaa 
I.Joe  brought  out  my  indentures  from  the  press 
I  the  best  parlour,  and  we  put  tbeiti  in  the  fin 
I  and  I  felt  that  I  was  free.  With  aU  the  novelty 
■my  .emancipation  on  me,  I  went  to  church  with  Jo< 
I  and  thought,    perhaps    tlie    clergyman  wouldn't  hjT 

read    that    about    the  rich   man   and  the  kingdi 
I  Heaven  if  he  had  known  all. 

After  our  early  dinner  I  strollod  out  alone,  ptirp< 
'    Hing  to  finish  off  the  marslios  at  once,   and  get  tin 
done  with.     As  I  passed  the  church,  I  felt  (as  I  h^ 
■  J&A  during  service  in  the  uiornmg)  a.  wi\>&afc 
I  tbo  jioor  creaturcB  wlio  "weca 


w 


r 

I  lliere,    Sunday  after   Sunday,    all   their  lires  throiif;h, 

'  w\  to  lie  obecurely  at  last  among  the.  low  green  mounds. 

iiiinised  myself  that  I  would  do  something  for  them 

I   I'f  these   days,   and  forraod  a  plan  in  outline  for 

■iun-ing  a  dinner  of  rouBt  beef  and  plum-pudding,  a 

i.int  of  ale,  and  a  gallon  of  condescension,  upon  every- 
li-'ily  in  the  villag^e.  ^^ 

If  I  had  often  thought  before,  with  Bomothing  allied 
111  sliame,  of  my  compunionfihip  with  the  fugitive  whom 
I  bud  once  seen  limping  among  those  graves,  what 
nra  my  thoughts  on  this  Sunday,  when  the  place  re- 
uJled  the  wi'etch,  ragged  and  shivering,  with  his  felon 
:ii  (ind  badge!  My  comfort  was,  that  it  happened  a 
-  time  ago,  and  that  he  had  doubtless  been  trana- 
ii'd  a,  long  way  off,  and  tliat  he  was  dead  to  me, 
I  might  bo  veritably  dead  into  the  bargain. 
Xo  more  low  wot  grounds,  no  more  dykes  and  ' 
id's,  no  more  of  tjiese  grazing  cattle  - —  though  they 
iiii^d,    in  tlieir  dull  manner,   to  wear  a  more  respect- 

■  iiir  now,  and  to  face  round,  in  order  that  they 
i.'lit  stare  as  long  as  possible  at  the  possessor  of  sucJi 

it  expectationa  —  farewell,   monotonous   acquaint- 

■  .■;  of  my  childhood,  henceforth  I  was  for  London 
■■!  greatness:  not  for  smith's  work  in  general  and  for 

i'-  I  made  my  exultant  way  to  the  old  Battery,  J^d, 
iiii;  down  there  to  consider  the  question  whether  Miss 
:  .lisham  intended  mo  for  Estclla,  fell  asleep. 

When  I  awoke,  I  was  much  surprised  to  find  Joe 
iTig  beside  me,  smoking  his  pipe.  He  greeted  me 
ill  a  cheerful  smile  on  my  opening  my  eyes,  and 
ii.l: 

■.Ja  lirinff  the  last  time,  Pip,  I  thnuglit,  Ti  fe\lw;'' 
"•%'ifo^  X  JM  rery  gjad  ^        


mua  vAtfyiatiam, 


Bwi 


&HEAT  axPEOTAinoire. 


if: 

II" 


Tliankee,  Pip." 

You  may  be  sure,  dear  Joe,"  I  went  on,  after  ^ 
had  shiikea  bands,  "that  I  shall  never  forget  you." 

"No  no,  Pip!"  said  Joe,  in  a  comfortable  toi 
"'/'m  8ure  of  that.  Ay,  ay,  old  chap!  Bless  yon, 
were  only  necessary  to  get  it  well  round  in  a  mai 
mind,  to  be  certain  on  it.  But  it  took  a  bit  of  time 
get  it  well  round,  tbo  change  come  so  oncommon  plum 
didn't  it?"  , 

Somehow  I  was  not  test  pleased  with  Joes  beii 
so  mightily  secure  of  me.  I  should  have  liked  him 
have  betrayed  emotion,  or  to  have  said.  "It  does  j 
credit,  Pip,"  or  something  of  that  sort.  Therefore, 
made  no  remark  on  Joe's  first  bead;  merely  saying 
to  bis  second  that  the  tidings  bad  indeed  coi 
denly,  but  that  I  bad  always  wanted  to  be  a  gentlema 
and  had  often  and  often  speculated  on  what  I  would  ( 
if  I  ^ere  one. 

Have  you  though?"  said  Joe.     "Astonishing!" 
It's  a  pity  now,  Joe,"  said  I,  |"that  you  did  i 
get  on   a  little  more^   when  ve  had  our  lessons  her 
'    't  it?" 

"Well,  I  don't  know,"  returned  Joe.  'Tm  so  awfi 

.1.     I'm  only  master  of  my  own  trade.     It  were  C 

[ways  a  pity  as  I  was  so  awful  dull;   but  it's  no  mo 

lof  ft  pity  now,   than  it  was  —  this  day  twelvemont 

don't  you  see?" 

What  I  had.  meant  was,  that  when  I  came  into  b 

property   and   was   able  to   do   something  for  Joe, 

would  have  been  much  more  agreeable  if  be  bad  bee 

better  qualified  for  a  rise  in  station.     He  was  so  j 

/eeily  luaocent  of  my  meaning,  laowOTer,t\\a.tltliflug| 

", mention  it  to  Biddy  in  ^reiftieuae. 


aajSAT  ffitPDOTATIOKS.  197 

,  when  we  had  walked  home  and  had  had  tea, 
nook  Biddy  into  our  little  garden  by  the  Hide  of  the 
■  i;i,  and,  after  tlirowing  out  in  a.  general  way  for  the 
■vation  of  her  spirits,  that  I  should  never  forget  her, 
■ill  I  had  a  favour  to  ask  of  her,  _ 

"And  it  ia,  Biddy,"  a«id  I,  "that  you  will  not  omit 
ny  opportunity  of  helping  Joe  on,  a  little." 

"How  helping  him  on?"  asked  Biddy,  with  a 
steady  sort  of  ghmce. 

"Well!  Joe  is  a  dear  good  fellow  —  in  fact,  I 
^link  he  is  the  dearest  fellow  that  over  lived  —  but 
i  rather  backward  in  some  things.  For  instance, 
Biddy,  in  his  learning  and  his  manners." 

Although  I  was  looking  at  Biddy  aa  I  spoke,  and 
iJtbongh  she  opened  her  eyes  very  wide  when  I  had 
■pokim,  she  did  not  look  at  me. 

"Oh,   his  manners!  Won't  his  manners  do  then?" 
■sud  Biddy,  plucking  a  black  currant  leaf, 
^^^"My  dear  Biddy,  they  do  very  well  here — " 
^^■SOhl  they  do  very  well  here?"   interposed  Biddy, 
^^^Ktg  closely  at  the  leaf  in  her  hand. 
^^^PSear  me  out  —  but  if  I  were  to  remove  Joe  into 
^^Migher  sphere,  as  I  shall  hope  to  remove  him  when  I 
iily  come  into  my  property,  they  would  hardly  do  him 

"And  don't  you  think  he  knows  that?"  asked 
''My. 

It  was  saeh  a  very  provoking  question  (for  it  had 
vi-r  in  the  most  distant  manner  ocetured  to  me),  that 
■lid,  snappishly,  "Biddy,  what  do  you  mean?" 
Biddy  havin"'  rubbed  the   leaf  to   piocea  \ifttwea'Q. 
■rhantls  —  and  the  smell  »f  a  black  curra-o.t  >a\ia^ 
*|y^  siace  recalled  to  lua  tiat  evening  in  tVe  WV'A 


^ 


'J99  GilEAT  ffiCFBOTATWlTS. 

ijfarden  by  the  aide  of  the  lane  —  said,    "Have  ; 
never  considered  that  he  may  he  proud?" 
I  '    "P^o^dI"  I  repeated,  with  disdainful  emphaeiB. 
f       "Ohl  there  are  many  kinds  of  pride,"  said  Bidd 
looking'  full  at  me  and  shaking'  her  head;    "pride 
Aol;  all  of  one  kind — " 

""Weil?  What  are  you  stopping  for?"  eaid  I, 

"Not  all  of  one  kind,"  resumed  Biddy.  "He  mj 
be  too  prond  to  let  any  one  take  him  out  of  a  pla 
.fhat  he  is  competent  to  fill  and  filla  well  and  with  i 
Spect  To  tell  yon  the  truth,  I  think  he  is:  though 
Sounds  hold  in  me  to  say  ho,  for  you  must  know  h: 
£ar  better  than  I  do." 

"Now,  Biddy,"  said  I,  "I  am  very  sony  to  at 
fliiB  in  you.  I  did  not  expect  to  see  this  inyou.  T 
are  envious,  Biddy,  and  gmdging.  You  are  dissat 
Bed  on  account  of  mj  rise  in  fortune,  and  you  ca 
help  showing  it." 

"If  you  have  the  heart  to  think  so,"  returned  Bidd; 
"say  BO,  Say  bo  over  and  over  again,  if  yon  have  t 
heart  to  think  so." 

"If  you  have  tlie  heart  to  be  so,  you  mean,  Biddy,' 
Uaid  I,  in  a  virtuous  and  superior  tone;  "don't  put  i 
.off  upon  me.  I  am  very  sorry  to  see  it,  and  it's  a  — 
nt's  a  had  side  of  human  nature.  I  did  intend  to  as& 
you  to  use  any  little  opportunities  you  might  have  a£ 
Iter  I  was  gone,  of  improving  dear  Joe.  But  afta 
this,  I  aak  yon  nothing.  I  am  extremely  sorry 
Bee  this  in  you,  Biddy,"  I  repeated.  "It's  a  —  it'i 
bad  side  of  human  nature." 

"Whether  you  scold   me  or  approve  of  me," 

turaed  poor  Biddy,    "you  may  e^uaWy  ift^-ai.  M.ys 

IT  trying  to  do  all  that  lies  in.  my  ^owei,  \ieii4,  nA  ' 


GnEAT  E 

id  wliatevcr  opluioii  you  take  away  of  me, 
;e  no  diffei-ence  in  my  remcDilirimce  of  you. 
ideman  eliould  not  be  uujnst  neitlicr,"   said 
'  ig  away  her  head. 

warmly  repeated  that  it  was  a  bad  side  of 
lature  {in  which  sentiment,  waiving  its  appli- 
since  Been  reason  to  tliink  I  was  riglit), 
id  down  the  little  path  away  firoin  Biddy, 
ly  went  into  the  liouse,  and  I  went  ont  at  the 
[ate  and  took  a  dejected  stroll  until  supper- 
*a  feeling  it  very  sorrowful  and  utrange  that 
second  night  of  my  brig-ht  fortunes,  should  be 
and  tmaatisfactory  aa  the  iirst. 
loming  once  more  brightened  my  view,  and  I 
my  clemency  to  Biddy,  and  wo  dropped  the 
Putting  on  the  best  clothes  I  had,  I  went 
larly  as  I  could  hope  to  find  the  shops 
id  presented  myself  Lefore  Mr.  Trabb,  tlie 
'laving  his  breakfast  in  the  parlour 
id  his  shop,  and  who  did  not  think  it  worth  Lis 
to  come  out  to  me,  but  called  me  in  to  him. 
Well!"  said  Mr.  Trabb,  in  a  hail-fellow-well-met 
of  way.     "How  are  yon,  and  what  can  I  do  for 

It.  Trabb  had  sliced  liis  hot  roll  into  throe  feather 
slipping  butter  in  between  the  blankets, 
covering  it  up.  Ho  was  a  prosperous  old  bachelor, 
his  open  window  looked  into  a  proBperona  little 
3n  and  orchai'd,  and  there  was  a  proaperous  iron 
let  into  the  wall  at  the  side  of  his  fire^ltiiCa,  and. 
I  not  doaht  tliat  heups  of  iiis  prospevity  -wftTC  ■^^A. 
■--  ■■'  '"  i^. 

i  an  unpleaaaul  t\vvng  ^»  . 


900  QRBAT  ■BTPEQTkTjaSS. 

have  to  mention,  becsuse  it  looka  like  boasting; 
have  come  into  a  handsome  property." 

A  change  pasaed  over  Mr.  Trabb.  He  forgot 
butter  in  bed,  got  up  from  the  bedside,  and  wiped 
fingers  on  the  tablecloth,  eselaiming,  "Lord  bleaa; 
soul!" 

"I  am  going  ap  to  ray  gnardian  in  London. 
I,  caaually  drawing  some  guineas  out  of  my  po( 
and  looking  at  them;  "and  I  want  a  fashionable  > 
of  clothes  to  go  in.  I  wish  to  pay  for  them,"  I  ad 
—  otherwise  I  thought  he  might  only  pretend  to  m 
them,  "with  ready  money." 

"My  dear  sir,"   said  Mr.  Trabb,   as  he  respectfl 
bent  his  body,  opened  his  arms,   and  took  the  lib< 
of  touching  me  on  the  outside  of  each  elbow,    "  ' 
hnrt  me  by  mentioning  that.     May  I  venture  to 
gratulate  you?  Would  you  do  me  the  favour  of 
ping  into  the  shop?" 

Mr.  Trabb's  hoy  was  the  most  audacious  boy  i 
that  country-side.  When  I  had  entercH^^e'waa  swi 
ing  the  shop,  and  he  had  sweetened  his  labours 
sweeping  over  me.  He  was  still  sweeping  when  I  cJ 
out  into  the  shop  with  Mr.  Trabb,  and  he  knocked 
broom  against  all  possible  comers  and  obstacles,  to 
press  {as  I  understood  it)  ec[uality  with  any  blacksm 
alive  or  dead. 

"Hold  that  noise,"  said  Mr.  Trabb,  with  the  gres 
sternness,  "or  I'll  knock  your  head  off!  ~ 
favour  to  be  seated,  sir.  Now  this,"  said  Mr.  Tn 
taking  down  a  roll  of  cloth,  and  tiding  it  out  in  a  f 
ing  manner  over  the  counter,  preparatory  to  gettinj 
J/aad  imdor  it  to  show  the  g\oss,  "la  &  ■v«y^ 
J  can  recommend  it  lor  youi  ■^^ 


jl^^ 


cxtise  it  really  19  estrn.  super.  But  you  hLiiII  Ree  name 
others.  Give  me  Number  Four,  youl"  (To  the  boy, 
auii  with  a  dreadfully  severe  stare:  foreseeing  the 
danger  of  that  miBcreant'a  brushing  me  with  it,  or  ma- 
iing  aome  othe^-atgo^SFTamiliarity.)  ^ 

Mr.  Trabb  never  removed  his  etem  cyo  from  the 
boy  until  he  had  deposited  number  four  on  the  counter 
and  was  at  a  safe  distance  again.  Then,  he  commanded 
Lim  to  bring  number  five  and  number  eight.  "And 
me  have  none  of  your  tricks  here,"  said  Mr,  Trabb, 
:  yon  shall  repent  it,  you  young  scoundrel,  tiie 
longest  day  you  have  to  live," 

Mr.  Trabb  then  bent  over  number  four,  and  in  a 
Mit  of  deferential  confidence  recommended  it  to  me  as 
>  light  article  for  summer  wear,  an  article  much  in 
i-ugae  among  the  nobility  and  gentry,  an  article  tliat 
■I  would  ever  be  an  honour  to  him  to  reflect  upon  a 
ii^tingnished  fellow-townBman's  (if  he  might  claim  me 
i  ir  a  fellow-townsman)  having  worn.  "Are  yon  bring- 
iii;  numbers  five  and  eight,  you  vagabond,"  said  Mr. 
i'tabb  to  the  boy  after  that,  "or  shall  I  kick  you  out 
"I  tliB  shop  and  bring  them  myself?" 

I  selected  the  materials  for  a  suit,  with  the  assist- 
iiice  of  Mr.  Trabb's  judgment,  and  re-entered  the  par- 
!iinr  to  be  measured.  For,  although  Mr.  Trabb  had 
I"}'  measure  already,  and  had  previously  been  quite 
I'liitented  with  it,  he  said  apologetically  that  it  "wouldn't 
liii  under  existing  circumstances,  sir  —  wouldn't  do  at 
'IL"  80,  Mr.  Trabb  measured  and  calculated  me,  in 
'(111  parlour,  as  if  I  were  an  estate  and  he  the  finest 
■['ceies  of  surveyor,  and  g-ave  himself  a\ic\v  »:  "wotV^.  «! 
iitmble  that  I  felt  that  no  suit  of  clothes  coa\.4  ^Q%sWtj 
^■jWj^^^im  for  Mb  pains.     When  \ie  Wi  a.'t  V"" 


SBXAT  aXPlCTATIOKS. 

lone  and  had  appointed  to  send  the  artiulea  to 
Fuinblechook's  on  the  Thursday  evening,  he  said, 
Lis  hand  upon  the  parlour  lock,  "I  know,  sir, 
London  gentlemen  cannot  Le  expected  to  patronise  ] 
■work,  as  a  rtdo:  hut  if  you  would  give  me  a  turn  no' 

tid  then  in  the  quality  of  a  townsman,  I  should  great 
teem  it.  Good  morning,  sir;  much  obliged.  — Dooi" 
The  last  word  wan  flung  at  the  boy,  who  had  n 
uie  least  notion  what  it  meant.  But  I  saw  him  < 
lapse  as  hia  master  ruhhed  me  out  with  hia  hands,  i 
mj  first  decided  experience  of  the  stnpendoua  po' 
of  money,  was,  that  it  had  morally  laid  upon  his  ba 
Trabb's  boy. 
/  After  this  memorable  event,  I  went  to  the  hatter 
/  and  the  bootmaker's,  and  the  hosier's,  and  felt  rathe 

tlike  Mother  Hubbard's  dog  whose  outfit  required  1 
Jiervices  of  so  many  trades.  I  also  went  to  the  coai 
'«iEee  and  took  my  place  for  seven  o'clock  on  Saturda 
Bioming.  It  was  not  necessary  to  explain  everywhei 
ibat  I  had  come  into  a  haudaome  property;  hut  whfii 
ever  I  said  anything  to  that  effect,  it  followed  that  t" 
ofBciating  tradesman  ceased  to  have  his  attention  t 
verted  throQgh  the  window  by  the  High-street,  and  co 
centrated  his  mind  upon  me.  When  I  had  ordere 
everything  I  wanted,  I  directed  my  steps  towards  Pona 
blechook's,  and,  as  I  approached  that  gentleman's  plao 

»of  business,  I  saw  liim  atoading  at  his  door. 
He  was  waiting  for  me  with  great  impatience. 
liad  been  out  early  with  the  chaiae-cai't,  and  had  calle 
at  the  forge  and  heard  the  news.  He  had  prepared 
collation  for  me  in  the  Barnwell  parlour,  and  he  t 
ordered  bis  sliopmati  to  "come  out  ot  ftie  ?,wci^k^"  i 
^^if  sacred  person  i 


"My  3ear  friend,"  said  Mr.  Pumblechook,  taking 
ne  by  both  bands,  when  he.  and  I  and  the  collation 
*ere  aJrme,  "I  give  you  joy  of  your  good  fortune. 
Well  deservcdj  well  deserved!" 

This  was  coming  to  the  point,  and  I  thought  it  a 
!eii8ibl£_way  of  .expressing  himself.  '' 

"To  think,"  said  Mr.  Pumblechook ,  after  snorting 
admiration  at  mc  for  some  moments,  "that  1  nbould 
baTe  been  the  humble  instrument  of  leading  up  to  thin, 
is  a  prond  reward." 

I  begged  Mr.  Pumblechook  to  remember  that  no- 
lliing  was  to  be  ever  said  or  binted,  on  that  point. 

"My  dear  young  friend,"  said  Mr.  Pumblecbook, 
"ifyim  will  allow  ma  to  call  you  bo  — " 

[  murmured  "Certainly,"  and  Mr.  Pumblechook 
(wk  me  by  both  hands  again,  and  commnnicated  a 
ninTeinent  to  his  waistcoat  that  had  an  emotional  ap- 
I  (wirance,  though  it  waa  rather  low  down,  "My  dear' 
vuBng  finend,  rely  upon  my  doing  my  little  all  in  yoor 
il.«"nce,  by  keeping  the  fact  before  the  mind  of  Joseph. 
-  JoBephI"  said  Mr.  Pumblechook,  in  tLe  way  of  a 
' iHjwasionate  adjuration.  "Joseph!!  Joseph!!!"  There- 
i"«i  he  shook  his  heal  and  tapped  it,  expressing  his 
■iiw  of  deficiency  in  Joseph. 

"But  my  dear  young  friend,"  said  Mr.  Parable- 
■  li'iok,  "you  must  be  hungry,  you  must  he  exhausted, 
lie  seated.  Here  is  a  chicken  had  round  from  the  Boar, 
hm  is  a  tongue  liad  round  from  the  Boar,  here's 
'ine  or  two  little  tilings  had  round  from  the  Boar, 
*''.it  I  hope  yon  may  not  despise.  But  do  I,"  said  Mr, 
'■  iinblechook,  setting  up  again  the  moment  afet\iftVafi^ 
Jomi,  "see  afore  me,  bint  as  I  ever  Bpoitei -wKxia  Vo. 
Ji^gjl^'ffiftJ'^anc^f'   Andmayl  — maTj\— '* 


»S04 


QBSAT  BS7ECTATIQHS. 


TliiB  May  I  meant,  might  he  shake  hands?  I  ci 
aented,  and  he  'was  fervent,  and  then  sat  down  agaii 
"Hero  is  wine,"  said  Mr.  Pumhlechook.  "Let, 
I  drink.  Thanks  to  Fortuue,  and  may  she  ever  pick  i 
her  favourites  with  equal  judgment!  And  yet  I  cannf 
Baid  Mr.  Pnmhlechook,  getting  up  again,  "see  af 
me  One  — -  and  likoways  drink  to  One  —  witif 
again  expreaaing  —  May  I  —  may  I  — ?" 

I  said  he  might,  and  he  shook  hands  with  me  agt 

[  and  emptied  his  glass  and  turned  it  upside  down. 

did  the  same;  and  if  I  had  turned  myself  upside  do 

before  drinking,   the  wine«could  not  have  gone  m 

direct  to  my  head. 

Mr.  Pnmhlechook  helped  me  to  the  liver  wing,  i 

;   to  the  best  slice  of  tongue   (none  of  those  out-of-t 

I  way  No  Thoroughfares  of  Pork  now),  and  took,  co 

(  paratively  speaking,  no  care  of  himself  at  alL     "J 

poultry,  poultry!     Ton  little  thought,"  said  Mr.  Pij 

blechook,  apostrophising  the  fowl  in  the  dish,  "yr} 

you  was  a  young  fledgling,  what  was  in  store  for  y 

^  You  little  thought  Vj'ou  was  to  be  refreshment  bene 

this  humble  roof  for  one  as  -^  Call  it  a  weakness, 

yon  will,"   said  Mr.  Pumblechook,   getting  up   ag( 

"but  may  I?  may  I  — ?" 

It  began  to  be  unnecessary  to  repeat  the  fonjt 
saying  he  might,  so  he  did  it  at  once.  How  he  a 
did  it  so  often  without  wounding'himself  with  my  ka 
I  don't  know. 

"And  your  sister,"  he  resumed,  after  a  little  steJ 
I  eating,  "which  had  the  honour  of  bringing  you  up- 
W^Mid/  It's  a  sad  picter,  to  refteat  tiMi\,  ^lin.  ■na\tm 
"'  ■  i  fully  underBtanding  tte  Uoiio^a.    lAs.'S  — 


SBBAT  HXPHOTATTONe.  806 


Peaw  lie  was  about  to  come  at  me  again,  and  I 
Bd  him. 
Well  ibink  her  lieahh,"  said  I. 
Ah!"  cried  Mr.  Pumblecliook,  leaning  back  in  hia 
i^batr,    quite  flaccid  with  admiration,    "that's  the  wa^ 
■  1  know  'eni,  sir!"  (I  don't  know  who  Sir  was,  but 
I  i^rtainly  was  not  I,  and  there  was  no  third  person 
1  -I'Ut);  "that's  tlie  way  you  know  the  noble  minded, 

Iiir!  Ever  t'or^ving'  and  ever  affable.  It  might,"  said 
the  servile  Pumbleehook,  putting  down  his  nntasted 
glaas  in  a  hurry  and  getting  up  again,  "to  a  common 
umou,  have  the  appearanue  of  repeating  —  but  may 

Wien  he  had  done  it,  he  resumed  his  seat  and 
I  iiik  to  my  sister.  "Let  us  never  be  blind,"  said  Mr. 
i  !.ifil)lecbook,  "to  her  faults  of  temper,  but  it  ia  to  be 
"ju'd  she  meant  well." 

At  about  this  time  I  began  to  observe  that  lie  was 
"iijug  flushed  in  the  face;  as  to  myself,  I  felt  all  face, 
■'i-p(id  in  wiue  and  smarting. 

I  mentioned  to  Mr.  Fumblcchook  that  I  wished  to 
i-'ii"  my  new  clotlies  sent  to  his  house,  and  he  was  ec- 
!  I'ic  on  my  so  djstin-^iisTiJpg  l"'"'      I  mentioned  my 

i^iin  for  desiring  to  avoid  observation  in  the  village, 
!"1  lie  landed  it  to  the  skies.  There  was  nobody  but 
![i«elf,  he  intimated,  worthy  of  my  confidence,  and — 
'■'  'hurt,  might  he?     Then  he  asked  me  tenderly  if  1 

iiii'uiberetl  our  boyish  games  at  sums,  and  how  we 
■ 'l^one  together  to  have  me  bound  apprentice,  and, 

'■fleet,  how  he  had  ever  been  my  favourite  fancy  aad 
'IV  chosen  friend?    If  I  had  takeu  ten  times  a.a  ■ma.ii^ 

/.-tt/  o/'wine  aa  Iliad,  I  should  have  kiio\ni  fesA-W 
f^l^^^ad  Btood  in  that  relation  towards  me,  aTvi  aVo'Aa 


in  my  lieart  nf  hearts  have  repudiated  the  idea. 
for  all  tliat,  1  remember  feeling;  , convinced  that  I 
been  much  mistaken  in  him,  and  that  he  was  a^  sen 
practical  good-hearted  prime  fellow. 

By  degrees  he  fell  to  reposing  such  great  confid 
in  me,  aa  to  ask  my  advice  in  reference  to  hiy 
fairs.  He  mentioned  that  there  ^aa  an  opportnnhg 
a  great  amalgamation  and  monopoly  of  the  com 
seed  trade  on  those  premisesj  if  enlarged,  such  as 
never  occurred  before  in  that,  or  any  other  iieigh£ 
hood.  What  alone  vas  wanting  to  the  realisation 
vast  fortune,  he  considered  to  be  More  Capital.  T 
were  the  two  little  words,  more  capital.  Now  if 
peared  to  him  (Fumhlechook)  that  if  that  capital 
got  into  the  buaincas  through  a  sleeping  partner. 
which  sleeping  partner  would  have  nothing  to  3o 
walk  in,  by  self  or  deputy,  whenever  he  pleased, 
examine  the  hooka  —  and  walk  in  twice  a  year 
take  his  profits  away  in  his  pocket,  to  the  tune  of  < 
per  cent  —  it  appeared  to  him  that  that  might  h 
opening  for  a  young  gentleman  of  spirit  combined ' 
property,  which  would  be  worthy  of  his  attention. 
what  did  I  think?  He  had  great  confidence  in 
opinion,  and  what  did  I  think?  I  gave  it  as  my 
nion.  "Wait  a  bit!"  The  united  vastneas  and 
tinctness  of  this  view  so  struck  him,  that  he  no  lo 
asked  if  he  might  shake  hands  with  me,  but  sail 
really  must  —  and  did. 

We  drank  all  the  wine,  and  Mr.  Fumbled 
pledged  himself  over  and  over  again  to  keep  Josep 
to  the  mark  (I  don't  know  what  mark),  and  t« 
rae  eiUcient  and  constant  serviM  V^  iwcit  kn^ 
3).    Se  also  made  known  to  mB  iox  \ivft  %t« 


Sffl 

lii  tny  life,  and  certainly  after  having  kept  liia  secret 
■]rliTfu]ly  well,  lliat  ho  had  always  said  of  me,  "That 
id  no  common  boy,  and  mark  me,  his  I'ortun'  will 
ii.i  common  fiirtun'."  Ho  siiid  with  a  tearful  smile 
'.  it  was  a  singiiUr  tiling  to  think  of  now,  and  I 
I  io  too.  Finally.  I  went  out  into  tho  air  with  a 
I  [lorcopliou  lliat  tlicre  was  something  unwonted  in 
'    I  induct  of  the  sunshine,  anil  found  that  I  had  slnm- 

Iiitroosly  got  to  the  turnpike  without  having  taken  any 
tcwont  of  the  road. 
TLia«,  I  was  roused  hy  Mr.  Pumblechook's  haiUng 
ino.  He  was  a  long  way  down  the  sunny  street,  and 
"I"  making  expressive  gestures  for  me  to  Btop.  I 
'■7pud,  and  he  came  up  hreatlJeHS. 

"No,  my  dear  friend,"  said  he,  when  he  had  rc- 
■I'Tiid  wind  for  speejjb.  "Not  if  I  can  help  it.  This 
^;l^ion  shall  not  entirely  pass  without  that  affability 
I  vouj  part.  —  May  I,  as  an  old  friend  and  well- 
■■'■W?     Mag  I?" 

We  shook  hands  for  the  hundredth  time  at  least, 
"I  I  lie  (irdprcd  a  young  carter  out  of  my  way  with 
'i'  irreatust  indignutiou.  Then,  he  blessL'd  me  and 
""I  waving  his  hand  to  me  until  I  had  passed  the 
'  "k  in  the  road;  and  then  I  turned  into  a  field  and 
■■'1  a  long  nap  under  a  hedge   before  I  pursued  my 

1  had  scant  luggage  to  take  with  me  to  London, 
'"■  little  of  the  little  I  possessed  was  adapted  to  my 
■"■  station.  But  I  began  packing  that  same  afternoon, 
'il  wildly  packed  up  things  that  I  knew  I  should  want 
'  limoniing,  in  a  Bction  that  there  was  not  a  mtynynA 


iduesday,   and  Thursday,   'ja.^.ftfei. 


308  OSBAT  BXPSOTATIOKS. 

and  on  Friday  morning  I  went  to  Mr.  Pumblechofl 
to  put  on  my  new  clotLes  and  pay  my  visit  to  ] 
Havisham.  Mr.  Pmnblechook'a  own  room  waa  g 
up  tu  me  to  dress  in,  and  was  decorated  with 
towels  expressly  for  the  event.  My  clothes  were 
a  disappointment,  of  course,-  Probably  every  new 
eagerly  expected  garment  ever  put  on  since  clfl 
came  in,  fell  a  trifie  short  of  the  wearer's  expectai 
But  after  I  had  had  my  new  suit  on,  some  hall 
hour,  and  had  gone  through  an  immensity  of  posta 
with  Mr.  Pnmblechook's  very  limited  dressing-gli 
the  futile  endeavour  to  see  my  legs,  it  seemed  to 
me  better.  It  being  market  morning  at  a  neighboo 
town  some  ten  miles  off,  Mr.  Pumhlechook  waa  ni 
home.  I  bad  not  told  him  exactly  when  I  meat 
leave,  and  was  not  likely  to  shake  hands  with 
again  before  departing.  This  was  all  as  it  should 
and  I  went  out  in  my  now  array:  fearfully  ashame 
-iaving  to  pass  the*  ahopmou,  and  suspicions  after 
that  I  was  at  a,  personal  disadvantage,  something 
Joo'b  in  his  Sunday  suit 

I  went  circuitously  to  Miss  Haviaham's  by  all 
back  waya,  and  rang  at  the  bell  constrainedly,  on 
count  of  tho  stiff  long  fingers  of  my  gloves.  8i 
Pocket  came  to  the  gate,  and  positively  reeled  i 
when  she  saw  me  so  changed;  her  walnut-shell  c 
tenance  likewiae,  turned  from  brown  to  green 
yellow, 

"You?"  said  she,  "Yon,  good  gracious?  Whj 
you  want?" 

"I  am  going  to  London,  MissPocket,"  said  I,  '' 
waat  to  say  good-hy  to 

'OS  not  expected,  Sot 


bhilo  fihe  went  to  ask  if  I  were  tn  be  admitted. 
E-Toryshort  delfiy,  she  returned  and  took  raeup, 
nt  tne  all  the  waj. 

m  Havieham  was  taking  exercise  In  the  room 
He  long  spread  table,   leaning  on  her  crutched 
MPhe  room  was  lighted  as  of  yore,    and  at  the 
■f  our  entrance,   she  stopped  and  turned.     She 
njiut  abreast  of  the  rotted  bride-cake. 
Bn't  go,  Sarah,"  she  said,     "Well,  Pip?" 
mtart  for  London,    Misg  Havisham,    to-morrow," 
Bsceedingly  careful  what  I  said,  "and  I  thought 
BjUd  kindly  not  mind  ray  taking  leave  of  you." 
Btis  is  a  gay  figure,   Pip,"  said  she,  making  her 

■  stick  play  round  me,  as  if  she,  the  fairy  god- 
MVho  had  changedme,  were  bestowing  the  finish- 

Kavb  come  into  such  good  fortune  since  I  saw 

■t,  BEaa  Havisham,"   I  murmured.     "And  I  iim 

ftfOl  for  it,  Mias  Havisham  1" 

R,  ay!"  said  she,  looking  at  the  discomfited  and 

B  Sarah  with  delight.    "I  have  seen  Mr.  Jaggers. 

Bbeard  about  it,  Pip.     So  you  go  to-mon-ow?" 

B8,  Ifiss  Havisham." 

■id  you  are  adopted  hy  a  rich  person?" 

wbt,  itiaa  Havisham.'' 

Kit  named?" 

B,  Kisfl  Havisham." 

■id  Mr,  Jaggers  is  made  your  guardian?" 

■b,  3[isa  Havisham." 

■  QOite  gloated  on  these  questions  and  anBW«\ft^ 
■•  iras  her  enjoyTnont  of  Sarah  Pocket's  jeaXois.'a 
^  _  "Weill "  she  wea  t  on ;   "you  have  a -^TQiav&m^ 
H^^^^^^^^ggd  —   deserve  it   — 


abide  by  Mr.  Jagg^ers's  instructions."  She  looked  at  i 
I  and  looked  at  SaraL,  and  Sortdi's  countenauce  v 
I  out  of  her  watchful  face  a  cruel  smile.  "Good-1 
t  Pipl  —  you  will  always  keep  the  name  of  Pip, 
^kuow." 

"Yea,  Mias  Havisham." 
"Good-by,  Pip!" 

She  stretched  out  her  hand,  and  I  went  down 
J  my  knee  and  put  it  to  my  lips.  I  had  not  conaidei 
■.liow  I  should  take  leave  of  her;  it  eame  naturally 
)  at  the  moment,  to  do  this.  She  looked  at  Bar 
I  Pocket  with  triumph  in  her  weird  eyes,  and  ho  I ' 
T  my  fairy  godmother,  with  both  her  hands  on  '. 
I'lerutched  stick,  standing  in  the  midst  of  the  dis 
lilig^hted  room  beside  the  rotten  bride-cake  that  1 
{'hidden  in  cobwebs. 

Sarah  Pocket  conducted  me   down  as  if  I  wer 

■  Ghost  who  must  be  seen  out.     She  could  not  get  o 

L  my  appearance,  and  was  in  the  last  dtegree  confoundi 

fI  said  "Good-by,  Miss  Pocket;"  but  she  merely  star 

I  and  did  not  seem  collected  enough  to  know  that  I  h 

spoken.     Clear  of  the  house,   I  made  the  best  of  i 

way  back  to  Pumblechook's,   took  off  my  new  cloth 

made  them  into   a  bundle,   and   went  back  home 

my  older  dress,    canying  it  —  to  speak   the  tra 

much  more  at  my  ease  too,   though  I  had  the  bunj 

L  to  carry. 

■        And  now  those  six  days  which  were  to  hsTfl  x 

r  out  so  slowly,  bad  run  out  fast  and  were  gone,  audi 

morrow  looked  mo  in   the  face  more  steadily  thaq 

could  look  at  it.     As  the   six   evenings  had  dwin£ 

away  to  £vo,    to  four,   to  threa,  to  two,  Waii.\3 

ujpreciative  ot  tke  soa^W-'^  *:A3w 


assix  wiratttt-mm. 


W 


!|t    On  this  last  evening,    I  dressed  myself  out  in 
nr  clothes  for  their  delight,  nnd  sat  in  my  spleii- 
nntil  ledtime.   We  had  b  liot  supper  on  the  occft- 
graced  by  tlio  inevitable  roast  fowl,  and  we  had 
Qip  to  finish  with.     "We  were  ail  very  low,    and 
the  higher  for  pretending  to  be  in  spirits, 
I  was  ti}  have  our  village  at  five  in  the  morning, 
irn  iug   my  little  hand-portmanteau,   and  I  had  told 
uu  tiiat  1  wislied  to  walk  away  all  alone.  I  am  afraid 
—  sore  afraid  —  that  this  pcrpoae  originated  in  my 
ease  of  tlie  contrast  there  would  be  between  me  and 
f"p,  if  we  went  to  the  coach  together.  I  had  pretended 
^h  myself  that  there  was  nothing  of  this  taint  in  the 
increment;  but  when  I  went  uji  to  my  little  room  on 
\:ist  night  I  felt  compelled  to  admit  that  it  might 
~ij,  and  had  an  impulse  npou  me  to  go  down  again 
:  t'Qtreat  Joe  to  walk  with  ma  in  the  morning.     I 

All  night  there  were  eoaches  in  my  broken  sleep, 
Kting  to  wrong  places  instead  of  to  London,  and  hav- 
ing in  the  traces,  now  dogs,  now  cats,  now  pigs,  now 
■"Ml  —  never  horses.  Fantastic  failures  of  journeys 
'"■'■ii|iipd  me  until  the  day  dawned  and  the  birds  were 

L'iiig.     Then,   I  got  up  and  partly  dressed,    and  sat 

III'  window  to  take  a  last  look  out,    and  in  taking 
i-l)  asleep. 

Biddy  was  astir  so  early  to  get  my  breakfast,  that, 
»ltboiigh  I  did  not  sleep  at  the  window  an  hour,  I 
smelt  the  amoko  of  the  kitchen  fire  when  I  started  up 
»ith  a  tenible  idea  that  it  must  be  late  in  the  aftei:- 
ttoon,  But  }oag-  aiier  that,  and  long  after  1  \iai  Wa-ti. 
ft«  cihkin^  <il'  the  tea-cupB  and  was  nuVte  teai-j ,  V 
■-^  tie  reaolatlon  to  go  do-  '  '  "         «    -■ 


'xemained up  there,  repeatedly  unlocking  and  unatrappin 
my  small  portmanteau  and  locking  and  strapping  it  u 
again,  until  Biddy  called  to  me  that  I  was  late. 

It  was  a  hurried  breakfast  with  bo  taste  in  it. 

got  up  from  the  raeal,   saying  with  a  sort  of  brisknes 

as  if  it  had  only  just  occurred  to  me,   "Well!  I  suj 

pose  I  must  be  off.'"   and  then  I  kissed  my  sister  wh 

tvas  laughing  and  nodding  and  shaking  in  hi 

chair,   and  kissed  Biddy,    and  threw  my  arms  aroun 

Joe's  neck.  Then  I  took  up  my  little  portmanteau  ai 

walked  out.     The  last  I  saw  of  them  waa  when  I  pi 

gently  heard  a  scuffle  behind  me,   and  looking  bac 

^^^wv  Joe  throwing  an  old  shoe  after  me  and  Bidd 

^^Hirowing  another  old  shoe.     I  stopped  then,    to   w) 

^^^ly  hat,    and  dear  old  Joe  waved  his  strong  right  a 

above  his  head,  crying  huskily  "Hooroar!"  and  Bidd; 

put  her  apron  to  her  face, 

I  walked  away  at  a  good   pace,   thinking  it  wa 

■-    easier  to  go  than  I  had  supposed  it  would  be,    and  r 

fleeting  that  it  would  never  have  done  to  have  had  a 

old  shoo  thrown  after  the  coach,   in   sight   of  all   tl 

High-street.     I  whistled   and  made  nothing  of  going 

But  the  village  was  very  peaceful  and  quiet,    and  th 

light  mists  were  solemnly  vising  as  if  to  show  me  th 

world,    and  I  had  been   so  innocent   and   little  there 

and  all  beyond  was  so  unknown  and  great,   that  i 

moment  with  a  strong  heave  and  sob  I  broke  into  tears 

It  was  by  the  finger-post  at  the  end  of  the  village,  ant 

k      I  laid  my  hand  upon  it,   and  said,    "G-ood-by   0   m 

B     dear,  dear  friend!" 

W  Heaven  knows  we  need  never  be  ashamed  of  on 

tsarg,  for  tbey  are  rain  upon  the  VjVmimg  i'ltt  at  ewrt! 
oT^fyjag  oar  Lard    Hearts.     I  ■waa  \)eVVM  oS^kt  \  \ 


^^j  than  be-fore  —  more  sorry,  more  aware  of  my 
BWffl  ingratitude,  more  gentle,  If  I  bad  cried  before,  I 
sLonld  have  had  Joe  with  me  then. 

So  subdued  I  was  by  those  tears,  and  by  their 
lireaking  otit  again  In  the  course  of  the  quiet  walk, 
that  when  I  was  on  the  coach,  and  it  was  clear  of  the 
Uswn,  I  deliberated  with  an  acbing  heart  whether  I 
wiiuld  not  get  down  when  wa  changed  horses,  and  walk 
■  '■k.  and  have  another  evening  at  home,  and  a  better 
ing.  We  changed,  and  I  had  not  made  up  my 
I'l,  and  still  reflected  for  my  comfort  that  it  would 
-J  quite  practicable  to  get  down  and  walk  back,  when 
re  changed  again.  And  while  I  was  occupied  with 
these  deliberations,  I  would  fancy  an  exact  resemblance 
lu  Joe  in  some  man  coming  along  the  road  towards  us, 
Mid  my  heart  would  beat  high.  —  As  if  ho  could  pos- 
alily  be  there! 

We  changed  again,  and  ye.t  again,  and  it  was  now 
inn  Ute  and  too  far  to  go  back,   and  I  went  on.     And 
mists  had  all  solemnly  risen  now,    and  the  world 
'  spread  before  me. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


1 

^^■jB  journey  &om  our  town  to  tlie  metropolis,  was- 
^^Hiey  of  about  five  hours.  It  was  a  little  past 
^^^piy  when  the  four-horse  stage-coach  by  which  I 
Eha  a  passenger,    got  into   the  ravel  of  ttaffc  few^ei 

"ut  about  the  Cross-Keys,    Wood-street,  CVifta.-5ft\i.ia, 

Limdim. 

Tltom  bad  „t  tt«t    time  psirticutaly  BW.'iL'A 


I 


6REAT  SXPBCTATHHOI. 

that  it  was  ti-easonable  to  doubt  our  having  and  t 
being  the  best  of  everything:  otherwise,  while  I  m 
Beared  by  the  immenBity  of  London,  I  think  X  mig 
have  had  some  faint  doubts  whether  it  was  not  rath 
ugly,  crooked,  narrow,  and  dirty. 

Mr.  Jaggera  had  duly  sent  mo  his  addreaa;  it  i 
jtiittle  Britain,  and  he  had  written  after  it  on  hia  ca 
"just  out  of  Smithfield,  and  close  by  the  coach-oiS( 
Xovertheless,  a  hackney-coachman,  who  seemed  to  ha' 
as  many  capos  to  bis  greasy  great-coat  as  he  was 
old,   packed  me  up  in  hia  coach  and  hemmed  i 
with  a  folding  and  jingling  barrier  of  steps,  aa  if  1 
■ere  ^ing  to  take  me  fifty  miles.     His  gettin_ 
ix,  which  I  remember  to  have  been  decorated  with  ( 
lid  weather-stained  pea-green  hammercloth ,  motheat* 
into  rags,  was  quite  a  work  of  time.  It  was  a  wonder' 
equipage,  with  six  great  coronets  outside,  and  ragg_ 
tMngshehind  for  I  don't  know  how  many  footmen  t 
hold  on  by,    and   a  harrow  below  them,   to   prevt 
amateur  footmen  from  yielding  to  the  temptation. 

I  had  scarcely  had  time  to  enjoy  the  coach  and  t 
think  how  like  a  straw-yard  it  was,  and  yet  how  lik 
a  rag-shop,  and  to  wonder  why  the  horses'  nose-baj 
were  kept  inside,  when  I  observed  the  coachman  I 
ginning  to  get  down,  as  if  we  were  going  to  stop  pi 
sently.  And  stop  we  presently  did,  in  a  gloomy  s 
at  certain  ofSces  with  an  open  door,  whereon  was  p 
Mr.  Jaooeks. 

"How  much?"  I  asked  the  coachman. 

The  coachman  answered,  "A  shilling  — '  unless  ye 
igb  to  make  it  more." 
I  naturally  said  I  had  no  wisla  to  ■[&«!&.&  v\. 
'"™       it  must  be  a  shilling,"   obattv-ii  ■*!&  -;,(« 


I' don't  want  to  get  into  trouble.   /  kuow  himP' 
'  closed  an  eye  at  Mr.  Jaggers's  name,  and 
k  his  Im&d. 

Afhea  lie  had  got  liis  shilling,  and  had  in  course 
DM  completed  the  ascent  to  his  bos,  and  hud  got 
^fcr]uch  appeared  to  relieve  his  mind)  I  weut 
^Bjtont  office  with  my  little  portmanteau  in  my 
^Ba  asked,  Wss  Mr.  Jaggers  at  home? 
fle  ia  not,"  retui'ued  the  clerk.  "He  ia  in  Court 
ri'sent.     Am  I  addressing  Mr.  Pip?" 

riignified  that  lie  was  addiesaing  Mr.  Pip. 
'Mr.   Jaggera    left    word  would    you  wait  in  hia 

fe  coiddn't  say  how  long  he  might  be,  having 
But  it  stands  to  reason,  his  time  being 
that  he  won't  be  longer  than  he  can  help." 
those  words,  the  clerk  opened  a  door,  and 
red  me  into  an  inner  chamber  at  the  back.  Here 
itnnd  a  gentleman  with  one  eye,  in  a  velveteen 
and  knee-breeches,  who  wiped  his  nose  with  hia 
1'  tin  heing  interrupted  in  the  perusal  of  the  news- 

'l>o  and  wait  outside,  Mike,"  said  the  clerk. 

began  to  say  that  I  hoped  I  was  not  intemipting 
■  iicu  the  clerk  shoved  this  gentleman  out  with  aa 

cwemony  as  I  ever  saw  nsed,  and  tossing  his  fur 
out  after  him,  left  me  alone. 

Ilr.  Jaggors's  room  was  lighted  by  a  skylight  only, 
wafi  a,  most  dismal  place;  the  skylight  eccentrically 
bed,  like  a  broken  head,  and  the  distorted  adjoin- 
liousea  looking  as  if  they  had  twisted  themselves 
leep  down  at  me  through  it.     There  wei6  noi  wi 

pajmrs  nhoat,    as  I  should  have  expeuteA  \o  see.- 

'*"'*™"  ^Loiy'ects  about,   t\ia.t\  ft\ 


die  (t«i 

not  have  exjiected  to  soe — Bach  as  an  old  rusty 
a  Bword  in  a  scabbard,  several  atrange-Iooking 
and  puckagoB,  and  two  dreadful  casts  on  a  sh 
faces  peculiarly  swollen,  and  twitchy  about  the 
Mr.  Jaggars's  own  liigh-backed  chair  was  of  ( 
black  liorsehair,  with  rows  of  brass  naila  round  ; 
a  coffin;  and  I  fancied  I  could  see  how  ho  leanec 
in  it,  and  bit  his  forefinger  at  the  clients.  The 
was  but  small,  and  the  clients  seemed  to  have, 
habit  of  backing  up  against  the  wall:  for  the 
especially  opposite  to  Mr.  Jaggers'a  chair,  was  i 
with  shoulders.  I  recalled,  too,  that  the  Mje-eyadl 
man  Lad  shuffled  forth  against  the  wall  wEen  I  w 
innocent  cause  of  his  being  turned  out. 

I  sat  down  in  the  cUental '  chair  placed  over  a 
Mr.  Jaggera's  chair,  and  became  fascinated  by  tl 
,  mal  atmosphere  of  the  place.  I  called  to  mini 
1^  the  clerk  had  the  same  air  of  knowing  someth: 
V  everybody  else's  disadvantage,  as  his  master  hi 
wondered  how  many  other  clerks  there  were  up- 
and  whether  they  all  claimed  to  have  the  same 
mental  mastery  of  their  fellow- creatures.  I  woi 
what  was  the  history  of  all  the  odd  litter  aboi 
room,  and  how  it  came  there.  I  wondered  w. 
the  two  swollen  faces  were  of  Mr.  Jaggera's  family 
if  he  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  have  bad  a  p 
such  ill-looking  relations,  why  he  stuck  them  oi 
dusty  perch  for  the  blacks  and  Hies  to  settle  a 
stead  of  giving  them  a  place  at  home.  Of  cq 
bad  no  experience  of  a  London  summer  day,  ai 
spirits  may  have  been  oppressed  by  the  hot  exh 
Mir,  sad  by  the,  dust  and  grit  l\nvt  \a.y  ftvisk  OTi 
sat  wondering  aiv^j^^^^^^ 


geis's  cloae  room,  until  I  really  ctmld  not  bear  the  two 
easts  on  tLe  shelf  above  Jlr.Jaggdrs's  cliair  and  got  np 
und  went  out. 

When  I  tolil  the  clerk  that  I  would  take  a  turn  in 
the  8Jr  while  I  waited,  he  advised  mo  to  go  round  the 
corner  and  I  should  come  into  Smithfield.  So  I  came 
into  Smithfield .  and  the  shameful  place,  being  all 
asmeAT  with  filth  and  fat  and  blood  and  foam,  seemed 
to  stick  to  me.  So  I  rubbed  it  off  with  all  possible 
speed  by  turning  into  a  street  where  I  saw  the  great 
Hack  dome  of  Saint  Paul's  bulging  at  me  from  behind 
a  grim  stone  building  which  a  bystander  Baid  was 
Newgate  Prison.  Following  the  wall  of  the  jail,  I 
found  the  roadway  covered  with  straw  to  deaden  the 
Dulse  of  pasHing  vehicles;  and  from  this,  and  from  the 
quantity  of  people  standing  about,  smelling  strongly  of 
xpirita  and  beer,  I  inferred  that  the  trials  were  on. 

While   I   looked  about  me    hero,    an  exceedingly 

dirty  and  partially  drunk  minister  of  justice  asked  me 

if  I  would  like  to  step  in  and  hear  a  trial  or  so;  in- 

iimning   me  that  he   could    give  me  a  front  place  for 

half-a-erown ,  whence  I  should  command  a  full  view  of 

■  he  Lord  Chief  Justice  in  his  wig  and  robes  —  men- 

iiiiug  that  awi^ll  peraonage  like  waxwork,   and  pre- 

ntly  offering  him  at  the  reduced  price  of  eighteen- 

i"*nce.     As  I  declined  the  proposal  on  the  plea  of  an 

iippointraent,  he  was  so  good  as  to  take  me  into  a  yard 

and  show  me  where  the  gallows  was  kept,   and  also 

'  where   people    were    publicly    whipped,    and  then  he 

;1ii,wed  me   the  Debtors'  Door,    out  of  which  culprits 

line  to  be   hanged:  heightening  the  mteie'rt,  ol  Xhwi. 

}!v.;dM poiiitl  by  giving  me  to  understaiii  ftia.t  '■'"lowj 

-a^BSg^rf  ccwe  out  at  that  door  t\ie  4ay  a.^e\:  1 


ISIS  ,  OffilAT  BZPBCTATIWn, 


^^V  morrow  at  eig'ht  in  tho  mommg,  to  be  killed  in  a  r 

^^H  This  was  horrible,   and  gare  mo  a  sickBning  idea 

^^B  London;   the  moro  so  as  the  Loid  Chief  Jiistice'e 

^^1  prietor  wore  (from  his  bat  down  to  his  boots  and 

^^M   again  to  hia   pucket-handkeri;hicf  inclusive)   mildei 

^^B  clothes,    which    had    evidently   not    belonged    to  1 

^^B  originally,  and  which,  I  took  it  into  my  head, 

^^P  bong^ht  cheap  of  the  executioner.    "Under  these  c 

^^   stances  I  thought  myself  well  rid  of  him  for  a  shilU 

I  dropped  into  the  office  to  ask  if  Mr.  Jaggers  1 

come  in  yet,   and  I  found  he  had  not,   and  I  stroll 

^^    out  again.   This  time  I  nutde  the  tour  of  Little  Brita 

^Hi  and  turned  into  Bartholomew  Close:  and  now  I  beca 

^^H  aware  that   other   people  were  waiting  about  for  ] 

^^P  Jaggers,   as  well  as  I.     There  were  two  men  of  Be) 

^^    appearance  lounging  in  Bartholomew  Close,  and  thou^ 

fully  fitting  their  feet  into  the  cracks  of  the  pavemi 

as  they  talked  together,  one  of  whom  said  to  the  ot' 

■when  they  first  passed  me,  that  "Jaggers  would  Ai 

(if  it  was  to  bo  done."  There  was  a  knot  of  throe  n 
and  two  women  standing  at  a  corner,  and  one  of  : 
■women  was  crying  on  lier  dirty  shawl,  and  tlie  ol" 
comforted  her  by  saying,  as  she  pulled  her  own  sh 
over  her  shoulders,  "Jaggers  is  for  him,  'Melia, 
what  more  could  you  have?"  There  was  a  red-e 
little  Jew  who  come  into  the  Close  while  1  was  loi 
ing  there,  in  company  with  a  second  little  Jew  whc 
he  sent  upon  an  errand;  and  while  the  messenger  n 
gone,  1  remarked  this  Jew,  who  was  of  a  highly  ' 
citable  temperament,  performing  a  jig  of  anxiety  u  " 
a  lamp-post,  and  accompanying  himself,  in  a  kind 
frenzy,  with  the  words,  "Oil  JaggertV,  Ja.g^'srtii.^  ' 
'"   otterth   itli  Cag-M.&ggertli,   gwa  ma  ', 


8I» 


f  gerth!"     These  testimonieH  to  the   popularity   of  my 

:iiardian  made  a  deep  impression  on  me,  aiiil  I  admired 

A  wondered  more  than  ever. 

At  length,  as  I  was  looking  out  at  the  Iron  gate  of 

li;LrlhoIoniew  Close  into  Little  Britain,  I  saw  Mr.  Jag- 

I  coining    across    the   road    towards  me.      All  tho 

F  ytbo  were  waiting  aaw  him  at  the  same  time, 

:   quite  a  rush   at    him.      Mr.  Jaggers, 

pttuLg  a,  hand  on  mj  shoulder  and  walking  me  on  at 

r  his  ride  witLout  saying  anything  to  me,  addressed  him- 

I  self  to  his  folloTrers. 

First,  he  took  the  two  secret  men. 

"Now,  I  have  nothing  to  say  to  ^oii"  saidMr.  Jag- 

I   gas,  throwing  his  finger  at  them.     "I  want  to  know 

10  more  than  I  know.     As  to  the  result,  it's  a  toss-up. 

T  liild  you  from  the  first  it  was  a  toss-up.     Have  you 

,  'iJ  Wemmick?" 

"WeTnafle  the  money  up  this  morning,  sir,"  said 
r.i-  of  the  men,  submissively,  wliile  the  other  perused 
■li-  Jaggerg's  face. 

''I  don't  ask  you  when  you  made  it  up,  or  where, 
■I  whether  you  made  it  up  at  all.  Has  Wemmick 
-■■ii  it?" 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  both  the  men  together. 
"Very  well;  then  you  may  go.    Now,  I  won't  have 
'■'  B&id  Mr.  Jaggcrs,  waving  his  hand  at  them  to  put 
"in  behind  him.      "If  you  say  a  word  to  me,    I'll 
li:iiw  up  the  case." 

"We  thought,   Mr.  daggers  — "   one   of  the  men 

■jan,  pulling  off  liis  hat. 

"That's  what  I  told  you  not  to  dn,"  Bail  ^t,  5a.^- 

" -^'"J^oug-htf    I  think  for  you-,  tWats  cao^v^ 

fu,  I  know  where  to  fi.-Q.4  ■go'a: 


220  OBBAT  Bl^SOTAnOira. 

don't  want  you  tn  find  me.     Now  I  won't  have  it 
won't  liear  a  word." 

The  two  men  looked  at  one  another  tta  Mr.  Jag 
waved  them  behind  again,  and  humhly  fell  back 
were  heard  no  more. 

"And  now  you!"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  suddenly 
ping,    and  turning  on  the  two  women  with  the  ahs 
from  whom  the  three  men  had   meekly  separated 
"Oh!  Ameba,  is  it?" 

"Yes,  Mr.  Jaggera." 

"And  do  you  remember,"  retorted  Mr.  Jagj 
"that  but  for  me  you  wouldn't  be  here  and  couldn'^ 

"Ob  yes,   sir!"    exclaimed  both  women 
"Lord  blesa  yon,  sir,  well  we  knows  that!" 

"Then  why,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  "do  you  c 
here?" 

"My  Bill,  air!"  the  crying  woman  pleaded. 

"Now,  I  tell  you  what!"  said  Mj.  Jaggers.  "I 
for  all.  If  you  don't  know  that  your  Bill's  in 
hands,  I  know  it.  And  if  you  come  here,  both* 
about  your  Bill,  I'll  make  an  example  of  both  3 
Bill  and  you,  and  let  him  slip  through  my  fini 
Have  you  paid  Wemmick?" 

"Oh  yes,  sir!     Every  farden." 

"Very  well.  Then  you  have  done  all  yon  I 
got  to  do.  Say  another  word  —  one  single  word 
and  Wemmick  shall  give  you  your  money  back.'' 

This  terrible  threat  caused  the  two  women  to' 
off  immediately.     No  one  remained  now  but  the 
table  Jew,   who  had  already  raised  the  skirts  of 
JaggerB's  coai  to  his  lips  ae^eio.\  limea. 
ll£,don't  know  this  maul"  aa.i' 


3!imp    devastating    strain,      "Wtat    does    this    fellow 

'"Ma  thpar  MitLter  Jaggertli.  Hown  brother  in 
D.iljra,ham  Latliaruth!" 

"Who's  he?"   Baid  Mr.  Jaggers.     "Let  go  of  my 

"i'he  suitor,   kisBing  the  hem  of  the  garment  again 
'■-v:  relinqnishing  it,  replied,  "Habraham  Latharath, 

Imthpithiou  of  plate," 
You're  too  late,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers.     "I  am  over 

^v■,^y.■' 
Holy  fatber,   Mithter  Jaggerth!"  cried  ray  exci- 

'i-  acquaintance,   turning  white,    "don't  thsy  you're 

ill  Habraham  Latharuth!" 

"I  am,"  said  Mr.  Jaggors,  "and  there's  an  end  of 
if-    Get  out  of  the  way." 

"Mithter  Jaggerth!  Half  a  moment!  My  hown 
cnlhea'th  gone  to  Mithter  "Wemmick  at  thith  prethent 
minute,  to  hoffer  him  hany  termth.  Mithther  JaggerthI 
Half  a  quarter  of  a  moment!  If  you'd  have  the  cou- 
detbenthun  to  be  bought  off  from  the  t'other  thido  — 
al  haay  tbuperior  prithel  —  money  no  object!  — Mithter 
Jsggerth  —  Mithter  ^1" 

My  gnardian  threw  hia  supplicant  off  with  supreme 
indifference,  and  left  him  dancing  on  the  pavement  as 
if  it  were  red-hot.  Without  further  interruption,  we 
reached  the  front  office,  whore  we  found  the  clerk  and 
the  man  in  velveteen  with  the  fur  cap. 

"Here's  Mite,"  said  the  clerk,  getting  down  from 
his  stool,  and  approaching  Mr.  Jaggers  con.&iftTit\s&:5 . 

"Ob!"  said  Mr.  Jaggera,   turning  to  tte  mMi,  V&o 
jyg^tJ  /oci  of  hair  in  the  middle  oS  \i.\.a  ^o^er 


^^Uead,  like  tLe  Bull  ia  Cuek  Robin  pulling  at  tha  \ 
^Krope;  "your  man  comes  on  tltis  afternoon.  Well?"' 
^H  "Well,  Mas'r  Jaggere,"  returned  Mike,  in  the  vc 
^B:(>f  H  sufferer  from  a  constitutional  cold;  "arter  a  d 
^Ko'  trouble,  I've  found  one,  sir,  as  might  do." 
^V  "What  is  he  prepared  to  swear?" 
^B  "Well,  Mas'r  Jaggers,"  said  Mike,  wiping  hia  n 
^w>n  his  fur  cap  this  time;  "in  a  general  way,  anythin 
^^m  Mr.  Jaggera  Buddenly  became  most  irate.  "Now 
^nronied  you  before,"  said  he,  thi'owing  his  forefingw 
^Hlbe  terrified  client,  "that  if  you  ever  presumed  t 
^HSn  that  way  here,  I'd  make  an  example  of  you.  7 
B  infernal  econndrel,  how  dare  you  tell  me  that?" 
H  The  client  looked  scared,    but  bewildered  too, 

^L  if  he  were  unconscious  what  he  had  done. 
^B  "Spooney!"  said  the  clerk,  in  s 

KiiiiD  a  stir  with  his  elbow.  "Soft  Ileiidl  Need  yl 
H  Bay  it  face  to  face?" 

^ft'  "Now,  I  ask  you,  you  blundering  booby,"  said  a 
^^Koordian,  very  sternly,  "once  more  and  for  the  Is 
^BBme,  what  the  man  you  hare  brought  here  Is  prepai 
^fio  swear?" 

Mike  looked  hard  at  my  gnardian,    as  if  he  ■» 

trying  to  learn  a  lesson  from  hia  face,   and  slowly  i 

plied,    "Ayther  to  character,  or  to  having  been  in  B 

company  and  never  left  him  all  the  night  in  questioi 

^L       "Now,   be  carefol.     In  what  station  of  life  is  tl 

Hiaan?" 

^^       Mike  looked  at  his  cap,   and  looked  at  the  floi 

and  looked  at  the  ceiling,  and  looked  at  the  clerk,  i 

even  looked  at   me,   before  beginning  to   reply  ii 

aervona  manaei,  "We've  dressed  \vito  \!l^  Wta — ^^  ■^ 

^jr  gaaTdian  blustered  out:  _ 


'inaUT  n»KITi.TI0N8.  223 

Tou  WILL,  will  ynu?"  . 

'   added  the  clerk  agnin,   witli  anotbtir         I 

\  itt.T  soma  helpless  casting  about,  Mike  lirigbleued  J 

■  I'l'gan  aj^aiu:  J 

"Ho  is  dressed  liio  a  'spectable  pieman.    A  sort  of 
«atryeook." 

"Is  be  hero?"  asked  my  guardian. 

"I  left  bim,"  said  Mike,    "a  Hettin  on  some  door-         \ 

w  round  the  comer." 

"Take  liim  past  that  window,  nud  let  me  see  him."  j 

Tbe  window  indicated  was  tbo  office  window.     We  ' 

three  went  to  it,  'behind  tbe  wire  blind,   and  pre- 

tly  saw  the  client  go  by  in  an  accidental  manner, 

1  a  niurderous-Iookiug  tall   individual,    in  a   short 

of  white  linen  and  a,  paper  cap.     This  guileless 
fectionur  was  not  by  any  means  sober,    and  bad  a 
:k  eye  in  the  green  stage  of  recovery,   which   was 
lied  over- 
"Tell  hiia  to  take  bis  witness  away  directly,"  said 

guardian   to  tbe  clerk,   in  extreme  disgust,    "and 

bun  what  he  means  by  bringing  such  a  fellow  as 

My  guardian  then  took  mo  into  his  own  room,  and 
le  he  lunched  Btunding,  from  a  Knndwieh-boK  anil 
iHjket  flask  of  sherry  {he  seemed  to  bully  bis  very 
Iwich  aa  be  ate  it),  informed  me  what  arrangements 
bad  made  for  me,  1  was  to  go  to  "Barnard's  Inn," 
foung  Mr.  Pocket's  rooms,  where  a  bed  had  been 
t  in  for  my  accomnjodation;  I  was  to  remain  with 
ng  Mr,  Pocket  until  Monday;  on  Moniay  \  luaa  \,ti 
rM  biia  to  Ids  father's  house  on  a  ViaVt,  \Wt  ^ 
t^  bow  I  liked  it.     Also  I  -was  toVi  ^\«^^J 


SKBAT  BXPBCTATIOIW. 

fllowance  was  to  bo  —  it  was  a  very  tiboral  < 
md  had  handed  to  me  from  one  of  my  guardian 
.wars,  the  cards  of  certain  tradesmen  with  whom 
i  to  deal  for  all  kinds  of  cIotheH,  and  such  i 
things  as  I  could  in  reason  want.  "You  will  find  yoi 
credit  good,  Mr,  Pip,"  said  my  guardian,  whose  flat 
of  sherry  smelt  like  a  whole  cask-full,  as  ho  hastil 
refreshed  himself,  "but  I  shall  by  this  meana  be  ab! 
to  check  your  hills,  and  to  pull  you  up  if  I  find  yo 
outrunning  the  constable.  Of  course  you'll  go  ■ 
BOmeliow,  but  that's  no  fault  of  mine." 

After  I  had  pondered  a  little  over  this  encouragin 

|.«entiraeiit,  I  asked  Mr.  Jaggcra  if  I  could  send  for 

ijBoach?    He  said  it  was  not  worth  while,  I  was  bo  ni 

Oiy  destination;  Wemmick  should  walk  round  with  u 

if  I  pleased. 

I  then  found  that  Wemmick  was  the  clerk  in  t 

next  room.     Another  clerk  was  rung  down  from  up 

stairs  to  take  his  place  while  he  was  out,  and  I  ace 

janied  him  into  the  street,    after  shaking  hands  i 

[my  guardian.    We  fnuod  a  new  set  of  people  Itngerii^ 

Routside,   but  Wemmick  made  a  way  among  them  b; 

fcBaying  coolly  yet  decisively,    "I.  tell  you  it's  no  n& 

gjss  won't  have  a  word  to  say  to  one  of  you;"   and  ■</ 

a  got  clear  of  them,  and  went  on  side  by  side. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Castisq  my  eyes   on  Mr.  Wemmick   as  we   we 

mg,  to   see  what  he  was  like  in  the  light  of  day, 

I'ound  him  to  be  a  dry  man,   rather  short  in  staton 

wj'ci  a  square  wooden  face,  wtiisii  cs.^es»ion. 

J  hare  been  imperfectly  cliiyTJcd  vtaX  mOa  ^' 


n^ero  were  sotne  mai-ks  in  It  that  migbt  liave 
iples,   if  tlio  material  had  been  Boftcr  nsd  tlio 

t  filler,  but  whicb,  as  it  was,  were  only  dinta. 

)1  had  mado  tbrec  or  four  of  these  attompta  at 
ment  over  his  nose,    bat  had  given  them  up 

a  effort  to  smooth  them  off.  I  judged  him  to 
:  from  the  frayed  condition  of  Iiis  linen, 
appeared  to  have  sustained  a  good  many  be- 
to:  for,  ho  woro  at  least  four  niourning  rings, 
I,  Drooch  repreaenting  a  lady  anJ  "Weeping 
It  a  tomb  with  an  um  on  it.  I  noticed,  too, 
UaI  rings  and  seals  hung  at  liis  watch-cLain, 

were  quite  laden  with  remombrancOB  of  do- 
iends.  He  had  glittering  eyes  —  small,  keen, 
—  and  thin  wide  mottled  lips.  Ho  had  had 
r  the  best  of  my  belief,    from   forty  to   fifty 

you  were  never  in  London  before?"  said  Mr. 
to  rae. 

said  I.  ^H 

new  liere  once,"  said  Mr.  Wemmick.  "B^^f 
of  now  I "  ^1 

are  well  acquainted  with  it  now?" 
yes,"   said  Mr.  Wemmick.      "I  know  the 
h." 
A  very  wicked  place?"  I  asked,  more  for  the 

Bomething  than  for  information. 
may  get  cheated,  robbed,  and  murdered,  in 
Bat  there  are  plenty  of   people  anywhere 
that  for  you." 

bad  blood  between  you  8.ii4  toao^ 
goAen  it  off  a  littlti. 
don't  know  about  bad  blood,"  TcetMrw 


Ljii^Jfcyi 


rS9d  OSBAT  SlCFEOTATIONe. 


r 

^H    Wemmick;   "there's   aot  mncli  bad  bloi^d  about. 

^H    there's  anythiiig  to  bo  got  by  it." 

^M  "That  makes  it  worse." 

^H  "You  tliink  so?"  returned  Mr.  Wemmiek.     "Mj 

^H     abont  the  eame,  I  should  say." 

^H  Kc  wore  his  hat  on  the  back  of  his  head, 

^^    looked  straight  before  bim:  walking  in  a  self-contaii 

^f  way  as  if  there  were  notliing  in  the  streets  to  cl) 
his  attention.  His  mouth  was  such  a  post-office  c 
mouth  that  he  had  a  mechanical  appearance  of  smiU 
We  had  got  to  the  top  of  Holbom  HOI  before  I  kq 

^^     that  it  was  merely  a  mechanical  appearance,   and  t 

^L    he  was  not  smiling  at  all, 

^B  .        "Do  yon  know  where  Mr.  Matthew  Pocket  lives 

^■/  1  asked  Mr.  Wemmiek. 

^Hj         "Yes,"  said  he,  nodding  in  the  direction.   "At  Ha 

^Hv^ersmith,  west  of  London." 

^M  "Is  that  far?" 

^K  "Well!     Say  five  miles." 

^M  "Do  you  know  him?" 

^H  "Why,  you're  a  regular  cross-examiner!"  said  1 

^F  Wemmiek,  looking  at  me  with  an  approving  air.  "Yi 
I  know  him.     /  know  him!" 

There  was  an  air  of  toleration  or  depreciation  ab< 
his  utterance  of  these  words,  that  rather  depressed  i 
and  I  was  stiU  looking  sideways  at  his  block  of  a  fi 
in  search  of  any  encouraging  note  to  the  text  wl 
he  said  here  we  were  at  Barnard's  Inn.  My  depress! 
was  not  alleviated  by_  the  announcement,  for  I  I 
supposed  that  eatahliahmcnt  to  be  an  hotel  kept  i 
Mr.  Samard,  to  which  the  Blue  Boar  in  our  town  y 
t  wero  public-bouse.  Whereas  1.  bow  ^moA'&'OTw 
mbodied  spirit,  oi  a&cliou,  ai^i'^wVoB 


rable  ^^ 


Uection  of  shabby  buildings  ever  squoezadS 
a  rank  corner  as  a  club  for  Tom-cats.  i 
lered  tliis  liayon  tlirough  a  wii^et-gate,  antt 
gg^  by  an  intruductoiy  passage  into  a  melaM 
sqnare  that  looked  to  mo  like  a  flat  bmyingiij 
Ihought  it  liad  the  most  dismal  trees  in  it,  aiuB 
'  Bparrows,  and  the  most  dismal  cats,  anw 
housea  (in  numbor  half  a  dozen  or  bo),-I 
Bver  seen,  I  thought  the  windows  of  the  aets 
8  into  which  these  honses  were  divided,  were 
ige  of  dilapidated  blind  and  curtain,  crippled 
cracked  glass,  dusty  decay  and  miserable 
while  To  Let  To  Let  To  Let,  glared  at 
r  rooms,  as  if  no  new  wretches 
the  vengeance  of  the  soul  of  Barnard  wi 
ly  appeased  by  the  gradual  suicide  of  the 
iupants  and  their  unholy  interment  under 
A  frowzy  mourning  of  soot  and  smoke 
1  forlorn  creation  of  Barnard,  and  it  had 
IS  on  its  head,  and  was  undergoing  penance 
iation  as  a  mere  dust-hole.  Thus  far  my 
jht;  while  dry  rot  and  wet  rot  and  all  the 
that  rot  in  negleiijed  roof  and  cellar  —  rot 
moose  and  bug  and  coaching-stables  near  at 
IfiB  —  addressed  themselves  faintly  to  my 
lell,  and  moaned,  "Try  Barnard's  Misture." 
rfect  was  this  realisation  of  the  first  of  my 
letations,  that  I  looked  in  dismay  at  Mr. 
'lAh!"  said  he,  mistaking  me;  "the  rotiro- 
)  you  of  the  coantiy.  So  it  does  me," 
SB  into  a  comer  and  conducted  me  u^  ■■ 
— -H^cA  appeared  to  me  to  te  Ao-wV^ 
"lat  one  of  tbese  day  a 
15* 


328  oei 

upper  lodgcTB  would  look  out  at  their  doors  and  find 
themselves    without    the    means    of   comiug  down  - 
to  a  set  of  chambers    on  the  top  floor.     Mb.  Pocket, 
Jtjn.,  was  painted  on  the  door,   anil  there  was  a  labd 
on  the  letterbox,  "Return  shortly." 

"He  liardly  thought  you'd  come  so  soon,"  Mr.  Wem- 
mick  explained.     "You  don't  want  me  any  more?" 

"No,  thank  you,"  said  I. 

"As  I  keep  the  cash,"  Mr.  Wemmick  observed, 
"we  shall  most  likely  meet  pretty  often.     Good  day." 

"Good  day," 

I  put  out  my  hand,  and  Mr.  Wemmick  at  first 
looked  at  it  as  if  he  thought  I  wanted  something. 
Then  he  looked  at  me,  and  said,  correcting  himself, 

"To  be  sure!  Yes.  Tou'ro  in  the  habit  of  shaking 
hands?" 

I  was  rather  confused,   thinking  it  must  be  out  of  ■ 
the  London  fashion,  but  8 

"I  have  got  so  out  of  it!"  said  Mr.  Wemmick  —J 
"eycopt  at  last.     Very  glad,   I'm  sure,   to  make  yoM 
acquaintance.     Good  day  I" 

Whon  we  had  shaken  hands  and  he  was 
opened  the  etairease  window  and  had  nearly  1: 
myself,    for  the  lines  had  rotted  away,   and   it  i 
down  like   the  guillotine.     Happily  it  i 
that  I  had  not  put  my  head  out.     After  this  t 
I  was  content  to  take  a  foggy  view  of  the  Tnrt  thi 
the  window's  encrusting  dirt,    and  to   stand  dolef 
looking  out,  saying  tomyself  that  London  was  decidi 
overrated. 

Mr.  Pocket,  Junior's,  idea  of  Shortly  was  not  a 
5r  I  had  nearly  maddened  myBft\^  m'Cti  \q(Jiiaq%  w 
}i^aJiom;  and  had  ■writteum-siiam'i-m'CivBijSi 


(namv  mcpHOTATtom.  239 

s  in  the  dirt  of  every  pane  in  tbo  window, 
Sre  I  heard  footBtepa  on  the  Btaire.  Gradually  there 
Dse  before  me  the  hat,  hend,  neckcloth,  waistcoat, 
lusers,  boots,  of  a  member  of  society  of  about  my  own 
inding.  Se  had  n  paper-bag  under  each  arm  and  a 
*tle  ofitrawberriea  in  one  hand,  and  was  out  of  breath. 

"Mr.  Pip?"  Hftid  he. 

"Mr.  Pocket?"  said  I. 

"Dear  mel"  be  exclaimed.  "I  am  extremely  aorry; 
It  I  knew  there  was  a  coach  from  your  part  of  the 
imtry  at  mid-day,  and  I  thought  you  woiUd  come 
'  that  OQO,  The  fact  is,  I  have  been  out  on  your 
count  — not  that  that  is  any  excuse  —  for  I  thoug^ht,  j 
■ming  from  the  country,  yon  might  like  a  little  fruit 
ler  dinner,  and  I  went  to  Covent  Garden  Market  to 
A  it  good." 

For  a  reason  that  I  had,  I  felt  as  if  ray  eyes  would 
urt  out  of  ray  head.  I  acknowledged  iiis  attention 
coherently,  and  began  to  think  this  was  a,  dream. 

"Dear  mel"  said  Mr.  Pocket,  Junior.     "This  door 

As  he  was  fast  making  jam  of  his  fruit  by  wrest- 
ig;  with  the  door  while  the  paper-hags  were  under  his 
ms,  I  begged  bim  to  allow  me  to  hold  them.  He  i 
Imqulithed  them  with  an  agreeable  smile,  and  com- 
ted  with  the  door  aa  if  it  were  a  wild  beast,  It 
dded  so  suddenly  at  last,  that  he  staggered  back 
ion  me,  and  I  staggered  back  upon  the  opposite  door, 
id  we  both  laughed.  But  still  I  felt  as  if  my  eyes 
ast  start  ont  of  my  head,  and  as  if  this  mvk&t  \i%  a.  I 
earn. 

•^r^jr  eowe  in," aaid  Mr.  Pocket,  J\imoT.    "Kitow  J 
I  ani  rather  bare  \ieY6.» 


230  OBEAT  EIPBOTATMHa.  ' 

Lope  you'll  be  able  to  make  out  tolerably  wdi 
Monday.  My  father  thought  you  would  get  on 
agreeably  through  to-morrow  with  me  than  with 
and  might  like  to  take  a  walk  about  London, 
sore  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  show  London  to 
As  to  our  table,  you  wou't  fiud  that  bad,  I  hope. 
it  will  be  supplied  from  our  coffee-houBe  here,  ai 
is  only  right  I  should  add)  at  your  expense,  such  1 
Mr.  Jaggers's  dii-ections.  As  to  our  lodging,  it'i 
by  any  means  splendid,  because  I  have  my  own  1 
to  earn,  and  my  father  hasn't  anything  to  give  mo, 
I  shouldn't  he  willing  to  take  it,  it'  he  had.  Tl 
our  sitting-room  —just  such  chairs  and  tables  and  o 
and  so  forth,  you  see,  as  they  could  spare  from  b 
You  muBtn't  give  me  credit  for  the  tablecloth 
spoons  and  castors,  because  they  come  for  yon 
the  coffee-house.  This  is  my  little  bedroom;  n 
muaty,  but  Barnard's  is  musty.  This  is  your  bedr 
the  furniture's  hired  for  the  occasion,  but  I  trust  H 
answer  the  pnrpose;  if  you  should  want  anything, 
go  and  fetch  it.  'The  chambers  are  retired,  ant 
shall  be  alone  together,  hut  we  shan't  fight,  I 
aay.  But,  dear  me,  I  beg  your  pardon,  you're  ho] 
the  fruit  all  this  time.  Fray  let  me  take  these 
from  yon.     I  am  quite  ashamed." 

As  I  stood  opposite  to  Mr.  Pocket,  Junior,  del 
ing  him  the  bags,  One,  Two,  I  saw  the  startinj 
pearance  come  into  his  own  eyes  that  I  knew  to  I 
mine,  and  he  said,  failing  back; 

"Lord  bless  me,  you're  the  prowling  boy!" 
"And  j-ou,"  said  I,  "are  the  pale  young  g« 
maa/" 


f-wiamovkrKnm. 
CIUPTEE  XXII. 

kle  fOODg  gentlemnn   and  I  Rtood  contes 
I  another  in   Barnard's  Inn.   until  ^ 
ftUghing.    "Tho  idoa  of  its  being  youl"  s 

its  being  you!"  said  I.  And  then 
plated  one  another  afresh,  and  laughod  again. 
aid  the  palu  young  gentleman,  reacliing  out 
ood  humouredly,  "it's  all  over  now,  I  hope, 
U  be  magn<inimou9  in  you  if  you'll  forgive 
ing  knocked  you  about  so." 
id  from  this  Bpoech  that  Mr.  Herbert  Pocket 
■t  was  the  jjaie  young  gentleman's  name) 
confounded  his  intention  with  his  execution, 
de    a  modest   reply,    and   we   shook  hands 

tiadn't  come  into  your  good  fortune  at  that 

d  Herbert  Pocket. 

said  I. 

he  acquiesced:    "I  heard  it  had  happened 
'.     /  was  rather  on  the  look-ont  for  good 

Q." 

•d?'; 

Miss  Havisham  had  sent  for  me,   to  see  if 
take  n  fancy  to  me.     But  she  couldn't  —  at 

Bhe  didn't." 

Ifht  it  polite  to  remark  that  I  was  surprised 

A. 

BSte,"   said  Herbert,  laughing,    "but  a  fact. 

ad  Bent  for  me  on  a  trial  visit,  and  if  I  had 

if  it  guccessfally,    I  suppose  1  Bko\A.i.  Va.Nft 

led  /or;  perbapa  X  sliould  kave  \jcifcii  'wV^V 

^  it  to  EstQUa." 


i:933 


OKEAT  BSPBOTA^TKUffi. 


I 

I 


"What's  tliat?"    I  asked,  with  Budden  gravity. 

lie    waa    arranging    bis    frait  in.  plates   while  ^ 
talked,  which  divided  his  attention,  and  was  the  c 
of  hiB  having  made  this  lapse  of  a  word.    "AfHance' 
he  explained,    still  busy  with   the  frnit,    "Botrotb 
What's-his-nained.    Any  word  of  that  & 

"How    did    you    bear   your    disappointment?" 
asked. 

"Pooh!"  said  ho,  "I  didn't  care  much  for  it.  Sk 
a  Tartar." 

"MisB  Havisham?" 

"I  don't  say  no  to  that,  but  I  meant  Eatella.  Th 
girl's  hard  and  haughty  and  capricious  to  the  lost  t 
gree,  and  has  been  brought  up  by  Miss  Havisham 
wreak  revenge  on  all  the  male  sex." 

"What  relation  is  she  to  Miss  Havisham?" 

"None,"  said  he.     "Only  adopted." 

"Why  should  she  wreak  revenge  on  all  the  i 
8ex?    What  revenge?" 

"Lord,  Mr.  Pip!" 

"No,"  said  I, 

"Dear  me!     I 
till  dinuei-time.     And  i 
asking  you  a  questio 

I  told  him,  and  he  was  attentive  until  I  had  finishe 
and  then  biu'st  out  laughing  again,    and  asked  n 
was  sore  afterwards?     I  didn't  ask  him  if  Ae  was, 
my  conviction  on  that  point  was  perfectly  eHtablisbi 

"Mr.  Jaggers  is  your  guardian,  I  understand?"  ' 


taid  ho.     "Don't  yon  know?" 

3  quite  a  story,    and  shall  be 

'  let  me  take  the  liberty 
How  did  you  come  there 


SBBXT  KxasoTVtwim,  238 

pitticitor,  and  lias  her  confidence  wlien  nobody  else 

ThJB  was  bringing  me  (I  felt)  townnls  dangerous 
ground.  I  answered  with  «  constraint  I  made  no  at- 
tempt to  disguise,  that  I  had  seen  Mr.  Jaggora  in  Miss 
Havishani'a  bouse  on  the  very  day  of  our  combat,  but 
ntiver  at  any  other  time,  and  tliat  I  believed  he  had 
no  recollection  of  having  ever  seen  me  there. 

"He  was  so  obliging  as  to  aaggeat  my  father  for 
your  tutor,  and  ho  called  on  my  father  to  propose  it, 
iJf  coarse  he  knew  about  my  father  from  his  connexion 
with  Miss  Havisham.  My  father  ia  Miss  Havisham's 
cousin;  not  that  that  implies  familiar  intercourse  bo- 
Iween  them,  for  he  ia  a  had  courtier  and  will  not  pro- 
pitiate her."  '  / 

Herbert  Pocket  had   a  frank   and  eaay  way  with  1 
bim  that  was  very  taking.     I  had  never  seen  any  one 
ihea,  and  I  have  never  seen  any  one  since,  who  more  / 
slfongly  expressed  to  me,   in  every  look  and  tone,   a 
natural    incapacity   to    do    anything    secret    or    mean.  ' 
There  was  something  wonderfully  hopeful  about  his 
Kcneral  air,  and  something  that  at  the  same  time  whis- 
pered   to    me  he  would  never  be  very   auccessful   or 
fich.     I  don't  know  how  this  was.     T  became  imbued 
with  the  notion   on   that  first  occaaion  before  we  sat 
Llo  dinner,   hut  I  cannot  define  hy  what  means. 
yvos  still  a  pale  yoang  gentleman,    and  had  a 
mquered  languor  about  him  in  the  midst  of 
Mt«  and  hriakness,    that  did  not  seem  indicative 
l^natural  strength.     Ho  had  not  a  handaomei  €*«;«,  Wi. 
I'  was  better  than  handsome:  heing  eitreme\-y  annjMw. 
wlcheerfal.     His  6gure  was  a  little  ungamly ,    a.6  '"« - 
^^  vbea  tnjr  knnckloB  had  taken  buc\v  \\\>ftxtvai 


gnSAT  BXPBDTATIOKS. 


^V"#rith  it,  but  it  looked  as  if  it  would  alwiiys  be  light  an 

^^  young;.     Whetlier  Mr.  Trabb'e  locnl  work  would  liai 

sat  more  gracefully  on  liim  tliftn  on  me,    may  be 

question;    but  I  am   consciona  that  be  carried  off  fa 

rather  old  clothes  much  better  than  I  carried  off  is 

tnew  suit. 
Ab  he  wag  so  commanicative,  I  felt  that  lOBervB  i 
iny  part  would  be  a  bad  return  unsuited  to  our  yeai 
I  therefore  told  bim  my  small  story,  and  laid  stresB 
my  being  forbidden  to  inquire  who  my  benefactor  w$ 
I  fiirtlier  mentioned  that  as  I  had  been  brought  up 
,  blacksmith  iu  a  country  place,  and  knew  very  little 
Ltho  ways  of  politeness,  I  would  take  it  as  a  grCi 
■]tindne.ss  in  him  if  he  would  give  me  a  hint  whenev 
saw  me  at  a  loss  or  going  wrong. 
"With  pleasure,"  said  he,  "though  I  venture  ■ 
» Jropbesy  that  you'll  want  very  few  Lints.  I  dare  ss 
a  shall  be  often  together,  and  I  should  like  to  banii 
Eany  noodleas  restraint  between  us.  Will  you  do  n 
ffthe  favour  to  begin  at  once  to  call  me  by  my  christii 
pname,  Herbert?" 

I  thanked  him,  and  said  I  would.     I  informed  h 
I  in  exchange  that  my  christian  name  was  Philip. 

"I  don't  take  to  Philip,"  said  he,  smiling,  "foi 

liwunds  like  a  moral  boy  out  of  the  spelling-book,  w 

I  Iras  so  lazy  that  he  fell  into  a  pond,  or  so  fat  that 

teouldn't  see  out  of  his  eyes,    or  so  avaricioua  that 

locked   up   Lis  cake  till  the  mice  ate  it,   or  so  detc 

mined  to  go  birds'-nesting  that  Le  got  himself  eaten  " 

heara  who  Jived  handy  in  the  neighbourhood.     I  1 

J'OH  what  I  shoulA  like.     "We  ate  bi>  W'nB.isw.wia,  i 

jrou  have  been  a  blacksmltli  —  -«o\A4  ^QM-TKccA'-i' 


T  shouldn't  mind  anything  tlmt  yon  propose,"'  I 
iDswered,  "but  I  don't  understand  you." 

"Would  you  mind  Handel  for  a  familiar  name? 
riirre's  a  charming  piece  of  music  by  Handel,  called 
:lii-  Harmouioufl  Bljicksmith." 

''I  should  like  it  very  much." 

"Then,  my  deai'  Hanilol,"  said  he,  turning  round 
ij  the  door  opened,  "here  is  the  dinner,  and  I  must 
kg  uf  you  to  tako  the  top  of  the  table,  because  the 
dinner  is  of  your  providing." 

This  I  would  nut  hear  of,  so  he  took  the  top,  and 
1  &ced  him.  It  was  a  nice  little  dinner  —  seemed  tu 
me  then,  a  very  Lord  Mayor's  Feast  —  and  it  acquired 
additional  relish  &om  being  eaten  under  those  inde- 
pendent circumstances,  witir  no  old  people  by,  and 
«ith  London  all  around'ms.  This  agaiu  was  height- 
ened by  a  certain  gipsy  character  tliat  set  the  banquet 
off:  fur  while  the  table  was,  aa  Mr.  Pumblechook 
might  have  said,  the  lap  of  luxury  —  being  entirely 
fumiahed  forth  from  the  ccifFee-house  —  the  circum- 
jacent region  of  sitting-room  was  of  a  comparatively 
[uistureless  and  shifty  character;  imposing  on  the  waiter 
the  wandering  habits  of  putting  the  covers  on  the  floor 
(where  he  fell  over  them),  the  melted  butter  in  the  (; 
iinn-cbair,  the  bread  on  the  book-shelves,  the  cheese 
in  the  eoal-scuttle,  and  the  boiled  fowl  into  my  bed  in 
[he  nest  room  —  where  I  found  much  of  its  parsley 
and  butter  in  a  state  of  congelatiou  when  I  retired  for 
Uie  night  All  this  made  tlio  feast  delightful.,  uvd. 
when  the  waiter  whs  sot  thara  to  watcli  me,  tk^  -^iBai- 
aaie  was  without  alloy. 

2ad  made  some  progress  in  t^e  iimier,  Vb 


16? 
't  re 


OWBAT  BXIVOTATIOm: 


W"!  reminded  Herbert  of  hia  promise  to  tell  me  abot 
TSisB  Havisham. 

"True,"  he  replied.  "I'll  redeem  it  at  once, 
me  introduce  the  topic,  Handel,  by  mentioning  that  : 
London  it  is  not  the  custom  to  put  the  knife  in  t" 
mouth  —  for  fear  of  accidents  —  and  that  while  t 
fork  is  reserved  for  that  use,  it  is  not  put  further  : 
than  is  necessary.  It  is  scarcely  worth  mentionin 
only  it's  as  well  to  do  as  other  people  do.  Also, 
spoon  is  not  generally  used  over-hand,  But  under,  Tli 
has  two  advantages.     Tou  get  at  your  u 

^^  (which  after  all  is  the  object),   and  you  save  a  go( 

^^Ldoal  of  the  attitude  of  opening  oysters,    on  the  part 

^Htbe  right  elbow." 

^^F        He    offered    these    friendly   suggestions   in  such 
lively    way    that    we    bolh    laughed    and    I    i 
blushed.  ^ 

"Now,"  he  pursued,  "concerning  Miss  Havishai 
Misa  Havisham,  you  must  know,  was  a  spoilt  ehil 
Her  mother  died  when  she  was  a  baby,  and  her  fath 
denied  her  nothing.  Her  father  was  a  country  gentl 
man  down  in  your  part  of  the  world,  and  was  a  brewe 

II  don't  know  why  ■it  should  be  a  crack  thing  to  be 
fcrewer;  but  it  is  indisputable  that  while  you  t 
possibly  be  genteel  and  bake,  you  may  be  as  gente 
AS  never  was  and  brew.  You  see  it  every  day." 
"Yet  a  gentleman  may  not  keep  a  publie-houa 
may  he?"  said  I. 
"Not  on  any  account,"  returned  Herbert;  "but 
public-house  may  keep  a  gentleman.  Well!  Mr.  B" 
visham  was  very  rich  and  very  proud.  So  was  1 
'aug-hter. " 
'  "MIbs  naviaha.m  was  an  onVy  chWi"*" 


^^VStop  a  moment,   I  am  coming  to  tlmt.     No,    she 
^pnS  nut  au  onlj  cliild;    slie  hud  a  half-brother.     Her 
j  fellier  privately  married  again  —  his  cook,   I  rather 
I  liink." 
'        "I  tliouglit  he  was  proud,"  aaid  I. 

'My  good  Handol,   so   he  v/as.     He  man-iud   Iiis 

"Lid  wit'o  jirivatoly,   because  ho  was  jiroud,    and  in 

■  ii^e  of  time  slie  died.     When  she  was  dead,   I  ap- 

licnd  lie  first  told  his  daughter  what  he  Lad  done, 

1  then  the  Boa  became  a  part  of  the  family,  residing 

ilie  house  you  are   acquainted  with.     As  the  son 

.  ■^v  a  young  man,  he  turned  out  riotous,  extravagant, 

:liitiful  —  altogether  bad.     At  last   his  father  dia- 

ii'TJtod  him;    but  he  softened  when   he  was  dying 

'1  left  him  well  off,   though  not  nearly  so  well  off  as 

li-^  Havisham.     Take  another  glass  of  wino,  and  ex- 

:-!■  my  mentioning  that  society  aa  a  body  does  not 

jinet  one  to  be  so  strictly  conscientious  in  emptying 

:<'»  glass,  a9  to  turn  it  bottom  upwards  with  the  rim 

I  one's  noBo." 

I  had  been  doing  this,  in  an  excess  of  attention  to 
..'  recital.  I  thanked  him  and  apologised.  Ho  said, 
uit  at  all,"  and  resumed. 

■'Miss  Havisham  was  now  an  heiress,  and  you  may 

;i|.i)«e  was  looked  after  as  a  great  mutch.     Her  halt- 

iLorhad  now  ample  means  again,  but  what  with  debts 

.'I  what  with  new  madness  wasted  them  moat  fearfully 

j:iiu.  There  were  stronger  differences  between  him  and 

!iw  than  there  had  boen  between  him  andMafa.tW,«ai. 

it  is  suspected  that ieoAerzsAed  a  deepiiiid  mort,aX.^;tVLft.'ga 

■-  -■  '-      -1  havioff  inSaenceA  the  tatUe.r'B  aa^cc. 

a-HcI  part  of  the  etory  —  mcx* 


QSBAT  EXPECTATIOWt. 


^r  breakitiff  off,  my  dear  Handel,  to  remaik  tliat  a  diunor 
napkin  will  not  go  into  a  tumbler." 

Wliy  I  was  trying  to  pack  mine  into  my  tumble 
I  am  wholly  unable  to  aay.  I  only  know  tliat  I  fonn 
inyBelf,  with  a  perseverance  worthy  of  a  much  bett( 
canBB,  making  the  most  Btrennoua  exertiona,  to  compre 
it  within  those  limits.  Again  I  thanked  him  and  apolog 
Bed,  and  again  he  said  in  tlie  cheerfnllest  u 

tat  all,  I  am  sure!"  and  resumed. 
"Thero  appeared  npon  the  scene  —  say  at  th 
jaces,  or  the  public  balls,  or  anywhere  else  yon  lik 
—  a  certain  man,  who  made  love  to  Miss  Havishad 
-I  never  saw  him,  for  this  happened  five-and-twant 
years  ago  (before  you  and  I  were,  Handel),  but  I  hxi 
heard  my  father  mention  thiit  he  was  a  showy-ma 
and  the  kind  of  man  for  the  purpose.  But  tJiat  1 
was  not  to  be,  without  ignorance  or  prejudice,  mistake 
for  a  gentleman,  my  father  most  strongly  asseveratei 

P because  it  is  a  principle  of  his  that  no  man  who  v~~ 
act  a  true  gentleman  at  heart,  ever  was,  since  the  w 
^gan,  a  true  gentleman  in  manner.  He  says, 
'Tarnish  can  hide  the  grain  of  the  wood;  and  the  i 
varnish  you  put  on,  the  more  the  grain  will  exprei 
itself  Well!  This  man  pursued  Miss  Havisham  closelj 
and  professed  to  he  devoted  to  her.  I  believe  she  ha 
not  shown  much  susceptibility  up  to  that  time;  but  a! 
she  possessed,  certainly  came  out  then,  and  she  pas- 
sionately'  loved  him.  There  is  no  doubt  that  she  pel 
fectly  idolised  him.  He  practised  on  her  affection  i 
that  systematic  way,  that  he  got  great  sums  of  monfi 
from  her,  and  ]ie  induced  her  to  buy  her  brother  01 
ofa  share  in  tie  brewery  (v(li\cV\iBA\iean.'«e.^»i^\s 
^uu  bjr  his  father)  at  an  imme-DBft  -^nta,  uaft*,^ 


f  tiiat  when  he  was  her  husbaDd  lie  must  bold  nail 
jiriimge  it  all.  Yoar  guardian  was  not  at  that  time  in 
Vi-is  Haviitham'a  councils,  aud  she  was  too  haughty 
I'l  too  much  in  love,  to  he  advised  by  any  one.  Her 
l.uions  were  poor  and  scheming,  with  the  exception 
I  my  father;  he  was  poor  enough,  bnt  not  time-serring 
■  jeslons.  The  only  independent  one  among  them, 
II  ii'amed  her  that  she  was  doing  too  much  for  this 
Qau,  and  was  placing  herself  too  unreservedly  in  his 
power.  She  took  the  first  opportunity  of  angrily  or- 
dering my  father  out  of  tho  bouse,  in  bis  presence,  and 
mj  father  has  never  seen  her  since." 

I  thought  of  her  having  said  "Matthew  will  come 
ud  see  me  at  laiit  when  I  am  laid  dead  upon  that 
Ubie;"  and  I  asked  Herbert  whether  his  father  was  so 
'ii\fiterate  against  her? 

■'It's  not  that,"  said  he,  "bnt  she  charged  him  in 
J"  presence  of  her  intended  husband  with  being  dis- 
qjpointcd  in  the  hope  of  fawning  upon  her  for  his 
own  advimcomont,  and,  if  bo  were  to  go  to  her  now, 
it  would  look  true  —  even  to  him  —  and  even  to  her. 
To  return  to  the  man  and  make  an  end  of  him.  The 
marriage  day  was  fixed,  the  wedding  dresses  were 
loogbt,  the  wedding  tour  was  planned  out,  the  wed- 
ding guests  were  invited.  The  day  came,  hut  not  the 
Iddegrooni.     He  wrote  her  a  letter—" 

"Which  she  received,"  I  strack  in,  "when  she 
WM  dressing  for  her  marriage?  At  twenty  minutes  to 

"At  the  hour  and  minute, "said  Herbert,  noddm^,"**!, 

!.iib  she  aftenrsn/s  stopped  aJ]  the  clocks.  ''N^iaX-wsoiYt 

/irrfier  cbaii  that  it  mont  ieartlessly  broke  tVic  TnB.-rc\ft.gS 

'       i  teU  jroa,  because  I  don't  know.     ^WVan.  ' 


CKWAT  KCrBOTATIOIta, 


m" 


^^■540  ORSAT  EXPBOTATTOKB. 

^H  recovered  from  a  bad.  illness  that  she  had,  she  lai 
^V  whole  place  waste,    as  you  liavc  seen  it,   aud  she  1 
^M  never  emce  looked  upon  tlie  light  of  day." 
^H  "Is  that  all  the  atory?"   I  askod,    after  consid 

H   iug  it. 

^B  "All  I  know  of  it;   and  indeed  I  only  know 

^H  much,  tlffongh  piecing  it  out  for  myself;  for  my  fatl: 
^V  always  avoids  it,  and,*  even  when  Miss  Havisham  i 
^^  vited  me  to  go  there,  told  mo  no  more  of  it,  than 
^M  was  absolutely  requisite  I  should  understand.  But 
^V  liave  forgotten  one  thing.  It  has  been  supposed  til 
^    the  man  to  whom  she  gave  her  misplaced  confident 

acted  throughout  in  concert  with  her  Lalf-brother; 

it    was    a  conspiracy    between    them;    and   that  th' 

shared  the  profits." 

f"I  wonder  he   didn't  marry  her  and  get   all  i 
property,"  said  I. 
"He  may  have  been  married  already,  and  her  crB 
mortification  may  have  been  a  part  of  her  half-broth« 
scheme,"  said  Herbert.     "Mind!  I  don't  know  that." 
"What  became  of  the  two  men?"  I  askod,   af^ 

I  again  considering  the  subject. 
"They  fell  into  deeper  shame*  and  degradation  - 
if  there  can  be  deeper  —  and  r 
"Axe  they  alive  now?" 
"I  don't  know." 
"Yon  said  just  now,  that  Estella  was  not  relat 
to  Miss  Havisham,  but  adopted.     When  adopted?" 

Herbert  shrugged  his  shoulders.      "There  has  i 
ii-ajv  been   an  Estella,   since  I  have  heard  of  a  1 
Havisham.    I  know  no  mote.  Ajoi  tiotf,  ^kiAi^'  ■ 
_^,  Siially  (iirowing  off  the  stoiry  s 


»  perfectly  open  iin  krutainling  lietwccn  lis.     All  that 
I  know  abijut  Miss  HivisLiim,  you  know." 

An  I  all  tint  I  know,"  I  retorted,  "you  know." 
I  iuUy  bebevc  it.  So  there  can  be  no  competi- 
"n  jr  perplexity  between  you  and  me.  And  as  to 
lip  contbtion  on  vihich  you  liold  your  advancement  in 
If,  —  namely  that  you  are  not  to  Inquire  or  discuss 
wlioni  you  owe  it  —  you  may  Ihj  very  sure  that  it 
»1!  iic\n  he  entroaehod  upon,  or  even  approached, 
\iy  me,    m  by  any  one  belonging  to  me." 

In  Iriith,  be  said  this  with  so  mudi  delicacy,  that 
[  fell  the  subject  done  with,  even  though' I  should  be 
;iiii]i^r  hh  father'M  roof  for  years  and  years  to  come. 
"I  he  said  it  with  so  much  meaning,  too,  that  I  felt 
■  as  perfectly  understood  Miss  Ilavisham  to  be  my 
iji'iiefactresK,  as  I  understood  the  fact  myself 

It  had  not  occurred  to  me  before,  that  he  had  led 
up  to  llie  iJieme  for  the  pni-pose  of  clearing  it  out  of 
unt  way;  but  we  wore  so  much  the  lighter  and  easier 
ftr  having  broached  it,  that  I  now  perceived  this  to  be 
llie  case.  We  were  very  gay  and  sociable,  and  I  asked 
him.  in  the  course  of  conversation,  what  lie  was?  He 
[I'jilied,  "A  capitalist  —  an  Insurer  of  Ships."  I  sup- 
(lOfie  he  saw  me  glancing  about  the  room  iu  search  of 
wmu  tokens  of  Shipping,  or  capital,  for  ho  added,  "In 
the  City." 

I  had  grand  Ideas  of  the  wealth  and  importance  of 
huurcTS  of  Ships  in  the  City,  and  I  began  to  think 
with  awe  of  having  l^d  a  young  Insurer  on  his  back, 
'■I;nkened  hia  enterprising  eye,  and  cut  his  respenaible 
rri  ojKin.  But,  ag-ain,  there  came  upon  ma,  fox  ■ro^ 
!'',■/:  that  odd  impresaion  t/iat  Her\icrt  PocVct  -wo^i:^ 
^  be  yeijr  successful  or  rich. 


S43  (UnAT  BXPGOTATTOinl. 

"I  sliall  not  rest  [satisfied  with  merely  employi 
my  capital  iu  inauring  sbips.  I  shall  buy  up  w 
good  Life  AsBurauce  shares,  and  cut  into  the  Direct 
I  shall  also  do  a  little  in  the  mining  way,  I^^oiu 
these  things  will  interfere  with  my  chartering  a 
thousand  tons  on  my  own  account.  I  think  I  shall  tr 
said  he,  leaning  hack  in  his  chair,  "to  the  East  IncE 
for  silks,  shawls,  spices,  dyes,  drugs, 
woods.     It's  an  interesting  trade." 

"And  the  profits  are  large?"  said  I. 

"Tremendous!"  said  he. 

I  wavered  again,  and  began  to  tLink  here  i 
greater  expectations  than  my  own. 

"I  think  I  shall  trade,  also,"  said  he,  puttmg; 
thumbs  in  his  waistcoat  pockets,  "to  the  West  Ind 
for  sugar,  tohacco,  and  mm.  Also  to  Ceylon,  BpecU 
"for  elephants'  tusks." 

"You  will  want  a  good  many  ships,"  said  I. 

"A  perfect  fleet,"  said  Jie. 

Quite  overpowered  hy  the  magnificence  of  t 
transactions,  I  asked  him  where  the  ships  lie  fom 
mostly  traded  to  at  p 

"I  haven't  begun  insuring  yet,"  he  replied. 
am  looking  about  me." 

Somehow,  that  pursuit  seemed  more  in  \ce&p 
with  Barnard's  Inn.  I  said  (iu  a  tone  of  convicti 
"Ali-h!" 

"Yes.  I  am  in  a  eoun ting-house,  and  looking 
me." 

"Is  a  counting-house  profitable?"   I  asked. 

"To  —  do  you  mean  to  the  young  fellow  who' 
ftp"  be  asked,  in  reply. 
"Yea^  io  you.". 


He  said  tbia  vith  the 
6  carefully  rockoiiing  up  and  striking  a  balance. 
"N'ot  directly  profitable.  That  19,  it  doesn't  pay  me 
JiJiiliing,  and  I  have  to  —  keep  myself." 

'I'liia    certainly    had    not   a  protitabio    appearance, 
'  I  I  shook  my  bead  as  if  I  would  imply  thai  it  would 
!il'licult  to  lay  by  mncb  accumulative  capital  from 
..  ;»  soui'ce  of  income. 

But  tbc  thing  is,"  said  Herbert  Pocket,  "that  you 
':  about  you.  Tiiat's  the  grand  thing.  You  are  in 
I'liinting-hoiifie,    you  know,    and   you    look    about 

U  struck  me  as  a  singular  implication  that  yua 
I'Irt't  be  out  of  a  counting-house,  you  know,  and 
I.    about  you;  but  I  silently  deferred  to  his   expe- 

"rben  the  time  comes,"  said  Herbert,  "when  you 

vijur  opening.    And  you  go  in  and  you  swoop  upon 

jiJ  you  make  your  capital,  and  then  there  you  are! 

Ill  iL  you  have  once  made  your  capital,   you   have 

iiiiig  to  do  but  employ  it" 

L'hia  was  very  like  bis  way  of  conducting  that  on- 

:ii:er  in  the  garden;  very  like.    His  manner  of  hear- 

.   Ills  poverty,  too,  exactly  corresponded  to  his  man- 

ijf  bearing  that  defeat.     It  seemed  to  me  that  he 

<k  aU  blows  and  bufTcts  now,  with  just  the  same  air 

^i  he  had  taken  mine  then.     It  was  evident  that  he 

had  nnthing  around  him  but  the  simplest  necessaries, 

I'nr  everything  that  I  remarked  upon,  turned  out  to  have 

'""n  sent  ill  on  my  account  from  the  CQfEee-\i(iU6o  at 

■■H'whete  eJsa 

y^f,  hiring  already  made  liia  fortune  ra  "\i\a  'J'' 

^J^^IJJ^^g^^arBlg  idtb  it  tKat  1  M\.  t^^iS 


341  QBBAT  BXPXrTATroiTe, 

grateful  to  iiim  for  not  being  puffed  np.  It  w 
pleasant  nddition  to  his  naturally  pleasant  ways, 
we  got  on  famously.  In  the  evening  we  went  ont 
a,  walk  in  the  streets,  and  went  half-price  to  the  TheaC 
and  next  day  we  went  to  churth  at  Westminster  Abb 
and  in  the  afternoon  we  walked  in  the  Parks;  aj 
wondered  who  shod  all  the  horses  there,  and  wii 
.Joe  did. 

'  On  &  moderate  computation,  it  wa^  many  moni 
that  Snnday,  since  I  had  left  Joe  and  Biddy,  i 
epace  interposed  between  myself  and  them,  partool 
that  expansion,  and  our  marshes  were  any  distance 

I   That  I  conld  have  been  at  our  old  church  in  my 

■  diurch-going  clothes,  on  the  very  last  Sunday  that  o 
was,   seemed  a  combination  of  impossibilities,   geog] 
phical  and  social,  solar  and  lunar.     Yet  in  the  London 
streets  so  crowded  with  peojile  and  so  brilliantly  lighted 
in  the  dnsk  of  evening,  there  were  depressing  hints  of 
reproaches'  for  that  I  had  put  the  poor  old  kitchen 

i  home  so  far  away,  and  in  tiie  dead  of  night,  the  (oi 
steps  of  some  incapable  impostor  of  a  porter  moonii 

'    about  Barnard's  Inn,   under  pretence  of  watching 
fell  hollow  on  my  heart. 

On  the  Monday  morning  at  a  quarter  before  nJB 
Herbert  wont  to  the  counting-house  to  report  himn 
—  to  look  about  him,  too,  I  suppose  —  and  I  bfl 
him  company.  He  was  to  come  away  in  an  hoar  ■ 
two  to  attend  me  to  Hammersmith,  and  I  was  to  Wl 
about  for  him.  It  appeared  to  me  that  the  eggs  frii 
which  young  Insurers  were  hatched,  were  iucubatcdi 
dast  and  heat,  like  the  eggs  of  ostriches,  judging  fn 

tie  places  to  which  those  roci^veiA  gvimXa  Tt-^iiwA,. 
—  a  Monday  morning.    Not  dl4  ttie  coanSA^s^WiaMJ 


^^Hert  sssUted,  show  in  my  cyea  as  at  all  a  good  Ob- 
^^Btoiy;  being  n  back  socoitd  floor  iip  a.  yard,  of  a 
^^Hh  presence  in  all  paiilculars,  and  with  a  look  into 
^^Her  baek  second  fioor  rather  than  a  look  out. 
^^Btraited  about  until  it  was  noon,  and  I  went  upon 
^^^^,  and  I  saw  Huey  men  sitting  there  under  the 
^^Haboat  shipping,  whom  I  took  to  be  great  mer- 
^^ft,  though  I  uoulJn't  understand  why  they  should 
^^^B  out  of  spirits.  When  Herbert  came,  we  went 
^^B^d  lunch  at  a  celebrated  house  which  I  then  quite 
^^^Ugd,  but  now  believe  to  have  been  the  most  ab- 
^^^^n^tltion  in  Europe,  and  whexe  I  could  not  help 
^^^ng,  even  then,  that  there  was  much  more  gravy 
^^K.  tablecloths  and  knives  and  waitera'  clothes,  than 
^^^B  steaks.  This  collation  disposed  of  at  a  moderate 
^^■(considering  the  grease,  which  was  not  charged 
^^HWe  went  back  to  Barnard's  Inn  and  got  my  little 
^^Htuteau,  and  then  took  coach  for  Hammersmith. 
^^HOnved  there  at  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  aftcr- 
^^K  and  had  very  little  way  to  walk  to  Mr.  Pocket's 
^^^K  Xifting  the  latch  of  a  gate,  we  passed  direct 
^^^fi  little  garden  overlooking  the  river,  where  Mr. 
^^Hlt'fl  dbildren  were  playing  about.  And  unless  I 
^^^fre  myself  on  a  point  where  my  interests  or  pre- 
^^^BBiDns  are  certainly  not  concerned,  I  saw  that  Mr. 
I^^Trs.  Pocket's  children  were  not  growing  up  or  ho- 
I ID^  brought  up,  but  were  tumbling  up. 

F       Kra.  Pocket  was  sitting  on  a  garden  chair  under  a 

■■'%  reading,  with  her  legs  upon  another  garden  clmii-, 

I'l  Mrs.  Pocket's  two  nursemaids,  were  Yootmg  aXjQ\A 

im  wii'/e  tie  clu'Jdrea  played.     "Mamina,"  Ba,\i^«t 

/^^Qj^  jromg  Mr.  Pip."      Upon   '«Vi«iV  "Nb 


r946  GREAT  BXPaOTATlOKS. 

Pocket  received  me    with  an  appearance   c 
dignity. 

"MftBter  Alick  and  Mias  Jane,"   cried  ( 

nurses  to  two  of  the  cliildren,   "if  you  go  a  bouat^ 

^^    np  against  them  bushes  you'll  fall  over  into  the  ri' 

^^L-And  he  drownded,  and  what'U  your  p»  say  then!" 

^^V         At  the  same  time  this  nurse  picked  up  Mxe.  Fockt 

^^r  handkerchief,  and  said,  "If  that  don't  make  six  tin 

you've  dropped  it,  MumI"     Upon  which  Mrs.  PocJ 

laughed  and  said,  "Thauk  you,  Plopson,"  and  aettli 

herself  in  one  chair  only,  resumed  her  book.    Her  col 

^^    tenance  immediately  assumed  a  knitted  and  intent 

^^L  pression  as  if  she  had  been  reading  for  a  week,  but 

^^M  fore  she  could  have  read  half  a.  dozen  lines,  she  & 

^^r  her  eyes  upon  mo,  and  said,  "I  hope  your  manimi 

quite  well?"     This  unexpected  inquiry  put  me  i 

such  a  difficulty  that  I  began  Baying  in  the  absurd 

way  that  if  there  had  been  any  such  pei-son  I  had 

t  doubt  she  would  have  been  quite  well  and  would  h 
been  very  much  obliged  and  would  have  sent  her  & 
pliments,  when  the  nurse  came  to  my  rescue. 
"Weill"  she  cried,  picking  up  the  pocket-handi 
chief,  "if  that  don't  make  seven  times!  What  a 
a  doing  of  this  afternoon,  Mum!"  Mrs.  Pocket 
ceived  her  property  at  first  with  a  look  of  unnttera 
surprise  as  if  she  had  never  seen  it  before,  and  t^ 
with  a  laugh  of  recognition,  and  said,  "Thank  y 
riopson,"  and  forgot  me,  and  went  on  reading. 
I  found,  now  I  had  leisure  to  count  them,  that  t] 
were  no  fewer  than  six  little  Pockets  present,  in  var: 
staffBs  of  tumbling  up.  I  had  scarcely  arrived  at 
iois/  when  a  seventh  waa  keaidi  8  '  ' 
wailing  doMaWj. 


k 


347 

"If  there  (un't  Baby!"  said  Flopeou,  appearing  to 

'liink  it  most  surprising.     "Make  haste  up,  MillerB." 

>tillers,  who  van  the  other  nnrae,  retired  into  the 

Nil?,   and  liy  degrees  the  child's  wEiiling  was  hushed 

■  111  stopped,  as  if  it  were  a  young  ventriloquist  with 

'■rjjething  in  its  mouth.    Mrs,  Pocket  read  all  the  time, 

'  "ml  I  was  curious  to  know  what  the  hook  could  be. 

I       We  were  waiting,  I  supposed,   for  Jlr.  Pocket  to 

I  'jii?  out  to  us;  at  any  rate  we  waited  there,  and  so  I 

III  (ui  opportunity  of  observing  the  remark  able  family 

niMiraenon  that  whenever  any  of  the  children  utrayed 

mil  Mrs.  Pocket  in  their  play,    they   always  tripped 

IlliKmsolves  up  and  tumbled  over  her  —  always  very 
nndi  to  hor  momentary  aatouisbnient,  and  their  own 
mure  enduring  lamentation.  I  was  at  a  loss  to  account 
■■■1'  lliis  sui-piising  circumstance,  and  could  not  help  giv- 
■■■:  my  miud  to  speculations  about  it,  until  by-and-by 
'illers  came  down  with  the  baby,  which  baby  was 
iiiilcd  to  Flopson,  which  Plopson  was  handing  it  to 

■  1^.  Pocket,    when  she  too  went  fairly  head-foremost 
ir  Mrs.  Pocket,   baby  and  all,  and  was  caught  by 

iiirliert  and  myself. 

"Gracious  me,  Plopson!"  said  Mrs.  Pocket,  looking 
'I  iier  book  for  a  moment,  "everybody's  tumbling!" 

"Gracious  you,  indeed.  Mum!"  returned  Flopson, 
■ify  rod  in  the  face;  "what  have  you  got  there?" 

"/  got  here,  Flopson?"  asked  Mrs.  Pocket. 

"Wliy,  if  it  ain't  yonr  footstool!"  cried  Flopson. 
"ind  if  yen  keep  it  under  your  skirts  like  that,  who's 

■  l"'lp  tumblingi  Here!  Take  the  baby,  Mum,  and 
:u-  me  your  book.'' 

Mrs.  Pocket  acted  on    tie   advice,    and,  me-x.'jeiA^ 
Llier  lap,   wliile  liS 


248  EtSSAT  HX^BCI-AWOSBi 

children  pliiyed  about  it.  Tliia  had  liisted  but  a  " 
short  timo,  when  Mrs.  Pocket  issued  summaiy  tq 
that  they  were  all  to  be  taken  into  the  house  fSl 
nap.  Thus  I  made  the  eecond  discovery  on  that  i 
occasion,  that  the  nurture  of  the  little  Pockets  uoBsi 
f  alternately  tumbling  up  and  lying  down. 

Under  these  circumstances,  when  FtopBon  and  : 
lera  had  got  the  children  into  the  house  like  t 
flock  of  sheep,  and  Mr.  Pocket  came  out  of  it  to 
my  acquaintance,  I  was  not  much  surprised  to  find 
Mr.  Pocket  was  a  gentleman  with  a  rather  perple 
expression  of  face,  and  with  his  very  grey  hair 
ordered  on  his  head  as  if  he  didn't  quite  see  his  ' 
to  putting  anything  straight. 


CHAPTER  XXin. 

Mr.  Pocket  said  he  was  glad  to  see  me,  and 
ped  I  was  not  sorry  to  see  him.  "Por  I  really 
t,"  Le  added,  mthhisson's  amile,  "an  alarming  ] 
nage."  He  was  a  young-looking  man,  in  spite  of 
perplexities  and  bis  very  grey  hair,  and  his  max 
seemed  quite  natural.  I  use  the  word  natural,  ii 
sense  of  its  being  unaffected;  there  was  something  c 
"i  bis  distraught  way,  as  thongh  it  would  have  1 
downright  ludicrous  but  for  his  own  perception  tlu 
was  very  near  being  so.  When  he  bad  talked  with 
a  little,  be  said  to  3Irs.-£ocket,  with  a  rather  anx; 
contraction  of  his  eyebrows,  which  were  black  and  h, 
some.  "Belinda,  I  hope  you  have  welcomed  Mr.  Pi 
.jinJ  she  looked  up  from  her  toot,  Mii  %tt.\i.,  " 
niletl  upon  me  in  an  a>jse«.  b 


Bd  me  if  I   liked   tlie   tastu   of   orange-flowj 
futlie  qnestiou  had  uo  boiiriug;,  near  or  remot^^ 
Bregone  or  subsequent  transactiuu,  I  cooHider 
K  been  thrown  out ,  like  her  {ircvious  approatlies, 
H  conTersational  condescension. 
^■3  out  within  a  few  hours,    oud  may  mention 
^Mist  Mrs.  Pocket  was  the  only  daughter  of  a 
Hite  auddental  deceased  Knight,   who  had  iu- 
^t  himself  a  conviction  tliat  his  deeeaHed  father 
^ye  been  made  a  Barcmet  but  for  somebody's 
Wft  opposition  arising  out  of  entirely  personal 
fc  '  1  forget  wboBS,    if  1  ever  knew  —  the 
tal'B,  the  Prime  Minister's,  the  Lord  Cliancellor's, 
BtHBboi)  of  Canterbury's,  anybody's  - —  and  had 
fbdnself  on  to  the  nobles  of  the  earth  in  right 

rite  enpposititinus  fact.    I  believe  he  had  been 
kimse^  for  storming  the  English  grammar  at 
I  Kf  the  pen  in  a  deapentte  addreaa  engrossed 
1  of  the  laying  of  the  iirst 
B  building  or  other,  and  for  handing  some 
aiage  either  the  trowel  or  the  mortar.     Be 
y,   he  had  directed  Mra.   Pocket  to    be 
im  lier  cradle  as  one  who  in  the  nature 
marry  a  title,  and  who  was  to  be  guarded 
squisition  of  plebeian   domestic  knowledge. 
a  watch  and  ward  liad  been  established 
g  lady  by  this  judicious  parent,  that  she 
)  highly  ornamental,   but  perfectly  help- 
elesSr^WTtb"  her  ehwracter  ttaiB   happily 
!  first  bloom  of  ber  youth  she  had  en- 
'.  Potkef ;   who  was  also  in  tlie  %is.V  \Aowta. 
£  qaite  decided  whetliet  to  tqomlW\.  "to 
mself  in  witVi  a  ^\ti:«. 


m 


360  asEkT  bxpBotAWohb, 

hia  doing  the  one  or  the  other  was  a  mere  qnestion 
time,  he  and  Mrs.  Pocket  had  taken  Time  hy  the  ti 
lock  (when,  to  judge  from  its  length,  it  i 
have  wanted  cutting),  and  had  married  without 
knowledge  of  tho  judicious  parent.  The  jndic 
pajent,  having  nothing  to  bestow  or  mthhold  hut 
blessing,  had  handsomely  settled  that  dower  upon  t! 
after  a  short  struggle,  and  had  informed  Mr.  Pw 
that  hia  wifewaa  "a  treaaure  for  a  Prince."  Mr.Po< 
had  invested  the  Prince's  treasure  in  the  ways  of 
world  ever  since,  and  it  was  supposed  to  have  brot 
in  but  indifferent  iutereat,  Still  Mrs.  Pocket  i^ai 
general  the  object  of  a  queer  sort  of  E-iapectfiil  i 
hecauae  she  had  not  married  a  title;  whEe  Mr.  Pol 
was  the  object  of  a  queer  sort  of  forgiving  reproach: 
cause  he  had  never  got  one. 

Mr.  Pocket  took  me  into  the  house  and  showed 
ly  room:  which  was  a  pleasant  one,  and  eo  fumia 
s  that  I  could  use  it  with  comfort  for  my  own  pri' 
aitting-room.  He  then  knocked  at  the  doota  of 
other  similar  rooms,  and  introduced  me  tu  their  oi 
panta,  by  name  Drummle  and  Startop.  Dnimmle, 
old-looking  young  man  of  a  heavy  order  of  architect 
was  whistling.  Startop,  younger  in  years  and  app 
ance,    waa  reading   and  holding  hia    head, 

t    thought  himself  in  danger  of  exploding  it   with 
strong  a  charge  of  knowledge. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Pocket  had  such  a  noticeable 
of  being  in   somebody  else's  hands,    that  I  wondi 
who  really  waa  in  possession  of  the  house  and  let  tl 
Jive  there,  until  I  found  tliis  unknown  power  to  bo 
^erraata.     It  waa  a  smooth  way  oi  %WQ%  wa^  "S^ 
Jo  regpeiit  of  saving  trouble-,  Wt  'A  Vai  tVa  k^^ 


08EAT  eSPECTATIOKS.  251 

nt'  lipmg  eipenaive,  for  tLe  servants  felt  it  n  daty  tbey 
il  to  tbt-mselveH  to  be  nice  intheir  eatiug  anddriiik- 
.  and  to  keep  a,  deal  of  company  down  Btairs.  They 
M.d  a  very  liberal  table  to  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Pocket, 
it  always  appeared  to  me  that  by  far  the  beat  part 
h'j  house  to  have  boarded  in,   would  have  been  the 

■  lii'ii  —  always  supposing  the  boarder  capable  of 
'  IffencG,  for,  before  I  had  been  there  a  week,  a 
.libouring  lady  with  whom  the  family  were  per- 
.  illy  unacquainted,  wrote  in  to  eaythat  aha  hsd  seou 

■  Hits  slapping  the  baby,  This  greatly  distressed  Mrs. 

kLl,  who  burst  into  teara  on  receiving  the  note,  and 

1  it  was     ■  estraor<liiiary  thing  that  the  neighbours 

liln't  minu  ..heir  own  business. 

Hy  dogi'ces  I  learnt,  antl  chiefly  from  Herbert,  that 

I'ocket  had  been  educated  at  Harrow  and  at  Cam- 

■:l-;ii.   where  he  had  distinguished  himself;    but  that 

■^i    he    had    had    the    happiness    of  marryjug  Mrs. 

I  ket  veryearlyin  life,  he  had  impaired  his  prospects 

L  Hid  taken  up  the  calling  of  a  Grinder,    After  grinding 

I  *nnmher  of  dull  blades  —  of  whom  it  was  remarkable 

F  'tist  their  fathers',  when  influential,  were  always  going 

■  iii^Ip  him  to  preferment,  but  always  forgot  to  do  it 
':  II  the   blades  had  leit  the  Grindstone  -—  he  had 

iiied  of  that  poor  work  and  had  come  to  London. 
n;,  after  gradually  failing  in  loftier  hopes,  he  had 
'  ii!"  with  divers  who  had  lacked  opportunities  or 
^•Ifcted  them,  and  had  refurbished  divers  others  for 
lid  occasions,  and  had  turned  his  acquirements  to 
iccouut  of  literary  compilation  and  eorrcction,  and 
■uvh  means,  addt'd  to  some  very  modetEite  'jra'i'v.e. 
^  s&V/  nmintiiined  the  house  I  aa^w. 

.  JPocket  had   a.   toady   ixdg\i^io'af-,   * 


■  8B2  OEEAT  ETWlOTATHWTft 

widow  lady  of  that  hig'hly  sympatlietic  nature  that 
i  agreed  with  evetybody,  blessed  everybody,  and  a 
r  fflnilea  and  tears  on  everybody  according  to  circi 
I  stances.  This  lady's  name  was  Mrs.  Goiter,  and  I  ] 
f  the  bonoTir  of  taking  her  down  to  dinner  on  the  day 

''  installation.  She  gave  mo  to  understand  oa 
\  'Btaifs,  that  it  was  a  blow  to  dear  Mra.  Pocket  t 
dear  Mr.  Poeket  shoald  be  under  the  necessity  of 
ceiving  gentlemen  to  read  with  him.  That  did  i 
extend  to  Me,  she  told  me,  in  a  gush  of  love  and  q 
iidence  (at  that  time,  I  had  known  her  something  ] 
than  five  minutes);  if  they  were  all  like  Me,  it  wo' 
b-be  quite  another  thing. 

"But  dear  Mra.  Pocket,"  said  Mrs.  Coiler,  "al 
I  her  early  disappointment  (not  that  dear  Mr.  Pocket  i 
I  to  blame  in  that),   requires   so  much  luxury  and  i 

"Yes,  ma'am,"  said  I,  to  stop  her,  for  I  was  a&i 
he  was  going  to  cry. 

"And  she  is  of  so  aristocratic  a  disposition  — " 

"Yes,  ma'am,"  I  said  again,   with  the  same  obj 

s  before. 

" —  that  it  is  hard,"  said  Mrs.   Coiler,    "t 
dear  Mr.  Pocket's  time  and  attention  diverted  from  d 
r  Mra.  Pocket." 

I  could  not  help  thinking  that  it  might  be  hap 
t  if  the  butcher's  time  and  attention  wore  diverted  ft 
I  dear  Mjb.  Pocket;   but  I  said  nothing,  and  indeed  h 
enough  to   do   in  keeping  a,  bashful  watch  upon 
company-mann  ers. 

It  came  to  my  knowledge  through  what  passed  ] 

tjreea  Mrs.  Pocket  and  Dnin\n\\e  wV^ie  "V  ■«*»  a-Wjcuti 

—  to  my  knife   and   fork,    epooii,   ^Va^at*,  w^^  cfSoss 


36S 

nments   of  sclf-deatruotion,    that  Druinmle,    whoBo 

'  M-iian  name  was  Beutlny,  wiia  actually  the  nest  heir 

T  line  to  a.  baronetcy.     It  further  ajiiieared  that  the 

ik  I  liad  seen  Mrs.  Pocket  readins  in   the  garden 

V,  all  aljout  titles,    and  that  she  knew  the  exact  date 

it  whit'h    her  grandpapa    would    have  come  into  lUe 

I  book,  if  he  ever  liad  come  at  all.    Drummle  didn't  any 

f  TiiTii:h,  but  in  bis  limited  way  (he  stmck  mo  as  a  sulky 

''ml  of  fellowj  he  spoke  as  one  of  the  oleet,   and  re- 

:iiised  Mra.  Pocket  as  a  woman  and  a  sister.     No 

1'  lint  themselves  and  Mrs.  Coiler  the  toady  neighbour 

I'uvcd  any  interest  in  thiS^-pBrfW'TbB' "conversation, 

"I  it  appejired  to  me  that  it  was  painful  to  Herbert; 

'  !i  il.  promised  to  last  a  lon^  time,   when  the  page 

INC  in  with  the  announcement  of  a  domestic  aHiction. 

'  »'!is,   in  effect,    that  the  cnok  had  mislaid  the  beef. 

■  I  iny  unntterahle   amazement,    I   now,    for  the  first 
■;ii-,  saw  Mr.  Pocket  relieve  his  mind  hy  going  through 

liiTJonnance  that  struck  me  as  very  estraordinaiy, 
Il  which  made  no  impression  on  anybody  else,  and 
ill  which  I  soon  became  as  familiar  as  the  rest.  He 
.1  ilown  the  cai-ving-knife  and  fork  —  being  engaged 
'  'iirving  at  the  moment  —  put  his  two  hands  into 
'•  liisturbed  hah-,  and  appeared  to  make  an  extra- 
I  l!ii;iry  effort  to  lift  himself  up  by  it.  Wlien  he  had 
'n'  this,  and  had  not  lifted  himself  up  at  all,  he 
ii-rly  went  on  with  what  he  was  about. 
^Ira.  Coiler  then  changed   the  subject,   and  began 

■  Hatter  me.     I  liked  it  for  a  few  moments,   hut  eho 
Hi  rud  me  so  very  grossly  that  the  pleasure  was  aoo-a, 

r.     8ho  had  a  serpentine   way  of  coming   cXoaa  a.^, 

■lim  sio  j/reiended  to  be  vitally  inteieiRtcl  "m  \W 

^^^l^^l^js^  bad  left,    -whicli  -wiva  ^.Vio^e^V.^ 


Bnakey  and  i'ork-tongued;  and  when  she  made  an 
caaional  bounce  upon  Startop  (who  said  veiy  little 
her),  or  upon  Drmumle  (who  said  less),  I  rather  en 
them  for  being  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  table. 

After  dinner  the  children  were  introduced,  and 
Coiler  made  admiring  eomroenta  on  their  eyes,   nfli 
and  legs  —  a  sagacioua  way  of  improving  their  ilil: 
There  were  four  little  girls,    and  two  little  boys, 
Bides  tlie  baby  who  might  have  been  either,   and 
baby''s  nest  Buccesaor  who  waa  as  yet  neither.     T 
■were  brought  in  by  Plopson    and   Millers,    mudi 
though  those  two  non-commissioned  officers  had  \ 
recruiting  somewhere  for    children    and    had    onlii 
these:   while  Mrs.  Pocket  looked  at  the  young  NoB 
that  ought  to  have  been,  as  if  she  rather  thought 
tad  had  the  pleasure  of  inspecting  them  before, 
didn't  q^uite  know  what  to  make  of  them, 

"Here!  Give  me  your  fork,  mum,  and  take 
baby,"  said  Plopson.  ["Don't  take  it  that  way, 
you'll  get  its  head  under  the  table." 

Thus  advised,  Mrs.  Pocket  took  it  the  other  n 
and  got  its  head  upon  the  table;  which  was  annount 
to  all  present  by  a  prodigious  concussioi 

"Dear',    dearl       Give  it    me    back, 
riopson;    "and  Miss  Jane,    come  sod  dance  to  ha 
do!" 

One  of  the  little  girls:  a  mere  mite  who  si 
have  prematurely  taken  upon  herself  some  charge 
the  others;  stepped  out  of  her  place  by  me,  and  Aai 
to  and  from  the  baby  until  it  left  off  crying, 
laughed.  Then  alt  the  cbiVdiea  \wi^%i,  »w 
J'ocfcef  fwlio  in  the  mean  tune  WA  W\k» 


'  lift  biniaelf  up  I>y  Uie  hair)  laughed,    liiiJ    we   all 
,;-!ii>il  «ud  WMu  glad. 
FlopBon,  by  diut  of  doubling  the  baby  at  the  joints 

■■..■  :i  Dutch  doll,  then  gut  it  safely  into  Mrs.  Pocket's 
,1,  and  gave  it  th«  nutcrackers  to  play  with;  at  the 
III'   time   recommending   Mrs.  Pocket  to  take  notice 

■  1  the  handles  of  that  insti-ument  were  not  likely  to 
..•■p  with  its  eyes,    and  sharply  charging  MisB  Jane 

liKik  after  the  same.     Then,  the  two  nurses  left  the 

■  in,  and  had  a  lively  scuffle  on  the  staircase  with  a 
. -Ipated  page  who  had  waited    at   diimer,    and  who 

1  I'learly  lost  half  his  buttons  at  the  gaming-tahle. 

I   was  made  very    uneasy  in    my  mind  by  Mrs. 

I  'kut's   falling  into   a  discussion   with  Drummle   re- 

.  I  ting  two  baronetcies  while  she  ate  a  sliced  orange 

'i[jod  in  sugar  and  wine,  and  forgetting  all  about  the 

liy  un  ber  lap:    who  did  most  appalling  things  with 

-   nutcrackers.     At  length,    little  Jane  pei-ceiving  its 

■mig  brains  to   be  imperiled,    softly  left  her  place, 

'  ii:  with  many  small   artifices  coaxed   the  dangerous 

iipria  away.     Mrs.  Pocket   finishing  her   orange   at 

1  -wipttt  the  same  time  and  not  approving  of  this,  said  to 

naughty  child,   how  dare   you?     Go   and  sit 
I  this  instant!" 

ma  dear,"  lisped  the  little  girl,    "baby   ood 
n  put  hith  eyeth  out." 

"How  dare  you  tell  me  so!"   retorted  Mrs.  Pocket. 
'I  and  sit  down  in  your  chair  this  moment!" 
Mrs.  Pocket's  dignity  was  so  crushing,   that  I  felt 
II''  abashed:  as  if  I  myself  had  done  sombtVoi^  Vo 

Pocket,  fiomiiS 


nSS  ssfiAt  axpsOTAnOKfl. 

[end  ni  tLo  table,    "how  can  you  he  sn  unreasonab 
[Jane  only  intevferocL  for  tlie  protection  of  baby." 
I  "I  will  not  allow  anybody  to  interfere,"   said 

[  Pocket.     "I  am  snrpriaed,   Matthew,   that  yon  shci 
[  expose  me  to  the  affront  of  interlerence." 

"Good  God!"    cried   Mr.  Pocket,   in  an   outhn 
desolate    desperation.       "Are    infants    to    be 
I  crackered  !ut5  their  tombs,    and  ie    nobody  to 
■    m?" 

"I  will  not  be  interfered  with  by  Jane,"  said 
I  'Pocket,   with  n  majestic  glance  at  that  innouent 
^offender.     "I  hope  I  know  my  poor  grandpapa's  p 
[tlon.     Jane,  indeed!" 

Mr.  Pocket  got  his  hands  in  his  hair  again,  i 
"ihia  time  really  did  lift  himaelf  some  inches  out  of 
chair.  "Hear  this!"  he  helplessly  exclaimed  to 
elements.  "Babies  are  to  be  nntcrackerod  dead, 
people's  poor  grandpapa's  poaitions!"  Then  he 
hlmdelf  down  again,  and  became  silent. 

We  all  looked  awkwardly  at  the  tablecloth  wi 
I  this  was  going  on.  A  pause  succeeded,  during  wh 
f  the  honest  and  irrepressible  baby  made  a  series  of  lei 
T  and  crows  at  little  June,  who  appeared  to  me  to 
[  the  only  member  of  the  family  (irrespective  of  servai 
with  whom  it  had  any  decided  acquaintance. 

"Mr.  Drummle,"  said  Mrs.  Pocket,    "will  you  r 
■jfor  riopson?    Jane,  you  undutiful  little  tiling,  gg  i 
3  down.     Now  baby  darling',  come  with  raal" 

The  baby  was  the  soul  of  honour,    and  protea 

^h  all  its  might.     It  doubled  itself  up  the  wrong  v 

Irer  Mrs.  Pocket's  arm,   exhibited  a  pair  of  ksit 

Koes  and  dimpled  atiklea  to  l\ift  cotk^wk^  vo.  U«u 

T  aofi  face,    and  waa  cfurieA  oat  va  ft\ft\a^is«.  \ 


vMl&T  aaatnAvmM.  967 

iiiitiny.  And  it  gnined  its  point  after  all,  for  I  saw 
iDiiugli  tlie  window  within  a  few  minutes,  being 
.-nl  by  little  Jaiio. 

It  bappencd  that  tbe  other  five  cliildrcn  were  left 
iniJ  at  tlic  dinner- table,  throug;h  Flopson's  having 
II'  private  engagement  and  their  not  being  anybody 
11  huBineas.  I  thus  became  aware  of  the  mutual  re- 
nins between  them  and  Mr,  Pocket,  which  were  ex- 
i.ilitied  in  the  following  miuiner.     Mr.  Pocket,   with 

normal  perplexity  of  bis  face  heightened  and  his 
I  rumpled,   looked  at  them  for  somo  minnteB  as  if 

iniildn't  make  out  liow  thoy  came  to  be  boarding 
1 1  lodging  in  that  eatahlishiuent,  and  why  they  hadn't 
■  11  billeted  by  Nature  on  somebody  else.  Then,  in 
'i^tant  Miasionaiy  way  he  asked  them  certain  quea- 
■I'  —  as  why  little  joe  had  tliat  hole  in  his  frill: 
': '  «aid,  Pa,  I'lopaon  waa  going  to  mend  it  when  she 
'i  time  —  and  how  little  Fanny  tame  by  that  whit- 
■'.:  who  said,  Pa,  Millers  was  going  to  poultice  it 
■■■■■It  she  didn't  forget.  Then,  he  melted  into  parental 
I'ilrruess,  and  gave  them  a  shilling  apiece  and  told 
■IN  to  go  and  play;  and  tlien  as  they  went  out,  with 

i"Ui.i  vcxy  Htr()ng  effort  to  lift  himaelf  up  by  the  hair  he 
(iiimisseii  the  hopeless  subject. 
In  till!  evening  there  was  rowing  on  t]ie  river.  As 
Ilmmmle  and  Startop  had  eauh  a  boat,  I  resolved  to 
■■'  iiji  mine,  and  to  eiit  them  both  out.  I  was  pretty 
"'1  at  most  exercises  in  whicli  country-boys  are  adepts, 
-'■  iis  I  was  conscious  of  wanting  elegance  of  style  for 
'  Thames  —  not  to  say  for  other  waters  —  I  at 
' '-  engaged  to  plnce  myself  under  the  tmliou  ft^  &b 
'  n  prize-wberry  who  plied   at  our  staws,   a.^o.i- 


258  OBBAT  EXrECTATIONSi 

practical  authority  confused  me  very  much,    by  say 
I  had  the  arm   of  a  blacksmith.     If  he  could 
known  how  nearly  tho  compliment  lost  him  his  pt 
I  doubt  if  he  woijd  liave  paid  it. 

There  'was  a  suppcr-tray  after  we  got  home  at  n 
and  I  think  we  should  all  have  enjoyed  ourselves, 
for  a  rather  disagreeable  domestic  occurrence.  Mr.  Po 
was  in  good  spirits,  when  a  housemaid  came  in, 
said,  "if  you  please,  sir,  I  should  wish  to  apeal 
you." 

"Speak  to  your  master?"  said  Mrs.  Pocket, 
dignity  was  roused   again.     "How  can  you  thinl 
Buch  a  thing?     Go  and  apeak  to  Flopson.     Or 
to  me  —  at  some  other  time." 

"Beggingyour  pardon,  ma'am?"  returned  tiie ho 
maid,  "I  should  wish  to  speak  at  once,  and  to  sj 
to  master." 

Hereupon,  Mr.  Pocket  went  out  of  the  room  ani 
made  the  best  of  oui'selves  until  be  came  lack. 

"This  is  a  pretty  thing,  Belinda!"  said  Mr.  Pof 
rotnming  with  a  conntenanee  expressive  of  grief 
despair.  "Here's  the  cook  lying  insensibly  dmnl 
the  kitchen  floor,  with  a  large  himdle  of  fresh  bi 
made  up  in  the  cupboard  ready  to  sell  for  grease!' 

Mrs.  Pocket  instantly  showed  much  amiable  i 
tion,  and  said,  "This  is, that  odious  Sopliia's  doinj 

"What  do  you  mean,  Belinda?"  demanded 
Pocket. 

"Sophia  has  told  you,"  said  Mrs.  Pocket.  " 
I  not  see  her  with  my  own  eyes  and  hear  her  with 
own  ears,  come  into  the  room  just  now  and  ask  to  sj 
to  you?" 
^^^fit  has  she  not  taken  me  &v^ 


fettuned  Mr.  Pocket,  "and  shown  me  the  woman,  and 
'I-  luindle  too?" 

'.ind  do  you  defend  her,  Matthew,"  said  Mrs.  Pocket, 

■  making  mischief," 

Mr.  Pocket  uttered  a  diaraal  groan. 
Am  I,  grandpapa's  granddaughter,  to  he  nothing 
:'ii'  house?"  said  Mrs.  Pocket.  "Bosidea,  the  cook 
alwaya  been  a  very  nice  respectful  woman,  and 
i  in  the  most  natural  manner  when  she  came  to  look 
:  the  situation,    that  she  felt  1  was  bom  to  he  a 

I'Lere  was  a  sofa  where  Mr.  Pocket  stood,  and  ha 
i|.'i.'d  npon  it  in  the  attitude  of  the  Dying  Gladiator. 
i  in  tiiat  attitude  he  said,  with  a  hollow  voice, 
"d  night,    Mr.  Pip,"   when  I  deemed  it  advisahle 

■  '■■■.!  to  bed  and  leave  him. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

.\fter  two  or  three  days,   when  I  had  established 

T'lt'  in  my  room  and  had  gone  backwards  and  for- 

j     iJils  to  London  several  times,    and  had  ordered  all  I 

j  "Aiited  of  my  tradesmen,  Mr.  Pocket  and  I  had  a  long 

I  tiiV  togetlior.     He  knew  more  of  my  intended  career 

'iiiii  I  knew  myself,  for  he  referred  to  his  having  been 

1 1  by  Mr.  Jaggers  that  t  was  not  designed  for  any 

ii-inion,  and  that  I  should  be  well  enough  educated 

!iiy  destiny  if  I  could    "hold  my   own"  with  the 

■■  r.i^e  of  young  men  in  prosperous  circumata:nce&.    I. 

||iii!sced,  of  courau,  inowing- nothing  to  Ae  aoTi.\.x«c3 . 

lie  ndnsed  mjr  atteDdiag  certain  places  yu  "LoTi-iQ'a^ 

'^iciiegniBition  of  suoh  mere  rudimonts  as  Y "fls    '   "' 


fiflo      ■  fissAt  feii#emTiow!.  ■ 

and  my  investing  liira  with  the  functions  of  expl 
and  director  of  all  my  studiea.  He  lioped  that 
intelligent  assistance  I  sliould  meet  with  little  to 
courage  me ,  and  sLould  soon  be  able  to 
pense  with  any  aid  hut  his.  Through  his  way  of 
ing  this,  and  much  more  to  similar  purpose,  Le  p 
himself  on  confidential  terms  with  me  in  an  admi 
manner;  and  I  may  state  at  once  that  he  was  al 
so  KealoUB  and  honourable  in  fulfilling  bia  compact 
me,  that  he  made  me  zealous  and  honourable  il 
filling  mine  with  him.  If  he  had  shown  indifFe 
as  a  master,  I  have  no  doubt  I  should  have  reti 
the  compliment  as  a  pupil;  ho  gave  mo  no  sucfa  ex 
and  each  of  us  did  the  other  justice.  Nor  did  I 
regard  hiln  as  having  anything  ludicrous  abont  hi 
or  anything  but  what  was  serious,  honest,  and  go( 
in  hiB  tutor  communication  with  me. 

Wben  these  points  wore  settled,  and  so  far  ca 
out  as  that  I  bad  begun  to  work  in  earnest,  it  occi 
to  me  that  if  I  coald  retain  my  bedroom  in  Bam 
Inn,  my  life  would  bo  agreeably  varied,  while 
mamiers  would  he  none  the  worse  for  Herbert's  sol 
Mr,  Pocket  did  not  object  to  this  arrangement, 
urged  that  before  any  step  could  possibly  be  taki 
it,  it  must  he  submitted  to  my  guardian.  I  feU 
his  delicacy  arose  out  of  the  consideration  that  iba 
would  save  Herbert  some  expense,  so  I  went  q 
Little  Britain  and  imparted  my  wish  to  Mr.  Jagg< 
"If  I  could  buy  the  furniture  now  hired  for 
said  I,  "and  one  or  two  other  little  things,  I  si 
be  5(iite  at  liorae  there." 

"Go  it!"  said  Mr.  JaggeTs,  "wVife  a  '^a*."V«( 
told  yon  j-oti'd  get  on.   "WeW.  ^ww  TwaiJu'' 


^  awUT  I1XP8OTATI0H8.  981 

eaii  I  didn't  know  hovr  much. 

Oome!"  retorted  Mr.  Jaggers.    "How  mueli?  Fifty 

iids?" 

■'Oh,  not  nearly  so  much." 

"Five  pounds?"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 

This  was  such  a  great  tail  that  I  said  In  discomfi- 
:i'.  "Oh!  more  than  that." 

"Mure  tlian  that,  eh?"  retorted  Mr.  Jaggers,  lying 
III  riiit  for  me,  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  his  head 
'in  one  side,  and  his  eyes  ou  the  wall  behind  me;  "how 
"inch  more?" 

"It  is  so  difficult  to  fix  a  sum,"  said  I,   hesitating. 

"Come!"  said  Mr.  Jaggers.  "Let's  get  at  it.  Twice 
fo;  will  that  do?.  Three  times  five;  will  that  do? 
fntir  times  five;  will  that  do?" 

I  said  I  thought  that  would  do  handsomely. 

"Four  times  five  will  do  hiindaomoly,  will  it?" 
snii  Mr.  Jaggers,  knitting  his  brows.  "Now,  what  do 
Ji"!  uuike  of  four  times  five?" 

"What  do  I  miike  of  it?" 

"Ah!"  said  Mr.  Jaggers;  "how  much?" 

"I  aujjpose  you  make  it  tweuty  pounds, "  said  I, 
-.liling. 

"Never  mind  what  /make  it,  my  friend,"  observed 
'';  Jaggers,  with  a  knowing  and  contradictory  toss 
:  Ills  head.     "I  want  to  know  what  you  make  it." 

"Twenty  pounds,  of  course." 

"Wemmickl"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  opening  his  office 
■"'I'.  "Take  Mr.  Fiji's  written  order,  and  pay  him 
"■nty  pounds." 

This  strongly  marked  way  of  doing  Vrasine**  ■«iB.\ii 

Jnin^/r  marked  impression  on  mo,    and  tVa.\.  -aiA  <s1 
Mr.  Jaggers  never  \au^ 


File  wore  great  bright  creakiug  boots,  and  in  polsi 
llimself  on  these  boots,  with  his  large  heud  bent  do' 
and  bia  eyebrows  joined  together,  awaiting  an  answ 
lie  Bometimes  caused  the  boots  to  creak,  as  if  fj 
laughed  in  a  dry  and  suspicious  way.  As  be  happen 

I  to  go  out  now,  and  as  Weminick  was  brisk  and  tall 
/tive,   I  said  to  Wemmick  that  I  hardly  knew  what 
jmake  of  Mr.  Jsggei's's  manner. 
"Tell  him  that,  and  he'll  take  it  as  a  complin 
answered  Wemmick;    "lie  don't  mean  that  you  ghou 
know  what  to  make  of  it.  —  OhI"   for  I  looked  8 
|irised,    "it's  not  personal;    it's  professional:    only  p 
ftssionaJ." 
Wemmick  was  at  his  desk,  lunching  —  and  ci 
—  on  a  dry  bard  biscuit;    pieces  of  which  he  thp 
from  time  to  time  into  his  slit  of  a  mouth, 
■were  posting  them, 
"Always  seems  to  me,"   said  Wemmick,    ' 
had  set  a  man-trap    and  was  watching  it.     Sudden^ 
—  click  —  you're  caught!" 
Without  remarking  that  man-traps  were  no 
the  amenities  of  life,   I  said  I  supposed  he  i 
skilful? 

"Deep,"  said  Wemmick,  "as  Australia."     Pointin 
with  his  pen  at  the  office  floor,  to  express  that  A 
was  understood  for  the  purposes   of  the  figure,   to  1 
^K     symmetrically  on  the  opposite  spot  of  the  globe.  ' 
^C    there  was  anything  deeper,"  added  Wemmick,  brinj 
^P     his  pen  to  paper,  "he'd  be  it." 

Then,   I  said  I  supposed   he  had  a  fine  busineH 

and  Wemmick  said   "Ca-pi-tall"     Theu,    I   asked  ! 

ciere  were  many  clerks?     To  'N\iic\i.\ie  tc^XwA-, 

^^        "We  doij't  ma  much  into  doTVa,  XiecoM^ 


{SKUkT  BSMCtATWM;  988 

ii"  niio  Jnggers,   (lud  people  won't  Lave  Lim  at  se- 

:  I'l  Land.     'i'Lere  are  only  ftiur  of  ns.     Wuuld  you 

:    lo  see  'em?     You  arc  one  of  us,  as  I  may  say." 

!   aecepted   tLe  offer.     When  Mr.  Wemmick   had 

'  r  .ill  his  biBcnit  into  tlie  post,  and  had  paid  me  my 

■di-y  from  a  casb-box  in  a  safe,   the  key  of  which 

■  lie  kept  somewhere  dovm  Ids  back  and  produced 

111  hia  coat*colkc  like  an  iron  pigtail,  wO  went  up- 

LiLS.  The  house  was  dark  and  shabby,  and  the  greasy 

■niidere  that    had    left  their  mark  in  Mr,  Jaggera's 

nil,  seemed  to  have  been  shuffling'  up  and  down  the 

'..lii'case  for  years.  In  tlie  front  first  floor,  a  elerk  who 

L  luoked  something  between  a  publican  and  a  rat-catcher 

I  ^  a  large  pale  puffed  swollen  man  —  was  attentively 

[  engaged  ,with  three  or  four  people  of  shabby  appear- 

■i:m-,  whom   ho  treated  as  unceremoniously  as  every- 

■■!>-   seemed    to  be  treated   who    contributea   to   >Ir. 

'  i;,';,'ers's   coffers.     "Getting  evidence    together,"   said 

''i  Wemmick,  as  we  came  out,  "for  the  Bailey."     In 

■   llii'  room  over  that,   a  little  flabby  terrier  of  a  clerk 

i  iiilii  dangling  hair  (bis  cropping  seemed  to  have  been 

'iir^otten  when  he  was  a  puppy)  was  similarly  engaged 

■lu  a  man  with    weak    eyes,    whom  Mr,  Wemmick 

.' -icnted  to  me  as  a  smelter  who  kept  his  pot  always 

'iliug,  and  who  would  melt  me  anything  I  pleased  — 

I'l  who  was  in  an  excessive  white- perspiration,    as  if 

Lad   been  trying  bis   art   on  himself.     In  a  back 

'    III,  a  higlirsbonldered  man  with  a  face-ache  tied  up 

iliity  flannel,  who  was  dressed  in  old  black  clothes 

ii  bore  the  appearance  of  having  been  waxed,  waa 

"']itag  over  his  work   of  making  fair  co-pVea  li?  'Oaft 

■'■^ ^'  the  other  twQ  g-eatJemen,   for  Mr.  Ja^'sa'^' 


TLis   was   all  the  cstabliBbment.     "When  ^ 
down  stairs  again,  Wemmiek  led  me  into  my  gaardi 
room,  and  aaid,  "This  you've  seen  already." 

"Pray,"  said  I,  as  the  two  odious  easts  with 
twitchy  leer  upon  them  caught  my  sight  again,  "w 
likenesses  are  those?" 

"These?"  said  Wemmiek,  getting  upon  a  c 
and  blowing  the  dast  off  the  horrible  heads  b( 
bringing  them  down.  "These  are  two  celebrated  t 
Famous  clients  of  ours  that  got  us  a  world  of 
This  ehap  (why  you  muat  have  eomo  down  i 
night  and  been  peeping  into  the  inkstand,  to  gi 
blot  npon  your  eyebrow,  you  old  rascall)  murderec 
master,  and,  considering  that  he  wasn't  bronght  u 
eridonce,  didn't  plan  it  badly." 

"Is  it  like  him?"  I  asked,  recoiling  from  the  b: 
as  Wemmiek  spat  upon  his  eyebrow  and  gave  it  a 
with  his  sleeve. 

"Like  him?  It's  himself,  you  know.  The  cast 
made  in  Newgate,  directly  after  he  was  taken  d 
Ton  had  a  particular  fancy  for  mo,  hadn't  you, 
Artful?"  said  Wemmiek.  lie  then  explained 
affectionate  apostrophe,  by  touching  his  brooch 
presenting  the  lady  and  the  weeping  willow  at 
tomb  with  the  am  upon  it,  and  saying,  "Had  it  i 
for  me,  expresal" 

"la  the  lady  anybody?"  said  I. 

"No,"  returned  Wemmiek.  "Only  his  game, 
liked  your  bit  of  game,  didn't  you?)  No;  (' 
of  a  lady  in  the  case,  Mr.  Pip,  except  one  - 
wasn't  of  this  slender  lady-like  sort,  and  you  won 
inve  caught  her  looking  nSler  flm  ^tu  —  \)KifiSH. 
WH8  something  to  drink  mfg 


being  tlius  directed  tf>  his  lii-oocli,  he  put.  iloivii  tho 
ciist,  and  |)DliBhed  tho  brooch  with  hia  pDcket-linnd' 
kerchief. 

"Did  that  other  creature  come  to  the  same  end?" 
I  asked,     "He  has  the  same  look." 

"You're  right,"  said  Wemmick,  "it's  the  g^enuine 
Irrnk-  Much  as  if  one  nostril  was  caught  up  with  i 
liorsehair  and  a  little  fish-hook.  Yes,  he  came  to  the 
.;nip  end;  quite  the  natural  end  liere,  I  assure  you. 
.!■  forged  wiHa,  this  blade  did,  if  ho  didn't  also  put 
.■■  ^apposed  teetatora  to  sleep  too.  You  w 
^nanly  Cove,  though"  (Mr.  Wemmick  was  again 
i-i^tro^rising),  "and  you  said  you  could  write  Greek. 
■  lii,  Bonnceahio!  What  a  liar  you  were.  I  never  met 
jell  a  liar  as  youl"  Before  putting  his  late  friend 
1 11  Lis  ajielf  again,  Wemmick  touched  the  largest  c" 
111-  raouriJng  rings,  and  said,  "Sent  out  to  buy  it  for 
nn',  only  the  day  before." 

While  be  waB  putting  up  the  other  cast  and  coming 
il'iwii   from  the  chair,   the  thought  crossed  my  mind 
tli^i  nil  bis  [jersonal  jewellery  was  derived  from  like 
"'iiirces.     As  he  had  shown  no  diffidence 
'■■1,   I  ventured    on    the  liberty  of  asking    him    the 
|||i'«ion,  when  he  stood  before  me,  dusting  his  hands. 
"Oh  yes,"  ho  returned,   "these  are  all  gifts  of  that 
hiiji!.     One  bringa  another,  you  see;   that's  the  way  of 
!     1    always    take    'em.     They're    curiosities.     And 
'iiy're  property.     They  may  not  be  worth  much, 
'id'  all,  they're  property  and  portable.  It  don't  signify 
■'  you  with  your  hr'ilUant  look-out,  but  as  Xo  vft-gwM., 
liiUns-^tar  always    is,     "Get  lioVi    oE    ^oAbM^ 


ratEAT  BXPHCTATIOSBi 

When  I    Lad  rendered  liomage  to   tliis  liglit, 
nt  on  to  say,  in  a  friendly  manner: 
"If  at  any  odd  time  wliea  you  have  notliing  belt 
I  do,    you  wouldn't  mind  coming  over  to  see  me 
KWalworth,  I  could  offer  you  a  bed,  and  I  should  c 
'"!r-it"an  bonour.     I  have  not  much   to  ahow  y 
ittt  Buch  two  or  three  curiosities  as  I  have  got,  ; 
night  like  to  look  over;    nnd  I  am  fond  of  a  bit 
BG^rden  and  a  summer-house." 
B'       I  said  I  ehonld   bo  delighted  to  accept  his  hoB[ 
|.4ality. 

"Thank'ee,"  said  be,  "then  we'll  consider  that  it 
lome  off,  when  convenient  to  you.    llave  you  dint 
■Vith  Mr.  Jaggei-s  yet?" 
"Not  yet." 

"Well,"  said  Wemmiek,  "he'll  give  you  wine,  i 
j^ooJ  wine,     I'll  give  you  punch,   and  not  bad  pone 
Bj&.nd  now  I'll  tell  you  siimething.     When  you  go  : 
Idine  with  Mr.  Jaggcrs,  look  at  his  housekeeper." 
"Shall  I  see  something  very  uncommon?" 
"Well,"   said  Wemmiek,    "you'll  see  a  wild  bea 
ed.     Not    so    very  uncommon,    you'll  tell  me. 
reply,   that   depends   on   the  original  wildnesa  of 
beast,  and  the  amount  of  taming.     It  won't  lower  y 
opinion    of   Mr.  Jaggcrs's    powers.      Keep    your 

ton  it." 
I  told  him  I  would  do  so  with  all  the  interest  ai 
curiosity  that  his  preparation  awakened.  As  I  w 
taking  my  departure,  he  asked  me  if  I  would  like 
devote  five  minutes  to  seeing  Mr.  Jaggers  "at  it?" 

for  several  reasons,   and  not  least  because  I  didi 
clearly  know  what  Mr.  Jaggera  "woiAi  \se.  ^crasiS 
.  "at,"  I  replied  ia  the  af&rmativc.    "^e  K^eA.' 


City,  and  came  np  In  a  crowded  jjo lice-court,  where  a 

blood-re lati OB  (in  the  murderous  eease)  of  the  deceased 

with  the   fanciful  taste   in   brooches,   was  standing  at 

die  liar,    iincomt'ortahly  chewing  something;    while  my 

fiiardian   had   a  woman  under  examination   or  cross- 

lininatiou  —  I  don't  know  which  — and  wus  striking 

,  iiud  the  bench,  and  everybody  present,  with  awo. 

miybody,  of  whatsoever  degree,  said  a  word  that  he 

int    approve  of,    he   instantly   required  to  have  it 

'  I: '.'11    down."     If  auyhody    wouldn't    make   an   ad- 

-iiiQ,   Le  said,    "I'll   have    it   out  of  you!"   and  if 

tiody   made  an  admission,    he  said,    "Now  I  have 

youl"     The  magistrates   shivered  under  a   single 

■    •>{  his  linger.     Thieves  and  thief-takers  hung   iu 

kI  rapture  on  his  words,    and  shrank  when  a  hair 

iiis  eyebrows  turned  in  their  direction.     Which  side 

tMis  on,  I  cotddn't  make  out,  for  he  seemed  to  me 

''•:  grinding  the  whole  place  in  a  mill;  I  only  know 

I   when  I   stole  out    on  tiptoe  ho   was  not  on  the 

1'    i)f  the  benuh,   for  he  was  making  the  logs  of  the 

;  [,-ontleman   who  presided,    quite  convulsive  under 

'  (able,    by  his  denunciationa  of  his  conduct  as  the 

"I'scntative  of  British  law  and  justice  in  that  chair 

i'  day. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

ISbntlby   Drummle,   who    was   so  sulky  a  fellow 
il  he  even  took  up  a  hook  as  if  its  writer  had  done 

■  ■  iin  injury,  did  not  take  up  an  acqaamtaacft  va.  a. 
'■■  ^^abh  spii-it.     Heavy  iu   figure,   movenveiA.. 

'odg^^iaa  —  in   the   sluggish  com^Yesi 


2S8  ORBAT  BXPBOTAITOKB. 

liiB  fac<>,  aud  in  the  large  awkward  tongue  that  soemet 
to  loll  about  IE  hia  mouth  as  he  Iiimself  lolled  abon 
ill  a  room  —  he  waa  idle,  proud,  njggaidl?»  reserved 
and  HUBjiicioua.     He  came  of  rich  people  down  i 
mersptshire,    who  had  nursed  this  combination  of  qiia 
litics,  until  they  made  the  discovevy  that  it  was  just  a 
age  and  a  blockhead.  S  Thus  Ecntlcy  DiTimmle  I 
come  to  Mr.  Pocket  when  he  was  a  head  taller  thai 
that  gentleman,   and  half  a  dozen  heads  thicker  t 
moat  gentlemen. 

Startop  had  been  spoilt  by  a  weak  mother  aui 
kept  at  Tiome  when  he  ought  to  have  been  at  school 
but  he  was,  devotedly  attached  to  her,  and  admired  lie 
beyond  measure.  He  had  a  woman's  delicacy  of  feft 
tm-e,  and  waa  —  "aa  you  may  see,  though  you  neve 
saw  her,"  said  Herbert  to  me  —  exactly  like  his  dm 
ther.  It  was  but  natural  that  I  should  take  to  Hi 
much  more  kindly  than  to  Drummle,  and  thst  even  i 
the  earliest  evenings  of  oar  boating,  he  and  I  ahonl 
pull  homeward  abreast  of  one  another,  conversing  fi 
boat  to  boat,  while  Hentley  Dmmmlo  came  up  in  on 
wake  alone,  under  the  overhanging  banks  and  a 
the  mshea.  He  would  always  creep  in-shore  like  sonH 
uncomfortable  amphibious  creature,  even  when  the  tiA 
would  have  sent  him  fast  upon  his  way;  and  I  alway 
think  of  him  as  coming  after  us  in  the  dark  or  by  t* 
back-water,  when  our  own  two  boats  were  brealdj 
the  sunset  or  the  moonlight  in  mid-atream. 

Herbert  was  mj  intimate   companion   and  friend 

I  presented  him  with  a  half-share  in  my  boat,   wMc 

was  the  occasion  of  his  often  coming  down  to  Htutun^ 

smith;   and  ray  possession  of  a  ^iaNS-^»sft  \^ \ffla  i^m 

^ffB  often  took  mo  up  to  1.oti4oii.    "S^c-aat^  •■ 


I'   ^^  tffcSAT  WTPBCTATTOm!.  889 

lietween  tlie  two  places  at  all  hours.  ]  ImTfi  an  .iffac- 
tion  for  flio  road  yi't  (though  it  is  not  so  pleaaant  a 
fnad  as  it  was  then),  t'ormed  in  the  impressibility  of 
nnlTied  yonth  and  hope, 

Wlieii  I  had  been  in  Mr.  Pocket's  family  a  month 
i"n,  Mr.  and  Mi-8.  Camilla  turned  up.     Camilla  was 
I'gC^pi.'a  piafftr.     (Jeorgiaiia,   whom  I  Lad  seen  at 
-  llavisliam'H  on  tlie  same  occasion,  also  turned  up. 
was  a  cousin  —  an  indigestive  single  woman,  who 
'■■•']  her  rigidity  rtOigion,  and  her  liver  love.     Titewi 
■  jili.'  hated  mo  with  tho  hatrod  of  cupidity  and  dia- 
.  |i>iintment.  As  a  matter  of  com-se;  they  fawned  upon 
uit:  iu  my  prosperity  with  the  biisest  meanness.     To- 
wards Mr.  Pocket,  as  a  grown-up  infant  with  no  notion 
lit  hiB  own  interests,    they  showed  the  complacent  for- 
liBarancc  I  had  heard  them  express,     Mrs.  Pocket  they 
lield  in  contempt;    hut  they  allowed  the  poor  soul  to 
hive  been   Iieavily  ilisappointed  in  life,    because  that 
slii'd  a  feeble  reflected  light  upon  themaelven. 

Those  were  the  surroundings  among  which  I  settled 

'l"«-n,   and   applied  myself  t"  my  education,     I  soon 

I'liitracted   expensive  habits,    and   began   to  spend  aii 

STiionnt   of  money  that  within  a  few   short  months  I 

"Imnld  have  thought  almost  fabulous,  but  through  good 

and  evil   I  stuck  to  my  books.     There  was  no  other 

iiiriL  in  this,  than  my  having  sense  enough  to  feel  my 

•i''ii'nciefl,     Betweun  Mr.  Potkct   and  Herbert  I  |got 

I'iist;  and,  with  one  or  the  other  always  at  my  elbow 

;;ivo  me  the  start  I  wanted,    and  clear  obstructions 

'lilt  of  my  road,   J  must  have  been  as  great  a  dolt  as 

brummlo  if  1  h*(3  done  /ess. 

^^^  "ot  seen  Mr.  (Pemniick  for  Bome  -ww^,  'flVe*. 
SnW  write  him  a  note  j\nd  T;iYO'^o*e  ^o 


i 


I'ftTO  QKEkt  SXPBCTAWOWBi 


itli  liim  on  a  certain  evening.     He  replied 
it  would  give  him  much  pleasure,    and  that  ho  t 
expect  me  at  the  office  at  six  o'clock.    Thither  I  we 
and  there  I  found   him,    putting  the  key  t  "  '  " 
down  Ms  back  a^  the  clock  struck . 

"Did  you  think  of  walking  down  to  Walworth 
f  said  he, 

"Certainly,"  said  I,  "if  you  approve." 

"Very  much,"  was  'Weinniick''8  reply,  "for  I  ha 

I  had  my  legs  under  the  desk  all  day,  and  shall  be  gl 

to  stretch  them.     Now,    I'll  tell  you  what  I  have  ( 

for  supper,   Mr.  Pip.     I  have  got  as 

which  is  of  home  preparation  —  and  a  cold  roast  fff 

—  which  is  from  the  cook's-shop.     I  think  it's  tendi 

B  the  master  of  the  shop  was  a  Juryman  in  ei 

f  ours  the  other  day,  and  we  let  him  down  a 

I  I  reminded  him  of  it  when  I  bought  the  fowl,    an 

r  eaid,    'Pick  us  out  a  good  one,  old  Briton,   becauaa 

}  had  chosen  to  keep  you  in  the  box  another  day 

I  two,    we  coald  easily  have  done  it.'     He  said  to  tk 

'"  i  make  you  a  present  of  the  best  fowl  i 

I  shop.'     I  let  him,    of  course.     As  far  as  it  goes 
r  property   and  portable.     You  don't  object  to  an  ag 
I  parent,  I  hope?" 

I  really  thought  he  was  still  speaking  of  the  foj 

1  until  he  added,    "Because  I  have  got  an  aged  paa 

I   at  my  place."     I  then  said  what  politeness  required 

"So,  you  haven't  dined  with  Mi.  Jaggers  yet?", 

r  pursued,  as  we  walked  along. 

"Not  yet." 

"He  told  me  so  thie  attermwiu  ■^iViwa'^ieVwrai.;; 
I   expect  yorftt,  \\a.-ve  ? 


27J 

^Br.  He's  going  to  ask  your  pals,  too.  Tlireo 
^B;  ain't  there?" 

^Khough  I  was  not  in  the  habit  of  cotmting 
^Hble  aa  one  of  my  intimate  aesociatos,  I  ooBwered 

^HVell,  he's  going  to  ask  the  whole  gang;"  I 
^•"felt  complimented  by  the  word;  "and  whatever 
^ves  you,  ho'U  give  you  good.  Don't  look  forward 
^ftne^,  but  you'll  have  excellence.  And  there's 
^Br  turn  thing  in  his  house,"  proceeded  Wemmick, 
^^B  moment's  pause,  as  if  the  remark  fallowed  on 
^Kisekeeper  understood;  "he  never  lets  a  door  or 
^B^  be  fastened  at  night." 
^  hfl  never  robbed?'"' 

^Hrii&t'a  it!"  returned  Wemmick.  "He  says  and 
ma 'it  out  publicly,  'I  want  to  see  the  man  who'll 
ill  me.'  Tjord  blesa  you,  I  have  heard  him,  a  hundred 
men  if  I  have  heard  him  once, '  say  to  regular  cracka- 
;«ji  iu  our  front  office,  'You  know  where  I  live;  now, 
■  ''lilt  is  ever  drawn  there;  why  don't  you  do  a  stroke 

'iii-iiness  with  me?  Come;  can't  I  tempt  you?'  Not 
luan  of  them,  sir,  would  be  bold  enough  to  try  it  on, 
II  love  or  money." 

"They  dread  him  bo  much?"  said  I. 

"Dread  him,"  said  Wemmick.  "I  believe  you  they 
refill  hiin.  Not  but  what  he's  artful,  even  in  his  de- 
'nw  of  them.     No  silver,  eir.    Britannia  metal,  every 

"So  they  wouldn't  have  much,"  I  observed,  "even 

"Ah!    But  ie  would  have  much,"    aiiH  "'Wranmv'^. 
ind  they  know  it.    Ra'A  "Viave  'Oofc-vt 
/  scores  of  'om.     He"  d  \ia,v*i 


■  872 


Cnt«AT  BXI>«CTAinOMR. 


,   coul'l  get.    And  it's  impossible  to  say  what  he  cuuldl 
get,  if  lie  gave  his  mind  to  it." 

ts   falling  into  meditation  on  my  guardii 
greatness,  when  Wemmick  remarked: 

"Aa  to  the  absence  of  plntc,  that's  only  his  nftti 
depth,  you  know.    A  river's  its  niitural  depth,  and  li 
'   his  natural  depth.     Look  nt  his  watch-chain.     Tht 
real  enough." 

"It's  veiy  massive,"  said  I. 

"Massive?"  repeated  Wemmick.  "I  think  so,  A 
his  watch  is  a  gold  repeater,  and  worth  a  hundf 
pound  if  it's  worth  a  penny.  Mr.  Pip,  there  are  ahoul 
iven  hundred  thieves  in  this  town  who  know  all  ahoul 
that  watch;  there's  not  a  man,  a  woman,  or  a  ehihl 
among  them,  who  wouldn't  identify  the  smallest  iigk 
'n  that  chain,  and  drop  it  as  if  it  was  red-hot,  if  ,^ 
,-eigled  into  touching  it." 

At   Gist  with  such  discourse,    and  afterwards 
I  converHation-  of  a  more  general  natnre,    did  Mr.  Wfi 
r  mtck  and  I  heguile   the  time  and  the  road,   until 
I*  gave  me  to   understand  that  we  had   arrived   in 
.district  of  Walworth. 

It    appeared    to    he.    a    collection    of  back    lati 

I  dltchoH,    and  little  gardens,    and  to  present  the  as|t 

[  of  a  rather  dull  retbement.     Wemmick' 

little  wooden  cottage  in  the  midst  of  plots  of  gard 

and  the  top  of  it  was  cut  out  and  painted  like  a  1 

tery  mounted  with  guns. 

"My  own  doing,"  said  Wemmick.     "Looks  pi 
don't  it?" 

I  highly  commended  it.  1  Mi:^  \ 
"5  ever  saw;    wit\i  tW  (\*j 


<nSAT  BXFBCTATIOMB. 

r  the  greater  part  of  them  sliam),    and  a  gothic 

f  almoBt  too  fimall  to  get  in  at. 

"That's  a  real  flagstaff,  yon  see,"  said  Wemmick, 
"and  on  Sundays  I  run  np  a  real  flag.  Then  look 
tere.  After  I  have  crossed  this  bridg-o,  I  hoist  tt  up  — 
90  —  and  cut  off  the  cominunication." 

The  hridge  was  a  plank,  and  it  crossed  a  chasm 
ibottt  four  feet  wide  and  two  deep.  But  it  was  very 
pleasant  to  seo  the  pride  with  which  he  hoisted  it  up 
and  made  it  fast;  smiling  as  he  did  so,  with  a  relish 
and  not  merely  mechanically. 

''At  nine  o'clock  every  night,  Greenwich  time," 
said  Wemmick,  "the  gun  fires.  There  he  is,  you  seel 
And  when  you  hear  him  go,  I  think  you'll  say  he's  a 
Blinger." 

The  piece  of  ordnance  referred  to,  was  mounted  in 
a  separate  fortress,  constructed  of  lattice-work.  It  was 
protected  from  tlie  weather  by  an  ingenious  little  tar- 
jwiilin  contrivance  in  the  nature  of  an  umbrella. 

"Then,  at  the  bajjk,"  said  Wemmick,  "out  of  sight, 

.!s  not  to  impede  the  idea  of  fortifications  —  for  ifd 
I  iLucIple  with  me,  if  you  have  an  idea,  cany  it  out 
■mi  keep  it  up;  I  don't  know  whether  that's  your  opi- 

T  said,  decidedly, 

"At  the  back,  there's  a  pig,  and  there  are  fowls 
I  rabbits;  then  I  knock  together  my  own  little 
.I!',  you  see,  and  grow  cucumbers;  and  you'll  judge 
■iijiper  what  sort  of  a  salad  I  can  raise.  So,  sir," 
I  Wemmick,  smiling  again,  but  seriously  too  as  ho 
ik  his  head,  "// j-ou  can  suppose  t\\e  \.\tt\.a  -^saft 
-nvd,   it  would  hold  out  a  devil  of  a  t\iae  m  y>^^ 


Vti  0RBA¥  WCTBCVA-HOWS. 


r 

^B         Then  iie  conducted  me  to  a  bower  about  a  doz 

^ftjartla  off,  but  wliich  was  approached  by  auch  ingenio 

^H^hvists  of  path  that  it  took  quite  a  long  time  to  get 

^K&nd  in  this  retreat  our  glasses  were  ab-eady  set  fo( 

^ft'Ouc    punch   was  cooling  in  an   ornamental  lake, 

^Hffhose  margin   the   bower  was  raised.     This   pie 

^H Water    (with    an    islund    in    the    middle    which   i 

^Fltave    been    the    salad    for  supper)    was   of  a  ciren 

form,  and  he  had  constructed  a  fountain  in  it,  wl ' 

wben  you  set  a  little  mill  going  and  took  a  cotk 

of  a  pipe,  played  to  that  powerful  extent  that  it  n 

kthe  hack  of  your  hand  quite  wet. 
"I  am  my  oVn  engineer,  and  my  own  cai'pent 
Knd  my  own  plumber,  and  my  own  gardener,  and  i 
own  Jack  of  all  Trades,"  said  Wemmick,  in  ackno 
lodging  my  compliments.  "Well;  it's  a  good  thii 
you  know.  It  brushes  the  Newgate  cobwebs  away,  i 
pleases  the  Aged.     You  wouldn't  mind  being  at  on 

f  introduced  to  the  Aged,  would  you?  It  wouldn't  J 
you  out?" 
I  expressed  the  readiness  I  felt,  and  we  went  ix 
the  Castle.  There  we  found,  sitting  by  a  fire,  a  ve 
'  old  man  iu  a  flannel  coat:  clean,  cheerful,  comfortab 
and  weU  cared  for,  hut  intensely  deaf. 

"Well,  aged  parent,"  said  Wemmick,  shaking  baa 

I  with  him  in  a  cordial  and  jocose  way,  "how  are  you 
t     "All  right,  John;  ail  right!"  replied  the  old  n 
ir  ■ " " ~ 


■  1  "Here's  Mr.  Pip,  aged  parent,"  said  Wemmii 
r  nd  I  wish  you  uould  bear  his  name.  Kod  away 
IW,  Mr.  Pip;  that's  what  he  likes.  Nod  away  at  hi 
Vyou  please,  like  winking!" 

"    "Tbia  is  a  fine  place  ai  my  soii^'i,  w"   triisA 
i  mm,   while  I  nodded  as  Aiati  att\  ^««SqV5  < 


OKEiLT  SSFXDTATIOKa. 


^fl 


"This  19  a  pretty  pleasure-groimi,  sir.  This  spot  and 
these  bc-atitiful  works  upon  it  oii^ht  to  be  kept  tifgothitr 
by  the  Nation,  after  my  son's  time,  tat  the  people's  en- 
jnympnt." 

"  You're  as  proud  of  it  as  Puncli ;  ain't  yon,  Aged?" 
mid  Wenunick,  ceutemplating  the  old  man  with  his 
Wil  face  really  softened;  "ihfri^s  a  nod  for  you;" 
giving  him  a  tremendous  odp;  "there's  another  for  you;" 
ffivinp  him  a  still  more,  tremendous  one;  "you  like  that, 
dou't  yon?  If  you're  not  tired,  Mr.  Pip  —  though  I 
know  it's  tiring  to  strangora  —  will  you  lip  him  one 
more?     Ytm  can't  thiuk  bow  it  pleases  him." 

I  lipped  him   several  more,    and  be  was  in  great 
spirits.      We"  letl.  him  beatirring  himself  to  feed  the 
fowls,  and  we  aat  down  to  our  punch  in  tlie  arhoor; 
vliere  Wemmick  told  me  as  be  smoked  a  pipe  that  it 
had  taken  him  a  good  many  years  to  bring  the  pro- 
(lerty  up  to  its  present  pitth  of  perfection. 
"Is  it  your  own,  Mr.  Wemmick?" 
"Oil  yes,"  said  Wemmick,  "I  have  got  hold  of  it, 
■  bit  at  a  time.     It's  a  freehold,  by  George!" 
,"l8  it,  indeed?     I  hope  Mr.  Jaggers  admires  it?" 
"Never  seen  it,"  said  Wemmick,    "Never  heard  of 
Never  seen  the  Aged.     Never  heard  of  him.     No; 
;"'  office  is  one  thing,    and   private   life  is  another. 
IVlien  I  go  into  the  office,  I  leave  the  Castle  behind 
■'I'',  and  when  I  come  into  the  Castle,  I  leave  the  of- 
lii'.'  behind  me.     If  it's  not  in  any  way  disagreeable 
'■'  yon,  you'll  oblige  me  by  doing  the  same.     I  don't 
■li-li  it  profesaiimally  spoken  about." 

'jf  course  I  felt  mf  goad  faith  invoHy.l  'm  "Oaa  do- 
■  n-iuiee  a/' Ilia  request.      I'lio  punch  being  'jerj  Mft«,. 
•^liere  drinkiug  it  And  talking,  unl\\  'A  ^SMi^  ' 


moat  nine  o'clocb.  "Getting  near  gun-fire,"  aaid  "W 
mick  then,  aa  he  laid  down  liis  pipe;  "it's  the  Ag 
treat." 

Proceeding  into  the  Castle  again,  we  found 
^ed  beating  the  polter,  with  expectant  eyes,  as  a 
nmary  to  the  perfbnuance  of  this  great  nightly  ( 
mony.  Wemmick  stood  with  his  watch  i  '  '  ' 
until  the  moment  was  come  for  him  to  take  the : 
liot  poker  from  the  Aged,  and  repair  to  the  ba±( 
He  took  it,  and  went  out,  and  presently  the  3ti3 
went  off  with  a  Bang  that  shook  the  crazy  little 
of  a  cottage  as  if  it  must  fall  to  pieces,  and  ma 
glass  and  teacup  in  it  ring.  Upon  this,  the  Aged 
who  I  believe  would  have  been  blown  out  o" ' ' 

!r  hat  for  holding  on  by  the  elbows  —  cried 
exultingly,  "He's  fired!  I  heerd  hiin!"  and  In' 
at  the  old  gentleman  until  it  is  no  figure  of  speec 
declare  that  I  absolutely  could  not  see  him. 

The  interval  between  that  time  and  supper  "W 
mick  devoted  to  showing  me  his  collection  of  cm 
They  were  mostly  of  a  felonious  character;  i 
prising  the   pen  with  which  a  celebrated  forgery  ' 

1  committed,   a  distinguished  razor  or  two, 
locks  of  hair,  and  several  manuscript  confessions  w 
under  condemnation  —  upon  which  Mr.  Wenunick 
particular  value  aa  being,  to  use  his  own  words,  " 

of  'em  Lies,  sir."  These  were  agreeably  dispe 
among  small  specimens  of  china  and  glass,  various; 
trifles  made  by  the  proprietor  of  the  museum,  ai 

.cco-stoppers  carved  by  the  Aged.     They  i 
displayed  in  that  chamber  of  the  Castle  into  whi( 
Jiad  been  Stat  inducted,  anl  w\i\c\\  servei,  ■m*.  ^ 
tie  ffeneral  sitting-room  but  aa  \,\ws  Vitd 


J 


ORBAT  BCraOTATIONa.  STTIi 

might  judge  from  a  saucejian  on  the  hob,  and  a  brazen 
bijou  over  the  fireplace  designed  for  the  aaapenaion  of 
L  I'oaBting-jiick. 

There  was  a  neat  little  girl  in  attendance,  who 
'■'"ked  after  the  Aged  in  the  day.  When  she  had  laid 
ilic  BTipper-clotii,  the  bridge  was  lowered  to  give  her 
■i'-ana  of  egresa,  and  ahe  withdrew  for  the  night.  The 
jjiper  was  excellent;  and  though  the  Castle  was  ra- 
iImt  subject  to  diy-njt  inaomuch  that  it  tasted  like  a 

■  :i'\  ant,  and  though  the  pig  might  have  been  farther 
IT,  I  waa  heartily  pleaaed  with  my  [whole  entertaln- 

iiii.'Qt  Nor  waa  there  any  drawback  on  my  little  turret 
licdroom,  beyond  there  being  such  a  very  thin  ceiling 
between  me  and  the  flagstaff  that  when  I  lay  down  on 
my  back  in  bed,  it  seemed  as  if  I  had  to  balance  that 
pole  on  my  forehead  all  night, 

Wemmick  was  up  early  in  the  moniing,  and  I  am 
afraid  I  heard  liira  cleaning  my  boota.  After  that,  he 
foU  to  gardening,  and  I  saw  him  from  ray  gothic  window 
pretending  to  employ  the  Aged,  and  nodding  at  him 
in  a  moat  devoted  manner.  Onr  breakfast  waa  aa  good 
as  the  supper,  and  at  half-past  eight  precisely  we  started 
fii['  Little  Britain.  By  degrees,  Wemmick  got  dryer 
I'll  harder  aa  we  went  along,  and  his  mouth  tightened 
■lo  a  post-office  again.     At  last,  when  we  got  to  his 

■  bee  of  busineas  and  he  pulled  ont  hia  key  from  his 
irtl-coUar,  he  looked  aa  unconscioua  of  his  Walworth 

.ri.perty  aa  if  the  Castle  and  the  drawbridge  and  the 
irliour  and  the  lake  and  the  fountain  and  the  Aged, 

■  .id  all  been  blown  into  apaee  together  by  the  laat  iV 
■li.ii'ge  of  the  Stinger. 


OHBAT  BXPaOTAlTOMS, 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


It  fell  out,  as  'Wemmick  had  told  me  it  wi 
that  I  had  an  early  npportunity  of  comparing  my  j 
dian'a  eatabliBbment  with  that  of  hta  caEhier  and  t 
My  guardian  was  in  his  room,  washing  his  Landa 
hifl  acented  aoaji,  w\ien  I  wont  into  the  office  from  ' 
worth;  and  ho  called  mo  to  him,  and  gaTO  me  th< 
vitation  for  myself  and  friends  whiuh  Wemmick' 
prepared  me  to  receive.  "No  ceremony,"  ho  stipul 
"and  no  dinner  dress,  and  say  to-raorrow."  I 
him  where  we  ahould  come  to  [for  I  had  no  idea 
Le  lived),  and  I  believe  it  waa  in  his  general  obji 
to  make  anything'  like  an  admiaaion,  that  he  rep 
"Come  heio,  and  I'll  take  yon  home  with  mo." 
brace  thia  opportunity  of  remarking  that  he 
his  clients  off,  as  if  he  wore  a  surgeon  or  a 
He  had  a  closet  in  hia  room,  fitted  up  for  the  pur] 
which  smelt  of  the  acented  soap  like  a  perfumer'a 
It  had  an  unuaaally  large  jack-towel  on  a  roller  i 
the  door,  and  he  would  wash  his  handa,  and  wipe 
and  dry  them  all  over  this  towel,  whenever  he 
in  from  a  police-court  or  diamisaod  a  client  fronc 
room.  Wlien  I  and  my  friends  repaired  to  him  i 
o'clock  next  day,  ho  acomed  to  have  been  engagi 
a  case  of  a  darker  complexion  than  usual,  for  wo  ft 
him  with  his  head  butted  into  thia  cloaet,  not 
washing  hia  hands,  but  laving  his  face  and  gar{ 
his  throat.  And  even  when  he  had  done  all  tliat, 
had  gone  all  round  the  Jacktowol,  he  took  out  his 
im'fe  and  scraped  the  caaa  out  o?  Vva.  TMaaNitit 
pat  liia  coat  oa. 


I  Eciiuc  pBople   slinking  about  as    usual 

1  ont  into  tlie  street  who  were  evidently 

9  to  apeak  with  him;   liut  there  was  something 

IBclnfliTe  in  the  lialo  of  scented  soap  which  cacirclcd 

nee,  that  they  gave  it  up  for  that  day,     As 

Kilked  along;  westward,    he  was  recogaised   ever 

i^ajn  by  Bome  face  in  tlie  crowd   of  the  streets, 

■whenever  that  happened  he  tallied  louder  to  me; 

)  never  otherwise  recognised  anybody,   or  took 

6  that  anybody  recognised  him. 

ed  UB  to  Gerrard-atreot,  Soho,  to  a  honse 
6  south  side  of  that  street  Katlier  a,  stately  house 
a  kind,  but  dolefully  in  wont  of  paiutiug,  and  with 
'ity  windows.  He  took  out  his  key  and  opened  the 
:«ir,  and  we  all  went  into  a  stone  hall,  bare,  gloomy, 
':iil  little  used.  So,  up  a  dark  brown  staircase  into  a 
ncs  of  three  dark  brown  rooms  on  the  first  floor. 
I  iiere  were  carved  garlands  on  the  panelled  walls,  and 
>  be  stood  among  them  giving  uB  welcome,  I  know 
"lint  kind  of  loops  I  thought  they  looked  like. 

Dinner  was  laid  in  the  best  of  these  rooms;  the  se- 
'iind  was  his  dressing-room;  the  tlurd  his  bedroom,  He. 
''I'i  us  thiit  he  held  the  whole  house,  but  rarely  used 
'■'fu  of  it  than  we  saw.  The  table  was  comfortably 
id  —  no  silver  in  the  service,  of  course- —  and  at  the 
'!i^  iif  his  chair  was  a  capacious  dumb-waitei:,  with  a 
j'iuty  of  buttles  and  decanters  on  it,  and  four  dishes 
I  li'iiit  for  dessert.  I  noticed  throughout,  that  he  kept 
'irythiug  tmder  bis  own  hand,  and  distributed  every- 
liing  himself. 
There  was  a  bookcaso  in  tha  room-  \  aa.'w ,  ^twa. 


E3I 


lO  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


I  such  things.  The  furniture  waa  all  ver 
Bolid  and  good,  like  Lis  watch-chain.  It  had  an  o£E 
eial  look,  however,  and  there  was  notliing  merely  ai 
narnental  to  be  seen.     In  a  comer,  wuh  a  litdo  talil 

I  of  papers  with  a  shaded  lamp;  so  that  he  seemed 
bring  the  office  home  with  htm  in  that  respect  too,  s 
io  wheel  it  out  of  an  evening  and  fall  to  work. 
As  be  had  scarcely  seen  my  three  companions  unl^ 
BOW  —  for  he  and  I  had  walked  together  —  he  stood 
on  the  hearth-rug,  after  ringing  the  bell,  and  took  t 
Marching  look  at  them.     To  my  tnirprise,  he  seemed, 
Mt   once  to   be  principally  if  not  solely  interested  iU' 
Druramle. 
"Pip,"    said  he,    putting    his  large  Land  oi 
Aonlder  and  moving  me  to  the  window,  "I  don't  knoif 
me  from  the  other.     Who's  the  Spider?" 
-      "The  spider?"  said  I. 
'       "The  blotchy,  sprawly,  sulky  fellow." 
"That's  Bentley  Drummlo,"  I  replied;    "the   01 
■with  the  delicate  face  is  Startop." 
Not  making  the  least  account  of  "the  one  with  tl 
delicate  face,"  he  returned.     "'Bentley  Drummle  is  li 
name,  is  it?     I  like  the  look  of  that  fellow." 

He  immediately  began  to  talk  to  Drummle;  not 
all  deterred  by  his  replying  in  his  heavy  ^reticent  wa 
bat  apparently  led  on  by  it  to  screw  discourse  out 
him.     I  was  looking  at  the  two,  when  there  came  h 
tween  me  and  them,  the  housekeeper,  with  the  first  di^ 
for  the  table. 

She  was  a  woman  of  about  forty,  I  supposed  - 
hut  I  may  have  thought  her  older  than  she  was,  as  ifc 
j'g  tie  manner  of  youth  to  do.  ^Laftiei  \.afi.,  oS  a.  U<ths 
DidJe  Sgure,    extremely  pa\e,  mxV  \»ss4  S.*S«&.>3« 


^^unbl 


i  quantity  of  streaming;  hair.  I  cannot  say 
ner  any  diseased  affection  oi'  the  Leart  caused  her 
Tfpa  to  be  parted  as  if  she  were  panting,  and  her  face 
la  benr  a  curious  oxprei^gion  of  suddenness  aud  flutter; 
but  I  know  that  I  had  been  to  see  Macbeth  at  the 
tlieatre,  a  uight  or  two  before,  and  that  her  face  looked 
to  me  as  if  it  were  all  disturbed  by  fiery  air,  like  the 
faces  I  had  seen  rise  out  of  the  Witches'  caldron. 

She  set  the  dish  on,  touched  my  guardian  quietly 
on  the  arm  with  a  finger  to  notify  that  dinner  was 
ready,  and  vanished.  We  took  our  seats  at  the  round 
table,  and  my  guardian  kept  Drummlu  on  one  side  of 
turn,  whOe  Startop  sat  on  the  other.  It  was  a  noble 
lish  of  fish  that  the  housekeeper  had  put  ou  table,  aud 
ire  had  a  joint  of  equally  choice  mutton  afterwards, 
md  then  an  equally  choice  bird.  Sauces,  wines,  all 
ie  accessories  we  wanted,  and  all  of  the  best,  were 
nren  out  by  our  host  from  his  dumb-waiter;  and  when. 
ley  had  made  the  circuit  of  the  table,  he  always  put 
hem  back  again.  Similarly,  ho  dealt  us  clean  plates 
md  knives  and  forks,  for  each  course,  and  dropped 
hose  just  disused  into  two  baskets  on  the  ground  by 
lis  chair.  No  other  attendant  than  the  housekeeper 
ippeared.  She  set  ou  every  dish;  aud  I  always  saw 
a  her  face,  a  face  rising  out  of  the  caldron.  Years  af- 
enrards,  I  made  a  dreadful  likeness  of  that  woman, 
>y  cansing  a  face  that  had  no  other  natural  reaem- 
ilaiice  to  it  than  it  derived  from  flowing  hair,  to  pass 
leliiiid  a  bowl  of  flaming  spirits  in  a  dark  room. 

Induced    to  take    particular    notice   of  the  houses 
Itaaper,  both  by  her  own  striking  appeataucft  aiiiVj 
^emmicks  preparation,  I  observed  that  -wVieiievftt  ^^^ 
g  roam,  abe  ki 


OBB&T  BXPEOTATIOKS. 

gnardian,  and  that  she  would  remove  her  hands  fro 
sny  dish  she  put  before  hiin,  hesitatingly,  as  if  e' 
dreaded  bis  calling  her  hack,  and  wanted  him  to  speak 
when  she  was  nigh,  if  he  had  anytliing  to  say- 
^cied  that  I  could  detect  in  his  manner  a  conseioi 
of  this,  and  a  purpose  of  always  holding  hep  n 
ipense. 

Dinner  went  off  gaily,  and,  although  my  guatdiai 
seemed    to    follow   rather    than   originate    subjects, 
knew,  that  he  wrenched  the  weakest  part  of  onr  d) 
positions  out  of  us.     For  myself,  I  found  that  I  i 
expressing  my  tendency  tu  lavish  expenditure,  and  ) 
p^onise  Herbert,  and  to  boast  of  my  great  prospect 
before  I  quite  knew  that  I  had  opened  my  lips.     , 
■Was  so  with  all  of  ub,   but  with  no  one  more  tha 
Drummle:  the  development  of  whose  inclination  to  g 
in  a  grudging  and   Buapicious  way   at  the  rest,    wa 
screwed  out  of  him  before  the  fish  was  taken  off. 

It  was  not  then,  but  when  we  had  got  to  the  dhee 
that  our  conversation  turned  upon  our  rowing  feat 
and  that  Drummle  was  rallied  for  coming  up  1  " ' 
of  a  night  in  that  slow  amphibious  way  of  his.  Dmm 
npon  this,  informed  oiu"  host  that  he  much  preferred  o 
room  to  our  company,  and  that  as  to  skill  he  was  rat 
than  our  master,  and  that  as  to  strength  he  could  scatti 
us  like  chaff.  By  some  invisible  agency,  my  guardii 
ivound  him  up  to  a  pitch  little  short  of  ferowty  aboa 
tliis  triflo;  and  he  fell  to  baring  and  spanning  his  an 
lo  show  how  muscular  it  was,  and  we  all  fell  to  barii 
itud  spanning  our  arms  in  a  ridiculous  manner. 

Now,  the  housekeeper  was  at  that  time  clearing  i 
I'ible;  my  guardian,  taking  no  \ie&i  o^  Vnx,  W*  ■% 
ho  side  of  hia  face  turned  tiom\\etT  ^         '""" 


^tumx-t  wepnrytkTwm.  98S 

lu  Ills  chair  biting  the  side  of  his  foi-pfiiigcr  and  show- 
ing ta  interest  in  Drummle,  that,  to  me,  was  quite  in- 
etjilicahle.  Soddeoly,  he  clapped  hia  large  hand  on 
the  housekeeper's,  like  a  trap,  as  Bh<i  stretched  it  acrosB 
lie  table.  80  suddenly  aud  smartly  did  ha  do  this, 
that  wc  all  stopped  in  our  foaliah  contention. 

"If  you  talk  of  Btrenfrth,"  said  Mr.  Jaggors,  'TU 
siow  you  a  wrist.     Molly,  let  them  nee  your  wrist" 

Hijr  entrapped  hand  was  on  the  table,  but  she  had 
already  put  her  other  hand  behind  ber  waist.  "Master," 
ehe  said,  in  a  low  voice,  with  her  eyea  attentively  and 
(Llreatingiy  fixed  upon  him.     "Don't!" 

"/'Il  show  you  a  WTist,"  repeated  Mr.  Jaggers, 
nitb  an  immovable  determination  to  show  it.  "Molly, 
let  them  see  your  wrist." 

"Master,"  she  again  mnrmnied.     "Please!" 

"Molly,"  said  Mr.  daggers,  not  looking  at  her,  but 
obstinately  looking  at  the.  opposite  aide  of  the  room, 
"let  them  see  both  your  wrists.    Show  them.    Come!" 

He  took  bis  hand  from  hers,  and  turned  that  wrist 
(i|>  on  the  table.  She  brought  her  other  hand  from  be- 
iiind  her,  and  held  the  two  out  side  by  side.  The  last 
■iiist  was  much  disfigured  —  deeply  scarred  and  scarred 
uross  and  across,  When  flie  held  her  hands  out,  she 
I  ik  her  eyes  from  Mr.  Jaggers,  and  turned  them  watch- 
'  illy  on  every  one  of  the  rest  of  us  in  succession. 

"There's    power  here,"    said  Mr.  Jaggers,    coolly 

.:jcing  out  the- siagwjL-Jvitb  his  forefinger.     "Very  few 

II -n  have  the  power  of  wrist  that  this  woman  has.  It's 

riiarkaWe  what  mere  force  of  grip  there  is  in  these 

inds,    I  have  had  oceasioti  to  notice  many  \iKni&-,\«A. 

tixat  respect,  n\aii.'H  01  'wcnisaai' 


I 


Willie  he  said  these  words  in  a  leisurely  critici 
style,  she  continued  to  look  at  every  one  of  ue 
^lar  BQCcession  as  we  sat.  The  niomcDt  he  ceased, 
she  looked  at  him  again.  "That'll  do,  Molly,"  said  Mr 
Jaggere,  giving  her  a  slight  nod;  "you  have  been  a;' 
mired,  and  can  go."  She  withdrew  her  hands  ai 
went  out  of  the  room,  and  Mr.  Jaggors,  putting  tl 
decanters  on  from  his  dumb-waiter,  fiUed  his  glass  ai 
passed  round  the  wine. 

"At  half-past  nine,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  "we  ma 
break  up.     Pray  make  the  best  use  of  your  time. 
am  glad  to  see  you  all,     Mr.    Drummie,  I  drink 


If  his  object  in  singling  out  Drummie  were  to  brii 
out  still  more,  it  perfectly  succeeded.     In  a  solk 
■  ■    ■       )fffi 


triumph,  Drummie  showed  hia  morose  depreciation  of 
rest  of  us,  in  a  more  and  more  offensive  degree  until  h& 
became  downright  intolerable.  Through  all  his  stagei 
Mr.  Jaggers  followed  lum  with  the  same  strange  ii 
terest.  He  actually  seemed  to  serve  as  a  zest  to  M 
Jaggers's  wine. 

In  our  boyish  want  of  discretion  I  dare  say  wa  tod 
too  much  to  drink,  and  I  know  we  talked  too  mnd 
We  became  particularly  h6t  upon  some  boorish  8n» 
of  Drummle'a,  to  the  effect  that  we  were  too  free  wil 
our  money.  It  led  to  my  remarking,  with  more  lei 
than  discretion,  that  it  came  with  a  bad  grace  froi 
him,  to  whom  Startop  had  lent  money 
but  a  week  or  so  before. 

"Well,"  retorted  Drummie:  "he'll  be  paid.' 
"I  don't  mean  to  imply  that  he  won't,"  said  I,  "bu 
A  might  ma&e  you  hold  yoor  toi\gttft  b^icimX 
mouey,  I  should  think.'' 


GREAT  KfWWTATIOW.  881 

"  Yoa  should  think!"  retorted  Drummle.  "Oh 
Ivord!"' 

"I  daro  say,"  I  went  on,  meaning  to  be  very  severe, 
tLat  you  wouldn't  lend  money  to  any  of 
aited  it." 

"You  are  right,"  said  Draramle.     "I  wouldn't  lenS' 
k  of  yon  a.  sixpence.    I  wouldn't  lend  anybody 

'Bather  mean  to  borrow  under  those  circiimstancea, 
I  should  Bay." 

"  YoH  should  say,"  repeated  Drummle.   "Oh  Lordl 
This   was   so  very   aggravating  —  the  more  espe- 
cially, as  I  foimd  myself  making  no  way  against 
surly  obtUBBness  — -  that  I  said,  disregarding  Herbert'* 
efforts  to  check  me; 

"Come,  Mr.  Drummle,  since  we  are  on  the  subject, 
ni  tell  yoii  what  passed  between  Herbert  here  and  me, 
when  you  borrowed  that  money." 

"/  don't  want  to  know  what  passed  between  Herbert 
Uiare  and  you,"  growled  Drummle,  And  I  think  ha 
added  in  n  lower  growl,  that  we  might  both  go  to  the 
devil  and  shake  ourselves, 

"I'll  tell  you,  however,"  said  I,  "whether  you  want 
to  know  or  not.  We  said  that  as  you  put  it  in  your 
pocket  vary  glud  to  get  it,  you  seemed  to  be  immensely 
amused  at  his  being  so  weak  as  to  lend  it." 

Drummle  laaghed  oatright,  and  sat  laughing  in  oar 
faces,  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets  and  his  round 
shoaltlers  raised:  plainly  signifying  that  it  was  quite 
trui',  and  that  he  despised  us  as  aitses  all. 

Hereupon,  Startop  took  Jiim  in  hand,  l\\w\^  "«\'0o. 
:i  machJieUer^  grace  than  I  had   shovm,    !W\i  exVw 

iwe  agreoable.      Startop,  \ieiva%" 


OKEAI"  BXPKOTATIORe. 


I  lively  Lrig^lit  young'  fellow,  and  I>riimiiile  being 
t  oppoHite,  the  latter  was  always  diaposed  to  rei 
as  a  direct  personal  affrnnt.     He  now  retorted 

I  a.  coarse  lampish  way,  and  Startop  tried  to  tarn 
discussion  aside  witli  some  Rmull  pleasantry  that  m 
US  all  laugh.  Resenting  this  little  sucuess  more  t 
anything,  Drummle  without  any  threat  or  warning  pnl 
his  hiinds  out  of  his  pockets,  dropped  his  round  eht 
ders,  swore,  took  up  a  large  glaBs,  and  would  bf 
flVig  it  at  his  adversary's  head,  but  for  our  entertain! 
dexterously  seizing  it  at  the  instant  when  it  was  rail 
for  that  purpose. 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  deliberately  pntti 

[  down  the  glass,  and  hauling  out  his  gold  repeater 
its  masBive  chain,  "I  am  exceedingly  sorry  to  annom 

f  that  it's  half-past  nine."  ^ 

On  this  hint  we  all  rose  to  depart.     Before 

k  to  the  street  door,  Startop  was  cheerily  calling  Drama 

'  "old  boy,"  as  if  nothing  had  happened.     But  the  q 

'  boy  was  so  far  from  responding,  that  he  would 
even  walk  to  ITammersmith  on  the  same  side  of 
way;  so,  Herbert  and  I,  who  remained  In  town,   m 

I  them  going  down  the  street  on  opposite  sides;  Start 
leading,  and  Drummle  lagging  behind  in  the  shaji 
of  the  houses,    much  as  he  was  wont  to  follow  in  k 

As  the  door  was  not  yet  shut,  I  thought  I 
leave  Herbert  there  for  a  moment,    and 
,    again  to  say  a  word  to  ray  guai'dian.     I  found  huB 
■  ig-rooni  surrounded   by  his    stock   of  b< 
already  hard  at  it,  washing  his  hands 
I  told  him  that  I  had  coma  u\i  a 
-was    that    anytking   A\BRgve«s.Vi\e 


^ound  huB 
ck   of  bo^l 

J 


I'Turreil,    iiml    tliat  I  liopeil   he  would   not  biHiiie  me 

"Pooli!"   Hftid  lie,   Bluicing  lis  face,    and  Hpeaking- 

iiirough  tbe.  water-dmps;  "it's  notliiiig,  Pi|i.  I  like 
liiat  Spider  though." 

He  had  titrued  towards  me  iiow,  imd  was  shaking 
Ills  hpad,  and  blowing,  and  towelling-  hinmelf. 

"I  iim  glad  yoii  like  kim,  sir,"  said  I  —  "bnt  £ 

"No,  DO,"  my  guardiau  assented,   "don't  have  too 
iMHL-h  to  do  with  him.     Keep  as  clear  of  him  a§  yon 
uiiu.     But  I  like  the  fellow,  Pip;  he  is  one  of  the  tme 
I  a<*t.     Wiiy,  if  I  was  a  fortune-teller  — " 

Looking  out  of  the  towel,  he  caught  my  eye. 
"Butl  am  not  a  fortune-teller,"  he  said,  letting  hiB 
ad  drop  into  a  festoon  of  towel,  and  towelling  away 
his  two  ears.     "You  know  what  I  am,  don't  yon? 
Good  night,  Pip." 
"Good  night,  air." 

In  about  a  month  after  that,  tlie  Spider's  time  with 
ACr,  Pocket  was  up  for  good,  and,  to  the  great  relief 
(if  all  the  house  but  Mrs.  I'ocket,  he  went  liome  to  the 
family  hole. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

"My  Dear  Mr.  Pip, 

"I  write  this  by  request  of  Jlr.  &ai'gery,  for  to  let 

iU  know  that  lie  is  going  ,to  London  in  uom^arv^  ti? 

.    Wopsle  and  would  be  glad  if  agreeab\e  to  \i&  ^- 

vcd^tQ  Bee  you.     He  would   call  at  llama,T^%"B-sJ« 

!.  u'clock,    when   M  Tiot  agteealt 


ORB  AT  BRPBCTATTONB. 

f  please  leave  word,     Your  poor  sister  is  much  the  s 

1  when  yoa  left.     We   talk   of  yoa  in  the   kitcl 

every  night,    and  wonder  what  you  are  saying   -, 

If  now  considered  in  the  light  of  a  liberty,  i 

cuse  it  for  the  love  of  poor  old  days.     No  more,  dQ 

Mr.  Pip,  from 

"Tour  ever  obliged,  and  affectionate 
"Servant, 

BiDDr. 

?.S.     He  wishes  me  most  particular  to  write  u 

I  larks.     Ho  says  you  will  understand.     I  hope  and 

\  not  doubt  it  will  be  agreeable  to  see  him  even  thon, 

a  gentleman,  for  you  had  ever  a  good  heart  and  he 

'orthy  man.    I  have  read  him  all,  excepting  o 

the  last  little  sentence,    and  he  wishes  me  most  j 

,  ticular  to  write  again  what  larhs." 

I  received  this  letter  by  the  post  on  Monday  m( 
>  ing,  and  therefore  its  appointment  was  for  next  da 
lo  confess  exactly,  with  what  feelings  I  lookt 
forward  to  Joe's  coming. 
i^  Not  with  pleasure,  though  I  was  bound  to  hinn  | 
1  many  ties;  no;  with  considerable  diatui'bance,  t 
,  mortification,  and  a  keen  sense  of  incongruity.  1£\ 
could  have  kept  him  away  by  paying  money,  I  a 
tftinly  would  have  paid  money.  My  greatest  reaS 
ranee  was,  that  he  was  coming  to  Barnard's  Inn,  not' 
Hammersmith,    and    consequently    would   not    fall 

»Bentley  Dmmmle's  way.  I  had  little  objection  to  1 
bein^  seen  by  Herbert  or  his  father,  for  both  of  wh 
Jiad  a  respect;  hut  1  \ia4  t\ie  ^Kr^a\.  sRmKiJivjwB 
to  hia  hmng  seen  by  DrummXii  ■^VQ-m.\\v€ii.\a.. 


tempt.      Ba,  tlirougliout  life,  (iiir  ^orat  weaknesses  and 
usually  committed  for  tLe  sake  of  llie 
■  iijile  wlioiu  we  most  despise, 

1  liad  be^im  to  be  always  decorating  the  cliambers 
J  jiime  quite  unnecessary  and  inappropriate  way  i 
I'liiT,  and  very  expensive  those  wrestles  with  Barnard 
;irnved  to  be.  By  this  time,  the  rooms  were  vastly 
iliflerent  from  what  I  had  found  them,  and  I  enjoyed 
ilie  honour  of  occupying  a  few  prominent  pages  in 
iiouka  of  a  neighbouring  upholsterer.  I  had  got  on  so 
f«Bt  of  late,  that  I  had  even  started  a  boy  in  boots  -i— 
tup  hoots  —  in  bondage  and  slavery  to  whom  I  might 
Wu  been  said  to  pass  my  days.  For,  after  I  had 
made  the  monster  (out  of  the  refuse  of  my  washerwo- 
inaii's  family)  and  had  clothed  him  with  a  blue  coat, 
Mnmy  waistcoat,  white  cravat,  creamy  breeches,  and 
die  boots  already  mentioned,  I  had  to  find  him  a  little 
to  do  and  a  great  deaf  to  eat;  and  with  both  of  those 
liorrible  requirements  he  haunted  my  existence. 

This  avenging  phantom  was  ordered  to  be  on  duty 
U  eight  on  Tuesday  m.onmig  in  the  hall  (it  was  i 
feet  square,  as  charged  for  tloOTcloth),  and  Herbert  sag- 
certain  things  for  breakfast  that  ho  thought  Joe 
like.  While- 1  felt  sincerely  obliged  to  him  for 
to  interested  and  considerate,  I  had  an  odd  half- 
iked  sense  of  suspicion  upon  me,  that  if  Joe  had 
teen  coming  to  see  Imt,  he  wouldn't  have  been  quite 
so  brisk  about  it. 

However,  I  came  into  town  on  the  Monday  night 

to  be  ready  for  Joe,  and  I  got  up  early  in  the  mi 

g,  and  caused  the  sitting'-room  and  brea.Wa»V\,tOtt\fe  Xa 

isnme  tlieir  moat  splendid  appearance.     UniottvniaitOcJ 

moniuig  was  drizzly,  and  an  angel  eou\4  -Q.Qt  "\iW 

T^aelaliem.  J.  -^ 


390  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 

concealed  ths  fact  that  Barnard  was  ahedtUng  s< 
tears  outside  the  window,  like  some  weak  giant  i 
Sweep. 

As  tho  time  approached  I  should  have  tiked  to : 
away,  but  the  Avenger  pursuant  to  orders  was  in 
hall,  and  presently  I  heard  Joe  on  the  staircase, 
knew  it  was  Joe  by  his  clumsy 
Btaira  —  liis  state  boots  being  always  too  big  for  ] 

—  and  by  the  time  it  took  him  to  read  the  named 
the  other  floors  in  the  course  of  his  ascent.  "Whs* 
last  he  stopped  outside  our  door,  I  could  hear  his  fia 
tracing  over  the  painted  letters  of  ray  name,  and  I 
terwards  distinctly  heard  him  breathing  in  at  the  )l 
hole.     Finally  ho  gave  a  faint  single  rap,  and  Pe[ 

—  such  was  the  compromising  name  of  the  aveng 
boy  —  announced  "Mr.  Gargeiy!"  I  thought  he 
ver  would  have  done  wiping  his  feet,  and  that  I  md 

'have  gone  out  to  im  him  o£F  the  mat,  but  at  last' 

"Joe,  how  are  you,  Joe?" 

"Pip,  how  ARE  you,  Pip?" 

With  his  good  honest  face  all  glowing  and  shin 
and  his  hat  put  down  on  the  floor  between  ua,  he  eai 
both  my  hands  and  worked  them  straight  up  and  dc 
aa  if  I  had  been  the  last-patented  Pump. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Joe.     Give  me  your  ha 

But  Joo,  taking  it  up  carefully  with  both  hi 
like  a  bird's-nest  with  eggs  in  it,  wouldn't  hear  of  ; 
ing  with  that  piece  of  property,  and  persisted  in  el 
ing  talking  over  it  in  a  most  uncomfortable  way. 

"Which   you  have  tliat  gvOTfai"   wcA  Je*., 

swelled,  and  that  gent\eS«\t^-^  "" -■ 


^^^^^^^^^aS^n^S^R 


liirJe  before  he  discovered  tliia  word;    "as  to  be  sure 
j"ii  are  a  honoar  to  your  king;  and  coiintrj'." 

1        "And  you,  Joe,  look  wonderfnlly  well." 

"Thank   God,"  eaid  Joe,    "I'm  ekerval  to  moBt. 

'  And  your  sister,  she.'a  no  worse  than  she  were.  And 
Sillily,  she's  ever  right  and  ready.  And  all  friends  is 
■'  Ijiidkerder,  if  not  no  forsrdor.    'Ccjjtin'  Wopsle;  he'a 

All  this  time   (still  with  both  hunda   taking  great 
ic  of  the  bird's-ueat),  Joe  was  rolling;  his  eyos  round 
III  round  the  room,  and  round  and  round  the  ilowered 
■i(tf>ni  of  my  dressing-^wn. 
"Had  .1  drop,  Joe?" 

"Why  yes,"  said  Joe,  lowering;  his  voice,  "he's  left 
■  Ohiirch,  and  went  into  the  playacting;.     Which  the 
iiliiyncting'  have  likeways  broug;ht  hint  to  London  along 
litli  me.     And  his  wish  were,"  said  Joe,  getting  the 
liJrdVnest  under  liis  left  arm  for  the  moment  and  gro- 
|ilrig  in  it  for  an  egg  with  his  right;  "if  no  offence,  as 
would  'and  you  that." 
I  took  what  Joe  gave  me,  and  found  it  to  he  the 
L  cnunpled  playbill  of  a  small  metropolitan  theatre,  au- 
ing  the   first  appearance  in  that  very  week  of 
ideb^ted  Provincial  Amatem*  of  Itoscian  renown, 
S  iHliqae  performance  in  the  highest  tragic  walk 
r  Kational  Bard  has  lately  occaHioned  so  great  a. 
'  1  local  dramatic  circles." 
"Were  you  at  his  performance,  Joe?"  I  inquired, 
"I  icfi-e,"  said  Joe,  with  emphasis  and  solemnity. 
"Was  there  a  great  senaation?" 
"Why,"  said  Joe,  "yea,  there  certara\y  -WCTe  a,  -5"!;^ 
I  .;f  orsogv-peel.     Paitickler,    when    he    see  fce   ^juo'si' 
~*^^omj8ri£  jsir,  whether  \t  ^ei< 


»S93 


GffiSAT  wcPsorx'Fiom. 


f 

^F    latod  to  keep  a,  man  tip  tri  hia  work  with  a  good  1 
"     to  be  coQtiniwally  cutting  in  betwixt  liim  and  the  GI^ 
with  'Amen!'    A  man  may  have  had  a  miafortnn'  i 
been  in  the  Church,"  said  Joe,  lowering  his  y 
argumentative  and  feeling  tone,  "but  that  is 
why  you  should  put  him  out  at  such  a  time.     "WMj 
I  meantersay,  if  the  ghost  of  a  man's  own  father  c 
not  he  allowed  to  claim  bis  attention, 

I   Still  more,  when  hia  monming  'at  is  unfortunately  n 
BO  small  as  that  the  weight  of  the  black  feathers  bnd 
it  off,  try  to  keep  it  on  how  you  may." 
A  ghost-seeing  effect  in  Joe's  own  countenance  | 
formed  me  that  Herbert  had  entered  the  i 
presented  Joe  to  Herbert,  who  held  out  hia  hand;  ) 
Joe  backed  from  it,  and  held  on  by  the  hird's-nest.  ' 
"Tour  servant.  Sir,"  said  Joe,   "which  I  hopaj 
you  and  Pip"  —  here  his  eye  fell  on  the  Aveii 
who  was  putting  some  toast  on  table,  and  so  pla 
denoted  an  intention  to  make  that  young  gentlen 
one  of  the  family,  that  I  frowned  it  down  and  c 
him  more  —   "I  meantersay,   yon  two  gentlet 
which  I  hope  aa  you  get  your  elths  in  this  cloae  ep^ 
For  the  present  may  be  a.  werry  good  inn,  accord 
to  London  opinions,"  said  Joe,  confidentially, 
believe  its  character  do  stand  I;  but  I  wouldn't  ke« 

»pig  in  it  myself  —  not  in  the  case  that  I  wished  j 
to  fatten  wholesome  and  to  eat  with  a  meller  flavj 
on  him." 
Having  home  this  flattering  testimony  to  the  e 
of  our  dwelling-place,  and  having  incidentally  ehol 
this  tendency  to  call  me    "sir,"  Joe,  being  invitetljj 
sii  down  to  fable,  looked  a\V  Toitni  'ftift  t 
^able  spot  on  wliich  to  deposit  "Vaa  "^laV  - 


'  aREAV  BXPBOTATIMni,  3 

"Illy  on  some  very  few  rare  substances  in  nature  that 
i(  c:oald  find  a  restinf^place  —  and  ultimately  stood  it 
III!  an  extreme  corner  of  the  cliimney-piece,  from  which 
i;  ever  afterwords  fell  off  at  intervala. 

"Do  you  take  tea,  or  coffee,  Mr.  Gargery?"  asked 
ifcrhert,  who  always  presided  of  a  morning. 

"Tliankee,  Sir,"  said  Joe,  stiff  from  head  to  foot, 

1 11  take  whichever  is  most  agreeable  to  yourself." 

"What  do  yon  say  to  coffee?" 

"Thankee,  Sir,"  returned  Joe,  eyidently  dispirited 

v  tiie  proposal,  "since  you  are  so  kind  as  make  chice 

'  roffet;,  I  will  not  run  coatrairy  to  your  own  opinions. 

n't  you  never  find  it  a  little  'eating?"  . 

"Say  tea  then,"  said  Herbert,  pouring  it  out 

Here  Joe's  hat  tumbled  off  the  mantelpiece,  and  he 

i  out  of  his  chair  and  picked  it  np,  aud  fitted  it 

&  same  exact  spot.    As  if  it  were  an  absolute  poiot 

i  breeding  that  it  should  tumble  off  again  soon. 

r  "Wlien  did  you  come  to  town,  Mr.  Gargejy?" 

"Were  it  yesterday  afternoon?"  said  Joe,  after 
DDgluDg  behind  his  hand,  as  if  he  had  had  time  to 
catch  the  whooping-cough  since  he  came.  "No  it  were 
not.  Yes  it  were.  Yes.  It  were  yesterday  afternoon" 
(with  an  appearance  of  mingled  wisdom,  relief,  and 
strict  impartiality). 

"Have  you  seen  anything  of  London,  yet?" 
"Why,  yea,  Sir,"  said  Joe,  "me  and  Wopsle  went 
"IT  straight  to  look  at  the  Blacking  Ware'ua.     But 
'iiiJo't  find  that  it  come  up  to  its  likeness  in, the  red 
.i!l>t  at  the  shop  doors;   which  I  meantersay,"  added 
Hi.',  in  an  explanafwy  manner,   "aa  it  is  iVexa  i.tii."«i. 
.'  arehhectooralooral." 

Jielieve   Joe    would  'have    \)roVoTi?.e&.  * 


I 


:1  (iiiigLtily  exjireasive  to  my  mind  of  Bome  arcIiC 
tecture  that  I  know)  into  a  perfect  OhoruB,  but  tVir  Li* 
attention    Leing    pmvitleutially    attracted    by    his  liat- 
wliicli  waa  toppling.     Indeed,  it  demiinded  from  him  m 
constant  attention,    and  a  quickness  uf  eye  and  Land^^ 
very  like  tliat  exacted  by  iricket-keeping.     Hft  ma( 
extraordinary  play  with   it,   and  showed   the  greats 
akill;   now,    rushing  at  it  and  catehiug  it  neatJy  as 
dropped;  now,    merely  stopping  it  midway,  beatings 
up,  and  humouring  it  in  various  parts  of  the  room  a 
against  a  good  deal  of  the  pattern  of  the  paper  on  1 
wall,    before  lio  felt  it   safe  to    close  with  it;   final] 
.Splashing  it  into  the  slop-basin,  where  I  took  the  liheri 
of  laying  hands  upon  it 

As  to  his  shirt-collar,  and  his  coat-collar,  th^  yrS 
■perplexing  to  reflect  upon  —  insoluble  mysterieB  boti 
Why  should  a  man  scrape  himself  to  that  extent,  be> 
fere  he  could  consider  himself  full  dressed?  Why  should 
rhe  suppose  it  necessary  to  be  purified  by  suffering  f 
Ihb  LoSday  clothes?  Then  he  fell  into  such  unaoconi 
able  fits   of  meditation,  with  his  fork  midway  betvei 
his  plate  and  his  mouth;  had  his  eyes  attracted  in  bu( 
.strange  directions;    was  afflicted  with  such  remarkat 
coughs;  sat  so  far  from  the  table,  and  dropped  st 
more    than    ho    ate,    and    pretended    that    he    hac 
dropped  it;  that  I  was  heartily  glad  when  Herbert  1« 
us  for  the  City. 

I  had  neither  the  good  sense  nor  the  good  feelil 
to  know  that  this  was  all  my  fault,  and  that  if  I  t 
been  easier  with  Joe,  Joe  would  have  been  easier  w 
me.  I  felt  impatient  of  him  and  out  of  temper  w 
which  condition  Ke  \1ea5e4  taa^a  ol  %ift  « 


^  Ds  tiro  being  now  alone,  Sir"  —  bep:un  J()e. 
"Jm,"  I  iutemipteil,  pettJBhlj',  "Uow  oan  you  call 
m  Sir?" 

Joe  looked  at  me  for  a  single  instant  with  some- 
■liiii^  faintly  like  veproacli.  Ilttedy  prejiosterous  as  his 
iJYirat  wan,  and  as  his  collars  were,  I  was  conseions  of 
■I  sort  of  dignity  in  the  look. 

"Us  two  being  now  alone,"  resumed  Joe,  "and  me 
liHving  the  latentions  and  abilities  to  stay  not  many 
uiuiites  more,  I  will  now  conclude  - —  leastways  begin 
--  tu  mention  what  have  led  to  my  having  had  the 
|iri'Mtnt  honour.  For  was  it  not,"  said  Joe,  with  bis 
■M  air  of  Incid  ex[io8ition,  "that  uiy  only  wish  were 
■  '  lio  useful  to  you,  I  should  not  have  had  the  honour 
■li  breaking  wittles  in  the  company  and  abode  of  gen- 
tliTuen." 

I  was  so  unwilling  to  see  the  look  again,  that  I 
[Dade  no  remonstrance  against  this  tone. 

"Well,  Sir,"  pursued  Joe,  "thiH  is  how  it  were.     I 
ware  at  the  Bargemen  t'other  night,   Pip;"   whenever 
te  subaided  into  affection,  he  called  me  Pip,  and  when- 
ever he  relapsed  into  politeness  be  called  me  Sir;  "when 
tliere  come  up  in  his  shay-cart,  Pumhlechook.     Which 
that  same  identical,"  said  Joe,  going  down  a  new  track, 
"do  comb   my  'air  the  wrong  way  aometimes,    awfitl, 
by  giving  out  up  and  down  town  as  it  wor  him  which 
aver  bad  your  infant  compaiiionation  and  were  looked 
lipon  as  a  play-fellow  by  yourself." 
"Konsense.     It  was  you,  Joe." 
"Which  I  fully  believed  it  were,  Pip,"   Haid  Joe, 
i.;liUy  tossing  his  head,  "tliough  it  Bignity  VvVfe.  "nww 
/.      WeU,   Pip;  (Ais  same  identical,   ■*'\i\«\i  \iis -ma 
to  hlustexoas,   come  to  me  at  t\ke"Basi 


•996  GKBAT  BXPBOTATIom. 

(wot  a  pipe  and  n,  pint  of  beer  do  give  refii 
ment  to  iha  working  maD,  Sir,  and  do  not  over  s 
late),  and  his  word  were,  'Joseph,  Miss  HaviBbam 
wiali  to  speak  to  you."' 

"Misa  Havisham,  Joe?" 

"'She  wish,'  were  Pumblechook's  word,  'to  speal 

yon,'"     Joe  sat  and  rolled  his  eyea  at  the  ceiling. 

'Tes,  Joe?  Go  on,  please." 

"Next  day.   Sir,"  said  Joe,   looking  at  i 
were  a  loag  way  off,  "having  cleaned  myself,  I  go 
I  Bee  Mias  A." 

"Miss  A.,  Joe?  Mias  HaTisham?" 

"Wliich  I  say,  Sir,"  replied  Joe,  with  an 
legal  formality,  as  if  he  were  making  his  will, 
A.,  or  otherways  Havisham,  Her  expression  ai 
aa  foUering!  'Mr.  Gargery.  Ton  air  in  coirespondt 
with  Mr.  Pip?'  Having  had  a  letter  from  you,  I  i 
able  to  say  'I  am.'  (When  I  married  your  sister, 
I  said  'I  will;'  and  when  I  answered  your  friend,  '. 
I  said  'I  am.')  'Would  you  tell  him,  then,'  said 
'that  which  Estella  has  come  home  and  would  be  j 
to  see  him.'" 

I  fait  my  face  fire  up  as  I  looked  at  Joe,  I  I 
one  remote  cause  of  its  firing,  may  have  been  my  < 
sciouaness  that  if  I  had  known  his  eiTand,  I  aht 
have  given  him  more  encouragement. 

"Biddy,"  pursued  Joe,  "when  I  got  home 
asked  her  fur  to  write  the  message  to  you, 
hung  back.  Biddy  says,  'I  know  he  will  he  very  j 
to  have  it  by  word  of  mouth,  it  ia  holiday-time, 
want  to  see  him,  gol'  I  have  now  tcnuliai.^' 

miag  from  his  ctalr,  "  ani,  ^'^'^ ,  ^  ■» 


L -ti^t^LiIgS 


vel]  iind  ever   proapering  to  a  greater  and  ti  greater 

"But  you  are  not  going  now,  Joe?" 

"Yes  I  am,"  said  Joe, 

"But  you  are  coming  back  to  dinner,  Joo?" 

"No  I  am  not,"  said  Joe. 

Our  eyes  met,    and  all   the   "Sir"  melted  out  of 
that  manly  heart  as  he  gave  me  his  band. 

"Pip,  dear  old  chap,  life  is  made  of  ever  ho  many 
iMirtings  welded  together,  as  I  may  say,  and  one  man's 
I  lilauksmith,  and  one's  a  whitesmith,  and  one'ti  a  gold- 
iiith,  and  one's  a  coppersmith.  Diwisiona  among  snch 
'Hist  come,  and  must  be  met  as  they  come.  If  there's 
<^n  any  fault  at  all  to-day,  it's  mine.  Tou  and  me 
I-  not  two  figures  to  he  together  in  London;  nor  yet 
nnywhercH  else  but  what  is  private,  and  heknown,  and 
imdcrBtood  among  friends.  It  ain't  that  I  am  proud, 
but  that  I  want  to  be  right,  as  you  shall  never  see  me 
DO  more  in  these  clothea.  I'm  wrong  in  these  clothes. 
Vm  wrong  out  of  the  forge,  the  kitchen,  or  off  th' 
muabes.  You  -won't  find  half  bo  much  fault  in  me  if 
yon  think  of  me  in  my  forge  dress,  with  my  hammer 
ill  lay  hand,  or  even  my  pipe.  You  won't  find  half 
1  mnch  fault  in  me  if,  supposing  as  you  should  ever 
■  l-ih  to  see  me,  you  come  and  put  your  bead  in  at  the 
1  irtj'c  window  and  see  Joe  the  blacksmith,  there  at  the 
■  ill]  anvil,  in  the  old  burnt  apron,  sticking  to  the  old 
ivork.  I'm  awftil  dall,  but  I  hope  I've  beat  out  some- 
lUing  nigh  the  rights  of  this  at  last.  And  so  God 
bless  you,  dear  old  Pip,  old  chap,  God  bless  youl" 

I  had  not  been  mistaken  in  my  fancy   &a.t  "Oawt^i 

a^ioiple  dignity  iu  him.     The  fasluon  o?  V\&  Jwa** 
its   way  -when  \ie  B-joVa  "Oo-s 


1 


OltSAT  tgxPflOTJMnOKS. 

I  words,  tlian  it  cnnld  come  iii  its  way  in  Heaven, 
[I  touched  nie  gently  on  tlie  forehead,  and  went  out. 
r  BOon  Hs  I  could   recover  myself  sufficiently,  I  horri 
I  out  after  Iiim  and  loiiked  for  blm  in  the  ncighboii 
I  streets;  but  he  was  gone. 


CHAPTER  XXVIIT. 

It  waa  clear  that  I  must  repair  to  our  town  »« 
I  <iay,  and  in  the  first  flow  of  my  repentance  it  if 
t  equally  clear  that  I  must  stay  at  Joe's.  But  when 
I  had  secured  my  box-place  by  to-nioiTow's  coach  i 
I  had  been  down  to  Mr.  Pocket's  and  back,  I  was  fl 
J  by  any  means  convinced  on  the  last  point,  and  beg 
I'io  invent  reasons  and  make  excuses  for  putting  up 
\  'tke  Blue  Boar.    I  should  be  an  inconvenience  at  Jof 

not  expected,   and  my  heil  would  not  be  r 

I;  I  should  be  too  far  from  Miss  Havisham's,   and  i 

B  exacting  and  mightn't  like  it.    All  other  awiiidl< 

an  earth  are  nothing  to  the  self-swindlers,  and  7 

tiSneh  pretences  did  I  cheat  myself.     Surely  a  eari 

f  diing.  That  I  should  innocently  take  a  bad  half-cio' 

|.«f  somebody  eUe's  manufacture,  is  reasonable  enooj 

L  but  that  I  should  knowingly  reckon  the  B^uriou^  o 

of  my  own  make,  as  good  money!  An  obliging  strau^ 

under  pretence  of  compactly  folding  up  my  bank  no 

for  security's  sake,    abstracts  the  notes  and  gives  1 

nutshells;   but   what  ia  his   sleight  of  hand  to  1 

when  I  fold  up  my  own  nutshells  and  pass  them 

jijyseif  as  notes! 

Having   settled  that  1  must  go  \ft  'ftiKi'ffimss'S 
_znr  miad  waa  much  distuvbeiV  \>7  is(^    '"'         ^"^ 


^^Wfl  take  tlie  Avenger.     It  was  tempting  to  tliiok  nf 

^^K  expGiuiTG  M<:i^enaiy  publicly  airing  Iiis  boots  in 

^^B*nfava}^  of  tho  Bluo  Boar's  poeting-yanl;   it  was 

^^Btt  mleun   to   imiigine   liim   (casually   produced  in 

^^Btulor's  shop  niid  confounding  the  disreap tactful  sen- 

Hp  of  TFabb'e  boy.     On  the  other  hand,  IVabb'e  boy 

^b^  worm   himself  into   hia  intimncy  and  tell   him 

^nogg;  or,  reeklcaa  and  desperate  wretch  as  I  knew  he 

BmU  be,  might  hoot  him  in  the  High-atreet.     My  pa- 

^MteSI,  too,  might  hear  of  him,  and  not  approve.     On 

Hfrvbole,  I  resolved  U>  leave  the  Avenger  behind. 

^Bu  'was  the  afternoon  coach  by  which  I  had  taken 

^^^^Bcfl^  and,  as  winter  had  now  come  round,  I  shonld 

^KniTe  at  my  destination  until  two  or  three  hours 

^BStim'k..     Our  time  of  starting  from  the  Cross  Keys 

s'.iB  two    o'clock.      I   arrived    on  the  gi-ound  with  « 

I  i.irter  of  an  hour  to  spare,  attended  by  the  Avenger 

-  if  I   may  connect  that  expression  with    one  who 

viT  attended  on  me  if  he  could  possibly  help  it. 

At  tliat  time    it  was  customary  to   carry  Convicts 

I  iown  to  the  dockyards  by  stage-coach.  As  I  had  often 

I  teard  of  them  in  the  capacity   of  outsi de-pass engers, 

'  than  once  seen  them  on  the  high  road 

dwigling  their  ironed  legs  over  the  coach  roof,  I  had 

no  cause  to  be  surprised  when  Herbert,  meeting  me  in 

tlie  yard,  came  v^  aiid  told  me  there  were  two  convicts 

gning  down  with  me.    But  I  bad  a  reason  that  was  an 

w,  for  constitutionally  faltering  whenever 

I  heard  the  word  convict. 

""Ton  don't  mind  them,  Handoli"'  said  Herbert, 

if    yoo.    iiisC^  "^' 


300  OKBAT  BXPBCIAtlOira.  ■ 

"1  can't  pretend  that  I  do  like  them,  and  I  t 
pose  you  don't  particularly.     But  I  don't  mind  tlie 

"See!  There  they  are,"  said  Herbert,  "coming 
of  the  Tap.     What  a  dej^aded  and  vile  sight  it  isl' 

They  had  been  treating  their  guard,  I  suppose, 
they  had  a  gaoler  n'ith  them,  and  all  three  c&me 
■wiping  their  mouths  on  their  hands.     The  two  convi 
were  handcuffed  together,   and  had  irons  on  their  U 
—  irona  of  a  pattern  that  I  knew  well.     They  won 
the  dresa  that  I  likewise  kuew  well.    Their  keeper  baJ 
a  brace  of  pistols,    and  carried  a  thick-knobbed  blud- 
geon under  his  arm;  but  he  was  on   terms   of  got" 
understanding  with  them,  and  stood,  with  them  be 
him,  looking  on  at  the  putting-to  of  the  h( 
with  an  air  as  if  they  were  an  interesting  Exhibi 
not  formally  open  at  the  moment,  and  ho  the  Cui 
One  was  a  taller  and  Ktoutor  man  than  the  other, 
appeared  as  a  matter  of  course,  according  to  the 
rious  ways  of  the  world  both  convict  and  free,  to 
had  allotted  to  him  the  smallest  suit  of  clothes, 
arms  and  legs  were   like   great    pincushions   of  th( 
shapes,    and  hia  attire  disguised  him  absurdly; 
knew    his    half-closed    eye     at    one     glance.       Thjoa 
atood  the   man  whom  I  had    seen    on    the    settle 
the    Three    Jolly    Eaigemen    on    a    Saturday     night, 
and  who  had   brought    me    down    with    hia 
gun. 

It  was  easy  to  make  sure  that  as  yet  he  kiiQW-S 
no  more  than  if  he  had  never  seen  me  in  his  life, 
looked  across  at  me,  and  his  eye  appratsei 
chain,    and  then  he  incidentally  spat  and  said  i 
iiing    to    the    other    convict,    a,iA.i  'ii^wj  \wv^«fA,  ■ 
j/aed  tieniseiveB  round  ■wilU  a  i^i^ife  t>'i  *iK«  « 


Wicie,  and  looked  at  something  else.  The  great 
nnmliera  on  their  hacks,  aa  if  they  were  atreet  doora; 
titir  coai'sc  mangy  ungainly  outer  auri'aco,  aa  if  they 
I'MB  lower  animala;  their  ironed  legs,  upologeticftlly 
^landed  with  pocket-hnndkerchiefa ;  and  the  way  in 
Thlch  all  present  looked  at  them  and  kept  from  them; 
Bade  them  (as  Herbert  litid  said)  a  most  diaagresable 
•ad  degraded  spectacle. 

But  this  waa  not  the  worst  of  it.  It  came  out  that 
llie  whole  of  the  back  of  the  cnaoh  had  been  taken  by 
family  removing  from  London,  and  that  there  were 
10  places  for  the  two  prisoners  but  on  the  seat  in  iront 
tehind  the  coachman.  Hereupon,  a  choleric  gentle- 
■M  nu),  who  had  taken  the  fourth  place  on  that  aeat,  flew 
T  foto  a  moat  violent  passion,  and  said  that  it  was  a 
i'lwicli  of  contract  to  mix  him  up  with  such  villanoua 
■iiipany,  and  that  it  was  poiaououa  and  pornicioua 
111  infamous  and  shameful  and  I  don't  know  what 
L'.ij.  At  this  time  the  coach  was  ready  and  the  coach- 
ui»a  impatient,  and  we  were  all  preparing  to  get  up, 
md  the  prisoners  had  come  over  with  thoir  keeper  — 
lirinsfing  with  them  that  curious  Uavour  of  bread- 
poidtice,  baiBe,  rope-yarn,  and  hearthstone,  which 
iitenda  the  convict  presence. 

"Don't  take  it  so  much  amiss,  sir,"  pleaded  the 
keeper  to  the  angry  passenger;  "I'll  sit  nest  you  my- 
wlf.  I'll  put  'em  on  the  outside  of  the  row.  They 
won't  interfere  with  you,  sir.  You  needn't  know  they're 
Uiere." 

"And  don't  blame  me"  gi-owled  the  convict  I  had 

Bilsed.  "/  iiou't  want  to  go,  I  am  lynte  xtiafiL-j 
■  behhifl.  Aa  far  as  I  am  cuneemci  any  Qu^ 
;  to  m^  place." 


I 


^^tresi 


"Or  mine,"  said  the  other,  gruffly.  "/ ■would] 
have  incoraiaoded  none  of  you,  if  I'd  a  had  my  t 
Then  they  both  laughed,  aad  began  cracking  ni^ 
and  spitting  the  ahella  about,  —  As  I  really  think 
should  have  liked  to  do  myself,  if  I  had  been  in  tb 
place  and  bo  despised. 

At  length  it  was  voted  that  there  was  no  help  i 
the  angry  gentleman,  and  that  he  must  either  gO' 
his  chance  company  or  remain  behind.  So  he  got  i 
his  place,  still  making  complaints,  and  the  keeper  i 
into  the  place,  next  him,  and  the  convicts  hauled  thffl 
selves  up  as  well  as  they  could,  and  the  convict  I  k 
recognised  sat  behind  me  with  his  breath  on  t' 
of  my  head. 

"Good-by,  Handel!"  Herbert  called  out  aa  i 
started.  I  thought  what  a  blessed  fortune  it  was  tl 
he  had  found  another  name  for  me  than  Pip. 

It  is  impossible  to  express  with  what  acutenesB 
felt  the  convict's  breathing,  not  ouly  on  the  back 
my  bead,  but  all  along  my  spine.  The  sensation  f 
like  being  touched  in  the  marrow  with  some  pungi 
and  searching  acid,  and  it  set  my  very  teeth  on  ed| 
He  seemed  to  have  more  breathing  business  to  do  tb 
another  man,  and  to  make  more  noise  in  doing  it:  i 
I  was  conscious  of  growing  high- shouldered  on  one  a 
in  my  ehrinking  endeavours  to  fend  him  off. 

The  weather  was  miserably  raw,  and  the  two  cni 
the  cold.  It  made  us  all  lethargic  before  we  had  g 
far,  and  when  we  had  left  the  Half-way  House  h(wli 
we  habitually  doited  and  shivered  and  were  silent. 
dozed  off,  royaelf,  in  considering  the  question  whet 
/  ought  to  restore  a  coup\e  o?  ^orniia  &M\m??^  \a  \ 
■ttao  before  losing  sigAit  o£  liinv,  a.ni'Ww'-A,  <j 


U8&T  sx^EotAHoinr. 


903 


rbe  done.     In  the  act.  of  dipping  forward  as  if  I 

*  §10(110;  to  batLo  ftmong  tte  liorsea,  1  woke  in  a 
iifflit  and  took  the  question  lip  again. 

iitit  I  mtiBt  liave  lost  it  longer  than  I  had  thought, 
■iii'e,  ahhough  I  could  recognise  nothing  in  the  dark- 
'11H  Mil  the  fitful  lights  and  shadows  of  our  lamps,  I, 
'■-  'ni  marsh  country  in  the  cold  damp  wind  that  blew 
1'  us.  Cowering  forward  for  warmth  and  to  make  me 
■  ^iTocn  against  the  wind,  the  convicts  were  closer  to 
■ii-  than  before.  The  very  first  words  I  heard  them 
.' iiTuhange  as  I  became  conscious,  were  the  words  of 
■iiy  own  thonght  "Two  One  Pound  notes." 

"How  did  he  get  'em?"  said  the  convict  I  had 

"How  should  I  know?"  returned  the  other.     "He 

Ul  'em  stowed  away  somehows.  Giv  him  by  friends, 
1  ospect." 

"I  wish,"  said  the  other,  with  a  bitter  curse  upon 
liie  cold,  "that  I  had  'em  here." 

"Two  one  pound  notes,  or  friends?'" 

"Two  one  povmd  notes.  I'd  sell  all  the  friends  I 
ever  had,  for  one,  and  think  it  a  blessed  good  bargain. 
Well?     So  he  says  — ?" 

"So  he  says,"  resumed  the  convict  I  had  recognised 
—  "it  was  all  said  and  done  in  half  a  minute,  he)jind 
a  pile  of  timber  in  the  Dockyard  —  'you're  a  going  to 
be  discharged?'  Yes,  I  was.  Would  I  find  out  that 
hoy  that  had  fed  him  and  kop  his  secret,  and  give 
him  them  two  one  pound  notes?     Yea,  I  would.     And 

I  did.' 

font  jron,"  ^rrowled  the  other. 
JCaa. 


I 


1^304  BREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 

have  Leen  a  green  one.     Mean  to  say  he  knowed 
thing  of  you?" 

'Not  a  ha'porth.  Different  ganga  and  di£Fei 
ships.     He   was  tried  again  for  prison  breaking, 

made  a,  Lifer." 

"And  T^as  that  —  Honour!  —  the  only  time  ; 
worked  out,  in  this  part  of  the  country?" 

"The  only  time." 

"What  might  have  been  yonr  opinion  of  the  ph 

"A  moat  heaatly  place.  Mndbank,  mist,  awa 
and  work;  work,  swamp,  mist,  and  mudbank." 

They  both  eJt£Ei"att:d  the  place  in  very  str 
language,  and  gradually  growled  themselves  out 
had  nothing  left  to  say. 

After  overhearing  this  dialogue,  I  should  asaurt 
have  got  down  and  been  loft  in  the  solitude  and  di 
neaa  of  the  highway,  but  for  feeling  certain  that 
man  had  no  siiBpiciou  of  my  identity.  Indeed,  I , 
not  only  so  changed  in  the  coiarae  of  nature,  bit 
differently  dreBsed  and  so  differently  circumstan 
that  it  was  not  at  all  likely  he  could  have  known 
■without  accidental  help.  Still,  the  coincidence 
being  together  on  the  coach,  was  aulBciently  Strang 
fill  me  with  a  diead  that  some  other  coincidence  m 
at  any  moment  connect  me,  in  hia  hearing,  with 
name.  For  thia  reason,  I  resolved  to  alight  aa  sooi 
we  touched  the  town,  and  put  myself  out  of  his  h 
ing.  This  device  I  executed  successfully.  My  li 
portmanteau  was  in  the  boot  under  my  feetj  I  had 
to  turn  a  hinge  to  get  it  out;  I  threw  it  down  bs 
me,  got  down  after  it,  and  was  left  at  the  first  li 
on  the  first  stonea  of  the  town  5a,-Jwji«\A.  Aa  to 
',   tbey  went  theii  way  "w'^V  &»  towSq.. 


knew  at  wliat  point  they  would  be  spirited  off  to  the 
fiver.  In  my  fancy,  I  saw  the  hoat  with  its  convict 
CWT  waiting  for  them  at  the  aUmewaahed  stairs,  — 
sgain  heard  the  gruff  "Give  way,  you!"  like  an  order 
to  dogs  —  again  saw  the  wicked  Noali'a  Ark  lying 
tvt  in  the  black  water. 

I  coald  not  have  said  what  I  was  afraid  of,  for  my 
fear  was  altogether  undefined  and  vague,  but  there  was 
P'eat  fear  upon  me.  As  I  walked  on  to  the  hotel,  I 
felt  that  a  dread,  much  exceeding  the  mere  apprehen- 
<inii  of  a  painful  or  disagrceablo  recognition,  made  me 
tremble.  1  am  confident  that  it  took  no  distinctness  of 
sbapo,  and  that  it  was  the  revival  for  a  few  minutes 
uf  iJie  terror  of  childhood. 

The  coffee-room  at  the  Blue  Boar  was  empty,  and 
1  !md  not  only  ordered  my  dinner  there,  but  bad  sat 
!iwn  to  it,  before  the  waiter  knew  me.  As  soon  aa 
''•'T  he  had  apologised  for  tlie  reiBJasness  of  his  me- 
!iiiiiy,  he  asked  me  if  he  should  send  Boots  for  Mr. 
Parablechook? 

"No,"  said  I,  "certainly  not." 

The  waiter  (it  was  he  who  had  brought  up  the 
foeat  Kemonstraace  from  the  Commercials  on  the  day 
*lien  I  was  bound)  appeared  surprised,  and  took  the 
earliest  opportunity  of  putting  a  dirty  old  copy  of  a 
local  newspaper  so  directly  in  my  way,  that  I  took  it 
up  and  read  this  paragraph: 

"Our  readers   will    learn,    not  altogether    without 

interest,    in   reference  to  the  recent  romantic  rise 

fortune  of  a  young  artificer  in  iron  ot  t\i\9  ii.«\^iii' 

hood  (irhai  a  theme,  by  the  way,  for  the  ma^t  "^ea.  <S. 

tov  as  yet  not    aniversaily    ackno-wledgei   V»''»niam« 


30fi  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

TooBY,   the  poet  of   onr  columnsl),   that  the  yoi 
earliest  patron,  companion,  and  friend,  was  a  hig 
respected  individual  not  entirely  unconnected  with' 
corn  and  seed  trade,    and  whose  eminently  convert 
and  commodinns  business  premises  are  situate  with 
hundred  miles  of  the  High-street.     It  is   not  wh 
irrespective  of  our   personal    feelings    that  we  re 
HiH  as  the  Mentor  of  our  young  Telemachus,  for 
I  goofl  to  know  that  our  town  produced  the  foondf 
the  latter's  fortunes.    Does  the  thought-contracted  1 
of  the  local  Bage  or  the  lustrous  eye  of  local  Bei 
inquire   whose    fortunes?      We    beiievo    that  Qui 
,  Matays  was  the  Blaoksmith  of  Antwerp.    Verb.  8 
■  I  entertain  a  conviction,  based  upon  large  experia 

that  if  in  the  days  of  my  prosperity  I  had  gons  to 
North  Pole,  I  should  have  met  BO!uebi>dy  there,  •* 
dering  Esquimaux  or  civilised  man,  who  would  i 
told  me  that  Pumblechook  was  my  earliest  patron 
the  founder  of  my  fortunes. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Betimes  in  the   morning  I  was  up   and  out 

was  too  early  yet  to   go  to  Miss   Havisham's,    i 

loitered  into  the  country  on  Miss  Havisham's  aid 

town  —  which  waa  not  Joe's  side;  I  could  go  t 

o-morrow  —  thinking  about  my  patroness,  and  p! 

king  brilliant  pictures  of  her  plans  tor  me. 

She    had    adopted  Estella,    she    had 

t  adopted  me,  and  it  could  not  fail  to  be  her  inten 

Wio  bring  us  together.    She  Teaervei  'A  W  to& 

Zate  house,    admit  tbe  6\mB\i\B.ft  Sift 


Moms,  set  the  clocks  a  going  and  tlie  cold  lieartlia  i 
tiUzinj;,  tear  duwu  tlif  eobwelia,  deatroy  tlie  vermii 
—  in  sliort,  do  all  the  shining  deeds  of  the  young 
iuiight  of  romance,  and  many  the  PrincesB,  I  had 
.'<i[i|ied  to  look  at  the  house  as  I  passed;  and  its 
ii'.Lred  red  brick  walls,  blocked  windows,  and  strong; 
KiTcii  ivy  clasping  even  the  Ktacks  of  chimneys  with 
iis  twigs  and  tendi-ns,  as  if  with  sinewy  old  arms,  Lad 
imAe  up  a  rich  attractive  mystery,  of  which  I  was  the 
licro.  Estella  was  the  inspiration  of  it,  and  the  heart 
ul'  it,  of  course.  Hut,  though  she  bad  taken  such 
B'raBg  possession  of  me,  though  my  fancy  and  my 
bope  were  so  set  up(ui  her,  though  lier  influence  on  my 
knjish  life  and  character  had  been  all-powerful,  I  did 
nnt,  even  that  romantic  morning,  invest  her  with  any 
Utributes  save  those  she  poseessod.  I  mention  this 
lliis  place,  of  a  fixed  purpose,  because  it  is  the  clue  by 
ifliich  1  am  to  be  followed  into  my  poor  labyrinth. 
Aecording  to  my  experience,  the  conventional  notion 
iif  a  lover  cannot  be  always  true.  The  unqualified 
truth  is,  that  when  I  loved  Estella  with  the  love  of  a 
lum,  I  loved  her  because  I  fouud  her  irresistible.  Once 
for  all;  I  knew  to  my  sorrow,  often  and  often,  if  not 
nlways,  that  I  loved  her  against  reason,  against  pro- 
mise, against  peace,  against  hope,  against  happiness, 
iiirniust  all  discouragement  that  could  he.  Onoa  for 
.11;  I  loved  her  none  the  leas  because  I  knew  it,  and 
:  liad  no  more  influence  in  restraining  me,  than  if  I 
'  id  devoutly  believed  her  to  be  1 

I    so    shaped    out    my    walk    as    to   arrive  at  tha 

-I til   at   my   old   time.       When  I  Viai   tuiig  ^\.  'Cwi 

■11  aidi  an  anstmily  iaud,    I  turned  m^  \ja^  "a^ 

gme,  trid/eJtned  to  jeet  mv  breath,  anfli  ygg^ 


PSOS  HRHAT  HXPBOTimross. 


^F  beating  of  my  lieiut  moderately  quiet.     I  heard  i 
side  door  open  and  steps  come  across  the  court-j 
but  I  pretended  not  to  hear,  even  when  the  gate  sv 
on  its  rusty  hinges. 

Being  at  last  touched  on  the  shoulder,  I  atari 
and  turned.  I  started  much  more  naturally  then, 
find  myself  confronted  by  a  ujaa  in  a  sober  grey  drs 
The  last  man  I  should  Lave  expected  to  see  in 
place  of  porter  at  Miss  Havisham's  door. 
t\  "Orlickl" 

'^        'rSli7~"ywmig    master,    there's  more  changes  1 
yours.     But  come   in,    come  in.     It's  opposed  to 
I  orders  to  hold  the  gate  open." 

I  entered  and  he  swung  it,  and  locked  it,  and  ta 

I  the  key  out.     "YesI"    said  he,    facing  round, 

I  doggedly  preceding  me  a  few  steps  towards  the  Loui 

'"Here  I  ami"  ^ 

"How  did  you  come  here?" 

"I  come  here,"   he  retorted,    "on  my  legs. 

I  .my  boi  brought  alongside  me  in  a  barrow." 

"Are  you  here  for  good?" 

"I  ain't  here  for  hai-m,  young  master,  I  suppose 

I  was  not  80  sure  of  that.     I  had  leisure  to  enti 

t  tain  the  retort  in  my  mind,   while  he  slowly  lifted  i 

f  heavy  glance  from  the   pavement,    up   my  legs    . 

[  arms,  to  my  face. 

"Then  you  have  left  the  forge?"  I  said. 
"Do  this  look  like  a  forge?"  replied  Orb'cfc,  a* 
ing  hia  glance   all  round  him  with   an  air  of  inji 
"Now,  do  it  look  like  it?" 

1    asked    him    how    long    he    had    left    Gargerji 
/bz-gvP 
K        "One   day   is  so  like   anoAiet  \ 


I  OaaiXT  raiPBOTATiOMS.  309 

!li:it  I  tlon't  know  witliout  casting  it  up.     However, 

!  I  Mne  bere  some  time  eince  you  left." 
■'I  could  have  toKl  you  timt,  Orliiik." 
"Ah!"    said  he,   dryly.     "But  then  you've  got  to 

'■■■  ^  M'holar." 

By  this  time  we  had  come  to  the  house,  where  I 

i'Hii'l  his  room  to   he  one  just  within  the  side  door, 

nili  a  little  window  in  it  looking  on  the  court-yard. 

!!•  its  small  proportions,  it  was  not  unlike  the  kind  of 

I  '^icQ  usually  assigned  to  a  gate-porter  in  Paris.  Certain 
■  I  ysj  were  hanging  on  the  wall,  to  which  he  now  added 

11  state  key;  and  his  patchwork- covered  bed  was  in  a 
iirlii  inner  division  or  rocess.  The  whole  had  a  slo- 
■iily  confined  and  sleepy  look,  like  a  cage  for  a 
'■i;^f)in  dormouse:  while  he,    looming  dark  and  heavy 

II  ihe  shadow  of  a  comer  by  the  window,  looked  like 
ii'  huiaan  dormouse  for  whom  it  was  Utted  up  -^  as 
;i'leed  he  was. 

"I  never  saw  this  room  before,"  I  remarked;    "but 
.   there  used  to  be  no  Porter  here." 

"No,"  said  he;  "not  till  it  got  about  that  there 
ms  no  protection  on  the  premises,  and  it  come  to  be 
■'iisidered  dangerous,  with  convicts  and  Tag  and  Eag 
"111  BoUaJl  going  up  and  duwn.  And  then  I  was  re- 
Niimended  to  tho  place  as  a  man  who  could  give 
uan  as  good  as  he  brought,  and  I  took  it. 
I  It's  easier  than  bellowsing  and  hammering.  —  That's 
I  loaded,  that  is." 

My  eye  had  been  caught  by  a  gun  with  a  hraes- 
Wnnd  stock  over  the  chimney-piece,  and  his  eye  had 
followed  mine. 

"Well,"  said  I,  not  desirous  of  mote  noiYSft'K.a'a.d'B 
(/Iffo  up  to  Miss  Havisham?" 


"Burn  me,  if  I  know!"   liQ  retorted,  first  stretchi 
lumself  and  then  aliaking  himself;    "my  ordere 
here,  young;  master.     I  give  this  here  helJ  a  rap 
this  here  hammer,    and  you  go  ou  along  the  paaaa 
till  you  meet  Bomebody." 

"I  am  expected,  I  believe?" 
"Burn  me  twice  over,  if  I  can  say!"  said  he. 
Upon  that,  I  turned  down  the  long  passage  wl 
I  had  first  trodden  in  my  thick  hoots,  and  he  made 
sell  Bound.  At  the  end  of  the  passage,  while  the 
frae  Btill  reverberating,  I  found  Sarah  Pocket:  i 
;d  to  have  now  become  constitutionally  gt 
tnd  yellow  hy  reason  of  me. 

"""i!"  said  she.     "You,  is  it,  Mr.  Pip?" 

is.   Miss  Pocket.     I  am  glad  to  tell  yon  t 
'.  Pocket  and  family  are  all  well." 
"Are  they  any  wiser?"   said  Sarah,    witli  a  disi 
diake  of  the  head;  "they  had  better  he  wiser,   ti 
Ah,  Matthew,  Matthew!     You  know  your  w^ 

Tolerably,   for  I  had  gone  up  the  staircase 
many  a  time.     I  ascended  it  now,    in  lighl 
ioota  than  of  yore,    and  tapped  in  my  old  way  at 
r  of  Miss  Haviaham's  room.     "Pip's  rap  "    "  " 
Wer  say,  immediately;  "come  in,  Pip." 

B  was  in  her  ehsiir  near  the  old  table,  in  th 
dress,    with   her  two  hands  crossed  on  her  stiuk, 
chin  resting  on  them,  and  her  eyes  on  the  fire. 
near  her,    with  the  white   shoe  that  had  never 
worn,  in  her  hand,  and  her  head  bent  as  she  looked 
/>,  was  an  elegant  lady  whom  I  hiid  never  seen. 
"Come    in ,     Pip  ,"     Miss  'Q.a.\\ft\v!Wtt  ctsu&fi 
mutter,    irithoiit  looking  tovitiSl  ot  w^'-.  '"'^<*«*~! 


h<^w    do  you    do,    Pip?   so  yon  kJss  my  hand  as  if  I 
-■-r-rt:  a  queen,  eh?  —  WeJlr"' 

riho  looked  U|i  at  me  snddenly,   only  moving  her 
i.s,  and  repeated  in  a  grimly  playful  manner, 
"Well?" 

"I    beard,    Miss    Haviaham,"    said    I,    rather    at 
I'i'iS,   "that  you  were  so  kind  aa  to  wish  me  to  come 
L'l  see  you,  and  I  came  directly." 
■'"Well?" 

The  lady  wlyuB-rTiad  never  seen  before,  lifted  up 
'  r  eyes  and  loeked  archly  at  me,  and  then  I  saw  that 
'I  eyes  were  EstuUa'e  eyes.  But  she  was  so  much 
■.  iiiged,  was  so  mucli  more  beautiful,  so  much  more 
■  iLiiiuly  in  all  things  winning  admiration,  had  made 
ill  wutiderfid  advance,  that  I  seemed  to  have  made 
■lit.  I  fancied,  as  I  looked  at  her,  that  I  slipped 
■[".lesaly  back  into  the  coarse  and  common  boy  again. 
' '  Llie  sense  of  distance  and  disparity  that  came  upon 
mt,  and  the  inaccessibility  that  came  about  her! 
1  She  gave  me  her  hand.  I  stammered  something 
\  iilinat  the  pleasure  I  felt  in  seeing  her  again,  and 
iiliout  my  having  looked  forward  to  it  for  a  long,  long 

"Do  you  find  her  much  changed,  Pip?"  asked 
*!jhs  llavisham  with  her  greedy  look,  and  striking  her 
•lick  upon  a  chair  tliat  stood  between  them,  as  a  sign 
I'j  me  to  sit  down  there. 

"When  I  came  In,  Miss  Haviaham,  I  thought  there 
''■!is  nothing  of  Estella  in  the  face  or  figure;  but  now 
i  ill  settles  down  so  curiously  into  tlie  iA4 "' 

'■tViaty     Yoa  flre  not  going  to   say,  mtcj  XNiia  "^ 
.vJZ,;"-    Mas    HaYisbum     interrapteS^'^  ™         " 


n  BXPBCTATtOKS, 

proud  and  Inaulting  and  you  wanted  to  go  away  fi 
her.     Don't  you  remember?" 

I  said  confusedly  that  that  waa  long  ago,  and 
I  knew  no  better  thou,  and  the  like.  Estella 
with  perfect  composure,  and  said  she  had  no  donl 
my  having  been  quite  right,  and  of  her  having 
very  diaagreeable. 

"In  he  changed?"     Miss  Havishara  asked  her. 

"Very  much,"  said  Eatella,  looking  at  me. 

"Less  coarse  and  common?"  said  Miss  HavisI 
playing  with  Estella's  hair. 

Estella  laughed,  and  looked  at  the  shoe  in 
hand,  and  laughed  again,  and  looked  at  me,  and 
the  shoe  down.  She  treated  me  as  a  boy  still,  but 
lured  me  on. 

"We  sat  in  the  dreamy  room  among  the  old  stn 
influences  which  had  so  wrought  upon  mo,  and  I  le 
that  she  had  but  juat  come  home  from  Prance. 
that  she  was  going  to  London.  Proud  and  wilfu 
of  old,  she  had  brought  those  qualities  into  such 
jectlon  to  her  beauty  that  it  was  impossible  and  oi 
nature  —  or  I  thought  so  - —  to  separate  them 
her  beauty.  Truly  it  was  impossible  to  diaaociato 
presence  from  all  those  wretched  hankerings 
money  and  gentility  that  had  disturbed  my  boyi 
—  from  all  those  iil-regulated  aspirations  that  had 
made  me  ashamed  of  home  and  Joe  —  from  all  t; 
visions  that  had  raised  her  face  in  the  glowing 
struck  it  out  of  the  iron  on  the  anvil,  estracted  it 
the  darkness  of  night  to  look  in  at  the  wooden  wii 
of  the  forge  and  flit  away.  In  a  word,  it  was  in 
aible  for  me  to  separate  ber ,  m  l^ie  ■jja*.  ot  '-oi  '?taa 
4'eijt,  from  the  innormoBt  lite  oS         ^"''" 


ai8 

Hettled    that  I    Bhoitld   stny  there  all  the 

e  day,  and  return  to  the  hotel  at  night,   and 

1  to-morrow,     When  we  had  conversed  for  a 

i  MisB  Harisham  seiit  as  two  out  to  wiilk  in  the 

.   gardea;   on   our  coming  in   by-and-by,   ahe 

[  shotild  wheel  her  about  a  little  as  iu  timea  of 

,  Estella  and  I  went  out  into  the  garden  hj  the 
rough  which  I  had  strayed  to  my  encounter  with 
■■■  pale  young  gentleman,  now  Herbert;  I,  trembling 
I  spirit  and  worsiiipping;  tho  very  hem  of  her  dresa; 
I' ,  i^uite  composed  and  most  decidedly  not  worshipping 
',1-  hem  of  mine.  As  we  drew  near  to  the  place  of  en- 
I  inter,  she  stopped  and  said: 

''I  must  havo  been  a  singular  little  creature  to  hide 
:J  see  that  light  that  day:  but  I  did,  and  I  enjoyed 
"  ti/ry  much." 

"You  rewarded  me  very  much." 
"Did  I?"  she  replied,  in  an  incidental  and  forget- 
i  way.     "I  remember  I  entertained  a  great  objection 
to  your  adversary,  because  I  took  it  ill  that  he  should 
» brought  here  to  pester  me  with  his  company." 
^fie  and  I  are  great  friends  now,"  said  I. 

I  you?    I  think  I  recollect  though,    that  you 
E*dai  hia  father?" 

[e  the  admission  with  reluctance,  for  it  seemed 
boyish  look,  and  she  already  treated  me 
enough  like  a  hoy. 

your  change  of  fortune  and  prospects,    yon 
1.'  changed  _your  companions,''  said  Ea^fiMa.. 
"NatarAlly, "  said  I. 

"  sie  added,   in  a  "havi^tj  'i.aoS 


oitsAT  tsM.men.'rmm. 


fit  company  for  you  once,    would  be  quift 
Unfit  company  for  you  now." 

In  my  conscience,  I  doubt  very  much  whetber 
had  any  lingering  inteiitinn  left,  of  going'  to  see  Jfl 
but  if  1  bad,  this  observation  put  it  to  Sight 

"You  had  no  idea  of  your  impending  good  for 
in  those  times?"   said  Eatella,   with  a  slight  wave 
hef  hand,  signifying  in  the  fighting  times. 

"Not  the  least." 

The  air  of  completeneaa  and  superiority  with  n 
ahe  walked   at  my   side,    and  the  sir  of  youthfnlni 
and  BubmiBsion  with  which  I  walked  at  hers,  maii 
contrast  that  I  strongly  felt.     It  would  have  ] 
in  me  more  than  it  did,  if  I  had  not  regarded  r 
:iis  eliciting  it  by  being  so  set  apart  for  ber  and  a 
ed  to  her. 

The  garden  waa  too  overgrown  and  rank  for  walkin 
IB  with  ease,   and  after  wo  had  made  the  round  e~ 
twiee  or  thrice,    we   came  out  again  into  the  Iwew 
yard.      I  showed  Ler  to   a  nicety  where  I  had  a 
her  walking  on  the  casks,  tliat  first  old  day,    and 
flaid,    with  a  cold  and  careless  look  in  that  directio: 
"Did  1?"  I  reminded  ber  where  she  bad  come  out  c 
ffthe  house  and  given  me  my  meat  and  drink,    and  slu 
I  said,    "I  don't  remember."     "Not  remember  that  yc 
made  me  cry?"   said  I.     "Ko,"   said  she,    and  Bho< 
bet  head  and  looked  about  her.     I  verily  believe  tl 
her  not  lememhering  and  not   minding  in  the   leg 
made    me    cry    again,    inwardly  —  and    that  is  I 
sharpest  crying  of  all. 

"i'oB  must  know,"    said  "Eatefta.,  coQ^ewien^^^^ 
-IlliaDt  and  beauliSviV  -woift; 


feo  heuTt  —  ii'  that  has  anything  to  Jo  with  my 

I  got  through  aiiine  Jargon  to  the  effect  that  I  took 
[lo  liberty  of  doubting  that.  That  I  knew  better, 
'hut  there  eould  he  no  sach  beanty  without  it 

"OhI  I  have  a  heart  to  be  Btebiie4  in  or  ahot  in, 
have  no  doubt,"  said  Estelta,  "and,  of  course,  if  it 
cased  to  beat  I  should  cease  to  be.  But  you  know 
fhat  I  mean.  I  have  no  Moftneas  there,  uo  —  syin- 
lalliy  —  sentiment  — -  nonsense." 

Wljat   wan   it  that  was   borne  iu   ujjon   my  iilind 

»lien   she   stood   still   and  looked   attentively  at  me? 

Anything:  that  I  had  seen  in  Miss  Huvisham?    No. 

tn  some  of  her  looks  and  gestures  there  was  that  tinge 

"I'  ri'semblaiiee  to  Miss  Havisham  which  may  often  be 

lici'd  to  have  teen  acquired  by  eliildren,  from  grown 

-iiiis  with  whom  tliey  have   been  much  associated 

I  -ecluded,  and  which,  when  childhood  is  past,  will 

luce  a  remarkable  occasional  likeness  of  espreasion 

'.M'cn  taees  that  are  otlicrwise  quite  different.     And 

1  eonld  not  trace  thia  to  Miss  Hiivisham.    I  looked 

-iiii,   and  though  she   was  still  looking  at  me,   the 

'Ng^'estion  was  gone. 

What  was  it? 

"I  am  serious,"  said  Estella,  not  so  nmcli  with  a 
f'own  (for  her  brow  was  smooth)  as  with  a  darkening 
111' her  face;  "if  we  are  to  be  thrown  mueh  together, 
jmi  Lad  better  believe  it  at  once.  No!"  imperiously 
Sopping  me  as  I  opened  my  lips.  "I  have  not  be- 
ituwed  my  tenderness  anywhere.  I  have  never  had 
any  such  thino-." 

la  another  moment  we  were  in  the  Ijtcwex-j  %(i\ot\V^ 
"***''    '         ■  fed  to  the  Mgli  gsiWexy  -n\vc\&^ 


tr.1, 


CWB&V  »IPBfl*SWOW». 


her  ffoioff  out  on  that  same  first  day,  a 
told  me  she  remembered  to  have  heen  up  there, 
to  have  seen  me  standing  scared  below.  Aa  my 
followed  her  white  hand,  again  the  same  dim  sagg 
tion  that  I  could  not  possibly  grasp,  crossed  me.  I 
involuntary  start  oeeaBioned  her  to  lay  her  hand  np 
my  arm.  Instantly  the  ghost  passed  once  more ,  a 
tras  gone. 

What  ttaa  it? 

"What  is  the  matter?"  asked  Estella.  "Are  y 
flcared  again?" 

"I  should  be,  if  I  believed  what  you  said  ji 
now,"  I  replied,  to  turn  it  off. 

"Then  you  don't?  Very  well.  It  is  said,  at  ■; 
rate.  Miss  Havisham  will  soon  be  expecting  you- 
your  old  post,  though  I  think  that  might  he  laid  a^ 
now,  with  other  old  belongings.  Let  us  make  E 
more  round  of  the  garden,  and  tlten  go  in.  Con 
You  shall  not  shed  tears  for  my  cruelty  to-day;  j 
ehall  be  my  Page,  and  give  me  your  shoulder." 

Her  handsome  dress  had  trailed  upon  the  groui 
She  held  it  in  one  hand  now,  and  with  the 
lightly  touched  my  shoulder  as  we  walked, 
walked  round  the  ruined  garden  twice  or  thi 
more,  and  it  was  all  in  bloom  for  me.  H' the  g 
and  yellow  growth  of  weed  in  the  chinks  of  the 
wall,  had  been  the  most  precious  flowers  that  c 
blew  it  could  not  have  been  more  cherished  in 


K' 


There  was  no  discrepancy  of  years  between  us, 
Temove  her  far  from  me;  we  were  of  nearly  the  si 
igv,  tboagb  of  course  t\ie  age  \,o\4  ^m  tootb>  ^o.'^rai  < 
tan  in  mine ;   hut  tho   air  oi  \B.a.tc&s.sMi\tY  Vmfis 


saMUT  BnBoiri.na»s.  SIT 

Pand  her  manner  gave  licr,  tormented  me  i 
_  Pof  my  delight,  ami  at  the  hoiglit  of  the  » 
iFeit  that  our  patroness  had  chosen  us  fur  one  another. 
Pretched  boy! 

At  last  we  went  back  into  the  house,    and  there  I 

:i<!,  with  surprise,  that  my  guardian  had  cume  down 

■ic    Miaa  Havisbara   on   biialness   and  wonld    come 

.  k  to  dinner.     The  old  wintry  branchea  of  chande- 

lers  in  the  room  where  the  mouldering  table  was  spread, 

lad  been  lighted  while  wo  were  ont,    and  Miss  Havi- 

thtun  was  in  her  chair  and  waiting  for  me, 

Jt  was  like  pushing  the  chair  itself  back  into  the 

-1 ,  when  we  began  fho  old  slow  circuit  round  about 

iLshes   of  the   bridal  feast.     But,    in  the    funereal 

II,   with  that  figure  of  the  grave  fallen  back  in  the 

I  lising  its  eyes  upon  her,  Estella  looked  more 
Jy|  and  beautiful  than  het'oro,  and  I  was  under 
■  ii^'er  enchantment. 

The  time  so  melted  away,   that  our  early  dinner- 

II  drew  close  at  hand,  and  Estella  left  us  to  pre- 
I  herself.  We  had  stopped  near  the  centre  of  the 
I'  table,  and  Miss  Havialiam,  with  one  of  her 
Ni'red  arms  stretched  out  of  the  chair,   rested  that 

■  mhed  hand   upon    the  yellow    cloth.       Aa  Estella 

ki'ii  hack    over  her  shoalder   before    going  out   at 

4uor,    Mias  Havishom  kissed   that    hand  to    her, 

ill  a  ravenous  intensity  that  was  of  its  kind  quite 

.    I'lful. 

Then,   Estella  being  gone  and  wo  two  left  alone, 
■iic  tinned  to  me,  and  said  in  a  whisper: 

"le  she  beautifijJ,  graceful,  well-grovfn'i     1^0  -^ci\s. 

■bodjr  mast  who  sees  her,  Miss  "H.aviiiVa,TQ.:' 


^^^eryl 


'Sis  eaxkv  expsoTAneuvB, 

Slie    drew  an   Rrm   round  my  neck,    and  drew 

ad  close  down  to  hers  as  she  sat  in  the  chair. 

her,  love  her,  love  hetl     How  does  she  use  yon?" 

—  BeioTe  I  could  answer  (if  I   could  have   anBWt 

}  difficult  a  question  at  all),  ahe  repeated,  "Lovo 
love  her,  love  herl  If  sho  favours  you,  love  het 
ehe  wounds  you,  love  her.  If  she  tears  your  1 
pieces  - — -  and  as  it  gets  older  and  stronger,  it  will  i 
deeper  —  love  her,  love  ber,  love  her!" 

Never  had  I  seen  such  passionate  eagerness  as 
joined  to  her  utterance  of  these  words.  I  could 
the  muscles  of  the  thin  ami  round  my  neck,  swell  i 
the  vehomence  that  possessed  her. 

"Hear  me,   Pip!     I  adopted  her  to  be  lovei 

bred  her  and  educated  her,  to  be  loved.     I  devels 

p  into  what  she  is,  that  she  might  he  loved.     I 

her!" 

She  said  the  word  ot\en  enou^i,  and  there  a 

I  no  doubt  that  she  meant  to  say  it;    but  if  the  o 

repeated  word  had  been  hate  instead  of  love  — des 

-  revenge  —  dire  death  —  it  could  not  have  n 
from  her  lips  more  like  a  curse. 

"ril  tell  you,"  said  she,  in  the  same  hurried  ] 
BtonBte  whisper,  "what  real  love  is.  It  is  blind  ^ 
tion,  unquestioning  self-humiliation,  utter  suhmisa 
WuBt  and  belief  against  yourself  and  against  the  wj 
Scorld,  giving  up  your  whole  heart  and  soul  tO' 
jmiter  —  as  I  did!" 

"When  she   came  to  that,   and  to  a  wild  cry  \ 

followed  that,  I  caught  her  round  the  waist.     For 

I  up  in  the  chair,   in  her  shroud  of  a  dress, 

,atruck  at  the  air  as  if  aho  wo\)i\4  ■&&  ^otto.'VtK^^;^ 

Herself  against  the  wall  anl  taWca  ifcwL     ^^jj 


^tSBAV  SXPECTATIOKS.  819 

Ptiiie  passed  in  a  few  seconds.     As  I  drew  her 

Into  her  ehair,  I  was  conscious  of  a  scent  that  I 

bV,  and  turning,  saw  my  guardian  in  the  room. 

He  always  carried  (I  have  not  yet  mentioned  it, 

hink)  a  pocket-handkerchief  of  rich  silk  and  of  ini- 

iing  proportions,  which  was  of  great  value  to  him  in 

I  profession.     I  have  seen  him  so  terrify  a  client  or 

ffitDRSS  by  ceremoniously  unfolding  this  pocket-hand- 

rchief  as  if  he  were  immediately  going  to  blow  his 

86,  and  then  pausing,  as  if  he  knew  he  should  not 

ve  time  to  do  it  before  such  client  or  witness  com- 

itted  himself,  that  the  Hclf-committal  has  followed  di- 

ctly,  quite  as  a  matter  of  course.     When  I  saw  him 

the   room,    he  had  this  expressive  pocket-handker- 

u°f  in  both  hands,  and  was  looking  at  us.    On  meet- 

.  (iiy  eye,   he  said  plainly,    by  a  momentary  and 

if  [lausfi  in  that  attitude,  "Indeed?  Singular!"   and 

■  jiut  the  handkerchief  to  its  right  use  with  wonder- 

!  '■ffi;ct. 

Miss  Havisham  had  seen  him  as  soon  as  I,    and 

'it  (like  everybody  else)  afraid  of  him.     She  made  a 

•fong  attempt  to  compose  herself,  and  stammered  that 

"iis  as  punctual  as  ever. 

As  punctual  as  ever,"  he  repeated,  coming  up  to 

"iHow  do  you  do,  Pip.     Shall  I  give  you  a  ride, 

i  ■  Havisham?   Once  round?)   And  ao  you  are  here, 

'ip?" 

I  told  him  when  I  had  ajrived,  and  how  Kiss 
h^■isham  had  wished  me  to  come  and  see  Estella.  To 
ii!i  he  replied,  "Ah!  Very  fine  young  lady!"  Then 
1  ii'-hed  Miss  HavisJiam  in  her  chair  tcfoxii  \iHa, 
1  of  Ms  Inrge  bands,  and  put  l\\e  otVct  \TvV\'ft 
A*^  —  ■'*"-"-f  pocket  were  fuU  oi  8B<:Ta>j^^ 


'Well,   Pip!   now  often  have  you  seen  Hiss 
tella  before?"  sttid  lie,  wlieu  lie  came  to  a  stop. 

"How  often? 

"Ah!  How  many  times.     Ten  thousand  times?' 

"Ohl  Certainly  not  so  many." 

"Twice?" 

"  JaggerB,"  interposed  MisB  Havisham,  mach  to  I 
relief;  "leave  my  Pip  alone,  and  go  with  him  to  yn 
dinner." 

He  complied,  and  we  groped  our  way  down  ( 
dark  stairs  together.  While  we  were  still  on  our  il 
to  those  detached  apartments  across  the  paved  yard 
the  back,  he  asked  me  how  often  I  had  seen  1 
Havisham  eat  and  drink;  offering  me  a  breadth 
choice,  as  usual,  between  a  hundred  times  and  c 

I  considered,  and  said,  "Never."  ^— 

"And  never  will,  Pip,"  he  retorted,  with  a  trovia 
snule.  "She  has  never  allowed  herself  to  be  seen  doj 
either,  since  she  lived  this  present  life  of  hers. 
wanders  about  in  the  night,  and  then  lays  hftuds 
Buch  food  as  she  takes." 

"Pray,  sir,"  said  I,  "may  I  ask  you  a  question 

"You  may,"  said  he,  "and  I  may  decline  to  \ 
«wer  it.     Put  your  question." 

■'Estella's  name.  la  it  Havisham,  or  — ?"  1  1 
nothing  to  add. 

"Or  what?"  said  he. 

"Ib  it  Havisham?" 

"It  is  Havisham." 

This  brought  ns  to  the  dinner-table,  where  she 
Barab  Pocket  awaited  us.     Mr.  Jaggera  presided,. . 
'.iella  sat  opposite  to  him,  1  Wei  m.^  ^«ftii  «m 
fend.     We  dined  very  -weW,  ani  ^«3a  'aw.wA!  « 


M»UM. 


W 


_Kd-8ervant  wliom  I  had  never  seun  in  :lI1  my  cooi- 

f  wd  goinga,  but  wlio,  t'ur  auytbiiig  I  know,  had 

'  1  that  myaterious  house  the  whole  time.     After 

,  a  bottle  of  choice  old  port  was  {ilaced  before 

r  guardiaa  (he  was  evidently  well  acquainted  with 

1  vintage),  and  the  two  ladies  left  as. 

-Anything  to  eijual  the  determined  reticence  of  Mr. 

g  under  that  roof,  I  never  saw  elsewhere,  evea 

■_  fajm.      He    kept   his  very    looks    to    himself,    and 

ely  directed  hia  eyes  to  Kstella's  face  once  during 

jr.     When  she  spoke  to  him,  he  listened,  and  in 

B  «ouT8Q  answered,  but  never  looked  at  her  that  I 

On   the  other  hand,   she   oilen   looked   at 

I,  with  interest  and  curiimity,  if  not  distrust,  but  his 

)  iiever  showed  the  least  consciousness.      Through- 

I  dinner   ho  took   a   dry   delight  in  making  Surah 

i'lfket  greener  and  yellower,    by   often  referring   in 

■'iiversation   with  mo  to  my  expectations;    but  here, 

'^iiin,  he  showed  no  consciousness,  and  even  made  it 

ijiyear  that  he  extorted  —  and  even  did  extort,  though 

I  don't  know  how  —  those  refei-ences  out  of  my  inno- 

■    ^cut  self. 

And  when  he  and  I  were  left  alone  together,   he 
'sl  with  an  air  upon  him  of  general  lying  by  in  con- 
■'■'luence  of  information  he  possessed,  that  really  was 
'•")  much  for   me.     He  cross-examined  his  very  wine 
"lien  he  had  nothing  else. in  hand.      He  held  it  he- 
iwten  himself  and  the  candle,  tasted  the  port,  rolled  it  , 
lu  Ills  mouth,  swallowed  it,  looked  at  the  port  again, 
'fflelt  it,    tried  it,    drank  it,   filled  again,    and  cru 
'^nmined  the  glass  again,  until  I  was  aa  nervoaa  a; 
I  liad  knonu  the  wine  to  be  telling  Hm  8om.e\,\AT\^  \ai 
»'-  disadrantage.  Three  or  four  times  I  ieetiV^  t\iO\i^ 


r  ESPECTATIONa, 


Ith' 


I 


I  would  start  conversation;  bnt  whenever  he  sair  g 

,  going  to  ask  him  anything,    he  looked  at  me  with' 

f  glass  in  his  hand,    and  rolling  his  wine  abont  in  ' 

I  month,    as  if  requesting  me  to  take  notice  that  it  1 

"  no  nae,  for  he  couldn't  answer. 

I  think  Miss  Pocket  was  conscious  that  the  s^ 
of  me  involved  her  in  the  danger  of  heing  goadei 
'  madness,  and  perhaps  tearing  off  her  cap  —  which  t. 
a  very  hideous  one,  in  the  nature  of  a  muslin  mop ' 
and  strewing  the  ground  with  her  hair  —  which  I 
suredly  Lad  never  grown  on  tier  head.  She  did  1 
appear  when  we  afterwards  went  up  to  Mias  Havighal 
room,  and  we  four  played  at  whiat.  In  the  inters 
Miss  Havisham,  iu  a  fantastic  way,  had  put  some  I 
tlie  moat  beautiful  jewels  from  her  dressing-table  in 
£stella's  hair,  and  about  her  bosom  and  arms;  anS 
saw  even  my  guardian  look  at  her  from  under  ) 
thick  eyebrows,  and  raise  them  a  little,  when  her  loi 

Ilinesa  was  before  bim,  with  those  rich  flushes  of  gliU 
and  colour  in  it. 
Of  the  manner  and  extent  to  which  he  took  ( 
trumps  into  custody,  and  came  out  with  mean  lit 
cards  at  the  ends  of  hands,  before  which  the  glory 
our  Kings  and  Queens  was  utterly  abased,  I  say  J* 
thing; -nor  of  the  feeling  that  I  had,  respecting  1 
looking  upon  us  personally  in  the  light  of  three  VI 
obvious  and  poor  riddles  that  he  had  found  out  H 
ago.  What  I  suffered  from,  was  the  incompatibfl 
between  his  cold  presence  and  my  feelings  towv 
Estella.  It  was  not  that  I  knew  I  could  never  bear 
epeak  to  him  about  her,  that  I  know  I  could  ntf 
bear  to  hear  him  creak  \iis  \jooVi  a\.  Vw ,  \!oa.t  X  fa 
'  conld  never  bear  to  see  ^i^nv  -wa.ftV^ta'aaiviadl 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS-  323 

,  that  my  admiratioa  aliould  Vie  witliiii  a  foot  or 
two  uf  LIm  —  it  was,   that  my  feelings  sliouJd  be  in 
I  the  smne  j.lace  witL  liim  —  tliat;    was  the  agouising 
I  drcunwtance. 

We  played  until  nine  o'clock,  and  then  it  was  ar- 
!3.}igei  tliat  when  Estella  came  to  London  I  eliould  be 
urawamed  of  her  coming  aud  should  meet  her  at  the 
-"Wh;  and  then  I  took  leave  of  her,  and  touched  her 
'inil  left  her. 

My  guardian  lay  at  the  Boar  in  the  next  room  to 
niine,  Far  into  the  night,  Miss  Havisham's  words, 
"We  her,  love  her,  love  her!"  sounded  in  my  ears. 
I  adapted  them  for  my  own  repetition,  and  said  to  my 

■  lliiw,  "I  love  her,  I  love  her,  I  love  herl"  hundreds 
I  times.  Then,  a  burst  of  gratitude  eame  upon  me, 
■lit  she  should  be  destined  for  me,  once  the  black- 
iiith's  boy.  Then,' I  thought  if  she  were,  ns  I  feared, 
y  no  means  rapturously  grateful  for  that  destiny  yet, 
lii.i]  would  she  begin  to  be  interested  in  me?  Wben 
li  iiUd  I  awaken  the  heart  within  her,  that  was  mute 
a'i  sleeping  now? 

AL  me!    I  thought  those  were  high  and  great  emo- 

■  'Jis.     But   I  never  thought  there  was   anything  low 

'1  sniall  in  my  keeping  away  from  Joe,    because  I 

.ji'iv  she  would  be  contemptuous  of  him.     It  was  hut 

■  lay  gone,  and  Joe  had  brought  the  tears  into 
1'  eyes;   they  had  soon  dried,  God  forgive  me!    soon 


COLLECTION 


BKITISH  AUTHORS. 


AT  EIPECTATIOSS  BY  CHARIES  DICKENS, 


IS    TWO    TOLL'MES, 
V»L.  U. 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


A.i'TER  well  conaideriug  tlie  matter  while  I  was 

>ig  at  tlie  BluG  Bofir  in  the  morning,  I  resolved 

!1  my  guardian  that  1  douhted  Orlick's  being  the 

sort  of  man  Ui  fill  a  post  of  trtist  at  Mias  Har 

lui's.      "Why  of  coui'ae  he  is  not  the  right  sort  of 

l^ip,"    Maid  my  guardian,   comfortably  satisiied 

"haad   on   the  general  head,     "because  the  man 

ijilfi   the  post  of  tniBt  never  is  the  right  sort  of 

It  seemed  qnite  to  put  him  into  spirits,  to  find 

T    this  particular  post  was  not  exceptionally  held  by 

i   right  sort  of  man,   and  he  listened  in  a  satisfied 

omer   while  I  told   him  what  knowledge  I  had   of 

lick.      "Very  good,  Pip,"  he  observed,  when  I  had 

ndiided,  "I'll  go  round  presently,  and  pay  our  friend 

llather  alajraed  by  this  summary  action,  I  was 

I  Httlo  delay,  and  even  liinted  that  our  friend  him- 

;iiight  be  difficult  to  deal  with.    "Oh  no  ho  won't," 

,  I  my  guardian,  making  his  pocket-handkerchief-point 

iIj  perfect  confidence;  "I  should  like  to  see  him  argue 

'■  ijuestion  with  me," 

As  wo  were  going-  back  together  to  "Lonioti  \i^  flas. 
)i!-daj'  ooacb,  and  as  I  Lreakfiisted  unAcT  SMck  "wmcrii 
Fumbleohook  thatl coald  seuicely  hold  m.-^  ft-we,*2»» 


gave  uifi  an  fipportunity  of  saying  that  I  wanted  a 
and  that  I  would  go  on  along  the  London-road 
Mr.  Jaggers  was  occupied,  if  he  would  let  the  e 
man  know  that  I  would  gfit  into  my  place  when 
taken.  I  was  thus  oualiled  to  fly  from  the  Blue 
immediately  after  breakfast.  By  then  making  a 
of  about  a  couple  of  miles  into  the  open  conntry 
back  of  FumblecLook's  premises,  I  got  round  int 
HigliBtreet  again,  a  little  beyond  that  pitfall. 
'"  '  1  comparative  security. 

IB  interesting  to  be  in  the  quiet  old  town 
more,  and  it  was  not  disagreeable  to  be  here  and 
suddenly  recognised  and  stared  after.  One  or  tf 
the  tradespeople  even  darted  out  of  their  shops 
went  a  little  way  down  the  street  before  me,  that 
might  turn,    ae  if  they  Lad  forgotten  something, 

1  face  to  face  —  on  which  occasions  I 
know  whether  they  or  X  made  the  worse  pretence; 
of  not  doing  it,  or  I  of  not  seeing  it.  Still  my  pof 
was  a  distinguished  one,  and  I  was  not  at  all  dia 
fied  with  it,  until  Fata  threw  me  in  the  way  of 
nniimited  miscreant,  Trabb's  boy. 

Casting  my  eyes  along  the  street  at  a  certain 
of  my  progress,  I  beheld  Trabb's  boy  approac 
lashing  himself  with  an  empty  blue  bag,  Dea 
that  a  serene  and  unconscious  contemplation  of 
would  best  beseem  roe,  and  would  be  most  like; 
quell  his  evil  mind,  I  advanced  with  that  expre 
of  countenance,  and  was  rather  congratulating  m 
on  my  success,  when  suddenly  the  knees  of  Tn 
■Jwy  smote  together,  his  hair  uprose,  his  cap  fell  cd 
trembled  violently  in  every  Aiwii,  s\».%5p[*i.  wii 
Lwying  to  the  "co^^i^    "    "^"""^^ 


mm 


I  KSMDOTAnOHS. 


M  fHglltencd!"  feigned  to  be  in  a  parosyam  of  terror 
htilI  contrition,  owasioned  by  the  dignity  of  my  ap- 
ii-nranee.  As  I  passed  liim,  his  teeth  loudly  cliattered 
!  Iits  head,  and  with  cTery  mark  of  extreme  homilia- 
UoQ,  he  prostrated  himself  in  the  duet. 
BlThis  was  a  hard  thing  to  bear,  bat  this  was  nothing. 
1  not  advanced  another  two  hundred  yards,  when, 
^  ineiprossible  terror,  amaaement,  and  indignation, 
"b  beheld  Trabb's  boy  approaching.  He  was  coming 
[  a  narrow  comer.  His  bine  bag  was  slung  over 
Moulder,,  honest  industry  beamed  in  his  eyes,  n 
rmlnadon  to  proceed  to  Trabb'8  with  cheerful  brisk- 
B  was  indicated  in  bis  gait  With  a  shock  he  became 
'  uware  of  mo,  and  was  severely  visited  as  before;  but 
this  time  liis  motion  was  rotatory,  and  he  staggered 
'natid  and  round  me  with  knees  more  afHicted,  and 
>  Jtli  uplifted  hands  aa  if  beseeching  for  mercy. 
:iiirwinf,'H  were  hailed  with  the  greatest  joy  by  a  knot 
'1  'peetatora,  and  I  felt  utterly  confounded. 

I  had  not  got  as  much  further  down  the  street  &( 
'111'  post-office,  when  I  again  beheld  Trabii's  boy  shoot- 
iiif;  round  liy  a  haek  way.     This  time  he  was  entirely 
'imaged.     He  wore  the  blue  bag  in  the  manner  of  my 
t'twit-coat,    and  was  strutting  along  the  pavement  to- 
«:tr(ls  me  on  the  opposite  side  of  die  street,   attended 
I17  a  company  of  delighted  young  friends  to  whom  " 
Iriini  time  to  time  exclaimed,  with  a  wave  of  his  hand, 
'llon't  know  yahl"     Words  cannot  state  the  amount 
"f  aggravation  and  injury  wreaked  upon  me  by  Tr 
liiy,  when,   passing  abreast  of  me,   he  pulled  up  his 
liirt-coUar,  twined  his  side-hab,  stiick  an  arm  a^Htftw, 
»iil^ieked  extravagiintly    by,    wriggling  \na   ^o^«i 
''  '^fJK^^aad  drawling  to  iiis  attcndaBts ,  "TloiiltVvioal 
1* 


4  CHUtAT  BXPIKTUTJOm. 

yfth,  don't  know  yala,  pon  my  soul  don't  know  ] 
The  disgrace  attendant  on  his  immediately  niten 
taking  to  crowing  and  purBuing  me  across  the  b 
■with  crows  as  from  an  exceoding'ly  dejected  fowl 
bad  known  me  when  I  waa  a  blacksmith,  culm' 
the  diBgracB  with  which  I  left  the  town,  and  v 
to  Bpea,k,  ejected  by  it  into  the  open  country. 

But  unlesa  I  had  taken  the  lite  of  Trabb's  ha, 
that  occasion,  I  really  do  not  evea  now  i 
could  have  done  save  endure.  To  have  struggled 
him  in  the  street,  or  to  have  exacted  any  1 
compense  from  him  than  his  heart's  best  blood  y 
have  been  futile  and  degrading.  Moreover,  he  yt 
boy  whom  no  man  could  hurt;  an  invulnerable 
dodging  serpent  who,  when  chased  into  a  c 
out  again  between  liis  captor's  legs,  scornfully  yel 
I  wrote,  however,  to  Mr.  Trabb  by  next  day's  pos 
say  that  Mr,  Pip  must  decline  to  deal  further  with 
who  could  so  far  forget  what  he  owed  to  the 
interests  of  society,  as  to  employ  a  boy  who  i 
Loathing  in  every  respectable  mind. 

The  coach,  with  Mr.  Jaggers  inside,  came  i 
due  time,  and  I  took  my  box-seat  again,  and  a 
in  London  safe  —  but  not  sound,  for  lay  heart 
gone.  As  soon  as  I  arrived,  I  sent  a  penitential 
fish  and  barrel  of  oysters  to  Joe  (as  reparation  fo 
having  gone  myself),   and  then  weut  on        ~~ 

I  found  Herbert  dining  on  cold  meat,  and  delii 

to  welcome  rae  back.    Having  despatched  The  Av( 

to  the  coffee-house  for  an  addition  to  the  dim 

ihat  I  must  open  my  bieaat  tXia.'s.  -serj  eM&\ca^  ^ 

'I'ead  and  chmn.     As  contiBawwaa  oaj.^  <& -iw 


r^r^  >       ffiZAT  BXPBCTATtOHS.  fi 

lion  with  The  Aveugcr  in  the  hall,  which  uoiild  merely 
be  regarded  in  tho  li^ht  of  aa  autc-chamber  to  the 
1(e;hole,  I  sent  bim  to  the  Play,     A  better  proof  of 
the  severity  of  my  bondage  to  that  taskmaster  could 
ititruely  be  afforded,  than  the  degrading  shifts  to  -which 
i  "  IS  eoMstantly  driven  to  find  him  employnient.     So 
I"  is  extremity,  that  I  sometimea  sent  him  to  Hyde 
ili-comw  to  flcB  what  o'clock  it  was. 
iJiunex  done  and  we  sitting  with  our  feet  upon  the 
'l''r,  1  said  to  Herbert,   "My  dear  Herbert,  I  have 
■ji-diing  very  particular  to  tell  yon." 
"Hy  dear  Handel,"   he  returned,    "I  shall  esteem 
i  respect  your  confidence." 

"It  concerns  myself,  Herbert,"  said  I,  "and  one 
'■"'I  jierBOn." 
Herbert  crossed  his  feet,  looked  at  the  fire  with  his 
'I  on  one  side,  and  having  looked  at  it  in  vain  for 
■11'  time,  looked  at  mo  because  I  didn't  go  on. 
'Herbert,"  said  I,  laying  my  hand  upon  his  knee. 
I  love  —  I  adore  —  Estella." 

Instead  of  being  transfixed,  Herbert  replied  io  an 
•-}  mattei-iif- coarse  way.  "Exactly.     Well?" 

"ft]!,  Herbert?     Is  that  all  you  say?     Well?" 
That  next,  I  mean?"  said  Herbert.     "Of  course 

r  that:' 

V  do  you  know  it?"  said  I. 
r  do  I  know  it,  Handel?     Why,  from  you." 
Briiever  told  yon." 

J^old  me!     You  have  never  told  me  when  yon 

Ffot  your  btor  cut,  but  I  have  had  senses  to  per- 

wi've  it.     Tou  have  always  adored  her,   cvm  6\B.sa  "V 

luve  hjoms  you.     Ton    brought   yom    adotaVion  »ai. 

"""^        Mteau  here,    together-     Tolij     ' 


^ncpii  have  always  told  me  all  day  lung.  '^\Tieii  yi 
^Hlald  me  your  own.  story,  you  told  me  plaiuly  that  y 
^Bbegan  adorisg  her  the  first  time  you  saw  her,  wli 
^^wou  were  very  young  mdeed." 

^H'  "Very  well,  then,"  suld  I,  to  whom  this  was  a  d 
^Band  nnt  unwelcome  light,  "I  have  never  loft  off  adon 
H'.^er.  And  she  has  come  back  a  most  beautifitl  a 
^K",Biost  elegant  creature.  And  I  saw  her  yesterday.  A 
Hyf  1  adored  her  before,  I  now  doubly  adore  her," 
^H|  "Lucky  for  you  then,  Handel,"  said  Herbert,  "ti 
^^frou  are  picked  nut  for  her  and  allotted  to  her.  "Wi 
^^Bat  eneroaching  on  forbidden  ground,  we  may  ventu 
^^Bo  say  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  between  ouraelvea 
^^poat  fact.  Have  you  any  idea  yet,  of  Estclla's  viei 
^Hcm  the  adoration  question?" 

^F       I  shook  my  head  gloomily.   "Ohl   She  is  tbousai 
B^'Of  miles  away,  from  me,"  said  I. 
H  "Patience,    my   dear  Handel:    time   enough, 

^B  enough.     But  you  have  aomething  more  to  say?" 
^B       "I  am  ashamed  to  say  it,"   I  retume<I,    "and  ] 
^■k's  no  worse  to  sSy  it  than  to  think  it.     You  call  i 
^Ba  lucky  fellow.   Of  course,  I  am.   I  wa.s  a  blacksmitl 
^nboy  but  yesterday;  I  am  —  what  shall  1  say  I  am  -< 

^B        "Say,    a  good  fellow,    if  you  want  a  phrase," 
H'tamed  Herbert,  smiling,  and  clapping  his  hand  on 
back  of  mine,    "a  good  fellow   with  impetuosily  t 
hesitation,   boldness  and  diffidence,  action  and  drau 
ing,  curionsly  mixed  in  him." 

I  stopped  for  a  moment  to  consider  whether  the 
really  was  this  mixture  in  my  character.   On  the  wh^ 
J  by  DO  means  recognised  the  aaaXysis,  Wi.  Vtuiu^t 
noi  worth  disputing. 


t  I   fuk   wh»t  I  am  to   call   myself  to-t 
I  weut  on,    "I  suggest  wUat  I  have 
:   Yoa  say  I  am  lacky.     I  know  1  Lave  dune 
10  raiae  mysoll'  in  life,  and  tl*t  Fortnnu  alone 
;   that  is  being  very   luijky.     And  yot 
unk  of  Estella  — " 

in  don't  you,  you  know?"  Herbert  tl 
faia  eyes  on  the  fire;  which  I  thought  kind 
tic  of  him.) 

"hen,  my  dear  Herbert,  I  cannot  tell  you 
t  ttud  uucertjiiu  I  feel,  aud  how  exposed 
of  chances.  Avoiding  forbidden  ground 
1st  now,  I  may  still  say  that  on  the  constancy 
saon  (naming  no  person)  all  my  expectations 
And  at  the  best,  how  indefinite  and  unsatis- 
lily  to  know  so  vaguely  what  they  are!"  In 
Is,  I  relieved  my  mind  of  what  had  always 
I  more  or  less,  though  no  doubt  most  aini;e 

\  Handel,"  Herbert  replied,  in  his  gay  hope- 
^'it  seems  to  me  that  in  the  despondency  of 
:■  passion,  we  are  looking  into  our  gift-horse's 
!h  a  magnifying  glass.  Likewise,  it  seems  to 
concentrating  our  attention  on  that  examina- 
ultogether  overlook  one  of  the  beat  points  of 
d.  Didn't  you  tell  rao  that  yonr  guardian, 
en,  told  you  in  the  beginning,  that  you  were 
red  with  espectationa  only?  And  even  if  he 
6ld  you  so  —  though  that  is  a  very  largo  If, 
■-  could  you  believe  that  of  all  men  in  London, 
re  is  the  man  to  hold  his  present  iiiaSXwQa 
3  unless  be  were  sure  of  liifl  gto\m4'i" 
r  coald  not  deny  that  tMa  was  a  aticti-a^ 


1 


ORBAT  EXPEOTATIOtrS. 


} 


X  Baiil  it  (people  often  do  so,  in  bucIi  cases)  like  a 
ther  reliictntit  concession  to  tmth  and  justice; 
I  wanted  to  deny  it! 

"T  should  thfbk  it  was  a  stroog  point,"  said  Herba 
"and  I  should  think  yon  would  be  puzzled  to  ima^ 
a  stronger;  as  to  the  rest,  yo«  must  hide  his  clieri 
time.  You'll  bo  oae-and-twcnty  before  yon  kiK 
where  you  are,  and  then  perliaps  you'l!  get  flome  ft 
'ther  enlightenment.  At  all  events,  you'll  be  nei 
getting  it,  for  it  mTist  come  at  last," 

"What  a  hopeful  disposition   you  have!"  saic 
gratefiilly  admiring  his  cheery  ways. 

"I  ought  to  have,"  said  Herbert,  "for  I  have 
much  else.  I  must  acknowledge,  by-the-by,  that  f 
good  sense  of  what  I  have  just  said  is  not  my  o\ 
but  my  father's.  The  only  remark  I  ever  heard  1 
make  on  your  stoiy,  was  the  final  one;  'The  thing 
settled  and  done,  or  Mr.  Jaggera  would  not  be  in 
And  now  before  I  say  anything  more  about  my  fat4 
or  my  father's  son,  and  repay  confidence  with  coi 
dence,  I  want  to  make  myself  seriously  disagreeable 
you  for  a  moment  —  positively  repulsive." 

"You  won't  succeed,"  said  I. 

"Oh  yes  I  shalll"  said  he.  "One,  two,  three,  a 
BOW  I  am  in  for  it.  Handel,  my  good  fellow  j"  tfaon] 
he  spoke  in  this  light  tone,  be  was  very  much  ! 
earnest:  "I  have  been  thinking  since  wo  have  bo 
talking  with  our  feet  on  this  fender,  that  Kstella  sn 
cannot  be  a  condition  of  yonr  inheritance,  if  she 
never  referred  to  by  your  guardian.  Am  I  right  in 
anderstandiag  wliat  you  have  to\i  me,  aa  \,\«fc  ta ; 
r^^rred  to  her,    directly   ox  inSin 


S'cver  even  liinte.d,  fur  instance,  that  yoiir  patron  might 
j^ve  views  as  to  your  marriage  ultimately?" 

"Now,  Handel,  I  am  quite  free  from  the  flavotu'  of 
iir   grapes,    upon  my  soul  and  hononrl      Not  being 
■i.imd  to  her,  can  yoa  not  detach  youMelf  from  her? 
-     I  told  yon  I  should  be  disagree alile." 

I  turned  my  head  aside,  for,  with  a  rush  and  a 
jWfep,  like  the  old  marsh  winds  coming  up  from  the 
wa,  a  feeling  like  tbit  which  had  subdued  me  on  the 
looming  when  I  left  the  forge,  when  the  mists  wore 
Boleranly  rising,  and  when  I  laid  my  hand  npon  the 
Tillage  finger-post,  smote  upon  my  heart  again.  There 
iraa  silence  between  us  for  a  little  while. 

"Yea;  but  my  dear  Handel,"  Herbert  went  on,  aa 
''we  had  been  talking  instead  of  silent,  "it's  having 
'■'■II  go  strongly  rooted  in  the  breast  of  a  boy  whom 
"itiire  and  circumstances  made  so  romantic,  renders  it 
■  ry  serious,  Think  of  her  bringing-up,  and  think  of 
'ili*8  Havisham.  Think  of  what  she  is  herself  (now  I 
111  rejralsive  and  you  abominate  me).  This  may  lead 
■  niiaerablo  things." 

"I  know  it,  Herbert,"  said  I,  with  my  bead  still 
iiiiTicd  away,  "but  I  can't  help  it," 
'"  n't  detach  yourseli'?" 


Yon 

can't  try,  Handel? 

No. 

Imposs 

ble!" 

Well 

"   said 

Herbert, 

I   getting  up  with   a  lively 
liake  aa  if  he  had  been  asleep,  and  stirring  the  fire; 
iiijw  m  endeavour  to  make  myself  agvceabXe  agaAtO" 
So  iia  treat  round  the  room  and  filiook  t\i6  cvoWMsa 
w^Bi  tie  obasTB  in   their  'places,  tidiei  \ii.e 


L«  ^g 


anil  80  furth  that  were   lyiug  about,    looked  into 
hall,   peeped  into   llie  letter-box,    shut  tbe   door, 
came  baek  to  Ms  cliair  by  the  fire:  where  be  sat  do 
narsla^  his  left  log  in  both  arms. 

"I  was  going  to  aay  a  word  or  two,  Ilandel, 
coruing  my  father  and  my  father's  eon.    I  am  afra 
is  scarcely  necessary  for  my  father's  son  to  remark 
my  father's  establishment  is  not  particularly   brill 
in  its  housekeeping," 

"There  is  always  plenty,  Herbert,"  said  I:  to 
something  encouraging. 

"Oh  yes!  and  so  the  dustman  says,  I  believe, 
the  strongest  approval,  and  so  does  the  marine  s 
shop  in  the  back  street.  Gravely,  Handel,  for  the 
ject  is  grave  enough,  you  know  how  it  is,  as  well  I 
do.  I  suppose  there  was  a  time  once,  when  my  fal 
had  not  given  matters  up;  but  if  there  ever  wh«, 
time  is  gone.  May  I  ask  you  if  you  have  ever  hod 
opportunity  of  remarking  down  in  your  part  of 
country,  that  the  children  of  not  exactly  suitable  t 
riages,  are  alyaya  moat  particularly  anxious  to  be  i 

This  was  such  a  singular  question,   that  I  a& 
Mm  in  return,  "Is  it  so?" 

"I  don't  know,"  said  Herbext,  "that's  what  I  v 
to  know.  Because  it  is  decidedly  the  case  with 
My  poor  sister  Charlotte  who  was  nest  me  and  i 
before  she  was  fourteen,  was  a  striking  example.  L 
Jane  is  the  same.  In  her  desire  to  he  matiimoni 
estubhshcd,  you  might  suppose  bor  to  have  passed 
short  existence  in  the  perpetual  contemplation  of 
zaesiic  bliss.  Little  Aliek  in  a.  itoiik  ^la,*  siJacsA^  0 
arrangements  for  liia  umou  Vttti  «.  «oiX:S^J».  -jwon^ 


GREAT  BXPECTATIONS.  11 

•■'•n  st  Kew.     And  indeed,  I  think  we  aro  all  engngeil, 

■  -u.iipt  t.lie  baliy." 

"Then  you  are?"  said  I. 

"T  ara,"  said  Herbert;  "but  it's  a.  aecret" 

I  assured  him  of  my  kee^jing  the  socret,  and  begged 

■  bn  favoured  with  further  particulars.    He  had  spoken 

■  "ensibly  and  i'celinply  of  ray  weakness  that  I  wanted 
:"  know  something  about  his  strength. 

"May  I  ask  the  name?"  I  said. 

"Name  of  Clara,"  said  Herbert. 

"Live  in  London?" 

"Yea.  Perhaps  I  ought  to  mention,"  eaid  Herbert, 
«lio  Lad  become  curiously  crestfallen  and  meek,  since 
*e  entered  on  the  interesting  theme,  "that  she  is  ra- 
Ifwr  litlow  my  motlier's  nonsensical  family  notions. 
Htr  Bitber  had  to  do  with  the  vietaalling  of  passenger- 
'Iii]i8.    I  think  he  was  a  species  of  purser." 

"What  is  he  now?"  said  T. 

"He's  an  invalid  now,"  replied  Herbert. 

"Living  on  ~?" 

"On  the  first  floor,"  said  Herbert.  Which  was  not 
*-  idl  what  I  meant,  for  I  had  inteudod  my  question  to 
'i'l'ly  to  his  means.  "I  have  never  seen  him,  for  ho 
"-ii  always  kept  his  room  overhead,  since  I  have  known 
'  'iifa.  But  I  have  heard  him  congtantly.  He  makes 
iTi'iiiendous  rows  —  roars,  and  pegs  at  the  floor  with 
"'noe  frightful  inatrument."  In  looking  at  me  and  then 
l.iiighjng  heartily,  Herbert  for  the  time  recovered  his 
''•'i«\  hvely  manner. 

"Don't  you  expect  to  see  him?"  aaid  l. 
Oh  yea,  I  constantly  expect  to  aee  liim"  xetaTas^ 


I 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 

Herbert,  "because  I  never  hear  him  without  especting 
Miira  to  come  tumbling  through  the  ceiling.  Bat  I  don't 
know  how  long  the  rafters  may  hold." 

"When  he  had  once  more  laughed  heartily,  he  he- 
eame  meek  again,  and  told  me  that  the  moment  he  be- 
ligan  to  realise  Capital,  it  waa  his  intention  to  majryi 
"V>is  young  lady.  Ho  added  as  a  self-evident  propan- 
Ion,  engendering  low  spirits,  "But  you  can't  zatarf^ 
you  know,  while  you're  looking  about  you."  | 

As  we  contemplated  the  fire,  and  as  I  thought  what 
a  difBcult  vision  to  realise  this  same  Capital  sometimes 
was,  I  put  my  hands  in  my  pockets.  A  folded  piecfl 
of  paper  in  one  of  them  attracting  my  attention,  I' 
opened  it  and  found  it  to  be  the  playbill  I  had 
ceived  from  Joe,  relative  to  the  celebrated  pro  vim 
amateur  of  Eoscian  renown.  "And  bless  my  liei 
X  involuntarily  added  aloud,  "it's  to-njght!" 

This  changed  the  subject  in  an  instant,  and 
Ub  hurriedly  resolve  to  go  to.  the  play.  So,  when 
'had  pledged  myself  to  comfort  and  abet  Herbert 
kSair  of  his  heart  by  all  practicable  and  impractical 
means,  and  when  Herbert  had  told  me  that  his 
anced  already  knew  mo  by  reputation  and  that  I  shoi 
be  presented  to  her,  and  when  we  had  warmly  ahak< 
hands  upon  our  mutual  confidence,  we  blew  out 
candles,  made  up  our  fire,  locked  our  door,  and  ist 
forth  in  quest  of  Mr.  Wopsle  and  Denmark. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Oh  our  arrival  in  Deumnrk,  we  found  the  king'  and 
queen  of  that  country  olevaied  in  two  arm-uhairB  on  a 
kitciien-Cable,  holding  a  Court.  The  whole  of  the 
Danish  tiohilitj-  were  in  attendance;  consiBting  o" 
noble  boy  in  the  wash-leather  hoota  of  a  gigantic 
cestor,  a  venerable  Pear  with  a  dirty  face  who  aeei 
to  have  risen  from  the  people  late  in  life,  and  the 
Danish  chivalry  with  a  comb  in  its  hair  and  a  pair  of 
wltite  silk  lege,  and  presenting  on  the  whole  a  fcmi 
appeajanee.  My  gifted  townsman  stood  gloomily  apart, 
with  folded  arms,  and  I  could  have  wished  that  his 
curls  and  forehead  had  been  more  probable. 

Several  curious  little    circumatanceB  transpired   as 

the   action   proceeded.     The  late  king  of  the   country 

not  only  appeared  to  have  been  troubled  with  a  cough 

at  the  time  of  his  decease,  but  to  have  taken  it  with 

liim  to  the  tomh  and  to  have  brought  it  back.      The 

royal  phantom  also  carried  a.  ghostly  manuscript  round 

its  truneht;on,  to  which  it  had  the  appearance  of  occa- 

-i>.<milly  referring,  and  that,  too,  with  an  air  of  anxiety 

.ml  a  tendency  to  lose  the  place  of  reference  which  were 

^ii^'gestive  of  a  state  of  mortality.     It  was  this,  I 

i.ive,  which  led  to  the  Shade's  being  advised  hy  the 

jiiilery  to  "turn  over!"  —  a  recommendation  which  it 

;iiik  extremely  ill.    It  was  likewise  to  be  noted  of  this 

i-ijijestic  spirit  that  whereas  it  always  appeared  with 

>u  Jur  of  having  been  out  a  long  time  and  walked 

iniinense  distance,  it  perceptibly  camo  from  a  c\o9a\^ 

mlig'uoas  wall     This  occasioned  its  terroia  t«  \)e 

"  -Mrely.     Tko   Qaeon   of  Denmaik..,  &  ■* 


'  bu3om  lady,  though  no  doubt  liiHtorically  brazen,  n 
conudered  by  the  public  to  have  too  mnuh  brasB  ahf 
her;  her  chin  being  attached  to  her  diadem  by  a  brO 
band  of  that  metal  (as  if  she  had  a  gorgeoufl  tootbad 
her  waist  being  encircled  by  another,  and  each  of  | 
arms  by  another,  so  that  she  was  openly  mentioned 

[  "the  kettle-drum."     Tlie  noble   buy  in   the   ancesM 

'  boots,  was  inconsistent;  representing  himself,  as  it  wa) 
in  one  breath,  as  an  able  seaman.,  a  strolling  actor^ 
grftvedigger,  a  clergyman,  and  a  person  of  the  «tm< 
importance  at  a  Coiu^  fencing-match,  on  the  anthoH 
of  whose  practised    eye    and    nice  discrimination  i 

[  finest  gtrokes  were  judged.      This  gradually  led  to- 

I  want  of  toleration  for  him,  and  even  —  on  his  b^ 
detected  in  boly  orders,  and  declining  to  perform  H 
funeral  service  —  to  the  general  indignation  takl] 
the  form  of  nuts.  Lastly,  Ophelia  was  a  prey  to  Bti 
Blow  musical  madness,  that  when,  in  course  of  ti4 
she  had  taken  off  her  wbitc  muslin  scarf,  folded  it  t 

I    and  buried  it,  a  sulky  man  who  had  been  long  coofi 
,  impatient  nose  against  an  iron  bar  in  tlte  front  if 
of  the  gallery,  growled,   "Now  the  baby's  put  to  i 

I  let's  have  supper!"  which,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  ^ 

1  ont  of  keeping.       ' 

Upon  my  unfortunate  townsman  all  these  incida 

[  accumulated  with  playful  effect.  Whenever  that  1 
decided  Prince  had  to  ask  a  question  or  state  a  doa 
the  public  helped  him  out  with  it.     As  for  examp 

I    on  tlie  question  whether  'twas  nobler  in  the  mindi 

L  Buffer,  some  roared  yes,  and  some  no,  and  some  iai 
J  ning  to  both  opinions  said  "toss  up  for  it;"  and  qi 
wa  Debating  Society  aroBe.  "VJW'ttVte  s.'^eA.-wVai, »ha 
*'"■''•    fellowB    as   he    do  crstw\m5  \niVww«o.  ms^ 


u 


Bpr'lie  was  encouraged  with  load  crit^s  of  "Ueiir, 
^r'  When  he  appeared  with  his  stocking  disordered 
disorder  expresBed,  according  to  usage,  by  one  very 
t  fold  in  the  top,  wliieh  I  suppose  to  be  always  got 
with  a  flat  iron),  a  conversation  took  place  in  the 
lory  respecting  the  paleness  of  his  leg,  and  whether 
ras  oceasioncd  by  the  turn  the  ghost  had  given  him. 
his  taking  the  recorders  —  very  like  a  little  hlack 
a  that  hud  jast  buen  played  in  the  orchoBtra  and 
ded  out  at  the  door  —  ho  was  called  upon  unani- 
isly  tfir  Rule  Britannia.  When  he  recommended 
pUyer  not  to  saw  the  air  thus,  tlic  sulky  man  said, 
id  don't  gou  do  it,  neither;  yon're  a  deal  worse  than 
/"  And  I  grieve  to  add  (hat  peals  of  laughter 
it«d  Mr.  Wopsle  on  every  one  of  these  occasions. 
Bnt  his' greatest  trials  were  in  the  churchyai'd:  whieh 
the  appearance  of  a  primeval  forest,  with  a  kind 
imall  ecclesiastical  wash-house  on  one  side  and  a 
rpike-gate  on  the  other.  Mr.  Wopsle  in  a  compre- 
Hve  black  cloak  being  descried  entering  at  the 
ipike,  the  gravedigger  was  admonished  in  a  friendly 
■,  "Look  out!  itere's  the  undertaker  a  coming  to 
how  you're  a  getting  on  with  your  work!"  I  bo- 
3  it  is  well  known  in  a  eonalitntional  country  that 
Wopsle  could  not  possibly  have  returned  the  skull, 
r  moralising  over  it,  without  dusting  his  fingera  on 
hite  napkin  taken  from  his  breast;  but  even  tliat 
icent  and  indispensable  action  did  not  pass  without 
comment  "Wai-ter!"  The  arrival  of  the  body  for 
nnent,  in  an  emjity  black  box  with  the  lid  tumbling 
I,  was  the  signal  for  a  general  joy  Vf^iieh  ■sj&ft  two-Oc 
meed  by  the  discovery,  amon^  the  Ijeateta,  o^  »». 
"fc^  obnoxious  to   identificatioii. 


p  tended  Mr.  Wopsle  through  his  struggle  with  L(u 
on   the   brink  of  the    orchestra    and    the    grave, 
slackened  no  more  until  he  had  tumbled  the  king 
the  kituhen-table,  and  died  by  inches  from  the  a 
upward. 

I         We  bad  made  some  pale  efforts  in  the  beginning 

r  applaud  Mr.  Wopale;  but  they  were  too  hopeless  to 

persisted  in.     Therefore  wo  had  sat,  feeling  keenly 

him,  but  laughing,  neyertheleHs,   from  ear  to  ear. 

laughed  in  spite  of  myself  all  the  time,  the  whole  thl 

was  so  dioll;  and  yet  I  had  a  latent  impression  i 

there  was  something  decidedly  fine  in  Mr.  Wopa 

elocution  —  not  for  old  associations'  sake,  I  am  afii 

hnt  because  It  was  very  slow,  very  dreary,  very  up4 

and  down-hill,  and  very  unlike  any  way  iu  which  s 

I  man  in  any  natural  circumstancea  of  life  or  deatlt  e' 

r  expressed  himself  about  anything.     When  the  trage 

I  "was   over,   and  he  had  been  called  for  and  hootedj 

[  said  to  Herbert,    "Let  us  go  at  once,  or  perhaps 

[  shall  meet  him," 

We  made  all  the  haste  we  could  down  stairs, 
^  we  were  not  quick  enough  either,    Standing  at  the  i 
I  Jewish  man  with  an  unnaturally  heavy  sa 
Lof  eyebrow,  who  caught  my  eye  as  we  advanced, 
^flaid,  when  we  came  up  with  him: 
"Mr.  Pip  and  friend?" 
Identity  of  Mr.  Pip  and  friend  confessed. 
"Mr.  Waldengarver,"  said  the  man,  "would  bag 
t  to  have  the  honour." 

"Waldengarver?"  I  repeated  — when  Herbert  t 
Itnured  in  my  ear,  "Probably  Wopsle." 

"Oii.'"BaidI.     "Yea.     StaW'se  tftWw^  ^*iM?" 
ps,  please."     N^^i^av  "««i.i 


■||-'J,  he  tnmed  and  aaked,    "How  did  you  think  ho 

■  'lied?  —  1  dressed  him." 

[  don't  know  what  he  had  looked  like,  except  a 
■iiiHi-al;  with  Oie  addition  of  a  large  Danish  eun  or 
ir  hanging  round  his  neck  by  a  blue  ribbou,  that  had 
vi.n  him  the  appearance  of  being  insiu'ed  in  some  ex- 
i.irdinary  Fire   Office.      But   I   said  he  bad  looked 

"Wlien  be  come  to  the  grave,"  said  our  conductor, 

I"  showed  bis  cloak  beautiful.    But,  judging  from  the 

.m;,',  it  looked  to  me  that  when  he  see  the  ghost  in 

II'  queen's  apartment,   he  might  have  made  more  of 

[  liis  gtockinga." 

I  modestly  assented,  and  wo  all  fell  tlirongh  a  little 

I  dirty  swing-door,  into  a  sort  of  hot  packing-case  imme- 

I  ifiately  behind  it.       Here  Mr.   Wopsle  was   divesting 

f  himself  of  his  Danish  garments,  and  hero  there  was  just 

a  for  us  to  look  at  him  over  one  another's  shoulders, 

by  keeping  the  packing-case  door,  or  lid,  wide  open. 

■'Gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Wopsle,  "I  am  proud  to  see 

II      I   hope,   Mr.  Pip,   you  will  excuse  my  sending 

iiiiL     I   had  the   happiness  to   know  you  in  former 

■iiis,  and  the  Drama  has  ever  had  a  claim  which  has 

■  1-  been  acknowledged,  on  the  noble  and  the  affiuent." 

.lleanwhile,  Mr,  Waldengarver,  in  a  frightful  per- 
■i^ition,  was  trying  to  get  himself  out  of  his  princely 

"Skin  the  stockings  off,  Mr.  Waldengarver,"  said 
■  owner  of  that  property,  "or  you'll  bust  'em.  Bust 
.  ,  and  you'll  bust  five-aud-thirty  shillings.  Shake- 
tie  never  was  complimented  with  a  finer  ^ajit.  '^e*.'^ 
it.  inj-onr  cbair  aoir,  flnd  leave  'em  to  mer 
With  that,  he  weat  upon  hia  knees,  ao.i'be! 


V98  mxi.V'  utpsmtmimk 

K  flay  his  victim;  who,  on  the  first  stocking  coining 
H  would  certainly  have  fallen  over  backwHrd  with 
H  chair,  but  for  there  being  no  room  to  fall  anyhow- 
H  I  had  been  ii&aid  until  then  to  say  a,  word  a' 

H  the  play.     But  then,  Mr.  Waldengar\'er  looked  a 
V  na  eompiacentiy, .and  said: 
H  "Gentleinen,   how  did   it  seem  to  you,   to  go 

■  front?" 

^m         Herbert  said  from  behind  (itt  the  same  time  pok 
B  me),  "capitally."     80  I  said  "capitally," 
H  ,       "How  did  you  like  my  reading  of  the  charaol 
H:  gentlemen?"   said   Mr.   Waldengarver,    almost,    if  % 
H  -quite,  with  patronage. 
B         Herbert  said  from  behind  (again  poking  me),  "m 

■  -  give  and  conciete."     So  I  said  boldly,  as  if  I  had  i 
H-  ginated  it,  and  must  insist  upon  it,  "massivG  and  c 

H  "I  am  glad  to  have  your  approbation,  gentlen 

H'gaid  Mr.  Waldengarver,  with  an  air  of  dignity,  in  s\ 
H^  of  his  being  ground  against  the  wall  at  the  time,  a 
H"  iolding  on  by  the  seat  of  the  chair. 
H         "Bnt  I'll  tell  you  one  thing,   Mr,  Waldengarv) 
B  said  the  man  who  was  on  his  knees,  "in  which  j 
H'  out  in  your  reading.     Now  mind!   I  don't  care  ' 

■  says  contraiiy;  I  tell  yon  so.  You're  out  in  yonr  i 
"    ing  of  Hamlet  when  you  get  your  legs  in  profile. 

last  Hamlet  as  I  dressed,  made  the  same  mistakes 
his  reading  at  rehearsal,  till  I  got  him  to  put  a  lai 
red  wafer  on  each  of  his  shins,  and  then  at  that 
hearaal  (which  was  the  last)  I  went  in  front,  eir,  to  i 
baek  of  the  pit,  and  whenever  his  reading  brought  li 
iato  pro&le,  I  called  out  '1  ioi^^:  *fc<i  wa  -^a-feal' 
—  at  night  Im  reading  was  ^^' 


asaA.1  sxraoTAiiOBs.  19 

it,  Waldengarver  BiDileJ  at  me,  aa  mucli  as  ta  say 
I  I'aitht'ul  depeiideDt  —  I  overlook  Lis  foUy;"  and 
'ni  n  said  aloud,  ''My  view  is  a  little  clasBic  and 
'■!"Ughtfiil  for  tlicm  here;  but  tliey  will  improve,  they 
■  ill  improve." 

Uerbert  and  I  said  together,  Oh,  no  doubt  they 
'I'.iild  improve. 

"Did  yon  observe,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Walden- 
.  liver,  "that  there  was  a  man  in  the  gallery  who  en- 
'  iivoured  to  cast  derision  on  the  service  —  I  moan, 
ill'  representation?"" 

We  basely  replied  that  we  rather  thought  we  had 
noticed  such  a  man.  I  added,  "He  was  dmnk,  no 
Arabt." 

"Oh  dear  no,  sir,"_aaid  Mr.  Wopale,  "not  drunk. 

His  empli^«t  would  see  to  that,   sir.     His  employer 

wonld  noi  allow  him  to  he  drunk." 

"Tou  know  his  employery"  said  I. 

Mr.  Wopslo  shut  his  eyes,  and  opened  them  again; 

performing  both  ceremonies  very  slowly.     "You  mast 

liave  observed,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  "an  ignorant  and 

a  blatant  ass,  with  a.  rasping  throat  and  a  countenance 

expreBsivo  of  low  malignity,   who  went  throngh  —  I 

will  not    say  auBtained  —  the  r61o  (if  I    may  use   a 

French    expression)    of   Claudius    King    of   Denmark. 

r    That  is  his  employer,   gentlemen.     Sueh  is  the  pro- 

WitLout  distinctly  knowing  whether  I  should  have 
■'■n  more  sorry  for  Mr.  Wopsle  if  ho  had  been  in 
-|>air,  I  was  so  sorry  for  Lim  as  it  was,  that  I  took 
:■  opportunity  of  hia  turning'  round  to  fe.a\e  "^na  ^l^a!;a* 
;i  tm  —  wJiich  jostled  US  out  at  tl\e  ioOTWR-j  —  •«> 
^^^Herbert  what  he  thought  of  liaviwg  \v\m  '  '' 


80  OBXAT  BXPECTAnOXS. 

supper?  Herbert'  saitl  he  thought  it  would  bo  Id] 
do  so;  therefore  I  invited  him,  and  he  vent  to 
nard'a  with  ns,  wrapped  np  to  the  eyes,  and  ■ 
onr  best  for  him,  and  he  sat  nntil  two  o'clock 
morning,  reviewing  hi  a  success  and  developiii| 
plans.  I  forget  in  detail  what  they  were,  bnt  I  hi 
general  reuollectiou  that  he  was  to  begin  with  ret 
the  Drama,  and  to  end  with  crushing  it;  inasmui 
his  decease  would  leave  it  utterly  bereft  and  with 
chance  or  hope. 

Miserably  I  went  to  bed  after  all,  and 
thought  of  Estello,  and  miserably  dreamed  that  iB 
pectations  were  all  cancelled,  and  that  I  had  ta 
my  hand  in  marriage  to  Herbert's  Clara,  or  play  Hj 
to  Miss  Havisham's  Ghost,  before  twenty  tlii 
people',  without  knowing  twenty  words  "L^h 

CHAPTER  III. 

One  day  when  I  was  busy  with  my  books  aw 
Pocket,  I  received  a  note  by  the  post,  the  mew 
side  of  which  threw  me  into  a  great  flutter;  for, 
I  had  never  seen  the  handwriting  in  which  it 
dressed,  I  divined  whose  hand  it  was.  It  had'i 
beginning,  as  Dear  Mr.  Pip,  or  Dear  Pip,  or  Dei 
or  Dear  Anything,  bnt  ran  thus: 


If  there  had  been   time,   I  should  probably 
ordered   several   suits  ot  c\ol\\eB  ^ot  i\ft^  ^sctnawin 
^^ae  was  not,  I  ^aa  tsun  \a  \)e^  t:n^\May||a 


21 


',  My  appetite  yonished  instantly,  and  I  knew  no 

r  rest  until  tlie  day  arrived.     Not  that  its  ar- 

brouglit  me  cither;   for,   then  I  was  woi-ee  tban 

:,    and   began  haunting  the   coach-otfice  in  Wood- 

■  t,    Cheapaide,    before  the  coach  had  left  the  Blue 

ir  in  our  town.     For  all  that  I  knew  this  perfectly 

I .  I  still  felt  aa  if  it  were  not  safe  to  let  the  coach- 

.'  I.  be  out  of  my  sight  longer  than  five  minutes  at  a 

mil.';    and  in  this   condition    of  unreason  I  had  per- 

lunned  the   first  half-hour  of  a  watch  of  four  or  five 

liiiurs,  when  Mr,  Wemiuick  ran  against  me. 

'"Halloa,  Mr.  Pip,"   saitl  he;   "how  do  you  do?     I 
:iiJJ  hardly  have  thought  this  waa  your  heat." 
I   captained  that  1  was  waiting  to  meet  somebody 
!■  was  coming  up  by  coach,  and  I  inquired  after  the 
.-'Av  and  the  Aged. 
'Both  flourishing,  thankye,"  said  Wemmiek,  "and 
tkiilarly  the  Aged.  He's  in  wonderful  feather.  He'll 
'ighty-two  next  birthday.    I  have  a  notion  of  firing 
.'ity-two  times,   if  the  neighbourhood  shouldn't  com- 
III,   and  that  cannon  of  mine  should  prove  equal  to 
■    jii-essure.  However,  this  is  not  London  talk.  Where 
'111  you  think  I  am  going  to?" 

"To  the  officei"'  said  I,  for  he  was  tending  in  that 
Jirection. 

"Next  thing  to  it,"  returned  Wemmiek,  "I  am 
going  to  Newgate.  We  are  in  a  bankers-parcel  case 
just  at  present,  and  I  have  been  down  the  road  taking 
a  sqoint  at  the  scene  of  action,  and  thereupon  must 
have  a  word  or  two  with  our  client." 

"Did  your  client  commit  the  robbery?"  \  a^sA- 
"Bless  j-our  soul  and  body,  no,"    anavjetfei. N^ "en 
^KPT  (frp/r-  "Bat  be  is  accftagd  ^JiS,-  ,  %S  ^^ 


33  aitsAT  zxractATiom. 

you  or  I  bo.    Eitlior  of  us  might  be  accused  of  it, 

"Only  neither  of  na  is,"  I  remarked. 

"Tah!"  said  Wemmick,  touching  me  on  the  b 
with  his  forefinger;  "you're  a  deep  one,  Mr-Pipf 
you  like  to  have  a  look  nt  Newgate?  Have  yoo 
to  spare?" 

I  had  BO  much  time  to  spare,  that  the  pra 
came  as  a  relief,  notwithstanding  its  irreconcila 
with  my  latent  desire  to  keep  my  eye 
ofliee.  Muttering  that  I  would  make  the  im 
whether  I  had  time  to  walk  with  him,  I  went  inti 
office,  and  ascertained  from  the  clerk  with  the 
precision  and  much  to  the  trying  of  his  temper, 
earliest  moment  at  which  the  coach  could  be  oxp 
- —  which  I  knew  beforehand,  quite  as  well  as  I 
then  rejoined  Mr.  Wemmick,  and  affecting  to  ci 
my  watch  and  to  be  sorprised  by  the  information 
roceivad,  accepted  his  offer. 

We  were  at  Newgate  in  a  few  minutes,  an 
passed  through  the  lodge  where  some  fetters 
hanging  u]i  on  the  bare  walls  among  the  prison 
into  the  interior  of  the  jaiL  ^t  that  time,  jails 
'  much  neglected,  and  the  period  of  exaggerated  rei 
consequent  on  all  public  wrong-doing  —  and  whj 
always  ita  heaviest  and  longest  punishment — wa 
far  off.  So,  felons  were  not  lodged  and  fed  bettei 
soldiers  (to  say  nothing  of  paupers),  and  seldom  ai 
to  their  prisons  with  the  excusable  object  of  impr 
the  flavour  of  their  eoup.  It  was  visiting  time 
Wemmick  took  me  in;  and  a  potman  was  goin 
mds    with   beur;   and  1.\e  pVao^iet!, 


I  Wn.r  IS«P8CTATIOIW.  28 

!  ;t  frouzy,   ugly,  disorderly,    depressiinf'  scene  it 

It  strnck  mo  that  Wemmick  walkud  among  the 
■  luere,    much  as  a  gardener  might  walk  among  hia 

■  Mrs,  This  was  first  put  into  my  head  by  Lis  seeing 
liLint  that  had  come  up  in  the  night,  and  saying, 
lj.1t,  Captain  Tom?     Are  you  there?  Ah,  indeed!" 

i  ilso,  "Is  that  Black  Bill  behind  tlie  cistern?  Why, 

■  ilu't  look  for  you  these  two  months;  how  do  you 
I  vonrselt'?"  Equally  in  his  stopping  at  the  bars 
I  ittendiag  to  anxious  whisperers  —  always  singly 
Wemmick  with  his  post-office  in  an  immovable  state, 
l:id  at  them  while  in  conference,  aa  if  he  weJ-e  ta- 
1.-  particular  notice  of  the  advance  they  had  made, 

I  last  observed,  towards  coming  out  in  fall  blow  at 

■II-  trial. 

111!  was  highly  popular,    and  I  found  that  he  took 

I'.imiliar    department    of   Mr.    Jaggers'a    business: 

'i:;h   something  of  the  state  of  Mr.   Jaggera   hung 

|''.>iit    him   too,    forbidding  approach  beyond    certain 

iimiiB,      His  personal    recognition    of  each   successive 

iiJcnt  was  comprised  in  a  nod,    and  in  his  settling  hia 

^■'Mi  a  little  easier  on  his  head  with  both  hands,    and 

iirii  lightening  the  post-office,   and  putting  his  hands 

III  Ills  pockets.     In  one  or  t,wo  instances,    there  was  a 

■iifliculty  respecting  the  raising  of  fees,    and  then  Mr. 

>  iiimick,   backing  as  far  as  possible  &om  the  insuffi- 

i:  money  produced,  said,  "It's  no  use,  my  hoy.  I'm 

.  a  subordinate.     I  can't  take  it.     Don't  go  on  in 

."Ml  way  with  a  subordinate.     If  you   are  unable  to 

make  np  your  qnanturn,   my  boy,   you.  hoA  baUKt  ^- 

draas  yoaise}f  to  a  principal;   there  arc  ■pVewty  nl  \;Tai.- 


24  0HB4T  ESPE0TATIOS9. 

wortli  the  wliile  of  one,  may  be  worth  the  wh 
another;  thut'a  my  recommendation  to  you,  spe 
as  a  subordinate.  Don't  try  on  nseless  lueaBores. 
should  you!    Now,  who's  next?" 

ThuB,  we  walked  through  Wemmick'a  grcenll 
nntil  be  turned  to  me  and  said,  "Notice  the  S 
shall  shake  Lands  with."  I  should  have  d( 
out  the  preparation,  as  he  had  shaken  hands  wil 
one  yet. 

Almost  as  soon  as  he  had  spoken,  a  portly  up 
man  (wliora  I  can  sea  now,  as  I  write)  in  a  welt 
olive-coloured  frock-coat,  with  a  pecnliar  pallor 
spreading;  the  red  in  his  complexion,  and  eyes 
went  wandering  about  when  he  tried  to  fix  them,  ■ 
up  to  a  comer  of  the  bars,  and  put  his  hand  t 
hat  —  which  had  a  greasy  and  fatty  surface  likft 
broth  - —  with  a  half-serious  and  half-jocose  mi] 
salute.  ' 

"Colonel,  to  you!"  said  Wemmick;  "how  are. 
Colonel?" 
-     "All  right,  Mr.  Wemmick.' 

"Everything  was  done  that  could  he  done,  bu 
evidence  was  too  strong  for  us,  Colonel." 

"Yes,    it    was    too    strong,    sir  —  but    / 

"No,  no,"  said  Wemmick,  coolly,  "yoK  don't 
Then,    turning    to    me,    "Served    His    Majestyi 
man.     Was  a  soldier  in  the  line  and  bought  hi) 
charge." 

I  said,  "Indeed?"  and  the  man's  eyes  looki 
me,  and  then  looked  over  my  head,  and  then  li 
all  round  me,    and  tben  ha  iiww  Wa  baud 


"1  think  I  sliall  be  out  of  this  on  Monday^,  sir,"  he 
Mid  w  Wemtnick. 

"Perhaps,"  returned  my  friend,  "but  there's  no 
knowing." 

"I  am  glad  to  have  the  chance  of  bidding  yon 
.  ii'l-by,  Mr.  Weramick,"  said  the  man,  Btretching  out 
-  liand  between  two  bars. 

"Thankye,"  said  Wemmiok,  shaking  hands  with 
.nu,     "Same  to  you,  Colonel." 

''If  what  I  had  upon  me  when  taken,  had  been 
jval,  Mr,  Wemmifk,"  said  the  man,  unwilling  to  let 
lii^  hand  go,  "I  should  have  asked  the  favoiu"  of  your 
ivL'aring  another  ring  —  in  acknowledgment  of  your 
itttntionB." 

"I'll  accept  the  will  for  the  deed,"  said  Wemmick. 
'By-the-by  i  yon  were  quite  a  pigeon-fancier."  The 
mim  looked  up  at  the  sky.  "I  am  told  you  had  a  re- 
fuwkable  breed  of  tumblers.  Could  you  commiaaion 
my  friend  of  yours  to  bring  me  a  pair,  if  you've  no 
further  use  for  'em?" 

"It  shall  be  done,  sir." 

"AU  right,"  Bsid  Wemmick,  "they  shall  be  taken 
care  of  Goad  aftei'noon.  Colonel.  Good-by!"  They 
shook  hands  again,  and  as  we  walked  away  "Wemmick 
laid  to  mo,  "A  Coiner,  a  very  good  workman.  The 
Beeorder's  report  is  made  to-day,  and  he  is  sure  to  bo 
jxecuted  on  Monday.  Btill  yuu  see,  as  far  as  it  goes, 
k  pair  of  pigeons  ai'c  portable  property,  all  the  same." 
^ith  that,  he  looked  back,  and  nodded  at  his  dead 
Vmt,  and  then  cast  his  eyea  about  him  in  walking 
■   i>f  the  yard,  as  if  he  were  conaideiing  "wWl  (I'Oasst. 

M'ould  go  best  in  its  place. 
AswȣaBie  out  oftheppfffn  ^hrftTigK^^  ^S^ 


r 


GBEAT  EXPBCTATIONB. 

found  that  the  great  importance  of  iny  gUEwdian 
appreciated  by  the  turnkeys,  uo  Ices  than  by  tl 
whom  they  held  in  eliarge.  "Well,  Mr.  Wemmii 
Haid  the  turnkey,  who  kept  us  between  the  twn  stad 
and  spiked  lodge  gates,  and  carefully  locked  one 
fore  he  unlocked  the  other,  "what's  Mr.  Jaggers  gi 
to  do  with  that  watersiile  murder? 
to  make  it  manslaughter,  or  what's  he  going  to  m 
of  it?" 

"Why  don't  you  ask  him?"  returned  Wemmid 

"Oh  yea,  I  dare  ssyl"  said  the  turnkey. 

"Now,  that's  the  way  with  them  here,  Mr.  F 
remarked  Wemmick,  turning:  to  mc  with  the  post-o 
elongated.  "They  don't  mind  what  they  ask  uf 
the  subordinate;  hut  yon'll  never  catch  'em  asking 
questions  of  my  principal." 

"Is  this  young  gentleman  one  of  the  'prentice 
articled  ones  of  your  office?"  asked  the  tumkej-j ' 
a  grin  at  Mr.  Wemmick's  humour. 

"There  he  goes  again,  yon  see!"  cried  Wemra 
"I  told  yon  so!  Asks  another  question  of  the 
dinate  before  his  first  is  dry!  Well,  supposing  Ht, 
is  one  of  them?" 

"Why  then,"  said  the  tiimkoy,  grinning  again, 
knows  what  Mr.  Jaggors  is." 

"Yah!"  cried  Wemmick,  suddenly  hitting  oi 
the  turnkey  in  a  facetions  way,  "you're  as  dum 
one  of  your  own  keys  when  you  have  to  do  witb 
principal,  you  know  yon  are.  Let  us  out,  you  old 
or  I'll  get  him  to  bring  an  action  of  false  imprj 
jnent  against  you." 

turnkey  laugbel,  a^^^^» 


OBBAT  EXPECTATIONS.  27 

■  'n(i  langbing  at  us  over  the  spikes  of  tbo  wicket  wLen 

'li'Sceiided  the  Bteps  Into  the  street- 

"Mmd  yjii,  Mr.  Pip,"   aaid  Wemmick,  ^avely  in 

t-vir,  as  he  took  my  arm  to  be  more  confidential; 

1  iliiii't  know  that  Mr.  Jaggors  does  a  better  thing 

ill  tfie  way  in  which  he  keeps  himself  bo  high.    He's 

Lys  so  high.    His  constant  height  is  of  a  piece  with 

irantense  abilities.      That  Colonel   durst  no  more 

I'liit;  leave  of  A»n,  than  that  turnkey  durst  ask  him  his 

lintentions  respecting  a  case.    Then,  between  his  height 

and  them,    he  slips  in  his   subordin.iite  —  don't  you 

ht;?  —  and  so  he  has  'em,  soul  and  body." 

I  was  very  much  impresaed,  and  not  for  the  first 
1 1",  by  my  guardian's  subtlety,   To  confess  the  truth, 
■  ly  heartily  wished,  and  not  for  the  first  time,  that 
:  mid  had  some  other  gnardian  of  minor  abilities. 

Sir,  Wcmmiek  and  I  parted  at  the  office  in  Little 
Britain,  where  suppliants  for  Mr.  Jaggers's  notice  were 
linji;pring  about  a»  usual,  and  I  returned  to  my  watch 
in  the  street  of  the  coach-office,  with  some  three  hours 
on  hand.  I  consumed  the  whole  time  in  thinking  how 
ttrange  it  was  that  I  should  be  encompassed  by  all  this 
UiQt  of  prison  and  crime;  that  in  my  childhood  oat  on 
onr  lonely  marshes  on  a  winter  evening  I  should  have 
hit  encountered  it;  that  it  should  have  reappeared  on 
two  occasions,  starting  out  like  a  stain  that  was  faded 
bnt  not  gone;  that  it  sho^d  in  this  new  way  pervade 
my  fortune  and  advancement.  While  my  mind  was 
ihna  engaged,  I  thought  of  the  beautiful  young  Estella, 
proud  and  refined,  coming  towards  me,  and  I  thought 
with  absolute  abhorrence  of  the   contrast  \ie\,-wftfci 

rl  wished  that  Wemmict  \iad  ■n.oV  tw*.  to.^- 
J  not  yielded  to  him  and  gosa,^^^ 


28  QBBAT  ESPECTATIONS, 

BO  that,  of  all  days  in  the  year  on  this  day 
not  have  had  Newgate  in  my  breath  and  on  my  elcri 
I  beat  the  prison  dust  off  my  feet  as  I  sauntered 
and  Ito,  and  I  shook  it  out  of  my  dresa,  and  I  exhi 
ita  air  from  my  lungs.  So  contaminated  did  I  feel^ 
membering  who  was  coining,  that  the  coach  i 
quickly  after  all,  and  I  was  not  yet  free  from  the 
ing  consciousueafi  of  Mr.  Wemmick's  uonaerrafi 
when  I  saw  her  face  at  the  coach  window  and 
hand  waving  to  me. 

What   'caa  the  nameless   shadow    which  again 
that  one  instant  bad  passed? 


CHAPTER  IV. 

In  her  fitrred  travelling-dress,  Estella  seemed  ' 
delicately  beautiful  than  she  bad  ever  seemed 
even  in  my  eyes.  Her  manner  was  more  winning 
she  had  cared  to  let  it  be  to  me  before,  and  I  thoi 
I  saw  Miss  Haviabam's  influence  in  th 

We  stood  in  the  Inn  Yard  while  she  pointed 
her  luggage  to  me,  and  when  it  was  all  collect) 
remembered  —  having  forgotten  everything  but 
self  in  the  mean  while  —  that  I  know  nothing  of 
destination. 

"I  am  going  to  Eicbmond,"  she  told  me. 
lesson  is,  that  there  are  two  Richmonda,  one  in  Sm 
and  one  in  Yorkshire,  and  that  mine  is  the  Buj 
Kichmond.  The  distance  is  ten  miles.  I  am  to 
a  carriage,  and  yon  are  to  take  me.  This  is  my  pi 
tmd  yoa  are  to  pay  my  ctatgea  omI  ot  it,  Oh.^ 
iiie  purael    Vf a  \tB.\&  nn  OonSsfc. 


OBEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

kit  to  obey  our  msti-actions.    We  are  not  free  to  follow 

1  giyia^  ma  ths  parse, 
:  meaning  in  her  words.     91 
■lij  them  slightingly,  but  not  with  disploasnre. 

"A  caiTiage  will  have  to  be  sent  for,  Estella.    "Will 
ujii  rest  here  a  little?" 

"fes,   I   am  to  rest  hero   a  little,   and  I  i 
uiuk  Bome  tea,  and  you  are  to  take  care  of  me  the 

She  drew  her  arm  through  mine,    as  if  it  mnat  b 
ii'ijiip,   and  I  requested  a  waiter  who  hnd  been  staring 

(at  the  coach  like  a  raan  who  had  never  seen  such  t 
tiling  in  Lis  life,  to  show  us  a  private  sitting-room. 
Upon  that,  he  pulled  out  a  napkin 
i:ngic  clue  without  wbieh  he.  couldn't  find  the  way  up- 
'iJrs,  and  led  us  to  the  black  hole  of  the  establish- 
■.i'lit:  fitted  up  with  a  diminishing  mirror  {quite  i 
ii|ierllH0U3  article  eonsidariiig  the  hole's  propoTtious) 
lii  anchovy  sauce-cruet,  and  somebody's  pattens.  On 
iv  objecting  to  this,  retreat,  he  took  us  into  another 
rmiin  with  a  dtnner-table  for  thirty,  and  in  the  grate 
a  scorched  leaf  of  a  copy-hook  under  a  huahel  of  coal- 
dust.  Having  looked  at  this  extinct  conflagration  and 
shaken  his  head,  he  took  my  order:  which,  proving  to 
be  merely  "Some  tea  for  the  lady,"  sent  him  out  of 
the  room  in  a  very  low  state  of  mind. 

I  was,  and  I  am,  sensible  that  the  air  of  this  cham- 
^r,  in  its  strong  combination  of  stable  with  soup- 
in*k,  might  have  led  one  to  infer  that  the  coaching 
|)artment  was  not  doing  well,  and  lbs,\,  vVe  wAiet- 
g  proprietor  was  Ijoijiag  io-vm  t\e  \iO'cafts  ^ot  'Ca.^ 
"■et  tlie  vooia  "Sia-i 


■•^g 


30  mmifr-ismAfpiffmiik 

to  me,  Estellfl,  being  in  it.  I  thought  that  vith  1 
could  have  been  happy  there  for  life.  {I  was  not  s 
happy  there  at  the  time,  observe,  and  I  kne 
■weU.) 

"Where  are  you  going  to,  at  Eichmond?"  I 
Estella. 

"I  am  going  to  live,"  said  she,  "at  a  great 
pense,  with  a  lady  there,  who  has  the  power  — 
says  she  has  - —  of  taking  me  aboat  and  introdl 
me,  and  showing  people  to  me  and  showing  n 
people." 

"I  suppose  you  will  he  glad  of  variety  and 
miration?" 

"Tea,  I  Buppose  so." 

She  answered  so  carelessly,  that  I  said,  "you  b] 
of  yourseli'  as  if  you  were  Home  one  else." 

"Where  did  yon  learn  how  I  speak  of  otl 
Come,  come,"  said  £atelta,  smiling  delightfully, 
ranst  not  expect  me  to  go  to  school  to  you;  I 
talk  in  my  own  way.  How  do  you  thrive  with 
Pocket?" 

"I  live  quite  pleasantly  there;  at  least  — "  II 
pearcd  to  me  that  I  was  losing  a  chance. 

"At  least?"  repeated  Estolla. 

"As  pleasantly  as  I  could  anywhere,   away 
you." 

"You  Hilly  hoy,"  said  Estella,  quite  compoa 
"how  can  you  talk  such  nonsense?  Your  frientt 
Matthew,  I  believe,  is  superior  to  the  rest  at 
family?" 

"Very  superior  indeed.    He  is  nobody's  enemy 

"Don't  add  bat  bis  oww,^^   vnVe-fiiQaei. ^a-oiUflL. 
/  iaie  that  class  of  man.     Bu\,  \v«  t'i«&i '%  « 


'   ^  GREAT  fiXPECTATlONS.  31 

fated,  and  above  small  jealousy  and  spite,  I  have 
beard?" 

"I  am  Bure  I  Lavo  every  reason  to  say  so." 

"Ton  have  not  every  reason  to  say  so  of  the  rest 
of  hig  [jcople,"  said  Estella,  nodding  at  mc  with  an 
espresfiion  of  face  that  was  at  once  grave  and  rallying, 
"for  they  beset  Miss  Havisham  with  reports  and  in- 
BinuatioHB  to  yonr  disadvantage.  They  watch  you, 
misrepresent  you,  write  letters  about  you  {anonymous 
wmetimes),  and  you  are  the  torment  and  the  occupa- 
tion of  their  lives.  You  can  sciircely  realise  to  your- 
m11'  the  hatred  those  people  feel  for  you." 

"They  do  mo  no  harm,  I  hope?"  said  I. 

Instead  of  answering,   Estella  burst  out  laughing. 

ITiis  was  very  singnlai'  to  mo,    and  I  looked  at  her  in 

"i-ideiabli;  perplexity.    When  she  left  off  —  and  she 

■!  not  laughed  languidly  but  with  real  enjoyment  — 

ii'l,  in  my  diffldent  way  with  her,  "I  hope  I  may 
i<[ii>sB  that  you  would  not  be  amused  if  they  did  me 

"No,  no,  you  may  to  sure  of  that,"  said  Estella. 
I  nil  may  he  certain  that  I  langh  because  they  fail. 
"h,  those  people  with  Miss  Havisham,  and  the  tortures 
they  undergo!"  She  laughed  again,  and  even  now 
when  she  had  told  me  why,  her  laughter  was  very 
singular  to  me,  for  I  could  not  doubt  its  being  genuine, 
and  yet  it  seemed  too  much  for  the  occasion.  I  thought 
there  must  really  be  something  more  here  than  I 
knew;  she  saw  the  thought  in  my  mind,  and  an- 
swered it. 

"It  is  not  easy  for  even  yon,"   aail  l.s'tc&a.,  '■'■'yi 
knpTT  wiai  satisfaction  it  gives  me  to'aeii  feoaft  -^ws^ 
SDjoyable  Bensu  ot  Vte 


52  WWAT  BU'BltftATIOSB.  • 

I  Lave  when  tliey  are  mado  ridiculous.  For  yoa 
not  bronglit  up  in  that  strange  hou90  from  a 
baby.  —  1  was.  You  Bad.  not  your  little  wite  shani 
by  their  intriguing  against  yon,  supprosaed  and  dol 
leas,  nader  the  mask  of  sympathy  and  pity  and 
not  that  ia  soft  and  sootliing.  —  I  had.  Ton  dii 
gradually  open  your  round  uhildish  eyes  iridar 
■wider  to  the  discovery  of  that  impostor  of  a  w 
who  calciilateB  her  stores  of  peace  of  mind  for 

wakes  np  in  the  night.  —  I  did." 

[t  was  no  laughing  matter  with  Estella  nowi 
she  summoning  these  remembrances  from 
shallow  place.  I  would  not  have  been  the  can 
that  look  of  hers,  for  all  my  expectations  in  a.  he 

"Two  things  I  can  tell  you,"  said  Estella.  "'. 
notwithstanding  the  proverb  that  constant  dr^ 
will  wear  away  a  atone,  you  may  set  your  mini 
rest  that  these  people  never  will  - — ■  never  would, 
hundred  years  —  impair  your  ground  with  Mias- 
visham,  in  any  parlicular,  great  or  small.  Secon 
am  beholden  to  you  as  the  cause  of  their  beJn 
busy  and  so  mean  in  vain,  and  there  is  m; 
npon  it." 

As  she  gave  it   mo   playfully  —  for  her 

id  had  been  but  momentary  —  I  held  it  and 
it  to  my  lips.  "Ton  ridiculous  boy,"  said  ~ 
"will  you  never  take  wamingi*  Or  do  yon  kias 
hand  in  the  spirit  in  which  I  once  let  you 
cheek  ?" 

"What  was  it?"  said  I. 

"I  must  think  a  moment.    A  spirit  of  conterap 
He  Jkwners  and  plotters." 
"if  I  eny  yes,  may  I  tiss 


m»i.r  mtracTATTONS. 


BB6ti  Hhould  have  aHked  bcfofo  yon  touched  the, 
iF'  But,  yes,  if  you  like." 

I  leaned  down,  and  her  calm  face  was  like  a 
tue's.  "Now,"  said  Estclla,  gliding  away  the  in- 
tit  1  touched  her  cheek,  "yon  are  to  take  care  that 
lare  aome  tea,  and  you  are  to  take  me  to  Rich- 
■nd." 

Her  reverting  to  tliis  tone  as  if  onr  aaaodation 
re  forced  ujion  us  and  we  were  mere  puppets,  gavo 
I  pain;  but  everything  in  our  intercourse  did  give 
!  pain.  Whatever  her  tone  with  me  happened  to 
.  I  could  put  no  trust  in  it,   and  build  no  hope  on 

■lid  yet  I  went  on  against  trust  and  against  hope. 

'   repeat  it  a  thousand  times?   So  it  always  was. 

I  rang  for  the  tea,  and  the  waiter,  reappearing 
(li  his  magic  clue,  brought  in  by  degrees  some  fifty 
junctB  to  that  refreshment,  but  of  tea  not  a  glimpse, 
leaboard,  cups  and  saucers,  plates,  knives  and  forks 
lolnding  carvers),  spoons  (various),  salt-cellars,  a 
wk  little  raufiin  confined  with  tho  utmost  precaution 
iler  a  strong  iron  cover,  Moses  in  the  buUrushes 
[lified  by  a  soft  bit  of  butter  in  a  quantity  of  pars- 
I,  a  pale  loaf  with  a  powdered  head,  two  proof  im- 
Cssions  of  tho  bars  of  tho  kitchen  fireplace  on  triaa- 
W  bits  of  bread,  and  ultimately  a  fat  family  urn: 
iich  the  waiter  staggered'  in  with,  expressing  in  his 
Butenance  burden  and  suffering.  After  a  prolonged 
smce  at  this  stage  of  the  entertainment,  he  at  length 
me  back  with  a  casket  of  precious  appearance  con- 
ining  twigs.  These  I  steeped  in  hot  watw,  wai  *a 
pm  the  whole  of  these  appliances  extcactei  «a&  wi? 
l^oa't  kuow  what,  for  Eatella. 

Jill  paid,  sud  the  waiter  remembctfti' 


»M 


OMUT  irU*PWWT0S9. 


I  Mtler  not  fargott^n,  and  tlie  chambermaid  taken 
[  taoaiimtiou  —  in  a  word,  the  whole  faoOBe  bt 
t  job)  a  (tUe  of  contempt  and  animosity,  and  T^ 
I  pone  much  lightened  —  we  got  into  our  posl 
I  sod  drove  away.  Turning  into  Cheapside  and  r 
np  Ncwgatc-str«;t,  we  were  soon  under  the  w 
which  I  was  eo  ashamed. 

''What  place  is  that?"  Estella  asked  me. 
I  made  a  foolish  pretence  of  not  at  first  recogni 
it,  and  then  told  her.  As  she  looked  at  it,  and  i 
in  her  head  again,  mnminring  "Wretches!"  I  w 
not  bave  confessed  to  my  visit  for  any  considerati* 
"Mr.  Jaggers,"  said  f,  by  way  of  patting  it  ni 
on  somebody  else,  "has  the  reputation  of  being  i 
in  the  secrets  of  that  disDia!  place  than  any  ma 
London." 

"He  is  more  in  the  secrets  of  e\-ery  place,  111 
f  said  Eatella,  in  a  low  voice. 

"You  have  been  accustomed  to  see  him  i 
suppose?" 

"I  have  been  accuatomed  to  see  him  at  i 
intervals,    ever  since  I   can  remember.     But  I  1 
him   no  better  now,   than  I  did  before  I  could  s 
plainly.     What  Js  your  own  experience  of  him? 
you  advance  with  himi"" 

"Once  habituated  to  his  distruslfwl  manner,' 
I,  "I  bave  done  very  well." 
.  "Are  you  intimate?" 

I         "I  have  dined  with  him  at  his  private  house. 
I         "I  fancy,"   said  Estolla,  shrinking,  "that  mi 
u  carious  place." 
LhI'/'  is  a  curious  pl&ce'^ 
^Bfi|bDnl(l  hav«  beea  ctaty  o?  iwwia'iva^tK^  ^ 


aaSLT  mcpwrtArtom.  S5 

too  freely  evon  vith  her;  but  I  siionld  liave  gone  on 
irii  the  subject  so  far  as  tn  describe  the  dinner  in 
.  iiird-Btreet,  if  we  had  not  then  come  into  n  sudden 
.  LIU  of  gas.  It  seemed,  while  it  lusted,  to  bo  all  alight 
hi  alive  with  that  inexplicable  feeling  I  had  had  lie- 
I  '.■;  and  when  we  were  out  of  it,  I  was  as  much  dazed 
I  a,  few  moments  as  if  I  had  been  in  Ligbtning. 

So,  we  fell  into  other  talk,  and  it  was  principally 
:"iit  the  way  by  which  we  were  traveUing,  and  about 
li.it  parts  of  London  lay  on  this  side  of  it,  and  what 
'I  tliat.  The  great  city  was  almost  new  to  her,  she 
'il  me,  for  she  had  never  left  Miss  Ilaviflham's  neigh- 
•iii'liood  until  she  had  gone  to  France,  and  she  had 
inly  passed  through  London  then  in  going  and  re- 
eling. I  asked  her  if  my  guardian  had  any  charge 
"t  lier  while  she  remained  here?  To  that  she  emphati- 
nUj  said  "God  forbid!"  and  no  more. 

It  was  impossible  for  me  to  avoid  seeing  that  she 
Mi'il  to  attract  me;  that  she  made  herself  winning; 
I'i'l  would  Lave  won  me  even  if  the  task  had  needed 
!ins.     Yet  this  made  me  none  the  happier,  for,  even 

^iio  had  not  taken  that  tone  of  our  being  disposed 
I  liy  others,  I  should  have  felt  that  she  held  my  heart 

luT  hand  because  she  wilfully  chose  to  do  it,  andj, 
i  liecause  it   would  have   wrung  any  tendemess  in 

Iii-r,  to  crush  it  and  throw  it  away. 
When  we  passed  through  Hammersmith,  I  showed 
W  where  Jlr.  Matthew  Pocket  lived,  and  said  it  was 
10  great  way  from   Richmond,    and  thiit   I  hoped  I 
■'.muld  see  her  soinetimeB. 

"Oh  yes,  jou  are  to  see  me;  you  aie  to  eotiie  -wViea. 

■V  f/uoJc  proper;    yon    are    to    be    ineG.tiQii.ei.  Xq  'Obs 

JjjjMZiJ^ed  you  are  already  mentwned."         -m 


GREAT  BXPECTATIONS. 


11 


Iise 
I  inquired  was  it  a  large  houBehold  she  was  goi^ 
to  be  a  member  of? 
"No;   there   are  ouly  two\  mother   and  daogliU 
The  mother  is  a  lady  of  some  station,  I  believe,  tIioq| 
not  averse  to  increasing  her  incoiae."  ' 

"I  wonder  Miss  Havisham  could  part  with  y< 
again  so  soon." 
"It  ia  a  part  of  Miss  Havisham' 
Pip,"  said  Estella,  with  a  sigh,  as  if  she  were  tirt 
"I  am  to  write  to  her  constantly  and  sec  hor  regulftri 
and  report  how  I  go  on- — I  and  the  jewels  —  for  tl^ 
are  nearly  all  mine  now." 

It  was  the  first  time  she  had  ever  called  me  \iy 
name.  Of  course  she  did  so,  parposely,  and  knew 
I  should  treasure  it  up. 

»We  came  to  Eichmond  all  too  soon,  and  our  dt 
nation  there,  was  a  house  by  the  Green;  a  staid 
house,  where  hoops  and  powder  and  patches,  embrl 
dered  coats,  rolled  stockings,  ruffles  and  swords,  bd 
had  their  court  days  many  a  time.  Some  ancient 
before  the  house  were  still  cut  into  fashions  as  fbnj 
and  unnatural  as  the  hoops  and  wigs  and  stiff  skin 
but  their  own  allotted  places  in  the  gi-eat  prooeBsioB. 
the  dead  wei'e  not  far  off,  and  they  would  boob  dt! 
into  them  and  go  the  silent  way  of  the  rest. 
^m  A  hell  with  an  old  voice  —  which  I  dare  say, 

^^  its  time  had  often  said  to  the  bouse,  Here 
^H  farthingale,  Hero  is  the  diamond-hilted  sword,  HJa 
^r  are  the  shoes  with  red  heels  and  the  blue  solitaire,  - 
i  sounded  gravely  in  the  moonlight,  and  two  chen 
coloaied  maids  came  tiatteraig  oit  to  receive  ~~ 
The  doorway  soon  absoibci  Wt  Vos.^,  mA.^ 
m^e  her  hand  and  a  smWc,   auft  aaXi  ^w>i  ■» 


OKEAT  BSPBCTATI0N8,  37 

I  absorbed  likewise.     And  still  I  stood  looking  at 
,  thinking;  how  happy  I  should  be  if  I  lived 
B  with  her,    and  knowing  that  I  never  was  happy 
B  her,  but  always  miserable. 
■I  got  into  the  carriage  to  he  taken  bnck  to  Ham- 
nith,  and  I  got  in  with  a  bad  heart-ache,  and  I 
I  got  out  with  a  worse  heart-ache.     At  our  own  door,  I 
P  ftinnd  little  Jane  Pocket  coming  home  from  a  little 
p.irfy  escorted  by  her  little  lover;  and  I  envied  ber 
itile  lover,  in  spite  of  his  being  subject  to  Flopson. 

Mr.  Pocket  was  oat  lecturing;  for,  ho  was  a  most 
l-lj^htftil  lecturer  on  domestic  economy,  and  his  treat- 
i'Ls  on'  the  management  of  children  and  servants  were 
"iisidered  the  very  beat  text-books  on  those  themes. 
I'lit  Mrs.  Pocket  was  at  liome,  and  was  in  a  little 
liiliculty,  on  account  of  this  baby's  having  been  ac- 
'  Jinraodated  with  a  needle-case  to  keep  him  quiet 
iiiring  the  unaccountable  absence  (with  a  relative  in 
'\ic  Foot  Guards)  of  Millors.  And  more  needles  were 
iiii'ibing  thau  it  could  be  regarded  as  quite  wholesome 
■ii  a  patient  of  such  tender  years  either  to  apply  ei- 
riially  or  to  take  as  a  tonic 

Mr.  Pocket  being  justly  celebrated  for  giving  most 
^i'i:!lent  practical  advice,  and  for  having  a  clear  and 
"iiiid  perception  of  things  and  a  highly  judicious 
jiid,  I  had  some  notion  in  my  heart-ache  of  begging 
nn  to  accept  my  confidence.  But  happening  to  look 
1 1  at  Mrs.  Pocket  as  she  eat  reading  her  book  of  digni- 
-|'^  after  prescribing  Bed  as  a  sovereign  remedy  for 
i':\hy,  I  thought  —  Well  —  No,  I  wouldn't. 


.ofiiuii!  ajasouvfoaih 


CHAPTER  V. 


I  As  I  bad  grown  accustomed  to  my  expectation 

B  had  insensibly  liegun  to  notice  tlieir  effect  upon  i 
E  and  those  around  me.  Their  influence  on  jay  own 
I  acter,  I  djaguised  trom  ipy  recognition  as  mueli  as  : 
K  sible,  but  I  knew  very  well  that  it  was  not  aU  g 
ft  I  lived  in  a  state  of  chronic  uneasiness  respecting 
W  behaviour  to  Joe.       My  conscience  was  not  by 

■  means  comfortable  about  Biddy.     When  I  woke  uj 

■  the  night  —  like  Camilla  —  I  used  to  think, 
I  weariness  on  ray  spirits,  that  I  should  have  been  i 
I  pier  and  better  if  I  had  never  seen  Miss  Havisht 
I  face,  and  had  risen  to  manhood  content  to  be  parti 
K  with  Joe  in  the  honest  old  forgo.     Many  a  time  o 

■  evening,  when  I  sat  alone,  looking  at  the  fire,  I  thoU] 

■  after  all  there  was  no  fire  like  the  forge  fire  and 
I   kitchen  fire  at  home. 

■  Yet  Estella  was  so  inseparable  fi'om  all  my  restl 
I  ness  and  disc^uiet  of  mind,  that  I  really  fell  into  i 
I  fusion  as  to  the  limits  of  my  own  part  in  its  pro( 
I*  tion.  That  is  to  say,  supposing  I  had  had  n 
I  tations,  and  yet  had  Estella  to  think  of,  I  could 
I  make  out  to  vty  satisfaction  that  I  should  have  c 
I  much  better.  Now,  concerning  the  influence  of  my 
B  Bition  on  others,  I  was  in  no  such  difficulty,  and  i 
ft  perceived  —  though  dimly  enough,  perhaps  —  tlu 

■  was  not  beneficial  to  anybody,  and,  above  all, 

■  was  not  beneficial  to  Herbert.  My  lavish  habits 
W  his  easy  nature  into  expenses  that  he  could  not  afii 
mpormpted  the  simplicity  ai  \na  Wi^i,  Mii  4asSsa.hfe6 
bge^rilii  anxieties  and  regrets.    \  ■«&.*  ti-A  «S.  « 


morseful  for  having  imwittingly  set  tliuse  otLei-  branclies 
of  the  Pocket  family  to  tho  poor  arts  they  practised: 
bLc;iuBe  such  littleneai^es  wkcq  tlieir  natural  bunt,  and 
\i'i)u!d  have  been  evoked  by  anybody  else,  if  I  bad  left 
1  Blumbering.  But  Herbert's  was  a  very  different 
,  and  it  often  caused  mo  a  twinge  to  think  that  I 
liad  done  him  evil  service  in  crowding  his  sparely- 
fnmiabed  chambers  with  incongruous  ujjbolatery  work, 
and  placing  the  canary-breasted  Avenger  at  bis  dis- 
posal, 

So  now,  as  an  infallible  way  of  making  little  ease 
great  ease,  I  began  to  contract  a  quantity  of  debt.  I 
fiinld  hardly  begin  but  Herbert  must  begin  too,  so  he 
||"U  followed.  At  Startop's  suggestion,  we  jiut  our 
■■iivi-9  down  for  election  into  a  elub  called  The  I'in.che! 
I'  the  Grove;  the  object  of  which  institution  I  have 
I'l'ver  divined,  if  it  wore  not  that  the  membei's  should 
Jiiie expensively  onceafortuight,  to  qnarrel  among them- 
i-lvoa  as  much  as  possible  after  dinner,  and  to  cause 
IS  waiters  to  get  drunk  on  the  stairs.  I  know  that 
iiiifsa  gratifying  social  ends  were  so  invariably  aeeom- 
liiished,  that  Herbert  and  I  nndorstood  nothing  else  to 
■"■  referred  to  in  the  first  standing  toast  of  the  society: 
'^hich  ran  "Gentlemen,  may  the  present  promotion  of 
i.'"od  feeling  ever  reign  predominant  among  the  Finches 
'il'  the  Orove." 

The  Finches  spent  their  money  foolishly  (the  Hotel 
1'  I'  {lined  at  was  in  Co  vent-garden),  and  the  first  Finch 
I  "iiw,  when  I  had  the  honour  of  joining  the  Grove, 
uiis  Bentley  Drummte:  at  that  time  floundering  about 
i'lva  in  a  cab  of  his  own,  and  doing  a  giftaX.  ifcaX.  <A 
l.iiiia^  lo  the  postii  at  the  street  comets.  Oc,casio"tta&T 
l^n^f  Ilia  equipage  lie^j^ 


40  GREAT  EXPEOTATIONS.  I 

tlie  iipran-,  and  I  saw  liim  on  one  occasion  dcliTer 
self  at  the  door  of  the  Grove  in  this  rniinlentionaL 
—  like  coals.  But  here  I  anticipate  a  little,  for  I 
not  a  Finch,  and  could  not  be,  according  to  the  sa 
laws  of  the  society,  until  I  came  of  age. 

In  my  confidence  in  my  own  reaoureee,  I  w 
willingly  have  taken  Herbert's  expenses  on  mj 
hut  Herbert  was  proud,  and  I  could  make  no  . 
proposal  to  faim.  So,  be  got  into  difKcnlties  in  e 
direction,  and  continued  to  look  about  him.  Whei 
gradually  fell  into  keeping  late  hotire  and  late  i 
pany,  I  noticed  that  he  looked  about  him  with  a 
spondent  eye  at  breakfast-time;  that  he  began  to 
about  him  more  hopefully  about  mid-day;  tha 
drooped  when  he  came  in  to  dinner;  that  he  set 
to  descry  Capital  in  the  distance  rather  dearly,  i 
dinner;  that  he  all  but  realised  Capital  towards  ' 
night:  and  that  at  about  two  o'clock  in  the  mon 
he  became  so  deeply  despondent  again  as  to  tal 
buying  a  rifle  and  going  to  America,  with  a  gei 
purpose  of  compelling  buffaloes  to  make  his  fortun 
I  was  usually  at  Hammersmith  about  half  the  n 
and  when  I  was  at  Hammersmith  I  haunted  I^chm 
whereof  separately  by-and-by.  Herbert  would  t 
come  to  Hammersmith  when  I  was  there,  and  I  t 
at  those  seasons  liis  father  would  occasionally  i 
some  passing  perception  that  the  opening  he  was  I 
ing  for,  had  not  appeared  yet.  But  in  the  gei 
tumbling  up  of  the  family,  his  tumbling  ont  is 
Homewhere,  was  a  thing  to  transact  itself  somehoir, 
the  mean  time  Mr.  Pocket  grew  greyer,  and 
opener  to  lift  himself  out  <ii  ^na  ■^CT^\ftij«SH«J^ 
^^^j^ilf^e  Mrs.  Pocket  tn^V^  ^^  -ikQ^jaH 


fflM&T  aXPKWATIOltt.  41 

■  1  footstool,  read  her  book  of  dignities,  loat  her  pocket- 
jidkenihief,  told  us  about  her  grandpapa,  and  taught 
'  j'oung  idea  how  to  shoot,  by  shooting  it  into  bed 

■  ]  fiiever  it  attracted  her  notice. 

As  I  am  now  generalising  a  period  of  my  life  with 

11  ijbject  of  clearing  the  way  before  me,  I  can  scarcely 

^11  better  than  by  at  ones  completing  tho  description 

1(11'  usual  manners  and  customs  at  Bamard'tt  Inn. 

We  spent  aa  mueh  money  as  we  could,  and  got  as\ 

;li:  for  it  as  people  could  make  tip  their  minds  to   I 

-  ■  us.     We  were  always  more  or  less  miserable,  and   1. 

i-t  of  oui-  acquaintance  were  in  the  same  condition.    I 

i  iji-re  was  a  gay  fiction  among  us  that  we  were  con-    I 

iritly  enjoying  ourselyes,    and  a  skeleton  truth  that    I 

-■  never  did.     To  the  best  of  my  belief,  our  case  was    I 

ui  the  last  aspect  a  rather  common  one.  J 

Every   morning,   with    an   air  ever    new,   Herbert 
*ent  into  the  City  to  look  about  him.     I  often  paid 
lim  a  vjsit  in  the  dark  back-room  in  which  he  con- 
sorted with  an  ink-jar,  a  hat-peg,  a  coal-box,  a  string- 
box,  an  almanack,  a  desk  and  stciol,  and  a  ruler;  and 
I  do  not  remember  that  I  ever  saw  Hm  do  anything 
I  i'  bat  look  about  biro.    If  we  nil  did  what  we  under- 
'•■'■  to  do,  as  faithfully  as  Herbert  did,  we  might  live 
a  Republic  of  the  Virtues.     He  had  nothing  else  to 
poor  fellow,  except  at  a  certain  hour  of  every  after- 
■u  to  "go  to  Lloyd's"  —  in  observance  of  a  cere- 
■iiy  of  seeing  his  principal,  I  think.     He  never  did 
1  fbing  else  in  coim.es:ion  with  Lloyd's  that  I  could 
"1  ont,  except  come  back  again.     When  he  felt  his 
I'  unusually  serious,  and  that  he  posUwft\y  nroa'i.SKA 
1  'ipeniiiff,  lie  would  go  on  'Change  al  tVife  \iaK^  \\Ttt(i, 
— *"  '-  and  oat,   in  a  kind  of  gloQia^  c^t^^g 


} 


figure,  iimong  tlie  assombled  magnates-  "For; 
tyB  Herbert  to  me,  coming  horns  to  dinner  oa  one  t 
lese  special  occasiuax,  "I  fitxl  tlie  truth  to  be,  Handeli 

t  an  opening  won't  comu  to  one ,  but  one  must  gt- 

t  —  80  I  have  been." 

If  we  had  been  losa  attached  to  one  another,  I  tlui 

muBt  have  hated  one  another  regularly  every  moi 

.  I  detested  the  chambers  beyond  cspvcssioii 
that  period  of  repentance,  and  could  not  enUTire  t 
sight  of  the  Avenger's  livery:  which  had  a  more  « 
pensive  and  a  less  remunerative  appearance  then,  th 
at  any  other  time  in  the   four-and-twenty  hours.     . 

got  more  and  more  into  debt,  breakfast  became  b 
illower  and  hollower  form,  and,  being  on  one  occasion 
'at  breakfaat-time  threatened  {by  letter)  with  legal  prfr' 
ceedinga,  "not  onwholly  unconnected,"  as  my  lo«4' 
paper  might  put  it,  "with  jewellery,"  I  went  BO  ftir  a* 
to  seize  the  Avenger  by  his  blue  collar  and  shake  h' 
off  his  feet  —  BO  that  he  was  actually  in  the  air,  Ul 
a  booted  Cupid  —  for  presuming  to  suppose  that  i 
Vanted  a  roll. 

At  certain  times  —  meaning  at  uncertain  times,  ( 
they  depended  on  our  humour  —  I  would  say  to  Hi 
bert,  as  il'  it  were  a  remarkable  discovery: 

"My  dear  Herbert,  we  are  getting  on  badly." 

"My  dear  Handel,"  Herbert  would  say  to  mi 
all  sincerity,  "if  you  will  believe  me,  those  very  n 
were  on  my  lips,  by  a  strange  coincidence." 

"Then,  Herbert,"  I  would  respond,  "let  na  loa 
into  our  affairs." 

Wc  always  derived  profound  satisfaction  from  i 
iJog  an  appointment  for  tVia  ^-m^oae.  \  aV-sa^?  (J 
Mua    was    business,   t\iis   w&a  XXio  in«5  ■■  ^ 


iliing,  this  was  the  way  to  take  the  foe  by  the  throat. 
AiiJ  I  know  Herbeii:  thought  ao  too. 

We  ordejeil  sorafithing  rather  epeuial  for  (lumer, 
witli  a  bottle  of  something  BimiUrly  out  of  the  coniinon 
■iiv,  in  order  tliat  our  miads  might  be  fortified  for  the 

■  Hion,  and  we  might  come  well  up  to  the  mark. 
'  in.T  over,  we  produced  a  biindle  of  pens,  a  copious 
,  ii|y  of  ink,  and  a  goodly  show  of  writing  and  blot- 

iiuf,'  paper.    For,  there  was  sometliiug  very  comfortable 
in  having  plenty  of  stationery. 

I  would  then  take  a  sheet  of  paper,  and  write 
iitniss  the  top  of  it,  in  a  neat  hand,  the  heading,  "Me- 
i"j,iTidiun  of  Pip's  debts;"  with  Barnard's  Inn  and  the 

■  ■  very  carefully  added.  Herbert  would  also  take  a 
'  t  of  paper,  and  wiite  across  it  with  similar  tbrma- 

-,  "Memorandum  of  Herbert's  debts." 

iJaeh  of  us  would  then  refer  to  a  confused  heap  of 

I'lfl  at  his  side,  which  had  beeu  thrown  into  drawers, 

lij  into  holes  in  pockets,  half-burnt  in  lighting   can-' 

-,  fJtuck  for  weeks  into  the  looking-glaaa,  and  other- 

■I  ilamaged.    The  sound  of  our  pens  going,  refreshed 

i.sceedingly,  insomueh  that  I  sometimes  found  it  dlf- 

II  lilt  to  distinguish  between  this  edifying  bnsiness  pro- 

I'lciling  and  actaally  paying  the  money.     In  point  of 

uiiTltorious  character ,    the  two   things  seemed    about 

.,«al. 

Wlien  we  had  written  a  little  while,  I  would  ask 

H'lijert  how  ho  got  on?  Herbert  probably  would  have 

'"11  scratching  his  head  in  a  most  rueful  manner  at 

lifjht  of  his  accumulating  figures. 

"They  are  mounting  up,  Handel,"  HwAmA  ■sjwils.i. 

'npon  my  life,  tbey  ai-e  moanting  Ui[)." 
■^Be  £rm,  Herbert,"  I  would  retort,  ■p\y\ii6 


CffiBAT  BST^OTATTOKa. 

'pen  ivitli  great  asaiduity.  "Look  the  tiling  in  thi 
Look  into  your  affaire.  Stare  them  out  of  - 
nance." 

"So  I  would,  Handel,  only  they  are  Btaring  t 
of  countenance." 

However,   my  detennined  manner  would  ha' 
effect,  and  Herbert  would  fall  to  work  again.     A 
time,  he  would  give  up  once  more,  on  the  plea  t' 
had  not  got  Cohbs'e  hUl,  or  Lohbs's,  or  Nobbs's, 
case  might  be. 

"Then,  Herbert,  estimate  it;  estimate  it  in 
nnmbere,  and  put  it  down." 

""What  a  fellow  of  reanurce  you  arel"  my  1 
would  reply,  with  admiration.  "Really  your  bu! 
powers  are  very  remarkable." 

I  thought  so  too,  I  established  with  myat 
these  occasions,  the  reputation  of  a  first-rate  n 
business  —  prompt,  decisive,  energetic,  clear, 
headed.  When  I  had  got  all  my  responBibilitiea 
upon  my  list,  I  compared  eadi  with  the  bill, 
ticked  it  o£  My  self-approval  when  I  ticked  an 
was  quite  a  luxurious  sensation.  When  I  had  no 
ticks  to  make,  I  folded  all  my  bills  up  uniformly,  < 
eted  each  on  the  back,  and  tied  the  whole  ii 
symmetrical  bundle.  Then,  I  did  the  same  for  Ha 
(who  modestly  said  he  had  not  my  administrativ 
nius),  and  felt  that  I  had  brought  his  a&aiis  il 
focus  for  him. 

My  business  habits  had  one  other  bright 
which  I  called,    "leaving   a  Margin."     For  exai 
supposing  Herbert's  debts  to  be  one  hundred  and 
four  pounds  four-and-two-Tpeiica,  \  vio-iii.  %«:^,  "* 
i3a.rgin,    and    put    tHem    do'ww  at  Vko 


WAT  HJtPBCTATIOKB.  45 

1  to  be  four  times  as  much,  I  woulil 
rmargin,  and  put  tliem  dowu  at  seven  btmdred. 
d  the  higbest  opinion  of  the  wisdom  of  this  same 
gin,  but  I  am  bound  to  acknowledge  that  on  look- 
back, I  deem  it  to  have  been  an  expensive  device, 
we  always  ran  into  new  debt  immediately,  to  the 
extent  of  the  marg^in,  and  Bometimos,  in  the  sense 
eedom  and  solvency  it  imparted,  got  pretty  far  on 
another  margin. 

Sut  there  was  a  calm,  a  rest,  a  virtuous  hush,  eon- 
ent  on  these  esaminatioas  of  our  affairs  that  gave 
for  the  time,  an  admirable  opinion  of  myself. 
hed  by  my  exertions,  my  method,  and  Herbert's 
iliments,  I  would  sit  with  liia  symmetrical  bundle 
my  own  on  the  table  before  me  among  the  sta- 
rry, and  feel  like  a  Bank  of  some  sort,  rather  than 
ivate  individual. 

IVe  shut  our  outer  door  on  these  solemn  occa- 
I,  in  order  that  wo  might  not  be  interrupted.  I 
fallen  into  my  serene  state  one  evening,  when  we 
d  a  letter  di'opped  through  the  slit  in  the  said  door, 
fall  on  the  ground.  "It's  for  you,  Handel,"  said 
»ert,  going  out  and  coming  back  with  it,  "and  I 
there  is  nothing  the  matter."  This  was  in  allu- 
to  ita  heavy  black  seal  and  border, 
rhe  letter  was  signed  Trabb  &  Co.,  and  its  cou- 
i  were  eiropiy,  that  I  was  an  honoured  sir,  and 
they  begged  to  inform  me  that  Mrs,  J.  Gtargery 
departed  this  life  on  Monday  last,  at  twenty  mi- 
i  past  six  iu  the  evening,  and  that  my  attendance 
requested  at  the  intarment  on  Monday  uesA.  aS. 
'  o  'eJoct  ia  the  a^ernoon. 


Flff  eSBA*  BWECtATIOSlf. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

It  was  the  firat  time  that  a  grave  had  open6 
my  road  of  life,  and  the  gap  it  made  in  the  sn 
ground  was  wondBrful.  The  fig^are  of  my  Bister  i 
chair  hy  the  kitchen  fire,  haunted  me  night  and 
That  the  place  cnuld  possibly  he,  without  her, 
Bomothing  my  mind  seemed  unahle  to  compaHs; 
whereas  she  had  seldom  or  never  been  in  my  thou 
of  late,  I  had  now  the  strangest  ideas  that  she 
coming  towards  me  in  the  street,  or  that  s 
presently  knock  at  the  door.  In  my  rooms 
which  she  had  never  been  at  all  associated,  there 
at  once  the  blankness  of  death  and  a  perpetual  I 
gestion  of  the  sound  of  hi'i  voice  or  the  turn  of 
face  or  figure,  as  if  she  were  still  alive  and  had  b 
often  there. 

Whatever  my  fortimes  might  have  been, 
scarcely  have  recalled  my  sister  with  much  tenderl 
Bat  I  suppose  there  is  a  shock  of  regret  which  ] 
exist  without  much  tenderness.  Under  its  infltf 
(and  perhaps  to  make  up  for  the  want  i 
feeling)  I  was  seized  with  a  violent  indignation  agl 
the  assailant  from  whom  she  had  suffered  so  much; 
I  felt  that  on  sufficient  proof  I  could  have  revengei 
pursued  Orlick,  or  any  one  else,  to  the  last  extr 

Having  written  to  Joe,  to  offer  consolation,  i 
assure  him  that  I  should  come  to  the  funeral,  I  pll 
the  intermediate   days  in  the  curious  state  of  r  ' 
have  glanced  at.     I  went  down  early  iu  the  e 
and  alighted  at  the  Bine  Boar  in  good  time  to  1 
rfiver  to  the  forge. 
H^favHS  fine  summer  weaOiei  agKoi,  swii,  s&V-* 


SWU.T  BSpnTrATTOm.  47 


1 


nlong,  the  time  when  I  waa  a  little  holplpss  creature, 
nl  ray  sister  did  not  spare  me,  vividly  returned.  But 
)■  retumod  with  a  pentla  touo  upon  them  that 
iwned  even  the  edf^e  of  Tickler.  For  now,  the  very 
I'.ith  of  the  beans  and  clover  whispered  to  my  heart 
lliat  the  day  must  come  when  it  would  he  well  for  my 
memory  that  others  walking  in  the  sunshine  Bhould  be 
softened  as  they  thoug^ht  of  me. 

At  last  I  came  witliin  sight  of  the  house,   and  saw 

tlwt  Trabh  and  Co.  had  put  in  a  funereal  execution 

and  taken  poaseasion.     Two    dismally  absurd  persons, 

Mch  ostentatioasly  exhibiting  a  crutch  done  up   in  a 

blMk  handage  —  as  if  that  inntniment  could  possibly 

Mmmiuiicate  any  comfort  to  anybody  —  were  posted 

»t  ike  front  door;   aud  in  one  of  them  I  recognised  a. 

i  ii4.boy  discharged  from  the  Boar  for  turning  a  young 

I  i[i!e  into  a  sawpit  on  their  bridal  morning,   in  con- 

■|i[ence  of  intoxication  rendering  it  necessary  for  him 

■  ride  his  horse  clasped   round  the  neck  with  both 

ills.    All  the  children  of  the  village,  and  most  of  the 

"^iien,    were  admiring'  these   sable  warders  and  the 

'■r<(d  windows  of  the  house  and  forge;  and  aa  I  came 

I ,   ono  of  the  two  warders  (the  postboy)  knocked  at 

"■  dnor  —  implying  that  I  waa  far  too  much  exhausted 

'.  ^'lief,  to  have  strength  remaining  to  knock  for  rayaelf. 

iVnother  sable  warder  (a  carpenter,   wlio  had  once 

liii  two  geoso  for  a  waget)   opened   the  door,   and 

lived  me  into  the  best  parlour.  Here,  Mr.  Trabb  had 

iliiin  unto  himself  the  beat  table,  and  had  got  all  the 

ivi's  np,    and  was  holding  a  kind  of  blaek  Bazaar, 

■  ;ili  the  aid  of  a  qnauthy  of  black  pins.     M  \\ie  wio- 

///  o/'ny  iimval,  he  bad  jnst  finished  iputtvag  wiv&t- 

'*■-'  -'—.0  black   long-clothcs,    \itc   aa  Mt\cas 


48  QlfflAT  BXPBCWATTOSS. 

baby;  so  he  held  out  hia  hand  for  mine.  But  I, 
\iy  the  action,  and  confused  by  the  occasion, 
handa  with  liim  with  every  testimony  of  warm  affect 
Poor  deaj*  Joe,  entangled  in  a  little  black  i ' 
tied  in  a  large  bow  under  bis  chin,  wna  seated  aparj 
the  upper  end  of  the  room;  where,  jib  chief  r 
he  had  evidently  been  stationed  by  Trabb,  Wha 
bent  down  and  said  to  him,  "Dear  Joe,  how  areyoi 
he  said,  "Pip,  old  chap,  you  knowed  her  when 
were  a  fine  figure  of  a  —"  and  clasped  my  hand  1 

Biddy,  looking  very  neat  and  modest  in  her  bli 
dress,  went  quietly  here  and  there,  and  was  veiy  h< 
ful.  When  I  had  spoken  to  Biddy,  as  I  thought  it  i 
a  time  for  talking  I  went  and  sat  down  near  Joe,  I 
there  began  to  wonder  in  what  part  of  the  house  it'' 
she  —  my  sister  —  was.  The  air  of  the  parlour  ba 
faint  with  the  smell  of  sweet  cake,  I  looked  about' 
the  table  of  refreshments;  it  was  scarcely  visible  ffl 
one  had  got  accustomed  to  the  gloom,  but  there  wi 
cut-up  plum  cake  upon  it,  and  there  were  cut 
oranges,  and  sandwiches,  and  biscuits,  and  two  ! 
canters  that  I  knew  very  well  as  ornaments,  but  ] 
never  seen  used  in  all  my  life;  one  full  of  port, 
one  of  sherry.  Standing  at  this  table,  I  became  c 
Bcious  of  the  servile  Pumblechook  in  a  black  cloak  1 
several  yards  of  hatband,  who  was  alternately  stufl 
himself,  and  making  obsequious  movements  to  i 
my  attention.  The  moment  he  succeeded,  he  came  0 
to  me  {breathing  sheiTy  and  crumbs),  and  said  i 
fiobdued  voice,   "May  I,  dear  sir?"  and  did,     I  ( 

fed  Mr.  and  Mrs.  HiibViVa-,  t5     ' 
tot  speechless   paroxysm  in  ^ 


^  osBAT  sxE'sxnMna.asa.  49 

iiig  to  "follow,"  and  were  all  in  toiirse  of  being  tied 
;i  separately  {by  Trabb)  into  ridiculous  bundles. 

"Wbiiih  I  meanteraay,  Pip,"  Joe  whispered  me,  aa 

.  were  being  what  Mr.  Trabb  called  "formed"  in  the 

Lilour,   two  and  two  —  and  it  waa  dreadfully  like  ft 

[ireparation  for  some  grim  kind  of  dance;   "which  I 

meanteFBay,  air,  as  I  would  in  preference  have  carried 

I  ber  to  the  church  myself,    along  with   three  or  four 

1  friendly  ones  wot  come  to  it  with  willing  hai'ta  and 

I  wias,  but  it  were  considered  wot  the  neighbours  would 

I  look  down  on  such  and  would  bo  of  opinions  as  it  were 

ing  in  respect." 

pocket-handkerchiefs  out,   all!"   cried  Mr.  Trabb 
■  point,  in  a  depressed  business-like  voice,  "Poeket- 
fflohiefs  out!     "We  are  ready!" 

we  all  put  our  pocket-handkerchiefs  to  our 
if  our  nosea  were  bleeding,  and  filed  out  two 
;  Joe  andl;  Biddy  andPumblechook;  Mr.  and 

Habble.   The  remains  of  my  poor  sister  had  been 

I  bniught  round  by   the  kitchen  door;   and,  it  being  a 

It  of  Undertaking  ceremony   that  the   Bis  hearers 

I'i^t  be  stifled  and  blinded  under  a  horrible  black 
Ivet  housing  with  a  white  border,  the  whole  looked 
■'li  a  blind  monster  with  twelve  human  legs,  shuffling 
111  blundering  along,  under  the  guidance  of  two 
|'i|}(.'r8  —  the  postboy  and  his  comrade. 

The  neighbourhood,  however,  highly  approved  of 
li'.Je  arrangements,  and  we  were  much  admired  as  we 
lilt  thr6ugL  the  village;  the  more  youthful  and 
ijrnrous  part  of  the  community  making  T 
iii'l  then  to  cut  ns  off,  and  lying  in  wait  Vo  \ 
-  'It  points  of  vantage.  At  such  timfca  t\io  laoicti  t 
'■''■.jjii  amoDg  tbcm   called  out  in  an.  e 


K^  our   Gmorgence  round  some  comer   of  expectano]! 

^^J/ere  they  cornel"  "Jivre  they  arel"  and  we  were  a 

B^t  dieered.    In  this  progress  I  'was  much  annoyed  b 

Rite  abject  Pumblechook,   who,   being  behind  me,  pef*' 

K^sted.  all  the  way  as  a.  delicate  attention  in  arranging; 

rjmy  streaming  hatband  and  smoothing  my  cloak. 

LthonghtB  were  further  distracted  by  the  excess jve  p 

of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubble,    who  wero  surpassingly  con-' 

ceited  and  vainglorious   in  being  members  c " 

tinguiahed  a  procession. 

And  now,    the  range  of  marshes  lay  clear  beforft 

_  UB,  with  the  sails  of  the  ships  on  the  river  growing  (s 

'  "  j   and  we  went  into  the  uhtirchyard,    close  to  t' 

paves  of  my  unknown  parents,   Philip  Pirrip,  late  i 

'i  parish,    and  Also  Georgiana,    Wife  of  the  Aboit 

L&nd  there,   my  sister  was  laid  quietly  in  the  eart 

Jrhile  the   larks  sang  high  above   it,    and    the  li^ 

Efrind  strewed  it  with  beautiful  shadows  of  clouds  and 

Of  the  conduct  of  the  worldly-minded  Pnrablechook- 
Jffhile  this  was  doing,  I  desire  to  say  no  more  than  '' 

i  all  addressed  to  me;  and  that  even  when 
noble  passages  were  read  which  remind  humanity  hi 
it  brought  nothing  into  the  world  and  can  take  n< 
out,  and  how  it  fleeth  like  a  shadow  and  never  coi 
nueth  long  in  one  stay,  I  heard  him  cough  a  reeer 
tion  of  the  case  of  a  young  gentleman  who  cams  ' 
expectediy  into  large  property.  When  we  got  ba 
he  had  the  hardihood  to  tell  me  that  he  wished  ; 
sister  coatd  have  known  I  had  doae  her  so  nw 
Jionour,  and  to  hint  that  she  would  have  considered 

reasoaH-bly  purchased,  at  the,  Ytwe.  *^Ve.t  &Kit.\\t,. 

that,  bo  di-ank  all  the  rest  o?  tVe  sJaatrj,  wt&.l&s.'' 


I  oamAm  BxmoTAKOss.  51 

liwHk  tbe  port,  and  the  two  talked  (which  I  have  since 
''i^''ired  til  he  cnstomaiy  in  such  caaea),  aa  if  they 
'  iif  quite  another  raiie  from  tbe  deccaaed,  and  were 
;  '1  ioualy  immortal,  i^inally,  ho  went  away  with  Mr. 
.1  ilrs.  Huhble  —  to  make  an  evening  of  it,  I  felt 
■^rc,  and  to  teU  tbe  Jolly  Bargemen  that  he  was 
tlii^  founder  of  mj  fortunes  and  my  earliest  bene- 
fiictor. 

When  they  were  all  gone,    and  when  Trahb   and 

men  —  but  not  hia  boy:  I  looked  for  him  —  bad 

I'jjiupd   their  mnramery   into   baga,   and    were  gone 

ii.    tlie    houae    felt    wholesomer.      Soon    afterwarda, 

iiiilily,  Jot',  and  I,  had  a  cold  dinner  together;  but  we 

'liiK.'d  in  tbe  best  parlour,  not  in  the  old  kitchen,    and 

■l"(i  was  so   Bsceedingly  particular  what  he  did  with 

Iti^  knife  anil  fork  and  the  salt-cellar  and  what  not, 

ibdt  there   was  great    restraint    upon    us.      But  after 

iliiinfr,   when  I  made  him  take  his  pipe,   and  when  I 

liid  loitered  with  him  about  the  forge,    and  when  we 

!  ilowu  together  on  the  great  block  of  stone  outside 

«(.■  got  on  better.     I  noticed  that  after  tbe  funeral 

I  changed  liis  clothes  8o  far,    as  to  make  a  compro- 

.■!■  between  liia  Simday  dreaa  and  working  dress;  in 

ii  !i  the  dear  fellow  looked  natural  and  like  the  Man 

rie  was  very  much  pleased  by  my  asking  if  I 
-jlit  sleep  in  my  own  little  room,  aud  I  was  pleased 

:  for  I  felt  that  I  had  done  rather  a  great  thing  in 
iliiig  the  request.  When  tlw  shadows  of  evening 
M.'  closing  in,  I  took  an  opportunity  of  getting  into 
■  trarden  with  Bidd/  for  a  little,  talk. 

"Biddf^,  "  mid  I,    "I  think  you  migkl  ta.ve  ■wiv'iX.si^ 
■^^le  about  these  sad  matters."  _ 


69 


OHBAT  BSPIOTATIOSS. 


"Do  you,  Mj.  Pip?"  said  Biddy.  "I  should  h 
written  if  I  had  thought  that." 

Don't  suppose  that  I  mean  to  be  unkind,  Bid 
■when  I  say  I  consider  thut  you  ought  to  have  thoq 
that" 

Do  you,  Mr.  Pip?" 

ihe  was  so  quiet,  and  had  such  an  orderly,  g< 
and  pretty  way  with  her,  that  I  did  not  like  the  thoo 
"  making;  her  cry  again.  After  looking  a  little  at 
downcast  eyes,  as  she  walked  heside  me,  I  gave 
that  point. 

"I  suppose  it  will  be  difficult  for  yon  to  rem 

now,  Biddy  dear?"  i 

Oh!   I  can't  do  so,   Mr.  Pip,"   said  Biddy,  i 

of  regret,  but  still  of  quiet  conviction.  "I  h 
been  speaking  to  Mrs.  Hubble,  and  I  am  going  to 
to-morrow.  I  hope  we  shall  be  able  to  take  eoms  i 
of  Mr.  Gargery,  together,  until  ho  settles  down." 

"How  are  you  going  to  live,  Biddy?    If  you  fl 

"How  ami  going  to  live?"  repeated  Biddy,  stiiti 
n,  with  a  momentary  flush  upon  her  face. 
'on,  Ml.  Pip.     I  am  going  to  try  to  get  the  plao 
ietress  in  tie  new  school  nearly  finished  here,    I 
tie   well  recommended  by  all  the  neighbours,   ao 
'liape  I  can  bo  industrious  and  patient,  and  teach  : 
self  while  I  teach  others.     You  know,  Mr.  Pip," 
sued  Biddy,    with  a  smile,   as  she  raised  her  eyei 
oy  face,  "the  new  schools  are  nut  like  the  old, 
,t  a  good  deal  from  you  after  that  time,  and 
since  then  to  improve." 
■^tbink  you  would  a\waya"mi'etQ'^fc%" 


aWBAT  BTMOTATieifB.  S3 

'Ahl     Except  in  my  bad  eide  of  human  nature," 

nnred  Biddy. 

it  was  not  so  much  a.  reproach,  as  an  irresistible 
tiiinking  aloud.  Weill  I  thought  I  would  g'ive  up  that 
IKiInt  loo.  So,  I  walked  a  little  further  with  Biddy, 
looking  aileutly  at  her  downcast  eyes. 

"I  Lave  not  heard  the  particulars  of  my  sister's 
iestii,  Biddy." 

"They  are  very  slight,  poor  thing.  She  had  been 
ia  uae  of  her  bad  states  —  though  they  had  got  better 
I'l'late,  rather  than  worse  —  for  four  days,  when  she 
wune  out  of  it  in  the  evening,  just  at  tea-time,  and 
wid  quite  plainly,  'Joe.'  As  she  had  never  said  any 
wrd  for  a  long  while,  I  ran  and  fetched  inMr.  Qargery 
ftom  the  forge.  She  made  signs  to  me  that  she  wanted 
'■'m  to  sit  down  close  to  her,  and  wanted  me  to  put 
11 1  arms  round  his  neck.  80  I  put  them  round  his 
I'l'k,  and  she  laid  her  hand  down  on  his  shoulder 
iNite  content  and  aatistied.  And  au  she  presently  said 
li'c'  again,  and  once  'Pardon,'  and  once  'Pip.'  And 
■I  "he  never  lifted  her  head  up  any  more,  and  it  was 
ii^t  an  hour  later  when  we  laid  it  down  on  her  own 
fl,  because  we  found  she  was  gone." 

Biddy  cried;  the  darkeuing  garden,  and  the  lane, 
ml  the  stars  that  were  coming  out,    were  blurred  in 

own  fiig;ht, 

"Nothing  was  ever  discovered,  Biddy?" 

"Nothing." 

you  know  what  is  become  of  Orlick?" 
I  ahould  think  from  the  colour  of  his  clothes  ttaS. 
working'  in  tie  guarriea." 

"'^uTso  yon  iiave  seen  him  tbeu*?  —  "Wil  « 
*f  tha.t  dark  tree  in  tlie  \auti?"      ^^ 


OSBAT  BSPHCTATIOWSr. 


"I  saw  him  tliera,  on  the  night  she  di 
"That  was  not  the  last  time  either,  Bid^i 
"No;  I  have  aeon  Iiini  there,  sioce  we  have 
walking  here.  —  It  U  of  no  use,"  aaid  Biddy,  li 
ber  baud  upon  my  arm  as  I  was  for  running  out, 
know  I  would  not  deceive  you;  he  was  not  thi 
minute,  and  he  is  gone." 

It  revived  my  utmost  indignation  to  find  tha 
was  still  pursued  by  this  fellow,  and  I  felt  invet 
against  him.  I  told  her  bo,  and  told  her  that  I  it 
spend  any  money  or  take  any  pains  to  drive  his 
of  that  country.  By  degrees  she  led  mc  into 
temperate  talk,  aud  she  told  me  how  Joe  loved 
and  how  Joe  never  complained  of  anything 
didn't  say,  of  me;  she  had  no  need;  I  knew  wba 
meant  —  but  ever  did  his  duty  in  his  way  of 
with  a  strong  hand,    a  quiet  tongue,    and  a  g 

"Indeed,  it  would  be  bard  to  say  too  mud 
him,"  said  I;  "and  Biddy,  we  must  often  BpM 
these  things,  for  of  course  I  shall  be  often  down 
now,     I  am  not  going  to  leave  poor  Joe  alone." 

Biddy  said  never  a  single  word. 

"Biddy,  don't  you  hear  me?" 

"Yes,  Mr.  Pip." 

"Not  to  mention  your  calling  me  llr.  Pip  — 
appears  to  me  to  he  in  bad  taste,   Biddy  —  wbl 

"What  do  I  mean?"  asked  Biddy,  timidly. 
"Biddy,"    said  I,     in    a    virtuously  self-aew 
"I  must  request  to  feno-w  ^hat  you  mei 

this?"   said  Eiddy, 


n't  echo,"  I  retorted.     "Ton  used  uot  to 

i  not!"  said  Biddy.     "0  Mr.  Pip!     Used!" 
JffcHI  I  rather  thought  I  would  give  op  that  point 
f  After  another   silent  tuni  in  the  gurden,  I  fell 
a  the  maiu  position. 

iddy,"  said  I,  "I  made  a  remark  respecting  my 

J-  down  hero  often,    to  aee  Joe,   which  you.  re- 

l  with  a  marked  silence.      Have  the  goodness, 

a  tell  me  why." 

B  you  quite  sure,  then,  that  you  will  c 

1  often?"  asked  Biddy,  stopping  in  the 

I  mHph  walk,  and  looking  at  me  under  tho  stars  with 

■  ticnr  and  honest  eye, 

''Oh  dear  me!"  said  I,  as  if  I  found  myself  com- 
,11  I'd  to  give  up  Biddy  in  despair.  "This  really  is  a 
'  ly  bad  side  of  human  nature!  Don't  say  any  more, 
'  )"ipii  please,  Biddy.     This  shocks  me  very  much." 

For  which  cogent  reason  I  kept  Biddy  at  a  distance 
'iiing  supper,  aTldT'^whon  I  went  up  to  my  own  old 
"li.'  room,  took  as  stately  a  leave  of  her  as  I  could, 
1  iny  murmui'ing  soul,  deem  reconcilahle  with  the 
"injhyard  and  the  event  of  the  day.  As  often  as  I 
■  restless  in  the  night,  and  that  was  every  quarter 

■  .111  hour,   I  reflected  what  an  uukindness,   what  an 
'  lULj,  what  an  injustice,  Biddy  had  done  ma. 

Early  in  the  morning,  I  was  to  go.  Early  in  the 
"Miing,  I  was  out,  and,  looking  in,  unseen,  at  one 
tlii^  wooden  windows  of  the  forge.  There  I  stood,  for 
■imloa,  looking  at  Joe,  already  at  work  with  a  glow 
luialth  and  strength  upon  his  face  that  TOaia  \V  ^ww 
■/'  He  bright  sua  of  the  life  in  atoie  Sor  V\\ft.  -w'«^ 


r  aCTBOTAWftflS. 


^r  "Grood-hy,  dear  Job!  —  No,  doa't  wipe  it  ofi 
Tor  God's  sake,  give  me  your  blackened  handl  - 
shall  be  down  soon,  and  often." 

"Never  too  soon,   sir,"    said  Joe,    "and  never 
often,  Pip!" 

Biddy    was  waitbg  for  me   at  the  kitchen   door,  J 
with  a  mug  of  new  milk  and  a  crust  of  bread.   "Biddy," 
said  I,    when  I  gave  her  my  hand  at  parting,  "I  am  | 
not  angry,  hut  I  am  hurt" 

"No,  don't  be  hurt,"  she  pleaded  quite  pathetically;] 
"let  only  me  he  hurt,  if  I  have  been  ungenerous." 

Once  more,    the    mists    were    rising    as  I   walked! 

away.     If  they  disclosed  to  me,  as  I  suspect  they  did,  I 

that   I   should  not  come  back,    and   that  Biddy  ' 

quite  tight,  all  I  can  say  is  —  they  were  quite  rightl 

PJtoo. 


I  '  CHAPTER  VII. 

Herbebt  and  I  went  on  from  had  to  wcose,  in  tliel 
way  of  increasing  our  debts,  looking  into  our  afMi^l 
leaving  Margins,  and  the  like  exemplary  transactions; F 
and  Time  went  on,  whether  or  no,  as  lie  has  a  vray  (^1 
doing;  and  I  came  of  age  —  in  fulfilment  of  Herbert^  ■ 
prediction,  that  I  should  do  so,  before  I  knew  whrae  1 1 

Herhert  himself  bad  come  of  age,  eight  months  hi"  I 
fore  me.     As  he  had  nothing  else  than  his  m^ority  W  1 
come  into,  the  event  did  not  make  a  profound  sensa-  ' 
tJon  in  -Barnard's  Inn.     Bat  -we  had.  looked  forwaid  M 
mjr  oae-and-twentictli  Ijirthday,  Vi'Cti.  a  wo-wi  ^S^ 
Melons  and  anticipaticma,  £ot '«e\i^\'<>*^er 


th»t  my  gnardian  cnutd  hardly  help  saying;  something 
definite  on  that 


I  haA  taken  care  to  have  it  well  understood  i 
Little  Britain,  wliea  my  birthday  was.  On  the  day 
Tiefore  it,  I  received  an  official  note  from  Wemmick, 
informing  me  that  Mr.  Jaggcra  would  be  glad  if  I 
would  p.all  upon  liim  at  five  in  the  aftemofin  of  the 
^^jjicioua  day.  This  convinced  ua  that  something 
great  was  to  happen,  and  threw  me  into  an  unosnal 
flutter  when  I  repaired  to  my  guardian's  office,  a  model 
of  punctuality. 

In  the  outer  office  Wemmick  offered  me  his  < 
-i^ttnlations,  and  incidentally  rubbed  the  side  of 
■luso  with  (1  folded  piece  of  tissue-paper  that  I  liked 
•111'  look  of.  But  he  said  nothing  respecting  it,  and 
ijijtioned  me  with  a  nod  into  my  guardian's  room.  It 
■liis  November,  and  my  guardian  was  standing  before 
||i-i  fire  leaning  bis  back  against  the  chimney-piece, 
".ith  his  hands  under  his  coat-tails. 

"Well,  Pip,"  said  he,  "I  must  call  you  Mr.  Pip  to- 
''■iiy.     Congratulations,  Mr.  Pip." 

We  shook  hands  —  he  was  always  a  remarkably 
>li(irt  shaker  —  and  I  thanked  him. 

"Take  a  chair,  Mr.  Pip,"  said  my  guardian. 
As  I  sat  down,  and  he  preserved  bia  attitude  and 
iipnt  his  brows  at  his  boots,  -I  felt  at  a  disadvantage, 
ivliich  reminded  me  of  that  old  time  when  I  had  been 
I'lit  npun  a  tombstone.  The  two  ghastly  casts  on 
sliflf  were  not  far  from  him,  and  their  exijteBawB. '^aa 
"''  if  they  were  nmking  a  stupid  apoT^Veiftivt  tt.\.\sxK^ 
■'al^d  to  the  converaa,tion'. 

yowig  friend,"  my  guardiem  ■\sfe?,«>- 


■n  flRBAT  BIttseTATIOM,  ^B 

Kif  I  were  a  witnei^s  in  the  box,  "I  am  going  to  have^| 
BVord  or  two  with  yoii."  ^M 

I         "If  you  please,  sir."  M 

r  "What  do  you  suppose,"  said  Mr,  .Taggers,  bendiu^fl 
U^rward  to  look  at  the  ground,  and  then  throwing  luf^a 
Kead  back  to  look  at  the  ceiling,  "what  do  you  snp-fl 
^noBO  you  ar6  living  at  the  rate  of?"  ■ 

J^      "At  the  rate  of,  sir?"  ^B 

"At,"  repeated  Mr.  daggers,  still  looking  at  tl^| 
ceiling,  "tiio  —  rate  —  of?"  And  then  looked  ^^| 
.round  the  room,  and  paused  with  his  pocket-handk^^l 
chief  in  his  hand,  half  way  to  his  nose.  ^H 

I  had  looked  into  my  affairs  so  often,  that  I  li^^| 
thoroughly  destroyed  any  slight  notion  I  might  ev^H 
bave  bad  of  their  beaiings.  Reluctantly,  I  confess^H 
myself  quite  unable  to  answer  the  question.  TIi^H 
reply  seemed  agreeable  to  Mr.  Jaggers,  who  said,  ^H 
thought  so!"  and  blew  his  nose  with  an  air  of  sati^H 
g  &ction.  ^1 

"Now,  I  have  asked  you  a  question,  my  friend,"T 
Biaid  Mr.  Jaggers.     "Have  you  anything  to  ask  me?"      I 
"Of  course  it  would  be  a  great  relief  to  me  to  ask    | 
Fyou  several  questions,  sir;  but  I  remember  your  pro- 
hibition." 

"Ask  one,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 
"Is  my  benefactor   to  be  made  known  to   me  1 
k-day?" 

"No.     Ask  another." 

"Is  that  confidence  to  be  imparted  to  me  Boon?"  J 
"Waive  that,  a  moment,"  said  Mj'.  Jaggers 
t  another." 

I  looked  about  me,  Wt  tVeift  a.-^-5e5a^i,  Va ■\«.^ 
f  jiosaiblo   escape  from  the  mt^^ii; 


5  to  receive,  air?"     On  that,  Mr,  Jaggers  aaid, 

Bopiantly,  "I  thouglit  we  should  come,  to  it!"  and 
»jled  to  Weramick  to  give  him  that  piece  of  paper. 
Wemniiek  appeared,  iianded  it  in,  and  disappeared. 

"Now,  Mr,  Pip,"  said  Mr,  Jaggera,  "attend,  if  you 
•'k'ase.  You  have  been  drawing  pretty  freely  here; 
\i.iiir  name  occurs  pretty  often  in  Wemmick's  cash- 
liiiiik;  but  you  are  in  debt,  of  course?" 

"I  am  afraid  I  must  say  ycu,  sir." 

"Yon  know  you  must  say  yes;  don't  you?"  said 
Ifiv  Jaggers. 

"Yes,  air." 

"I  don't  ask  you  what  you  owe,  becanae  you  don't 
know;  and  if  you  did  know,  you  wouldn't  tell  me; 
ym  would  say  less.  Yes,  yes,  my  friend,"  cried  Mr. 
Jaggera,  waving  his  forefinger  to  stop  me,  as  I  made 
k  show  of  protesting:  "it's  likely  enough  that  you 
[hint  you  wouldn't,  but  you  would.  You'll  excuse 
nie,  but  I  know  better  than  you.  Now,  take  this  piece 
of  paper  in  your  hand.  You  Lave  got  it?  Very  good. 
Kow,  unfold  it  and  tell  me  what  it  is." 

"This  is  a  bank-note,"  said  I,  "for  five  hundred 
pounda,'" 

"That  is  a  bank-note,"  repeated  Mr.  Jaggera,  "for 
ive  hnndrod  pounds.  And  a  very  handsome  sum  of 
money  too,  I  think.     You  conaider  it  so?" 

"How  could  I  do  otherwise!" 

"Ah!    But  answer  the  question,"  aaid  Mr.  Jaggers. 

"Undoubtedly." 

"You  consider  it,  undoubtedly,  a  handso-nwi  wwa.  cS. 

■Ai'-y.     Now,   tiat  liRndsomo  sum  of  inoae.'^  ,  "E\'5 ,  Na 

,  ,.:    om/.     It  is  R  present    to    you   on  tbia  6-M  i   ™^ 

1^^  ot^oux  expectations.      And    at  th.e  T:a.Vtt  qI  \Nirii 


aRSAT  ESTECTATrOTO. 

Lanilsomc  sum  of  money  per  annum,  and  at 
rate,  yon  are  to  live  nntil  the  donor  of  tlie  wholl 
pears.    That  is  to  Bay,  yon  will  now  take  your 
affairs  entirely  into  your  own  hands,  and  you.  will 
from  Wemmitk  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  p< 
per  quarter,  until  you  are  in  comrai 
f'onntain-head,  and  no  longer  with  the  more  agent 
I  have  told  you  before,  I  am  the  mere  agent, 
eeute  my  instructions,  and  I  am  paid  for  doing 
think  them  injudicious,  but  I  am  not  paid  for  g 
any  opinion  on  their  merits." 

I  was  beginning  to  express  ray  gratitude 
henefautor  for  the  great  liberality  with  which  1 
treated,  when  Mr.  Jaggers  stopped  me.  "I 
paid,  Pip,"  said  he,  coolly,  "to  carry  yoor  wo] 
any  one;"  and  then  gathered  up  his  coat-tails, 
had  gathered  up  the  subject,  and  stood  frowning 
boots  as  if  he  suspected  them  of  designs  against 

After  a  pause,  I  hinted: 

"There   was   a    question  jnst  now,    Mr.  Js 
which  you  desired  me  to  waive  for  a  moment 
I  am  doing  nothing  wrong  iii  asking  it  again?' 

"What  is  it?"  said  he. 

I  might  have  known  that  he  would  never  he 
out;  but  it  took  me  aback  to  have  tu  shape  the 
tion  afresh,  as  if  it  were  quite  new.  "Is  it  lik^ 
said,  after  hesitating,  "that  my  patron,  the  foa 
liead  you  have  spoken  of,  Mr.  Jaggers,  will  boo 
there  I  delicately  stopped. 

"WiiJ  soon  what?"  said  Mr,  Jaggers.     "Tti 
question  as  it  stauds,  youtnu'w;' 
^^.'■WiiS  soon  come  to  LionioB.;''  *«!&. 


^^ 


6J 

ft  precise  form  of  worils,    "ar  sununou  mo 
lere  else?" 

"Now  here,"  replied  Mr.  Jaggers,  fixing  me  for  the 
i  time  with  hia  dark  deep-Bct  eyes,  "we  muat  revert 
<lii.'  evoniug  when  we  first  enconntered  one  another 
■"'  yjor  Tillage.     What  did  I  tell  you  then,  Pip?" 

"You  told  me,  Mr.  Jaggers,  that  it  might  be  years 
■"■■wii  when  that  person  appeared." 

'\1aat  so,"  Baid  Mr.  Jaggers,  "that's  ray  answer." 
As  we  looked  full  at  one  another,  I  felt  my  breath 
'"^•-  quicker  in  my  strong  desire  to  get  something  out 
■'■  iiim.  And  as  I  felt  that  it  came  quicker,  and  as  I 
I'  ili.it  he  saw  that  it  came  (juicker,  I  felt  that  I  had 
■  cliance  than  ever  of  getting  anything  out  of  hira. 
Do  you  suppose  it  will  Btill  be  years  hence,  Mr. 

Mr.  Jaggers  shook  his  head  —  not  in  negativing 

i!"'  question,  but  in  altogether  negativing  tbo  notion 

lilt  bo  could  anyhow  be  got  to  answer  it  —  and  the 

I  liorrible  casts  of  the  twitched  faces  looked,  when 

lyoB  strayed  np  to  them,  as  if  they  had  eome  to  a 

lii  in  their  suspended  attention,  and  were  going  to 

"Conjel"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  warming  the  backs  of 
lii.H  legs  with  the  backs  of  his  warmed  bands,  "I'll  be 
Jilain  with  yon,  my  friend  Pip.  That's  a  question  I 
oiust  not  be  asked.  You'll  understand  that,  better, 
*Leu  I  tell  you  it's  a  question  that  might  compromise 
rae.  Come!  I'll  go  a  little  further  with  yon;  Til  say 
"imetbing  more." 

He  bent  doivn  so  low  to  frown  at  Vis  "booXa,  'Ooi^'v. 
V_  Haw  abJe  to  rab  the  eeHvea   of  hia  lega  m  'tlB-'&  ^a»s» 


"WLen  that  person   discloses,"   said  Mr.  Jugp 

Btraighteoing  himself,  "you  and  that  person  will  Bet 

.  yonr  own  affairs.    When  that  person  discloses,  my  p 

in  thJ8  buainesa  will  uease  and  determine.     Whan  t 

'   person  discloses,  it  will  not  be  necessary  for  metoltB 

tnything  about  it.     And  tbat'a  all  I  have  got  to  Sii^ 

We  looked   at  one   another  nntil  I  witbdrer  ■ 

'    eyes,  and  looked  thongbtfnlly  at  the  floor.     Trom  I 

last  speech  I  derived  the  notion  that  Miss  Havishl 

for  some  reason  or  no  reason,  had  not  taken  Hm  i 

her  confidence  as  to  her  designing  me  for  !Estolla;  I 

resented  this,   and  felt  a  jealousy  abont  it;  c 
he  really  did  object  to  that  scheme,  and  would  li 
nothing  to  do  with  it.     When.  I  raised  my  eyes  agi 
I  found  that  be  bad  been  shrewdly  looking  at  i 
I  the  time,  and  was  doing  so  still. 

"If  that  is  all  you  have  to  say,  sir,"  I  remail 
here  can  be  nothing  left  for  me  to  say," 
He  nodded  assent,  and  pulled  out  his  thief-dreft 
watch,  and  asked  me  where  I  was  going  to  dine? 
replied  at  my  own  chambers,  with  Herbert.  Ab  » 
cessary  sequence,  I  asked  Mm  if  be  would  favou^ 
with  bis  company,  and  he  promptly  accepted  the  ii 
tation.  But  he  insisted  on  walkuig  home  with  me, 
order  that  I  might  make  no  extra  preparation  for  1 
■  and  first  he  had  a  letter  or  two  to  write,  and  {of  con 
I  had  his  bands  to  wash.  So,  I  said  I  woold  go  into 
I   outer  office  and  talk  to  Wemmick. 

The  fact  was,  that  when  the  five  hundred  pon 

had  eorae  into  my  pocket,  a  thought  had  come  into 

bead  wliicb  bad  been   often  there  before;   an" 

pe&ted  to  me  that  Wemmck  waa  a.  ^wii  -yst* 

^wise  with,  concerning  aut'k  tto^^^-  ^ 


^"  -         (4bAT  BSPBOTATIOm.  09 

tbad  already  locked  up  bis  safe,  and  made  pre- 
■  tbr  going  home.  He  had  left  bis  desk,  brongbt 
mm  greasy  office  caadle-BtickB  and  stood  them 
■itb  die  BDufiers  on  a  slab  near  the  door,  ready 
Knguifibed;  he  bad  raked  He  fire  low,  put  bis 
K|^eat-coat  ready,  and  was  beating  himself  all 
Rbest  with  bie  safe-key,  as  an  athletic  exerciac 

EWemmick,"  said  I,  "I  want  to  ask  your  opi- 
um very  desirous  to  serve  a  friend." 
baick  tightened  biti  post-office  and   shook   hia 
ir  if  his  opinion  were   dead  against  any  fatal 
|b  of  that  sort. 

yb  friend,"  I  pursued,  "is  trying  to  get  on  in 
nal  life,  but  has  no  money  and  finds  it  dlfScult 
beartening  to  make  a  beginniog.  Now,  I  want 
If  to  help  him  to  a  beginning." 
£tb  money  down?"  said  Wemmick,  in  a  tone 
jm  any  sawdust. 

fill  some  money  down,"  I  replied,  for  an  uneasy 
^nce  shot  across  me  of  that  symmetrical  bundle 
Is  at  home;  "with  some  money  down,  and  per- 
ke  anticipation  of  my  expectations." 
tPip,"  said  Wemmick,  "I  should  like  just  to 
fe  with  you  on  my  fingers,  if  you  please,  the 
K  the  various  bridges  up  as  high  as  Chelsea 
iLet's  Bee:  there's  London,  one;  Southwark, 
■nkfriars,  three;  Waterloo,  fonrj  Westminster, 
Bxhall,  six."  Eo  had  checked  off  each  bridge 
fen,  with  tlie  handle  of  hia  safe-key  on  the  i^&lm. 
Hnd.     "There's  aa  many    aa  six,   you  see,  Va 


eiiitaad  you,"  said  \ 


r 


*6t  eBBAT  BXPBOTATIOSS,' 

"CliooBo  your  bridge,  Mr.  Pip,"  i-etumed  Wemtoij 
I  "and  take  a  walk  upon  your  bridge,  and  pitcb  yj 
money  into  tiie  Thames  over  the  centre  arch  of  j 
bridge,  and  you  know  the  end  of  it.  Serve  a  fifii 
with  it,  and  you  may  know  the  end  of  it  too  - 
it's  a  less  ploasant  and  profitable  end." 

I  could  have  posted  a  newspaper  in  hia  mouth, 
made  it  so  wide  after  saying  this. 
I         "This  is  very  discouraging,"  said  I. 

"Meant  to  he,"  said  Wemmick. 

"Then  is'it  your  opinion,"  I  inquired,  with  e 
little  indignation,  "that  a  man  should  never  — " 

" —  Invest  portable  property  m  a  friend?" 
Wemmick.  "Certainly  he  should  not.  Unless  be  wa 
to  get  rid  of  the  friend  —  and  then  It  becomes  a  qn 
tion  how  much  portable  property  it  may  be  woi" 
get  rid  of  him." 

"And  that,"  said  I,  "is  your  deliberate  opini 
Mr.  Wemmick?" 

"That,"  he  returned  "is  my  deliberate  opinion 
this  office." 

"Ah!"  said  I,   pressing  him,  for  I  thought  I  B 
him  near  a  loophole  here;    "but  would  that  I 
opinion  at  Walworth?" 

Mr.  Pip,"  he  replied,  with  gravity,  "Walwortll 
one  place,  and  this  office  is  another.  Much  as  the  A] 
is  one  person,  and  Mr.  Jaggers  is  another.  They  n 
not  be  confounded  together.  My  Walworth  s(»ttiiiii 
must  be  taken  at  Walworth;  none  hut  my  ofGcial  i 
timents  can  be  taken  in  this  office." 

"Very  well,"  said  I,  muc>i  ■!e&ftMfti.,"'Oiss«.^ 
'ok  yoa  up  at  WaWort\i,  -jout  —  "^        *" 


aaUT  BXPECTATIONB. 

f.Pip,"  he  retnrnei],  "jou  will  be  welcome  there, 
mvate  and  jwrsimal  capacity." 
\Ve  had  held  this  converBation  in  a  low  voioe,  well 
■viiig  my  guardian's  ears  to  be  the  sliarpest  fif  the 
I.  111.     As  he  now  appeared  in  his  doorway,  towelling 
lis  bands,  Wemmick  got  on  his  great-coat  and  stood 
ly  to  flnnff  i;rat  the  eandloB.     We  all  three  went  into 
(he  street  together,  and  from  the  door-step  "Wommick 
Fiimod  his  way,  and  Mr.  .Jagg^ers  and  I  turned  oure. 
i  could  not  help  wishing  more  than  once  that  even- 
that  Mr.  Jaggers  had  had  an  Aged  in   Gerrwd- 
rt,  or  a  Stinger,  or  a  Something,  or  a  Somebody, 
.  (inijend  his  brows  a  little.     It  was  an  uncomfortable 
■  ijiiiiiderfttion  on  a  twenty-first  birthday,  that   coming 
■:l  age   at   all   seemed  hardly   worth   while   in  such  a 
jiiju'ded  and  suspicious  world  as  he  made  of  it.     He 
■i;is    a   thousand    times    better  informed  and   cleverer 
:iwn   Wemmick,    and  yet   I  would  a  thousand  times 
'ilier  have  had  Wemmick  to  dinner.    And  Mr.  Jaggers 
ii'le  not  mo  alone  intensely  melancholy,  because,  after 
Mas  gone,   Herbert  said  of  himself,   with  his  eyes 
111  on  the  lire,  that  he  thought  he  must  have  com- 
j.thd   a  felony   and  forgotten  it,   he  felt  so  dejected 
■iinl  guilty. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

I)ebming  Sunday  the  best  day  for  taking  Mr.  Wem- 
.1  k'a  Walworth  sentiments,  I  devoted  the  next  ensuing 
-Miday  afternoon  to  a  pilgrimage  to  the  Castle.  On 
arriving  before  the  battlements,  1  found.  &.»  ^Siivs-o. 
Juck  Spog-  and  the  drawbridge  tip-,  Wt  iHv.i&tevt'*&. 
"y#fr  aioy  of  deSance  and  reaetance,  X  -raaig,  ait-  '^  * 


66  QRGAT   EXPECTATIONS. 

gate,   and  vms  admitted  in  a  most  piiufic  manne 
the  Aged. 

"My  son,  §ir,"  said  the  old  man,  after 
the  drawbridge,  "rather  had  it  in  bis  mind  that 
might  happen  to  drop  in,  and  he  left  word 
would  soon  be  home  from  his  afternoon's  walk, 
very  regular  in  his  walks,  is  my  son.  Very  regal 
everything,  is  my  son." 

I  nodded  at  the  old  gentleman  as  Wemmlub 
self  might  have  nodded,  and  we  went  in  and  sat 
ly  the  fireside. 

"Ton  made  acq^naintance  with  my  son,  sir,'' 
the  old  man,  in  his  chirping  way,  while  he  wanne< 
hands  at  the  blane,  "at  his  office,  I  expect?"  I  no 
"Hah!  1  have  heerd  that  my  son  is  a  wonddrfftl 
at  his  business,  sir?"  I  nodded  hard,  "Tes;  so 
tell  me.  His  business  is  the  Law?"  I  nodded  ha 
"Which  makes  it  more  surprising  in  : 
old  man,  "for  he  was  not  brought  np  to  the  Law 
D  the  Wine-Coopering." 

Curious  to  know  how  the  old  gentleman  stoo 
formed  concerning  tlie  reputation  of  Mr,  Jagge 
roared  that  name  at  him.  Ho  threw  me  into  the  | 
est  confusion  by  laughing  heartily  and  replying 
very  sprightly  manner,  "No,  to  be  sure;  you're  r 
And  to  this  hour  I  have  not  the  faintest  notion 
he  meant,  or  what  joke  he  thought  I  bad  made. 

Ab  I  could  not  sit  there  nodding  at  bim  perpetu 
without  making  some  other  attempt  to  interest  hi 
shouted  an  inquiry  whether  his  own  calling  in 
Men  "the  Wine- Coopering."  "B'j  S\\A 
fenn  out  of  injaclf  seYerft\  t™^^  a.i>^^  \K5Y™ft 


9n*T  HXPBOTA'nonH.-  67 

a  OQ  the  cbeet  to  associate  it  witli  liim,  I  at 

racceeded  in  making  my  meaning  KnderBtood, 

"No,"  said  the  old  gentleman;  "the  warehousing, 
I  warehotising.  First,  over  yonder;"  he  appeared  to 
an  np  the  chimney,  hut  I  believe  he  intended  to 
BT  me  to  Liverpool;  "und  then  in  the  City  of  Lon- 
(I  here.  However,  having  an  infirmity  —  for  I  am 
rd  of  hearing,  eir  — " 

I  expressed  in  pantomime  the  greatest  astonish- 
int. 

" —  Tes,  hard  of  hearing;  having  that  infirmity 
ning  upon  me,   ray  aon  he  went  into  the  Law,    and 

took  charge  of  me,  and  he  by  little  and  little  made 
t  this  elegant  and  beautiful  property.    But  returning 

what  yon  said,  yon  know,"  pursued  the  old  man, 
ain  laughing  heartily,  "what  I  say  is.  No  to  he  Bure; 
lU're  right." 

I  waa  modestly  "wondering  whether  my  utmost  in- 
ttuity  would  have  enabled  me  to  say  anything  that 
)iild  have  amused  him  half  ae  much  as  this  imaginary 
Basantry,  when  I  was  startled  by  a  sudden  click  in 
e  wall  on  one  side  of  the  cbimney,  and  the  ghostly 
mbling  open  of  a  little  wooden  flap  with  "John" 
ion  it  The  old  man,  following  my  eyes,  cried  with 
«at  triumph  "My  son's  come  home  I"  and  we  both 
ent  out  to  the  drawbridge. 

It  was  worth  any  money  to  see  Weramick  waving 
remote  salute  to  me  from  the  other  side  of  the  moat, 
hen  we  might  have  shaken  hands  across  it  with  the 
twteat  ease.  The  Ag'ed  was  so  de'\igii\.e,4  \n  -siw?*. 
\B  drawbridge,  that  I  made  no  offer  to  asftVftt '\iKv,^'*\ 

ret  uatil  Wemmick  had  come  acioas. 


presented  me  tn  Misa  SkifGnsi  a  lady  by  whom  hi 
accompanied. 

MiasShiffins  was   of  a  wooden   appearance, 

la,  Eke  hor  escurt,  in  the  post  office  branch  o 
service.    She  might  have  been  some  two  or  three 
younger  than   Weinmick,   and  I  judged  her  to 
scBsed  of  portable  property.     The  cut  of  her 
from  the  woiat  upward,  both  before  and  behind, 
her  figure  very  like  a  hoy's  kite;   and  I  might 
pronounced    her    gown   a  little   too   decidedly  or 
and  her  gloves  a  little  too  intensely   green.     But 
seemed  to  he  a  good  oort  of  fellow,  and  showed  a 
regard  fur  the  Aged,     I  was  not  long  in  dist 
that  she  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the  Castle;  foi 
our  going  in,  and  my  complimenting  Wemmick 
ingenious    contrivance    for  announcing  himself  to 
Aged,  he  begged  me  to  give  my  attention  for  a 
ment  to  the  other  side  of  the  chimney,  and  disappc 
Presently  another  click  came,    and  another  little 
tumbled    open  with  "Miss  Skiffins"   on   it;   then 
SkifBns  shut  up,    and  John  tumbled  open;   then 
Skiffins  and   John   both  tumbled  open  together, 
finally  shut  up  together.     On  Wemmick's  return 
working  these  mechanical  appliances,  I  expressed 
great  admiration  with  which  I  regarded  them,  am 

'1,  "Well  you  know,  they're  both  pleasant  and 
to  the  Aged.     And  by  George,   sir,  it's  a 
worth  mentioning,  that  of  all  the  people  who  ooi 
this  gate,  the  secret  of  those  pnlla  is  only  known  I 
Aged,  Miss  Skiffins,  and  me!" 

"And    Mr.   Wemmick    made    them ,"    added 
^SM/Sng,  "with  his  own  lianda  om\-  oS  Vra  w'frei  Vea 

While  Mias  Skiffins  was  taking  oSXisb. 


lier  greau  gloves  during  tlte  evening  as  an 
id  visible  sign  that  ihere  was  company), 
'Vi'mmiek  invited  me  to  take  a  walk  with  liim  round 
!.i  property,  and  see  how  the  island  looked  in  winter- 
tune.  Thinking  that  he  did  tliis  to  give  ma  an  oppor- 
tunity of  taking  hia  Walworth  sentimenta,  I  seised  the 
apportanity  as  soon  as  we  were  out  of  the  Caetle. 

Having  thought  of  tho  matter  with  ewe,  I  ap- 
Jitoaehed  my  anbject  as  if  I  had  never  hinted  at  it  before. 
I  informed  Wemmick  that  I  was  anxions  in  behalf  of 
Herbert  Pocket,  and  I  told  him  how  we  had  first  met, 
mil  how  we  had  fought.  I  glanced  at  Herbert's  home, 
inil  at  his  character,  and  at  his  having  no  means  hut 
tnch  as  he  was  dependent  on  hie  father  for:  those,  tin- 
I'Main  and  unpunctual.  I  alluded  to  the  advantages 
I  hud  derived  in  my  first  rawness  and  ignorance  from 
U)  socioty,  and  I  confessed  that  I  feared  I  hod  hnt  ill 
rep«d  them,  and  tliat  he  might  have  done  better  with- 
on(  me  and  my  expectations.  Keeping  Miss  Havisham 
ill  rhe  background  at  a  great  distance,  I  still  hinted  at 
■  I"  possibility  of  my  having  competed  with  him  in  his 
"I'jiects,  and  all  the  certainty  of  his  possessing  a 
iiorons  soul,  and  being  far  above  any  mean  distrusts, 
'  i^ilifttions,  or  designs.  For  all  these  reasons  {I  told 
'■''(■uimick),  and  because  he  was  my  young  companion 
liul  friend,  and  I  had  a  great  affection  for  him, 
■i'lted  my  own  good  fortune  to  reflect  some  rays  upon 
■irii,  and  therefore  I  sought  advice  from  Wemmick's 
ipcrienee  and  knowledge  of  men  and  affairs,  how  I 
"il'l  best  try  with  my  resources  to  help  Herbert  to 
■iiifl  present  income  —  say  of  a  hundred  a  ■;jeas.,  \» 
■;)  him  in  good  hope  and  iieart  —  asi  gtaAsv!&^  \»: 
"~mto  some  amall  jiartnerehip.  l\>e%£efi''^«""^ 


70  OttSAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

miek,  in  conclusion,  to  understand  that  my  help 
always  be  rendered  without  Herbert's  knowled) 
snspiciou,  and  that  there  was  no  one  else  in  the 
with  whom  I  could  advise.  I  wound  up  by  layini 
hand  upon  his  shoulder,  and  saying,  "I  can't  help 
fiding  ia  you,  though  I  know  it  must  be  trouble 
to  you;  hut  that  is  your  fault,  in  having  ever  bn 

Wemmick  was  silent  for  a  little  while,  and 
said,  with  a  kind  of  start,  "Well  you  know,  Mr, 
I  must  tell  you  one  thing.  This  is  devilish  got 
you." 

"Say  you'll  help  me  to  he  good  then,"  said  I 

"Ecod,"     replied    Wemmick,    shaking    his    ! 
"that's  not  my  trade." 
j^"Nor  is  this  your  trading-place,"  said  I. 

"Yoa  are  right,"  he  returned.  "You  hit  th« 
on  the  head.  Mr.  Pip,  I'll  put  on  my  considering 
and  I  think  all  you  want  to  do,  may  he  done  b; 
grees.  Skiffina  (that's  her  brother) 
and  agent.    I'll  look  him  up  and  go  to  work  for 

"I  thank  yon  ten  thousand  times." 

"On  the  contrary,"  said  he,  "I  thank  you 
though  we  are  strictly  in  our  private  and  pet 
capacity,  still  it  may  he  mentioned  that  there  are 
gate  cobwebs  about,  and  it  brushes  them  away." 

After  a  little  further  conversation  to  the  same 
we  returned  into  the  Caatle,  where  we  found 
Skiffina  preparing  tea.  The  responsible  duty  of  m» 
the  toast  was  delegated  to  the  Aged,  and  that 
old  gentleman  was  bo  intent  upon  it  that 

some  danger  of  mcV^iag  ^i\a  ft-^a*.  ,It_wi 
meal    that  we  ■wete  gt' 


71 

B  reality.  The  Aged  prepared  sucli  a  haystack 
red  toast,  that  I  iiould  scarcely  see  him  over  it 
0  it  simmered  on  an  iron  Htaad  hooked  on  to  the  top- 
Jar;  while  Mies  SkJffiua  brewed  ttucU  a  jorum  of  tea 
iliat  the  pi^  in  the  back  premises  became  strongly  ex- 
)ited,  and  repeatedly  expreaeed  his  desire  to  participate 
in  the  entertainment. 

The  flag  had  been  struck  and  the  gun  had  been 
fired,  at  the  right  moment  of  time,  and  I  felt  as  snngly 
ful  off  from  the  rest  of  Walworth  as  if  the  moat  were 
tliiity  feet  wide  by  as  many  deep.  Nothing  disturbed 
Uie  tranquillity  of  the  Castle,  but  the  occasional  tum- 
IjliDg  open  of  John  and  Kiss  SkifGns:  which  little 
doors  were  a  prey  to  some  Bpasmodic  infirmity  tltat 
made  me  sympathetically  uncomfortable  until  I  got 
used  to  it.  I  inferred  from  the  methodical  nature  of 
%fe  Skiffins's  arrangements  that  she  made  tea  there 
every  Sunday  night;  and  I  rather  suspected  that  a 
cUssic  brooch  she  wore,  representing  the  profile  of  an 
oiiilBsirable  female  with  a  very  straight  nose  and  a 
'try  new  moon,  was  a  piece  of  portable  property  tbat 
liiid  been  given  her  by  Wemmiek. 

We  ate  the  whole  of  the  toast  and  drank  tea  in 
■l"irtion,  and  it  was  deUghtfal  to  see  how  warm  and 
'  isy  we  all  got  after  it.  The  Aged  especially,  might 
liave  passed  for  some  clean  old  chief  of  a  savage  tribe, 
just  oiled.  After  a  short  pauae  of  repose.  Miss  Skiffiua 
"—  in  the  absence  of  the  little  servant  who,  it  seemed, 
f«ired  to  tlie  bosom  of  her  family  on  Sunday  after- 
noons —  washed  up  the  tea-things  in  a  tr'\KvQ^  \a&^- 
Uke  aadttfin-  maimer  that  compromiBed  n.oue  o^ 
gloves  again,  and  we  4sti"w 


tilt!  tire,  and  Wemmick  said,   "Now  Aged  Fanl 
ue  t!iG  paper." 

Wemmick  explained  to  mo  while  the  A^d  ( 
spectacles  out,  that  tliis  was  according  to  custom 
that  it  gave  the  old  gentleman  infinite  satiafact 
read  the  news  aloud.  "I  won't  offer  an  apolog}', 
"Wemmick,  "for  he  isn't  capable  of  many  pleaaa 
are  you,  Aged  P.?" 

"All  right,  John,  all  right,"  returned  the  aii 
seeing  himself  Epoken  to. 

"Only  tip  him  a  nod  every  now  and  then  wl 
looks  off  hia  paper,"  said  Wenunitk,  "and  hell 
happy  as  a  king.     We  arc  all  attention.  Aged  C 

"All  right,  John,  all  right!"  returned  the  cl 
old  man:  so  busy  and  so  pleased,  that  it  re^l 
quite  charming. 

The  Aged's  reading  reminded  me  of  the  clai 
Mr.  Wopsle'a  great-aunt's,  with  the  pleasanter  p« 
rity  that  it  seemed  to  come  through  a  keyhole, 
wanted  the  candles  close  to  him,  and  as  he  was  » 
on  the  verge  of  putting  either  hia  head  or  the 
paper  into  them,   ho  required  as  much  watcHi^ 
powder-mill.     But  Wemmick  was  equally  antinn 
gentle  in  his  vigilance,   and  the  Aged  read  on 
unconscious  of  lus  many  rescues.    Whenever  he 
at  us,  we  all  expressed  the  greateat  interest  tuid 
ment,  and  nodded  until  he  resumed  again. 

As  Wemmick  and  Mias  Skiffins  sat  side  by 
and  as  I  sat  in  a  shadowy  corner,  I  observed 
and    gradual    elongation    of  Mr.   Wemmick'a 
powerfully    auggeative    of  his    slowly    and    grft 
stealing  Jiis  arm  round  Misa  SVi^ii^ 
"    "  le  X  saw  his  \iand  a^^oa 


TS 

;  but  at  that  moment  Miss  t^kifiins  neatly 
L  witli  the  green  glove,  unwauud  hie  arni 
f  it  were  an  article  of  dress,  and  with  the 
leliberAtion  laid  it  on  the  table  before  her. 
I  composure  while  she  did  this  was  one 
tst  remarkable  sights  I  have  ever  seen,  and  if 
e  thought  the  act  consistent  with  abstraction 
il  should  have  deemed  that  Misa  Skiffins  per- 
;  mechanically. 

>d-by,  I  noticed  Wemmick'a  arm  beginning  to 
;  again,  and  gradually  fading  out  of  view. 
iftenrards,  his  mouth  began  to  widen  iigain. 
I  interval  of  suspense  on  my  part  that  was 
bralling  and  almost  painful,  1  saw  his  hand 
ti  the  other  side  of  Miss  Skifflns.  Instantly, 
EBns  stopped  it  with  the  neatness  of  a  placid 
A  oS  that  girdle  or  cestus  as  bufore,  and  laid 
f  table.  Taking  the  table  to  represent  the  path 
I  am  justified  in  stating  that  during  the 
1  of  the  Aged's  reading,  'Wpmmick's  arm 
l^ng  from  the  path  of  virtue  and  being  re- 
lit by  Miss  Skiflins. 

it,  the  Aged  read  himself  into  a  light  slambeT. 
\  the  time  for  Wemmick  to  produce  a  little 
'  truy  of  glasses,  and  a  black  bottle  with  a 
topped  cork,  representing  some  clerical  digni- 
•Tubicuud  and  social  aspect.  With  the  aid  of 
ilianues  we  all  had  something  warm  to  drink: 
,  the  Aged,  who  was  soon  awake  again.  Miss 
tixed,  and  I  observed  that  she  and  Wemmick 
Of  course  I  kne-w  \j^\fti  '0(vko 
[  gee  Mise  Skiffina  home,  and  imifcT  Oae  ti: 
^i^ioaght  I  bad  beet  go  fitat-.  wtinVS. 


^^ 


^ 


K    74  mtsi^  ^BvpBO^A'mimf 

tsking  a  cordial  leave  of  the  Ageil,  and  having  j 
a  pleasant  evening.  ;| 

Before  a  week  was  out,  I  reeeived  a.  notejl 
Wemmick,  dated  Walworth,  stating  that  he  hopi 
liad  made  soma  advance  in  that  matter  appertain 
our  private  and  pergonal  capacities,  and  that  he  i 
he  glad  if  I  could  come  and  see  him  again  up 
So,  I  went  out  to  Walworth  again,  and  yet  again 
yet  again,  and  I  saw  him  by  appointment  in  th« 
several  times,  but  never  held  any  communication 
him  on  the  subject  in  or  near  Little  Britain.  Til 
shot  was  that  we  found  a  worthy  young  merchij 
shipping-broker,  not  hing  established  in  bnainessj 
wanted  intelligent  help,  and  who  wanted  capital 
who  in  due  coiirse  of  time  and  receipt  would  M 
partner.  Between  him  and  me,  seeret  articles! 
signed  of  which  Herbert  was  the  subject,  and  I 
him  half  of  my  five  hundred  pounds  down,  and  enj 
for  sundry  other  payments:  some,  to  fall  due  at  Q 
dates  out  of  my  income:  some,  contingent  on  inyoj 
into  my  property.  Misa  SkifBns's  brother  conj 
the  negotiation;  Wemmick  pervaded  it  throughoiS 
never  appeared  in  it.  \ 

The  whole  business  was  so  cleverly  manage^ 
Herbert  had  not  the  least  suspicion  of  my  handil 
in  it.  I  never  shall  forget  the  radiant  face  with  ij 
he  came  Lome  one  afternoon,  and  told  me,  as  a  a 
piece  of  news,  of  his  having  fallen  in  with  on« 
riker  (the  young  merchant's  name),  and  of  Clad 
having  shown  an  extraordinary  inclination  til 
him,  and  of  his  belief  that  the  opening  had  c 
Jast.  Day  by  day  as  h'la  to^es  gtft'w  ftara^giE!  | 
face  brighter,    he  must  \ia,ve  'iiOM^"^'' 


i  friend,  for  I  had  the  greatuBt  diffi- 
in  restraining  my  teara  of  triumpli  when  I  saw 
I  happy.  At  length,  the  thing  being  done,  and 
liiiviDg  that  day  entered  Clairiker's  Houtie,  and  he 
iving  Iftlked  to  me  for  a  whole  evening  in  a  flush  of 
[ilcusiire  and  succees,  I  did  really  cry  in  good  earnest 
whan  I  went  to  bed,  to  think  that  my  expectations  had 
done  some  good  to  somebody. 

A  great  event  in  my  life,  the  turning-point  of  my 

,  ii»w-4jpea8  on  my  view.     Bat  before  I  proceed  to 

.  i.ite  it,    and  before  I  pass  on  to  all  the  changes  it 

lived,  I  must  give  one  chapter  to  Estella.    It  ia  not 

iiiai:h  to  give  to  the  theme  tha,t  so  long  tilled  my  heart. 


CHAPTER  IX, 

If  that  staid  old  bouse  near  the  Green  at  Richmond 
should  ever  come  to  be  haunted  when  1  am  dead,  it 
will  be  haunted,  surely,  by  my  ghost.  0  the  many, 
ni*ny  nights  and  days  through  which  the  unquiet  spirit 
within  me  haunted  that  house  when  Eutella  lived 
there!  Let  my  body  be  where  it  would,  my  spirit  was 
ulwiiya  wandering,  wandering,  wandering,  about  that 
iiouse. 

The  lady  with  whom  EateLla  was  placed,  Mrs. 
Brmtdley  by  name,  was  a  widow,  with  one  daughter 
leverol  years  older  than  Estella.  The  mother  looked 
^ouag,  and  the  daughter  looked  old;  the  mother's  com- 
plexion was  pink,  and  the  daughter's  was  yellow;  the 
aother  set  up  for  frivolity,  and  the  da.ng\AeT  Iwc  'CaR»- 
ogjr.  Tl/er  were  in  what  ia  called  a  goui  ■joaiSJvwR, 
S^wffdj   and  were  visited  by,  i       ' 


?  tJXPECTATlONS. 

Little  if  anj  cDmmunitf  of  feeling  stibsisteil  bel 
th«m  and  Eatella,  but  the  understanding  -was  i 
lished  that  they  were  necessary  (o  her,  and  ths 
was  neceseary  to  them.  Mrs.  Brandley  had 
a  friend  of  Miss  Havisham's  before  the  time  oi 
Beclueioa. 

In  Mrs.  Brandley's  house  and  out  of  Mrs.  Branc 
bouse,  I  suffered  every  kind  and  degree  of  tortura 
fistella  could  cause  me.  The  nature  of  my  rela 
with  her,  which  placed  me  on  terms  of  familiarity 
out  placing  me  on  terms  of  favour,  conduced  fa 
distraction.  She  made  use  of  me  to  tease  orthe 
mirers,  and  she  turned  the  very  familiarity  bet 
herself  and  me,  to  the  account  of  putting  a  coi 
slight  on  my  devotion  to  her.  If  I  had  been  her 
tary,  steward,  half-brother,  poor  relation  —  if  I 
been  a  younger  brother  of  her  appointed  husba 
I  could  not  have  seemed  to  myself,  further  ba 
hopes  when  I  was  nearest  to  her.  The  privili 
calling  her  by  her  name  and  hearing  her  call  I 
mine,  became  under  the  circumstances  an  aggrav 
of  my  trials;  and  while  I  think  it  likely  that  it  ( 
maddened  her  other  lovers,  I  know  too  certainli 
it  almost  maddened  me. 

She  had  admirers  without  end.  Ko  doubt 
jealousy  made  an  admirer  of  every  one  who 
her;  but  there  were  more  than  enough  of  them  wi 
that. 

I  saw  her  often  at  Bichmond,    I  beard  of  her 

in  town,  and  I  used  often  to  take  her  and  the  Bran 

on  the  water;    there  were  picnics,    f^te   days, 

operas,  concerts,  parties,  a.\\w)T\fi  o^  ^«£ai«&,  t!b 

which  I  pursued  ter  —  aui  'she^  "wft^*  s^  ~-'-- 


mitAt'Vtfiao-Pkrtom,  77 

me.  I  never  had  one  hour's  happmesB  in  her  society, 
and  yet  my  mind  all  round  the  four-and-twenty  hours 
Toa  harping  on  tho  happiness  of  huving  her  with  ine 
unto  death. 

Throughout  this  part  of  our  intercourse  —  anil  it 
insied,  as  will  jireseDtly  he  seen,  for  what  I  then 
thought  a  lonw  time  —  she  habitually  reverted  to  that 
tuns  which  expressed  that  our  association  was  forced 
apoa  xxB.  Thf-re  were  other  times  when  she  would  come 
lo  it  sudden  check  in  this  tone  and  in  al)  her  many 
tHDPs,  and  would  seem  to  pity  me. 

"Pip,  Pip,"  Bhe  said  one  evening,  coming  to  such 
>  check,  when  we  sat  apart  at  a  darkening  window 
III'  the  house  in  Richmond;  "will  you  never  h^6 
»wning?" 

"Of  what?" 

"Of  me." 

"Warning  not  to  he  attracted  hy  you,  do  you  moan, 
flslellaP" 

"Do  I  mean!  If  you  don't  know  what  I  mean,  you 
ure  blind." 

I  should  have  replied  that  Love  was  commonly  re- 
|ii[tpd  blind,  but  for  the  reason  that  I  always  was  re- 
trained —  and  this  was  not  the  least  of  my  miseries 
—  by  a  feeling  that  it  was  ungenerous  to  press  myself 
||]ii'n  hor,  when  she  knew  that  she  could  not  choose 
i:  iibey  Miss  Havisham.     My  dread  always  was,  that 

knowledge  on  her  part  laid  me  under  a  heavy  dia- 

uitage  with  her  pride,  and  made  me  the  subject  of 
■iit-lliouB  struggle  in  her  bosom. 

■At  any  rate,"   said  I,    "I  have  no  wartvmg  gvfca. 

JMH  BOW,  toryon  wrote  to  me  to  come  to  ^laa^^^ 


78  dltBAT  BIMIOTA"nKWfl> 

"That's  true,"    said  Estella,   with  a  cold  i 
Bmile  that  always  chilled  me. 

After  looking  at  the  twilight  without,  for  a  I 
whUe,  she  went  on  to  say; 

"The  time  has  come  round  when  Miss  Havia 
wishes  to  have  me  for  a  day. at  Satis.  Yon^aie  t 
me  there,  sad  bring  me  back,  if  you  will.  She 
rather  I  did  not  travel  alone,  and  objects  to  recei^ 
my  maid,  for  she  has  a  sensitive  horror  of  being  td 
of  by  such  people.     Can  you  take  me?" 

"Can  I  take  yon,  Estellal" 

"You  can  then?  The  day  after  to-morrow,  if 
please.  You  are  to  pay  all  charges  ont  of  my  p 
Yon  hear  the  condition  of  yonr  going?" 

"And  must  obey,"  said  I. 

This  was  all  the  preparation  I  received  for 
visit,  or  for  others  like  it;  Miss  Havisham  never  n 
to  me,  nor  had  I  ever  bo  much  as  seen  her  handwril 
We  went  down  on  the  next  day  but  one,  and  ^ 
her  in  the  room  where  I  had  first  beheld  her,  and 
needless  to  add  that  there  was  no  change  i 
House. 

She  was  even  more  dreadfully  fond  of  Estella  ' 
she  had  been  when  I  last  saw  them  together; 
the  word  advisedly,  for  there  was  something  j 
dreadful  in  the  energy  of  her  looks  and  embraoes. 
hung  upon  Estella's  beauty,  hung-  upon  her  ' 
hung  upon  her  gestures,  and  sat  mumbling  her 
trembling  fingers  while  she  looked  at  her,  as  thi 
she  were  devouring  the  beautiful  creature  she 
reared. 

From  JEstella  she  lootei  sA  "ma,  "siSiCa  a,  uam 
glance  (hat  seemed  to  -pry  mto  m^  \i«a.T\.  imi-^ 


» 

"How  doc3  §]iB  nso  you,  Pip;  how  does  she 
you?"  she  aaked  ran  again,  with  her  witch-like 
igerness,  even  in  Eatella's  hearing.  But  when  we 
it  by  her  flickering  fire  at  nigbt,  she  was  most  weird; 
ir  then,  keeping  EstcUa's  Imnd  drawn  through  her 
III  and  clutclicd  in  her  own  hand,  she  extorted  &om 
I ,  l-y  dint  of  referring  back  to  what  Estella  had  told 
i-i  in  her  regular  letters,  the  nainea  and  eonditions  of 
16  men  whom  she  had  fascinated;  and  as  Kins  Ha- 
iBhtan  dwelt  upon  this  roll,  with  the  intensity  of  a 
lind  mortally  hurt  and  diseased,  she  sat  with  her 
thcr  hand  on  her  crutched  stick,  and  her  chin  on 
iFii,    and  her  wan  bright  eyes  glaring  at  me,   a  very 

!  saw  In  this,  wretched  though  it  made  me,  and 
iiti.i-  the  sense  of  dependence  and  even  of  degi'adation 
i.K  it  awakened,  —  I  saw  in  this,   thai  Estella  waaA 

;   To  wreak  Misa  Havisham's  revenge   on  men,   and 
..if  she  was  not  to  be  given  to  me  until  she  had  gra-  | 
I  it  for  a  term.     1  saw  in  this,    a  reason  for  her  [ 
■  1  beforehand  assigned  to  me.     Sending  her  out  to 

:^(i:t  and  torment  and  do  mischief,  l^Iisa  Havisham  I 
em  her  with  the  malicious  assurance  that  she  was 
tyoad  the  reach  of  all  admirers,  and  that  all  who 
liked  upon  that  cast  were  secured  to  lose.  I  saw  in 
HI,  that  I,  too,  was  tormented  by  a  perveraion  of  in- 
fmnity,  even  while  the  prize  was  reaerved  for  me.  ij 
iw  in  this,  the  reason  for  my  being  staved  off  so  long, 
id  the  reason  for  my  late  guardian's  declining  to  com- 
it  himself  to  the  formal  knowledge  of  such  a  scheme. 
I  a  word,  I  saw  in  this,  Miaa  Havialiam  as  WsA-Vet 
en  and  tiinre  before  my  eyes,  and  aWa^ft  Va-i  V?A 
^^l^^^^mi^jud  I  saw   in  t\iis  t\ie  4^>S^^ 


r 

I 


80  B^ah•p  uvmoTAttonB. 

shadow  uf  the  darkened  and  nuhualtLy  house  i 
her  life  was  liidden  ftom  the  sun. 

The  candles  that  lighted  that  room  of  hera  1 
placed  in  sconces  on  the  wall.  They  were  high  1 
the  ground,  and  they  humt  with  the  steady  d 
artifiiiiivl  light  in  air  that  is  seldom  renewed,  i 
looked  round  at  them,  and  at  the  pale  gloom  i 
made,  and  at  the  stopped  clock,  and  at  the  widt 
articles  of  bridal  dreas  upon  the  table  and  the  gnu 
and  at  her  own  awful  figure  with  its  ghostly  reflM 
thrown  large  by  the  fire  u]>on  the  ceiling  and  the  1 
I  saw  in  everything  the  construction  that  n 
come  to,  repeated  and  thrown  back  to  me.  My  Uion 
passed  into  the  great  room  across  the  landing  where 
table  was  spread,  and  I  saw  it  written,  as  it  ti 
the  falls  of  the  cobwebs  from  the  centre-piece,  ii 
crawlings  of  the  spiders  on  the  cloth,  in  the  trao 
the  mice  as  they  betook  their  little  quickened  li 
beliind  the  panels,  and  in  the  gropings  and  p&iu 
of  the  beetles  on  the  door. 

It  happened  on  the  occasion  of  this  visit  thai  I 
sharp  words  arose  between  EstcUa  and  Miss  V^ 
sham.  It  was  the  first  time  I  had  ever  seen  them 
posed. 

We  were  seated  by  the  fire  as  just  now  descr 
and  Miss  Havisham  still  had  Estclla's  arm  d 
through  her  own,  and  still  clutched  Estella's  hai 
hers,  when  Estella  gradually  began  to  detach  he 
She  had'  shown  a  proud  impatience  more  than  one 
fore,  and  had  rather  endured  that  fierce  affection 
_  accepted  or  returned  it 

"Whutl"    said  Mibb  "&.B.Vva\va,isi,  Susa\iia5  her^ 
"are  you  tirei 


I  ^  ^^ 

"Only  a  little  tired  of  my§e-lf,"  replied  EstolU,/ 
lisengaging  her  onn,  and  mo\-ing  to  the  great  chimnej-J 
piece,  where  she  stood  looking  down  &t  the  iire.  \ 

"Speak  the  truth,  you  ingrate!"  cried  Misa  Ha- 
Tiaham,  passionately  striking  her  stick  upon  the  floor; 
"yoa  are  tired  of  me." 

Estella  looked  at  her  with  perfect  compoaure,  and 
again  looked  down  ;it  the  fire.  Her  graceful  figure 
and  her  beautiful  face  expressed  a  seli'-poBBessed  in- 
^flerence  to  the  wild  heat  of  tbe  other,  that  wa9  almost 
anel 

"Ton  stock  and  stoncl"  exclaimed  Miss  Harisham. 
"Tou  cold,  cold  heartl" 

"What?"   said  Estclla,   preserving  her  attitude  of 
indifference  as   she  leaned  against  the  great  chinmey- 
piin,.f.  ,ind.  only  moving  her  eyes;  "do  you  reproach  me 
■  In'ing  cold?  You?" 

"Are  you  not?"  was  the  fierce  retort. 

"You  should  know,"  said  Estella.  "I  am  what  you  / 
'i>^i:'  made  me.  Take  all  the  praise,  take  all  the  hUme;  / 
i'il«  all  the  success,  take  all  the  failnre;  in  short,  I 
i'Il-  me."  \ 

"0,  look  at  her,  look  at  herl"  cried  Miss  Havis- 
iiarr^,  bitterly.  "Look  at  her,  so  hard  and  thankless, 
'ii  the  hearth  where  she  waa  reared!  Where  I  took  her 
liil"  this  wretched  breast  when  it  was  first  bleeding 
from  its  stabs,  and  where  I  hove  lavished  years  of 
leadernees  upon  her!" 

"Atleaat_I  was  no  partytp  the  jiorapact /'  said/ 
EstelET^or  if  I  could  walk  and  speak,    when  it  wna 
made,  it  was  as  much  as  I  could  do.    But  ■wtB.t  ■wwsii, 
yon  have?  Yoa  Lave  been  very  gotii  to  me,  an.i\  o^e. 
fvervtliing-  to  you.      Wbatj  ironld-  tq^.  Ua.Tft^" 


^TSS  GRI 

^1  "Love,"  replied  the  other. 

^H         '"You  have  it." 

^B  "I  have  not,"  aaid  Miss  Havisham. 

^m  "Mother  hj  adoptioo,"  retorted  Eatella, 

^"     parting  trtim  the  eaay    grace    of  her    attitude,  dm 
raising  her  voice  as  the  other  did,  never  yielding  eitl 
to  anger  or  tendemeaa,  "Mother  by  adoptio: 
said  that  I  owe  everything  to  yon.     All  I  poBseBS 

I  freely  yours,  AH  that  you  have  given  me,  is  at  yt 
command  to  have  again.  Beyond  that,  I  have  notWi 
1  And  if  you  ask  me  to  give  you  what  you  n 
Ime,  my  gratitude  and  duty  cannot  do  imposHibilitit 
^^  "Did  I  never  give  her  iove!"  cried  Miss  Havisha 

turning  wildly  to  me.     "Did  I  never  give  her  a  ImJ 
ing  love,   inseparable  from  jealousy  at  all  times,  A 
from  Bharp  pain,  while  she  speaks  thus  to  me!  Let  1 
II  me  mad,  let  her  call  me  mad!" 

"Why  should  I  call  you  mad,"  returned  Este 
!,  of  all  people?  Does  any  one  live,  who  knows  f 
set  purposes  you  have,  half  as  well  as  I  do?  Does  f 
one  live,  who  knows  what  a  steady  memory  you  ha 
half  as  well  as  I  do?  I,  who  hsi 
hearth  on  the  little  stool  that  is  ei 
there,  learning  your  lessons  and  looking  up  into  y( 
face,  when  your  face  was  strange  and  frightened  I 
"Soon  forgottenl"  moaned  Miss  Havisham.  "T 
Booo  forgottenl" 

"No,   not  forgotten,"  retorted  Estella.     "Not  i 

P  gotten,  but  treasured  up  in  my  memoiy. 

you  found  me  false  to  your  teaching?    When  havQ  ; 

Woad  me  unmindful  of  yoni  Ve^oW;    When  have  ■ 

I  giving    adnuB^oii.  ^eta "    ^a  \cra^tu^ 


OHEAT  EXPECTATIOSa,  83 

-'in  with  Li?r  baud,  "to  anytliing  that  you  excluded? 

So    proud,    BO    proud!"   moaned  Miss  HaviBham, 
:-ljiug  away  her  grey  hair  with  both  her  liands,  ' 

"Who  taught  mo  t(j^  be^proud?"   returned  Eatella. 

■  H Go"^fajsed  me  when  I  leamt  my  lesson?" 

"80  bard,  so  hard!"  moaned  Miss  Havisham,  with 
!icr  former  action, 

"Who  tau^t  _me  to  bo  Lard?"  returned  Estella. 
■Uin  praised  me  when  1  learnt  my  lesson?" 

But  to  be  proud  aud  hard  to  me.'"  Mjbs  Ha- 
ilitim  quite  shrieked,  as  she  stretched  out  her  arms, 
'Eatella,    Estella,   Estella,    to    be  proud   and  hard  to 

Estella  looked  at  her  for  a  moment  with  a  kind 
III'  calm  wonder,  but  was  not  otherwise  disturbed; 
"lii'H  the  moment   was  past   she  looked  down  at  the 

"I  cannot  think,"  said  Eatella,  raising  her  eyes 
■r  a  sileniie,  "why  you  should  be  so  unreasonable 
■  11  I   come  to  see  you  after  a  separation.     I  have 

■  1 1'v  forgotten  your  wrongs  and  their  causes.  I  hare 
iifver  been  unfaithful  to  you  or  your  schooling.  I 
have  never  shown  any  weakness  that  I  tan  charge  my- 
self with." 

"Wonld  it  be  weakness  to  return  my  love?"  es- 
claimed  Miss  Havisham.  "But  yea,  yes,  she  would 
call  it  bo!" 

"I  begin  to  think,"  said  Estella,  in  a  musing  -way, 
after  another  moment  of  calm  wonder,  "that  I  almost 
iinderatand  how  this  comes  about.     Xf  you  \ibA  \i\o\v^X 
r  adapted  daughter  irholly  in.  the  4a,tV  nwcSsoa- 
e  rooms,  and  bad  never  lei  lira  "^tatr     ''"' 
6* 


84  GBBAT  ESPBCTATIONB. 

there  v/a.s  such  a  thing  as  the  daylight  by  whld 
has  never  once  seen  yonr  face  —  if  you  had  dona 
and  then,  for  a  purpoae  had  wanted  her  to  nndwi 
the  daylight  and  know  all  about  it,  you  would 
been  disappointed  and  angry?" 

Mias  Haviaham,   with  her  head  in  her 
making  a  low  moaning,    and  swaying  herself 
chair,  but  gave  no  answer. 

"Or,"  said  Estella,  "— ^  which  in  a  nearec  cas 
if  you  had  taught  her,  from  the  dawn  of  her  iatelligi 
with  your  utmost  energy  and  might,  thai  there 
such  a  thing  as  daylight,  but  that  it  was  made  I 
her  enemy  and  destroyer,  and  she  must  alwayi 
against  it,  for  it  had  blighted  you  and  would 
blight  her;  —  if  you  had  done  this,  and  then,  I 
purpoae,  had  wanted  her  to  take  naturally  to  the 
light  and  she  could  not  do  it,  you  would  have 
disappointed  and  angry?" 

Miss  Havisham  sat  listening  (or  it  seemed  so 
could  not  see  her  faee),  but  still  made 

"So,"  said  Estella,  "I  must  be  taken  as  I 
xa  made.  The  success  is  not  mine,  the  faihira 
ine,  but  the  two  together  make  me." 

Uias  Havisham  had  settled  down,  I  hardly 
how,  upon  the  floor,  among  the  faded  bridal  relics 
which  it  was  strewn.  I  took  advantage  of  the  mii 
—  I  had  sought  one  froni  the  first  —  to  leave  the 
after  beseeching  Estella's  attention  to  her,  with  a,  ; 
ment  of  my  hand.  When  I  left,  Estella  was 
rtanding  by  the  great  chimney-piece,  just  as  ihf 
•tood  throughout.  Miss  Ilavisham's  grey  hair  v: 
Mdri^  upon  the  ground,  simou^  t\«.  o'Cmei  'cMa.l  -wi 
*nrf  was  a  miserable  siglA  to  eee. 


OUUT  BXmCTATtOIM:  6fi 

BiTM  with  a  depressed  heart  that  I  walked  m  the 

^t  for  an  hoiiT  and  more,  about  the   coiirt-yard, 

uTiJ  about  the  brewery,  and  about  the  rumed  garden. 

^MiiR  I  at  last  took  couriig'e  to  return  to  the  room,  I 

I'miud  Ketella  Bitting  at  KiRH  UaTisham's  knee,  taking 

lip  some  3tit«hes  in  one  of  those  old  articles  of  dress 

iljHt  were  dropping  to  pieces,  und  of  which  I  hare  oftaa 

'i^en  remin<Ied  since  bj  the  faded  tatters  of  old  bannera 

''i"t  I   have  seen   hanging  np   in  cathedrslB.      After- 

liils,  Estella  and  I  played  cards,  as  of  yoro  —  only 

■  liere  skilful  now,  and  played  French  games  —  and 

ilie  evening  wore  away,  and  I  went  to  bed. 

i   lay  in  that   separate   building  aeruss  the  court- 

'1.     It  was  the  first  time  I  had  ever  lain  down  to 

'   in  Satis  Eouse,    and   sleep  refused  to  come  near 

A  thousand  Miss  Havishams  haunted  me.     Bhe 

-  iin  this  side  of  my  pillow,  on  tliat,  at  the  head  of 

'  lied,  at  the  foot,  behind  tho  half-opened  door  of  the 

'  ^^i^g-^oom,  in  the  dressing-room,  in  the  room  over- 

l;<'iJ,  in  tho  room  beneath  —  everywhere.     At  last, 

itlien  the  night  was  slow  to    creep    on    towards   two 

"'flock,  I  felt  that  I  absolutely  could  no  longer  bear 

'■   place  as  a  place  to  lie  down  in,   and  that  I  must 

!  up,    1  therefore  got  up  and  put  on  ray  clothes,  and 

ii^  ijut  across  the  yard  into  the  long  stone  passage, 

■  ■■-jgning  to  gain  the  outer  court-yard  and  walk  there 

lii[  the  relief  of  my  mind.    But  I  was  no  sooner  in  the 

fiassage  than  I  extinguished  my  candle;  for,  I  saw  Uiss 

Uaridiain  going  along  it  in  a  ghostly  manner,  making 

a  low  cry.     I  followed  her  at  a  distance,  and 

go  np  the  staircase.     She  carried  a  bare  eawAW  m  ^i«t 

hmd,  which  sJie  had  probably  taken  from  dtvc  o^  'i^ive. 

i^A  Aar  o-R-a  room,    and  was  a   moaX  tt'nw 


I 


Ject  hy  its  light.  Standing  at  the  bottom  of  thi 
rtaircase,  I  felt  the  mildewed  air  of  the  feast-chambai 
without  eeeing  her  open  the  door,  and  I  heard  h< 
iralking  there,  and  so  across  into  her  own  room,  an 
BO  acrosa  again  into  that',  never  ceasing  the  low  etj 
After  a  time,  I  tried  in  the  dark  both  to  get  oat,  an 
to  go  back,  hut  I  could  do  neither  until  some  streak 
of  day  strayed  in  and  showed  me  where  to  lay  n 
hands.  During  the  whole  interval,  whenever  I  we 
to  the  bottom  of  the  staircase,  I  heard  her  footStB 
B&w  her  light  pass  above,  and  heard  her  ceaselet 
low  cry. 

Before  we  left  next  day,  there  was  no  revival  o 

difference  between  her  and  Estella,  nor  wm  it  evt 
revived  on  any  similar  occasion;  and  there  were 
similar  occasions,  to  the  best  of  my  remembrance.  . 
did  Miss  Havisham's  manner  towards  Estella  in 
wise  change,  except  that  I  believed  it  to  have  s 
thing  like  fear  infosed  among  its  former  characterUtif 

It  is  impossible  to  tnra  this  leaf  of  my  life,  witlw 
patting  Bentley  Drummle'a  name  upon  it;  or  1  wonl 
very  gladly. 

On  a  certain  occasion  when  the  Finches  were  * 
Bombled  in  force,  and  when  good  feeling  was  I 
promoted  in  the  usual  manner  by  nobody's 
Trith  anybody  else,  the  presiding  Finch  called  1 
Grove  to  order,  forasmuch  as  Mr.  Drummle  had  n 
yet  toasted  a  lady;  which,  according  to  the  solenmco 
Htitution  of  the  society,  it  was  the  brute's  turn  to  ' 
that  day.  I  thought  I  saw  him  leer  in  an  ugly  W 
while  the  decanters  were  gova^  to'a.'iii,  but 


;ke^^* 


'aa  my  indignant  surprise  whon  he  called 
rcomponj  to  pledge  bim  to  "Estella!"  ^h 

dla  -nrho?"  aaid  I.  ^M 

«r  yon  mind,"  retorted  DmmnilG,  ^^^ 

of  where?"  eaid  I.      "You   are  bound. ^B 
tore."    "Wliich  he  was,  as  a  Fineh. 
EUchmond,  gentlemen,"  sitid  Drummlc,  putting 
£  the  question,  "and  a  peerless  beauty." 
he  ^ew  about  peerless  beauties,    a  mean 
idiot!  I  wliispered  Herbert. 
ow  that  lady,"  said  Herbert,  across  the  table, 
toast  had  been  honoured. 
fon?"  said  Dmnimle. 
BO  do  I,"  I  added,  with  a  scarlet  face, 
yon?"  said  Drummle.     "O'l,  Lord!" 
Lsras  the  only  retort  —  except  glass  or  crocker^ 
'  3  heavy  creature  was  capable  of  making;  but 
aa  highly  incensed  by  it  as  if  it  had  been 
ith  wit,  and  I  immediately  rose  in  my  place 
that  I  could  not  but  regard  it  as  being  like 
Qrable  Pinch's  impudence  to    come   down  to 
—  we  always  talked   about   coming  down 
I,  as  a  neat  Parliamentary  turn  of  expres- 
Kwn  to  that  Grove,  proposing  a  lady  of  whom 
nothing.     Mr.  Drummle  upon  this,   starting 
nded  what  I  meant  by  that?    Whereupon,  I 
the  eitremo  reply  that  I  believed  he  knew 
IS  to  be  found. 
her  it  was  possible  in  a  Christian  country  to 
ithout  blood,  after  this,  was   a  question  on 
i  Finches  were  divided.     The  dftbaXe.  u-^d^  '■*. 
velx  indeed,  that  at  least  si-x  rnQtcVouoOT^^* 
lid  BJx  more,  during  the  diecumcs 


believed  they  knew  where  they  were  to  be  fouad. 
ever,  it  was  decided  at  last  (the  Grave  being'  i 
of  Honour)  that  if  Mr.  Dnimmlo  would  bring  m 
slight  a  certificate  frum  the  lady,  importing  thi 
had  the  hoaonr  of  her  acquftintance,  Mr.  Pip 
press  hia  reg;ret,  aa  a,  ^eutleman  and  a  Finch 
"having  been  betrayed  into  a  warmth  which." 
day  was  appointed  for  the  production  (lest  our  hi 
should  take  cold  Ji-om  delay),  and  next  day  Cms 
appeared  with  a.  polite  little  avowal  in  Estelhi'i 
that  she  had  had  the  honour  of  dancing  vitll 
several  times.  This  left  me  no  course  bat  to  r 
that  I  had  been  ''betrayed  into  a  warmth  which, 
on  the  whole  to  repudiate,  as  untenable,  the  idea 
I  was  to  be  found  anywhere.  Drummle  and  I  the 
snorting  at  one  another  for  an  hour,  while  the  C 
engaged  in  indiscriminate  contradiction,  and  finally 
pramotion  of  good  feeling  was  declared  to  h&re 
ahead  at  an  amazing  rate. 

I  tell  this  lightly,  but  it  was  no  light  thing  to 
For,  I  cannot  adequately  express  what  pain  it  gav 
to  think  that  Estella  should  show  any  favour  to  a 
temptible,  clumHy,  sulky  booby,  so  very  far  beh 
average.  To  the  present  moment,  I  believe  it  to 
been  referable  to  some  pure  fire  of  generosity  xoA 
intersBtedness  in  my  love  for  her,  that  I  eonid 
dure  the  thought  of  her  stooping  to  that  hound. 
doubt  I  should  have  been  miserable  whomsoever 
had  favoured;  but  a  worthier  object  woidd  have  o 
me  a  different  kind  and  degree  of  distress. 

It  was  P,aay  for  me  to  find  out,  and  I  did  aooi 
oat,   that  Uniminle  had  begaa  W  'sifift-^  Vkt  eh 
I  allowed  him  to        ' 


W  Mas  always  in  purauit  irf'  her,  auil  hp  and  I  crossed 
mm  iinotlier  every  day.  He  lidd  on,  in  a  duJl  persistent 
"ny,  and  Estella  held  him  on;  nnw  with  eneourage- 
ment,  now  with  disconragement,  now  alraost  flattering 
liim.  now  openly  despising  him,  now  knowing  him  very 
"'i?I],  now  scarcely  remembering  who  he  was. 

The  Spider,  as  Mr.  Jaggers  had  culled  hlni,  ■wnn 
ii^td  to  lying  in  wait,  however,  and  Lad  the  patience 
tf  liifi  tribe.  Added  to  that,  he  had  a  bleekhead  con- 
Mence  in  his  money  and  in  his  family  greatness,  which 
wmetimea  did  him  good  service  —  almost  taking  the 
[ilace  of  eoncontration  and  determined  purpose.  So, 
the  Spider,  doggedly  watching  Estella,  outwatched 
Msiiy  brigjiter  insects,  and  would  often  uncoil  himself 
und  drop  at  the  right  nick  of  time. 

At  a   certain  Asaemhly  Ball    at  Richmond   (there 
used  to  be  Assembly  Balls  at  most  places  then),  where 
Kstella  had  outshone  all  other  beauties,  this  blundering 
liruinnile  so  bung  about  her,  and  with  so  much  tolera- 
liim  on  her  part,  that.I  resolved  to  apeak  to  her  con- 
I'cming  iiim,     I  took  the  next  opportimityr  which  was 
"lien  she  was  waiting  for  Mrs.  Brandley  to  take  her 
liome,  and  was  sitting  apart  among  some  flowers,  ready 
to  go.    I  was  with  her,  for  I  almost  always  accompanied 
diem  to  and  from  such  places, 
e  you  tired,  Estella?" 
lather,  Pip." 
■ou  should  be." 

My  rather,  I  should  not  be;  for  I  have  my  letter 
pSonse  to  write,  before  I  go  to  alefc^," 

mtiag-  to-nigbt'a  triumpb?"  sa\4\.    '■'"'ft^vt^i 


■  90  OREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

"Wli.it  do  you  mean?  I  didn't  know  there  ' 
been  any." 

"Estella,"  said  I,    "do  look  at  that  fellow  in 
comer  yonder,  who  is  looking  over  liere  at  ns." 
I  "Why   Bhould  I   look  at  him?"  returned  Esb 

with  ber  eyes  on  me  instead.     "What  is 
fellow  in  the  comer  yonder  —  to  use  your  words 
that  I  need  look  at?" 

"Indeed,  that  is  the  very  question  I  want  to 

you,"  said  I.     "For  he  has  been  hovering  about 

'    all  night." 

"Moths,    and  all  sorts  of  ugly  creatures," 
Estella,   with  a  glance  towards  him,    "hover  aboi 
lighted  candle.     Can  the  candle  help  it?" 

"No,"  I  returned;  "but  cannot  the  Estella  help 

"Weill"  said  she,  laughing,  after  a  moment,  '' 
haps.     Yes.     AnyUiing  you  like. 

"But,   Estella,    do  hear  me  speak.     It  makes 
wretched  that  you  should  encourage  a  man  s 
despised  as  Drummle.     Tou  know  he  is  despised."' 

"Well?"  said  she. 

"You  know  he  is  as  ungainly  within,  as  witl 
A  deficient,  ill-tempered,  lowering,  stupid  fellow." 

"Well?"  said  she, 

"Ton  know  be  has  nothing  to  recommend  him 
money,  and  a  ridiculous  roll  of  addle-headed  prede 
Bors;  now,  don't  you?" 

"Well?"  said  she  again;  and  each  time  a 
she  opened  her  lovely  eyes  the  wider. 

To  overcome  the  difficulty  of  getting  past  that 

nosyllable,  I  took  it  from  her,  and  said,  repeatii 

^itb  emphasis,  "WeQ'.  Ikeii,  I.Vb.'i.  \ft -^Vg  is,  w 


HpNo 


onfiJiT  BXPUCVAtrnm:  9t 


'Now,  if  I  could  have  believed  that  she  favoured 
with  any  idea  of  making  me  —  me  — 
I'l'tched,  I  should  have  boen  in  better  heart  aboat  it; 
if  in  that  habitual  way  of  hers,  she  put  me  so  en- 
ifcly  out  of  the  question,  that  I  could  believe  nothing 
"■■    kind. 

'Pip,"  said  Estella,   casting  her  glance  over  the 
foolish   about  its   effect  on  you.     It 
its  effect  on  others,  and  may  be  meant  to 
liace.     It's  not  worth  discussing." 

"Yes  it  is,"    said  I,    "because  I  cannot  bear  that 
should  say,    'she  throws  away  her  graces   and 
on  a  mere  boor,  the  lowest  in  the  crowd.'" 
hear  it,"  said  Estella. 
'Obi  don't  be  so  proud  Estella,  and  so  inflexible." 
"Calls   mo  proud   and   inflexible  in  this    hreathl" 
lid  Estella,  opening  ber  hands.    "And  in  his  last  breath 
rqiroaehed  me  for  stooping  to  a  hoorl" 

"There  is  no  doubt  you  do,"  Baid  I,  something 
iiiiriedly,  "for  I  have  seen  you  give  him  looks  and 
'iniles  this  very  night,  such  as  you  never  give  to  — 

"Do  you  want  me  then,"  said  Estella,  turning  sud- 
il'iily  with  a  fixed  and  serious,  if  not  angry,  look,  "to 
Jweive  and  entpap  you?" 

"Do  you  deceive  and  entrap  him,  Estella?" 
I         "Tes,   and   many  others  —  all   of  them   but  you. 
I  Here  is  Mrs.  Brandley.     I'll  say  no  more." 

And  now  that  I  have  given  the  one  chapter  to  the 
"iir.me  that   so  filled  ray  heart,    and  so  often  maAe  \\ 
-■  and  ache  ttgaja,    1  pass  on,    unhmdeirei,  ^.o  'Ow 
ided  over  me  longer  yet-, 


F 

■  tha 


OHBAT  gTWWM'HWWft 


that  had  begun  to  lie  prepared  for,  before  I  knew  Qii 
the  world  held  Eatella,  and  in  the  days  when  her  tub 
intelligence  was  reciBiTing'  ita  fii'9t  dlsturtiona  &om  10 
Huvisham'a  wnsting  hands. 

In  the  Easteni  Ktory,  the  heavy  filab  that  waa 
fall  on  the  bed  of  state  in  the  flush  of  conquest  H 
elowly  wrought  out  of  the  quarry,  the  tunnel  fw  ti 
rope  to  hold  it  in  its  place  was  slowly  carried  throt 
the  leagues  of  rock,  the  slab  waa  slowly  raised  i 
fitted  in  the  roof,  the  rope  waa  rove  to  it  and  sloi  . 
taken  through  the  miles  of  hollow  to  the  great 'iri 
ring.  All  heiug  made  ready  with  much  lahour,  a 
the  hour  come,  the  aultan  wae  aroused  in  the  dead 
the  night,  and  the  sharpened  axe  that  waa  to  sever  ^ 
rope  from  the  great  ii-on  ring  was  put  into  his  ha: 
and  he  struck  with  it,  and  the  rope  parted  and  ragi 
sway,  and  the  ceiling  fell.  So,  in  my  ease;  all  ' 
work,  near  and  afar,  that  tended  to  the  end,  had  bi 
sompliahed;  and  in  an  inatant  tlie  blow  was  stmt 
ftud  the  roof  of  my  Btrongliold  dropped  upon  me. 


CHAPTEE  X. 

I  WAS  three-and-twenty  years  of  age.     Not  anoti 

word  had  I  heard  to  enlighten  mo  on  the  subject  of  n 

apectationa,  and  my  twenty-third  birthday  waa  a  wM 

Ugone.     We  had  left  Bamard'a  Inn  more  than  a 

ed  in  the  Temple.     Our  chambers  were  in 

teiieourt,  down  by  the  river. 

Mr.  Pocket  and  I  had  for  some  time  parted 
MBf  as  to  our  original  rc\at\oiM,  feow^-^a  vMti 
'  best  terms,     ■Notwitb.ftVaQ.Kmg  -otj  vn)^'^^ 


to  anything  —  which  I  hope  arose  out  of  the 
and  incomplete  tenure  on  which  I  held  mj 
VHiM  —  I  hud  a  taste  for  reading,  and  read  regulariy 
U  many  hours  a  day.  That  matter  of  Hcrhort'B  was 
Btill  progressing,  nnd  ererything  with  me  waa  as  I  have 
Wu^ht  it  down  to  the  close  of  the  last  chapter. 

Business  had  taken  Herbert  on  a  journey  to  Mar* 
•aiUes,  I  was  alone,  and  had  a  dull  sense  of  being 
lione.  Dispirited  and  anxious,  long  hoping  that  to- 
aorrow  or  next  week  would  clear  my  way.  and  long 
diuppointed,  I  sadly  miused  the  cheerful  face  and 
[fady  response  of  my  triend. 

It  was  wretched  weather;  stormy  and  wet,  stormy 
ii'l  wet;  and  mud,  mud,  mud,  deep  in  all  the  streets. 
Hiiy  after  day,  u  vast  heavy  veil  had  been  driving 
'  ii-r  London  Irom  the  East,  iind  it  drove  still,  as  if  in 
ii'  East  there  were  an  Ktemity  of  cloud  Mid  wind. 
""I  fiirious  had  been  the  gusts,  that  high  buildings  in 
fijwii  had  bad  the  lead  stripped  off  their  roofs;  and  in 
the  country,  trees  had  been  torn  up,  and  sails  of  wind- 
nulls  cnrried  away;  and  gloomy  accounts  had  come  in 
from  the  coast,  of  shipwreck  and  death.  Violent  blasts 
il'  r.dn  had  accompanied  these  rages  of  wind,  and  the 
'  i\~  just  closed  as  I  sat  down  to  read  had  been  tha 
■■-mt  of  all. 

Alterations  have  been  made  in  that  part  of  the 
^mple  since  that  time,  and  it  has  not  now  no  lonoly 
t^Kracter  as  it  had  then,  nor  is  it  so  exposed  to  the 
river.  We  lived  at  the  top  of  the  last  hoose,  and  the 
nind  rushing  up  the  river  shook  the  house  that  night, 
1,1'  discharges  of  cannon,  or  breaking  ai  a  aes.,  "^V«o 
III'  rain  eanie  with  it  and  dashed  against  t\ie  ■wVfiiwwS' 
/  tig^t,  igmas  my  eyes  to  thorn  ks  t\t.ey 


that  I  migiit  have  fancied  mysell  in  a  storm-bi 
lighthouse.  Occasionally,  the  smoke  came  rolling  < 
the  chimney  aa  though  it  could  not  bear  to  go  out 
such  a  night;  and  when  I  set  the  doors  open  and  lo 
down  the  staircase,  the  staircase  lamps  were  blown 
and  when  I  shaded  my  face  with  my  hands  and  lo 
through  the  black  windows  (opening  thejn  ever  so  1 
was  out  of  the  question  in  the  teeth  of  such  wind 
rain)  I  saw  that  the  lamps  in  the  court  were  blown 
and  that  the  lamps  on  the  bridges  and  the  sbore 
shuddering,  and  that  the  coal  fires  in  barges  oi 
river  were  being  carried  away  before  the  wind  like 
hot  splashes  in  the  rain. 

I  read  with  my  watch  upon  the  table,  pnrpOEdi 
close  my  hook  at  eleven  o'clock.  As  I  shut  it,  J 
Paul's,  and  all  the  many  church-clocks  in  the  Cit 
some  leading,  some  accompanying,  some  followin 
struck  that  hourl  The  sound  was  curionsly  flawe 
the  wind;  and  I  was  listening,  and  thinking  how 
wind  assailed  it  and  tore  it,  when  I  heard  a  fo 
on  the  stair. 

What  nervous  folly  made  me  start,  and  ai 
connect  it  with  the  footstep  of  my  dead  sister,  m 
not.  It  was  past  in  a  moment,  and  I  listened  a 
and  heard  the  footstep  stumble  in  coming 
bering  then  that  the  staircase-lights  were  blown  oi 
took  up  my  reading-lamp  and  went  out  to  the 
head.  Whoever  was  below  had  stopped  on 
lamp,  for  all  was  quiet. 

"There  is  some  one  down  there,  is  there  not 
called  out,  looking  down, 

"Tea,"  said  a  voice  Sium.  \\ve  iMVnesa  ^Moeatib 
t  floor  do  you  -wi 


"The  top.     Mr.  Pip." 

"That  IB  my  name.  —  There  is  nothing  the  matter?" 
"Nothing  the  matter,"  returned   the   voice.     And 
le  man  came  on. 

I  stood  with  my  lamp  held  out  over  the  stairrail, 
ad  he  slowly  came  within  its  lig-fat.  It  was  a  shaded 
timp,  to  shine  upon  a  book,  and  its  circle  of  light  was 
"eiy  contracted;  so  that  he  was  in  it  for  a  mero  in- 
it&Bt,  and  then  out  of  it.  In  the  instant,  I  had  seen 
k  face  that  was  strange  to  me,  looking  up  witli  an  in- 
eomprebengilile  aii  of  being  touched  and  pleased  by 
the  sight  of  me. 

Moving  the  lamp  as  the  man  moved,  I  made  out 
that  he  was  substantially  dressed,  but  roughly:  like  a 
Yiiyager   by  sea.     That  he  had  long  iron  grey  hair. 
Tliat  his  age  was  about  sixty.     That  he  was  a  mus- 
ciiliir  man,  strong  on  his  legs,  and  that  he  was  browned 
Had  hardened  by  exposure  to  weather.    As  he  ascended 
It  stair  or  two,  and  the  light  of  my  lamp  included 
*  ,  I  saw,  with  a  stupid  kind  of  amazement,  that 
holding  out  both  his  hands  to  me. 
'ay  what  is  your  business?"  I  asked  him. 
y  business?"  he  repeated,  pausing.     "Ah!   Yes. 
explain  my  business,  by  your  leave." 
you  wish  to  come  in?" 
,"  he  replied;  "I  wish  to  come  in,  Master," 
I  bad  asked  him  the  question  inhospitably  enough, 
for  I  resented  the  sort  of  bright  and  gratified  recogni- 
tion that  still  shone  in  his  face.     I  resented  it,  because 
it  seemed  to  imply  that  he  expected  mo  to  respond  to 
it     But  I  took  him  into  the  room  I  bad  just  Uit,  swvi, 
having'  *fi*  ^''^  iajn^j  on  tha  table,  asked  \\im  aa  ciV-Ni-T  j 
w^^Qoid,  to  espJma  itimself.  ^^■■1 


^^■'96  OBSA.T  BXP»OTATIOinU 

^H  He  Inokei-l  about  him  with  the  strangQet  air 

^^K  air  of  wondering  pleasure,  an  if  he  had  some 
^^H'tiiB  things  be  admired  ~ —  and  he  pulled  off  i 
^^V  outer  coat,    and  liis  hat.     Then  I   mw  that  his  h 
^^B  WBB  furrowed  and   hald,    and  that  the  long  iron  f 
^^H  hair  grew  only  on  its  sides.     But  I  saw  nothmg 
^^H  in  the  least  explained  him.     On  tho  contraiy,   I 
^^B  him  next  moment,  once  more  holding  out  both  his  hi 
^V  to  me. 

^V         "What  do  you  mean?"  said  I,  half  suspecting  1 
^H    to  be  mad. 

^r  He  stopped  in  his  looking  at  me,  and  slowly  mbl 

his  right  hand  over  his  head.  "It's  disapinting  t 
man,"  he  said,  in  a  coarse  broken  voice,  "arter  ha* 
looked  for'ard  so  distant  and  come  so  fur;  but  yo\ 
not  to  blame  for  that  —  neither  on  as  is  to  blame 
that,  ril  speak  in  half  a  minute.  Give  me  hal 
minute,  please." 

He  sat  down  in  a  chair  that  stood  before  the  J 

I     and  covered  his  forehead  with  his  large  brown  t 
hands.     I  looked  at  him  attentively  then,  and  r 
a  little  from  him;  but  I  did  not  know  him, 
"There's  no  one  nigh,"  said  he,  looking  over 
shoulder;  "is  there?" 
"Why  do  you,  a  stranger  coming  into  my  rooma 
this  time  of  the  night,  ask  that  question?"  said  I. 
"You're  a  game  one,"  he  returned,  shaking  hie  h« 
at  me  with  a  deliberate  affection,  at  once  most  nn' 
ligible  and  most  exasperating;  "I'm  glad  yon'va  gi 
up,  a  game  onel     But  don't  catch  hold  of  me.     1 
bo  sorry  afterwards  to  have  done  it." 

I  relinquished  the  intention  Vft  \vwS.  ie*jwited, 
kaew  Mm!     Even  yet,  1  coisii  ■swiVxeaA^" 


97 

torp,  but  I  tnew  him!  If  the  "wind  and  the  rain  hud 
driven  away  the  intervening  years,  had  scattered  all 
the  intervening  objects,  had  swept  na  to  the  chnrdi- 
yard  where  we  first  stood  face  to  face  nn  such  different 
levels,  I  could  not  have  known  my  convict  more  dis- 
tinctly than  I  knew  him  now,  as  he  sut  in  the  choir 
brfore  the  fire.  No  need  tn  take  a  file  from  his  pocket 
Bod  show  it  to  mo;  uo  nocd  to  take  the  handkerchief 
from  his  neck  and  twist  it  round  bin  head;  no  need  to 
lio^  himself  with  both  his  arms,  and  take  a  shivering; 
torn  across  the  room,  looking  back  at  me  for  recogni- 
tion. I  knew  him  before  hi)  gave  me  one  of  those  aids, 
lliongh,  a  moment  before,  I  had  not  been  conscious  of 
remotely  suspecting  his  identity. 

He  came  back  to  where  I  stood,  and  again  held  out 
both  his  hands.  Not  knowing  what  to  do  —  for,  in 
my  astonishment  I  had  lost  my  self-posaession  —  I  re- 
liictBntly  gave  him  my  hands.  He  grasped  them  heart- 
ily, raised  them  to  hia  lips,  kissed  them,  and  still  held 
them. 

"Yon  acted  noble,  my  hoy,"  said  ho.  "Noble, 
Pip!     And  I  have  never  forgot  it!" 

At  a  change  in  his  matuier  aa  if  he  were  even  going 
to  embrace  me,  I  laid  a  hand  upon  his  breast  and  put 
him  away. 

"Stay!"  said  I.  "Keep  offi  If  you  are  grateful 
to  me  for  what  I  did  when  I  was  a  little  child,  I  hope 
JOM  have  shown  your  gratitude  by  mending  your  way 
of  life.  If  you  have  come  here  to  thank  me,  it  waa 
not  necessary.  Still,  however  you  have  found  me  out, 
there  must  be  something  good  in  the  f ctlia^  V\va.\.  Vb,* 
brougbt  jou  Aero,  and  I  will  not  YC^xAaa  -^&w.,'Vi'^'^ 
'I  mast  understand  that  —  \ ■" 


tWr  r^ti  . 


I 


)  eitEAV  mt.'FBfyr&vmmt. 

My  attention  was  so  attracted  by  tlie  singularity 
hiB  fixed  look  at  me,  tliat  the  words  died  away  on  1 
tongue. 

"You  was  a  saying,"  lie  observed,    when 
confronted  one  another  in  silence,  "that  surely  I  n 
nnderatand.     Wtat,  surely  must  I  understand?" 

"That  I  cannot  wish  to  renew  that  chance  i 
course  with  you  of  long  ago,  under  tlieae  dift'erent  ■ 
cumatancea.  I  am  glad  to  believe  you  have  repen 
and  recovered  yourself.  I  am  glad  to  tell  you  bo. 
am  glad  that,  thinking  I  deserve  to  ho  thanked, 
have  come  to  thank  me.  But  our  ways  are  diffe 
ways,  none  the  leas.  You  are  wet,  and  you  look  wH 
WUl  you  drink  something  before  you  go?" 

"tad  replaced  his  neckerchief  loosely,  and  1 
stood,  keenly  observant  of  me,  biting  a  long  end 
"I  think,"  he  answered,  still  with  the  end  at  his  i 
and  atill  observant  of  me,  "that  I  will  di'ink  (I  thl 

»you)  afore  I  go." 
There  was  a  tray  ready  on  a  aide-table.    I  brom 
it  to  the  table  near  the  lire,    and  asked  him  what' 
woidd  have?    He  touched  one  of  the  bottles  witfa 
I  looking  at  it  or  speaking,  and  I  made  him  aome  ' 

rum-and-water.  I  tried  to  keep  my  hand  steady  t 
I  did  30,  hut  his  look  at  me  .is  he.  leaned  back  in 
_,  chair  with  the  long  draggled  end  of  his  neckerchief 
^U  tween  his  teeth  —  evidently  forgotten  —  m 
^1  hand  very  difficult  to  master.  When  at  last  I  put  I 
^B  glass  to  bim,  I  saw  with  new  amazement  that  his  « 
^B  were  full  of  tears. 
^^  Up  to  this  time  I  had  remained  standing,  not 

^H  disguise  thai  I  wislied  liim  gwae.    ^mV  \  ■w«a  Wi& 
^fer  the  Boftened  aspect  ot  ^\ie  moQ,  waft. 'i'^a.  *J| 


I  SUSAT  &TPBCITATIONS.  99 

ii(iroacIi.  "I  hope."  said  I,  humodly  putting  somc- 
'liing  inlo  n  glass  for  myself,  and  drawing  a  chair  to 
'a'  whip,  "tliat  you  will  not  think  I  spoke  harshly  to 
■ju  just  now.  I  had  no  intention  of  doing'  it,  and  I 
I  am  SDiry  for  it  if  I  did.  I  wish  you  well,  and 
liappy!" 

As  I  put  my  glass  to  my  lips,  he  glanced  with  hut- 
prise  lit  the  end  of  hia  neckerchief,  dropping  from  his 
mouth  wfacu  he  opened  it,  anil  Btretuhed  out  his  hand. 
I  gave  him  mine,  and  then  he  drank,  and  drew  his 
sleeve  acriiss  his  eyes  and  forehead. 
"How  are  you  living?"  I  asked  him. 
"I've  Iieen  a  sheep-farmer,  Ktock-hroeder,  other 
trades  besides,  away  in  the  new  world,"  said  he; 
"many  a.  thousand  miles  of  stormy  water  off  from 
this." 

"I  hope  you  have  done  well?" 
"fve   done  wonderful  well.     There's  others  went 
oat  alongex  me  as  has  done  well  too,   hut  no  man  has 
done  nigh  as  well  as  rae.     I'm  famous  for  it." 
"I  am  glad  to  hear  it." 
"I  liope  to  hoar  you  say  so,  my  dear  boy," 
"Without  stopping  to  try  to  understand  those  words 
or  the  tone  in  which  they  wei-e  spoken,  I  turned  off  to 
■  point  that  had  just  come  into  my  mind. 

"Have  you  ever  seen   a  messenger  yon  once  sent 
to  me,"  I  inqoired,  "since  he  undertook  that  trust?" 

"Never    set    eyes    upon    Lim.     I    wam't    likely 
w  it." 

''He  came  faithfully,    and  ho  brought  me  the  two 
I. -pound  notes.  I  was  a  poor  boy  tlien,  as  -jonVwiw, 
J   fo  a  poor  boy  they  were  a  little,  iortw.\w.    "^nA- 
^^00,  I  have  done  well  since,  and  jou  iw     *   ' 


r^pay  them  back.    You  can  put  them  to  some  other  po> 
boy's  use."     I  took  out  my  purse. 

He  watched  me  as  I  laid  my  purse  upon  the  tab 
and  opened  it,  and  ho  watched  me  as  I  separated  t 
e-pound  notes  from  its  contents.     They  were  clef 
L^d  new,  and  I  spread  them  out  and  handed  them  oti 
)  him.    Still  watching  me,  he  laid  them  one  upon  i 
'other,    folded  them  long-wise,   gave  them  a  twist, 
3  to  them  at  the  lamp,    and  dropped  the  ashes  i 
^  the  tray.  ^^ 

"May  I  make  so  hold,"  he  said  then,  with  a  ami 
^:&at  was   like  a  frown,    and  with   a  frown   that   ' 

a  smile,    "as  ask  yon  how  yon  have  done  'well, 
I  yon  and  me  was  oat  on  them  lone  shiverinl; 
rshea?" 
"How?" 
"Ah!" 

He  emptied  his  glass,  got  up,  and  stood  at  the  sid 
of  the  fire,  with  his  heavy  brown  hand  on  the  mante 
shelf.  He  put  a  foot  up  to  the  bars,  to  dry  and  war 
it,  and  the  wet  boot  began  to  steam ;  but  he  neitl 
looked  at  it,  nor  at  the  fire,  but  steadily  looked  at  n 
It  was  only  now  that  I  began  to  tremble. 

When  my  lips  had  parted  and  had  shaped  sod 
words  that  were  without  sound,  I  forced  myself  to  t ' 
him  (though  I  could  not  do  it  distinctly),  that  I  hi 
been  chosen  to  succeed  to  some  property. 

"Might    a   mere    wannint    ask   what   propflrtyt 

I  faltered,  "I  don't  know." 

"Might    a    mere    wannint    ask    whose  property? 
said  be. 
m      I  faltered  again,  "1  don't  V-aOTit'  . 


101 

''Could  I  moke  a  guess,  I  wonder,''  said  Llic  Con- 
vicf,  "at  your  income  sinco  you  come  of  agel  As  to 
the  first  figure  now.     Five?" 

With  my  faeart  beating  liie  a  heavy  hammer  of 
foordered  action,  I  rose  out  of  my  chair,  and  stood 
with  iny  hand  upon  the  back  of  it,  looking  wildly  at 
tiin. 

"Concerning  a  guardian,"  he  went  on.  "There 
ought  to  have  been  some  gnardian,  or  such-like,  while 
you  was  a  minor.  Some  lawyer,  maybe.  As  to  the 
Gnt  letter  of  that  lawyer's  name  now.  Would  it 
leJ?" 

All  the  truth  of  my  position  came  flashiag  on  me; 
and  its  disappointments,  dangers,  disgraces,  conse- 
■juences  of  all  kinds,  rushed  iu  in  such  a  multitude 
that  I  ^was  borne  down  by  them  and  had  to  struggle 
for  every  breath  I  drew. 

"Put  it,"  he  resumed,  "as  the  employer  of  that 
lawyer  whose  name  begun  with  a  J,  and  might  be 
Jaggers  -^  put  it  as  he  had  come  over  sea  to  Ports- 
montb,  and  had  lauded  there,  and  had  wanted  to  come 
DD  lo  you.  'However,  you  have  found  me  out,'  you 
says  just  now.  Well!  However  did  I  find  you  out? 
Why,  I  wrote  from  Portsmouth  to  ti  person  in  London, 
for  particulars  of  your  address.  That  person's  name? 
Why,  Wemmiek." 

I  could  not  have  spoken  one  word,  though  it  had 
reen  to  save  my  life.  I  stood,  with  a  hand  on  the 
ihair-back  and  a  hand  on  my  breast,  where  I  seemed 
a  be  suffocating  - —  I  stood  so,  looking  wildly  at  him, 
mtil  I  grasped  at  the  chair,   when  the  toom  Vit^on  \a 

»  nod  tarn.     He  caught  me,   drew  m.«  to  'iJafe  aola., 
pi^  cushions,  and  bent,  on.  ona" 


before    mei    bringing    tbe    face    tbat    I   now   well 
membered,    and  that  I   shuddered    at,    vexy    neai 
^.juine. 

j  "Yes,   Pip,    dear  boy,   I've  made  a  gentleman 

/      you!  It's  me  wot  baa  done  it!    I  swore  tbat  time,  i 

as  over  I  earned  a  guinea,   tbat  guinea  sbuuld  go 

you.    I  swore  arterwarda,  sure  as  ever  I  spec'lated  a 

1       got  rich,  you  should  get  rich.     I  lived  rough,  that  J 

should  live  smooth;  I  worked  bard,  tbat  you  should 

above  work.     What  odds,  dear  boy?     Do  I  tell  it, 

you  to  feei  a  obligation?  Not  a  bit.     1  tell  it,  fur  j 

Ji     to   know  as  that  there  hunted  dunghill   dog  wot  y 

^L  kep  life  in,  got  bis  bead  so  high  tbat  be  could  makf 

■  gentleman  —  and,  Pip,  youVe  him!" 

f~      The  abhoiTence  in  which  I  held  tbe  man,  the  d 

I  had  of  him,   the  repugnance  with  which  I  shrS 

from  him,   could  not  have   been  exceeded  i'  '-- 

been  some  terrible  beast. 

"Look'ee  bore,  Pip.  Pm  yQur.secqndJatiier^  Ton 
my  Bon  —  more  to  me  nor  any  sou.  Pva  put  i 
money ,  only  for  jrm  to  spend.  When  I  was  a  h 
out  shepherd  in  a  solitary  but,  not  seeing  no  faces  1 
faces  of  sheep  till  I  half  forgot  wot  men's  and  n 
faces  wos  like,  I  see  youm.  I  drops  my  knife  ma 
a  time  in  that  hut  v?hcn  I  was  a  eating  my  dinner 
my  supper,  and  I  says,  'Here's  the  hoy  again,  a  lo< 
ing  at  me  whiles  I  eats  and  drinkal'  I  see  you  the 
a  many  times,  as  plain  as  ever  I  see  you  on  tJ 
misty  marshes.  'Lord  strike  me  deadi'  I  says  e 
time  —  and  I  goes  out  in  the  air  to  say  it  under ; 
open  heavens- — 'but  wot,  if  I  gets  liberty  and  moi 
I'Jl  make  that  boy  a  gentVemanV  iiiii\  iavift  it.  Wj 
^Jook  at  you,  dear  boyl    l.oo^  a-^  tVaaaVettt  V  ■ 


t  for  a  lord!     A  lord?     Ah!     You  slisll  show 
i  lords  for  wagers,  «ad  beat   cm!" 

s  heat  nnd  triumph,  niid  in  liis  kuuvrluilgo  that 
1  been  nearly  fitiutiii^,    he  did  not   rcnrnrk 
iwption  of  all  this.  It  wns  tho  ouo  grmn  of  relief 

"Look'M  herel"  he  went  on,  tiiking  ray  watch  out 
\  a!  my  pouket,  and  turning'  towards  him  n  ring  on  mj 
linjer,  while  I  reeoiled  from  his  touch  as  if  he  lini 
"  i-ii  a  snake,  "a  gold  'un  and  a  heauty;  t/int'g  a  gen- 
I'man's,  T  hope!  A  diamond,  ail  sot  round  with  rubion: 
'■'('.«  a  gentleman's,  I  hope!  Look  at  your  linun;  fiuo 
•diA  beautiful!  Look  at  your  clotlies;  better  ain't  to  be 
.ii!  And  your  books  too,"  turning  his  oyos  round,  the 
__n>om,  "mounting  up,  on  their  shelves,  by  hundreds! 
t  yoB  read  'em;    don't  you?    1   boo  you'd  boon 

"  ■  1  when  I  come  in.  Ha,  lia,  hal  You  dhall 
I 'em  to  me,  deiur  boy!  And  if  they're  in  foreign 
i  wot  I  don't  unilerstaud,  1  ahull  bo  jiist  as 
s  if  r  did." 
I-Again  he  look  both  my  hands  and  put  (hem  to  hlit 
,  while  my  blood  ran  cold  within  me. 
"Don't  you  mind  talking,  Pip,"  said  he,  after  again 
drawing  his  sleeve  over  his  eyes  and  forcheail,  as  tlio 
in  his  throat  which  I  well  remeniliorcd  — 
nil  J  he  was  all  the  more  horrible  to  me  that  ho  wa*  su 
"K'h  in  earnest;  "you  can't  do  better  nor  keep  quiet, 
iivir  boy.  You  ain't  looked  slowly  forward  to  this  (w 
i  have;  you  wosn't  prepared  for  this,  as  I  won. 
didn't  you  never  think  it  might  be  mei"' 

"O  no,  no,  no, "  I  returned.     "Never,  neietV 
i,U  KOI  IDA,     and  Hin^'!^ 


^^^Neiver  a  soul   in  it  but   my  own  self  and  Mr.  Ji 
^B  gers." 

^H  "Was  there  no  one  else?"  I  asked. 

^H  "No,"   said  he,   with  a  glance  of  Burpriee;    "» 

^H    eke  ehouid  there  he?     And,  dear  boy,  bow  g^od-Ioi 
^M    ing  you  have  growed!  There's  bright  eyes  somevhoi 
^H    —  eh?     Isn't  there  bright  eyes  somewheres,   wot  j 
^H    love  the  thoughbi  on?" 
■  0  Estella,  Estella! 

^M  "They  shall  be  yonm,  dear  buy,  if  money  can  b 

^H  'em.  Not  that  a  gentleman  like  you,  so  well  set  up 
^H  you,  can't  win  'em  off  of  bis  own  game;  but 
^H  fihail  back  you!  Let  me  finish  wot  I  was  a  telling yo 
^H  dear  boy.  From  that  there  liut  and  that  there  biril 
^H  out,  I  got  money  left  me  by  my  master  (which  di 
^H  and  bad  been  the  same  as  me},  and  got  my  lifaq 
^M  and  went  for  myself.  In  every  single  thing  I  i 
^H  for,  I  went  for  you.  'Lord  strike  a  blight  upon  it^ 
^B  Hays,  wotever  it  was  I  went  for,  'if  it  ain't  for  bis 
It  all  prospered  wonderful.  Aa  I  giv'  you  to  and 
stand  just  now,  I'm  famous  for  it.  It  was  the  man 
left  me,  and  the  gains  of  the  first  few  year  wot  I  et 
^1  home  to  Mr.  Jaggers  —  all  for  you  —  when  he  £ 
^B  come  arter  you,  agreeable  to  my  letter." 
^H  0,  that  he  had  never  come!     That  he  had  left 

^^L  at  the  forge  —  far  from  contented,  yet,  by  compari« 
^■happy! 

^H|        "And  then,  dear  boy,  it  was  a  recompense  to  1) 

^Kr  look'ee  here,   to  know  in  secret  that  I  was  makinj 

I    gentleman.     The  blood  horses  of  them  colonists  m^ 

.    fiing  up  the  dust  over  mo  as  I  was  walking;  what  j 

/  eajr?  I  aays  to  myself,  Tm  maltvQ^  aSieJAsK  ^-entlen 

^  nor  ever  you'll  beT    ■When  oi^e  o^'eoi  ML-^ft\n  a»sS 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS.  105 

was  tt  coDvict,    a  few  year  ng'o,  and  is  a  ignorant 

ion  follow  aow,  for  all  ho's  iuuky,'  wLat  do  I  say? 

«ya  to  myself,  'If  I  aiu't  a  gentleman,  nor  yet  ain't 

■  no  learning,   I'm  the  owner  of  such.     All  on  you 

stock  and  land;  which  on  you  owns  a  Lrought-up 

on  ^nllemao?'   This  way  I  kep'  myself  a  going. 

ihia  way  I  held  oteady  afore  my  mind  that  I  woald 

certain  come  one  day  and  see  my  boy,   and  make 

lyself  known  to  him,    on  his  own  ground." 

He  laid  his  hand  on  my  shoulder.  I  shuddered  at 
!ri'  thought  that  for  anything  I  knew,  hia  hand  might 
11?  stained  with  blood. 

"It  wam't  easy,  Pip,  for  me  to  le-ave  them  parts, 
nnr  yet  it  warn't  safe.  But  I  held  to  it,  and  the  hard- 
n  it  was,  the  stronger  I  held,  for  I  was  determined, 
nr!  my  mind  firm  made  up.  At  last  I  done  it.  Dear 
■..y,  I  done  it!" 

I  tried  to  collect  my  thoughts,    but  I  was  stunned. 

throughout,  I  had  seemed  to  myself  to  attend  more  to 

ijrind  and  rain  than  to  him;  even  now,  I  could  not 

rate  Hs  voice  from  those  voices,  thoiigh  those  wi 

and  his  was  silent. 

"Where  will  you  put  me?"  he  asked,   presently. 

"I  must  be  put  somewherea,  dear  boy." 

To  sleep?"  said  I. 

Yes.  Aad  to  sleep  long  and  sound,"  he  an- 
"cred;  "for  I've  been  sea-tossed  and  sea-waahed, 
ii'iiiths  and  months." 

"My  friend    and  companion,"   said  I,   rising  from 
be  sofa,  "is  absent;  you  must  have  his  room." 
"He  won't  come  back  to-morrow;  will  he?" 
"No,"  said  I,    answering  almost  metVwQina&j ,  \!v 
ofmj-  atmoBt  efforts;  "not  to-moin:o"« ."        ^ 


I 
I 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

'Because  look'ee  here,  dear  boy,"  lie  said,  drapp 

voice,  and  laying  a  long-  fing-er  on  my  breast  ia 
impressive  manner,  "caution  is  necessary." 

"How  do  you  mean?    Caution?" 

"By  G  — ,  it's  Doathl" 
^       "Wtat'B  deatli?" 

"I  was  sent  for  life.  It^s  death  to  come  bl 
There's  been  overmuch  coming  back  of  late  yean,  i 
I  should  of  a.  certainty  be  hanged  if  took." 

Ifothing  was  needed  bat  this;  the  wretched  m 
after  loiiding  wretched  me  with  his  gold  and  all 
chains  for  years,  had  risked  his  life  to  come 
and  I  held  it  there  in  my  keeping!  If  I  had  loT 
him  instead  of  abhorring  him;  if  I  had  been  attrae 
to  Lim  by  the  strongest  admiration  and  affection, 
stead  of  shrinking  from  him  with  the  strongest  i 
pugnance;  it  could  have  been  no  worse.  On  the  c 
trary,  it  would  have  been  better,  for  his  preservat 
would  then  have  naturally  and  tenderly  addressed  j 

My  first  care  was  to  close  the  shutters,  so  that 
light  might  be  seen  from  without,  and  then  to  c\ 
and  make  fast  the  doors.  While  I  did  so,  he  atooci 
the  table  drinking  rum  and  eating  biscuit;  and  whoi 
saw  him  thus  engaged,  I  saw  my  convict 
marshes  at  his  meal  again.  It  almost  seemed 
me  as  if  he  must  stoop  down  presently,  to  file  &t 
leg. 

When  I  bad  gone  into  Herbert's  room,    uid  1 

shut  off  any  other  communication  between  it  and 

staircase  than  through  the  room  in  which  onr 

sation  bad  been  held,  1  aakel  Viia  \?  \\ft  woald  gtf 

bed?    Be   said   yea,  but  asVei  toi  ^w  wnu 


ORBAT  EXPECTATIONS,  107 

fteutleman's  lineu"  to  put  on  in  tlie  moruing.  I 
lipiaght  it  ont,  and  laid  it  ready  for  him,  and  my 
Hood  again  ran  cold  when  he  agnhi  took  me  by  both 
liands  to  give  me  good  night. 

I  got  away  from  him,  without  knowing  how  I  did 
it,  and  mended  the  fire  in  the  room  where  we  had 
lj''i-n  together,  and  sat  down  by  it,  afraid  to  go  to 
bed.  Fur  an  hour  or  more,  I  rumained  too  stunned  to 
tliiuk,  and  it  was  cot  until  1  began  to  think,  that  I 
began  fully  to  know  how  wredted  I  was,  and 
Bow  the  ship  in  wliich  I  had  sailed  was  gone  to 
pieces. 

I         Miss  Havisham's  intentions  towards  me,  all  a  mere 
dream;  Estellu  not  designed  for  me;  I  only  suffered  in 
^;itis  House  an  a  convenience,    a  sting  for  the  greedy 
'^I^Liions,    a  model  with  a  mechanical  heart  to  practise. 
I  when  no  other  practice  was  at  hand;  thoite  were  the 
: -I  smarts  I  had.     But,    sharpest  and  deepest  paiu  oT~^ 
dl  —  it  was  for  the   convict,   guilty  of  I  knew  not 
I   what  crimes  and  liable  to  be  taken  out  of  those  rooms 
I  Bhere  I  sat  thinking,    and  hanged  at  the  Old  Bailey 
duor,  that  I  had  deserted  Joe. 

I  would  not  have  gone  back  to  Joe  now,  I  would 
il  have  gone  hack  to  Biddy  now,  for  any  considera- 
i^n;  simply,  I  suppose,  because  my  sense  of  my  own 
■  oithless  conduct  to  them  was  greater  than  every  con- 
sideration. No  wisdom  on  earth  could  have  given  me 
tlie  comfort  that  I  should  have  derived  from  their  sim- 
plici^  and  fidelity;  but  I  could  never,  never,  never, 
undo  what  I  had  done. 

In  every  rage  of  wind  and  rush  of  rain,  I  heo.td. 
^axavers.      Twice,   I  could    have  sworn  ftiet*  'S^aa 
md  whiaperiag  at  the    outer   Iooil. 


108  SHUT  jf*FB0tMtfftm.  1 

these  feaTB  upon  me,  1  began  either  to  imagine  a 
cal  that  I  had  had  mTBterions  wamin^  of  thia  n 
approach.  That  for  weeks  gone  by,  I  had  passed  1 
in  the  streets  which  I  had  thought  like  his.  ' 
tliQse  likenesses  had  grown  more  numerous,  as  he,  i 
ing  over  the  sea,  had  drawn  nearer.  That  his  vn> 
spirit  had  somehow  sent  these  mesBengers  to  mine, 
that  now  on  this  stormy  niglit  he  was  as  good  ai 
word,  and  with  mo. 

Crowding  up  with  these  reflections  came  thi 
flection  that  I  had  seen  him  with  my  childish  ejt 
be  a  desperately  violent  man;  that  I  had  heard 
other  convict  reiterate  that  he  had  tried  to  mv 
him;  that  I  had  seen  him  down  In  the  ditch  tei 
and  fighting  like  a  wild  beast.  Out  of  such 
membrances  I  brought  into  the  light  of  the  fire,  a '. 
formed  teiTor  that  it  might  not  be  safe  to  be  ahu 
there  with  him  in  the  dead  of  tlie  wild  solitary  n 
This  dilated  until  it  filled  the  room,  and  impelled  a 
take  a  candle  and  go  in  and  look  at  my  dreadful  bui 

He  had  rolled  a  handkerchief  round  his  head, 
his  face  was  set  and  lowering  in  his  sleep.  Bn 
was  asleep,  and  qnietly  too,  though  he  had  a  { 
lying  on  the  pillow.  Assured  of  this,  I  softly  remi 
the  key  to  the  outaide  of  his  door,  and  turned  3 
him  before  I  again  sat  down  by  the  fire.  Grradus 
slipped  from  tho  chair  and  lay  on  the  floor.  Wl 
awoke,  without  having  parted  in  my  sleep  witb 
perception  of  my  wretchedness,  the  clocks  of  the  ] 
ward  ehui'clies  were  striking  five,  the  candlea 
wasted  out,  the  fire  was  dead,  and  the  wind  and 
intensiSed  the  thick  black  iattne.*.*. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

It  waa  fortuuate  fur  me,  tbat  I  had  to  take  pre- 

cantionB  to  ensure  (so  far  as  I  could)  the  aafety  of  my 

J    dreaded  visitor;  for,  this  thought  pressiug  on  me  vhen 

I    J  nwoke,   held  other  thoughts  in  a  confused  concourae 

;il  a  distance.  * 

The  impossibility  of  keeping  him  conecalod  in  the 
■li^imbera  waa  aelt-evident.  It  could  not  he  done,  and 
Ik:  attempt  to  do  it  would  inevitably  engender  auspj- 

■  ^iii.  True,  I  had  no  Avenger  in  my  service  now,  but 
I  was  looked  after  by  an  infiammatory  old  female, 
;-sisted  by  an  animated  rag-bag  whom  she  called  her 
lii'ce,   and  to  keep  a  room  secret  from  them  would  be 

■'■  invite  euriosity  and  exaggeration.     They  both  had 

■■  'ilk  eyes,  which  I  had  long  attributed  to  their  chroni- 
iilly  looking  in  at  keyholes,  and  they  were  always  at 

l.iuid  when  not  wanted;  indeed  that  was  their  only 
■liable  quality  besides  larceny.  Not  to  get  up  a 
ivstery  with  these  people,   I  resolved  to  announce  in 

liie    morning  that  my  uncle  had   unexpectedly   come 

Irom  the  country. 

This  course  I  decided  on  while  I  was  yet  groping 

about  in  the  darkness  for  the  means  of  getting  a  light. 

Kot  stumbling  on  the  means  after  all,  I  was  fain  to  go 

lilt  to  the  adjacent  Lodge  and  get  the  watchman  there 

■  1  come  with  hia  lantern.  Now,  in  groping  my  way 
iiiwq  the  hlack  staircaae  I  fell  over  something,   and 

tliat  something  was  a  man  crouching  in  a  corner. 

As  the  man  made  no  answer  when  I  a»k.9,<L  \i\-s& 
what  he  did  there,  bat  eladed  my  touc^i  to  siewsft, " 
jMt  to  the  Lodge  and   urged   the  -watctmaii  to  wn 


*10  ORBAT  BXPBCVAttOSB. 

qiiiiikly;  telling  him  of  the  incident  on  the  * 
I  '  lack.  The  wind  being  as  fierce  as  ever,  we  did 
care  to  endanger  the  light  in  the  lantern  by  rekindli 
the  extinguished  lamps  on  the  staircase,  bat 
examined  the  staireiine  from  the  bottom  to  the  top  a 
found  no  one  there.  It  then  occurred  to  me  as  posBil 
that  the  man  m^ht  have  slipped  into  my  rooniB; 
lighting  my  candle  at  the  watchman's,  and  leavi 
him  standing  at  the  door,  I  examined  them  care^il! 
inclnding  the  room  in  which  my  dreaded  guest  1 
asleep.     All  was   quiet,    and  assuredly  no  other  i 

»W8fl  in  those  chambers. 
It  troubled  me  that  there  should  have  been  a  luri 
on  the  staira,  on  that  night  of  all  nights  in  the  yoi 
and  I  asked  the  watchman,  on  the  chance  of  elikiti 
some  hopeful  esplanation  as  I  handed  him  a  dram 
the  door,  whether  he  had  admitted  at  hia  gate  s 
gentlemen  who  had  perceptibly  been  dining  out?    5 

I  he  said;  at  different  times  of  the  night,  three.  C 
lived  in  Fountain-court,  and  the  other  two  lived  in  ' 
Lane,  and  he  had  seen  them  all  go  home.  Again,  t 
only  other  man  who  dwelt  in  the  honae  of  which  g 
chambers  formed  a  part,  had  been  in  the  country  . 
some  weeks;  and  he  certainly  had  not  returned 
the  night,  because  we  bad  seen  his  door  with  his  B 
on  it  as  we  came  up-staira. 
"The  night  being  so  bad,  sij;,"  said  the  watchma 
u  he  gave  me  back  my  glass,  "uncommon  few  ha 
come  in  at  my  gate.  Besides  them  three  gentleni 
that  I  have  named,  I  don't  call  to  mind  onotl 
WDCe  about  eleven  o'clock,   when  a  stranger  oskeS  1 


"Mj  nnele,"  I  mottexed. 


OBEAT  EXTECTATIOKS.  Ill 

"Ten  saw  him,  sir?" 

"Yes.    Oil  yes." 

"Likewise  the  persna  with  him?" 

"Peratra  with  him!"   I  repeated. 

"I  judged  the  parson  tn  be  with  him,"  returned  the 
Tiitchman.     "The  person  stopped  when  he  stopped  to 
'I'tke  inquiry  of  mo,   and  the  person  took  this  way 
■ibi'n  he  look  this  way," 
I        "What  sort  of  person?" 

(The  watdimiiH  had  not  partieularly  noticed;  he 
tliuuld  say,  h  working  person;  to  the  best  of  his  belief, 
I  lj<-  had  a  dnst-coloured  kind  of  clothes  on,  under  a 
ink  coat.  The  wateJiman  made  more  light  of  the 
I  liter  than  I  did,  and  naturally;  not  having  my  rea- 
■"!!  for  attacfaing  weight  to  it. 

^Vlien  I  had  got  rid  of  liim,   which  I  thought  it 

'  !1  to  do  without  prolonging  explanations,   my  mind 

,-.  much  troubled  by  these  two  cncumatancos  taken 

I'ip'i'ther.   Whereas  they  were  easy  of  innocent  solution 

L  ajiart  —  as,    for  instance,   eome  diner-out  or  diner-at- 

I  home,   who   had  not  gone  near  this  watchman's  gate, 

f  might  have  strayed  to  my  staircsse  and  dropped  asleep 

i!ji  le  —  .lud  my  nameless  visitor  might  have  brought 

iiie    one   with  him   to   show   him    the  way  - —   still, 

;ued,    they  had   an  ugly   look  to   one  as   prone  to 

l-Hti'ust   and   fear  as  the  changes  of  a  few  hours  had 

L   luade  me. 

I  I  lighted  my  fire,   whicL  burnt  with  a  raw  pale 

f    flare  at  that  time  of  the  morning,    and  fell  into  a  doze 

■'■'i'nre  it.  I  seemed  to  have  been  dozing  a  whole  night 

lif  II  the  clocks  struck  six.    As  there  was  M.\  aB.\iisas 

1  ii  id/f  between  me  and  davlielit,  "L  loiei.  a,ewm,i 

^asiiy,    with  prolix,  ctnwi 


EHtBAV  -'BX«!IO¥Aq^«im. 


about  notljing;,  in  my  ears;  Dow,  milking  thuncli 
tte  wind  in  the  cliimiiey;  at  lengtli  falling  off  ii 
profound  alecp  from  whicli  tbo  daylight 


3 


All  thia  time  I  had  never  been  aLle  to 
own  aitnation,   nor  could  I  do  so  yot.     I  had  not 
power  to  attend  to   it.      I  was   greatly  dejected 
distressed,   hut  in  an  incoherent  wholesale  sort  of 
As  to  forming  any  plan  for  the  future,  I  could  as 
have  formed  an  elephant.    When  I  opened  the  shiil 
and   looked  out  at  the  wet  wild  morning,    all  ) 
leaden  hue;   when  I  walked  from  room  to  room; 
I  sat  down  again  shivering,  before  the  fire,  waitin 
my  laundress  to  appear;    I  thought  how  misera 
was,   but  hardly  knew  why,    or  how  long  I  h&A 
so,    or  on  what  day  of  the  week  I  made  the 
or  even  who  I  was  that  made  it. 

At  length  the  old  woman  and  the  niece  came  id 
the  latter  with  a  head  not  easily  distinguishahle  M 
her  dusty  broom  —  and  testified  surprise  at  sigH 
me  and  the  fire.  To  whom  I  imparted  how  my  M 
had  come  in  the  night  and  was  then  asleep,  and  i 
the  breakfast  preparations  were  to  be  modified 
cordingly.  Then  I  washed  and  dressed  while  ti 
knocked  the  furniture  about  and  made  a  dust,  and' 
in  a  sort  of  dream  or  sleep-waking,  I  found  m] 
sitting  by  the  fire  again,  waiting  for  —  Him 
come  to  breakfast, 

By-and-by,   his  door  opened  and 
could  not  bring  myself  to  bear  the  sight  of  him, 
thought  he  had  a  worse  looV  \i-j  io.-3-\\;^ht. 
^^^do  not  even  know  "  sa.iA-\,  ft'fi«^ 


atMia  flzpxoTA-isnis. 


» 


..  (lis  seat  at  tliy  taliie,  "hy  what  name  to  call  you. 
live  given  out  that  you  ore  my  uncle." 
"Tliat's  it,  dear  boy!    Call  me  uncle." 
'Yob  aeeumed  Eoine   name,    I   suppose,    on  board 


"Tea,  dear  boy,     I  took  tbe  name  of  Prjuis." 
Do  you  meaii  to  keep  tliat  name?" 
"Why,   yes,    dear  boy,   it's  as  good  as  another  — 
^,l(i!.s  you'd  like  another." 

"What  is  your  real  name?"  I  asked  bim  in  a  whisper. 
"Magwitcji,"    he    answered,    in    the    same    tone; 
"iins'^n*0!bei." 

"What  were  you  brought  up  to  be?" 
"A  warmint,  dear  boy." 

Ho  answered  quite  seriously,  and  used  tlie  word  as 
J'  it  denoted  some  profession. 

"When  you  carao  into  tbe  Temple  last  night  — " 
ml  I,    pausing  to   wonder  whether  that  could  really 
iiflve  been  last  night,  which  seemed  so  long  ago, 
"Yes,  dear  hoy?" 

"When   you  came  in  at  the  gate  and  asked  the 
,fatchman  the  way  here,  had  you  aoy  one  with  you?" 
'i  me?    No,  dear  hoy." 
there  was  some  one  there?" 
n't  take  particular  notice,"  he  said,  dubiously, 
inowing  the   ways   of  the   place.     Bat  I  think 
18  a  person,  too,  come  in  alonger  me." 
B  you  known  in  London?" 

3  notl"  said  he,  giving  his  neck  a  jerk  with 
r  that  made  me  turn  hot  and  sick, 
■on  known  in  London,  once?" 
a-  and  above,  dear  boy.    1  nvb-s  vti  "Oaft  ■^t^ 


114  «M«  «Hi 

"Were  you  —  tried  —  in  London?" 
"Which  time?"   said  he,  Ttith  a 
"The  last  time." 
He  nodded.     "Firat  knowed  Mr.  Jagger 

It  was  on  my  lips  to  ask  Tiim  what  h 
for,   but  lie  took  up  a  knife,   gave  it  a  fit 
with  the  words,    "And  whatever  I  done  ia  worked || 
and  paid  fori"   fell  to  at  his  hreakfast. 

He  ate  in  a  ravenous  way  that  was  very  d 
able,  and  all  his  actions  were  uncouth,  noisy, 
greedy.  Some  of  hia  teeth  had  failed  him  b' 
him  eat  on  the  marshes,  and  as  he  turned  his  food 
Ids  mouth,  and  turned  his  head  sidewaya  to  bring 
strongest  fangs  to  heai'  upon  it,  he  looked  temWy  3 
a  hungry  old  dog.  If  I  had  begun  with  any  appfll 
ho  would  have  taken  it  away,  and  I  should  have 
much  as  I  did  —  repelled  from  him  by  an  inanrmoa 
able  aversion,  and  gloomily  looking  at  the  doth. 

"I'm  a  heavy  grubber,  dear  boy,"  be  aiud, 
polite  kind  of  apology  when  he  had  made  an  en 
his  meal,  "but  I  always  waa.  If  it  had  been  in-i 
constitution  to  he  a  lighter  grubber,  I  might  ha' 
into  lighter  trouble.  Similarly,  In 
When  I  was  first  hii-ed  out  aa  shepherd  t'other  i 
the  world,  it's  my  belief  I  should  ha'  turned  i 
molloncolly-mad  sheep  myaelf,   if  I  hadn't  a  had ! 

As  he  said  so,   he  got  up  from  table,    and  put 
his   hand    into    the    breast    of  the    peacoat    he  ^ 
brong-ht  out  a  short  black  pipe,  and  a  handful  of  1( 
tobacco  of  the  kind  that  is  ca\\Bi.'Se\gc(AM!*A.  1 
'  Aie  pipe,   he  put  the  smt^W 


19  if  hi§  pocket  were  a  drawer.  Then  he  took  a  Uvo 
coal  fl'oin  the  fire  with  the  tongs,  and  lighted  his  pipe 
at  it,  and  tlien  turned  round  on  the  hearthrug  with 
Jiis  back  to  the  fire,  and  went  through  his  favonrite 
iidion  of  holding  oat  hoth  his  bands  for  mine, 

"And  this,"  said  ho,  dandling  my  hands  up  and 
il-iivn  in  Lis,  as  he  puffed  at  his  pipe;  "and  this  is  the 
fTciitleman  what  I  made!  The  real  genuine  One!  It 
(inea  me  good  fur  to  look  at  you,  Pip,  AU  I  stip'kte, 
is,  to  stand  by  and  look  at  you,  dear  boy!" 

I  released  my  hanJa  as  soon  aa  I  could,  and  found 
that  I  was  beginning  slowly  to  settle  down  to  the  con- 
templation of  my  condition.  "What  I  was  chained  to,\ 
uid  how  heavily,  hecame  intelligible  to  me,  as  ITieardl 
bia  hoarse  voice,  and  sat  looking  up  at  hiH  forrowedl 
bald  head  with  its  Jron_grey_hajr  at  the  sides.  J 

"I  mustn't  see  my  gentleman  a  footing  it  in  the 
mire  of  the  streets;  there  mustn't  he  no  mnd  on  hia 
boots.  My  gentleman  rauat  have  horses,  Pipl  Horses 
lo  ride,  and  horaes  to  drive,  and  horsea  for  hia  servant 
lo  ride  and  drive  as  well.  Shall  colonists  have  their 
lioraoa  (and  hlood  'una,  if  yon  pleaae,  good  Lord!)  and 
Hot  my  London  gentleman?  No,  no.  We'll  show  'em 
another  pair  of  shoes  than  that,  Pip;  won't  «s?" 

He  took  out  of  his  pocket  a  great  thick  pocket- 
book,  bursting  with  papers,  and  tossed  it  on  the  table. 

"There's  something  worth  spending  in  that  there 
linok,  dear  boy.  It's  yourn.  All  I've  got  ain't  mine; 
it's  yourn.  Don't  you  he  afeord  on  it.  There's  more 
vhere  that  corao  from.  I've  come  to  the  old  country 
fiu"  to  see  my  ^ntleman  spend  Ma  motie'Y  ^il^ii  «■  %«&- 
That'll  be  my  pleasure.  My  i^\e,a.wKfe ''^^^'^ 
"  I  do  it.     And  Wast  you  sWV'    Va 


I  OKBAT  BXPXOTATKHW. 

looking  round  the  room  and  snjipping  bis  fingaffi 
■once  with  a  loud  snap,  "blast  you  every  one,  from  tin 
judge  in  bis  wig,  to  tbo  colonist  a,  stirring  up  the  dn^ 
I'll  show  a  better  gentleman  than  the  whole  kit  O! 
^^j)ut  together!" 

^^t       "StopI"  said  I,  almost  in  a  frenzy  of  fear  and  d 
^^H^e,    "I  want  to  speak  to  you.     I  want  to  know  t' 
^^Bfe  to  be  done.  I  want  to  know  how  you  e 
^^■out  of  damger,   how  long  you  are  going  to  stay, 
^^Kprojects  you  have." 

^^BT      "Look'ee  here,  Pip,"  said  he,   laying  his  hand  m 
^^V^my  arm  in  a  suddenly  altered  and  subdued  i 

"first  of  all,  look'ee  here.  I  forgot  myself  half  a  n 
nute  ago.  What  I  said  was  low;  that's  what  it  wfi 
low.  Look'ee  here,  Pip.  Look  over  it.  I  ain't  a  goin 
[to  bo  low." 

"First,"  I  resumed,  half  groaning,  "what  precan- 
s  can  be  taken  against  your  being  recognised  ai 
ed?" 

"No,  dear  boy,"  he  said,  in  the  same  tone  as  b 

1,  "that  don't  go  first.     Lowneas  goes  first.     I  aJi 

look  so  many  year'to  make  a  gentleman,    not  witbot 

'  knowing  what's  due  to  him.    Look'ee  here,  Pip. 

low;  that's  what  I  was;  low.    Look  ovef  it,  dear  boyi 

Some  sense  of  the  grimly-ludicrous  moved  me  to 

t  totful  laugh,  as  I  replied,   "I  Imve  looked  c        '       ~ 

I  Heaven's  name,  don't  harp  upon  iti" 

"Yes,  but  look'eo  here,"  he  pei^isted.     "Dear  bo 
fl  ain't  come  so  fur  to  be  low.     Now,  go  on,  dear  bp 

,  was  a  saying  — "  " 

"How  are  you  to  be  guarded  from  the  danger  you 
jpre  incurred?"  ,     . 

,  dear  boy,  tha  Aon^w  s 


IPM  informed  agea,  the  danger  ain't  so  mueli  to 
There's  Jaggers,  and  there's  Wemmick,  and 

I'-'s  yon.     Who  else  is  there  to  inform?" 

"I*  there  no  chance  person  who  might  identiiy  you 

(lie  street?"  said  1. 

''Well,"  he  returned,  "there  ain't  many.  Nor  yet 
I  don't  intend  to  adyertise  myself  in  the  papers  by  the 
name  of  A.M.  come  hack  from  Botany  Bay;  and  years 
ll»7G  rolled  away,  imd  who's  to  gain  by  it?  Still, 
look'ee  here,  Pip.  If  the  danger  had  been  fifty  times 
u  great,  1  should  ha'  come  to  aee  you,  mind  you,  just 
the  same." 

"And  how  long  do  you  reroain?" 

"How  hmg?"  said  he,  taking  his  black  pipe  from 
Uj  mouth,  and  dropping  his  jaw  as  he  stared  at  me, 
fin  not  a  going  back,     I've  come  for  good." 

"Where  are  you  to  live?"  said  I.  "What  is  to  he 
iliine  with  you?     Where  will  you  be  safe?" 

"Dear  boy,"  he  returned,  "there's  disguising  wigs 
can  be  bought  for  money,  and  there's  hair  powder,  and 
spectacles,  and  black  clothes  —  shorts  and  what  not. 
Others  has  done  it  safe  afore,  and  what  others  has 
iloue  afore,  others  can  do  agen.  As  to  the  where  and 
liow  of  living,    dear  boy,   give  me  your  own  opinions 

"You  take  it  smoothly  now,"  said  I,  "but  you 
were  very  serious  last  night,  when  you  swore  it  waa 
Death." 

"And  30  I  swear  it  is  Death,"  said  he,  putting  his 
pipe  back  in  hia  mouth,    "and  Death  by  the  rope,   in 
the  open  street  not  fur  from  thb,    and  it's  serious  thai. 
ebaald  i'ally  understand  it  to  ^)e  so.    '^\«i.\.  "Cmsq-, 
a  done?  Here  1  am.    T& 


I 


I 
p 


^ 


'nd  be  aa  bad  as  to  stand  ground  —  worse.  Berade 
Pip,  I'm  here,  because  I've  meant  it  by  you,  years  a 
years.  As  to  what  I  dare,  I'm  a  old  bird  now,  as  1 
dared  all  manner  of  traps  since  first  he  w&s  GeAgei 
andPin  not  afeerd  to  perch  upon  a  scarecrow.  If  thwrf 
Death  hid  inside  of  it,  there  is,  and  let  birr;  come  out 
And  ril  face  him,  and  then  I'll  believe  in  him  and  ii 
afore.     And  now  let  me  have  a  look  at  my  gentlemai 

Once  more  he_too|ijiia_hyjioth  hands  and  surveys 
me  with  an  air  of  admiring  proprietorship:  smoluq 
with  g;reat  complacency  all  the  while. 

It  appeared  to  me  that  I  could  do  no  better  tha 
secure  him  some  quiet  lodging  hard  by,    of  which  fa 
might  take  possession  when  Herbert  returned:  whom' 
expected  in  two  or  three  days.     That  the  secret  mtn 
be  confided  to  Herbert  as  a  matter  of  unavoidable  na 
cessity,   even  if  I  could  have  put  the  immense  relief- 
should  derive  from  sharing    it    with  liim    out   i 
qnestion,  was  plain  to  me.    But  it  was  by  no  mei 
plain  to  Mr.  Provis  (I  resolved  to   call  him  by  tha 
name),  who  reserved  his  consent  to  Herbert's  partii^ 
pation  until  he  should  have   seen  him  and  formed  k 
favourable  judgment  of  his  physiognomy.     "And  eveaT 
then,  dear  boy,"  said  he,  pulling  a  greasy  little  claspedj 
black  Testament  out  of  his  pocket,  "we'll  have  him  o 
his  oath." 

To  state  that  my  terrible  patron  carried  th^  li 

black  book  about  the  world  solely  to  swear  people  o 

in  cases  of  emergency,  would  be  to  state  what  I  nev* 

guite  established  —  but  this  I  can  say,   that  I  i 

I^ew  him  put  It  to  any  ot\vet  n.^-    T^Vft  >»»&. 

'  tie  appearance  o£  having  \ie«^  *\flVa  ^Mim.  « 


CHEAT  BXI-ECTATI0N8.  119 

. !  iif  justice,  and  perhaps  Ms  tnowk-dge  of  its  au- 
■ii'iits  combined  with  his  own  experience  in  that 
.  gave  him  a  reliance  on  its  powers  aa  a  sort  of 
1  spell  or  chami.  On  this  first  occasion  of  his  pro- 
if'j^  it,  I  recalled  how  he  had  nrnde  mo  awoar  fide- 
iu  the  churchyard  long  ago,  and  how  he  had  de- 
'H'd  himself  last  night  as  always  swearing  to  his 
'Uitions  in  his  solitude. 

As  he  was  at  present  dressed  in  a  seafaring  alop 

r.  in  which  he  looked  aa  if  he  had  some  parrots  and 

.:irs  to  dispose  of,   I  next  discussed  with  him  what 

"  ss  he  should  weai.     Ite  cherished  an  extraordinary 

L  liulief  ill  the  virtues  of  "shorta"  as  a  disguise,  and  had 

I  in  his    own   mind   sketched   a    dress    for  himself  that 

i  wrinld  have  made  him  something  between  a  dean  and 

I  'li^utist.     It  was  with  considorahle  difficulty  that  I 

■II  him  over  to  the  assumption  of  a  dress  more  like 

jiiiisperoua  farmer's;  and  we  arranged  that  he  should 

■  liis  hair  close  and  wear  a  little  powder.    Lastly,  as 

lii\d  not  yet  been  seen  by  the  laundress  or  her  niece, 

was   to  keep   himself  out   of  their  view  until  his 

Niiige  of  dress  was  made. 

It  would  seem  a  simple  matter  to  decide  on  these 

I n'(^ cautions;  hut  in  my  dazed,   not  to  say  distracted, 

~t!\(i:,  il  took  80  long,  that  I  did  not  get  out  to  further 

i[n'jn,   until  two  or  three  In  the  afternoon.     He  was  to 

ii"iatn  shut  up  in  the  chambers  while  I  was  gone,  and 

«;is  on  no  account  to  open  the  door. 

There  being  to  my  knowledge  a  respectable  lodglng- 

lioiise  in  Esaex-street,   the  back  of  which  looked  into 

the  Temple,  and  was  almost  within  hail  of  my  windows, 

I  6rsf  of  nl!  repaired  to  that  house,  a'ni  "sias.  ■«!  W.- 

^^e  as  to  secure  the  second  flooi  iot  m-j  iMi.O« 


I  then  went  firom  shop  to  shop,    making  stw 
ea  as  were  necessary  to  the  change  in  iis 
e.     This  husinesa  trunsacted,  I  turned  my  £ 
,  my  own  account,   to  Little  Britain.     Mr.  Jaggei 
m&s  at  hie  desk,   bat,    seeing  me  enter,   got  up  immi 
iately  and  stood  before  his  fire, 

"Now,  Pip,"  aaid  he,  "be  careful." 
"I  will,  sir,"  I  returned.     For,  I  had  thought  wet 
of  what  I  was  going  to  say  coming  along, 

"Don't  connnit  yourself,"   said  Mr.  Jaggers,   "f 
don't  commit   any   one.     You  understand  —  any  o 
,  Don't  tell  me  anything;  I  am  not  curious." 

Of  course    I    saw    that    he    knew    the   man    1 
le. 

"1  merely  want,  Mr.  Jaggera,"   aaid  I,   "to  assni 

Ibyself  that  what  I  have  been  told  is  true,     I  have  n 

Vope  of  its  being  untrue,  but  at  least  I  may  verify  ifi 

Mr.  Jaggers  nodded.     "But  did  you  say  'told,' 

Informed'?"  he  asked  me,  with  his  head  on  one  aid 

Rsnd  not  looking  at  me,  but  looking  in  a  listening  wi 

KSt  the  floor.     "Told  would  seem  to  imply  verbal  col 

■"mnnication.       Tou    can't    have   verbal   communjcatio 

^■with  a  man  in  New  South  Wales,  you  know." 

"I  will  say,  informed,  Mr.  Jaggers." 

"Good." 

_        "I  have  been  infonned  by  a  person  named  Al 

Kj(agwitch,   that  he  ia  the  benefactor  so  long  n 

fto  me." 

"That  is  the  man,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,   " —  in  TSi 
"  South  Wales." 

"And  only  he?"  said  I. 
"And  only  he,"  aaid  Mr.  iJaggBrft. 
_      "/  am  not  so  tmreasonabVe,  aii, ,  " 


SRBAT  HXPBCTAnom.  191 

wonaible  for  my  mistakes  and  wrong-  conclusions; 

I  always  supposed  it  was  Miss  Havisham.'' 

"As  you  aay,  Pip,"  returned  Mr.  Jaggcrs,  turning 
lis  eyes  npon  me  coolly,  and  taking  a  bite  at  his  fore- 
inser,  "I  am  not  at  all  responsible  for  that." 

"And  yet  it  looked  so  like  it,  sir,"  I  pleaded  with 
.I'H-ncast  heart. 

Not  a  particle  of  evidence,  Pip,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers, 
iiiaking  his  head  and  gathering  up  hia  skirts,  "Take 
nnthing  on  its  looks;  take  everything  on  evidence. 
There's  do  better  rule." 

"I  have  no  more  to 'say,"  said  I,  with  a  sigh,  after 
sUmding  silent  for  a  little  while.  "I  have  verified  my 
information,  and  there  an  end," 

"And  Magwitch  —  in  New  South  Wales  —  having 
at  last  disclosed  himself,"  said  Mr.  Jaggera,  "you  will 
comprehend,  Pip,  how  rigidly  throughout  my  commu- 
aication  with  you,  I  have  always  adhered  to  the  strict 
line  of  fact.  There  baa  never  been  the  least  departure 
fnim  the  strict  lino  of  fact.  You  are  quite  aware  of 
that?" 

"Quite,  sir." 

"I  communicated  to  Magwitch  —  in  New  South 
Wales  —  when  be  first  wrote  to  me  —  from  New 
Sunth  Wales  —  the  caution  that  he  must  not  expect 
me  ever  to  deviate  from  the  strict  line  of  fact.  I  also 
communicated  to  him  another  caution.  He  appeared 
to  me  to  have  obscurely  hinted  in  hia  letter  at  some 
listant  idea  he  had  of  seeing  you  in  England  here,  I 
;antioned  him  that  I  must  hear  no  more  of  that;  that 
le  was  expatriated  for  the  term  of  liia  wa.t'wtaX.VSfiia^  «mS> 
hat  bis  presenting  himself  in  this  countx^  ■wo^ii&.'Vi'a  « 
*"     f  felony,    rendering    him.  ■!"  '"  ' 


i^/e 


I 


■13  DRBAT  KXIveXATHBIB. 

ijenalty  of  tLe  law.     I  g;ave  Magwitcli  tLat   cautioi 

itaid  Mr.  JsggerB,  looking  hard  at  me;    "I  wrote  it 

ttjew  Soutli   Wales,       He    guided  himself   bj  it, 

Houbt." 

r      "No  doubt,"  said  I. 

L      "I  have  been  informed  by  Wemmitk,"  pursued  1 

STaggew,  Btill  looking  hard  at  me,  "that  he  has  recejvi 

19  letter,  under  date  Portsmouth,  from  a  colonist  of  t" 

'Bame  of  Purvis,  or  — " 

"Or  Provis,"  I  snggested. 

"Or  Provis   —  thank  you,    Pip.      Perhaps  it 
.Provis?     Perhaps  you  know  it's  ProviH?" 
'.        "Tea,"  said  I. 

I  "Tou  know  it's  Provis.  A  letter,  under  date  Poi 
'inouth,  from  a  colonist  of  the  name  of  Provis, 
for  the  particulars  of  your  address,  on  behalf  of 
witth.  Wemmiek  sent  liim  the  particulars,  I  und( 
stand,  by  return  of  post.  Probably  it  is  throughProi 
that  you  have  received  the  explanation  ofMagwitch- 
in  New  South  "Wales?" 

"It  came  through  Provis,"  I  replied. 
"Good  day,  Pip,"  said  Mr.  Jaggets,  offering  1 
hand;  "glad  to  have  seen  you.  In  writing  by  post 
Magwitch  —  in  New  South  Wales  —  or  in  co: 
municating  with  him  through  Provis,  have  the 
ness  to  mention  that  the  particulars  and  vouchers 
our  long  account  shall  be  sent  to  you,  together  W 
the  balance;  for  there  is  atiU  a  balance 
Good-day,  Pip!" 

We  shook  hands,    and   he  looked  hard  at  me 

-long  as  he  could  see  me.    I  turned  at  the  door,  and 

still  looking  liard  at  me,  ■WXiiXe  ■Cai  ^o_N>te 

tbe  shelf  seemed  to  be  ttyio^ 


A,  and  to  Force  ont  of  tlieir  swollen  ijiroats,  "0, 
wuut  a  man  he  isl" 

Wenomiek  was  out,  and  though  he  had  been  at  his 
iealc  he  could  have  done  nothing  for  me.  I  went 
Btraight  back  to  the  Temple,  whei-e  I  found  the  terrible 
Provis  drinking  rum-and-water  and  smoking  negro-he»3, 
iu  -safety. 

Next  day  the  clothes  I  had  ordered,  all  came  home, 
sad  he  put  them  on,  Whatever  he  put  on  became  hi>n 
lesB  (it  dismalij  seomed  to  me)  than  what  he  had  worn 
before.  To  my  thinking,  there  was  Bometbing  in  bin; 
di.it  made  it  hopeless  tn  attempt  to  disguise  him.    The 

II'  I  dressed  him  and  the  better  I  dressed  him,  the 
■    he    looked    like    the    slouching    fugitive   on  the 

.^hes.     This  effect  on  my  anxious  fancy  was  partly 

(ible,  no  doubt,  to  his  old  face  and  manner  grow- 

.    (iiore   familiar  to  me;  but  I   believe  too  that  lie 

,:£ri'd  one  of  hia  legs  as  if  there  were  still  a  weight 

imti  on   it,    and  that  from  head  to  foot  there  was 

I  Convict  in  the  very  grain  of  the  man. 
The  influences  of  his  solitary  hut-life  were  upon 
Mm  besides,  and  gave  him  a  savage  air  that  no  dress 
wuld  tame;  added  to  these,  were  the  influences  of  hia 
ij|>-cquent  branded  life  among  men,  and  crowning  aU, 
!iis  eiinsciousness  that  he  was  dodging  and  hiding  now. 
ill  all  his  ways  of  sitting  and  standing,  and  eating  and 
drinking  —  of  brooding  about,  in  a  high-shouldered 
reluctant  style  —  of  taking  out  his  great  hom-handled 
jsck-knife  and  wiping  it  on  his  legs  and  cutting  his 
food  —  of  lifting  light  glasses  and  cupa  to  hia  lipa, 
as  if  they  were  clumsy  pannikins  —  of  cW^^yw^  ^ 
wed^  off  Ills  bread,  and  soaking  up  -wVOci  'A  'Cofe  \«^ 
I^^Cf  of^avj-  round  and  round  \iiB  ^\a 


124  e/tmw  ■BxvBovATmm. 

make  the  most  of  aa  allowance,  and  tLen  Arym 
fingerends  on  it,  and  then  swallowing  it  — 
iraya  and  a  thnusand  other  small  namoless  i 
ariaing  every  minute  in  the  day,  there  was  Prii 
Felon,  Bondsman,  plain  as  plain  could  be. 

It  had  been  his  own  idea  to  wear  that  torn 
powder,  and  I  had  conceded  the  powder  after 
coming  the  shorts.  But  I  can  compare  the  effect 
when  on,  to  nothing  but  the  probable  effect  of  i 
upon  the  dead;  ao  awful  was  the  manner  in  ' 
everything  in  him  that  it  was  most  desirable  to  n 
started  through  that  thin  layer  of  pretence,  and  a 
to  come  blazing  oat  at  the  crown  of  his  head.  ] 
abandoned  as  soon  as  tried,  and  he  wore  his  gi 
hair  cut  short. 

Words  cannot  tell  what  a  sense  I  had,  at  tie 
time,  of  the  dreadful  mystery  that  he  was  to  me. 
lie  fell  asleep  of  an  evening  with  his  knotted  l 
clenching  the  sides  of  the  easy-chair,  and  Ms  bald 
tattooed  with  deep  wrinkles  falling  forward  < 
breast,  I  would  sit  and  look  at  him,  wondenng 
he  had  done,  and  loading  him  with  all  the  c 
the  Calendar,  until  the  impulse  was  powerful  on  i 
start  up  and  fly  from  him.  Every  hour  s 
my  abhorrence  of  him,  that  I  even  think  I  might 
yielded  to  this  impulse  in  the  first  agonies  of  heii 
haunted,  notwithstanding  all  he  had  done  for  me, 
the  risk  he  ran,  but  for  the  knowledge  that  Si 
must  soon  come  back.  Once,  I  actually  did  8 
of  bed  in  the  night,  and  begin  to  dress  myself  i 
worst  clothes,  hurriedly  intending  to  leave  him 
w/ch  ererytbing  else  I  poaaeaaftl,  aai  e.'riaA  ^wt 
as  a  private  soldier. 


QHEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


^^Houbt  If  a  ghost  could  have  heen  more  terrible  to 
T^^p  in  those  lonely  rooms  in  the  long  evenings  and 

.  nights,  with  the  wind  and  the  rain  always  rushing 
A  ghost  could  not  have  been  taken  and  hanged 

■A!y  account,  and  the  consideration  that  he  could  be, 
jid  the  dread  that  he  would  ba,  were  no  small  addition 
0  my  horrors.  When  he  was  not  asleep  or  playing  a 
implicated  kind  of  Patience  with  a  ragged  pack  of 
lards  of  his  own  — -  a  game  that  I  never  saw  before  or 
face,  and  in  which  he  recorded  his  winnings  by  stick- 
Bg  his  jack-knife  into  the  table  — -  when  he  was  not 
ngaged  in  either  of  these  pursuits,  he  would  aak  me 
ta  read  to  him  —  "'Foreign  language,  dear  boy!" 
While  I  complied,  he,  not  comprehending  a  single 
irotd,  would  stand  before  the  fire  surveying  me  with 
the  air  of  an  Exhibitor,  and  I  would  see  him,  between 
ihe  fingers  of  the  hand  with  which  I  shaded  my  face, 
appealing  in  damb  show  to  the  furniture  to  take  notice 
of  my  proficiency.  The  imaginary  student  pnrsued  by 
the  misshapen  creature  he  had  impiously  made,  was 
not  more  wretched  than  I,  pursued  by  the  creature 
wiiD  hod  made  me,  and  recoiling  from  him  with  a, 
Mi'onger  repulsion,  the  more  he  admired  me  and  the 
funder  he  was  of  me. 

This  is  written  of,  I  am  sensible,  'as  if  it  had  lasted 
»  year.  It  lasted  about  five  days.  Expecting  Herbert 
all  the  time,  I  dared  not  go  out,  except  when  I  took 
Pfovis  for  an  airing  after  dark.  At  length,  one  evening 
wiieu  dinner  was  over  and  I  had  dropped  into  a  slumber 
qaite  worn  out  —  for  my  nights  had  been  agitated  and 
my  rest  broken  by  fearful  dreams  —  I  was  roasad  ti^ 
lhe_  welcome  footstep  on  the  staircase.  ?tq"Tv?.,  -^Vti 
""  '     )  too,  staggered  np  at  tke  -no^^sa  ^ 


and  in  an  instant  I  saw  Ms  jauk-knife  Bhming  in 
hand. 

"Quiet!  It'a  Herbert!"  I  said;  and  Herbert 
bursting  in,  with  tbo  airy  freshness  of  six  bu 
miles  of  France  upon  him. 

"Handel,  my  dear  fellow,  how  are  you,  and 
how  are  yon,  and  again  how  are  jouV  I  seem  to 
been  gone  a  twelvemonth!  Why,  so  I  must  have 
for  you  have  grown  quite  thin  and  pale!   Hande1|< 

—  Halloa!  I  beg  your  pardon." 

He  was  stopped  in  his  rattling  on  and  in  his 
king  hands  with  mo,  by  seeing  Provis.   Provis,  reg 
ing  him  with  a  fixed  attention,   was  slowly  pnttii 
his  jack-knife,  and  groping  in  aiiother  pocket  for . 
thing  else. 

"Herbert,  my  dear  friend,"  said  I,  shutdng 
double  doora,  while  Herbert  stood  staring  and  woi 
ing,   "something  very  atrange  has  happened.     Th 

—  a  visitor  of  mine." 
"It's  all  right,  dear  boy!"   said  Provis  coming' 

ward,  with  bis  little  clasped  black  book,  and  that 
dressing  himself  to  Herbert.     "Take  it  in  yoar  : 
hand.     Lord  Strike  you  dead  on  the  spot  if  you 
split  in  any  way  sumever!  Kiss  it!" 

"Do  80,  as  he  wishes  it,"  I  said  to  Herbert. 
Herbert,  looking  at  me  with  a  friendly  uneaainesB 
amaaement,  complied,  and  Previa  immediately  si 
hands  with  him,  said,  "Now  you're  on  your  oat] 
know.  And  never  believe  nie  on  mine,  if  Pip 
make  a  gentleman  on  you!" 


BBSAT  EXPECTATIOKS. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


1  shotild  I  attempt  to  describe  tlio  astonish- 
Pand  disquiet  of  Herbert,  when  he  and  I  and 
'i  Bat  dowu  before  the  fire,  and  I  rocouutod  the 
wliule  of  the  secret.  Enough  that  I  saw  my  own 
feelings  reflected  in  Herbert's  face,  and,  not'  least 
among  them,  my  repugnance  towards  the  man  who  bad 
(lano  so  much  for  me. 

What  would  alono  have  set  a  division  between  that 
man  and  ub,  if  there  had  been  no  other  dividing  cir- 
ciiDiBtance,  was  his  triumph  in  my  story.  Saving  hia 
tfnublesome  sense  of  having  been  "low"  on  one  occa- 
sion since  bis  return  —  on  which  point  he  began  to 
hold  forth  to  Herbert,  the  moment  my  revelation  was 
fiuished  —  he  had  no  perception  of  the  possibility  of 
Hiy  finding  any  fault  with  my  good  tortune.  His  boast 
that  he  had  made  me  a  gentleman,  and  that  he  bad 
come  to  BOB  me  support  the  character  on  his  ample 
fesoarces,  was  made  for  me  quite  as  much  as  for  hjm- 
"clf;  and  that  it  was  a  highly  agreeable  boast  to  both 
of  us,  and  that  we  must  both  bo  very  proud  of  it,  was 
'1  conclusion  quite  established  in  his  own  mind. 

"Though,  look'ce  here,  Pip's  comrade,"  ho  said  to 
Herbert,  after  having  discoursed  for  soma  time,  "I 
know  very  well  that  once  since  I  come  back  —  for 
balf  a  minute  —  I've  been  low.  I  said  to  Pip,  I 
knowed  as  I  had  been  low.  But  don't  you  ft'et  yoor- 
kbH  on  that  score.  I  ain't  made  Pip  a  gentleman,  and 
Pip  ain't  agoing  to  make  you  a  gentleman,  ticrt.  ^"as  ■n*. 
lot  to  Icoon-  wbat'a  due  to  yo  both.  Heai  \ni-j,  »,\A- 
'         "  'ffq  may    count    u^on  mo  a!™^ 


I 

[ 


8REAT  EXPEGTATIOSS. 

having  a  gen-teel  muzzle   on.     Muzzled  I  have  1 
aincB  that  half  a  minute  when  I  was   betrayed  i 
lownesa,  muzzled  I  am  at  the  present  time,  and  n 
I  ever  will  he," 

Herbert  eaid,  "CeTtainly,"  but  looked  as  if  til 
were  no  specific  consolation  in  this,  and  remained 
plexed  and  dismayed.  We  were  anxious  for  the 
when  he  would  ^  to  his  lodging,  and  leave  ui 
gether,  but  he  was  evidently  jealous  of  leaving 
together,  and  sat  late.  It  was  midnight  before  I  b 
him  round  to  Essex-street,  and  saw  him  safely  in 
his  own  dark  door.  When  it  closed  upon  him,  I 
perienced  the  first  moment  of  relief  I  had  known  S 
the  night  of  his  arrival. 

Never  quite  free  from  an  uneasy  remembranot 
the  man  on  the  stairs,  I  had  always  looked  about 
in  taking  my  guest  out  after  dark,  and  in  bring 
him  back;  and  I  looked  about  me  now.  Di^cnl 
it  is  in  a  large  city  to  avoid  the  suspicion  of  b« 
watched,  when  the  mind  is  conscious  of  danger  in  1 
regard,  I  could  not  persuade  myself  that  any  of 
people  within  sight  cared  about  my  movementa.  ! 
few  who  were  passing,  passed  on  their  several  n 
and  the  street  was  empty  when  I  turned  back  into 
Temple.  Nobody  had  come  out  at  the  gate  with 
nobody  went  in  at  the  gate  with  me.  As  I  crc 
the  fountain,  I  saw  his  lighted  back  windows  lool 
bright  and  quiet,  and  when  I  stood  for  a.  few  mom' 

the  doorway  of  the  building  where  I  lived, 
going    up    the   stairs.    Garden-court  was   as  etill 
lifeless  as  the  staircase  was  when  I  ascended  it. 

Herbert  received  me  ■w^l\i  ti^ftti  ww«,,  aad  I 
wver  felt  before,   so  b\esae3Ay,  -wV&x.  \'^.  "-a  \i4  \ 


Wlien  te   had    sjjokci 


1    sount!  words  of 


Siy  and  eDCOuragenient,  we  Kat  down  to  consider 
question,  What  was  to  be  done? 
The  chair  that  Provis  had  occupied  still  remaining 
re  it  had  stood  —  for  he  had  a  barrack  way  with 
of  banging  aboat  one  spot,  in  one  unsettled 
iner,  and  going  through  one  round  of  obserTances 
I  his  pipe  and  bis  uegro-head  and  his  jack-knife 
bis  pack  of  cards,  and  what  not,  as  if  it  were  all 
down  for  him  on  a  slate  —  I  say,  his  chair  remaining 
ire  it  had  stood,  Herbert  unconsciously  took  it,  but 
t  moment  started  ont  of  it,  pushed  it  away,  and 
t  another.  He  had  no  occasion  to  say  after  that, 
:  he  had  conceived  an  aversion  for  my  patron, 
her  had  I  occasion  to  confess  my  own.  We  inter- 
oged  that  eonfidence  without  shaping  a  syllable. 
"What,"  said  I  to  Herbert,  when  he  was  safe  in 
ther  chair,  "what  is  to  he  done?" 
"My  poor  dear  Handel,"  he  replied,  holding  his 
d,  "I  am  too  stunned  to  think." 
"80  was  I,  Herbert,  when  the  blow  first  fell. 
1,  something  must  be  done.  He  ia  intent  upon 
lous  new  expenses  —  horses,  and  carriages,  and 
ish  appearances  of  all  kinds.  Ho  must  he  stopped, 
lehow." 

"You  mean  that  you  can't  accept  — ?" 
"How  can  I?"    I  interposed,    as  Herbert  paused, 
bink  of  him!     Look  at  him!" 
An  involnntary  shudder  passed  over  both  of  us. 
"Yet  I  am  afraid  the  dreadful  truth  is,    Herbert, 
t  he  is   attached  to  me,    strongly   attached  to  tiaa. 
IS  there  ever  such  a  fatel" 
f.'Jfj'  poor  dear  HandeJ,"  Hetbra 


130  GREAT  EIPEOTATIONe- 

"Then,"  said  I,  "after  all,  stopping  short  hc) 
never  taking  another  penny  from  him,  think  wl 
owe  him  already!  Then  again:  I  am  heavily  in 
—  very  heavily  for  me,  who  have  niiw  no  expectatii 
at  all  —  and  I  have  been  bred  to  no  ealHiig,  aai 
am  fit  for  nothing." 

"Well,  well,  well!"  Herbert  remonstrated.  "Dc 
say  fit  for  nothing." 

"What  am  I  fit  for?  I  know  only  one  thing 
I  am  fit  for,  and  that  ia,  to  go  for  n  soldier.  A. 
might  have  gone,  my  dear  Herbert,  but  for  the 
spect  of  taking  counsel  with  your  friendship 
affection." 

Of  course  I  broke  down  there ;  and  of  course  '. 
bert,  beyond  seizing  a  warm  grip  of  my  band,  pretraii 
not  to  know  it.  ; 

"Anyhow,  my  dear  Handel,"  said  he  presett 
"soldiering  won't  do.  If  you  were  to  renounce  i 
patronage  and  these  favours,  I  suppose  yoa  would 
so  with  some  faint  hope  of  one  day  repaying  what  ~ 
have  already  had.  Not  very  strong,  that  hope,  if 
went  soldiering!  Besides,  it's  absurd-  Tou  would 
infinitely  better  in  Clarriker's  house,  small  as  it  is. 
am  working  up  towards  a  partnership,  you  know." 

Poor  fellowl  He  little  suspected  with  wl 
money. 

"But  there  is  another  question ,"  said  Herli 
"This  is  an  ignorant  determined  man,  who  has  || 
bad  one  fixed  idea.  More  than  that,  he  seems  to, 
(I  may  misjudge  him)  to  bo  a  man  of  a  desperate 
fierce  character." 

'/  knov  Jig  ia,"  I  letxraied.  ""Let  «sa  tell  you 
■    -  WnV  '■      * 


MtPXOTATIOKS. 

niy  narrative;    of  that  encounta 
Iher  convict. 

thenl"  said  Herbert;    "thialt   of  this! 

e  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  for  tlie  roaliBatiaj 

id  idea.     lu  the  moment  of  realiaatio 

and  waiting,  you.  cut  tlie  ground  from  under 
istroy  his  idea,  and  make  his  gains  worthless 
)o  you  see  uothiug  that  he  might  do,  under 
ointment?" 

Herbert,    and  dreamed  of  it  ev^ 
fatal  night  of  his  arrival.     Notliiiig  1 
lights  BO  distinctly,  as  his  putting  himself  ■ 

of  being  taken." 

yon  may  rely  upon  it,"  said  Herbert,  ' 
Id   be   great   danger  of  bis  doing  it. 
■er  over  yna  as  long  as  he  remains  in       __ 
that  would  be  his  reckless  course  if  you  ftw 

so  struck  by  the  horror  of  this  idea,  whid&iB 
ed  Qpon  me  from  the  first,  and  the  working 
ioh  would  make  me  regard  myself,  in  soma 
1  murderer,  that  I  could  not  rest  in  my  chair 
pacing  to  and  fro.  I  said  to  Herbert,  mean- 
t  even  if  Provis  were  recognised  and  taken 
'  himself,  I  should  be  wretched  as  the  cause, 
innocently.  Tes;  even  though  I  was  so 
in  having  him  at  large  and  noar  me,  and 
'h  I  would  far  far  rather  have  worked  at  the 
be  days  of  mj  life,   than  I  would  have  ever 

ore  was  no   raving  off  the  c^utisfe-a.,  "^NisS. 

K^^d  the  maiu  thing  to  \<ci  ^.o^t^T   ^^^ 


ORE  AT  EXPECTATIONS- 


1 


'   Herbert,    "ia  to   ^fA  him   out  of  Eiiglaud. 
'   have  to  go  with   him,    iind  thcii  he  may  be  indoi 
go." 
"But  get  hhn   where  I  will,    could  I  preyent 
1  coming  back?" 

"My    good  Handel,    is    it  not  obvious  that  ( 
Newgate  in  the  next  street,   there  must  be  far  grea 
I  hazard  in  your  breaking  your  mind  to  him  and  tnak) 
f  Lim  reckless,  here,  than  elsewhere.    If  a  pretext  to 
1  away  could  be  made  out  of  that  other  convict, 
,  of  anything  else  in  his  life,  now." 
"There,    again!"    said  I,   stopping  before  Herfc 
with  my  open  hands  held  out  as  if  they  contained 
desperation  of  the  case.     "I  know  nothing  of  Ma 
It  has  almost  made  me  mad  to  ait  here  of  a  night 
see  him  before  me,  so  bound  up  with  my  fortunes 
nisfortunes,  and  yet  so  unknown  to  me,  except  as 
miserable    wretch    who   terrified  me  two   days  in 
childhood ! " 

Herbert  got  up,  and  linked  his  ana  in  mine, 
we  slowly  walked  to  and  fro  together,  studying 
carpet. 

"Handel,"  said  Herbert,  stopping,  "you  feel 
vinced  that  you  can  take  no  further  benefits  from 
do  you?" 

"PuUy.    Surely  you  would,  too,  if  you  were  a 

"And    you    feel    convinced    that  you   must  la 
with  him?" 

"Herbert,  can  you  ask  me?" 

"And    you    have,    and    are   bound   to  bave, 
J  tenderness  for  the  life  be  Vas  i:»Vfti  wa.  ^w<«, 
%that  you  muat  save  bim,  if  ^o^s^ViVe,,  ttt 


^^r         -mMiT  stnoTiifKim,  138 

^k  Then  you  must  get  him  out  of  Englnnd  before 

^^b  s  finger  to  extricate  yourself.     That  dune, 

^Be  youTGelf,   in  Heaven's  name,    and  we'll  see  it 

^nther,  dear  old  boy." 

^was  a  comfort  to  shake  Lands  upon  it,  and  walk 

^■down  again,  with  only  that  done. 

^bsT,  Herhort,"  said  I,  "with  refereuce  to  gaining 

BChowledge  of  hia  hiHtory.     There  ib  hut  one  way 

""tnow  of.     T  must  ask  him  point-blank.'' 

'■'yes.     Ask  him,"   said  Herbert,    "when  we  sit  at 

ifefast    in    the    morning."      For    he    had    said,    on 

P'  ave  of  Herbert,  that  he  would  come  to  break- 
UB. 
this  project  formed,  we  went  to  bed.  I  had 
eat  dreams  eonceming  him,  and  woke  unre- 
I  woke,  too,  to  recover  the  fear  which  I  had 
in  the  night,  of  his  being  found  out  as  a  returned 
ispoi-t.  Waking,  I  never  lost  that  fear. 
He  came  round  at  the  appointed  time^  took  out  his 
L-knife,  and  sat  down  to  his  meal.  He  was  full  of 
IB  "for  his  gentleman's  coming  out  eti'ong,  and  like 
eatleman,"  and  urged  me  to  begin  speedily  upon 
pocket-hook,  which  he  had  left  in  my  posaeasion. 
considered  the  chambers  and  his  ovm  lodging  as 
porary  residences,  and  advised  me  to  look  out  at 
B  for  "a  fashionahle  crib"  in  which  he  could  have 
ahake-dowu,"  near  Hyde  Park.  AVhen  be  had 
le  an  end  of  his  breakfast,  and  was  wiping  bis 
fe  on  his  leg,  I  said  to  him  without  a  word  of 
^ce: 

"After  you  were  gone  last  night,  1  \«\4  ts*^  ttveiA 
hg  struggle  that  the  soldiers  founi  yo' 

two  came  up,     Toix^ 


"Remember!"  said  he.     "I  think  boI" 

!  want  to  know  something  cibout  that  man 
L  abont  yuu.  It  is  strange  to  know  no  more  ab 
I  either,  and  partieuJai'ly  you,  than  I  was  able  to  tell  1 
I  night.  Is  not  tins  as  good  a  time  as  another  for  I 
I  knowing  raoreV 

"Well!"   he  said,    after  consideration.     "You're 
I  your  oath,  you  know,  Pip's  comrade?" 
"Assuredly,''  replied  Herbert. 
"Ab  to  anything  I  say,   you  know,"   he   insish 
"The  oath  applies  to  all." 
"I  understand  it  to  do  so." 
"And  look'ee  here!     Whatever  I  done,    is  wori 
Out  and  paid  for,"  he  insisted  again. 
"So  be  it." 

He  took  out  his  black  pipe  and  was  going  to  £ 

'  with  negro-head,  when,  looking  at  the  timgle  of  tohi 

.  in  his  hand,   he  seemed  to  think  it  might  perplex 

'  thread  of  his  narratiye.     He  put  it  back  again,   Bt 

fais  pipe  in  a  button-hole  of  his  coat,  spread  a  hand 

each  knee,  aod,  after  turning  an  angry  eye  on 

for  a  few  silent  moments,  looked  round  at  us  and  i 

what  follows. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"Deak  boy  and  Pip's  comrade.     I  am  not  a  gi 

fiir  to  tell  you  my  life,   like  a  song  or  a  story-) 

~  it  to  give  it  you  short  and  handy,  VAl  put  it  at 

:o  a  mouthful  of  English.     In  jail  and  out  of  jail 

'  and    out  of  jail,   io  jaj\  ani  om.'I:  o^  iwi,    ~' 


^H&nes 


9HEAT  mrPBCTATIQHS.  ISB" 

t  I  got  Hhipped  off,   niter  Pip  stood  my 


'Tve  been  done  everyttiag  to,  pretty  well  —  ox- 
»pt  hanged.  I've  been  locked  up,  as  much  as  a  silver 
li;;i-kettle,  Pve  been  carted  bere  and  carted  there,  and 
put  out  of  this  town  and  put  out  of  tbat  town,  and 
stuck  in  thii  stocfca,  and  whipped  and  worried  and 
ilrovo.  Tve  no  mere  notion  where  I  was  bom  than 
joii  have  —  if  sn  much.  I  tirat  beeome  aware  of  my- 
self, down  in  Essex,  a  thieving  tnrnips  for  my  living. 
Summnn  had  run  away  from  nne  —  a  man  —  a  tinker 
—  and  he'd  took  the  lire  with  hJra,  and  left  me  wery 
cirtd. 

"I  know'd  my  name  to  be  Magwitch,  chrisen'd  Abel. 
H'lw  did  I  know  it?  Mnch  as  I  know'd  the  birds' 
aamea  in  the  hedges  to  be  chaffinch,  sparrer,  thrush.  I 
might  have  thought  it  was  all  lies  together,  only  as 
lie  birda'  names  come  out  true,  I  supposed  mine  did. 

"80  fur  as  I  could  find,  there  warn't  a  soul  that 
See  young  Abel  Magwitch,  with  as  little  on  him  as  in 
liini,  bnt  wot  caught  fright  at  him,  and  either  drove 
liim  off,  or  took  him  up.  I  was  took  up,  took  up, 
tank  up,  to  that  extent  that  I  reg'larly  grow'd  up 
tCHik  up. 

"This  is  the  way  it  was,  that  when  I  was  a  ragged 
little  creetur  as  much  to  be  pitied  as  ever  I  see  (not 
that  I  looked  in  the  glass,  for  there  wam't  many  in- 
s'des  of  ftimished  houses  known  to  me),  /  got  the  name 
"f  being  hardened.  'This  is  a  terrible  hardened  one,' 
'iipy  says  to  prison  wiaitors,  picking  out  me.  'May  be 
"aid  to  live  in  jails,  this  boy.'  Then  ftve^  \(itJ».>ii  i*. 
*^  ^d I  looked  at  them,  and  tkey  meaft^aafi.  "01.-3  Ve.'sA, 
^B^  'em  —  tbey  bad  better  a  measvaei  "nv"?  ■*"* 


^86  tffiBAT  BXTBOTAiiMB, 

a<;li  —  and  othere  on  'em  giv  me  tracts  what  I  coiild 
read,  and  made  me  Bpeecbes  what  I  couldn't  imnerHttH 
They  always  went  on  agen  me  aliimt  the  DeviL 
what  the  Devi!  was  I  to  do?  I  mast  put  nomethi 
into  my  stomach,  musn't  1?  — Howsomever,  I'd: 
ting  low,  and  I  know  wliat's  due.  Dear  boy  and  Pi 
comrade,  don't  yon  be  afeerd  of  me  being  low. 

"Tramping,  begging,  thieving,  working  sonietiB 

when  I  could  —  though   that  i 

may    think,    till    you  put  the  question   whether  ; 

would  ha'  been  over  ready  to  give  me  work  youis^l 

-  a  bit  of  a  poacher,    a  bit  of  a  laboure 

■  waggoner,  a  bit  of  a  haymaker,    a  bit  of  a  hawker, 

lliit  of  most  things  tbat  don't  pay  and  lead  to  troul 

1 1  got  to  he  a  man,   A  deserting  soldier  in  aTravelli 

L  Eest,  wot  lay  hid  up  to  the  chin  under  a  lot  of  tat 

I' learnt  me  to  read;   and  a  travelling  Giant  wot  Higi 

' "  I  name   tit  a  penny   a  time  leamt  me  to  write. 

L  wam't  locked  up  as  often  now  as  formerly,  but  I  i 

[  out  my  good  share  of  key-metai  still. 

"At  Epsom  races,  a  matter  of  over  twenty  J 
[  ago,  I  got  acqaainted  wi'  a  man  whose  skull  I'd  d* 
r  this  poker,  like  the  claw  of  a  lobster,  if  I'd  go 
I  this  hob.  His  right  name  was  Cqmp^jMn;  i 
I  that's  the  man,  dear  boy,  wot  you  see  me  pounding' 
I  the  ditch,  according  to  wot  you  truly  (old  your  e 
I  rade  arter  I  was  gone  last  night. 

"He  set  up  fur  a  gentleman,  this  Compeyson,  . 

I'he'd  been  to  a  public  boarding-school  and  had  learni 

*"       as  a  smooth  one  to  talk,   and  was  a  dab  at  i 

I  Tfa/a  of  gentlefolks.    He  was  good-looking  too.  It  i 

night  aftire  tlio  great  rate,  ■sjV'Bft\  {tsaaiN^ 

[»  henth  ih  a  bootli  tliat  1  tnWi    "   ""^"^ 


was  a  sitting  among  tlio  tables  when  I  went  in, 

le  landlord  (ffbicb  had  a  knowledge  of  me,    and 

as  a  sporting  one)  called  liim  out,  and  said,  'I  ttink 

is  13  a.  man  that  might  suit  yoa'  —  meaning  I  was. 

"Coinpeyson,  he  looks  at  me  very  noticing,  and  I 
ok  at  liim.  H<i  has  a  watch  and  a  cliain  and  a  ring 
td  a  breast-pin  and  a  LandBomo  suit  of  clothes. 

'"To  judge  from  appearances,  you're  out  of  luck,' 
ys  Compeyson  to  me, 

'"Yes,  master,  and  I've  never  been  in  it  much,'  (I 
rae  out  of  Kingston  Jail  last  on  a  vagrancy  committal, 
ot  but  wot  it  might  have  been  for  something  else; 
It  it  warn't.) 

'"Luck  changes,'  says  Compeyson;  'perhaps  yours 
going  to  change.' 

"I  says,  'I  hope  it  may  be  so.     There's  room-' 

"'Wbat  can  you  do?'  says  Compeyson. 

"'Eat  and  drink,'  I  says;  'if  you'll  find  the  mate- 
ds.' 

"Compeyson  laughed,  looked  at  me  again  very 
iticing,  giv  me  five  shillings,  and  appointed  me  for 
M  night.     Same  place. 

"I  wont  lo  Compeyson,  next  night,  same  place,  and 
jiopeyson  took  me  on  to  be  his  man  and  pardner. 
ad  what  was  Compeyson's  business  in  which  we  was 
go  pardnera?  Compeyson's  business  was  the  swind- 
>g,  handwriting  forging,  stolen  bank-note  passing, 
id  such-like.  All  sorts  of  traps  as  Compeyson  could 
I  with  hi«  head,  and  keep  his  own  legs  out  of  and 
t  the  profits  from  and  let  b  ' 
impeyson's  business.  He'd  n( 
fj  he  Tf/iB  as  cold  as  deatli, 

&il  afore  meation%i 


i^sfU 


I 


(m«AT  fiXPSOTATtOHB. 

ere  was  another  ia  with  Corapeyson,  as  was 
L.rthur  —  not  as  being  so  chrisen'd,  but  at  » 
,  He  was  in  a  Decline,  and  was  a  Bhadow  M' 
\  look  at.  Him  and  Compeyson  Lad  been  in  a  bad  tiling 
,  ■with  a  rich  lady  some  yejira  afore,  and  they'd  made  » 
pot  of  money  by  it;  butCompeyson  betted  and  gameii, 
and  he'd  have  run  tliroiigh  the  king's  taxcB.  80  Artbur 
was  a  dying,  and  a  dying  poor  and  with  the  honort 
on  hiia,  and  Oompeyaou'H  wife  {which  CompeysoB 
kicked  mostly)  was  a  having  pity  on  him  when  aba 
could,  and  Compeyson  was  a  having  pity  on  nothlnf 
and  nobody. 
_  "I  might  a  took,  warning  by  Ai-thur,  but  I  didn't 
I  And  I  won't  pretend  I  wos  partick'ler  —  for  where  '1 
be  the  good  on  it,  dear  boy  and  eomrade?  80  I  I 
wi'  Compeyson,  and  a  poor  tool  I  was  in  his  hand^ 
Arthur  Uved  at  the  top  of  Compeyson's  house  (ovfl 
nigh  Brentford  it  was),  and  Compeyson  kept  a  carefip 
account  agen  him  for  board  and  lodging,  in  case 
diould  ever  get  better  to  work  it  out.  But  Arthur  sol 
settled  the  account,  The  second  or  third  time  as  ev) 
I  see  him,  he  come  a  tearing  down  into  Compeysoi 
parlour  late  at  night,  in  only  a  flannel  gown,  with  I 
hair  all  in  a  sweat,  and  be  aaya  to  Compeyson'a 
'Sally,  she  really  is  up-stairs  aJonger  me  now,  and 
can't  get  rid  of  her.  She's  all  in  white,'  he  says, 
white  flowers  in  her  hair,  and  she's  awful  mad, 
she's  got  a  shroud  hanging  over  her  arm,  and  she 
she'll  put  it  on  me  at  five  in  the  morning.' 

"Says  Compeyson:  'Why,  you  fool,  don't  you  )au 
she's  got  a  living  body?     And  how  should  she  bs 
there,    M'j'thout  coming  througii  \iiQ  ioM 
window,  and  up  the  staiisV 


OHBAT  K  IPtW ATfOSB. 


^^B  Am't  knotr  hovr  she's  tbere.'  siivs  Arthur, 
HwEog  ilntadfn]  with  the  horrors,  'bnt  she's  standiug 
10  tho  comer  at  the  foot  of  the  bed,  Avful  mad.  And 
"m  where  her  heart's  broke  —  you  broke  it!  — there's 
itops  of  hlood-' 

■Compcyson  spoke  hardy,  bat  be  was  always  a 
Miward.  'Go  np  alonger  this  drivelling  siek  miin,'  be 
»aj»  to  his  wife,  'and  Magwitch,  lend  her  a  hand,  will 
yon'f     But  he  oever  come  nigh  himself. 

"Coropeyfton's  wife  and  me  took  him  up  to  bed 
*gen,  and  be  raved  most  dreadful.  'Why  look  at  her!' 
W  cries  out.  "She's  a  shaking  the  shroud  at  mel 
iiaa't  yon  see  her?  Look  at  her  eyes!  Ain't  it  awful 
'u  see  her  so  mad?'  Nest,  he  cries,  'She'll  put  it  on 
Be,  and  then  I'm  done  for!  Tate  it  away  from  her, 
tske  it  away!'  And  then  be  catehed  hold  of  us,  and 
ktp  on  a  talking  to  her,  and  answering  of  her,  till  1 
liiilf  believed  I  Bee  her  myself. 

■' Com pey son's  wife,  being  used  to  him,  giv  bim 
wme  liquor  to  get  the  horrors  off,  and  by-and-by  ho 
luieled.  'Oh,  she's  gone!  Has  her  keeper  been  for 
W?'  he  says.  'Yes,'  says  Compeyson's  wife,  'Did 
pa  tell  him  to  lock  her  and  bar  her  in?'  'Yes.'  'And 
to  take  that  ugly  thing  away  from  her?'  'Yes,  yes, 
(Jl  right'  'You're  a  good  creetur,'  he  says,  'don't 
le»ve  me,  whatever  you  do,  and  thank  you!' 

"He  rested  pretty  quiet  till  it  might  want  a.  few 
minutes  of  five,  and  then  he  starts  up  with  a  scream, 
nod  screams  out,  'Here  she  is!  She's  got  the  shroud 
>gain.  She's  unfolding  it.  She's  coming  out  of  tht 
Dorner.     Bho's  coming  to  the  bed.     H.o\4  me  Xio'Ca 

e  of  each  side  —  don't  let  "her  tQutii  ■roi  "«''^'*^ 
jfijnissed  me  tha,t  time.   Don't  Xe^^^sit  *C^ 


I  imVAT  HKP«0*FAW(ffl8. 

jSt  over  my  aliouldei's.     Don't  let  her  lift  i 
It  round  me.     She's  lifting  me  up.     Keep  me  downl 
Tien  he  lifted  himself  up  hard,  and  was  dead. 

"Compeyaon  took  it  easy  aa  a  good  riddance  to 
Jioih  sides.  Him  and  mo  was  soon  busy,  and  first  i 
wore  me  (being  ever  artful)  on  my  owa  book  —  tbi 
!  little  black  hook,  dear  boy,  what  I  ewore  yo"! 
pomrade  on, 

"Not  to  go  into  the  things  that  Compeyaon  p 

md  I  done  —  which  'ud  take  a  week  —  Pll  simplj 

t».y  to  you,  dear  hoy,  and  Pip's  comrade,  that  that  a 

■'^t  me  iuto  such  nets  as  made  me  his  black  slave. 

Jwas  always  in  debt  to  him,    always  under  his  thiunl 

[  always  a  working,   always  a  getting  into  dnngor.    F 

was  younger  than  me,  but  he'd  got  craft,  and  he'd  g 

learning,    and  ho  overmatched  ma  five  hundred  tiro 

told  and  no  mercy.    My  Missis  as  I  had  the  bard  tin 

wi'  —  Stop  though!     I  ain't  brought  lifr  i 

He  looked  about  him  in  a  confused  way,    as  if  i 
r  bad  lost  his  place  in  the  book  of  his  remembrance;  i 
be  turned  his  face  to  the  fire,   and  spread  his  I 

r  on  his  knees,  and  lifted  them  off  and  put  Aa 
I   OS  again. 

"There  ain't  no  need  to  go  into  it,"  he  said,  loo 
[  ing  round  once  more.     "The  time  wi'  Compeyson  ■» 
a'most  as  hard  a  time  as  ever  I  had;   that  said, 
said.     Did  I  tell  you  as  I  was  tried,  alone,  for  t 
'   demeanour,  while  with  Compeyson?" 
I  answered,  No. 

"Weil!"  he  said,  "I  wa.',  and  got  convicted. 
1  took  np  on  suspicion,  that  was  twice  e 
I  the  four  or  five  yeai  fbat  ii  \aa'wA-,  >«is.  e 
'  wantijig.      At  last,    me  ani  Com-ec^M-  " 


ir*^  «aafcT  ii»aOTATiosa.  lit 

committed  for  felony  —  on  a  cliarge  of  putting  stolen 
uiHes  in  circulation  —  and  there  was  other  charges 
lieMnd.  C'ompoyson.  aaya  to  me,  'Separate  doi'cncGB, 
iiu  commmiication,'  ami  that  was  ail.  And  I  was  no 
miserablQ  poor,  that  I  said  oil  the  clothes  I  had, 
nwipt  what  bung  on  my  back,  afore  I  could  get 
Jaggers. 

"When  we  was  put  in  the  dock,  I  noticed  first  of 
*ll  what  a  gentleman  Compeyson  looked,  wi'  his  curly 
Wir  and  his  black  clothes  and  his  white  pocket-liand- 
fepn^iier,  and  what  a  common  sort  of  wretch  I  looked. 
^Vken  the  prosecution  opened  and  the  evidence  was 
put  short,  afare-hand,  I  noticed  how  heavy  it  all  bore 
"«  me,  and  bow  light  on  him.  When  the  evidence 
"as  'giv  in  the  box,  I  noticed  how  it  was  always  me 
lliat  had  come  for'ard,  and  could  be  swore  to,  how  it 
ifas  always  mo  that  the  money  had  been  paid  to,  bow 
't  wns  always  mc  that  had  seemed  to  work  the  thing 
md  get  the  profit.  But,  when  the  defence  come  on, 
thea  I  see  the  plan  plainer;  for,  says  the  counsellor  for 
Compeyson,  'My  lord  and  gentlemen,  bere  you  has 
afore  yon,  side  by  side,  two  persona  as  your  eyes  can 
Bepnrate  wide;  one,  the  younger,  well  brought  up,  who 
will  be  spoke  to  as  such;  one,  tho  elder,  ill  brought 
up,  who  will  be  apoke  to  as  such;  one,  the  younger, 
Hildom  if  ever  seen  in  these  bere  transactions,  and  only 
lOfipected;  t'other,  the  elder,  alwaya  Been  in  'em  and 
always  wi'  his  guilt  brought  home.  Can  you  doubt,  if 
tiiere  is  hut  one  in  It,  which  is  the  one,  and,  if  there 
is  two  in  it,  which  is  much  the  worst  one?'  And  such- 
like, And  when  it  come  to  character,  ■wa.nv'^.  \V:  Q.t>\Q.- 
feysnn  as  had  been  to  the  Bcliool,  ani  ■we.nix.  S 
~  li-fellowB  as  waa  i 


^biS 


GREAT  ESPECTATIOHS. 


I 


as  Lad  been  know'd  by  witnesses 
claba  and  societies,  aud  uowt  to  bia  disadvanta^ 
And  warn't  it  me  as  bad  been  tried  aforo,  nnd  as  Iw 
Ijoen  know'd  up  hill  and  down  dale  in  Bridewells  an 
Lock-Ups?  And  when  it  come  to  8peecb-makal( 
wam't  it  Compeyson  as  could  speak  to  'em  wi'  bia  f» 
dropping  every  now  and  then  into  his  white  pocket 
handkercber  —  ah!  and  wi'  v 
—  and  wam't  it  me  as  could  only  say,  'Glenllemeili 
this  man  at  my  side  is  a  most  precious  rascal?'  An 
when  the  verdict  come,  wam't  It  Compeyson  as  91 
jecommended  to  inercy  on  account  of  good  charaoh 
bad  company,    and  giving  up  all  the  infonnati( 

could  agen  me,  and  wam't  it  me  a§  got  never 
'ord  but  Guilty?  And  when  I  says  to  Compey«o 
Once  out  of  this  court,  I'll  smash  that  face  of  yoanii 
ain't  it  Compeyson  as  prays  the  Judge 
aod  gets  two  turnkeys  stood  betwixt  ua?  And  wti 
we're  sentenced,  ain't  it  him  as  gots  seven  year  U 
me  fourteen,  and  ain't  it  him  as  tbe  Judge  is  bob 
.for,  because  be  might  a  done  so  well,  and  ain't  it  t 
as  the  Judge  perceives  to  be  a  old  offender  of  wiole 
passion,  likely  to  come  to  worse?" 

He  had  worked  himself  into  a  state  of  great  e 
citement,  but  he  checked  it,  took  two  or  three  ehc 
breaths,  swallowed  as  often,  and  stretching  out  Ms  h 
towards  me  said,  in  a  reassuring  maouer,  "I  ain 
going  to  be  low,  dear  boyi" 

He  had  so  heated  himself  that  he  took  out 
handkerchief  and  wiped  bis  face  and  bead  and  I 
and  bands,  before  be  could  go  on. 

"I  bad  said  to  CompeysoTv  t\\a.t  Ti  woaaV  tbaj  f 
)/Lis,   and  I  swore  Lorl  sra 


aSEAT  EXPECTATIONS.  113 

Itbe  same  prison-ship,  but  I  coutdu't  get  at  liim 
ihongh  I  tried.  At  last  I  tome  behind  him 
l3  hit  liim  on  the  cheek  to  turn  bini  round  and  get  a 
isshiag  one  at  him,  wht^n  1  was  seen  and  seized. 
Iio  bluck-hule  of  that  ship  wam't  a  strong  one,  to  a 
dge  of  black-holes  that  could  swim  and  dive.  I 
3Bped  to  the  iihore,  and  I  was  a  hiding  among  the 
iyes  there,  envying  l.hem  as  was  in  'em  and  all  over, 
len  first  I  see  my  huy!" 

He  tegarded  me  with  a  look  of  affection  that  made 
n  almost  abhorrent  to  me  again,  though  I  had  felt 
iat  pity  for  him. 

"By  my  boy,  I  was  giv  to  understand  as  Compey- 
1  was  out  on  them  marshes  too.  Upon  my  soul,  I 
If  believe  he  escaped  in  his  terror,  to  get  ijuit  of 
:',  not  knowing  It  was  me  as  had  got  ashore.  I 
nted  liiin  down.  I  smashed  his  face.  'And  now,* 
fi  I,  'as  the  worst  thing  I  can  do,  caring  nothing  for 
'self,  I'll  drag  yon  back.'  And  I'd  have  swum  off, 
iring  him  by  the  hair,   if  it  had  come  to  that,    and 

a  got  him  aboard  without  the  soldiers. 

"Of  course  he'd  much  the  best  of  it  to  the  last  — 
'  cliaracter  was  so  good.  He  had  escaped  when  he 
s  made  half  wild  by  me  and  my  murderous  inten- 
Ds;  and  his  punishment  was  light.  I  was  put  in 
Qs,  brought  to  trial  again,  and  sent  for  life.  I 
n't  stop  for  life,  dear  boy  and  Pip's  comrade,  being 

He.  wiped  himself  again,   as  he  had  done  before, 
I    then    slowly    took    his    tangle    of  tobacco    from 
]iocket,  and  plucked  his  pipe  from  his  button.- talft, 
slow]_^  £}}ed  it,   and   began  to   sn\oVc.\ 

tked,  after  a  BiVencK.  _^^^^^ 


pHi  OKEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

"Ib  who  deai],  dear  boy'?" 

"CompeyBon,'' 

"He  hopes  /  am,  if  he's  alive,  you  may  bo  sm' 
\  with  a  fierce  look.     "I  never  heei'd  no  more  of  Iiini'" 

Herbert  had  been  writing  with  his  pencil  Id  A" 
1  cover  of  a  book.  He  aoftly  pushed  the  book  over  W 
'  me,  as  Previa  stood  smoking  with  hiB  eyCB  on  the  fiw 
and  I  read  in  it: 

"Yonng  HBviBhaio'i  nsme  was  Arlhnr.    Oompejioii  ts  Uw  mW  "W 
ifeMBd  to  be  Mian  HBvlHhani's  lovor.'' 

I  shut  the  book  and  nodded  slightly  to  Ht^berti 
I    and  put  the  book  by;  but  we  neither  of  ns  Baid  sdJ" 
thing,  and  both  looked  at  Provis  as  he  stood  smoking 
I  by  the  fire. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Why  should  I  pause  to  ask  how  mucli  of  mj 
Bhrinking  from  Provis  might  be  traced  to  Estellal'  Wty 
should  I  loiter  on  my  ro.id,  to  compare  the  state  of 
mind  in  which  I  had  tried  to  rid  myself  of  the  stain  o' 
the  prison  before  meeting  her  at  the  eoach-oftice,  witt 
the  state  of  mind  in  which  I  now  reflected  on  the 
abyss  between  Estelk  in  her  pride  and  beauty,  anA 
the  returned  transport  whom  I  harboured?  The  road 
would  be  none  the  smoother  for  it,  the  end  would  bu 
none  the  better  for  it,  he  would  not  be  helped,  nor  I 
extenuated. 

X  new  fear  had  been  engendered  in  my  mind  by 
Ms  narrative;   or  ralliet,  V\a  ■narta'CCTt  tai  ^iven  form 
-flnd  purpose   to   the  Eear  t\va.\.  "«i»  siittsA^  ■CaKtt.  V 


OBBAT  SZmOTATKUIB. 

alive  and  bIiouIiI  discover  his  retm 
doubt  the  consequence.     That  Com 
in  mortal  fear  of  him,    aeither   of  the 
much  hotter  than   I;   and  that  any   and 
man  had  been  described  to  be,  would  Lm 
lease  himself  for  good  from  a,  dreaded  enemjl 
ife   means    of  becoming    an   informer, 
I  be  imagined, 
had  I  breathed,    and  never  would  I  breath 
I  resolved  —  a  word  of  Estella  to   Pro 
d  to  Herbert  that  before  I  could  go  abrc 
e  both  EstelU  and  Wm  Eavisham.  This  wai 
^were  left  alone  on  tiiii  night  of  the  day  whei 


Wt 


0  Bictui 


hie  story.    I  resolved 
it  day,  and  I  went. 

Jr  presenting  myself  at  Mrs.  Brandley's, 
d  was  called  to  tell  me  that  Estella  had 
puntry.     Where?     To  Satis  House,  as  i 
',  I  said,  for  she  had  never  yet  gone  thi 
when  was  she  coming  back?     There 
jreaervation  in  the  answer  which  increased 
and  the  answer  was,  that  her  maid  believt 
ily  coming  back  at  all  for  a  little  while. 
B  nothing  of  this,    except  that  it  was  mc 
Suld  make  nothing  of  it,    and  I  went  boi 
nmplete  discomfiture. 

er  night-consultation  with  Herbert  after  Proi 
home  (I  always  took  him  home,  and  alwai 
dl  about  me),   led  us  to  the  conclnsion  thi 
jlotild  be  said   about    going  abroad  until  T 
from  Miss  Havisham's.     In  rtie 
id  I  were   to    consider   sepurateVy    ■wVa-^-  ^■'^ 


\.Q 


'^jW 


■tif 


ifraskr  vxvmerjjesfm. 


I 


pretence  of  being  afraid  that  he  was  under  auapicit 
obBervation;  or  whether  I,  who  had  never  yet  b 
abroad,  should  propose  an  expedition.  We  both  kn 
that  I  had  but  to  propose  anything',  and  he  would  0 
sent.  We  agreed  that  his  remaining  many  days  in 
present  hazard  was  not  to  be  thought  of. 

Next  day,  I  had  the  meannOBii  to  feign  that  I 
nnder  a  binding  iiromise  to  go  down  to  Joe;  hut  1 1 
capable  of  almost  any  meanness  towards  Joe  < 
name.  Provis  was  to  be  Btrictly  carefol  while  I 
gone,  and  Herbert  was  to  take  the  charge  of  h' 
I  had  taken.  I  was  to  be  absent  only  one  night,  i 
on  my  return,  the  gratification  of  his  impatience 
my  starting  as  a  gentleman  on  a  greater  scale,  wf 
be  begun.  It  occurred  to  me  then,  and  as  I  s 
wards  found  to  Herbert  also,  that  he  might  be  beai 
away  across  the  water,  on  that  pretence  —  as,  to  t 
purchases,  or  the  like. 

Having  thus  cleared  the  way  for  my  expeditioi 
Miss  Httvisham'a,  I  set  ofl'  by  the  early  morning  et 
before  it  was  yet  light,  and  was  out  on  the  open  c 
try-road  when  the  day  came  creeping  on,  hating 
whimpering  and  shivering,  and  wrapped  in  pat^ 
cloud  and  rags  of  mist,  like  a  be^ar.  Whea 
drove  up  to  the  Blue  Boar  after  a  drizzly  ride, 
should  I  aee  come  out  under  the  gateway, 
pick  in  hand,  to  look  at  the  coach,  but  E 
Dmmmlel 

he  protended  not  to  see  me,  I  pretended  n 
n.  It  was  a  very  lame  pretence  on  both  « 
the  lamer,  becauso  we  both  went  into  the  cc " 
where  lie  had  just  fimeVieid  li\a  VxcsMasft,  vo^  /^k 


r 


IWBAT  BHPaOTATIOSS. 

for  I   Tciy  well   knew  why  he  liad  i 


Pretending  to  rend  a  smeary  newspaper  long  out 
"I'  date,  which  had  nothing  half  so  legible  in  its  local 
news,  as  the  foreign  matter  of  coffee,  pieklcB,  fish 
«a.iice8,  gra^i  melted  hutter,  and  wine,  with  which  it 
v&B  sprinkled  all  over,  as  if  it  had  taken  the  uioaslea 
in  a  highly  irregular  form,  I  sat  at  my  table  while  he 
siood  before  the  fire.  By  degrees  it  became  an  enor- 
miias  injury  to  me  that  he  stood  before  the  fire,  and  I 
got  up,  detei-mined  to  have  my  share  of  it.  I  had  to 
i"it  my  hand  behind  his  legs  for  the  poker  when  I 
■  III  up  to  the  fireplace  to  atir  the  fire,  bnt  still  pre- 
■-'li'd  not  to  know  him. 

"Is  this  a  cut?"  said  Mr.  Drummle. 

"Oh!"  said  I,  poker  in  hand;  "it's  you,  is  it?  How 
'1"  you  do?  I  was  wondering  who  it  was,  who  kept 
fill'  fire  off." 

With  that,  I  poked  tremendously,  and  having  done 
"I.  jiliinted  myself  side  by  side  with  Mr.  Drummle,  my 
Iiijiilders  squared  and  my  bock  to  the  fire. 

"You  have  just  come  down?"  said  Mr.  Drummle, 
"iging  me  a  little  away  with  his  shoulder. 

"Yes,"  said  I,  edging  liim  a  little  away  with  my 
sbuulder. 

"Beastly  place,"  said  Drummle.  —  "Tour  part  of 
till-  conntry,  I  think?" 

"Tea,"  I  assented.  "I  am  told  it's  very  like  your 
^linipshire." 

"Not  in  the  least  like  it,"  said  Drummle. 

ifere   Mr.    Driimzzile  looked    at  \\vi  \ji>i>t&,    «g^-  V 

'.,</  at  nunc,  and  thea  Mr.  Drummle  \iioVci  a.t 
Ijg^l^^^old^  lit  hxH. 


r 

I 


148  ORkAT  KsnGTi-nom. 

"Ilavc  you  been  Lere  long?"  I  asked,  determul 
not  to  yield  an  inch  of  tlie  fire, 

"Long     enough     to     he    tired     of    it,"     retnrtl 
Drummle,    protending    to    yawn,    but    equally  i' 
mined. 

"Do  you  stay  hero  long?" 

"Can't  say,"  answered  Mr.  Druranile.    "Do  yon? 

"Can't  say,"  said  1. 

I  felt  here,  through  a  tingling  in  my  blood,  that 
Mr.  Drnmmle'a  shoulder  had  claimed  another  I 
breadth  of  room,  I  should  have  jerked  hitp  into  I 
window;  equally,  that  if  luy  own  shoulder  had  u  ~ 
a  similar  claim,  Mr.  Drummle  would  have  jerfc 
me  into  the  nearest  box.    He  whistled  a  little.    So  diet 

"Large  tract  of  moi'shea  about  here,   I  believe 
said  Drummle. 

"Yes.     What  of  that?"  said  I. 

Mr.  Drummle  looked  at  me,  and  then  at  my  boo 
and  then  said,  "Oh!"  and  laughed. 

"Are  you  amused,  Mr.  Drummle?" 

"Jfo,"  said  he,  "not  partieularly.  I  am  going  ( 
for  a  ride  in  the  saddle.  I  mean  to  explor 
marshes  for  amusement.  Out-of-the-way  villages  thj 
they  tell  me.  Curious  little  public- houses  —  ■ 
smithies  —  and  that.     Waiter!" 

"Yes,  sb." 

"la  that  horse  of  mine  ready?" 

"Brought  round  to  the  door,  sir." 

"I  say.     Look  here,  you  sir.     The  lady  w< 
to-day-  the  weather  won't  do." 

"Very  good,  sir." 
.     "And  I  don't  dinfi,  teca.ttae  Tta.  ^^omsj,  ■«! 


I 


susAT  vm^irrom. 


'ery  good,  sir. 

Drummle  glanced  at  me,  with  an  insolent 
triumph  on  his  great-jowled  face  that  cut  me  to  the 
tenrt,  dull  as  he  was,  and  bo  exasperated  me,  that  I 
wit  iacliiied  to  take  him  in  my  arras  as  the  robber  in 
'li'.'  F^tory-book  is  said  to  have  taken  the  old  lady,  and 
■liii  him  on  the  fire. 

'.)iie  tiling  was  manifest  to  both  of  Qs,  and  that 
"as  that  nntil  relief  came,  neither  of  us  could  relin- 
ijnish  the  fire.  There  we  stood,  well  squared  up  be- 
ftire  it,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  and  foot  to  foot  with  our 
lands  behind  us,  not  budging-  an  inch.  The  horse  waa 
'Tsihie  outside  in  the  drizzle  at  the  door,  my  breakfast 
ifas  put  oil  table,  Dnimmle's  was  cleared  away,  the 
Waiter  invited  me  to  begin,  I  nodded,  we  both  stood 
niir  ground. 

"Have  you  been  to  the  Grove  since?"  said 
iJrammle. 

''No,"  said  I,  "I  had  qiute  enough  of  the  Finches 
lie  last  time  I  was  there." 

"Was  that  when  we  had  a  differeuce  of  opi- 
nion?" 

"Yes,"  I  replied,  very  shortly. 

"Come,  come!  They  let  you  off  easily  enough," 
Bneered  Drummle.  "You  shouldn't  have  lost  yonr 
lumpei." 

"Mr.  I>rummle,"  said  I,  "you  arc  not  competent  to 
give  advice  on  that  subject.  When  I  lose  my  temper 
(not  that  I  admit  having  done  so  on  that  o 
'lon't  throw  glasses." 

"I  do,"  said  Drammle. 

A/ier  glnncing  a,t  him  once  or  twice  ia  an  mraft^.^'i^- 
<^^f  smouldering  ftpoctty,  I  said; 


» 


I  "Mr.  Di'uiumlG,   1  did  not  seek,  tlii^  converaatii 

I  and  I  don't  think  it  an  agreeable  one." 
I         "I  am  sure  it's  not,"   said  he,   supercilioudy  d< 
I  bis  Hboulder;  "I  don't  think  anything'  about  it" 
I  "And  tlierofore,"  I  wont  on,    "with  your  leavS( 

I  will  BUggeat  that  we  hold  no  kind  of  conunonication 
[  future." 

"Quite  my  opinion,"  said  Drummle,    "and  ■y/hd 

I   should  have  suggested  myself,  or  done  —  more  liki 

—  without  suggesting.     But   don't   lose  your  teni| 

■  Haven't  you  lost  enough  without  that?" 

"What  do  you  mean,  sir?" 

"Wai-terl"    said  Drummle,    by    way    of  anafK 

'  ing  me. 

1  The  waiter  rei  _  _ 

"Look  here,  you  sir.     You  quite  understand  d 
the  young  lady  don't  ride  to-day,    and  that  I  dins 
the  young  lady' 
"Quite  80,  6 
I  When  the  waiter  had  felt  my  fast-cooling  tea 

I  with  the  palm  of  his  hand,  and  had  looked  implorlnj 
at  me,  aud  had  gone  out,  Drummle,  careful  not 
move  the  shoulder  nest  me,  took  a  cigar  ftom 
pocket  and  bit  the  end  off,  but  showed  no  sign 
stirring.  Choking  and  boiling  aa  I  was,  I  felt  that 
could  not  go  a  word  further,  without  introducing  . 
tella's  name,  which  I  could  not  endure  to  hear  Mm 
tcr;  and  therefore  I  looked  stonily  at  the  oppot 
wall,  as  if  there  were  no  one  present,  and  forced  a 
self  to  silence.  How  long  we  might  have  remained 
this  ridiculous  position  it  is  impossible  to  say,  bat 
the  jflcursion  of  three  OarW'mg  iaimfeta  —  \^^  «&." 
the  waiter,    I  think  —  ■w\w)  comft  "inUi  ■Oaa 


nnbitltoning  their  great-coats  and  mbbinp  tjjeir  hands, 
luil  before  whom,  as  they  charged  at  the  fire,  we  witb 
nhliged  to  give  way. 

I  saw  hiio  tlirough  the  window,  seizing  his  hoi-se's 
inanti,  and  mounting  in  hia  bhinde.ring  brutal  manner, 
and  sidling  and  backing  away.  I  thought  he  was  gone, 
when  he  came  back,  calling  for  a  light  for  the  cigar  in 
Ilia  mouth,  which  he  had  forgotten.  A  man  in  a  dust- 
flolonred  dress  appeared  with  what  was  wanted  —  I 
could  not  have  said  from  where:  whether  from  the  inn 
ynrd,  or  the  street,  or  where  not  —  and  as  Drummle 
Igauiid  down  from  the  saddle  and  lighted  his  cigar  and 
laaghcd,  with  a  jerk  of  his  head  towards  the  coffeo- 
hwra  windows,  the  slouching  shoulders  and  ragged 
0»ii  of  this  man,  whose  back  was  towards  me,  re- 
Bilnded  me  of  Orlick. 

Too  heavily  out  of  sorts  to  care  much  at  the  time 
"kotlier  it  were  he  or  no,  or  after  all  to  touch  the 
l<ri:,ikfafit,  I  washed  the  weather  and  the  journey  from 
"ly  tace  and  handa,  and  went  out  to  the  memorable 
"Id  Louse  that  it  would  have  been  bo  much  the  better 
f'lr  me  never  to  have  entered,  never  to  have  seen. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

In  the  room  where  the  drea sing-table  stood  and 
*iiere  the  was  candles  burnt  on  the  wall,  I  found  Miss 
Kuvtaham  and  Estella;  Miss  Havisham  seated  on  a 
•ettee  near  the  fire,  and  Estella  on  a  cushion  at  her 
feet.  Eatclla  was  knitting,  and  MisH  Havislmm  was 
looking  on.  They  both  raised  their  eyes  a.a  \  "NeaX,  Na, 
wi  Iwdi  aawaa  alteration  in  me.   1  detVvfti  'Cg.bA.,  tc»3«' 

9^  they  interchanged. 


BSaiJt  VXPOTTAVWSa. 


1 


'  "And  what  wind,"   said  Mias  Havisham,    "blw 

yon  here,  Pip?" 

Though  she  looked  steadily  at  me,  I  saw  thftt  M 

was  rather  confiiaed.     Estella,   pausing  for  a  mooa 

in  her  knitting  with  her  eyes  u|jon  mc,  and  then  g(A 

on,  I  fancied  that  I  read  in  the  action  of  her  finga 

[  as  plainly  aa  if  »he  had  told  me  in  the  dumb  alphabt 

I  that  she   perceived   I  had   discovered    my   real  I 

"Miss   Havisham,"    said  I,    "I  went  to  Richnwi 
yesterday  to  speak  to  Estella;   and  finding  that  t 
[  wind  had  hlown  li^r  here,  I  followed." 

Miss  Havisham  motioning  to  mo  for   the  diird  ■ 

fourth  time  to  sit  down,  I  took  the  chair  by  the  dressiil 

I  table  which  I  had  often  seen  her   occupy.     With  i 

that  min  at  my  feet  and  about  me,  it  seemed  a  natd 

place  for  me,  that  day. 

"What  I  had  to  say  to  Estella,  Miss  Havishani, 
)  will  aay  before  you,  presently  —  in  a  few  momen 
I  It  will  not  surprise  you,  it  will  not  displease  ji 
'  I  am  as  unhappy  as  yoa  can  ever  have  meant  me  to  1> 
Miss  Havisham  continued  to  look  steadily  at  I 
I  could  see  in  the  action  of  Estella's  fingers  aa  th 
I  worked,  that  she  attended  to  what  I  said;  but  s' 
not  look  up. 

"I  have  found  out  who  my  patron  is.     It  ii 

I  fortunate  discovery,  and  is  not  likely  ever  to  enrich! 

I  in  reputation,   station,    fortune,    anything.     There  I 

reasons  why  I  must  Bay  no  more  of  that.    It  is  notl 

secret,  but  another's." 

as  silent  for  a  while,  looking  at  £steU&  « 
Iconsjdering  how  to  go  011,  ^\aB  "fi.si.-na'araft  i«^»ai; 
""^  --  get  your  secret,  Wv  ano'i^i.w'a'    Nfl^ia^^J 


lES 


KQRI 
on  you  first  caused  me  to  be  brought  here, 
viaham;  when  I  belonged  to  lie  village  over 
fSaiei  that  I  wish  I  had  never  left;  I  suppose  I  did 
wily  come  here,  as  any  other  chauee  hoy  might  have 
Kline  —  as  a  kind  oi'  servant,  to  gratify  a  want  or  a 
riiiia,  and  to  he  paid  for  it?" 

"Ah,  Pip,"  replied  Miaa  Havisham,  steadily  nodding 
lep  head;  "you  did." 

"And  that  Mr.  JaggerB  — "' 

"Mr.  Jaggers,"  said  Miss  Havisham,  taking  me  up 
n  a  firm  tone,  "had  nothing  to  do  with  it,  and  knew 
lothing  of  it.  His  being  my  lawyer,  and  his  being 
be  lawyer  of  your  patron,  is  a  coincidence.  He  holds 
be  same  relation  towards  numbers  of  people,  and  it 
lught  easily  arise.  Be  that  aa  it  may,  it  did  arise, 
Jid  was  not  brought  about  by  any  one." 

Any  one  might  have  seen  in  her  haggard  face  that 
bere  was  no  suppression  or  evasion  so  far. 

"But  when  I  fell  into  the  mistake  I  have  so  long 
imained  in,  at  least  yon  led  me  on?"  said  I. 

"Yes,"  she  returned,  again  nodding  steadily,  "I 
It  you  go  on." 

"Was  that  kind?" 

"Who  am  I,"  cried  Miss  Havisham,  striking  her 
ick  upon  the  floor  and  flashing  into  wrath  so  suddenly 
mt  Estella  glanced  up  at  her  in  surprise,  "who  am  I, 

God's  sake,  that  I  should  be  kind!" 

It  was  a  weak  complaint  to  have  made,  and  I  had 
nt  meant  to  make  it.  I  told  her  so,  as  she  sat  biood- 
ig  after  this  outhiu-st. 

'Well,  well,  well!"  she  said.     "What  aXWi" 
r  was  liboraUy  paid  for  my  old  atteTiiance.  ^«.t«-, 
^  to  soothe   ber,    "in    being   appretAicei ,   ko-^- 


r 


m 


ISi  GBBAT  SXTBOTUiHHn. 

have  asked  tliese  qneationa  only  for  my  own  infor 
tion.  Wbat  follows  has  another  (and  I  liope  more  i 
mtu'eBted)  purpose.  Id  humouring  my  mistake,  Misai 
visham,  you  punisbed  —  practiaed  on  —  periiapS ; 
will  supply  whatever  term  oxpreaees  your  intenl 
without  offence  —  your  self-seeking  relationa?" 

"I  did,"  aaid  bIic.  "Why,  they  would  have  it 
So  would  you.  What  has  been  my  history,  tla| 
ahoald  he  at  the  pains  of  entreating  either  them, 
you,  not  to  have  it  sol  You  made  your  own  Bnaiea. 
never  made  them."  "       "  "~  -^——~ 

Waiting  until  she  was  quiet  again  —  for  this,  i 
flashed  out  of  her  in  a  wild  and  sudden  way  — 
went  on. 

"I  have  heen  thrown  among  one  family  of  your 
lations,    Miss  Haviaham,    and    have    been    conBtao! 
among  them  aince  I  went  to  London,     1  know  theiB^ 
b&ve  been  as  honeatiy  under  my  delusion  aa  I  myW 
And  I  should  be  false  and  hose  if  I  did  not  tell 
whether  it  is  acceptable  to  you  or  no,  and  whether 
are  inclined  to   give  credence  to    it  or  no,   that 
deeply  wrong  both  Mr.  Matthew  Pocket   and  his 
Herbert,    if  you   suppose  them  to   he   otherwise 
generous,    upright,    open,    and  incapable   of  any 
designing  or  mean." 

"They  are  your  friends,"  said  Miss  Kavisham. 

"Thoy  made  themselves  my  friends,"  said  I,  '' 
they  supposed  me  to  have  superseded  them;  and 
Sarah  Pocket,  Misa  Georgiana,  and  Mistress  Oi 
were  not  my  friends,  I  think." 

This  contrasting  of  them  with  the  rest 

ghd  to  see,  to  do  t^ero  gooi  ■m'&Vei.  'ftW 
'v  for  a  littie 


eSSAT  EXPEGTATIOHS.  l$fi 

fbat  do  yon  want  for  them?" 
nly,"  BaitI  I,  "that  yiju  would  not  confound  them 
'llh  the  others.    They  may  be.  of  the  same  blood,  but, 
elieve  me,  they  are  not  of  the  same  nature." 

StiU  looking  at  me  keenly,  MisB  Havisham  re- 
puted; 

''Wliat  do  you  want  for  them?" 

"I  am  not  so  cunning',  you  see,"  1  said,  in  answer, 
insciouB  that  I  reddened  a  little,  "as  that  I  could 
ide  from  you,  even  if  I  desired,  that  I  do  want  some- 
wg.  3disH  ilavisham,  if  you  would  spare  the  money 
1  do  my  friend  Herbert  a  lasting  service  in  L'fe,  but 
■liich  from  the  nature  of  the  case  muat  he  done  with- 
lil  Ids  knowledge,  I  could  show  you  how." 

"WLy  must  it  be  done  without  his  knowledge?" 
lu  asked,  settling  her  hands  upon  her  stick,  that  she 
light  regard  me  the  more  attentively. 

"Betiause,"  said  I,  "I  began  tlie  serviee  myself 
lore  than  two  years  ago,  without  his  knowledge,  and 
don't  want  to  he  betrayed.  Why  I  fail  in  my  ability 
I  fiuiab  it,  I  cannot  explain.  It  is  a  part  of  the  secret 
'invh  jB  another  person's  and  not  mine." 

She  gradually  withdrew  lier  eyes  from  me  and 
imed  thejn  on  the  lire.  After  watching^  it  for  what 
[ipeared  in  the  silence  and  by  the  light  of  the  slowly 
^firing  candles  to  be  a  long  time,  ahe  was  roused  by 
II.'  i^oilapso  of  some  of  the  red  coals,  and  looked  to- 
n'lic  me  again  ■ —  at  first  vacantly  —  then  with  a 
'ii'lually  concentrating  attention.  All  this  time,  Estella 
litted  on.  When  Miss  Havisham  had  fixed  her  at- 
,  she  said,  speaking  BA  \i  t\iete  VBA.\iWsi. 
r  dialogue: 


I 


156 

"Eatelln,"  said  I,  turning  to  ber 
to  coniniand  my-  trembling  voice,    "j'ou   knov  1  li 
you.       You   know   that   I  liave   loved    you    long  J 
dearly." 

SliB  raiaad  her  oyea  to  my  face,  on  being  thna 
diesaed,  and  her  fingers  plied  their  work,  and  she  lool 
at  me  with  an  unmoved  countenance.  I  saw  that  K 
Havisham  glanced  from  me  to  her,  and  fi-om  her  to  : 

"I  ehould  have  said  thia  sooner,  but  for  my  I 
mistake.  It  induced  me  to  hope  that  Miss  Hsvis 
meant  us  for  one  another.  While  I  thought  yon  e 
not  help  yourself,  as  it  were,  I  refrained  from  say 
it.     But  I  must  say  it  now." 

Preserving  her  nnmoved  countenance,  and  ■» 
fingers  still  going,  Estella  shook  her  Lead. 

"I  know,"  said  I,  in  answer  to  that  action; 
know.  I  have  no  hope  that  I  shall  ever  call  you  m 
£stella.  I  am  ignorant  wliat  may  become  of  me  7 
Boon,  how  poor  X  may  be,  or  where  I  may  go.  fl 
I  love  you.  I  have  loved  you  ever  since  I  first  i 
you  in  this  Louse." 

Looking  at  me  perfectly  unmoved  and  with 
fingers  buay,  she  shook  Ler  head  again. 

"It  would  have  been  cruel  in  Miss  Havishami  '■ 
rihly  cruel,  to  practise  on  the  susceptibility  »J  a  ] 
boy,  and  to  torture  me  through  all  these  years  wil 
vain  hope  and  an  idle  pnrsuit,  if  she  had  reflected  on 
gravity  of  what  she  did.  But  I  think  she  did  not 
think  that  in  the  endurance  of  her  own  auffering, 
forgot  mine.  Estella." 

I  saw  Miss  Havisham  put  her  hand  to  Lei  1 
and  bold  it  there,  aa  aba  eat  WWav?^\i-^  ^w^i^^  " 
find  at  me. 


SR&LT  IIXFBI!T:A.TIOIia. 


3S7 


I  seems,"  said  Eatells,  very  cftlinly,  "that  tlicre 
Snthnents,  fancies  - —  I   don't   know  how  to  call 

a  —  which  I  am  not  able  to  comprehend.  When 
say  you  love  mc,  I  know  what  you  mean,   aa  a 

1  of  words;  but  nothing  more.    You  address  nothing 

ay  breast,  you  touch  nothing  there.     I  don't  care 

what  you  say  at  all.     I  have  tried  to  warn  you  of 

;  now,  have  I  not?" 

I  said  in  a  miserable  manner,  "Tea." 

"Yes.     But  you  would  not   be    warned,    for    you 

ight  I  didn't  mean  it.     Now,  did  you  not?" 

"I  thought  and  hoped  you  could  not  mean  it.  Ton, 

oung,  untried,  and  beautiful,  Estella!    Surely  it  is 

in  Nature." 

"It  is  in  my  nature,"  she  returned.     And  then  she 

sd,  with  a  stress  upon  the  words,  "It  is  in  the  na- 
formed  within  me.     I  make  a  great  difference  be- 

m  you  and  all  other  people  when  I  say  so  much. 

in  do  no  more." 

"Is  it  not  true,"  said  I,  "that  Bentley  Dnimmle  is 

owu  here,  and  pursuing  you?" 

"It  is  quite  true,"  she  replied,  referring  to  him  with 

indifference  of  utter  contempt. 

"That  you  encourage  him,  and  ride  out  with  him, 
that  he  dines  with  you  this  very  day?" 

She  seemed  a  little   surprised  that  I  should  know 

but  again  replied,  "Quite  true." 

"You  cannot  love  him,  Estella!" 

Her  fingers  stopped  for  the  first  time,    as   she  re- 

iEd  rather   angrily,    "What  have   I  told  you?    Do 

1  atill  think ,  in  spite  of  it,  that  1  do  not  TUftaft.  ■^Vto. 


■ry  him,  "Elste^LaKl 


GREAT  EXPECTATIOKS. 


"1 

d  conaiderei  ■* 


She  looked  towards  Miss  Havisliaiu,  aud  c 
ftbt  a  moment  with  her  work  in  her  hands.     Then  slrt 
Bftid,  "Why  not  tell  you  the  truthV    I  am  going  K 
married  to  him." 

I  dropped  my  face  into  my  hands,  hut  was  able  ( 
mtrol  myself  better  than  I  could  have  expeWed,  < 
idering  what  agony  it  gave  me  to  hear  her  say  tJ 
r Words.     When  I  raised  my  face  again,  there  was  f 
a  ghastly  look  upon  Miss  Havisham's,  that  it  impreaM 
me,  even  in  my  passionate  hurry  and  grief, 

"Estella,    dearest  dearest  EsteUa,    do  not  let  1 
^^    Havisham  lead  you  into  this  fatal  step,     Pnt  me  asia 
^L  for  ever  —  you  have  done  ao,  I  well  know  - 
^H  stow  yourself  on  some  worthier  person  than  I 
^F   Uiss  Havisham  gives  yon  to  him,  as  the  greatest  sli^ 
and  injury  that  could  be  done  to  the  many  far  baW 
men  who  admire  yon,  and  to  the  few  who  truly  lo^ 
you.     Among  those  few,  there  may  be  one  who  1 

ITOU  even  as  dearly,  though  he  has  not  loved  you  i 
long,  as  I.  Take  liim,  and  I  can  hear  it  bettfir,  t 
your  sake!" 
My  earneatnesa  awoke  a  wonder  in  her  that  seenii 
as  if  it  would  have  been  touched  with  compaasioQ, 
die  could  have  rendered  me  at  all  intelligib" 
own  mind. 
"I  am  going,"  she  said  again,  in  a  gentler  voie 
"to  be  married  to  him.  The  preparations  for  my  (H* 
■riage  are  making,  and  I  shall  be  married  soon.  ^^ 
do  you  injuriou§ly  introduce  the  i  " 

ty  adoption?  It  is  my  own  act." 
"Your  own  act,  Estclla,  to  fling  yourself  away  np" 
«  hrute?" 
"On  whom  abouVd  \  fi-i'ag  ^ 


GKEiT   ES!'ECTATI0S8, 


Rwitll  a  smile.  "Sbould  T  Sing  mysi'If  away 
10  man  who  would  the  eoonest  feel  (if  people  do 
oh  things)  that  I  took  nothing  to  bim?  Therel 
II  is  done.  I  shall  do  well  enough,  and  m  will  my 
Insband.  As  to  leading  mo  into  what  ynu  call  this 
ittal  step,  Mise  Ha^^Hhftm  would  have  had  mn  wait, 
Ud  not  marry  yet;  but  I  am  tired  of  the  life  I  have 
Ud,  which  hus  very  few  charms  for  me.  and  I  am 
willing  enough  to  change  it.  Say  no  more.  We  Bliall 
oever  understand  each  other." 

"Such  a  mean  hrute,  such  a  stupid  brute!"  I  urged 
b  despair. 

"Don't  be  afraid  of  my  being  a  blessing  to  him," 
said  Estella;  "I  shall  not  be  that.  Come!  Here  is 
(ay  hand.     Do  we  part  on  this,  you  visionary  hoy  — 


"O  Estella!"  I  answered,  as  my  bitter  tears  fell 
fnat  on  her  hand,  do  what  I  would  to  restrain  them; 
"ei-pn  if  I  remained  in  England  and  could   hold  my 

111  up  with  the  rest,  how  could  I  see  you  Dmmmle's 

■Sonsense,"  she  returned,  "nonsense.     This  will 

;  in  no  time." 

"Never,  Estella!" 

"You  will  get  me  out  of  your  thoughts  in  a  week." 

"Ont  of  my  thoughts!  You  are  part  of.  my  exiatence,- 
part  of  myself.  Tou  have  been  in  every  line  I  have 
•vjT  read  since  I  first  came  here,  tlie  rough  common 
•Wy  wliose  poor  heart  yon  wounded  even  then.  You 
"We  been  in  every  prospect  I  have  ever  seen  since  — 
Jwi  the  river,  on  the  sails  of  the  ships,  on  tlie  tomAxcs, 
*,tlie  doudg.  in  the  light,  in  the  da,rk-tt(iaft,  !.■&  &fe 
in  tJto  soa,  in  llie 


160  GREAT  BKPBOTATIONS. 

have  been  the  embodiment  of  every  graceful  fauey 
my  mind  has  ever  become  acquainted  with.  The  flt 
of  which  the  strongest  London  buildinge  are  ma^, 
not  more  real,  or  more  impossible  to  be  displaced^ 
your  hands,  than  your  presence  and  influence 
Deen  to  me,  there  and  everywhere,  and  will  be. 
tella,  to  the  last  hour  of  my  life,  you  caimot  cl 
amain  part  of  my  character,  part  of  the  little 
I,  part  of  the  evil,  But,  in  this  separation  I 
Boeiate  you  only  with  the  good,  and  I  will  fiuthfB 
hold  you  to  that  always,  for  you  must  have  dons 
far  more  good  than  harm,  let  me  feci  now  what 
distress  I  may.     0  God  bless  you,    God  forgave 

In  what  ecstasy  of  unhappiness  I  got  thesa  hrol 

I  words   out   of  myself,   I  don't  know.      The  rhaps 

I  welled  up  within  me,  like  blood  from  an  inward  won] 

and  gushed  out.     I  held  her  hand  to  my  lips  b 

lingering  momenta,    and  so  I  left  her.     But  ever  Bi 

I  wards,  I  remembered  —  and  soon  afterwards  i 
stronger  reason  —  that  while  Estella  looked  at 
merely  with  incredulous  wonder,  the  spectral  figl 
of  Miss  Havisham,  her  hand  still  covering  her  hi 
Beemed  all  resolved  into  a  ghastly  stare  of  pity 
remorse. 

All  done,  all  gonel  80  much  was  done  and  g 
that  when  I  went  out  at  the  gate,  the  light  of  the  tl 
seemed  of  a  darker  colour  than  when  I  went  in,  ] 
hile,  I  hid  myself  among  some  lanes  and  by-p«( 
md  then  struck  off  to  walk  all  the  way  to  Loii4 
For,  I  had  by  that  time  come  to  myself  so  fitr,  bi 
consider  that  I  cou\4  not,  5,0  taiV  Vs  tlwa  inn  and 
I  Drammlc  there;    thai  1  co\iil  ■ao'i.  Niftw  V»  MS.-TOif^ 


be  spoken  to;   that  1  could  do  nothing 
r  myself  aa  tire  mjaelf  oat. 
■  past  midnight  vrben  I  urossod  LondoD  Bridge. 
k  tliQ  narrow  intricacies  of  tbe  titreets  which  at 
^  traided  westward  near  the  Middlesex  shore  of^ 
,  my  readiest  accesa  to  the  Temple  was  cl< 
rrer-eide,   througli  Wliiteiriars. 
1  to-morrow,  but  I  bad  my  keys,  and  if  H< 
B  gone  to  bed,  could  get  to  bed  myself  withi 

seldom    happened    that  I 
i  gate  after  the  Temple  was  closed,    and 
'  muddy  and  weary,   1   did   not  take  it 
night-porter  examined  me  with  much  attention 
J  the  gate  a  little  way  open  for  me  to  pass  in. 
'9  memory,  I  mentioned  my  name. 
£  not  quite  sure,  sir,  but  I  thought  ao.  Here's 
.  The  messenger  that  brought  it,  said  would 

)  good  as  read  it  by  my  lantern." 

itoh  Hurpriaed  by  the  request,  I  took  the  note.   It 
lirected  to  Philip  Pip,  Esquire,  and  on  the  top  of 


dge. 
h  at 
e  of I 

I 

t  iU  1 


ripliu 

opened  it, 

i.  read  inside 

M't  qo  home.'' 


the  words,  "Please  read  thib, 
the  watchman    holding  up  I 
in  Wemmick'a  writing: 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 


1 


Tttsnino  from  the  Temple  gate  as  soon  as  I  & 
read  the  wftming,  I  made  the  best  of  my  vr&j  to  Flfll 
street,  and  there  got  a  lato  hackney  chariot  and  dn 
to  the  Huinmuma  m  Covent  Garden.  In  those  tim« 
)  always  to  he  got  there  at  any  hour  ofl 
night,  and  the  chamberlain,  letting  me  in  at  his  reii 
wicket,  lighted  the  candle  next  in  order  on  his  slu 
and  showed  me  straight  into  the  bedroom  next  in  oti 
1  his  list.  It  was  a  sort  of  vault  on  the  ground  A 
at  the  back,  with  a  despotic  monster  of  a  four-p 
bedstead  in  it,  straddling  over  the  whole  place,  pniti 
one  of  his  arbitrary  legs  into  the  fireplace  and  anotl 
into  the  doorway,  and  squeezing  the  wretched  Ijj 
washing-stand  in  quite  a  Divinely  Righteous  manna 

As  I  had  asked  for  a  night-Ugbt,  the  chambed 
had  brought  me  in,  before  he  left  me,  the  good  J 
constitutional  rushlight  of  those  virtuous  days  — i 
object  like  the  ghost  of  a  walking-cane,  which  instad 
broke  its  back  if  it  were  touched,  which  nothing  ca 
ever  be  lighted  at,  and  which  was  placed  in  solitt 
confinement  at  the  bottom  of  a  high  tin  tower,  | 
forated  with  round  holes  that  made  a  staringly  WB 
awake  pattern  on  the  walls.  When  I  had  got  ii 
bed,  and  lay  there  footsore,  weary,  and  wretched, 
found  that  I  could  no  more  close  my  own  eyes  tbu 
could  close  the  eyes  of  this  foolish  Argus.  And  tbi 
in  the  gloom  and  death  of  the  night,  we  Btared  at  t 
BBotber. 

I  doleful  n\gU\  ^ow 


GREAT  BXPECTATIOHB.  163 

low  long!  There  was  an  inhospitable  tiinell  in  the 
room,  of  cold  Boot  and  hot  dust;  and,  as  I  looked  up 
nto  the  corners  of  the  tester  over  my  head,  I  thought 
shat  a  number  of  lilue-bottlu  flies  from  the  butchers', 
md  earwigs  from  the  market,  and  grubs  from  the 
Minntry,  must  be  holding  on  up  there,  lying  by  for 
laxt  Bumraer.  This  led  me  to  speculate  whether  any 
)f  them  ever  tumbled  down,  and  then  I  fancied  that  I 
felt  light  falls  on  my  face  —  a  disagreeable  turn  of 
iought,  suggesting  other  and  more  objectionable  ap- 
proaches up  my  back.  When  I  had  lain  a'wake  a  little 
while,  those  extraordinary  voices  with  which  silence 
teems,  began  to  make  themselves  audible.  The  closet 
wiiiapered,  the  fireplace  sighed,  the  little  washing-stand 
ticked,  and  one  guitar-string  played  occasionally  jn 
the  chest  of  drawers.  At  about  the  same  time  the  eyes 
on  the  wall  acquired  a  new  expression,  and  in  every 
One  of  those  staring  rounds  I  saw  written.   Don't  go 

HOME. 

Whatever  nigbt-fancies  and  night-ooises  crowded 
on  me,  they  never  warded  off  this  Don't  go  home.  It 
plaited  itself  into  whatever  I  thought  of,  as  a  bodily 
pBJn  would  have  done.  Not  long  before,  I  had  read 
in  the  newspapers  bow  a  gentleman  unknown  had  corns 
!o  the  Hummums  in  the  night,  and  had  gone  to  bed, 
«nd  had  destroyed  himself,  and  had  been  found  in  the 
ooming  weltering  in  blood.  It  came  into  my  head 
liat  he  must  have  occupied  this  very  vault  of  mine, 
Mid  I  got  out  of  bed  to  assure  myself  that  there  were 
no  red  marks  about;  then  opened  the  door  to  look  out 
into  the  passages,  and  cheer  myself  with  the  com- 
JJanionship  of  a  distant  light,  near  whitU  1  tae^  ■&& 
^mberlain  to  be   dozing.     But  all  Hub  vVmft,  -wV^  "V 


f  164  QBEAT  BXPECTATIOHS. 


^■l6' 

^^B  was  not  to  g;o  home,  and  what  hod  happened  at  hots 

^^ft  and  when  I  should  go  home,   and  whether  PtotIs  W 

^^B  safe  at  home,   were  questions  occupying  01;"  mind 

^^m  busily,   thnt  one  might  have  suppoeed  there  could 

^1^  no  room   in   it   for  any   other  theme.     Even  when 

thought  of  Estella,   and  how  we  had  parted  that  d 

for  ever,   and  when  I  recalled  all  the  circumatancea  I 

our  parting,    and   all   her  looks   and  I 

I  action  of  her  fingers  while  she  knitted  —  even  then 
■was  pursuing,  here  and  there  and  everywhere, 
caution  Don't  go  home.  When  at  last  I  dozed, 
dieer  exhaustion  of  mind  and  body,  it  became  a  v 
shadowy  verb  which  I  had  to  conjugate.  Imperftti 
mood,  present  tense:  Do  not  thou  go  home,  let  h 
not  go  home,  Let  us  not  go  home,  do  not  ye  or  y 
go  home,  let  not  them  go  home.  Then,  pot^tiallyi 
may  not  and  I  cannot  go  home:  and  I  might  not,  cot 
not,  woiild  not,  and  should  not  go  home ;  until  I  felt  tl 
I  was  going  distracted,    and  rolled  over  on  the  pilloi 

»and  looked  at  the  staring  rounds  upon  the  wall  agu 
I  had  loft  directions  that  I  was  to   be  called 
eeven;    for    it  was   plain   that  I  must  see   Wemmii 
before  seeing  any  one  else,  and  equally  plain  that  tl 
was  a  case  in  which  his  Walworth  sentiments,  ml 
could  be  taken.    It  was  a  relief  to  get  out  of  die  rot 
where  the  night  had  been  so  miserable,    and  I  need 
no  second  knocking  at  the  door  to  startle  me  from  V 
nneasy  bed. 
The   Castle    battlements    arose    upon  my  view 
eight    o'clock.     The    little    servant    happening   to 
entering    the    fortress    with    two    hot    rolb,    I   pa* 
through  the  postein  ttni  ctoaaeA  'Cne.  ixa.-K\rtvl^^  in  1 
^    company,  and  bo  camii  V^'iKo^'t  oria.'i'MuatnsBi&Ssfift' 


JFof  "Wemmick  aa  lie  waa  making  tea  for  hiJH 
Rrtbe  Aged.  An  open  door  afforded  a  pergpectifl 
if  the  Aged  in  bed.  "J 

lalloa,    Mr.  Pip!"    Baid  Wemmick.      "You   flU 

borae,  then?"  H 

Tes,"  I  retained;  "hut  I  didn't  go  home."  V 

That's  all  right,"  said  he,  rubbing  his  hands.  "J 
note  for  you  at  each  of  the  Temple  gates,  on  ifl 
fc^ Which  gate  did  you  come  to?"  ^t 

W  go  roond  to  the  others  in  the  course  of  tfl 

ra  destroy  the  notea,"   said  Wemmick;    "it's  a 

■ule  never  to  leave  documentary  evidence  if  you 

elp   it,    because  you   don't   know  when   it  may 

t    in.     I'm    going  to   take   a  liberty  with  yoi 

ould    you    mind    toasting    tl  ' 

P.?" 

aid  I  should  he  delighted  to  do  it. 

"hen  you  can  go  about  your  work,  Mary  Anni 

Wemmick  to  the  little  servant;    "which  leaves 

raelves,    don't    you    see,    Mr.  Pip?"    he 

ig,  as  she  disappeared. 

hanked  him  for  his  friendship  and  caution,    and 

leourse  proceeded  in  a  low  tone,   while  I  toasted 

•ed's  sausage  and  he  buttered  the  crumb  of  the 

I  roU. 

Tow,  Mr.  Pip,  you  know,"  said  Wemmick,  " 

understand  one  another.     We  are  in  our  privi 

TBonal  capacities,  and  we  have  been  engaged 

dentia^  transaction  before  to-da.y.     0¥Eic\a\  *kq&- 

are  one  thing.     We  are  extra  officiaV." 

vdMly  assented.     I  waa  bo  very  cervoMSi 


I 


lay 

1 

md 
ted 
the 


I  had  abeady  lighted  the  Aged's  sausage  like  a  WiKbi  ml 
and  been  obliged  to  blow  it  out. 

"I  accidentally  hc^rd,    yesterday  morning," 
Wemmiek,  "being  in  a  certain  place  where  I  onci 

»yoE  —  even  between  yon  and  me,    it's  as  well  not  t 
Jmention  names  when  avoidable  — " 
"Much  better  not,"  said  I.     "I  understand  yon*" 
"I  board  there,    by   chance,   yesterday  momini 
Baid  Wemmiek,    "that  a  certain  person  not  altogeth 
of  imcolonial  pursuits,  and  not  unpossessed  of  portab 
property  - —  I  don't  know  who  it  may  really  h 
n't  name  this  person  — " 
"Not  necessary,"  said  I. 

" —  had  made  some  little  stir  in  a  certain  part 
Hlie  world  where  a  good  many  people  go,   not  alv>| 
"h  gratification  of  their  own  inclinations,  and  not  qi^ 
rrespective  of  the  government  expense  — " 

In  watching  his  face,   I  made  quite  a  firework 
rithe  Aged's  sausage,    and  greatly  discomposed  boti 
|"6wn  attention  and  Wemmick's;  for  which  I  apolog 
-  by  disappearing  from  such  place,    and  \ 
ire    heard    of  thereabouts.     From  which," 
Wemmiek,    "conjectures  had  been  raised  and  tbeori 
formed.     I  also  heard  that  you  at  your  chambers 
Garden-court,    Temple,   had  been  watched,    and  n  ' 
be  watched  again." 
L         "By  whom?"  said  I. 

I  "1  wouldn't  go  into  that,"  said  Wemmiek,  evasivel 

"it  might  clash  with  official  responsibilities.  I  ha* 
it,  as  1  have  in  my  time  heard  othor  curious  thinga  I 
the  same  place.  I  don't  tell  it  you  on  ioformatil 
received.     I  heard  it." 

He  took  the  toaBting-lotV  oai  BB»a»%%  ^ 


1S7 

(kA,  and  set  forth  the  Aged's  breakfast  neatly 
,,_,  -little  tray.  Previous  to  placing  it  before  him,  he 
^eot  into  the  Aged's  room  with  a  clean  white  cloth, 
red  tied  the  same  nndej  the  old  gentleman's  chin,  and 
propped  him  up,  and  put  iiis  nightcap  on  one  side,  and 
gave  him  quite  a  rakish  air.  Then  he  placed  his 
breakiast  before  him  with  great  care,  and  said,  "All 
right,  ain't  you.  Aged  P.?"  To  which  the  cheerfnl 
Aged  replied,  "All  right,  John,  my  hoy,  all  right!" 
Ai  there  seemed  to  be  a  tacit  understanding  that  the 
A^d  was  not  in  a  presentable  state,  and  was  therefore 
to  be  considered  iaviaible,  I  made  a  pretence  of  being 
in  complete  ignorance  of  these  proceedings. 

"This  watching  of  me  at  my  chambers  (which   I  i 
have  once  had  rea-i^on  to  suspect),"  I  said  to  Wemmick  ! 
when  he  came  hack,  "is  inseparable  from  the  person  to 
wliora  you  have  adverted;  is  it?" 

Wemmick  looked  very  sorions.  "I  couldn't  under- 
take to  say  that,  of  my  own  knowledge.  I  mean,  I 
coaldn't  undertake  to  say  it  was  at  first.  But  it  either 
IB,  or  it  will  be,  or  it's  in  great  danger  of  being." 

As  I  saw  that  he  was  restrained  by  fealty  to  Little 
Britain  from  saying  as  much  as  he  could,  and  as  I 
knew  with  thankfulness  to  him  how  far  out  of  his  way 
iie  went  to  say  what  he  did,  I  could  not  press  him. 
Bat  I  told  him,  after  a  little  meditation  over  the  fire, 
Ibut  I  would  like  to  ask  him  a  question,  subject  to  his 
answering  or  not  answering,  as  he  deemed  right,  and 
snre  that  his  course  would  be  right.  He  paused  in 
Wb  breakfast,  and  crossing  his  arms,  and  pinching  his 
'birt-sleeves  {his  notion  of  in-door  comfott.  "^as  \ci  «v\. 
witionf  ao^fr  coat),    be  nodded  to  me  oin^,  \»  yo.^  tb^ 


L  J68  QRBAT  BXPECTATiONS. 


h«.|i 


^^H  -       "  Tou  ha.ve  heard  of  a  man  of  bad  ch&ra^ter,  wboSS  J 
^^■bne  name  is  CompeyaoaP" 
^^1         He  answered  with  one  other  nod. 
^^^         "Is  he  living?" 
^^K        One  other  nod. 
^^P  "Is  he  in  London?" 

^U  He  gave  me  one  other  nod,  compressed  the  p 

^F     ofB.ce  exceedingly,  gave  me  one  last  nod,  and  iFent  e 
with  his  breakfast. 

"Now,"  said  Wenunick,  "qnestioning  being  overj 
which  he  emphasised  and  repeated  for  my  guidanc 
^^    "I  come  to  what  I  did  after  hearing  what  I  heard. 
^^L  went  to  Garden-court  to  find  you;    not  finding  you, 
^^K  vent  to  Clarrikcr's  to  find  ]V[r.  Herbert." 
^V  "And  him  you  found?"  said  I,  with  great  a 

"And  him  I  found.  Without  mentioning  I 
names  or  going  into  any  details,  I  gave  him  to  und 
stand  that  if  he  was  aware  of  anybody  —  Tom, 
^^  or  Richard  —  being  about  the  chambers,  or  about  ) 
^^L  immediate  neigh boorhood,  he  had  better  get  Tom,  Jw 
^H  or  Richard,  out  of  the  way  while  you  were  out  oft 
^H  way." 

^H  "He  would  he  greatly  puzzled  what  to  do?' 

^^1  "He  was  puzzled  what  to  do;  not  the  less,  becW 

^H  I  gave  him  my  opinion  that  it  was  not  safe  to  try 

^W    get  Tom,  Jack,  or  Richard,  too  far  out  of  the  way 

present.     Mr.  Pip,  I'll  tell  you  something.     Under  « 

isting  circumstances  there  is  no  place  like  a  great  i! 

when  you  are  once  in  it.     Don't  break  cover  too  soi 

Lie  close.     Wait  tiU  things  slacken,  before  yon  toy  t 

open,  even  for  foreign  air." 

I  thanked  bim  foi  1ms  vaXariiAte  aisSiua- »a 
^^Jum  what  Herbert  hal  ioaj 


I  QRBAT  EXPECTATIONS.  169 

"Mr.  Herbert,"  said  Wemiiiick,  "after  being  all  of 
a  Leap  for  bolf  an  hour,  etmck  oat  a  plan.  He  men- 
lioned  to  me  as  a  secret,  that  he  is  courting'  a  yoang 
my  who  has,  as  no  doubt  you  arc  aware,  a  bedridden 
Pa.  Which  Pa,  having  been  in  the  Purser  line  of  life, 
lies  a-bed  in  a  bow-window  where  he  can  see  the  ships 
Bsil  up  and  down  the  river.  You  are  acquainted  with 
llie  young  lady,  most  probably?" 
"Not  personally,"  said  I. 

The  truth  was,  that  she  had  objected  to  me  as  an 
expensive  companion  who  did  Herbert  no  good,  and 
that  when  Herbert  had  first  proposed  to  present  me  to 
her  she  had  received  the  pi-opoaal  with  such  very  mo- 
derate warmth,  tliat  Herbert  had  feit  himself  obliged 
to  confide  the  state  of  the  case  to  me,  with  a  view  to 
the  passage  of  a  little  time  before  I  made  her  ac- 
quaintance. When  I  had  begun  to  advance  Herbert's 
prospects  by  stealth,  I  had  been  able  to  bear  this  with 
cheerful  philosophy;  he  and  his  affianced,  for  their 
port,  had  naturally  not  been  very  anxiona  to  introduce 
B  third  person  into  their  intei-views;  and  thus,  although 
I  was  assured  that  I  had  risen  in  Clara's  esteem,  and 
although  the  young  lady  and  I  had  long  regularly 
interchanged  messages  and  remembrances  by  Herbert, 
I  had  never  seen  her.  However,  I  did  not  trouble 
Wemmiek  with  these  particulars. 

"The  house  with  the  bow-window,"  said  Wenunick, 
"being  by  the  river-side,  down  the  Pool  there  between 
Limehouse  and  Greenwich,  and  being  kept,  it  seems, 
liy  a  very  respectable  widow  who  has  a  furnished  upper 
floor  to  let,  Mr.  Herbert  put  it  to  me,  wl\a,\.  4\i  \  'Oii\\it 
of  thai  as  a  temporary  tenement  for  ToKi,  5aOs.,  '^t 
gW/*  JVoTT,  I  thought  very  weW  ot  \t,  ^o^  ^^c"' 


i 


QSEAT  BXPSOTATIOKS; 

Preasons  I'll  give  you.  That  is  to  say.  Firstly.  It'9 1 
altogetLer  out  of  all  youi'  beats,  and  is  well  away  fro 
the  iisual  heap  of  stJ'Gets  great  and  small.  Second! 
Without  going  near  it  yunrself ,  you  i:ould  always  he 
of  the  safety  of  Tom,  Jack,  or  Richard,  through  S 
Herbert.  Thirdly.  After  a  while  and  when  it  mig 
prudent,  if  yon  should  want  to  slip  Tom,  Jadi 
or  Richard,  on  board  a,  foreign  packet-boat,  there  be : 

Much  comforted  by  these  consideratioos,  I  thanke 

■  Wemmick  again  and  again,  and  begged  Ikim  to  "p 
|«eed. 

"Weil,    sir!    Mr.   Herbert    threw  himself  into  i 
fbusiness  with  a  will,  and  by  nine  o'clock  last  night  i 

■  housed  Tom,  Jack  or  Richard  —  whichever  it  i 
I'be  —  you  and  I  don't  want  to  know  —  quite  sncc 
I  inlly.     At  the  old  lodgings  it  was  understood  that  i 

I   summoned  to  Dover,   and  in   fact  he  was  tiki 
r  down  the  Dover  road   and  cornered  out  of  it.     No' 
another  gi-eat  advantage  of  all  this,  is,  that  it  was  doi 
without  you,   and  when,    if  any  one  v 
himself  about  yom'  movements,  you  must  be  knowa  t 

I  bo  ever  so  many  miles  off  and  quite  otherwise  « 
gaged.  This  diverts  suspicion  and  confttses  it;  andfi 
the  same  reason  I  recommended  that  even  if  you  csBi 
back  last  night,  you  should  not  go  home.  It  brings  i 
more  confusion,  and  you  want  confusion." 
Wemmick,  haying  finished  his  breakfast,  is 
looked  at  his  watch,  and  began  to  get  his  coat  on. 
"And  now,  Mr.  Pip,"  said  he,  with  bis  hands  sti 
in  the  sleeves,  "I  have  probably  done  the  most  I  el 
to;  hut  if  I  can  ever  do  mote  —  ^q-ki  «.  '^itsoe' 
9«if  of  view,    and  in  a  slri.tt\7  ^wsaXfi  w^i  "i 


b 
o 

I 

I' 


171 


capacity — _I  shall  be  glad  to  do  it.  Here's 
There  can  be  no  harm  in  yonr  going  here  to-night  and 
seeing  for  yourself  that  all  is  well  with  Tom,  Jack  or 
Kichard,  before  yon  go  home  —  which  ia  another  rea- 
son for  your  not  going  home  last  night.  But  after  you 
iiavB  gone  home,  don't  go  back  here.  You  are  very 
welcome,  I  am  sure,  Mr.  Pip;"  his  hands  wore  now 
out  of  his  sleeves,  and  I  wan  shaking  them;  "and  let 
me  finally  impress  one  important  point  upon  yon."  He 
luid  his  hands  upon  my  shoulders,  and  added  in  a 
solemn  whisper;  "Avail  yourself  of  this  evening  to  lay 
lold  of  his  portable  property.  Yott  don't  know  what 
may  happen  to  him.  Don't  let  anything  happen  to  the 
prtable  property." 

Quite  despairing  of  making  my  mind  clear  to  Wem- 
mick  on  this  point,  I  forbore  to  try. 

"'l'4me's  up,"  said  Wemniick,  "and  I  must  be  off. 
If  you  had  nothing  more  pressing  to  do  than  to  keep 
hpre  till  dark,  that's  what  1  should  advise.  You  look 
very  mnch  worried,  and  it  would  do  you  good  to  have 
a  perfectly  quiet  day  with  the  Aged  - —  he'll  be  up 
presently  —  and  a  little  hit  of  —  you  remember  the 
pig?" 

"Of  course,"  said  I. 

"Well;  and  a  little  bit  of  him.  That  sausage  you 
t&sated  was  his,  and  he  was  in  all  respects  a  first-rater, 
Do  try  him,  if  it  is  only  for  old  acquaintance'  sake. 
Good-by,  Aged  Parent!"  in  a  cheery  shout. 

"All  right,  John;  all  right,  my  boy!"  piped  the 
old  man  from  within. 

I  soon  feU  asleep  before  WeiumiGWa  fat,  wcift-  'Co-'si 
^ged  and  I  enjoyed  one  anotlver'a  aoii\e\,5  \>^   ^sffiav?, 
*few  isiore  it  more  or  less  all  "  .     -     -  -  - 


Pl72  flREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


f 

^^Fpork  for  dinner,  and  greens  groim  on  the  estate,  i 
1^^  I  nodded  at  the  Aged  with  »  good  intention  wienevf 
I  failed  to  do  it  accidentally.  When  it  was  quite  dal 
I  left  the  Aged  preparing  the  fire  for  toast;  and  I  i 
^^^  ferred  from  the  number  of  teacnps ,  as  well  as  from  1 
^^Lglances  at  the  two  little  doors  in  the  wall,  that  DC 
^^Bfikiffins  wafi  expected. 

B  tha 
^^  and 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


Eight  o'clock  had  struck  before  I  got  into  t 
[  that  was  scented,  not  diaagreeahly,  by  the  chips  al 
shavings  of  the  long-shore  hoat-hnilders,  and  mast  0 
and  block  makers.  All  that  water-side  region  of  t! 
upper  and  lower  Pool  below  Bridge,  was  nnknoi 
ground  to  me,  and  when  I  struck  down  by  the  rivJ 
I  found  that  the  spot  I  wanted  was  not  where  I  h 
^_  supposed  it  to  be,  and  was  anything  hut  easy  to  fii 
^U.  It  was  called  Hill  Pond  Bank,  Chinks's  Basin;  an^ 
^Hk  had  no  other  guide  to  Chinics's  Basin  than  the  0 
^Rfireen  Copper  Kope-Walk. 

^^  It  matters  not  what  stranded  ships  repairing  in  i 

^K  docks  I  lost  myself  among,  what  old  hulls  of  ahipB ' 

^H   cottrae  of  being  Icnocked  to  pieces,  what  ooze  and  slii 

^B     and  other  dregs   of  tide,    what  yards  of  ship-bnildl 

and  ship-breakers,   what  rusty  anchors   blindly  Htb 

into  the  ground  though  for  years  off  duty,  what  mo 

tainous  country  of  accumulated  casks  and  timber,  . 

how  many  rope-walks  that  were  not   the   Old  Gr9 

Copper.     After  several  times  falling  short  of 

nation  and   as   often  ovec-aWiAia^  i.\.,   I  ci 

^  _pectedly  round    a   comer,  \\^on  "^Ki  "?wA.^»a^ 


til 


^Ht  iroeh  kind  of  place,  all  circamstances  coneidered, 
pHme  the  wind  from  the  river  had  room  to  tnm  itself 
round;  and  there  were  two  or  three  trees  in  it,  and 
there  was  the  stump  of  a  ruined  windmiU,  and  there 
was  the  Old  Green  Copper  E«pe-Walk  —  whose  long 
and  narrow  vista  I  could  trace  in  tlie  moonlig^ht,  along 
ft  series  of  wooden  frames  set  in  the  ground,  that  looked 
ilka  saperannaated  hayniakiug-rakes  which  had  grown 
"1(1  aud  lost  most  of  their  teeth. 

■Selecting  from  the  few  queer  houses  upon  Mill 
I'tiiid  Bank,  a  house  with  a  wooden  front  and  three 
siiiriea  of  how-window  (not  hay-windows,  which  is  an- 
(itiier  thing),  I  looked  at  the  plate  upon  the  door,  and 
tead  there,  Mi's.  Whimplo.  That  heing  the  name  I 
(ranted,  I  knocked,  and  an  elderly  woman  of  a  pleasant 
and  thriving  appearance  responded.  She  was  imraedi- 
aiely  deposed,  however,  by  Herbert,  who  silently  led 
me  into  the  parlour  and  shut  the  door.  It  was  an  odd 
sttnsatiou  to  sec  his  very  familiar  face  established  quite 
lit  homo  in  that  very  unfamiliar  room  and  region;  and 
I  found  myself  looking  at  him,  much  as  I  looked  at 
iLe  corner- cupboard  with  the  glass  and  china,  the  shelb 
upon  the  chimney-piece,  and  the  coloured  engravings 
on  the  wall,  representing  the  death  of  Captain  Cook,  a 
ship-launch,  and  his  Majesty  King  George  Third  in  a 
»ttttc-co8chman's  wig,  leather-breeches,  and  top-boots, 
irn  the  terrace  at  Windsor. 

"AU  is  well,  Handel,"  said  Herbert,  "and  he  is 
qnite  satisfied,  though  eager  to  see  you.  My  dear  girl 
is  with  her  father;  and  if  you'll  wait  till  she  comes 
down,  I'll  make  you  known  to  her,  and  tkcn.  ~Nfe'^  %o 
up-8tairs.  —  TAai'g  her  father!" 
^^Ihad  become  aware  of  an  alatmiug  gso^flWii^  o'^' 


"and  you  may  sap] 
3.B  persists,  too,  in  ki 

in  his  room,  and  sen 
1  shelyes  over  his  h 
i  room  must  be  Uko 


head,    and   had  probably  expressed  I 
countenance. 

"I  am  afraid  he  is  a  Bad  old  rascal,"  eatd  Herb 
smiling,  "but  I  have  never  seen  him.    Don't  yon  ( 
rum?  He  is  always  at  it." 
"At  rum?"  said  I. 
"Yes,"  returned  Herbert, 
how  mild  it  makes  his  gout.    ] 
ing'  all  the  provisions  up-st)iira 
them   out.     Ho  keeps  them  oi 
and  v>ili  weigh  them  all.     Hii 
chandler's  shop." 

While  he  thus  spoke,  the  growling;  noise  1 
L  prolonged  roar,  and  then  died  away. 

"What  else  ean  he  the  consequence,"  said  Herh 
L  explanation,    "if  he   loili  cut   the  chi 
L  with  the  gout  in  his  right   hand  —  and    everywh 
else  —  can't  expect  to  get  through  a  Double  Gloueei 
}  without  hurting  himself." 

He  seemed  to  have  hurt  himself  very  much,  fitf 
j    gave  another  furious  r 

"To  have  Provis  for  an  upper  lodger  is  qnitl 
godsend  to  Mrs.  Whimpie,"  said  Herbert,  "for  of  W 
'e  in  general  won't  stand  that  noise.  A  con 
place,  Handel;  isn't  it?" 

It  was   a  curious   place,   indeed;    hut  remarb 
well  kept  and  clean. 

"Mrs.  Whimpie,"  said  Herbert,  when  I  told  tiin 
"is  the  best  of  housewives,  and  I  really  do  not  b 
what  my  Clara  would  do  without  her  motherly  i 
For,  Clara  has  no  mother  of  her  own,  Handel,  and 
[_Telation  in  the  world  but  q\4  tii:viS!«i.i^Ta." 

rely  that's  not  Via  tvamft ,  '&^m\i^'"^^J 


(IRBAT  EXPECTATIOIfS,  175 


KNo,  no,"  6aid  Herbert,  "that's  my  aame  for  him. 
lame  is  Mr.  Barley.  But  wbut  a  blessing  it  is  for 
on  of  my  father  aud  mother  to  lovo  a  girl  who 
10  relationa,  and  who  can  neyer  bother  herself,  or 
ody  else,  about  her  familyl" 
Herbert  had  told  me  on  former  occasions,  and  now 
I  minded  me,  that  be  first  knew  MIbb  Clara  Barley 
hljcn  she  was  completing  her  education  at  an  estab- 
I -liraent  at  Hammersmith,  and  that  on  her  being  re- 
I  illfd  home  to  nurse  her  father,  he  and  she  had  con- 
i'.tp-d  their  affection  to  the  motherly  Mrs.  Whimple,  by 
'ilium  it  had  been  fostered  and  regulated  with  equal 
i.iiidness  and  discretion,  ever  since.  It  was  understood  ' 
Liil  nothing  of  a  tender  nature  could  be  confided  to 
"M  Barley,  by  reason  of  bis  being  totally  unequal  to 
■y  consideration  of  any  subject  more  psychological 
■Vin  Gout,  Rum,  and  Purser's  stores. 

As  we  were  thus  conversing  In  a  low  tone  while 
'  *l'l  Barley's  sustained  growl  vibrated  in  the  beam  that 
'"dsacd  the  ceiling,  the  room  door  opened,  and  a  very 
[TF'tty  alight  dark-eyed  girl  of  twenty  or  so,  came  in 
■iith  a  basket  in  her  hand:  whom  Herbert  tenderly  re- 
iifved  of  the  basket,  and  presented  blushing,  as  "Clara." 
f  Jihe  really  was  a  most  charming  girl,  and  might  have 
,  pLissed  for  a  captive  fairy  whom  that  truculent  Ogre, 
llld  Barley,  had  pressed  into  his  sprvice.' 

"Look  here,"  said  Herbert,  showing  me  the  basket 
>'it(i  a  compassionate  and  tender  smile  after  we  had 
■liked  a  little;  "here's  poor  Clara's  supper,  served  out 
'•fry  night.  Here's  her  allowance  of  bread,  and  here's 
l.i'v  slice  of  cheese,  and  here's  her  rum  —  ■wVi\s.\i.  \ 
This  13  JU>.  Barley's  breakfast  fov  Vo-iaoTtQ's. 
•j)oked.     Two  mutt        "  ""^ 


176  QBEAT  EKPECTATIOSS. 

potatoes,  some  split  peas,  a  little  flour,  two  oimc 
butter,  a  piach  of  salt,  and  all  tliis  black  peppar. 
fitewed  ap  together  aud  taken,  hot,  and  it's  a  nice 
for  the  gout,  I  should  think!" 

There  was  something  so  natural  and 
Clara's  resigned  way  of  looking  at  these  stores  in 
aa  Herbert  pointed  them  out,  —  and  something 
fiding,  loving,  and  innocent,  in  her  modest 
yielding  herself  to  Herbert's  embracing  aim 
something  so  gentle  in  her,  so  much  needing  protc 
on  Mill  Pond  Bank,  by  Chinks's  Basin,  and  the 
Green  Copper  Rope- Walk,  with  Old  Barley  groi 
in  the  beam  —  that  I  would  not  have  undoni 
engagement  between  her  and  Herbert,  for  all  the  m 
in  the  pocket-book  I  had  never  opene~ 

I  was  looking  at  her  with  pleasure  and  admin 
when  suddenly  the  growl  swelled  into  a  roar  a 
and  a  frightful  bumping  noise  was  heard  above, 
a  giant  with  a  wooden  leg  were  trying  to  b( 
through  the  ceiling  to  come  at  us.  Upon  this  I 
said  to  Herbert,    "Papa  wants  me,    darling!"  ani 

"There's  an  unconscionable  old  shark  for  j 
said  Herbert.  "What  do  yoa  suppose  he  wants 
Haudel?" 

"I  don't  know,"  said  I.  "Something  to  drink 
"That's  iti"  cried  Herbert,  as  if  I  had  ma 
gness  of  Qstraordinary  merit.  "He  keeps  his 
ready-miied  in  a  little  tub  on  the  table.  Wait  a 
ment,  and  you'il  hear  Clara  lift  him  up  to  take 
—  There  he  goes!"  Another  roar,  with  a  proh 
shake  at  the  end.  "TSo-w  "  «ki&-  SesAiwt,  as  tt 
succeeded  by  silence,  ''Me  imisA-a^." 


OSKJlT  BSraOTATIOin. 

pi&e  growl  resonnded  in  the  beat 

1  agaia  on  his  back!" 

I  returning  soon   afterwards,    Herbert  accoi 

3  up-Btairs  to  see  our  charge.     As  we  pai 

"  I   door,   he  was   heard  hoarsely  muttei 

I  strain  that  rose  and  fell  like  wind, 

pBe&ain;  in  which  I  substitute  good  wish) 

ing  quite  the  reverse, 
y!  Bless  your  eyes,  here's  old  Bill  Barley.-' 
1.  Bill  Barley,  bless  your  eyes.  Here's  old 
ley  on  the  flat  of  his  back,  by  the  Lord. 
i  the  flat  of  his  back,  like  a  drifting  old  dead 
H  your  old  Bill  Barley,   bless  your  ey( 

in  of  eonsolation,   Herbert  informed 
Ible  Barley  would  commune  with  himself 
ind  night  together;   often,    while  it  was  light, 
i  the  same  time,  one  eye  at  a  telescope  which 
I  on  his  bed  for  the  convenience  of  sweeping 

I  two   cabin  I'ooms   at  the  top  of  the  liouf 
1  and  airy,   and  in  which  Mr.  Barlq 
f  andible  than  below,  I  found  Provis  comfort-' 

He  expressed  no  alarm,  and  seemed  to 
Sthat  was  worth  mentioning;  but  it  struck  me 
was  softened  —  indefinably,  for  I  could  not 
I  how,  and  could  never  afterwards  recal  how, 
^ed;  but  certainly. 

jopp«ntunity  that  the  day's  rest  had  given  me 
had  resulted  in  my  fully  determining  to 
g  to  him  respecting  Compeyson.  For  las^'Omsi^ 
I  his  ajtimmity  towards  tlie  ma.ti  mV^t.  w'C&w- 
B(o  bis  seeking  him  out  and  nis^u'o^  oa.^^^ 


m 


I -iY8  OHEAT  ESPEOTATIONS. 

1  destruction.  Therefore,  when  Herbert  &ad  1 
down  with  him  bj  hia  fire,  I  aaked  him  first  0 
whether  he  relied  on  Wemmick's  judgment  and  BOi 
of  information? 

"Ay,   ay,    dear  boyl"  he  answered,    with  ■ 
nod,  "Jag'gers'B  knows." 

"Then  I  have  talked  with  Wemmick,"  said  I,  "^ 
have  come  to  tell  jou  what  caution  be  gave  me,  i 
•what  advice." 

This  I  did  accurBtely,  with  the  reservation 
mentioned;  and  I  told  him  how  Wemmick  had  i 
in  Newgate  prison  (whether  from  otBcers  or  puis 
I  could  not  say),  that  he  was  under  some  suepii 
and  that  my  chambers  had  been  watched;  how  T*^ 
mick  had  recommended  his  keeping  close  for  a  i 
and  my  keeping  away  from  him;  and  what  W( 
had  said  about  getting  bim  abroad.  I  added, 
coarse,  when  the  time  came,  I  should  go  with  bini 
should  follow  close  upon  him,  as  might  be  safe 
Wemmick's  judgment.  "What  was  to  follow  that,  J 
not  touch  upon;  neither  indeed  was  I  at  all  del 
eomfortable  about  it  in  my  own  mind,  now  that  I 
him  in  that  so^er  condition,  and  in  declared  pid 
my  sake.  As  to  altering  my  way  of  living,  by 
larging  my  expenses,  I  put  it  to  him  whether  in 
present  unsettled  and  difiicult  circumstanoeB, 
not  be  simply  ridiculous,  if  it  were  no  worse? 

He  could  not  deny  this,   and  indeed  was  very 
sonable  throughout.     His  coming  back  was  a 
he  said,   and  he  bad  always  known  it  to  be  a  venl 
He  would  do  nothing  to  make  it  a  desperate  ^ 
and  be  had  very  Utt\e  £eB.t  o?  Vis  satKi^  -mitK  bu^ 


ITS 

Bbeit,  vbo  had  been  looking  at  the  fire  and 
ing,  Lere  said  that  something  had  come  into  his 
nghts  arifling  out  of  Wemmick's  suggestion,  which 
aight  be  worth  while  to  jiursue.  "We  are  both  good 
termen,  Handel,  and  could  take  him  down  the  river 
selves  when  the  right  time  comes.  No  boat  would 
n  he  hired  for  the  purpose,  and  no  boatmen;  that 
aid  save  at  leaat  a  chance  of  suspicion,  and  any 
lace  ia  worth  saving.  Never  mind  the  season;  don't 
1  think  it  might  be  a  good  thing  if  you  began  at 
ie  to  kee]i  a  boat  at  the  Temple  stairs,  and  were  in 
I  habit  of  rowing  np  and  down  the  river?  You  fall 
u  that  habit,  and  then  who  notices  or  minds?  Do 
twenty  times  or  fifty  times,  and  there  is  nothing 
)cial  in  your  doing  it  the  twenty-first  or  fifty-first." 
I  liked  this  scheme,  and  Provis  was  quite  elated  by 
We  agreed  that  it  should  be  carried  into  execution, 
i  that  Provis  should  never  recognise  us  if  wo  came 
low  Bridge  and  rowed  past  Mill  Pond  Bank.  But 
further  agreed  that  he  should  pull  down  the  blind 
that  part  of  bis  window  which  gave  upon  the  east, 
euever  ho  saw  us  and  all  was  right 
Our  conference  being  now  ended,  and  everything 
anged,  I  rose  to  go;  remarking  to  Herbert  that  he 
i  I  had  better  not  go  home  together,  and  that  I 
iiUd  take  half  an  hour's  start  of  hira.  "I  don't  like 
leave  you  here,"  I  said  to  Provis,  "though  I  can- 
t  doubt  your  being  safer  here  than  near  me.     Good- 

"Dear  hoy,"  he  answered,  clasping  my  Lands,  "T 
n't  know  when  we  may  meet  again,  aivi  Y  io^^t  Y-Js-e. 
ooil-b/-     S/iy  Good  Nightl" 

*"*"''""'     t  will  go  rcg«\ar\y  \>c\,w 


180  OKI 

aad  when  the  time  comefi  you  may  he  certain  I  i 
be  ready.     Good  night.  Good  night!"' 

We  thought  it  best  that  he  should  stay  in  his 
rooms,  and  we  left  him  on  the  landing  outside  hia  t 
holding  a  light  over  the  Htair-rail  to  light  aa  down  si 
Looking  back,  at  him,  I  thought  of  that  first  nlgl 
his  return  when  our  positions  were  reversed,  and  i 
I  little  suppoflod  my  heart  could  ever  be  as  heavy 
anxious  at  parting  from  him  as  it  was  now. 

Old  Barley  was  growling  and  swearing  when 
repassed  his  door,  with  no  appearance  of  having  cet 
or  of  meaning  to  cease.  When  wo  got  to  the  tot 
the  stairs,  I  asked  Herbert  whether  he  had  presa 
the  name  of  Provis?  He  replied,  certainly  not,  and 
the  lodger  was  Mr.  Campbell.  He  also  explained 
the  utmost  known  of  Mr.  Campbell  there,  was,  tha 
(Herbert)  had  Mr.  Campbell  consigned  to  him,  ui2 
a  strong  personal  interest  in  his  being  well  eared 
and  living  a  secluded  life.  So,  [when  we  went  into 
parlour  where  Mrs.  Whimple  and  Clara  were  seate 
work,  I  said  nothing  of  my  own  interest  ia 
Campbell,  hut  kept  it  to  myself. 

When  I  had  taken  leave  of  tho  pretty  gentle  i 
eyed  girl,  and  the  motherly  woman  who  had  not 
lived  her  honest  sympathy  with  a  little  affair  of 
love,  I  felt  as  if  the  old  Green  Copper  Rope  Walk 
grown  quite  a  different  place.  Old  Barley  might  b 
old  as  the  hills,  and  might  swear  like  a  whole  fiel 
troopers,  but  there  were  redeeming  youth  and  trust 
hope  enough  in  Chiuks's  Basin,  to  fill  it  to  overflow 
And  then  I  thought  of  Estella,  and  of  our  parting, 
went  home  very  sadly. 

things  were  aa  (\xuet  vn.  'i^SiP;  TKtaiJia  aa  ■ 


381 

bid  aeen  them.  The  windows  of  the  roomB  on  that 
side,  lately  oiicupied  by  Provis,  were  dark  and  still, 
iind  there  was  no  lounger  in  Garden-court.  I  walked 
past  the  fountain  twite  or  thrice  before  I  descended  the 
steps  that  were  between  lue  and  my  vooms,  but  I  was 
quite  alone.  Herbert  coming  to  my  bedaide  when  he 
came  in  —  for  I  went  straight  to  bed,  dispirited  and 
fatigued  —  made  the  same  report.  Opening  one  of  the 
windows  after  tliat,  he  looked  out  into  the  moonlight, 
and  told  me  that  the  pavement  was  as  sulenmly  empty 
IS  the  pavement  of  any  Outhedral  at  that  same  hour. 
Next  day,   I  set   myself  to  get  the  boat.     It  waa 

"I'ri  done,    and  the  boat   was   brought  round  to  the 
iiiiile-stairs,  and  lay  where  I  could  reach  her  within  a 

iteor  two.  Then,  I  began  to  go  out,  as  for  training  and 

pactice;  sometimes  alone,  sometimes  with  Herbert.  I 
»aB  often  out  in  cold,  rain,  and  sleet,  but  nobody  took 
iimch  note  of  mo  after  I  had  been  out  a  few  times. 
At  first,  I  kept  above  Blackfriars  Bridge;  but,  as  the 
huws  of  the  tides  changed,  I  took  towards  London 
Bridge.  It  was  Old  London  Bridge  in  those  days,  and 
at  certain  states  of  the  tide  there  was  a  race  and  fall 
of  water  there  which  gave  it  a  had  reputation.  But  I 
tiiEw  well  enough  how  to  "shoot"  the  bridge  after 
seeing  it  done,  and  so  began  to  row  about  among  the 
shipping  in  the  Pool,  and  down  to  Erith.  The  first 
time  I  passed  Mill  Pond  Bank,  Ilerbert  and  I  were 
pnlling  a  pair  of  oars;  and,  both  in  going  and  return- 
ing, we  saw  the  blind  towards  the  cast  come  down. 
Herbert  was  rarely  there  less  frequently  tlian  three 
times  in  a  week,  and  he  never  brought  me  a,  em^a 
Word  of  intelligeDce  that  waa   at  all  alaj:TO\n5.     ¥.\:^,"^ 


1182  GREAT  EXPBCTATIOHS. 

get  rid  of  the  notion  of  being  watched.  Once  r 
U  is  a  haunting  idea;  how  many  nndesigning  peiHOnSi 
auBpected  of  watching  me  it  wonld  be  hard  to  caletdiA 
In  abort,  I  was  always  full  of  fears  for  thiB  n 
man  who  wag  in  hiding.  Herbert  had  sometimea  n 
fa)  me  that  he  found  it  pleasant  to  stand  at  one  of  o 
windows  after  dark,  when  the  tide  was  running  Aa« 
iind  to  think  that  it  was  flowing,  witli  cverytbinf  i 
bore,  towards  Clai'a.  But  I  thought  with  dread  thi 
it  was  flowing  towards  Magwitch,  and  that  any  blad 
mark  on  its  surface  might  be  his  pursuers ,  going  BwiiUj 
silently,  and  suroly,  to  take  him. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Some  weeks  passed  without  bringing  any  chang* 
I  We  waited  for  Wemniick,  and  he  made  no  sign.  K 
I  had  never  known  hira  out  of  Little  Britain,  : 
Bjiad  never  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  being  on  a  fanub* 
y  footing  at  the  Castle,  I  might  have  doubted  him;  i 

for  a  moment,  knowing  him  as  I  did.  ^^ 

My  worldly  affairs  began  to  wear  a  gloomy  appM* 

1  ance,  and  I  was  pressed  for  money  by  more  than  W' 

I  creditor.     Even  I  myself  began  to  know  the  want  oi 

I  inoney  (I  mean  of  ready  money  in  my  own  pocke*) 

land  to  relieve  it  by  converting  some  easily  spared  tf 

I  tides  of  jewellery  into  cash.     But  I  had  quite  dett* 

mined  that  it  would  be  a  heartless  fraud  to  take  iW*^ 

money  from  my  patron  in  the  existing  state  of  my  M 

certain  thoughts  and  plans.    Therefore,  I  bad  sent  ihil 

ihe  unopened  poukel-booV  \)'5  "B.efti«A.,  \a  Wld.  iii« 

_^>ra  keeping,  and  1  Ml  aUmi  I'i  mjSwJvwKwti.  — -* 


183 

ilicr  it  WHS  a  false  kind  or  a  true,  I  hardly  know  — 
iii  not  having  profited  hy  his  genei'osity  since  his  reve- 
lation of  himself. 

As  the  time  wore  on,  an  impression  settled  heavily 
Dpon  me  that  Estella  was  married.  Fearful  of  having 
it  confirmed,  though  it  was  all  but  a  conviction,  I 
avoided  the  newspapers,  and  begged  Herbert  (to  whom 
I  had  confided  the  circmnstances  of  our  last  interview) 
never  to  speak  of  her  to  me.  Wiy  I  hoarded  up  this 
last  wretched  little  rag  of  the  robe  of  hope  that  was 
rent  and  given  to  the  winds,  bow  do  I  know!  Why 
iid  you  who  read  this,  commit  that  not  dissimilar  in- 
consietency  of  your  own  last  year,  last  month,  last 
Week? 

It  was  an  unhappy  life  that  I  lived,  and  its  one  do- 
minant anxiety,  towering  over  all  its  other  anxieties 
like  a  high  mountain  above  a  range  of  mountains,  ne- 
VM  disappeared  from  my  view.  Still,  no  new  cause 
for  fear  arose.  Let  me  start  &om  my  bed  as  I  would, 
"iti  the  terror  ireah  upon  rao  that  he  was  discovered; 
kt  me  sit  listening  as  I  would,  with  dread,  for  Herbert's 
teiuming  step  at  night,  lest  it  should  be  fleeter  than 
ordinary,  and  winged  with  evil  news;  for  all  that,  and 
Biiich  more  to  like  purpose,  the  round  of  things  went 
on.  Condemned  to  inaction  and  a  state  of  constant 
'egtlesanesa  and  suspense,  I  rowed  about  in  my  boat, 
ftnd  waited,  waited,  waited  as  I  beat  could. 

There  were  states  of  the  tide  when,  having  been 
down  the  river,  I  could  not  get  back  through  the  eddy- 
chafed  arches  and  starlings  of  old  London  Bridge;  then, 
Ileft  my  boat  at  a  wharf  near  the  Custom  House,  tu 
Iw  brou^it  up  aferwards  to  the  TemipVe  BtaVt*.  "V  "ww^j 
^^^^^o^^ne^us,  as  it  served  W  laaSs^  "oie.  ^=<)|H 


r  BKPKCTATIONS. 


^H  inj'  boat  a^  commoner   incideat  among  tbe  watei-lids 

^H  people  there.     From  this  sljglit  occaaioiL,    sprang  nt 

^H  meetings  tLat  I  have,  now  to  tell  of.  * 

^P         One  afternoon,    kte  in  thtt  month  of  February, ' 

^^   came  ashore  at  the  wharf  at  dusk.    I  had  pulled  do* 

aa  tax  SA  Greenwich  witli  the  ebb  tide,  and  had  tuiM 

with  the  tide.    It  had  been  a  fine  bright  day,  but  M 

become  foggy  as  the  sun  dropped,   and  I  had  had  fl 

I  feel  my  way  hock  among  the  shipping,  pretty  eM 
faily.  Both  in  going  and  retai-nlug  I  had  seen  ^ 
«igtial  in  bis  window.  All  well. 
As  it  was  a  raw  evening  and  I  waa  cold,  I  thou^ 
I  would  comfort  myself  with  dinner  at  once;  and  M, 
tad  hours  of  dejection  and  solitude  before  me  if  I  wa 
home  to  the  Temple,  I  thought  I  would  afterwMdB  f 
to  the  play.  The  theatre  where  Mr.  Wopsle  lu 
achieved  his  questionable  triumph,  was  in  that  wator-eii 
neighbourhood  (it  is  nowhere  now),  and  to  that  diestl 
1  resolved  to  go.  I  was  aware  that  JIi'.  Wopale  hj 
not  succeeded  in  reviving  the  Drama,  but,  on  the  ow 
trary,  had  rather  partaken  of  its  decline.    He  had  bes 

t  ominously  heard  of,  through  the  playbills,  as  a  fwthfi 
Black,  in  eonnoxion  with  a.  little  girl  of  noble  M 
and  a  monkey.  And  Herbert  had  seen  him  as  a  pi 
datory  Tartar  of  comic  propensities,  with  a  face  liko- 
red  brick,  and  an  outrageous  hat  all  over  bells.  , 
I  dined  at  what  Herbert  and  I  used  to  call  a  GW 
graphical  chop-house  —  where  there  were  maps  oftl 
world  in  porter-pot  rims  on  every  half-yard  of  the  tsH 
cloths,  and  charts  of  gravy  on  every  one  of  the  knii^ 
—  to  tbia  day  there  ia  scwceVj  a.  wi^lt  fthoij-hoaw  I 
^(ie  Lord  JUajor'a  domimo'na  'w^usii ' 


^ 


k    * 

ipi'irore  oat  the  time  in  dozing  over  crumbs,  sta- 
^t  gaa,  and  baking'  in  n  hot  blast  of  dinners.  By- 
i-by,  I  roTiBsd  myself  and  went  to  play. 

There,  I  found  a  virtuima  boatswain  in  his  Majesty's 
fice  —  a  most  escellcut  man,  though  I  could  have 
hed  his  trousere  not  quite  so  tight  in  some  places 
[  not  qaite  so  loose  in  others  —  who  knocked  all 

little  raen'a  hata  over  their  eyes,  though  he  was 
y  generous  and  bravo,  and  who  wouldn't  hear  of 
'body's  paying  lanes,  though  he  was  very  patriotic. 

had  a  hag  of  money  in  his  pocket,  like  a  pudding 
the  cloth,  and  on  that  property  married  a  young  per- 
,  in  bed-furniture,  with  great  rejoicings;  the  whole 
lulation  of  Portsmouth  (nine  in  number  at  the  last 
nsus)  turning  out  on  the  beach,  to  mb  their  own 
ide  and  shake  everybody  else's,  and  sing  "Fill,  fill!" 

certain  dark-complexioned  Swab,  however,  who 
tUdn't  fill,  or  do  anything  else  that  was  proposed  to 
a,  and  whose  heart  was  openly  stated  (by  the  boat- 
iin)  to  be  as  black  as  Lis  iigure-head,  proposed  to 
J  other  Swabs  to  get  all  mankind  into  difficulties; 
ich  was  so  effectually  done  (the  Swab  family  having 
laiderable  political  influence)  that  it  took  half  the 
ining  to  set  things  right,  and  then  it  was  only 
mght  about  through  an  honest  little  grouer  with  a 
ite  hat,  black  gaiters,  and  red  nose,  getting  into  a 
ok,  with  a  gridiron,  and  listening,  and  coming  out, 
i  knocking  everybody  down  from  behind  with  the 
dlron  wliom  he  couldn't  confute  with  what  he  had 
irheard.  This  led  to  Mr.  Wopsle's  (who  had  never 
in  beard  of  before)  coming  in  with  a  star  ani  %aAet 

us  a  pjeplpoteatiary  of  great  power  iVcecS.  'bci-vQ.  'Cos- 
BgsA^,   to  aay  thaTTte  Swabs  -wftte  bW.  \a  ""  *' 


imfi  OBEAT  EXPECT  ATI  0N8.  W| 

prison  on  the  spot,  and  that  he  had  brought  ttuj 
swain  down  the  Union  Jack,  tta  a  slight  acknoj 
ment  of  his  public  services.  The  boatswain,  xwa 
for  the  first  time,  respectfiilly  dried  hia  eyes  ( 
Jack,  and  then  cheering  np  and  addressing  Mr.  1 
as  Your  Honour,  solicited  permission  to  take  1>| 
the  fin.  Mr.  Wopsia  conceding  has  fin  with  a  gn 
digni^,  was  immediately  shoved  into  a  dusty  \ 
while  everybody  danced  a  hornpipe;  and,  frort 
comer,  surveying  the  public  with  a  discontents 
became  aware  of  me. 

The  second  piece  was  the  lajit  now  grand  i 
Christmas  pantomime,  in  the  first  scene  of  whi 
pained  me  to  suspect  that  I  detected  Mr.  Wopel] 
red  worsted  legs  under  a  highly  magnified  pho8| 
countenance  and  a  shock  of  red  curtain-tiinge  i| 
hair,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  thnuderbolll 
mine,  and  displaying  great  cowardice  when  his  gij 
master  came  home  (very  hoarse)  to  dinner.  B 
presently  presented  himself  under  worthier  i^ 
stances;  for,  the  Genius  of  Youthful  Love  being  in 
of  assistance  —  on  account  of  the  parental  brutal 
an  ignorant  farmer  who  opposed  the  choice  ( 
daughter's  heart,  by  purposely  falling  upon  the  i 
in  a  flour  sack,  out  oi'  the  first-floor  window  — ' 
moned  a  Ecntentious  Enchanter;  and  he,  comit 
&om  the  antipodes  rather  unsteadily,  after  an  app^l 
violent  journey,  proved  ta  be  Mr.  Wopsle  in  a| 
crowned  hat,  with  a  necromantic  work  in  one  ^ 
under  his  arm.  The  business  of  this  enchanter  oai| 
being  principally  to  be  talked  at,  sun^  at,  buttj 
danced  at,  and  flashed,  at  ^VW  foes,  pS  vMiflaaM 
jft^ted  a  good  deal  of  t\m&  ou  ^^^^|yfi| 


irith  great  surprise,  that  he  devoted  it  to  ataring 
^direction  aa  if  Le  wore  lost  in  amazement. 
There  was  amoething  so  remarkuble  in  the  increar 
I  glare  of  Mr.  Wopale's  oye,  and  he  seemed  to  be 
ling  so  ma.nj  things  over  in  his  mind  and  to  grow 
:onluaed,  that  I  could  not  make  it  out.  I  sat  think- 
of  it,  lon^  after  he  had  ascended  to  the  clonds  in 
irge  watch-case,  and  still  I  could  not  make  it  oat. 
as  stil]  thinking  of  it  when  I  came  out  of  thu  theatre 
liour  aftenvai'da,  and  found  him  waiting  for  me  near 
door. 

"How  do  you  do?"  said  I,  shaking  hands  with  him 
we  tnmed  down  the  street  together.     "I  saw  that 

"Saw  you,  Mr.  Pip!"  he  returned.    "Tea,  of  coorae 
iw  you.     But  who  else  was  there  I" 
"Who  else?" 

"It  is  the  strangest  thing,"  said  Mr.  Wopslo,  drift- 
into  hia  lost  look  again;  "and  yet  I  could  awear 

Becoming  alarmed,  I  entreated  Mr.  Wopsle  to  es- 
n  his  meaning. 

"Whether  I  should  have  noticed  him  at  firat  but 
your  being  there,"  said  Mr.  Wopale,  going  on  in 
same  lost  way,  "I  can't  be  positive;  yet  I  think  I 
dd." 

Involuntaiity  I  looked  round  me,  as  I  was  accus- 
look  round  me  when  I  went  home;  for  these 
terioas  words  gave  me  a  chill. 

Oh!     Ho   cant  bo   in   sight,"   said   Kr.   Wopale. 

wont  out,  before  I  went  off.     I  aavi  livm  ^o," 
Uaring  the  reason  that  I  had,  for  \>emg  was^vivsvia,, 
fpected  this  jjoor  actor.    I  mlstixi      -       -      — 


188  oreat  expectations. 

to  entrap  me  into  some  admlBsion.    Therefore,  I  gl« 
at  him  as  we  walked  on  together,  but  said  notldng 

"I  had  a  ridiculous  foDuy  that  he  must  be  with 
Mr.  Pip,  till  1  saw  that  you  were  quite  i 
him,  sitting  behind  you  there,  like  a  ghost." 

My  foiTuer  chill  crept  over  me  again,  but  I  v 
solved  not  to  speak  yet,  for  it  waa  quite  coii 
with  his  words  that  he  might  be  set  on  to  indnc< 
to  connect  these  reterences  with  Provis.  Of  com 
was  perfectly  sure  and  safe  that  Previa  had  not  I 
there. 

"I  dare  say  you  wonder  at   me,  Mr.  Pip;  in( 
I    see  you  do.     But    it    ia    so  very  straugel      ~ 
hardly  believe  what  I  am  going  to  tell  you. 
hardly  believe  it  myself,  if  you  told  me." 

"Indeed?"  said  I, 

"No,  indeed,     ilr.  Pip,  you  remembex  in  old  ti 
a  certain  Christmas  Day,  when  you  were  quite  s 
and  I  dined  at  Gargery's,    and  some  soldiers  c 
the  door  to  get  a  pair  of  handcuff  n 

"I  remember  it  very  well." 

"And  you  remember  that  there  was  a  chua  I 
two  convicts,  and  that  we  joined  in  it,  and  that  Gar 
took  you  on  his  back,  and  that  I  took  the  lead 
you  kept  up  with  me  as  well  aa  you  could?' 

"I  remember  it  all  very  well."  Better  ihdn 
thought  —  except  the  last  clause. 

"And  you  remember  that  we  came  np  with 
two  in  a  ditch,  and  that  there  was  a  scuffle  bet 
them,  and  that  one  of  tbem  had  been  severely  hai 
and  much  mauled  about  the  face,  by  the  other?" 

"I  see  it  all  beioie  me" 
tnd  that  the  aolAiwa  W^VWii  ^^ 


l-tiie  centre,  and  that  we  went  on  to  uee  the  last 
over  the  black  marshes,  with  the  torchlight 
ing  on  their  faces  —  I  am  particular  about  that; 
[  the  totcUight  Hhiniug  on  their  faces,   when  there 

an  outer  ring  of  darit  night  all  about  us?" 
"Yes,"  said  I.     "I  remember  all  that." 
"Then,    Mr.  Pip,    one   of  those   two  prisoners  aat 
ind  you  to-night.     I  saw  him  over  your  shoulder." 
"Steady!"  I  thought.     I  asked  him  then,  "Which 
be  two  do  you  suppose  you  saw?" 
"The   one  who  had   been   mauled,"    he  answered 
lily,  "and  I'll  swear  I  saw  LJm!    Tho  more  I  think 
im,  the  more  certain  I  am  of  him." 
"This  is  very  curious!"   said  I,   with  the  best  aa- 
ption  I  could  put  on,    of  its  being  nothing  more  to 

"Very  curious  indeed  I" 
I  cannot  exaggerate  t!io  enhanced  disquiet  into 
ch  this  conversation  threw  me,  or  the  special  and 
iliar  ten-or  I  felt  at  Compeyson's  having  been  he- 
]  me  "like  a  ghost."  Tor,  if  he  had  ever  been 
of  my  thoughts  for  a  few  moments  togetlier  since 
hiding  had  begun,  it  was  in  those  very  moments 
n  he  was  closest  to  me;  and  to  think  that  I  should 
io  unconscious  and  off  my  guard  after  a!!  my  care, 

as  if  I  had  shut  an  avenue  of  a  hundred  doors  to 
p  him  out,  and  then  had  found  him  at  my  elbow. 
)uid  not  doubt  either  that  he  was  there,  because 
as  there,  and  that  however  slight  an  appearance  of 
^r  there  might  he  about  us,  danger  was  always 
r  and  active. 

I  put  such  questions  to  Mr.  Wopsle  aa,  W\w,\i  ivV 
"b  conid  not  teW  lae  \.\v3.\,-,  Vii  &w« 


-'190  OBBiT  EXPBCTATTOHS. 

not  until  be  had  seen  bim  fur  some  time  thst 
gan  to  identify  him;  but  he  bnd  frotn  the  firat  t 
associated  bim  with  me,    and  known  biin  as  so 
belonging  to  me  in  the  old  village  time.     How 
dressed?     Prosperously,,  but  not  noticeably  othen 
be  tbougbt,  in  black.     Was  his  face  at  all  disfigt 
No,  he  believed  not     I  believed  not,  too,  for  al^ 
in  jay  brooding  state  I  had  taken  no  especial 
of  tbe  people  behind   me,   I  thought  it  likely  tj 
face  at  all  disfigured  would  have  attracted  my 

When  Mr.  Wopsle  bad  imparted  to  me  all  tl 
coald  recai  or  I  extract,  and  when  I  bad  treated 
to  a  little  appropriate  refreshment  after  the  fatigfo 
the  evening,  we  parted.  It  was  between  twelva 
one  o'clock  when  I  reached  the  Temple,  and  the  , 
were  shut.  No  one  was  near  me  when  I  went  in 
went  home. 

Herbert  had  come  in,  and  we  held  a  very  sa 
council  by  the  fira.  But  there  was  nothing  to  be  i 
saving  to  communicate  to  Wemmick  what  I  had 
night  found  out,  and  to  remind  him  that  we  * 
for  bis  hint.  As  I  thought  that  I  might  corapK 
bim  if  I  went  too  often  to  the  Castle,  I  mads 
communication  by  letter.  I  wrote 
bed,  and  went  out  and  posted  it;  and  again  no 
was  near  me.  Herbert  and  I  agi-eed  that  we  conl 
nothing  else  but  be  very  cautious.  And  wo  were 
cautious  indeed  —  more  cautious  than  before,'  if 
were  possible  —  and  I  for  my  part  never  went 
Chinks's  Basin,  except  when  I  rowed  by,  and  tt 
unly  looked  at  MillPoni^a^  ^»^\"*A.w!i.et  anji 


CHAPTER  XX. 

nd  of  tlie  two  mootings  I'eferred 

occurred  about  a  week  iifter  tJie  &Bt. 
left  my  boat  at  the  wharf  below  Bridge; 
IB  an  hour  earlier  in  the  afternoon;  and, 
where  to  dine,  I  had  strolled  up  into  CLeap- 
itroUing  along  it.  surely  the  most  im- 
1  all  the  busy  concourse,  when  a  large 
upon  niy  shoulder,  by  some  one  over- 
B.  It  was  Mr.  Jaggers's  hand,  and  he  passed 
1  my  arm, 

ire  are  going  in  the  same  direction,  Pip, 
together.  Where  are  you  bound  for?" 
the  Temple,  I  think,"  said  I. 
^t  you  know?"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 
1,"  I  returned,  glad  for  once  to  get  the  h 
■examination,  "I  do  not  know,  1 
made  up  my  mind." 

going  to  dine?"  said  Mr.  Jaggera.    "T( 
d  admitting  that,  I  suppose?" 
1  returned,  "I  don't  mind  admitting  that" 
are  not  engaged?" 
I't  mind  admitting  also,  that  I  am  not 
t,"  said  Mr.  Joggers,   "come  ajid  dine  with 

going  to  excuse  myself,    when   he  added, 
ek'B  coming."     So  I  changed  my  excuse  into 
ance  —  the  few  words  I  Lad  uttctei  sfct^Aia^ 
tegJBn'mg  of  either  —   a,Ti4   -wb  'weo.X.  ^■wo.'^, 
'     "  to  Little  Bnta-Va,  '■^' 


I 


192  GREAT  EXPECTATIOSB. 

lights  were  springing  up  brilllantlj  in  the  ahojn 
dows,  and  the  street  lamp -lighters,  scarcely  fin 
ground  enough  to  plant  their  ladders  on  in  tfae  n 
of  the  afternoon's  bustle,  were  skipping  up  and  ( 
and  running  in  and  out,  opening  more  red  eyea  in 
gathering  fog  than  my  rushlight  tower  at  tha  1 
mums  had  opened  white  eyea  in  the  ghostly  wall. 

At  the  office  in  Little  Britain  there  was  the  i 
letter-writing,  hand-washing,  candle-anuffing,  and 
locking,  that  closed  the  business  of  the  day.  J 
stood  idle  by  Mr.  Jnggcrs'a  fire,  its  rising  and  fa 
flame  made  the  two  casts  on  the  shelf  look  as  if 
were  playing  a  diabolical  game  at  bo-peep  with 
while  the  pair  of  coarse  fat  office  candles  that  A 
lighted  Mr.  Jaggers  as  he  wrote  in  a  comer, 
decorated  with  dirty  winding-sheets,  as  if  in 
membrance  of  a  host  of  hanged  clients. 

We  went  to  Grerrard-streot,  all  three  together, 
hackney-coach:  and  as  soon  as  we  got  there,  d! 
was  served.  Although  I  should  not  have  thongl 
making,  in  that  place,  the  most  distant  reference  " 
much  as  a  look  to  Wemmick's  "Walworth  sentii 
yet  I  should  have  bad  no  abjection  to  catchin| 
eye  now  and  then  in  a  friendly  way.  But  it  w 
to  be  done.  He  turned  his  eyes  on  Mr.  Jaggera 
ever  he  raised  them  from  the  table,  and  was  t 
and  distant  to  me  as  if  there  were  twin 
and  this  was  the  wrong  one. 

"Did  you  send  that  note  of  Miss  HaviBham 
Mr.  Pip,  Wemmick?"  Mr.  Jaggers  asked,  soon 
we  beg&n  dinner. 

r,"  returael  "^fc\KmA«^s  ""'*■  "«»*  ^w 


^Hvlien  you  brought  Mr.  Pip  into  the  office.     Here 
Bf    He  handed  it  to  his  principal,  instead  of  to  me. 

"It's  a  nitte  of  two  IJues,  Pip,"  siud  Mr.  Jaggers, 
landing  it  on,  "sent  up  to  me  by  Miss  Havisham,  on 
LCconnt  of  her  not  being  sure  of  your  address.  She 
ells  me  that  she  wants  to  see  you  on  a  little  matter 
if  buaineaa  you  mentioned  to  her.     You'll  go  downi*" 

"Tea,"  said  I,  casting  my  eyes  over  the  note, 
which  was  exactly  in  those  terms. 

"When  do  you  think  of  going  down?" 

''I  have  an  impending  engagement,"  said  I,  glan- 
iug  at  Wemmicfe,  who  wus  putting  fish  into  the  post- 
iiffice,  "that  renders  me  rather  uncertain  of  my  time. 
At  once,  I  think." 

"If  Mr.  Pip  has  the  intention  of  going  at  once," 
(aid  Wemmick  to  Mr.  Jaggers,  "he  needn't  write  an 
loawer,  you  know." 

Eeceiving  this  as  an  intimation  that  it  was  best 
lot  to  delay,  I  settled  tbat  I  wonld  go  to-morrow,  and 
aid  80.  Wemmick  drank  a  glass  of  wine  and  looked 
vith  a  grimly  satisfied  air  at  Mr.  Jaggers,  but  not 
It  me. 

"So,  Pipl  our  friend  the  Spider,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers, 
'b;w  played  his  cards.     He  has  won  the  pool." 

It  was  as  much  as  I  could  do  to  assent. 

"Hah!  He  is  a  promising  fellow  —  in  his  way  — 
lut  he  may  not  have  it  all  his  own  way.  The  stronger 
fill  win  in  the  end,  but  the  sti'onger  has  to  be  found 
iQt  first.     If  he  should  turn  to,  and  heat  her  — " 

"Surely,"  I  interrapted,   with  a  burning  face  and 
ji-art,  "you  do  not  seriously  think  that  be  ia  wiowQiti^      j 
iiimgh  for  that,  Mr.  Jaggers?^^  1 

"/  didn't  say  so,   Pip.      I  am  putting  a.  >ias»^^^ 


^^nv^ 


va 


QUE  AT  EXPKCTA-nONS. 

he  Bhould  turn  to  and  beat  her,  he  may  poBsibly 
the  strength  on  his  side;  if  it  should  be  a  questioD 
intellect,  he  cortaiidy  wiU  not.  It  would  be  di* 
work  to  give  an  opinion  how  a  i'eilow  of  that  i 
torn  oat  in  suuh  circumstances,  because  it's  a 
between  two  results." 

"May  I  ask  what  they  are?" 

"A  fellow  like  our  friend  the  Spider,"  answe 
Mr.  Jaggers,  "either  heats,  or  cringes.    He  may 
and  growl,    or  cringe  and   not  growl;   hut  he 
beats  or  cringes.     Ask  Wemmick  /«>  opinion." 

"Either  heats  or  cringes,"  said  Wemmick,  no* 
all  addressing  himself  to  me. 

"So  here's  to  Mrs.  Bentley  Dmmmle,"  smd  . 
Jaggers,  taking  a  decanter  of  choicer  wine  from 
dumb-waiter,  and  filling  for  each  of  us  and  for  h 
self,  "and  may  the  question  of  supremacy  be  Bed 
to  the  lady's  aatisfaction !  To  the  satisfaction  of 
lady  ami  the  gentleman,  it  never  will  he.  Now,  Mo 
Molly,  Molly,  Molly,  Low  slow  you  are  to-dayt" 

She  was  at  his  elbow  when  he  addressed  her, 
ting  a  dish  upon    the    table.     As    she    withdrew 
hands  from  it,  she  fell  back  a  atep  or  two,    Dervoi 
muttering  some  excuse,    and  a  certain   action  of 
fingers  as  she  spoke  arrested  my  attention. 

"What's  the  matter?"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 

"Nothing.  Only  the  subject  we  were  speak 
of,"  said  I,  "was  rather  painful  to  me," 

The   action  of  her   fingers  was  like  the  ai 

knitting.     She  stood  looking  at  ber  master,  not  uni 

standing  whether  she  was  free  to  go,   or  whether 

Jiad  more  to  say  to  lier  tmi  "wo\Ai  n?a.\iist  ^aak  if 

i^d  go.     Her   look  was  \ei7  \tAwA.    ftMsA^,^ 


■  (KBAT  BXraOTATIOITS.  IWl 

Bgtly  encb  eyes  and  suth  hands,    on  a  memoiv 
Bnion  very  lately! 

HiamiBsed  her,  and  she  glided  out  of  the  room. 

Kremained  before  me,  as  plainly  as  if  she  were 

Ire.     I  looked  at  those  hands,  I  looked  at  those         i 

P  looked  at  that  flowing  hair;  and  I  compared 

S&i  other  hands,   other  eyes,   other  hair,  dtat  I 

P,    and  with  what  those  might  be  after  twenty 

ffft  brutal  husband  and  a  stormy  life.    I  looked 

H'  those  hands    and    eyes   of  the  housekeeper, 

Might  of  the  inexplicable  feeling  that  had  come 

n  when  I  last  walked  —  not  alone  —  in  the 

garden,    and    through    the    deserted    breweryii 

'it  how  the  same  feeling  had  come  back  when 

face  looking  at  me,  and  a  hand  waving  to  me, 

ige-coach  window;  and  Iv^w  it  had  come  back 

id  had  flashed  about  me  like  Lightning,   when 

ised  in  a  carriage  —  not  alone  —  through  a 

•lare  of  light  in  a  dark  street.     I  thought  how 

it  of  association  had  helped  that  identification 

^leatre,    and  how  such  a  link,   wanting  before, 

riveted  for  me  now,  when  I  had  passed  by  a 

iwift  from  Estella'a  name  to   the  fingers   with 

Siting  action,    and  the  attentive  eyes.     And  I 

llutely  certain  that  this  woman  was  Estella's 

Jaggers  had  seen  me  with  Estella,  and  was 
}y  to  have  missed  the  sentiments  I  had  been  at 
to  conceal.  He  nodded  when  I  said  the  snb- 
painful  to  me,  clapped  me  on  the  back,  put 
e  wine  again,  and  went  on  with  K\5  AvHnwt. 
tmce  more,  did  the  houseWfte^d'!  tfc-UYS^'^i 
her  gtay  in  the  room  "waa  ■very  AyhA,  «sii- 


Mr.  Jaggers  was  sliarp  mth  her.  But  lier  hands 
Estella's  hands,  and  her  eyes  were  Estella's  eyes, 
if  she  had  TGuppeured  ii  hundred  timos  I  could 
been  neither  moro  sure  nor  less  sure  that  my  col 
tion  was  the  tnitli. 

It  was  a  dull  evening,  for  Wemmick  drew  hifl 
when  it  came  round,  quite  aa  a  matter  of  buainei 
just  as  he  might  have  drawn  his  salary  when 
came  round  —  and  with  his  eyee  on  his  chief,  s 
a  Btate  of  perpetual  readiness  for  cross-examina 
As  to  the  quantity  of  wine,  hia  post-ofBee  was  a 
different  and  ready  as  any  other  post-offica  foi 
quantity  of  letters.  From  my  point  of  view,  Be 
the  wrong  twin  all  the  time,  and  only  ext^maUy- 
the  Wemmick  of  Walworth. 

We  took  our  loare  early,  and  left  together,  1 
when  we  wore  groping  among  Mr.  Jaggers's  atoo 
boots  for  our  hats,  I  felt  that  the  right  twin  wa 
his  way  back;  and  we  had  not  gcme  half  a  d 
yards  down  Gerrard- street  in  the  Walworth  dirft" 
before  I  found  that  I  was  walking  arm-in-arm  witJ 
right  twin,  and  that  the  wrong  twin  had  evapoi 
into  the  evening  air. 

"Well!"  said  Wemmick,  "that's  over, 
wonderful  man,  without  hia  living  likeness;  bat  I 
that  I  have  to  screw  myself  up  wlien  I  dine  with 
—  and  I  dine  more  comfortahly,  unscrewed." 

I  felt  that  this  was  a  good  statement  of  the  I 
and  told  him  so. 

"Wouldn't  Bay  it  to  anybody  hut  yonrBCif," 
flnswered.  "I  know  that  what  is  said  between 
and  me,  goes  no  t'urtlier." 


^Ked  daughter,  MrH.  Bentley  Drumnile?  He  siiid  no. 
^RfToid  being  too  abnipt,  I  then  spoke  of  tUe  Aged, 
Wd  of  Misa  Skiffius.  He  looked  rather  ely  when  I 
inentioned  MIhs  Skiffius,  and  stopped  in  the  street  to 
liliff  his  nose  with  a  roll  of  the  head  and  a  flourish, 
not  quite  free  from  latent  hoaatfulness. 

"Wemmiek,"  aaid  I,  "do  you  remember  telling  me 
before  I  first  wont  to  Mr.  Jaggers's  private  house,  to 
Mtice  that  housekeeper?" 

"Did  I?"  he  replied.  "All,  I  dare  say  I  did. 
Draee  take  me,"  he  added,  suddenly,  "I  know  I  did. 
[  find  I  am  not  quite  unscrewed  yet." 

"A  wild  beast  tamed,  you  called  her,"  said  I. 

"And  what  do  i/ou  call  her?"  said  he. 

"The  same.  How  did  Mr.  Jaggors  tamo  her, 
'Vemraick?" 

"That^H  bis  secret.  She  has  beon  with  him  many 
I  long  year." 

"I  wish  you  would  toll  me  her  story.  I  feel  a 
mrticular  interest  in  being  acquainted  with  it.  Tou 
mow  that  what  is  said  between  yon  and  me  goes  no 
iirthor." 

"Well!"  Weramick  replied,  "I  don't  know  her 
tory  —  that  is,  I  don't  know  all  of  it.  But  what  I 
lo  know,  I'll  tell  you.  We  are  in  our  private  and 
"ersonal  capacities,  of  conrse." 

"Of  course," 

"A  score  of  years  ago,  that  woman  was  tried  at 
lie  Old  Bailey  for  murder,  and  was  acquitted.  8he 
'aa  a  very  handsome  young  woman,  and  I  believe  had 

e  gipsy  blood  in  her.     Anyhow,  it  was  hot 


m 


'ten  it  B 


s  up,  as  yoa  may  aujipoae. 
J  acquit 


I  HREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

"Mr.  Jaggers  was  for  her,"  pursaed  Wemmick,  H 
t  look  full  of  meaning,  "and  worked  the  case  i 
I  WKJ  quite  astonishing.  It  was  a  desperate  case,  i 
s  comparatively  early  days  with  him  then,  / 
[  he  worked  it  to  general  admiration;  in  fact,  it  n 
I  almost  be  said  to  have  made  him.  He  worked  H  ii 
I  self  at  the  police-office,  day  after  day  for  many  di 
contending  againat  even  a  committal;  and  at  lie  tt 
■where  he  couldn't  work  it  himself,  sat  under  Coon 
and  —  every  one  knew  —  put  in  all  the  salt  i 
pepper.  The  murdered  person  y 
a  good  ten  years  older,  very  much  larger,  and  v! 
much  stronger.  It  was  a.  case  of  jealousy.  They  bo 
led  tramping  lives,  and  this  woman  in  GMrard-stn 
here  had  heen  married  very  young,  ovm  the  broomati 

I  (as  we  say),  to  a  tramping  man,  and^lvas  a  perfe 
fiiry  in  point  of  jealousy.  The  murdered  troman  - 
more  a  match  for  the  man,  certainly,  in  point  of  yes 
—  was  found  dead  in  a  ham  near  Hounslow  Heai 
There  had  heen  a  violent  struggle,  perhaps  a  fi^ 
She  was  bruised  and  scratched  and  torn,  and  hod  b 
held  by  the  throat  at  last  and  choked.  Now,  Ha 
was  no  reasonable  evidence  to  implicate  any  person  V 
this  woman,  and,  on  the  improbabilities  of  her  harjl 
been  able  to  do  it,  Mr.  Jaggers  principally  rested  l 
case.  Yon  may  be  sure,"  said  Wemmick,  toudiing  I 
on  the  sleeve,  "that  he  never  dwelt  upon  the  strei^ 
of  her  bands  then,  though  he  Bometiraes  does  now." 
I  had  told  Wemmick  of  his  showing  us  her  wriat 
that  day  of  the  dinner  party. 

"Well,  sir!"  Wemmick  went  on;  "it  happened  <^ 
happened,  don't  you  see'?  —  \.\ia.\.  V\v\ft  -^ovaan  was. 
very  artfully  dressed  from, 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS.  199 


■b,  that  she  lookod  mucli  sligliter  than  shv  really  wak; 
■  particnlaj,  lier  sleeves  are  always  remembered  to 
lifive  been   bo  Bkilfully  contrived,    that  her  arms  had 

Siite  a  delicate  look.  She  had  only  a  bruise  or  two 
'otit  her  —  nothing  for  a  tramp  —  but  tJie  backs  of 
iiM  hands  were  lacerated,  and  the  question  wa«,  was  it 
with  finger-nails?  Now,  Mr.  Jaggera  showed  that  she 
W  striig'gled  through  a  great  lot  of  brambles  which 
W(e  not  as  iiigh  as  her  face;  hut  which  she  could  not 
iiaye  got  through  and  kept  her  hands  out  of;  and  bits 
of  those  brambles  were  actually  found  in  her  skin  and 
put  in  evidence,  as  well  as  the  fact  that  the  brambles 
in  question  were  found  on  examination  to  have  been 
Itruken  through,  and  to  have  little  shreda  of  her  dress 
ind  little  spots  ol'  blood  upon  them  here  and  there. 
But  the  boldest  point  he  made,  was  this.  It  was- 
attempted  to  be  set  up  in  proof  of  her  jealousy,  that 
*he  was  uuder'sfrong  suspicion  of  having,  at  about  the 
time  of  the  murder,  fi-antically  destroyed  her  child  by 
Ihis  man  ■ —  some  three  yeara  old  —  to  revenge  her- 
'elf  upon  liim.  Mr.  Jaggers  worked  that,  in  this  way. 
'We  say  these  are  not  marks  of  finge:^naila,  but  marks 
nf  brambles,  and  we  show  you  the  brambles.  Ton  say 
ihey  are  marks  of  finger-nails,  and  you  set  up  the 
tiypotheais  that  she  destroyed  her  child.  You  must  ae- 
!Bpt  all  consequences  of  that  hypothesis.  For  anything 
ifB  know,  she  may  have  destroyed  her  child,  and  the  child 
■0  clinging  to  her  may  have  scratched  her  hands,  "What 
ieji?  You  are  not  trying  her  for  the  murder  of  her 
Mid;  why  don't  you?  As  to  this  case,  if  yon  rvill 
lave  scratches,  we  say  that,  for  anything  we  kno'w, 
Fou  may  haro  accounted  for  them,  aBsamm^  ^ot  '&Na 
ifai  irf"  alignment  that  tou  have  not  mvenJtei  "fi^^ 


1,200  GBBAT  BXPECTATIONa. 

JTo  sum  up,    Bir,"   said  Weinmick,    "Mr.  Jaggers  wi 
Itltogether  too  many  for  the  Jury,  and  tliey  gave  in." 
;,      "lias  slie  been  in  his  service  ever  since?" 
I       "Yes;   but  not  only  that,"   said  WemmJck. 
vent  into  his  Bcrrice  immediately  after  her 
tamed   as  she  ia  now.     She  has  ainee  been  taught 
thing  and  another  in  the  way  of  her  duties,  but 
was  tamed  from  the  beginning." 

■       "Do  you  remember  the  sex  of  the  child?" 
"Said  to  have  been  a  girl," 
"Yon  have  nothing  more  to  say  to  me  to-night?" 
"Nothing,      I  got    your   letter    and    destroyed 
»         Sothing." 

We  exchanged  a  cordial  Good  Night,    and  I  w 
home  with  new  matter  for  my  thoughts,   though  n 
I, no  relief  from  the  old. 


CHAPTER  XXL 


I 

^^■i       PiTTTiNG  Misa  Havisham's  note  in  my  pocket, 
^^Flt  might  serve  as  my  credentials  for  so  sooi 

mg  at  Satis  House,  In  case  lier  waywarduoM)  uiuu 
lead  her  to  express  any  surprise  at  seeing  me,  I  we 
down  again  by  the  coach  next  day.  But  I  alighted 
^^  the  Half-way  House,  and  breakfasted  there,  and  walfa 
^K  the  rest  of  the  distance;  for  I  sought  to  got  into  t 
^K  town  quietly,  by  the  uufrequented  ways,  and  to  lea' 
^H  it  in  the  same  manner. 

^B  The  best  light  of  the  day  was  gone  when  I  ] 

^H   along  the  quiet  echoing  courts  behind  the  Higb- 
^K  ^^  nooks  of  ruin  wUeie  iW  o\i  TOoiikft  had 
^^melr  refectories  and  gai&euB,   &:&&, 


^Bm^SS 


201 

ffiUa  were  now  pressed  into  the  serviue  of  liumblo 
Biibds  and  stables,  wete  almost  as  silent  as  tlie  old 
nonks  in  their  graves.  The  cathednil  chimes  had  at 
onco  a  gadder  and  a  more  remote  sound  to  me,  as  I 
liarried  on  avoiding  obsarvatioa,  than  they  had  ever 
had  before;  so,  the  swell  of  the  old  organ  Tvas  borne 
Uuuy  ears  like  funeral  music;  and  the  rooks,  as  the^ 
!iovcred  about  tho  grey  tower  and  swmig  in  the  bare 
liigli  trees  of  the  priory-garden,  seemed  to  call  to  me 
liat  the  place  was  changed,  and  that  Estella  was  gone 
ont  of  it  for  ever. 

An  elderly  woman  whom  I  had  Been  before  as  one 
of  the  servants  who  lived  in  the  supplementary  liouso 
scroBs  the  back  court-yard,  opened  the  gate.  The 
liglited  candle  stood  in  the  dark  passage  within,  as  of 
old,  and  I  took  it  up  and  ascended  the  staircase  alone. 
Miss  llavisham  was  not  in  her  own  room,  hut  was  in 
ite  larger  room  across  tLc  landing.  Looking  in  at  the 
door,  after  knocking  in  vain,  1  saw  her  sitting  on  the 
liearth  in  a  ragged  chair,  close  before,  and  lost  in  the 
Mntflioplation  of,  the  ashy  fire. 

Doing  as  I  had  often  done,  I  went  in,  and  stood, 
'unching  the  old  chimney-piece,  where  she  could  see 
me  when  she  raised  her  eyes.  'J'here  was  an  air  of 
utter  loneliness  upon  her  that  would  have  moved  me 
to  pity  though  she  had  wilfully  done  me  a  deeper 
injury  than  I  could  charge  Ler  with.  As  I  stood  com- 
paasionating  her,  and  thinking  how  in  the  progress  of 
time  I  too  had  come  to  be  a  part  of  the  wrecked 
fnrtunes  of  that  bouse,  her  eyes  rested  on  me.  She 
'tared,  and  said  in  a  low  voice,  "Is  it  rcall" 

"It  is  J,   Pip.     Mr.   Jaggera   gave  lae  ■^o^'w  tvtfuB. 
'   '.and  lb  '      -' 


302  ORGAT  BXPBCTATIONe.        ^^^^| 

"Thank  you.     Thank  yon."  ^^| 

As  I  broQg^bt  another  of  the  ragged  cliB^^ 
hearth  and  sat  down,  I  remarked  a  uew  expreasH 
her  face,  as  if  she  were  afraid  of  me.  J 

"I  want,"  she  said,  "to  pursne  that  snbjed 
mentioned  to  me  when  you  were  last  here,  and  toj 
yon  that  I  am  not  all  stone.  But  perhaps  yd 
never  believe,  now,  that  there  is  anything  huiq 
my  heart?"  J 

When  I  said  some  reassuring  words,  she  Btm 
ont  her  tremulous  right  hand,  as  though  ahe  were] 
to  tODch  me;  but  she  recalled  it  again  before  I  n 
stood  the  action,  or  knew  how  to  receive  it.  ] 

"Yon  said,  speaking  for  your  friend,  that  yoaJ 
tell  me  how  to  do  something  useful  and  good.  | 
thing  that  you  would  like  done,  is  it  not?"  J 

"Something  that  I  would  like  done,  Teija 
much."  ] 

"What  is  it?"  j 

I  began  explaining  to  her  that  secret  history  I 
partnership.  I  had  not  got  far  into  it,  when  I  u 
from  her  look  that  she  was  thinking  in  a  digra 
way  of  me,  rather  than  of  what  I  said.  It  se^ 
be  so,  for  when  I  stopped  speaking,  many  moi 
passed  before  ahe  showed  that  she  was  conscia 
the  fact.  i 

"Do  you  break  off,"  she  asked  then,  with  her  i 
air  of  being  afraid  of  me,  "because  you  hate  M 
much  to  bear  to  speak  to  me?"  ] 

"No,  no,"  I  answered,  "how  can  you  think  at  _ 
Havisham!   I  stopped  because  I  tbought  yon  wd 
following  what  I  said," 
.   _  "Perhaps  I  was  not,"  she  a 


can  you  think  8oJ 

tbought  yon  wd 


GREAT  ESPECTATIOSS. 


^Head.  "Begin  ngttin,  anil  let  me  look  at  some- 
^Be.  Stayl  Now  tell  in.'." 
She  aet  her  hauda  upon  her  stick  in  the  resolute 
'  that  srnaetinies  was  habitual  to  her,  and  looked  at 
fire  with  a  strong  expression  of  forcing'  herself  to 
ud.  I  went  on  with  my  explanation,  and  told  her 
■  I  had  hoped  to  complete  the  transaction  out  of 
means,  but  how  in  this  I  was  disappointed.  That 
t  of  the  subject  (I  reminded  her)  involved  matters 
ch  could  fonn  no  part  of  my  explanation,  for  tliey 
e  the  weighty  sGcreta  of  another. 
"So!"  said  she,  assenting  with  her  head,  but  not 
ting  at  me.  "And  how  much  money  is  wanting  to 
iplete  the  purchase?" 

1  was  rather  afraid  of  stating  it,   for  it  sounded  a 
;e  sum.     "Nine  hundred  [        '   "" 
''If  I  give  you  the  money  for  this  purpose,  will  jl 
p  my  secret  as  you  have  kept  your  own?'" 
"Quite  as  faithfully." 
"And  your  miad  will  be  more  at  rest?" 
"Much  more  at  rest." 
"Are  you  very  unhappy  now?" 
She   aaked   this   question,    still  without  looking  at 

hut  in  an  unwonted  tone  of  sympathy.     I  could 
reply  at  the  moment,  for  my  voice  failed  me.    She 

her  left  arm  across  the  crutched  head  of  her  stick, 

softly  laid  her  forehead  on  it. 

"I  am  far  from  happy,  MissHavisham;  but  I  have 
ir  causes  of  disquiet  than  any  you  know  of.     They 
the  secrets  I  have  mentioned." 
After  a  little  whBe,  she  raised  \iei:  Wa.i  aiiii.  XtidtHSi- 


"It  19  tujble  in  you  to  tell  mo  that  yaa.  liavi 
causes  of  unhappincBa.     Is  it  true?" 

"Too  true." 

n  I  only  serve  you,  Pip,  by  serving  youi  1 
ng  that  as  done,   is  there  nothing  I  can 
yon  yourself?" 

"Nothing.  I  thank  you  for  the  quegtjon.  I 
you  even  more  for  the  tone  of  the  question,  Bq 
is  nothing." 

She  presently  rose  from  her  seat,  and  lookecl 
the  blighted  room  for  the  meana  of  writing.  ' 
were  none  there,  and  she  took  from  her  pocket  a ' 
set  of  ivory  tablets,  mounted  in  tarnished  goii 
wrote  upon  them  with  a  pencil  in  a  case  of  tat 
gold  that  hung  from  her  neck. 

"You  are  still  on  friendly  terms  with  Mr.  Jag 

"Quite.     I  dined  with  him  yesterday." 

"This  ia  an  authority  to  him  to  pay  yoi 
money,  to  lay  out  at  your  irresponBible  discreti 
your  friend.  I  keep  no  money  here,  but  if  yon 
rather  Mr.  Jaggers  knew  nothing  of  the  matter, 
send  it  to  you." 

"Thank  you,  Miss  Havisham;  I  hare  not  th 
objection  to  receiving  it  from  him." 

She  read  me  what  she  had  written,  and  ■ 
direct  and  clear,  and  evidently  intended  to  absoJ 
from  any  suspicion  of  profiting  by  the  receipt 
money.  I  took  the  tablets  from  her  hand, 
trembled  again,  and  it  tremhietl  more  as  she  tn 
the  chain  to  which  the  pencil  was  attached,  at 
/(  in  mine.  All  this  aW  i\i  -wVOnQUt  ViwititLg  at-i 
^^'My  name  is  on  &e  ti6tV«.f-   "^^j^ 


r  flllEAT  EXPEOTATIONS.  205 

ite  under  my  name,  'I  forgive  her,'  thongh  ever  so 
1^  after  my  broken,  heart  ia  dust  —  pray  do  itl" 

"0  Mias  HaviBham,"  said  I,  "I  can  do  it  now. 
lere  have  been  sora  mistakea,  and  my  life  has  been 
bUnd  and  thankless  one,  and  I  want  t'orgiveneas  and 
rection  far  too  much  to  be  hitter  with  you." 

She  tamed  her  face  to  me  for  the  first  time  uince 
e  had  averted  it,  and,  to  my  amazement,  I  may  even 
(1  to  my  terror,  dropped  on  her  knees  at  my  feet; 
ill  ber  folded  hands  raised  to  me  m  the  manner  in 
litli,  when  her  poor  heart  was  young  and  fresh  and 
lulc,  they  must  often  have  been  raised  to  Heaven 
im  her  mother's  side. 

To  see  her  with  her  white  hair  and  her  worn  face 
.eeling  at  my  feet,  gave  me  a  shock  through  all  my 
.me.  I  entreated  her  to  rise,  and  got  my  arms  about 
r  to  help  her  np;  but  she  only  pressed  that  hand  of 
ae  which  was  nearest  to  her  grasp,  and  hung  her 
!id  over  it  and  wept.  I  had  never  seen  her  shed  a 
iT  before,  and,  in  the  hope  that  the  relief  might  do 
c  good,  I  bent  over  her  without  speaking.  She  was 
t  kneeling  now,  hut  was  down  upon  the  ground. 

" 0 ! "  she  cried ,  despairingly.  "What  have  I 
ne!    What  have  I  donel" 

"If  you  mean,  Mies  Havisham,  what  have  you  done 

injure  me,  let  me  anawer.  Very  little.  I  should 
ve  loved  her  under  any  circumstances.  —  Is  she 
irried?" 

"Yes." 

It  was  a  needless  question,  for  a  new  desolation  in 
;  desolate  house  had  told  me  so. 

"What  have  I  donel    What  \iavft  \  i(«w,V"     'Svw 
<^rber  hands,    and    crushed  tst^^^^^^^^^J 


206 


ORB  AT  EXPECTATIONS, 


returned  to  this  cry,  over  and  over  again.   "What  hi 
I  done!" 

I  knew  not  how  to  answer,    or  how  to  comfort  ll 

That  she  had  done  a  grievous  thing  in  taking  an 

pressionablc    child    to    mould  into   the   form  that  I 

I  wild  resentment,  spumed  affection,  and  wounded  pi' 

}  found  vengeance  in,    I  knew  full  well.     But  that, 

_    shutting    out    the    light    of   day,    she    had    a" 

Wy  infinitely  more;   that,    in   seclusion,   she  had  seclni 

I  ]  herself  from  a  thousand  natural  and  healing  ini 

I  /  that,  her  mind,  brooding  solitary,  had  grown  diseas 

I  ^  as   all  minds  do  and  must  and  will  that  reverse  ~ 

1^  appointed  order  of  their  Maker;  I  knew  equally  t 

And  could  I  look  upon  her  without  compassion,  bm 

her  punishment  in  the  ruin  she  was,    in  her  profirt 

un^tness  for  this  earth  on  which  she  was  placed, 

the   vanity    of  sorrow    which    had    become    a   ma 

mania,    like    the  vanity   of  penitence,    the  vanity 

remorse,  the  vanity  of  unworthiness,  and  other  monstl* 

vanities  that  have  been  curses  in  this  world? 

"Until  you  spoke  to  her  the  other  day,  and 
[  saw  in  you  a  looking-glass  that  showed  me  w. 
once  felt  myself,  I  did  not  know  what  I  had 
"What  have  I  done!  What  have  I  done!"  And 
again,  twenty,  fifty  times  over.  What  had  she  done; 
"Miss  Havisham,"  I  said,  when  her  cry  died  ai 
"you  may  dismiss  me  from  your  mind  and  coiucic 
But  Estella  is  a  different  case,  and  if  you  can  i 
indo  any  scrap  of  what  you  have  done  amiss  in  ke^ 
i  part  of  her  right  nature  away  from  her,  it  wil 
better  to  do  that,  than  to  bemoan  the  past  throu|^ 
hundred  years," 

"Tea,  yes,   I  kno-w  Vt.    "B^A,  V\^  — -hs^  TS 


^^Rfras  an  earnest  vomaDly  compasaion  for  me  in 
jj^Rv  affection.  "My  dearl  Believe  this;  when  she 
rat  came  to  me,  I  meant  to  save  her  from  misery  like 
7  own.     At  flrat  I  meant  no  more." 

"Well,  well!"  said  I.     "I  hope  so." 

"But  as  she  grew,  and  pTomised  to  be  very  beautifnl, 
gradually  did  worse,  and  with  my  praises,  and  with 
V  teachings,  and  with  this  figure  of  myself  always 
ifore  Ler  a  warning  to  back  and  point  my  lessons,  I 
ole  her  heart  away  and  put  ice  in  its  place." 

"Bettor,"  I  could  not  help  saying,  "to  have  left 
ir  a  natural  heart,  even  to  be  braised  or  broken." 

With  that,  Miss  Havisham  looked  distractedly  at 
e  for  a.  while,   and  then  burst  out  again,  What  had 

"If  you  knew  all  my  story,"  she  pleaded,  "you 
ould  have  some  compassion  for  me  and  a  better  under- 
anding  of  me." 

"Miss  Havisham,"  I  answered,  as  delicately  as  I 
mid,  "I  believe  I  may  say  that  I  do  know  your  story, 
id  have  known  it  ever  since  I  first  letl  this  neigh- 
inrhood.  It  has  inspired  me  with  great  commisera- 
)n,  and  I  hope  I  understand  it  and  its  Influences. 
(ies~vrbat  has  passed  between  us  give  me  any  excuse 
t  asking  you  a  question  relative  to  Estella?  Not  as 
,e  is,  but  as  she  was  when  she  first  came  here?" 

She  wns  seated  on  the  ground,  with  her  arms  on 
e  ragged  chair,  and  her  head  leaning  on  them.  She 
oked  fiill  at  me  when  I  said  this,   and  replied,    "Go 

"Whose  child  was  Estella-" 
She  shook  ber  head. 


I 


OK  BAT  EXPECTATION8- 

She  shook  her  heati  again. 

"But  Mr.  Jaggers  brought  her  here,  or  aent  i 
here?" 

"Brought  her  here." 

"Will  yon  tell  me  how  that  eame  about?" 

She  answ-ered  in  a  low  whisper  and  with  | 
caution:  "I  had  been  shut  up  in  these  i 
time  (I  don't  Imow  how  long;  you  know  what  time  tl 
clocks  keep  here),  when  I  tuld  him  that  I  wantedi 
little  girl  to  rear  and  love,  and  save  from  my  fate,  [ 
had  first  seen  him  when  I  sent  for  him  to  lay  a 
place  waste  for  me;  having  read  of  him  in  the  new 
papers,  before  I  and  the  world  parted.  He  told  nW  I 
that  he  would  look  about  him  for  such  an  orphan  chiU. 
One  night  he  brought  her  here  asleep,  and  I  called  her 
Estella." 

"Might  I  ask  her  age  then?" 

"Two  or  three.  She  herself  knows  nothing,  bu' 
that  she  was  left  an  orphan  and  I  adopted  her." 

So  convinced  I  was  of  that  woman's  being  ^'^^ 
mother,  that  I  wanted  no  evidence  to  establish  the  M 
in  my  own  mind.  But  to  any  mind,  I  thought,  tl"* 
connexion  here  was  clear  and  straight. 

What  more  could  I  hope  to  do  by  prolonging  tbe 
interview?  I  had  succeeded  on  behalf  of  Herbert,  Mi** 
Havisham  had  told  me  all  she  kaew  of  Estella,  I  W 
said  and  done  what  I  could  to  ease  her  mind.  No 
matter  with  what  other  words  we  parted;  we  parted. 

Twilight  was  closing  in  when  I  went  down  stwrt 
into  the  natural  air.  I  called  to  the  woman  who  l)«o 
opened  the  gate  when  I  entered,  that  I  would  b"' 
trouble  her  just  yet,  but  ^o\i4  -wa-W  xwmd.  the  piM* 
before  leaving.   For  1  lial  a 'pteatsntoattos.'^-"'* 


md.  the  pIM* 


p   "* 


be  there  again,  and  I  fult  tlmt  the  dying  lighl 
tited  to  my  last  view  of  it. 

'  the  wilderness  of  casks  that  I  had  walked  on 
long  ago,  and  on  which  tlie  ruin  of  years  liad  fallen 
rfnce,  rotting  them  in  many  places,  and  leaving  minia- 
ture Bwamps  and  pools  of  water  upon  those  that  stood 
On  end,  I  made  my  way  to  the  ruined  garden.  I  weni 
all  round  it;  round  by  tlie  comer  where  Herbert  and  ] 
nad  fought  our  battle ;  round  by  the  paths  where 
Estella  and  I  had  walked.  So  cold,  so  lonely,  so 
dreary  all! 

Taking  the  brewery  on  my  way  back,  I  raieed  the 
Wsty  latch  of  a  little  door  at  the  garden  end  of  it, 
and  walked  throngl.  I  was  going  out  at  the  oppositt 
floor  —  Hot  easy  to  open  now,  for  the  damp  wood  hao 
ttarted  and  swelled,  and  the  hinges  were  yielding,  and 
tliB  threshold  was  encumbered  with  a  growth  of  fungut 
—  when  I  turned  my  head  to  look  back.  A  childisl 
association  revived  with  wonderful  force  in  the  mnmeol 
ff  the  slight  action,  and  I  fancied  that  I  saw  Misf 
Havisham  hanging  to  the  beam.  So  strong  was  the 
impression,  that  1  stood  under  the  beam  shuddering 
&om  head  to  foot  before  I  knew  it  waa  a  fancy  — 
tiumgh  to  be  sure  I  was  there  in  an  instant. 

The  monmfnlncss  of  the  place  and  time,  and  th( 
great  terror  of  this  illusion,  though  it  was  but  momcn 
tary,  caused  me  to  feel  an  indescribable  awe  as  I  cam* 
«at  between  the  open  wooden  gates  where  I  bad  one* 
■wrong  my  hair  after  Eatella  had  wrung  my  heart 
Passing  on  into  the  front  com-t-yard,  I  hesitated  whethei 
to  call  the  woman  to  let  me  out  at  l\ie  Vx^ei  ^^.a  •: 
JkS/VA  slw  had  the  kej,  or  first  to  go  u-j-fi'tEMft  mA 


210  OBEA.T  EXPECTATIONS. 


r 

^^M    sure  myself  that  Miss  Havisham  was  as  safe  a&d  wdl 

^^B  I  liad  leil  her.     I  tuoli  the  lutter  course  and  went  i 

^H         I  looked  into  the  room  where  I  bad  left  her,  ! 

^^P  eaw  her  seated  ia  the  ragged   chair  upoa  the  hea 

^^r  dose  to  tlie  fire,   with  her  back  towards  me.     In  I 

T'         moment    when    I    was    withdrawing    my    head   to 

quietly  away,  I  saw  a  great  flaming  liglit  spring  I 

la  the  same  moment  I  saw  her  running  at  me,  slirii 

ing,   with  a  whirl  of  fire  blazingj  all   about  her, 

soaring  at  least  as  many  feet  above  her  head  aa  I 

was  high. 

I  had  a  double-caped  great-coat  on,  and  over  i 

I  arm  another  thick  coat.  That  I  got  them  off,  clol 
with  her,  threw  her  down,  and  got  them  over  her;  l' 
I  dragged  the  great  cloth  from  the  table  for  the  si 
purpose,  and  with  it  dragged  down  the  heap  of  »t(( 
nesB  In  the  midst,  and  all  the  ugly  things  that  shelta 
there;  that  we  were  on  the  ground  struggling  like  I 
sperate  enemies,  and  that  the  closer  I  covered  her,  i 
more  wildly  she  shrieked  and  tried  to  free  herself;  tl 
this  occurred  I  knew  tlirougb  the  result,  but  not  throu 
anything  I  felt,  or  thought,  or  know  I  did-  I  kn 
nothing  until  I  knew  that  we  were  on  the  floor  by  I 
great  table,  and  that  patches  of  tinder  yet  alight  t 
floating  in  the  smoky  air,  which,  a  moment  ago,  I 
been  her  faded  bridal  _d 
Then  I  looked  round  and  saw  the  disturbed  beel 
and  spiders  running  away  over  the  floor,  and  the  J 
Tants  coming  in  with  breathless  cries  at  the  dow. 
still  held  her  forcibly  down  with  all  my  strength,  J 
a  prisoner  who  might  escape;  and  I  doubt  if  I 
iaew  who  she  was,  or  why  -wa  Wl  atrnggled,  or  tj 
she  bad  been  in  flames,  oi  'Aia-t  'i^'^^ei  S  '    ^^ 


CHEAT  EXPBOTATIONS.  211 

[  saw  the  patches  of  tinder  that  had  been  her  gar- 
,  no  longer  alight  but  falling  in  a  black  shower 

fke  was  insenBible,  and  I  was  afraid  to  have  her 
Fon  toached.  Assistance  was  sent  for  and 
I  her  until  it  came ,  aa  if  I  unreasonably  fancied 
\  I  did)  that  if  I  let  her  go,  the  fire  would  break 
llgain  and  consume  her.  When  I  got  up,  on  the 
'b  coming  to  her  with  other  aid,  I  waa  astonished 
)  that  both  my  hands  were  burnt;  for  I  had  no 
■edge  of  it  through  the  seuse  of  feeling. 
1  examination  it  was  pronounced  that  she  had  re- 
J3  hurts,  but  that  they  of  themselves  were 
far  from  hopeless;  the  danger  lay,  however,  mainly  in 
the  nervous  shock.  By  the  surgeon's  diiectionB,  her 
lied  was  carried  into  that  room  and  laid  upon  the  great 
table:  which  happened  to  be  well  suited  to  the  dressing 
ct  her  injuries.  When  I  saw  her  again  an  hour  aftei^ 
wards,  she  lay  indeed  whore  I  had  seen  her  strike 
hei  stick,  and  had  heard  her  say  that  she  would  lie 
one  day. 

Though  every  vestige  of  her  dress  was  burnt,  as 
^ey  told  me,  she  still  had  something  of  her  old  ghastly 
bridal  appearance;  for,  they  had  covered  her  to  the 
throat  with  white  cotton-wool,  and  as  she  lay  with  a 
white  sheet  loosely  overlying  that,  the  phantom  air  of 
Bdmething  that  had  been  and  was  changed,  was  still 
Upon  her. 

I  found,  on  questioning  the  servants,  that  Eatella 
Was  in  Paris,   and  I  got  a  promise  from  the  surgeon 
^liat  he  would  write  to  her  hy  the  nest  post.    Mias  Ha.- 
''iabam's  famJiy  I  took  upon  myself  ■,  mten^n^  \.o  wswi- 
vltb  Mr.  Matthew  Pocket  Oiiiy,  «&&-  Vw^a' '"" 


GREAT  ESPECTATI0N8. 


^^  coUeci 
^^bi  th; 


0  do  as  he  liked  about  informing  the  rest.    This  I  d 
'  next  day,   through  Herbert,  as  aoou  as  I  returned  i 

There   was  a  stage  that  evening  when  she  spok^ 
collectedly  of  what  had  happened,  though  with  a  c 

"a  terrible  vivacity.  Towards  midnight  ehe  began  tn 
Wander  in  her  speech,  and  aflier  that  it  gradually  set 
I  that  she  said  innumerable  times  in  a  low  solemn 
voice,  "What  have  I  donel"  And  then,  "When  slii> 
first  came,  I  meant  to  save  her  (rom  misery  like  mine." 
And  then,  "Take  the  pencU  and  write  under  my  name, 
'I  forgive  her!'"  She  never  changed  the  order  o" 
three  aentences,  but  she  sometimes  left  out  a  word  in 
one  or  other  of  them;  never  putting  in  another  wor4 
but  always  leaving  a  blank  and  going  on  to  the  nert 
^■^irord. 

^^F-      As  I  could  do  no  service  there,  and  as  I  had,  near 
^^vliome,  that  pressing  reason  for  anxiety  and  fear  whi<J 
^Hteven  her  wanderings  could  not  drive  out  of  n 
^H  I  decided  in  the  course  of  the  night  that  I  would  r 
^B  tnm  by  the  early  morning  coach:   walking  t 
^F    or  so,  and  being  taken  up  clear  of  the  town.    At  abo 

EUx  o'clock  of  the  morning,  therefore,  I  leaned  over  L—^ 
and  touched  her  lips  with  mine,  just  as  they  sai^^ 
not  stopping  for  being  touched,  "Take  the  pencil  ait '^ 
write  under  my  name,  'I  forgive  her."" 


It  V 

r  in  that 


B  the  first  and  the  last  time  that  I  e 


way. 


And  I  never  saw  her  more. 


.  m&AT  BZP&OTATfOItB.  318 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


[  bands  had  been  dresacd  twico  or  Uirice  in  the 
and  again  in  the  morning,  My  left  arm  was  a 
S*ood  deal  bumsd  to  the  elbow,  and,  less  severely,  8,9 
high  as  the  ahoulder;  it  waa  very  pftinfuJ,  but  the 
flames  had  set  iu  that  direction,  and  I  felt  thankful  it 
wan  no  worse.  My  right  hand  was  not  so  badly  burnt 
hut  that  I  could  move  the  fingers.  It  was  bandaged, 
of  course,  but  much  less  inconveniently  than  my  left 
hand  and  arm;  those  I  carried  in  a  sling-,  and  I  could 
only  wear  my  coat  like  a  clonk,  looae  over  my  shoulders 
and  fastened  at  the  neck.  My  hair  had  been  caught 
liy  the  fli'e,  hut  not  my  head  or  face. 

When  Herbert  had  been  down  to  Hammersmith 
and  seen  his  father,  he  came  back  to  me  at  our 
ehftmbera,  and  devoted  the  day  to  attending  on  me. 
He  was  the  kindest  of  nurses,  and  at  stated  times  took 
"ff  the  bandages,  and  steeped  them  in  the  cooling  liquid 
•hat  was  kept  ready,  and  put  them  on  again,  with  a  pa- 
'ient  tenderness  that  I  was  deeply  grateful  for. 

At  first,  as  I  lay  quiet  on  the  sofa,  I  found  it  pain- 
ttlly  difficult,  I  might  say  impossible,  to  get  rid  of  the 
•DpcesBion  of  the  glare  of  the  flames,  their  hurry  and 
'"ise,  and  the  fierce  burning  smell.  If  I  dozed  for  a 
minute,  I  was  awakened  by  Miss  Havisham's  cries,  and 
'y  her  running  at  me  witli  all  that  height  of  fire  above 
^  head.  This  pain  of  the  mind  was  much  harder  to 
ttive  against  than  any  bodily  jiaiu  1  safievft«S.\,  mA 
ferbert,  seeing  that,  did  his  utmost  to  \\(Ai  m^  ».'»»».- 


Neither  of  ub  spoke  of  the  boat,  but  we  boti 
tnought  of  it.  That  was  made  apparent  by  oar  aroid- 
ance  of  the  subject,  and  by  our  agreeing  —  without 
agreement  —  to  make  my  recovery  of  the  use  of  my 
hands,  a,  question  of  bo  many  hours,  not  of  bo  many 
weeks. 

My  first  question  when  I  saw  Herbert  had  been,  of 
courae,  whether  all  was  well  down  the  river?  Aa  he 
replied  in  the  affirmative,  with  perfect  confidence  iw! 
cheerfulnesB,  we  did  not  resume  the  subject  uatil  ft* 
day  was  wearing  away.  But  then,  as  Herbert  changed 
the  bandages,  more  by  the  light  of  the  fire  than  by 
the  outer  light,  he  went  back  to  it  apontaneously. 

"I  sat  with  Provis  last  night,    Handel,   two  good 

"Where  was  Clara?" 

"Dear  little  thing!"  said  Herbert.     "She  was  115 

down  with  Gniffandgrim  all  the  evening.    He  W** 

perpetually  pegging  at  the  floor  the  moment  she  Ifl" 
his  sight.  I  doubt  if  he  can  hold  out  long,  thoug^ 
What  with  rum  and  pepper  —  and  pepper  ai 

—  I  should  think  hia  pegging  must  be  nearly  1 
"And  then  you  will  be  married,  Herbert?" 
"How  can  I  take  care  of  the  dear  child  otherwise. 

—  Lay  your  arm  out  upon  the  back  of  the  sofa, 
dear  boy,  and  I'U  sit  down  here,  and  get  the  bam 
off  so  gradually  that  you  shall  not  know  when 
comes.  I  was  speaking  of  Provis.  Do  yon  knoi 
Handel,  he  improves?" 

"I  said  to  you  I  thought  he  was  softened,  whe 
I  last  saw  him." 

"■So  you  did.     And  tJoAw^s.    S«,-«sv.'i- 
'catiVe   last  night,    aai  Wii  -nw.  lan^* 


1 


Mfid 


^gtanii 


I  tbt  lit 


P  EXPECTATIONS. 


'Sou  reHtember  iiis  breaking  off  here  about  some  woman 
j.fttt  te  had  had  great  trouble   witli.  —    Did  I  hurt 

I  had  started,  but  not  under  bis  touch.  His  words 
Ud  given  me  a  start. 

"I  had  forgotten  that,  Herbert,  but  I  remember  it 
Mw  yott  speak  of  it," 

—  "'Well!  He  went  into  that  part  of  his  life,  and  a 
■jfc.'wild  part  it  is.  Shall  I  tell  you?  Or  wonld  it 
^^hr  you  just  now?" 

^I^ell  me  by  all  means.     Every  wordl" 
^Bterbert  bent  forward  to  look  at  me  more  nearly, 
as  if  my  reply  had  been  rather  more  hurried  or  mora 
eager  than  he  could  quite  account  for.     "Tour  head  ia 
«ool?"  he  said,  touching  it. 

"Quite,"  said  I.  "Tell  me  what  Provis  said,  my 
dear  Herbert." 

"It  seems,"  said  Herbert,  "^  there's  a  bandage 
'iff  moat  cbarmingly,  and  now  comes  the  cool  one  — 
■fiakea  you  shrink  at  first,  my  poor  dear  fellow,  don't 
t?  but  it  will  be  comfortable  presently  —  it  seema 
hat  the  woman  was  a  young  woman,  and  a  jealous 
^oman,  and  a  revengeful  woman;  revengeful,  Handel, 
*>  the  last  degree." 

"To  what  last  degree?" 

"Murder,  —  Does  it  strike  too  cold  on  that  sensi- 
ive  place?" 

"I  don't  feel  it.  How  did  she  murder?  Whom 
■^i  she  murder?" 

"Why,  the  deed  may  not  have  merited  quite  bo 
^oihlo  a  name,"  said  Herbert,  "but  she  was  tried  for 
t,  and  Mr.  Jaggera  defended  her,  aniV  ^ft  t^yifi.^'C^.isa 
^  that  defence  first  made  hia  name.  kaQ^wii-  ^a  "gtCT^ 


I 


316  GREAT  EXPBOTATIONS. 


1  another  and  a  stronger  woman  who  was  tbe 
victim,  and  there  had  been  a  struggle  —  in  a  barn- 
"Who  began  it,  or  Uow  fair  it  was,  or  Low  imfair,  mftj 
be  doubtful;  but  how  it  ended,  is  certainly  not  donlit- 
fiil,  for  the  victim  wan  found  throttled." 

Ib  "Was  the  woman  brought  in  guiltyV" 
I  "No;  she  was  acquitted.  —  M7  poor  Handel,  I 
Burt  yonl" 
*  "It  is  impossible  to  be  gentler,  Herbert.  Yes?  Ww* 
else?" 
"This  acquitted  young  woman  and  Provis,"  s(Ua 
Herbert,  "had  a  little  ebild;  a  little  child  of  whom 
Provis  was  exceedingly  fond.  On  the  evening  of  tio 
very    night    when    the    object    of    her  jealousy   »"»» 

»  strangled,    as  I  tell  you,   the  young  woman  presentM  J 
herself  before  ProVis  for  one  moment,   and  swore  tta' 
she  would  destroy  the  child  (which  ■ 
Bion),    and  he   should  never   see    it    again;    then  * 
vanished.  —  There's  the  worst  ann  comfortably  i: 
sling  once  more,   and  now  there  remains  hut  the  rigW 
hand,  which  is  a  far  easier  job.     I  can  do  it  better  t 
this  light  than  by  a  stronger,  for  my  hand  ia  steadi^ 
when    I    don't    see    the    poor    blistered    patches    '  " 
distinctly.  —  You  don't  think  your  breathing  is  affec 
niy  dear  boy?     You  seem  to  breathe  quickly." 

t       "Perhaps  I  do,   Herbert.     Did   the    woman  kee'JJ 
her  oath?" 
"There   comes    the    darkest    part   of  Provis's 
Bh.    
r 


"That  18,  he  says  she  did." 

"Why,  of  course,  m^  leatVo'j"  ^sftasrawl  Horbffl* 
\  a  tone  of  surpriae, 


QBE  AT  BKPBOTATiONS. 


217 


■er  look  at  me.     "He  says  it  all.     I  have  no 

[  to  be  sure." 

whether,"   pursued  Herbert,    "he  had  nsed 
i'e  mother  ill,    or  whether  he  had  used  the 

lother  well,    Previa  doesn't  say;   but  she  had 

Hue  four  or  five  years  of  the  wretched  life  he 

[  t4>  Q8  at  this  fireside,   and  he  seems  to  have 

for  her,  and  forbearance  towards  her,     There- 

ing  he  should  be  called  upon  to  depose  about 

lyed  child,  and  so  be  the  cause  of  her  death, 

imself  (much  as  he  grieved  for  the  child),  kept 

k,   as  he  says,    out  of  the  way  and  out  uf 

and  was  only  vaguely  talked  of  aa  a  certain 

id   Abel,    out    of  whom  the  jealousy  arose. 

acquittal  ehe  disappeared,    and  thus  he  lust 

and  the  child's  mother." 

loment,  my  dear  boy,"  said  Herbert,  "nnd  1 
That  evil  genios,  Compeyson,  the  worst 
among  many  seoundrels,  knowing  of  his 
out  of  the  way  at  that  time,  and  of  bis  rea- 
doing  so,  of  course  afterwards  held  the  knuw- 
his  head  as  a  means  of  keeping  him  poorer, 
:ing  him  harder.  It  was  clear  last  night  thaX 
id  the  point  of  Provia's  hatred." 
it  to  know,"  said  I,  "and  particularly,  Her- 

told  you  when  this  happened?" 
icularly?     Let  me  remember,   then,    what  he 
fjto  that.     His  expression  was,   'a  round  score 
and  a'moat  directly  after  1  UioV  ■vy^  '^ 
Haw  old  were  you  wbei\  ■jow.  catae.  "^^'^^ 
little  ciiirch-yard?" 


P318  GREAT  BXPECTATIOHS. 

"I  diink  in  my  seventh  year." 
"Ay.     It  had  Luppened  some  tLree   or  four  yeai 
then,  he  said,  and  you  bron^ht  into  his  mind  the  litt 
girl   BO   tragically   lost,    who  would   have  been  aboi 

I  your  age." 
"Herbert,"  said  I  after  a  short  Bilonce,  in 
way,  "can  you  see  me  best  by  the  light  of  the  windoi 
or  the  light  of  the  fire?" 
"By  the  firelight,"  answered  Herbert,  coming  do! 
"Look  at  me." 
"I  do  look  at  you,  my  dear  boy." 
"Touch  me." 
"I  do  touch  you,  my  dear  boy." 
"Yon  are  not   airaid  that  I  am  in  any  fever,  ( 
that  my  head  is  much  disordered  by   the  accident  f 
last  night?" 

"N-no,    my  dear  boy,"    said  Herbert,   after  taking 
time  to   examine  me.     "You   are  rather  excited,  ! 
jfyou  are  quite  yourself." 

"I   know   I  am   quite  myself.     And  the  man 
K'bsve  in  hiding  down  the  river,  ia  Eatella's  Father." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

What  purpose  I  had  in  view  when  I  was  hot  0 
L  tracing  ont  and  proving  Estella's  parentage,  I  cann' 
I.  say.  It  will  presently  be  seen  that  the  question  ff' 
l.iiot  before  me  in  a  distinct  shape,  until  it  was  put  b> 
I  fore  me  by  a  wiser  head  than  my  own. 

But  when  Herbert  anl  1  \ia4'\ic\4  a\a  ■uwsoieBWJ' 
tverBHtion,   I  was  seized  VrtV 


Higlit  to  hsDt  tbe  matter  doira  —  that  I  ought 
t  it  rest,  but  that  I  nnght  to  see  Mr.  Jaggna, 
e  at  the  bare  tmth.  1  really  do  not  know 
I  felt  that  I  (iid  thU  for  Eetella's  sake,  «r 
I  was  glad  to  transfer  to  the  man  in  whoso 

Ittion  I  vaa  bo  mnch  contemed,  some  rays  of 
interest  that  had  so  long  sorrounded  her. 
the  latter  possibility  may  be  the  nearer  to  the 

way,  I  coold  scarcely  be  withheld  from  going 
Gerrard-gtreet  that  night.     Herbert's  representa- 
' «  if  I  did.   I  should  probably  be  laid  up  and 
useless,  when  our  fugitive's  safety  would  depend 
e,  slone  restrained  my  impatience.     On  the  un- 
ling,  again  and  again  reiterated,  that  come  what 
I  was  to  go  to  Mr.  Jaggers  to-morrow,   I  at 
submitted  to  keep  qalet,    and  to  have  my  hurts 
after,  and  to  stay  at  home.     Early  next  mom- 
went  out  together,  and  at  the  comer  of  Giltspur- 
by  Smithfield,   I  left  Herbert  to  go  his  way  into 
ty,  and  took  my  way  to  Little  Hritain. 
'here  were  periodical  occasions  when  Sir,  Jaggers 
Wemmitk    went    over    the    office    accounts,    and 
cd  off  the  vouchers,   and  put  all  things  straight. 
lose  occasions  Wemmick  took  his  books  and  papers 
It.  Jaggers's  room,  and  one  of  the  up-staira  clerks 
down  into  the  outer  office.     Finding  such  clerk 
''emmick's  post  that'  morning,    I  knew   what  was 
but  I  was  not  sorry  to   have  Mr.  Jaggers 
Vemmick  together,  as  Wemmick  would  then  hear 
raself  that  I  said  nothing  to  compromise,  kvn^. 
y  appearance  with  my  arm  bamla^cS.  waft,  ■ci"^  s^ww- 
irer  m^  shoulders,  favoureim^  (jtijetX.  t^'Ooa^" 


220 


ORSAV^JEMMMCMlMt 


I  had  sent  Mr.  Jag'gera  a  brief  account  of  tl 
as  soon  as  I  Lad  arrived  iu  town,  yet  I  hi 
him  all  the  details  now;  and  the  speciality  o 
cation  caused  our  talk  to  be  less  dry  and  iiat_ 
less  strictly  regulated  by  the  rules  of  evidence,  Ul 
had  been  before.  While  I  described  the  disaster, 
JaggerB  stood,  according  to  his  wont,  before  the 
Wemmick  leaned  back  in  his  chair,  staring  at 
with  his  hands  in  the  pockets  of  his  trousers,  am 
pen  put  horizontally  into  the  post.  The  two  b: 
casts,  always  inseparable  in  my  mind  Irom  the  ot 
proceedings,  seemed  to  be  congestively  considt 
whether  they  didn't  smell  fire  at  the  present  raonu 

My  narrative  finished,  and  their  questions  esh.iii 
I  then  produced  Miss  Havisham's  authority  to  ra 
the  nine  hundred  pounds  for  Herbert.  Mr.  Jagg 
eyes  retired  a  little  deeper  into  his  head  when  I  hai 
him  the  tablets,  bat  be  presently  handed  them  ovi 
Wemmick,  with  instructions  to  draw  the  cheque  fo 
signature.  While  that  was  in  course  of  being  (tw 
looked  on  at  Weramick  as  he  wrote,  and  Mr.  J:ii: 
poising  and  swaying  himself  on  Ids  well-poliahed  li 
looked  on  at  me.  "I  am  sorry,  Pip,"  said  | 
put  the  cheque  in  my  pocket,  when  he  had  i 
"that  wc  do  nothing  for  yov." 

"Miss  Havisham  was  good  enongh  to  &ak^ 
returned,  "whether  she  could  do  nothing  for  mei^ 
told  her  No." 

"Everybody  should  know  his  ( 
Mr.  Jaggers.     And  I  saw  Wemmick's  lips  1 
worth  "portable  property." 

"I  siiould  not  have  toVi twit's 


*se 


Jaggers;  "but  every  laan  ouglit  to  kiiow  Lin 
ness  best." 

"Every  man's  business,"  Bftid  Wemmick,  rather  re- 
lachfiiUy  towards  me,  "is  portable  property." 

As  I  thoug^ht  the  time  was  now  come  for  pursoing 
i  tlieme  I  had  at  heart,  I  said,  taming  on  Mr. 
^gers: 

"I  did  ask  something  of  Miss  Havisham,  however, 
I  asked  her  to  give  me  some  infonnotion  relative 

her  adopted  daughter,  and  she  gave  mo  all  she 
jsessed." 

"Did  she?"  said  Mr.  Jaggiws,  bending  forward  to 
ik  at  his  boots  and  then  straightening  himself.  "Ilalil 
ion't  think  I  should  have  done  so,  if  I  had  been 
Bs  Havisham.    But  she  ought  to  know  her  own  busi- 

"I  know  more  of  the  history  of  Mias  Havisham's 
[ipted  child,  than  Miss  Havisham  herself  does,  sir. 
mow  her  mother." 

Mr.  Jaggers  looked  at  me  inquiringly,  and  repeated 
[other?" 

"I  have  seen  her  mother  within  these  three  days." 

"Tcs?"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 

"And  BO  have  you,  air.  And  you  have  seen  her 
ti  more  recently," 

"Yes?"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 

"Perhaps  I  know  more  of  Estella's  history  than 
Ml  you  do,"  said  I.     "I  know  her  father  too." 

A  certain  stop  that  Mr.  Jaggers  came  to   in   hia 
■aner  - —  he    was  too    self-possessed  to  change  his 
Jmer,  hut  he  could  not  help  its  being  brought  to  an. 
lefinsbly  attentive  stop  —  aasutel  me  iXYa.*!.  V^  SA- 
"  iter  was.     T'ina  \  VaA.  *s^     ^ 


suepected  from  Provix's  accouat  (as  Herbert  hwl 
livored  it)  of  his  having  kept  himself  dark;  iriu 
pieced  on  to  the  fact  that  he  himself  was  no! 
Jaggers's  client  until  some  four  years  later,  and 
he  could  have  no  reason  for  claiming  his  ide 
But  I  could  not  be  sure  of  this  uncousciousneii 
Mr,  Jaggers's  part  before,  though  I  was  quite 
it  now. 

"So?  You  know  the  young  lady's  father,  P 
said  Mr.  Jaggers. 

"Yes,"  I  replied,  "And  his  name  id  Provia  — 
New  South  Wales." 

Even  Mr.  Jaggeia  started  when  I  said  those  w 
It  was  the  slightest  start  that  could  escape  a  roan, 
most  carefully  repressed  and  the  soonest  checked, 
he  did  start,  though  he  made  it  a  part  of  the  autii] 
taking  out  his  poeket-handkerchief.  How  Wei 
received  the  announcement  I  am  unable  to  say, 
was  afraid  to  look  at  Imn  just  then,  lest  Mr.  Jagg 
aharpness  should  detect  that  there  had  been  some 
munication  unknown  to  him  between  us. 

"And  on  what  evidence,  Pip?"  asked  Mr.  Jag 
very  coolly,  aa  he  paused  with  his  handkerchief 
way  to  his  nose,  "does  ProvLs  make  this  tlujm?" 

"He  does  not  make  it,"    said  I,    "and  has 
made  it,    and    has    no    knowledge   or  belief  that 
daughter  is  in  existence." 

For  once,  the  powerful  pocket-handkerchief  fa 
My  reply  was  so  unexpected  that  Mr.  Jaggers  put 
handkerchief  back  into  his  pocket  without  compl' 
the  usual  performance,  folded  his  arms,  and  Ic 
•th  stem  atteation  at  me,  t\n>\v^  ■wS.iii 


KM3U.T  Exz>EOTi.iioin.  9S3 

a  I  told  liini  all  I  knew,  and  how  I  knew  it, 
i  one  reservation  that  I  loft  Iiim  to  inter  tliat 
_,  ti-om  Miss  Harisliam  whut  I  in  fact  knew  from 
ffemmiek.  I  was  very  careful  indeiid  as  to  tliat.  Nor 
iliil  I  look  towards  Wemmiek  until  I  had  finished  all 
I  liad  to  tell,  and  had  boon  for  some  time  silently' 
Heeling  Mr.  Jaggere's  look.  When  I  did  at  last  turn 
my  eyes  in  Wemmick's  direction ,  I  found  that  ho  had 
unposted  his  pen,  and  was  intent  upon  the  table  before 

"Hah!"  said  Mr,  Jaggera  at  last,  aa  he  moved 
towards  the  papers  on  the  table.  " —  What  item 
wm  it  you  were  at,  Wenimiek,  when  Mr.  Pip  came 
iu?" 

But  I  could  not  submit  to  be  thrown  off  in  that 
vay,  and  I  made  a  passionate,  almost  an  indignant, 
appeal  to  him  to  be  more  frank  and  manly  with  me. 
I  reminded  him  of  the  false  hopes  into  which  I  had 
lajBed,  the  length  of  time  they  had  lasted,  and  the  dis- 
covery I  had  made;  and  I  hinted  at  the  danger  that 
Weighed  upon  my  apints.  I  represented  myself  as  being 
surely  worthy  of  some  little  confidence  from  him,  in  re- 
tnm  for  the  confidence  I  had  just  now  imparted,  I  said 
that  I  did  not  blame  him,  or  suspcet  him,  or  mistrust 
lull,  but  I  wanted  assurance  of  the  trath  from  him. 
And  if  he  asked  me  why  I  wanted  it  and  why  I  thought 
I  had  any  right  to  it,  I  wonld  tell  hini,  little  as  he 
cared  for  such  poor  dreams,  that  I  had  loved  Estella 
dearly  and  long,  and  that,  although  I  liad  lost  her  and 
must  live  a  bereaved  life,  whatever  concerned  her  was 
still  nearer  and  dearei-  to  me  than  anything  else  in  the 
•rorld.  And  seeing  that  Mr.  Jaggets  Sptuui.  <^Aft,  'Su&. 
n^ilent,   and  apparently  quite  o\iivaB:Ve, , 


sA-^^ 


224  ORBAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

appeal,  I  twned  to  Wetmnick,  and  said,  "Weomu* 
I  know  you  to  be  a  muu  with  a  gentle  heart.  I  bt 
BBea  joar  pleasant  home,  and  your  old  fatLer,  audi 
the  innocent  clieorful  playful  ways  with  which  you  i 
fresh  your  business  life.  And  I  cntrent  you  to  say 
word  for  me  to  Mr.  Jagg^s,  and  to  represent  to  iu 
that,  al)  circnm stances  considered,  he  otig^ht  to  be  mo 
open  with  mo!" 

I  have  never  seen  two  men  look  more  oddly  at  ft 
another  than  Mr.  Jaggers  and  Wemmick  did  aAor  ti 
apostrophe.  At  first,  a  misgiving  crossed  me  ik 
Wemmick  would  be  instantly  dismissed  from  his  b 
ployment;  hut  it  melted  as  I  saw  Mr.  JaggoiB  rel 
into  something  like  a  smile,  and  Wemmict  bccoi 
holder. 

"What's  all  this?"  said  Mr.  Jaggera.  "YonTfi 
rtm  old  father,  and  you  with  pleasant  and  plaj4 
^vays?" 

"Well!"  retomed  Wemmick.  "If  I  don't  bring' 
[  here,  what  does  it  matter?" 

[  "Pip,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  laying  hia  band  upon-, 

r  arm,  and  smiling  openly,  "this  man  must  be  the  nmrtl 
I  cunning  impostor  in  all  London." 

"Not  a  bit  of  it,"  returned  Wemmick,  growing 
fc- bolder  and  holder.     "I  think  you're  another." 

Again  they  exchanged  their  former  odd  looks,  eAf'' 
1  apparently  still  distrustful  that  the  other  was  talting 
fliim  in. 

"You  with  a  pleasant  home?"  said  Mr.  Jaggers. 
"Since   it   don't  interfere  with  business,"  retamcj 
I  .TTemmick,  "let  it  be  bo.    "So-*  ,  \  Voot  «;t  Y^ft*.  ^' 
Aoaldn't  wonder  if  you  in\gV\.\ie.  "      "        """ 


^u&ve  a  pleasant  homo  of  ^our  oirn,  one  of  tlieso 
K'lien  you're  tired  of  this  work." 
^Kfaggora  nodded  liis  head  retroBjiectivoly  two  or 
^BneB,   and  actually  dicw  a  sigli.     "Pip,"  said 
WSt  won't  talk  about  'poor  dreams;'  you  know 
Bpont  such  ItliingB  than  I,    having'  much  fresher 
^Bce  of  that  kind.     But  about  thia  other  matter. 
Ka  case  to  you.     Mindl  I  admit  uotLing." 
Hviutfid  for  mo  to  dendare  that  I  quite  nnderstood 
Bexpreaaly  said  tliat  he  admitted  nothing. 
Bbw,  Pip,"  said  Mr.  Jaggers,  "pat  thia  case.    Put 
t&B  that  a  woman,   under  such  circumstances   as 
have  mentioned,  held  her  child  concealed,  and  was 
;ed  to  communicate  the  fact  to  her  legal  adviser, 
is  representing  to  her  that  he  must  know,  with  an 
~  the  latitude  of  his  defence,  how  the  fact  Htood 
iat  child.     Put  the  case  that  at  the  same  time 
1  trust  to  find  a  chUd  for  an  eccentric  rich 
|.Kdopt  and  bring  up." 
^llow  you,  sir." 

t  the  case  that  ho  lived  in  an  atmosphere  of 
tnd  that  all  he  saw  of  children,  was,  their  being 
rated  in  great  numbers  for  certain  destruction, 
the  case  that  he  often  saw  children  solenmly  tried 
eriminal  bar,  where  they  were  held  up  to  be  seen; 
he  case  that  he  habitually  knew  of  their  being  im- 
ncd,  whipped,  transported,  neglected,  cast  out, 
ified  in  all  ways  for  the  hangman,  and  growing  up 
B  hanged.  Put  the  case  that  pretty  nigh  all  the 
ren  he  saw  in  his  daily  business  life,  he  had  reason 
lok  upon  aa  so  much  spawn,  to  AevAiyy  vbXm  'Aifc 

!  to  come  to  hie  net  —  to  \ie  \>T««»tt'<&ft^  i 


fe«r(,« 


\& 


I 


OEEAT  BXPEOTATJONS. 

efended,    forsworn,   made  orphans,    be-devilled  BOmf 

I  follow  you,  sir." 

Put  the  case,  Pip,  that  here  was  one  pretty  lltt 

Id  out  of  the  heap,  who  could  bo  saved;  whom  H 
Father  believed  dead,  and  dared  make  no  stir  ahontj  I 
to  whom,  over  the  motliet,  the  legal  adviser  had  tl 
'■power;  'I  know  what  you  did,  and  tow  you  did  1 
Tiiu  came  so  and  go,  this  was  your  manner  of  attw 
and  this  the  manner  of  resistance,  you  wont  bo  and  « 
you  did  such  and  such  things  to  divert  suBpicion. 
have  tracked  you  through  it  all,  and  I  tell  it  yon  J 
Part  with  the  child,  unless  it  should  be  necessary  ' 
produce  it  to  clear  yon,  and  then  it  shall  be  produM 
Give  the  child  into  my  Iiands,  and  I  will  do  my  b* 
to  hring  you  off.  If  yon  are  saved,  yonr  child  is  ssvf 
too;  if  you  are  lost,  your  child  ts  still  saved,'  Put  tl 
case  that  this  was  done,  and  that  the  woman  * 
cleared." 

"I  understand  yon  perfectly." 

"But  that  I  make  no  admissions?" 

"  That  you  make  no  admissions."  And  "Wenunil 
repeated,  "!No  admissions." 

"Put  the  case,  Pip,  that  passion  and  the  terror 
death  bad  a  little  shaken  the  woman's  intellects,  B~ 
that  when  she  was  set  at  liberty,  she  was  scared  out 

ways  of  the  world  and  went  to  him  to  be  sheltw 
Fut  the  case  that  he  took  her  in,  and  that  he  k{ 
down  the  old  wild  violent  nature  whenever  he  saw 
'jnkling  of  its  breaking  out,  by  asserting  his  poww  C 
the  old  way.    Do  you  comprehend  the  ima^nt 


«  bet-        I 
f  she        U 


3  tliftt  the  chilli  grew  up,  and  was 
1  for  money.  That  the  motlier  was  Htill  living, 
bat  the  father  was  still  living.  That  the  mother  and 
ther  anknown  to  oue  another,  were  dwelling  within 

many  miles,  furlongs,  yards  if  yon.  like,  of  one  an- 
bw.  That  the  secret  was  still  a  secret,  except  that 
TO  had  got  wind  of  it,  Put  that  last  at 
TV  carefully." 

""I  do," 

"I  ask  Wemmick  to   put   it  to  Mmse/f  very 

%■■• 

And  Weramick  said,  "I  do," 

"For  whose  sake  would  you  reveal  the  secret? 
e  father's?  I  think  he  would  not  he  much  the 
t  for  the  mother.  For  the  mother's?  I  think  if 
i  done  such  a  deed  she  would  be  safer  where  she 
B,  For  the  daughter's?  I  think  it  would  hardly 
tvG  her,  to  establish  her  parentage  for  the  informa- 
in  of  her  husband,  and  to  drag  her  back  to  disgrace 
ter  an  escape  of  twenty  years,  pretty  secure  to  last 
r  life.  But  add  the  case  that  you  had  loved  her, 
p,  and  had  made  her  the  subject  of  those  'poor 
earns'  which  have,  at  one  time  or  another,  been  in 
S  heads  of  more  men  than  you  think  likely,  then  I 
il  yon  that  you  had  better  —  and  would  much  sooner 
len  you  had  thought  well  of  it  —  chop  off  that  hand- 
ed left  hand  of  yours  with  your  bandag-ed  right  hand, 
d  then  pass  the  chopper  on  to  Wemmick  there,  to 
t  that  off,  too." 

I  looked  at  Wemmick,  whose  face  was  very  grave. 
5  gravely  touched  his  lips  with  his  forefinger.  I  did 
i  Bame.     Mr.  Jaggera  did  the  same.     '''"?i«^,^ 

isaid  the  /atto-  then,  resuming  UVaMsa*^ 


1528  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 

?'what  item  was  it  you  were  at,  when  Mr.  Pip  csms 
in?" 
Staniliiig;  by  for  a  little,  while  they  were  at  wortrF 
I  ohBerved  that  tho  odd  looka  thoy  had  cast  at  one  O^ 
other  were  repeated  several  times:  with  this  <"" 
now,  that  each  of  tLem  seemed  eaapicloDS,  not  to  <^ 
conseioQS,  of  having  shown  himself  in  a  weak  and  it 
professional  light  to  the  other.  For  this  reason,  I  TOp" 
pose,  they  were  now  inflexible  with  one  another;  of- 
Jaggera  being  highly  dictatorial,  and  Wemmiek  ob; 
Btinately  justifying  himself  whenever  there  waa  "•* 
Bmallest  point  in  ab^^ce  for  a  moment.  I  had  n 
.seen  them  on  such  ill  terms;  for  geuerally  tliey  gnt  *" 
^Very  well  indeed  together. 

But  they  were  both  happily  relieved  by  the  0 
portune  appearance  of  Mike,  the  client  with  the  fnr  « 
and  the  habit  of  wiping  hia  nose  on  his  sleeve,  w1)D« 
I  had  seen  on  tho  very  first  day  of  ray  appearanc* 
within  those  walla.  This  individual,  who,  either  in  l* 
own  person  or  in  that  of  some  member  of  Lis  famUj 
«eemed  to  be  always  in  ti-ouble  (which  in  that  plac'^ 
meant  N^ewgate),  called  to  announce  that  his  ddef 
daughter  was  taken  up  on  suspicion  of  shopliftingf  » 
he  imparted  this  melancholy  circumstance  to  "Wemniol 
Mr.  Jaggera  standing  magisterially  before  the  fire  a" 

t taking  no  share  in  the  proceedings,  Mike''B  eye  happen'' 
to  twinkle  with  a  tear. 
"Wbat  are  you  about?"  demanded  Wemmiok,  T 
(he  utmost  indignation.     "What  do  you  come  snivsl 
Bng  here  for?" 
"I  didn't  go  to  do  it,  Mr,  Wemmiek." 
"You    did,"    said  "WemioVcV.    "^«^    dare  ; 
^^aot  in  a  £t  state  to  cume  > 


w 

p 
I 

ft: 


ome  Iiere   without  spluttering   liko  a  bad  pen.     What 
lo  you  moan  by  it?" 

"  A  man  can't  help  hia  feelings,  Mr.  Wemmick," 
ileaded  Mike. 

"His  what?"  demanded  Wemmick,  quite  savagely. 
'Say  tliat  again!" 

"Now,  look  here,  my  man,"  said  Mr.  Jfiggers,  ad- 
'^tncing  a  step,  and  [Minting  to  the  door.  "Get  out  of 
"Ice.  I'll  have  no  feelings  here.  Got  out," 
serves  you  right,"  said  Wemmick,  "Get  out." 
the  unfortunate  Mike  very  hnmbly  withdrew, 
Mr.  Jaggers  and  Wemroick  appeared  to  have  re- 
established their  good  understanding,  and  wont  to  work 
»gain  with  an  air  of  refreshment  upon  them  as  if  they 
liad  juHt  had  lunch. 


I 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


[Fbou  Little  Britain  I  went,  with  my  cheque  in  my 
pocket,  to  Miss  SkifSns's  brother,  the  accountant;  and 
Miaa  Skiffins's  brother,  the  accountant,  going  straight 
to  Clarriker's  and  bringing  Clarriker  to  me,  I  had  the 
peat  satisfaction  f>f  completing  that  arrangement.  It 
Was  the  only  good  thing  I  had  done,  and  the  only  com- 
|ileted  thing  I  had  done,  einco  I  ivas  first  apprised  of 
niy  great  expectations. 

Clarriker  informing  me  on  that  occasion  that  the 
affairs  of  the  Kouse  were  steadily  progressing,  that  he 
would  now  be  able  to  establish  a  small  branch-house 
in  the  East  which  was  much  wanted  for  the  extension 
of  the  business,  and  that  Ilerbert  in  his  new  partnor- 
ihij>  capacity  would  go  out  and  liiko  c\\a."c%%  tAiS.,^ 
'^nd  that  I  mast  have  preparei  tor  a.  iwto^^^^" 


^,f  f 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 


my  friend,  even  though  my  own  aEFairs  hail  been  mort 
"settled.     And  now  indeed  I  felt  as  if  my  lasl;  anolwE 
were  loosening  its  hold,  and  I  should  a 
with  the  winds  and  waves. 

But  there  was  recompense  in  the  joy  with  wMcll 
Herbert  came  borne  of  a  night  and  told  me  of  tie* 
changes,  little  imagining  that  he  told  me  no  news,  sni 
sketched  airy  pictures  of  himself  conducting  Clara  Bar- 
ley to  the  limd  of  the  Arabian  Nights,  and  of  me  goiofi 
out  to  join,  tbem,  (with  a  caravan  of  camels,  I  believe) 
and  of  our  all  going  up  the  Nile  and  seeing  woniie' 
Without  heing  sanguine  as  to  my  own  part  in  tk 
bright  plans,  I  felt  that  Herbert's  way  was  clearing  fsst, 
and  that  old  Bill  Barley  bad  hut  to  stick  to  bis  pepp  ~ 
and  rum,  and  his  daughter  would  soon  be  bappily  pt 
Tided  for. 

We  had  now  got  into  the  month  of  March.     M? 
left  arm,  though  it  presented  uo  had  symptoms,  W 

I  in  the  natural  course  so  long  to  heal  that  I  was  »l 
unable  to  get  a  coat  on.    My  right  hand  was  tolerably 
restored;  —  disfigured,  but  fait-ly  serviceable. 
On  a  Monday  morning,  when  Herbert  and  I  « 
at  breakfast,  I  received  the  following  letter  from  W*" 
inick  by  the  post. 


■rWeaDEBday ,  loa  i 


When  I  had  shown  this  to  Herbert  and  had  put 
in  the  fire  —  hut  not  before  we  had  both  got  it  I 
heart  —  we  considered  what  to  do.  For,  of  eoor 
ay  being  disabled  couH  no'w  ^ifc  ™^  \«a^w  W^t  out 


r  eXPCCVATTOKS. 

I  bave  thought  it  over,    ugain  and  agaiu," 
,    "and  I  think  I  know  a  better  course  1 
a  Thames  watomiati.     Take  Startop.     A  good 
B.  skilled  hand,  fund  of  us,  and  enthnsiastic  and 
wahlo." 

had  thought  oi'  him,  more  than  o 
But  how  much  would  you  tell  him,  Herbert?"'^ 
It  is  iiecesBury  to  tell  him  very  little.     Lot  8 
Be  it  a  mere  froak,   but  a  secret  one,    until  i 
ng  comes:  then  let  him  kiiuw  that  there  is  urgent 
1  for  your  getting  Provis  aboard  and  away. 
ith  bim?" 
'No  doubt," 
'Where?" 

t  had  seemed  to  me,  in  the  many  n 
tions  I  had  given  the  point,  almost  indifferent  v 
we  made  for  —  Hamburg,  Rotterdam,  Antwerp 
lie  place  signified  little,  bo  that  he  was  got  out  of 
Any  foreign  steamer  that  fell  in  uur  way 
old  ta.ke  us  up,  would  do.  I  had  always  pro- 
myself  to  get  him  well  down  the  river  in  the 
tainly  well  beyond  Gravesend  which  was  a 
I  place  for  search  or  inquiry  if  siispicion  were 
t.  As  foreign  steamers  would  leave  London  at 
it  the  time  of  high*water,  our  plan  would  be  to  get 
Ltbe  river  by  a  previous  obb-tido,  and  lie  by  in 
fcriiet  spot  until  wo  could  pull  off  to  one.  The 
^Ren  one  would  be  due  where  we  lay,  wberevet 
Bght  be,  could  be  calculated  pretty  nearly,  if  we 
B  inquiries  beforehand. 

Herbert  assented  to  all  this,   and  we  went  oat  \to.- 
lateJ^  aiier  irreakfast  to  pYirsue  oxit  TOvea'L^^p.'Cvaoa.. 
hand  that  a  steamer  for  Tlaui\)\ag  ■w^'*  ^^^"^  ■* 


good 
c  and 

il  fl!^^^ 
You 

M 


232  GKEAT  ESFBCTAT10N3.  ^ 

Biiit  our  purjKiHe  best,  and  wo  directed  our  thoo 
chiefly  to  that  vessel.  Bat  we  noted  down  whit 
fordgu  steamers  would  leave  London  with  the  6 
tide,  and  we  satisfied  ourselves  that  we  knew  the  I 
and  colour  of  each.  We  then  Beparated  for  a 
Louth;  I,  to  got  at  once  snch  passports  as  were  ni 
aary;  Herbert,  to  nee  Startop  at  his  lodgings. 
boUi  did  what  wo  had  to  do  without  any  hindn 
and  when  we  met  again  at  one  o'clock  reported  it  i 
I,  for  my  part,  was  prepared  with  passports;  Hei 
Lad  seen  Startop,  and  he  was  more  than  ready  to , 

Those  two  should  pull  a  pair  of  oars,  we  aet 
and  I  would  steer;  our  charge  would  be  sitter, 
keep  quiet;  as  speed  was  not  our  object,  we  tb 
make  way  enough.  We  arranged  that  Herbert  ah 
not  come  home  to  dinner  before  going  to  Mill  I 
Bank  that  evening;  that  he  should  not  go  there  at 
to-morrow  evening,  Tuesday;  that  ho  should 
Provis  to  come  down  to  some  Stairs  hard  by  the  h( 
on  Wednesday,  when  he  saw  us  apjiroacL,  and 
sooner;  that  all  the  arrangements  with  him  shoub 
concluded  that  Monday  night;  and  that  he  shonli 
conunuuicated  with  no  more  in  any  way,  until  wb 
him  on  board. 

These  precautions  well  understood  by  both  o 
I  went  home. 

On  opening  the  outer  door  of  our  chambers 
my  key,  I  found  a  letter  in  tlie  box,  directed  to 
a  very  dirty  letter,  though  not  ill-written.  It 
been  dolivored  by  hand  {of  course  since  I  left ' 
and  its  contents  were  these: 


OmAT  BsmOTATIONfl. 


I  had  had  load  enough  upon  my  mind  before  the 
receipt  of  thia  strange  letter.  What  to  do  now,  I  Could 
not  telL  Aid  the  worst  was,  that  1  must  decide 
^ekly,  or  I  shoald  miss  the  afternoon  coach,  which 
ironld  take  me  down  in  timo  for  to-night.  To-morrow 
Bight  I  could  not  think  of  going,  for  it  would  be  too 
lloBC  upon  the  time  of  the  flight.  And  again,  for  any- 
tliiag  I  knew,  the  profFcred  information  might  have 
Bome  important  bearing  on  the  flight  itself. 

If  I  had  had  ample  time  for  consideration,  I  be- 
lieve I  should  still  have  gone.  Having  hardly  any 
time  for  consideration  —  my  watch  showing  me  that 
t!ie  coach  started  within  half  an  hour  —  I  resolved  to 
go.  I  should  certainly  not  have  gone,  but  for  the 
feferenee  to  ray  Uncle  Provis;  that,  coming  on  Wem- 
niick's  letter  and  the  morning's  busy  preparation, 
lumed  the  scale. 

It  is  so  difficult  to  become  clearly  possessed  o(  the 
contents  of  almost  any  letter,  in  a  violent  hurry,  that 
(had  to  read  this  mysterious  epistle  again,  twice,  be- 
latB  ita  injunction  to  mo  to  be  secret  got  mechanically 
into  my  mind.  Yielding  to  it  in  the  same  mechanical 
iand  of  way,  I  loft  a  note  in  pencil  for  Herbert,  telling 
liiia  that  as  I  should  be  bo  soon  going  away,  I  knew 
Hot  for  how  long,  I  had  decided  to  hurry  down  and 
back,  to  ascertain  for  myself  how  Miss  Havisham  was 
feiing,  I  had  then  barely  time  to  get  my  great-uoat, 
loefc  np  the  chambers,  and  make  for  the  cftaaV^ffiuw, 
Iff  the  tiboft  by-waya.  If  I  had  taYun.  o.  \i.a.OicQK^- 
"  Mt  and  goa^  by  tLe  streets,  I  a\iou\4  "^wwa 


GREAT  fiXJWJTAWOSS. 

Fmy  aim;  going  as  I  did,  I  cauglit  the  coacli  jnst  a 
eatne  out  of  tha  yard.    I  was  tbe  only  inside  passengfl 
jolting  away  knee-deep  in  straw,    when  I  came  to  n 
self. 

For,  I  i-eally  hod  not  been  myself  since  the  reoe; 

Lfif  the  letter;  it  had  so  bewildered  me  ensuing  on  I 
fliurry  of  the  morning.  The  morning  hurry  and  flnttt 
"lad  been  great,    for,    long    and    anxiausly   as  I  h*' 

'  waited  for  Wemmick,  bis  hint  had  come  like  a  b 
prise  at  last.  And  now  I  began  to  wonder  at  mysft 
for  being  in  the  eoach,    and  to  doubt  whether  I  h 

» sufficient  reason  for  being  there,  and  to  considl 
whether  I  should  get  out  presently  and  go  back,  a 
to  argue  against  ever  heeding  an  anonymous  aoiOa 
sication,  and,  in  short,  to  pa»s  throagh  all  those  pha 
of  contradiction  and  indecision  to  which  I  suppose  ver 
few  hurried  people  are  stTangere.  Still,  the  r 
to  Provis  by  name,  mastered  everything.  I  i 
as  I  had  reasoned  already  withont  knowing  it  —  ' 
that  be  reasoning  —  in  case  any  harm  should  befi 
him  through  my  not  going,  how  could  I  ever  forgir 
myself! 

I  It  was  dark  before  we  got  down,  and  the  jowm^ 
seemed  long  and  dreary  to  me  who  could  see  little  ' 
Jit  inside,  and  who  conld  not  go  outside  in  my  disable 
^tate.  Avoiding  the  Blue  Boar,  1  put  up  at  an  inn  < 
.jninor  reputation  down  the  town,  and  ordered  f 
-dinner.  Wbile  it  was  preparing,  I  went  to  Satis  Hoa 
and  inquired  for  Miss  Havisham ;  she  was  still  reiy  '^ 
though  considered  something  better. 

My  inn  had  once  been  a  part  of  an  ancient  eceK 
Biastical  Jiouse,  and  1  Amei  m  a.  \Aftfc  *i'a*.^*ns».\  w 
mon-toom,   like  a  font.     A^s^  ^a»  ^n\.i!' 


ip- 


9tS 

inner,  the  old  landlord  with  a  shining  bald  head  did 
for  me.  This  bringing  us  into  conversation,  he  was 
1  good  as  to  entertain  me  with  my  own  story  —  of 
lurse  with  the  popular  feature  that  Pumblethook  was 
ly  earliest  benefactor    and    the    founder    of  my  for- 

"Do  yon  know  the  yonng  man?"  said  I. 

"Know  hira!"  repeated  the  landlord.  "Ever  since 
e  was  no  height  at  all." 

"Does  Ue  ever  come  back  to  this  neighbourhood?" 

"Ay,  he  comes  back,"  said  the  landlord,  "to  his 
reat  friends  now  and  again,  and  gives  the  cold  shoul- 
sr  to  the  man  that  made  him." 

"What  mau  is  that?" 

"Him  that  I  speak  of,"'  suid  the  landlord.  "Mr. 
Whlechook." 

"la  he  ungrateful  to  no  one  else?" 

"No  doubt  be  would  be,  if  he  could,"  returned  the 
iiidlord,  "but  he  eau't.  And  why?  Because  Pumble- 
liuok  done  everything  for  liim," 

"Does  Pumhiechoob  say  so?" 

"Say  so!"  replied  the  landlord,    "He  han't  no  call 

"But  does  he  say  so?" 

"It  would  turn  a  man's  hlood  to  white  wine  wine- 
ar  to  hear  him  tell  of  it,  sk,"  said  the  landlord. 

I  thought,  "Yet  Joe,  dear  Joe,  you  never  tell  of  it. 
(ong-suffering  and  loving  Joe,  you  never  complain. 
for  you,  sweet-tempered  Biddy!" 

"Your  appetite'M  been  touched  like,  by  your  acci- 
Bttt,"  said  the  landlord,  glancing  at  tlifc  \iMi4a.^t4-  aicm 
ii^er  mjr  coat     "Try  a  tenderer  Vil." 


1 


to  brood  over  the  fire.     "I  can  eat  no  niorE 
tftke  it  away." 

I  had  neyer  been  struck  at  so  keenly,  fa 
thank) essneBS  to  Joe,  as  through  the  brazen  im] 
Pumblochook.  The  falser  ho,  the  truer  Joe; 
meaner  he,  the  nobler  Joe. 

My  heart  was  deeply  and  most  deservedly  hiU 
as  I  mused  over  the  fire  for  an  hour  or  moro. 
striking  of  the  clock  aroused  me,  but  not  Stota  is 
jection  or  remorse,  and  I  got  up  and  had  my 
fastened  round  my  neck,  and  went  out.  I  hod  : 
ously  sought  in  my  pockets  for  the  letter,  that  I 
refer  to  it  again,  but  could  not  find  it,  and  was  i 
to  think  that  it  muat  have  been  dropped  in  the 
of  the  coach.  I  knew  very  well,  however,  tha 
appointed  place  was  the  little  sluice-hnnso  by  the 
kiln  on  the  marshes,  and  the  hour  nine.  Towarj 
marshes  I  now  went  straight,  having  no  time  to  I 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

It  was  a  dark  night,  though  the  full  moon 
I  loft  the  enclosed  lands,  and  passed  out  upd 
mai'shes.  Beyond  their  dark  line  there  was  a  i 
of  clear  sky,  hardly  broad  enough  to  hold  the  red 
moon.  In  a  few  minutes  she  had  aacended  out  o 
clear  field,  in  among  the  piled  mountains  of  clow 

There  was  a  melancholy  wind,    and  the 

were  very  dismal.     A  stranger  would  have  found 

insupportable,  and  even  to  me  they  were  bo  opp( 

that  I  iesitated,  half  mtVinei  to  ^o  \iMv'fi_  But  I 

tbem  well,  'and  could  liave  ioAmi 


997 

t'niglit,  and  had  no  excuse  for  returning,  being 
So,  having  come  there  against  my  incLiuation, 
■cut  on  against  it. 

The  direction  that  I  took,  was  not  that  in  which 
old  home  lay,  nor  that  in  which  we  had  pursued 
convicts.  My  hack  was  turned  towards  the  difltant 
Iks  as  I  walked  on,  and,  though  I  could  see  the  old 
ila  away  on  the  spits  of  sand,  I  saw  them  over  my 
ulder.  I  knew;  the  limekiln  as  well  as  I  knew  the 
Battery,  but  they  were  miles  apart;  so  that  if  a 
it  had  huen  buniing  at  each  point  that  night,  there 
jld  have  been  a  long  strip  of  the  blank  horizon  be- 
:eu  the  two  bright  specks. 

At  first,  I  had  to  shut  some  gates  after  me,  and 
I  and  then  to  stand  still  while  the  cattle  that  were 
ig  in  the  banked-up  patliway,  arose  and  blundered 
?n  among  the  grass  and  reeda.  But  after  a  little 
ile,  I  seemed  to  have  the  whole  flats  to  myself. 
It  was  another  half-hour  before  I  drew  neai'  to  the 
J.  The  lime  was  burning  with  a  sluggish  stifling 
ill,  but  the  fires  were  made  np  and  left,  and  no 
'kmen  were  visible.  Hard  by,  was  a  small  stone- 
irry.  It  lay  directly  in  my  way,  and  had  been 
'ked  that  day,  as  I  saw  by  the  tools  and  barrows 
t  were  lying  about. 

Coming  up  again  to  the  marsh  level  out  of  this 
avatjon  —  for  the  lude  path  lay  through  it  —  I 
■  a  light  in  the  old  sluice-house.  I  quickened  my 
e,  and  knocked  at  the  door  with  my  hand.  Wait- 
for  some  reply,  I  looked  about  me,  noticing  how 
.sluice  was  abandoned  and  broken,  and  ta-w  *Sia 
se  —  of  wood  with  a  tiled  loot  —  ■wwii.A.  ^«^-  '^^^ 
t  the  weather  much  longei,  tS  'a  -w^^»j 


even  now,  anil  liow  tlie  muil  and  ooze  were  co&ted 
lime,  and  how  the  choking  vapour  of  the  kiln  ere 
a  ghostly  way  towards  me.  Still  there  was  no  an 
HJid  I  knocked  ngttin.    Ko  answer  etill,  and  I  triei 

It  rose  under  my  hand,  and  tlie  door  yifl 
Looking  in,  I  saw  a  lighted  candle  on  a  table,  a  h 
and  a  mattress  on  a  truckle  bedstead.  As  tliece  i 
loft  above,  I  called,  "Is  there  any  one  here?"  bi 
voice  answered.  Then  I  looked  at  my  watch, 
finding  that  It  was  past  nine,  called  again,  "le  ' 
any  one  here?"  There  being  still  no  answer,  I 
out  at  the  door,  irresolute  what  to  do. 

It  wa«  beginning  to  rain  fast.  Seeing  nothing 
what  I  had  seen  already,  I  turned  back  into  the  h 
and  stood  jnst  within  the  shelter  of  the  doorway, 
ing  out  into  the  night.  While  I  was  considering, 
some  one  must  have  been  there  lately  and  mnst 
be  coming  back,  or  the  candle  would  not  be  bur 
it  came  into  niy  head  to  look  if  the  wick  wer 
I  turned  round  to  do  so,  and  had  taken  up  the 
in  my  hand,  when  it  was  extinguished  by  some  vi 
shock,  and  tbe  next  thing  I  comprehended,  was, 
I  had  been  caught  Ln  a  strong  running  noose,  th 
over  iiff  head  from  behind. 

"]tow,"  said  a  suppressed  voice  with  an  oath, 
got  you!" 

"What  is  this?"  I  cried,  struggling.  "Who  i 
Help,  help,  helpl" 

Not  only  were  my  arms  pulled  close  to  my 
but  the  pressure  on  roy  bad  arm  caused  me  eit 
pain.     Sometimes   a  stcoTig  mwi^a  Vwii, 


ty  criea,  And  with  a  hi)t  iireath  always  close  to  me,l 

struggled    ineffectually    in    thu   dark,    while  I 
astened  tight  to  the  wall.     "And  now,"  said  the  sup- 
iressed  voice  with  another  oath,  "call  oat  again,  and 
'11  make  short  work  of  finishing  youl" 

Faint  and  sick  with  the  pain  of  my  injurod 
lewildered  by  the  Eurprise,  and  yet  conscious  how 
:asily  this  threat  could  be  put  in  execution,  I  desisted, 
lad  tried  to  ease  roy  arm  were  it  ever  bo  litUeT 
t  was  bound  too  tight  for  that.  I  felt  as  if,  having 
leeu  bnmt  before,  it  were  now  being  boiled. 

The  sudden  exclusion  of  the  night  and  the  Bubsti- 
.ution  of  black  darkness  in  its  place,  warned  me  that 
ihe  man  had  closed  a  shutter.  After  groping  about  for 
t  little,  be  found  the  flint  and  steel  he  wanted,  and 
Mgan  to  strike  a  light.  I  strained  my  sight  upon  the 
(parks  that  fell  among  the  tinder,  and  upon  which  he 
Tenthed  and  breathed,  match  in  hand,  but  I  conld 
a  hia  lips,  and  the  blue  point  of  the  match;  even 
,  but  fitfully.  The  tinder  was  damp  —  no  won- 
r  there  —  and  one  after  another  the  sparks  died  out. 
I  The  man  was  in  no  hurry,  and  struck  again  with 
I  flint  and  steel.  As  the  sparks  fell  thick  and  bright 
t  him,  I  could  see  his  hands,  and  touches  of  his 
,  and  could  make  out  that  he  was  sjjated  and  bend- 
r  the  table;  but  nothing  more.  Presently  I  saw 
Llue  lips  again  breathing  ob  the  tinder,  and  then  a 
1  of  light  flashed  up,  and  showed  me  Ojlick. 

"Tiom  I  had  looked  for,  I  don't  know.     I  had  not 
[  for  him.     Seeing  Mm,    I  fctt  that  I  was  in  a 
rouB  strait  indeed,  and  I  kept  my  eyes  upon  him. 
J  lighted  the  candle  from  the  &aritvg  ■kw.'uJq.  Mifia 
meliberation,   and  dropped  itc  mataV  a.'ai  \xtii-  ^ 


^B  S40  OREAT  BXPECTATI0S3. 

^V  out.  Thon  Le  put  the  cimdie  itwny  ri'im  him  on  th 
^  table,  BO  that  he  could  see  nio,  and  sat  with  his  arm 
folded  on.  the  table  and  looked  at  me.  I  made  <n 
that  I  was  fastened  to  a  stout  perpendicular  ladder 
few  inches  fi-om  the  wall  —  a  fixture  there  —  ih 
means  of  ascent  to  the  lofit  a^hoye, 

"Now,"  said  he,  when  we  had  surveyed 
_      for  some  time,  "I've  got  you." 
^K         "Unbind  me.     Let  me  gol" 

^K  "Ah!"  he  retomed,  "Til  let  you  go.  '  111  let  ymf, 
^^ftgo  to  the  moon,  I'll  let  jou  go  to  the  stars.  AH  iit 
^^Bjgood  time." 

^^K       "Why  have  you  lured  mc  here?" 

^^B        "Don't  you  know?"  said  he,  with  a  deadly  look. 

^^V        "Why  have  you  set  upon  me  in  the  dark?" 

^m         "Because  I  mean  to  do  it  all  myself.     Oi 

^H  a  secret  better  than  two.    Oh  yon  enemy,  you  enemyl 

^B  His  enjoyment  of  the  spectacle  I  furnished,  as  I 

^T    Bat  with  his  arms  folded  on  the  table,  shaking  Mb  lie* 

at  me  and  hugging  himself,  had  a  malignity  in  it  & 

made  me  tremble.    As  I  watched  him  in  silence,  he  p 

his  hand  into  the  comer  at  his  side,  and  took  np  a  gQ 

with  a  brass-bonnd  stock. 

"Do   you  know  this?"  said  he,   making  as  if  U* 
would  take  aim  at  me.    "Do  you  know  where  you  »* 
it  afore?     Speak,  wolfl" 
"Yes,"  I  answered. 

"You  cost  me  that  place.     You  did.     Speak!" 
"What  else  could  I  do?" 

"You  did  that,  and  that  wonld  be  enough,  witJw' 
re.     How   dared   you    to  come    betwixt   m*  W 
l^oang  Hoiuan  I  liked?" 


QBBAT  EXPBCTATIOKa.  241 

""When  didn't  you?  It  was  you  as  always  give 
<  'Id  Orliek  a  bad  namo  to  her." 

"Tou  gave  it  to  yourself;  you  gained  it  for  yonr- 
11'.    I  could  have  done  you.  no  harm,  if  you  had  done 

"You're  a  liar.  And  you'll  take  any  pains,  and 
■'[Uini  any  money,  Ut  drive  me  out  of  this  country,  will 
vm?"  said  he,  rejicating  my  words  to  Biddy  in  the 
lii*t  interview  I  had  with  her.  "Now,  I"1I  tell  yon  a 
|iioce  of  information.  It  was  never  so  well  worth  your 
iiliile  to  get  me  out  of  thia  country  as  it  is  to-nigfat. 
\l)!  If  it  was  all  your  money  twenty  times  told,  to 
V'  last  brass  fardou!"  As  he  shook  his  heavy  hand 
.1  me,  with  his  mouth  snarling  like  a  tiger's,  I  felt  that 
!  was  true. 

i"What  are  you  going  to  do  to  me?" 
"I'm  a  going,"  said  he,  bringing  his  fiat  down  upon 
"le  table  with  a  heavy  blow,  and  rising  as  the  blow 
'fill,  to  give  it  greater  force,  'Tm  a  going  to  have  your 
lift!" 

He  leaned  forward  staring  at  me,  slowly  unclenched 
Ills  hand  and  drew  it  across  his  mouth  as  if  his  mouth 
"atered  for  me,  and  sat  down  again. 

"You  was  always  in  Old  Orlick's  way  since  ever 
.Von  was  a  child.  You  goes  out  of  his  way,  this  pre- 
^t'ut  night.  He'll  have  no  more  on  you.  You're  dead." 
I  felt  that  I  had  come  to  the  brink  of  my  grave. 
''  or  a  moment  I  looked  wildly  roiind  my  trap  for  any 
'liaoce  of  escape;  but  there  was  none. 

"More  than  that,"  said  he,  folding  his  arms  on  the 
^able  again,  "I  won't  have  a,  rag  of  you,  I  won't  have 
^  Iwne  of  you,  left  on  earth.    TW  pvA  yowc\itti.-g  \ft.'iasi. 
^^^1  —  J'd  parry  two  such  to  it,  oa  tkj  ^«\i&»^^ 

CVw/  Ecjieilaliuns.   U.  \&^^^^| 


242  QKEAT  ESPECTATI0N8. 


1 


^^V  and,  let  people  suppose  wiiut  tLey  miiy  of  you. 

^^^    shall  never  know  notiiing." 

My  mind,  with  inconceivahle  rapidity,  followed  out 
all  the  conaeqaonces  of  such  a  death.  Estella'a  father 
would   believe  I  had   deserted  him,   would   be  takon, 

I  would  die  accusing  me;  even  Herbert  would  doubt  me, 
when  he  compared  the  letter  I  had  left  for  him,  willi 
the  fact  that  I  had  called  at  Mtas  Havisham's  gate  for 
«nly  a  moment;  Joe  and  Biddy  would  never  know  hoit 
flony  I  had  been  that  night;  none  would  ever  knim' 
what  I  had  suffered,  how  true  1  liad  meant  to  be,  wliut 
an  agony  I  had  passed  through.  The  death  cIobb  be 
fore  me  was  terrible,  but  far  more  terrible  than  death 
was  the  dread  of  being  misremembered  after  death 
And  BO  quick  were  my  thoughts,  that  I  saw  myself  de- 
spised by  unborn  generations  —  Estella's  children, 
their  childreu  —  while  the  wretch's  words  were  yt 
his  lips. 

"Now,    widf,"  said  he,  "afore  I  kill  you  like 

»-  other  beast  —  which  is  wot  I  mean  to  do  and  wotj 
have  tied  you  up  for  —  J'U  have  a  good  look  st 
and  a  good  goad  at  you.     Oh,  you  enemy!" 

It  had  passed  throngh  my  thoughts  to  cry  out 

help  again;  tliough  few  could  know  better  than  I,  i"'' 

solitary  nature  of  the  spot,  and  tlie  hoiMlesmess  of  ^^■ 

^^     Bat  aa  he  sat  gloating  over  mc,  I  was  supported  by " 

^L    scornful  detestation  of  him  that  sealed  my  lips. 

^B    all  things,  I  resolved  that  I  would  not  entreat  bim, 

^r   that  I  would  die  making  some  last  poor  tesiBttmce 

him.     Softened  as  my  thoughts  of  all  the  rest  of  r 

were  in  that  dire  extremity;  humbly  beseeching  part 

as  I  did,  of  Heaven;  TQe\te4  a-tVesuA,,  na  I  was;  by 

ihoaght  that  I  had  taken  qq  ^wtCTiftXi,  ksA  iiwiBe 


^01 


II  QREAT  DZPECTATIONS.  243 

«ld  take  farewell  i>f  those  who  were  dear  to  me, 
d  explain  myself  to  them,  or  ask  for  their  com- 
ion  on  my  miserable  errors;  atill,  if  I  could  liave 
d  him,  even  in  dyin^,  I  would  have  done  it. 
le  had  heen  drinking-,  and  his  eyes  wore  red  and 
Ishot.  Around  his  neck  was  slung  a  tin  bottle,  as 
d  ofteu  seen  his  meat  and  drink  slung  about  him 
her  days.  He  brought  the  bottle  to  his  lips,  and 
a  tiery  drink  from  it;  and  I  smelt  the  strong 
ts  that  I  saw  flaro  into  hJB  face. 
'Wolfl"  said  he,  folding  his  arms  again,  "Old 
ik'a  a  going  to  tell  you  soniethink.  It  was  you  as 
for  your  shrew  sister.'' 

Vgain  my  mind,  with  its  former  inconceivable 
lity,  had  exhausted  the  whole  subject  of  the  attack 
'  sister,  her  Ulness,  and  her  death,  before 
and    hesitating    speech    had    formed    these 

s  you,  villain!"  said  I. 
Ltell  you  it  was  your  doing  —  I  tell  you  it  was 
"i  you,"  he  retorted,  catching  up  the  gun, 
r  a  blow  with  the  stock  at  the  vacant  air 
"I  come  upon  her  from  behind,  as  I  come 
1  you  to-night.  /  giv'  it  her!  I  left  her  for  dead, 
if  there  had  been  a  limekiln  aa  nigh  her  as  there 
iw  nigh  you,  she  shouldn't  have  come  to  life  again, 
it  warn't  Old  Orlick  aa  did  it;  it  was  you.  You 
favoured,  and  he  was  bullied  and  heat.  Old  Orlick 
ed  and  beat,  eh?  Now  you  pays  for  it.  You  done 
ow  you  pays  for  it." 

Je  drank  again,  and  became  more  ferocious.  1  a*si 
lis  tilting  of  the  bottle   that  t^vete  'waa  ^io   ^e.«. 

rleft  in  it.     I  distinctly  imlexatooi  \SaB.\.Vfc 


.^22^ 


244 


GBEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


working  hiiUBelf  up  witli  its  contents  to  make  a 
of  me.  I  knew  that  every  drop  it  held,  was  a  drop  W 
my  life,  I  knew  thiit  when  I  was  ebunged  into  a  pH* 
of  the  vaponr  that  had  crept  towards  mo  biit  a  littl* 
while  before,  like  my  own  warning  ghost,  he  would  d" 
Hs  he  had  done  in  my  sister's  case  ~  make  all  b 
to  the  town,  and  be  eeeu  slouching  about  there,  drink) 
lug  at  the  ale-houses.  Hy  rapid  mind  pursued  him  *! 
the  town,  made  a  picture  of  the  street  with  him  in  i 
and  contrasted  its  lights  and  life  with  the  lonely  maa 
and  the  white  vapour  creeping  over  it,  into  which 
should  have  dissolved. 

It  wfis  not  only  that  I  could  have  Bummed  np  ye« 
and  years  and  years  while  ho  said  a  dozen  words,  In 
that  what  he  did  say  presented  pictures  to  me,  and  lU 
■  ^ere  words.  In  the  excited  and  eialted  state  of  u 
,  I  could  not  think  of  a  place  without  e 
I  of  persons  without  seeing  them.  It  is  impossible  t 
vor-state  the  vividness  of  these  images,  and  yet  I  m 
a  intent,  all  the  time,  upon  him  himself — who  wool 
3  intent  on  the  tiger  crouching  to  spring!  - 
pT  knew  of  the  slightest  action  of  his  fingers. 

When  he  had  drunk  this  second  time,  he  roa 
the  bench  on  which  he  sat,  and  pushed  the  table  aaid 
Then  he  took  op  the  candle,  and  shading  it  wil 
his  murderous  hand  bo  as  to  throw  its  light  on  D 
stood  before  me,  looking  at  mo  and  enjoying  t 
sight. 

"Wolf,  I'll  tell  you  something  more.  It  Wf 
Old  Orlick  as  you  tumbled  over  on  your  stairs  tl 
night." 

'  the  staircase  w\l\i  Ws.  CTA\iv%>u.«hed  lami^ 


^ffiAT  GXPBCTATIONa.  SIS 

'atchman'a  lantern  on  the  walL  I  saw  the  rooms  that 
i  was  never  to  aee  again;  here,  a  door  half  open; 
licra,    a    door    elosecl;    aU    the    articles    of  furniture 

"And  why  was  Old  Oriick  there?  TU  toll  you  some- 
;Uiig  more,  wolf.  You  and  her  have  pretty  well  hunted 
ne  out  of  this  country,  so  far  as  getting  a  easy  living 
in  it  goes,  and  I've  took  up  witli  new  companions,  and 
new  masters.  Some  of  'cm  writes  my  letters  when  I 
ffaata  'em  wrote —  do  you  mind?  - —  writes  my  letters, 
*uin  They  writes  fifty  hands;  they're  not  like  sneak- 
iig  yon,  as  writes  but  one.  IVe  had  n  firm  mind  and 
I  tirm  will  to  have  your  life,  since  you  was  down  hero 
It  your  aistor'a  burying.  I  lian't  seen  a  way  to  get 
pill  safe,  and  I've  looked  arter  you  to  know  your  ins 
iihI  outs.  For,  says  Old  Oriick  to  himself,  'Somehow 
']■  iiiiothcr  ni  have  himi'  What!  Wen  I  looks  for  you, 
I  linds  your  uuule  Previa,  eh?" 

Mill  Pond  Bank,  and  Chinks's  Basin,  and  the  Old 
jreon  Cop(ier  Hope  Walk,  al!  so  clear  and  plain! 
Provia  in  his  rooms,  and  the  signal  whose  use  was 
iver,  pretty  Clara,  the  good  motherly  woman,  old  Bill 
Barley  on  his  back,  all  drifting  by,  as  on  the  swift 
itream  of  my  life  fast  tunning  out  to  sea! 

"  YoH  with  a  uncle  too!  Why,  I  kuow'd  you  at 
Jlargery's  when  you  was  so  small  a  wolf  that  I  could 
mve  took  your  weazen  betwixt  this  finger  and  thumb 
lod  chucked  you  away  dead  (as  I'd  thoughts  o'  doing, 
idd  times,  whenlsee  you  loitering  amongst  the  pollards 
m  a  Sunday),  and  you  hadn't  found  no  uncles  then, 
Nu,  not  you!  But  when  Old  Oriick  tomft  ■&«  \ft\isas 
lliat  your  uncle  Provia  had  most  UVe  ■«o\a  'Cn'^i  ^*''^ 
^r  ir«(  Old  Oriick  had   picked  u^,     "   ~ 


cm  these  meaheB  ever  so  many  year  ag^,  and  wot  be 
kep  by  him  till  he  dropped  your  siater  with  it,  lik«  * 
bollock,  as  he  means  to  drop  you  —  hey?  —  when  he 
come  for  to  hear  that  —  hey?"  — 

In  his  savage  taunting,  he  flared  the  candl 
me,  that  I  tamed  myface  aside,  to  save  it 


he  cried,  laughing,  after  doing  it  ni 
'the  burnt  child  dreads  the  fire!  Old  Orlick  knoi 
you  was  burnt.  Old  Orlick  knowed  you  was  a  smiif 
glhig  your  uncle  Provis  away,  Old  Orlick's  a  matth  fM 
you  and  knowed  you'd  come  to-nightl  Now  I'll  tel!  you 
something  more,  wolf,  and  this  ends  it.  There's  ihem 
that's  as  good  a  match  for  your  nncle  Provis  as  Old 
Orlick  has  been  for  you.  Let  him  'ware  them,  when 
he's  lost  his  newy!  Let  him  'ware  them,  when  no  xann 
can't  find  a  rag  of  his  dear  relation's  clothes,  nor  j^ 
a  bone  of  his  body?  There's  them  that  can't  and  liiil 
won't  have  Magwitch  —  yos,  /  know  the  name!  — 
alive  in  the  same  land  with  them,  and  that's  had  sacb 
Bare  imformation  of  him  when  he  was  alive  in  anotiM 
land,  as  that  ho  couldn't  and  shouldn't  leave  it  nnhfl' 
known  and  put  them  in  danger.  P'raps  it's  them  thai 
writes  fifty  hands,  and  that's  not  like  sneaking  you  M 
writes  but  one.  'Ware  Compeyson,  Magwitch,  and  the 
gallows!" 

He  flared  the  candle  at  me  again,  smoking  my  face 
and  hair,  and  for  an  instant  blinding  me,  and  tnmed 
his  powerful  back  as  he  replaced  the  light  on  the  table. 
I  had  thought  a  prayer,  and  had  been  with  Joe  and 
Biddy    and    Herbert,    before    he    turned    towards  bb 

There  was  a  dear  a;pi 


QKBAT  ESPBCTATIOMS.  24T 

ble  and  the  opposite  wall.  Within  ihU  space  he  now 
mched  backwards  and  forwards.  Hie  great  strength 
emed  to  sit  atronger  upon  hint  than  ever  before,  as 
'  did  this  with  his  hands  hanging  loose  and  heavy  at 
a  sides,  and  with  bis  eyes  scowling  at  me.  I  had  no 
airi  of  hope  left.  Wild  as  my  inward  hurry  was,  and 
mdorful  the  force  of  the  pictures  that  rushed  by  me 
stead  of  thoughts,  I  could  yet  cl early  understand  that 
iless  he  had  resolved  that  I  was  within  a  few  moments 

surely  perishing  out  of  all  human  knowledge,  he 
)uld  never  have  told  me  what  he  had  told. 

Of  a  sudden,  he  stopped,  took  the  cork  out  of  his 
ittle,  and  tossed  it  away.  Light  as  it  was,  I  heard 
fall  like  a  plummet.  He  swallowed  slowly,  tilting 
I  the  bottle  by  little  and  little,  and  now  he  looked  at 
1  no  moi-e.  The  last  few  drops  of  liquor  he  poured 
to  the  palm  of  his  hand,  and  licked  up.  Then  with 
sudden    hurry  of   violence    and    swearing    horribly, 

threw  the  bottle  from  him,  and  stooped,  and  I 
w   in  his  hand  a  stone-hamraer  with  a  long  heavy 

The  resolution  I' had  made  did  not  desert  me,  for, 
thout  uttering  one  vain  word  of  appeal  to  him,  I 
Buted  out  with  all  my  might,  and  straggled  with  all 
r  might.  It  was  only  ray  head  and  my  legs  that  I 
aid  move,  but  to  that  eitent  I  struggled  with  all  tho 
ce,  until  then  unknown,  that  was  witliin  me.  In 
i  same  instant  I  heai'd  responsive  shouts,  saw  figures 
i  a  gleam  of  light  dash  in  at  the  door,  heard  voices 
3  tumult,  and  saw  Orlick  emerge  from  a  struggle  of 
in  as  if  it  were  tumbling  water;  clear  the  table,  ot.  *. 
ji,  and  By  oat  into  the  mgt 


248  GKEiT  EXPECTATIOHg. 

After  a  blank,  I  found  that  I  was  lying  vsho 
on  tlie  floor,  in  the  same  place,  witli  my  bead  on  i 
one's  knee.  My  ayes  were  lixed  uii  the  ladder  ag^ 
the  w«ll,  when  I  came  to  myself  —  had  opened  a 
before  my  mind  saw  it  —  and  thus  aa  I  recow 
consciousness,  I  knew  that  I  was  in  the  pl&ea  whe 
had  lost  it. 

Too  indifierent  at  first,  oyen  to  look  rannd  a 
certain  who  supported  me,  I  was  lying  looking  at 
ladder,  when  there  came  between  me  and  it,  a  i 
The  face  of  Trabb's  boy! 

"I  think  he's  all  right!"   said  Trabb's  boy, 
Bober  voice;  "but  ain't  he  just  pale  though!" 

At  these  words,  the  face  of  him  who  enpported 
looked  over  into  mine,  and  I  saw  my  BUppc 
to  be  — 

"Herbert!  Good  Heaveul" 

"Soflly,"  said  Herbert.     "Gently,  HaudeL 
be  too  eager." 

"And  our  old  comrade,  Startop,"  I  cried,  as  ha 
bent  over  me. 

"liemember  what  he  is  going  to  assist  c 
Herbert,  "and  be  calm." 

The  allusion  made  me  spring  up;  though  I  droj 
again  from  the  pain  in  my  arm.  "The  time  h 
gone  by,  Herbert,  has  iti*  What  flight  is  ta-i 
How  long  have  I  been  here?"  For,  I  had  a  b 
and  strong  misgiving  that  I  had  been  ijiag  the 
long  time  —  a  day  and  night  —  two  days  and  n' 

"The  time  has  not  gone  by,  It  is  still  Moi 
nigbt" 


GRBAT  ESPECTATIOSa.  349 


r 

^V^&nd  you  have  all  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  to  rest 
^^  said  Herbert,  "But  you  cau't  help  groaning,  my 
3ear  Haudel  What  hurt  have  you  got?  Can  you 
stand?" 

"Teg,  yefl,"  said  I,  "I  can  walk.  I  have  do  hurt 
'>iit  in  this  throbbing  arm." 

Tliey  laid  it  bare,  and  did  what  they  could.  It 
Wits  violently  swollen  and  inflamed,  and  Icould  scarcely 
endure  to  have  it  touched.  But  they  tore  up  their  hand- 
KercluefB  to  make  &eah  bandages,  and  carefully  replaced 
it  in  the  sling,  until  we  could  get  to  the  town  and  ob- 
Wn  some  cooling  lotion  to  put  upou  it.  In  a,  little 
wLile  we  had  shut  the  door  of  the  dark  and  empty 
slnice-houBe,  and  were  passing  through  the  quarry  on 
our  way  back.  Trabb's  boy  —  Trabb's  overgrown 
young  man  now  - —  went  before  us  with  a  lantern, 
wJiich  was  the  light  I  had  seen  come  in  at  the  door. 
But  the  moon  wae  a  good  two  hours  higher  than  when 
I  had  last  seen  the  sky,  and  the  night  though  rainy 
waa  mueb  lighter.  The  white  vapour  of  the  kiln 
iras  passing  from  us  as  we  went  by,  and,  as  I  had 
thought  a  prayer  before,  I  thought  a  thanksgiving 
now, 

Entreating  Herbert  to  tell  me  how  he  had  come  to 
my  rescue  ■—  which  at  first  he  had  flatly  refused  to  do, 
but  had  insisted  on  my  remaining  quiet  ■ — ■  I  learnt 
tliat  I  had  in  my  hurry  dropped  the  letter,  open,  in 
our  chambers,  where  be,  coming  home  to  bring  with 
bim  Btartop  whom  he  had  met  in  the  street  on  his  way 
to  me,  found  it,  very  soon  after  I  was  gone.  Its  tooa 
made  him  nneasy,  and  the  move  so  \ifte,a»9a  <A  ''^^"^^^^Ij 
g^tfency  between  it  and  iVe  liaat^  W-Ws  "VaaV^ 


»260  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS.  I 

for  him.  His  uneasiness  increaHing  instead  of  Hnbaiding  m 
after  a  quarter  of  an  hour's  consideration,  he  set  offfoe 


I 


I 


after  a  quarter  of  an  hoar's  consideration,  he  set  offfo 
the  coach-office,  with  Startop,  who  volunteered  1 
company,  to  make  inquiry  when  the  next  coacli  vt 
down.  Finding  that  the  afternoon's  coach  wu  { 
and  finding  that  his  uneasiness  grew  into  positive  ai 
as  obstacles  came  in  his  way,  he  resolved  to  follow  i 
K  post-chaise.  So,  he  and  Startop  arrived  at  the  filo 
Boar,  fully  especting  there  to  find  me,  or  tidings  l 
me;  but  finding  neither,  went  on  to  Miss  Harishaml 
where  tbey  lost  me.  Hereupon  they  went  back  to  ti 
hotel  (doubtless  at  about  the  time  when  I  was  heaiis 
the  poptdar  local  version  of  my  own  story)  to  refi^ 
themselves,  and  to  got  some  one  to  guide  them  c 
npon  the  marshes.  Among  the  loungers  under  the  Boarl 
archway,  happened  to  be  Trabb's  boy  —  true  to  k 
ancient  habit  of  happening  to  be  everywhere  where  1 
had  no  business  —  and  Trabb's  hoy  had  seen  n 
passing  from  Miss  Havisham's  in  the  direction  of  n 
dining-place.  Thus,  Trabb's  boy  became  their  gmA 
and  with  him  they  went  out  to  the  sluice-houae:  thou 
by  the  town  way  to  the  marshes,  which  I  had  avoidi 
■Now,  as  they  went  along,  Herbert  reflected  tliat 
might,  after  all,  have  been  brought  there  on  ( 
genuine  and  serviceable  eiTand  tending  to  Profit 
safety,  and  bethinking  liiinself  that  in  that  case  int* 
mption  might  be  mischievous,  left  his  giiide  and  Startop  I 
on  the  edge  of  the  quarry,  and  went  on  by  himself, 
and  stole  round  the  house  two  or  three  times,  endeavoiu^ 
ing  to  ascertain  whether  all  was  right  within.  As  ho 
could  hear  nothing  but  indistinct  sounds  of  one  deer 
rough  voice  fthis  was  wM\e  iirj  Tn\iv&.  -«*a  an  busy),  he 
'vea  at  last  began  to  doabt  wWVftt  \  ■»     "'  "" 


/  I  cried  out  loudly,  and  he  answered  the  cries, 

shed  in,  clonely  followed  by  tlie  otlier  two. 

len  I  told  Herbert  what  had  passed  within  the 

he    was    for    our  immediately  going  before  a 

rate  in  the  town,   late  at  night  as  it  was,    and 

i  oat  a  warrant.     But  I  had  already  considered 

«,   by  detaining  uh  there  or  binding 

me  baek,  might  be  fatal  to  Provis.    There  was 

isaying  this  difficulty,   and  we  relinquished  all 

5;ht8  of  pursuing  Orllck  at  that  time.    For  the  pre- 

under  the  circumstances,  we  deemed  it  prudent  to 

i  rather  light  of  the  matter  to  Trahb's  boy;  who  I 

ionvinccd  would  have  been  much  affected  by  dia- 

intment,    if  he   liad   known   that  his  intervention 

I  niB  from   the   limekiln.      Not  that  Trahb's  boy 

^s  malignant  nature,  hut  that  he  had  too  much 
ivacity,  and  that  it  was  in  his  constitution  to 
■riety  and  escitement  at  anybody's  expense, 
we  parted,  I  presented  him  with  two  guineas 
i&  seemed  to  meet  his  views),  and  told  him  that  I 
aorry  ever  to  have  had  an  ill  opinion  of  him  (which 
1  no  impression  on  him  at  all). 
Eednesday  being  so  close  upon  us,  we  determined 
■back  to  London  that  night,  tinee  in  the  post- 
H  the  rather  as  we  should  then  bo  clear  away, 
E<tbe  night's  adventure  began  to  be  talked  of, 
i6rt  got  a  large  bottle  of  stuff  for  my  arm,  and  hy 
of  having  this  stuff  dropped  over  it  all  the  night 
jgh,  I  was  just  able  to  bear  its  pain  on  the  journey. 
ks  daylight  when  we  reached  the  Temple,  and  I 
at  once  to  bed,  and  lay  in  bed  all  day. 
ly  terror,   as  I  lay  there,  of  faWmg  \\\  wai'Vwi'?, 


QBE  AT  EltPKCTATIONB. 


^^K  did  not  disable  me  of  itaelf.  It  would  have  d 
^^^0,  pretty  surely,  in  conjunction  witL  the  mental  w 
and  tear  I  bnd  BuffGred,  bnt  for  the  unuatoral  sti 
upon  me  that  to-mon-ow  waa  so  auxionsly  lo^ 
forward  to,  charged  with  such  conscqueucea,  iU  r 
0  impenetrahly  hidden  thoug;h  so  near! 

No  precaution  could  have  been  more  obviom  fl 
t  rotraiaing  from  communication  with  him  that  dsy 
t  tluB  again  increased  my  restlessness.  I  stairteJ^  I 
/  footstep  and  every  sound,  believing  that  he  w 
UBCovered  and  taken,  and  this  was  the  measengerl 
le  BO.  I  perHuaded  myself  that  I  knew  he  ifi 
i  that  there  was  something  more  upon  my  mid 
n  tear  or  a  presentiment;  that  the  fact  had  Oi 
rred,  and  I  bad  a  mysterioua  knowledge  of  it.  i 
)  day  wore  on  and  no  ill  news  came,  OB  the  <i< 
losed  in  and  diirkness  fell,  my  overshadowing  d 
f  being  disabled  by  illness  before  to-morrow  momin 
Hltogetber  mastered  mo.  My  burning  arm  throbbe 
ind  my  burning  head  throbbed,  and  I  fancied  I  w 
iginning  to  wander.  I  counted  up  to  high  uumbe 
Fto  make  sure  of  myself,  and  repeated  paasages  that 
knew,  in  prose  and  verse.  It  happened  sometkni 
that  in  the  mere  esoape  of  a  fatigued  mind,  I  dw 
for  some  momenta,  or  forgot;  then  I  would  say  to  n 
self  with  a  stai-t  "Now  it  has  come,  and  I  am  tuni) 
delirious!" 

They  kept  me  very  quiet  all  day,  and  kept  I 
arm  constantly  dressed,  and  gave  me  cooling  diiiJi 
Whenever  I  fell  asleep,  I  awoke  with  the  notion  I  hi 
had  in  the  sliuce-house,  that  a  long  time  had  ^pM 
and  the  opportunity  to  aa.ve  \mQ  ■««:&  ^tson.  AboB 
-inidnigbt  Igot  out  of  ted  aa4-wtTA'wi"B.«^vw*.,jr* 


GKE4T  BXPBOTATIOSB.  253 

I'oaviction  tbat  I  hail  been  asleep  for  four- and- twenty 
liiiurs,  and  that  Wednesday  was  jjaet.  It  was  t!ie  last 
sulf-eKhaiiflting  effort  of  my  fretfulness,  for,  after  that, 
I  slept  Boimdly. 

Wednesday  morning  was  dawning  when  I  looked 
OQt  of  window.  The  winking  lights  npon  the  bridges 
Were  already  pale,  tlie  coming  sun  was  like  a  marsh 
of  fire  on  the  horizon.  The  river,  Btill  dark  and  mys- 
'ei'inns,  was  spanned  hy  bridges  tiiat  were  tuming  , 
'■'ildiy  grey,  with  here  and  there  at  top  a  warm  touch 
from  tlie  burning  in  the  sky.  As  I  looked  along  the 
i^lustered  roofs,  with  Church  towers  and  apirea  shooting 
into  tlie  unusually  clear  air,  the  sun  rose  op,  and  a 
vplI  seemed  to  bo  drawn  frum  the  river,  and  millions 
'>!'  sparkles  burst  out  upon  its  waters.  From  me  too, 
■■■  veil  seemed  to  be  dniwn,  and  I  felt  strong  and 
■ivil. 

Herbert  lay  asleep  in  his  bed,  and  our  old  fellow- 
iiident  lay  asleep  on  the  sofa.  I  could  not  dress  my- 
'If  without  help,  but  I  made  up  the  firo,  which  was 
ill  burning,  and  got  some  coffee  ready  for  them.  In 
-"()d  time  they  too  started  up  strong  and  well,  and 
we  admitted  the  sharp  morning  air  at  the  windows, 
and    looked    at    the    tide    that    was    still    flowing    to- 

"When  it  turns    at   nine    o'clock,"    said  Herbert, 
-,    "look  out  for  us,    and  stand  ready,   you 
r  there  at  Mill  Pond  Bank!" 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

It  was  fine  of  those  Marcli  days  when  tha 
shines  hot  nod  the  wind  blows  cold:  when  it  is  an 
in  the  light,  and  winter  in  the  shade.  We  had  om 
coats  with  us,  and  I  took  a  hag.  Of  all  my  w( 
possessions  I  took  no  more  than  the  few  necei 
that  filled  the  bag.  Where  I  might  go,  what  1 1 
do,  or  when  I  might  return,  were  questiona  utteri 
known  to  me;  nor  did  I  vex  my  mind  with  them, 
was  wholly  set  on  Provis's  safety.  I  only  won 
for  the  passing  moment,  as  I  stopped  at  the  dooi 
looked  back,  under  what  altered  circumstances  I  & 
next  see  those  rooms,  if  ever. 

We  loitered  down  to  the  Temple  stairs,  and 
loitering  there,  as  if  we  were  not  quite  decided 
upon  the  water  at  all.  Of  course  I  had  taken 
that  the  hoat  should  be  ready  and  everything  ia  ( 
After  a  little  show  of  indecision,  whiuh  ^erB 
none  to  see  hut  the  two  or  three  amphibioua  crei 
helonging  to  our  Temple  stairs,  we  went  on  boari 
cast  off;  Herbert  in  the  bow,  I.  steering.  It  wa* 
about  high-water  - —  half-past  eight. 

Our  plan  was  this.  The  tide,  beginning  U 
down  at  nine,  and  being  with  us  until  three,  J 
tended  still  to  creep  on  ntter  it  had  turned,  aai 
against  it  until  dark.  We  should  then  be  wdl  io 
long  reaches  below  Gravesend,  between  Kent  And! 
where  the  river  ia  broad  and  solitary,  where  the  1 
eiiie  ioiabitanta  are  very  !evj,  asil-s^iere  looei 
hsaas'f  are  scattered  Uero  ani  \kexft,  ^S  "^JV^iiMB 

■fir  wm 


GBEAT  EXPECTATIONS.  265 


H^  ("16  for  a  rCBting-pIace.  There,  we  meant  to  lie 
"■all  night,  The  steamer  for  Hamburg,  aud  the 
amer  for  Rotterdam,  would  start  from  London  at 
ini  nine  on  Thursday  morning.  We  should  know 
what  time  to  es]ieet  them,  according  to  where  we 
re,  and  would  hail  the  first;  so  that  if  by  any 
iident  we  were  not  taken  aboard,  we  should  have 
Jtber  chance.  We  knew  the  distinguishing  marks 
etich  vessel. 

The  relief  of  being  at  last  engaged  in  the  execution 
the  purpose,  was  so  great  to  me  that  I  felt  it  difS- 
t  to  realise  the  condition  in  which  I  had  been  a 
'  hours  before.  The  crisp  air,  the  sunlight,  the 
vemcnt  on  the  river,  and  the  moving  river  itself  — 
■■  road  that  ran  with  us,  seeming  to  sympathise  with 
animate  us,  and  encourage  ua  on  —  fi'eshoned  mo 
!i  new  hope.  I  felt  mortified  to  be  of  so  little  use 
the  boat;  but,  there  were  few  better  oarsmen  than 
two  friends,  and  they  rowed  with  a  steady  stroke 
t  was  to  last  all  day. 

At  that  time,  the  steam-traffic  ou  the  Thames  was 
below  its  present  extent,  and  watermen's  boats  were 
more  numerous.  Of  barges,  sailing  colliers,  and 
ating-tradors,  there  were  perhaps  as  many  aa  now; 
,  of  steam-ships,  great  and  small,  not  a  tithe  or  a 
iutieth  part  so  many.  Early  as  it  was,  there  were 
nty  of  scullers  going  here  and  there  that  morning, 
I  plenty  of  barges  dropping  down  with  the  tide;  the 
igation  of  the  river  between  bridges,  in  an  open 
t,  was  a  much  easier  and  commoner  matter  in  those 
■B  than  it  is  in  these;  and  we  went  ahead  aiii<«i% 
ly  skiffs  and  wherries,  briaWy. 
Old  Loudon  Bridge  was  aoon  ngg^jWO^^^^^^^ 


!B6  GKEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


ingagrate  market  with  its  oyster-boats  and  DatcLmen^ 
and  the  White  Tower  and  Traitors'  Gate,  and  we  wM' 
in  among  the  tiers  of  shipping.  Eefe,  were  the  Lritl 
Aberdeen,  and  Glasgow  steamers,  loading  and  iinlosd' 
goods,  and  looking  immensely  high  ont  of  the  water  s 
we  paased  alongside;  here,  were  colliors  by  the  but 
and  score,  with  the  coal-whippors  plunging  off  sti^ 
on  deck,  an  counterweights  to  measures  of  coal  swin^ 
np,  which  were  then  rattled  over  the  side  into  bafgti 
Iiere,  at  her  moorings  to-morrow's  steamer  forKotterdU 
of  which  we  took  good  notice;  and  here  to-mcarow'sl 
Hamburg,  under  wliose  bowsprit  we  crossed-    And* 

1},  sitting  in  the  stem,  conld  see  with  a  faster  h 
^teart,  Mill  Pond  Bank  and  Mill  Pond  stairs. 
I       "Is  he  there?"  said  Herbert. 
"Not  yet" 
[       "Eight!    lie  was  not  to  come  down  till  he  b 
[Can  you  Bee  his  signal?" 
"Not  well  from  here;  but  I  think  I  see  it.  —  IfoH 
J  see  him!   Pull  both.     Easy,  Herbert.     Oarsl 
We  touched  the  stairs  lightly  for  a  single 
"(Bid  he  was  on  board  and  we  were  ofF  again, 
a  boat-cloak  with  him,  and  a  black  canvas  bag, 
he  looked  as  like  a  river-pilot  as  my  heart  could  baf 
wished. 

"Dear  boy!"    he  said,    putting    his    arm  on  Q 

»dioalder  as  he  took  his  seat.  "Faithful  dear  boy,  in 
dflne.  Thankye,  thankye!" 
Again  among  the  tiers  of  shipping,  in  and  0< 
avoiding  rusty  chain-cables,  frayed  hempen  hawsers  « 
bobbing  buoys,  sinliing  for  the  moment  floating  btofa 
baskets,  scattering  floatiivg  ck\^*  qI  -wooi  a.ttd  shavin 
^-cieaving  floating  scum  ot  toaV,  Va  »ai  <*"" 


ORE  AT  EXPECTATIONS. 

ja<l  of  the  John  of  8uiidprlan<l  making  a  speecli 
windB  (as  is  doitu  by  many  Johiia),  and  the 
t  Yarmouth  with  a  firm  formaljty  of  boBom  and 
bby  eyes  starttug  two  indies  out  of  her  head, 
,  hammers  going  in  Bhip-huilderB'  yards, 
iag  at  timber,  claaliing  engines  going  at  things 

,  pumps  going  in  kaky  ahipa,  capstans  going, 
ling  out  tu  sea,  and  unintelligible  sea-creatures 
as  over  the  bulwarks  at  respondent  Ughter- 
:  and  out  —  out  at  last  upon  the  clearer  river, 
le  ships'  boys  might  take  their  fenders  in,  no 
Sshing  in  troubled  waters  with  them  over  the 

1  where  the  festooned  sails  might  fly  out  to 

he  Stairs  where  we  had  taken  liiin  aboard,  and 
.ee,  I  had  looked  warily  for  any  token  of  our 
ilBpected.  I  bad  seen  none.  We  certainly  bad 
and  at  that  time  as  certainly  we  were  not, 
ttended  or  followed  by  any  boat.  If  we  bad 
ited  on  by  any  boat,  I  should  have  run  in  to 
jid  have  obliged  her  tu  go  on,  or  to  make  her 
evident.  But,  we  held  our  own,  without  any 
Ice  of  molestation. 

Itad  his  boat-cloak  on  him,  and  looked,  as  I 
id,  a  natural  part  of  the  scene.  It  was  remark- 
(but  perhaps  the  wretched  life  he  had  led,  accounted 
t),  that  he  wag  the  le^st  anxious  of  any  of  us.  He 
not  indifferent,  for  bo  told  me  that  he  Loped  to 
to  see  his  gentleman  one  of  the  best  of  gentlemen 
foreign  country;  he  waa  not  disposed  to  be  \iaaaive, 
asigned,  as  I  underatood  it-i  bu.t,  Ve  tai.  ^io  -&u'iAOT>- 
Xting  danger  ialf  way.    "When  it  cBimft  M.yi& "''¥'=«>•' »| 


QRHAT  BXPECTATIONH, 


E  confronted  it,  but  it  i 
mself. 


t  come  before  be  tronWet 


"If  yon  knowed,  dear  boy,"  he  said  to  me,  "Tflu 

t  is  to   sit  here   alonger  my  dear  boy  and  hare  m 

moke,    arter  having  been   day  by  day   betwixt  to 

11b,    yoa'd   envy  me.      But    you   don't    know  wl" 

is." 

"I  think  I  know  the  delights  of  freedom,"  I  *i 

'  «wered, 

"Ah,"   said  he,    shaking  has  head  gravely.     "B' 
you  don't  know  it  eq^ual  to  me.     You  mnat  have  bes 
under  lock  and  key,  dear  boy,  to  know  it  equal  to  o 
J^ —  but  I  ain't  a  going  to  be  low." 

■  It  occurred  to  me  as   inconsistent,    that   for  I 
rmastering  idea,  he  should  have  endangered  his  Ireedfl 

and  even  his  life.    But  I  reflected  that  perhaps  freed* 
without  danger  was  too  much  apart  from  all  the  h  " 
of  his  existence  to  be  to  him  what  it  would  be  to  ano 
man.     I  was  not  for  out,  since  he  said,  after  s: 
"  1  little: 

"Yon  see,  dear  boy,  when  I  was  over  yondi 
IS'otber  side  the  world,  I  was  always  a  looking  to  tl 
j  and  it  come  flat  to  be  there,  for  all  I  wu 
■■growing  rich.  Everybody  knowed  Mag  witch,  and  ill 
Bewitch  could  come,  and  Magwitch  could  go,  and  nobodj 
Ifiead  would  be  troubled  about  hini.  They  a" 
■/Concerning  me  here,  dear  boy — wouldn't  be,  leaetirit 

■  j£  they  knowed  whei-e  I  was." 
"If  all  goes  well,"    said  I,    "you  will  be  j 

I'&ee  and  safe  again,  within  a  few  bom's." 

"Well,"   he  retumpd,   drawing  a  long  breath, 
pope  30." 


269 


IF  GR] 

(  dipped  his  hand  in  the  ■water  over  the  boat's  gim- 
and  eaid,  smiling  with  that  softened  air  upon  him 

"Ay,  I  §'pos6  I  think  bo,  dear  boy.  We'd  be 
ried  to  be  more  quiet  and  easy-going  than  we  are 
But  —  it's  a  flowing  so  soft  and  pleasant 
1  the  water,  p'raps,  as  makes  me  think  it  —  I 
^thinking  through  my  smoke  just  then,  that  we 
e  see  to  the  bottom  of  the  nest  few  hours, 
n  Bee  to  the  bottom  of  this  river  what  I 
I  hold  of.  Nor  yet  we  can't  no  more  hold  their 
iiikn  I  can  hold  this.  And  it's  run  through  my 
era  and  gone,  you  see!"  holding  up  his  dripping 
d. 

"But  for  your  face,  I  should  think  you  ■were  a 
e  despondent,"  said  I, 

"Not  a  hit  on  it,  dear  boy!  It  comes  of  flowing 
so  quiet,  and  of  that  there  rippling  at  the  hoat'a 
d  making  a  sort  of  a  Sunday  tune.  Maybe  I'm  a 
wing  a  trifle  old  besides." 

He  put  his  pipe  ba^ik  in  his  mouth  -with  an  undis- 
)ed  espresaion  of  face,  and  sat  as  composed  and 
tented  as  if  we  were  already  out  of  England.  Yet 
was  as  submissive  to  a  ■word  of  advice  as  if  he  bad 
a  in  constant  terror,  for,  when  we  ran  ashore  to  get 
le'  bottles  of  beer  into  the  boat,  and  he  was  stepping 
,  I  hinted  that  I  thought  he  would  be  safest  where 
was,  and  he  said,  "Do  you,  dear  boy?"  and  quietly 
down  again. 

The  air  felt  cold  upon  the  river,  but  it  was  a 
*ht  day,  and  the  sunshine  was  very  eheer\a.«.  "^Vt 
I  ran  strong,  I  took  care  to  lose  Twrne  o^  "A,  ani  «^>^ 

roke  carried  U3  on  thorougtiVj  "w^- 


hat 
to 


QKB&T  EXPECTATIONS. 

leptible  degrees,    hh  the  tide  ran  out,    we  loaimortj 
of  the  nearer  woods  and  hills,   and  droppW 
lower  between    the  muddy  hanks,    bnt  » 
was  yet  with  us  when  we  were  off  Graveaend.  i 
charge  was  wrapped    in  his  cloak, 
led   within  a  boat  or  two's   length  of  the  floa 
lustom  House,  and  so  out  to  catch  the  stream,  : 
ide  of  two  emigrant  ships,    and  under  the  bows  rf*j 
large  transport  with   troops  on  the  forecastle  looki'' 
down  at  ue.     And  soon  the  tide  began  to  slacken,  ) 
the  craft  lying  at  anchor  to  swing,    and  presently  H 
had  all  swung  round,    and  the  ships  that  were  t' 
^vantage  of  the  new  tide  to  get  up  to  the  Pool,  h 
crowd  upon  us  in  a  fleet,    and  we  kept  under  i 
ihore,   as  much  out  of  the  strength  of  the  tide  nov  4 

luld,  standing  carefully  off  from  low  shallows  « 
mud-hanks. 

Our  oarsmen  were  so  fresh,   by  dint  of  having  0« 
casionally  let  her  drive  with  the  tide  for  a  minnts  fl 
,two,  that  a  cjaarter  of  an  hour's  rest  proved  fnll  ■ 
■3nnch   as  they  wanted.     We  got  ashore  among  ft 
■alippery  stones  while  we  ate  and  drank  what  we  h 
with  us,  and  looked  about    It  was  like  my  o 
country,  fiat  and  monotonous,  and  with  a  dim  horiJ 
while  the  winding  river  turned  and  turned,   and 
great   floating  buoys  upon  it  turned  and  turned, 
everything  else  seemed  stranded  and  still.     For,  noil 
,41ie  last  of  the  fleet  of  ships  was  round   the  last  1 " 
ipoint  we  had  headed;   and  the  last  green  barge,  i 
flBiden,  with  a  brown  sail,  had  followed;    and  some  tu 
lighters,   shaped  like  a  child's  fiist  rude  I 
a   boat,    lay  low  in  tW  tiw.Sl-,  a.-ftS.  a.  littla  b|1H 
\oal-ligbthQRsa  on   open  ?\\e,a,  *'«><^  «k^^  "■■ 


OKEAT  BXPEOTATIONB.  261 

d  on  Htilts  and  crutches;  and  e!iiii7  stakes  stock  ont 
the  mud,  and  filimy  stones  stack  out  of  the  mud, 
1  red  laudmarks  and  tidemarka  stuck  out  of  the 
d,  and  im  old  landing-stage  and  an  old  ronflens 
Iding  slipped  Into  the  mud,  and  all  about  as  was 
gnation  and  mud. 

We  pushed  off  again,  and  made  what  way  we  could. 
ffaa  mnch  harder  work  now,  but  Herbert  and  Startop 
Berered,  and  rowed,  and  rowed,  and  rowed,  nntil  the 
I  went  down.  By  that  time  the  river  had  lifted  us  a 
le,  so  that  we  could  see  above  [the  bank.  Tliere 
B  the  red  nun,  on  the  low  level  of  the  shore,  in  a 
'pie  haze,  fast  deepening  into  black;  and  tbeie  was 

solitary  flat  marali;  and  far  away  there  were  the 
Qg  grounds,   betwecin  which  and  uh  there  seemed  to 

no  life,  save  here  and  there  in  the  foreground  a 
lancboly  gull. 

As  the  night  was  fast  failing,  and  as  the  moon, 
ng  past  the  full,  would  not  rise  early,  we  held  a 
le  council:  a  short  one,  for  clearly  our  course  was  to 

by  at  the  first  lonely  tavern  we  could  find.  80 
y  piled  their  oars  once  more,  and  I  looked  out  for 
rthing  like  a  house.  Thus  we  held  on,  speaking 
le,  for  four  or  five  dull  miles.  It  was  very  cold, 
1,  a  collier  coming  by  us,  with  her  galley-fire  amo- 
[g  and  flaring,  looked  like  a  eoTOfortable  home.  The 
bt  was  as  dark  by  this  time  as  it  would  be  until 
ming;  and  what  light  we  had,  seemed  to  come  more 
tn  the  river  than  the  sky,  as  the  oars  in  their  dip- 
g  struck  at  a  few  reflected  stars. 

At  this  difimai  time  we  were  evidently  a.\V  T^ft%fe's.%e& 

the  idea  that  we  were  foUowei.     Aa  "Aib  'Oi&»  ■wuiAs.,  ^ 
t  irregular    intenaS 


sue 
an 

K 


^^  an 


£' 


'Shore;   and  whenever  such  a  sound 

aia  to  start  and  look  iu  tliat  direction.  Ha 
and  there,  the  set  of  the  current  had  worn  down  ti 
bank  into  a  little  creek,  and  we  were  all  suspiciouB  4 
such  places,  and  eyed  them  ncrvoualy.  SometinK 
"What  was  that  ripple!"  one  of  us  would  say  in  alo 
Or  another,  "Is  th^t  a  boat  yonder?"  M 
;erwafdB,  we  would  fall  into  a  dead  silence,  and 
■would  sit  impatiently  thinking  with  what 
amonnt  of  noise  the  oars  worked  in  the  thowels. 

At  length  we  descried  a  light  and  a,  roof,  and 
aently  afterwards  ran  alongside  a  little  causeway  mi 
.of  stones  that  had  heen  picked  np  hard-hy. 
""le  rest  in  the  boat,  I  stepped  ashore,  and  found  1 
ight  to  be  in  a  window  of  a  public-house.  It  W« 
dirty  place  enough,  and  I  dare  say  not  unknown 
smuggling  adventurers;  hut  there  was  a  good  fire  in  t 
kitchen,  and  there  were  egga  and  bacon  to  eat,  a 
various  liquors  to  drink.  Also,  there  were  two  doub 
"bedded  rooms  —  "such  as  they  were,"  the  landlt 
.said.  No  other  company  was  in  the  house  than  I 
landlord,  his  wife,  and  a  grizzled  male  ereatnre,  t 
"Jack"  of  the  little  causeway,  who  was  as  slimy* 
smeary  as  if  he  had  been  low-water  mark  too. 

With  this  assistant,  I  went  down  to  the  boat 
and  we  all  came  ashore,  and  brought  out  the  oars,  I 
^  ler,  and  boat-hook,  and  all  else,  and  hauled  hei 
the  night.  We  made  a  very  good  meal  by  I 
itchen  fire,  and  then  apportioned  the  hedroomBr  H 
bert  and  Startop  were  to  occupy  one;  I  and 
the  other.  We  found  the  air  as  carefully  extbii 
from  both,  as  if  air  were  ?a\.aX  \ft  ^^e-,  wad  tiien 
dirty  clothes  and  ban&o'xaft  -wij^t  ' '  "  " 


GREAT  ESPBCTATIONB.  26S 

kould  have  thought  the  family  possessed.     But,    we 
oarselves  well   off,    not  with  BtaDding,   for  a 

ilitary  place  we  could  not  have  found. 

lile  we  were   comforting  ourselves    by  the   fire 

r  meal,  the  Jack  — who  was  sitting  ia  a  comer, 
who  had  a  bloated  pair  of  shoes  on,  which  he  had 
ibited  while  we  were  eating  our  eggs  and  bacon, 
ateresting  relics  that  he  had  taken  a  few  days  ago 
1  the  feet  of  a  drowned  seaman  washed  ashore  — 
sd  me  if  we  had  seen  a  four-oared  galley  going  up 
1  the  tide?  "When  I  told  him  No,  he  said  she  must 
3  gone  down  then,  and  yet  she  "took  up  too," 
n  she  left  there. 

"They  mast  ha'  thought  better  on't  for  some  reason 
Jiother,"  said  the  Jack,  "and  gone  down." 
"A  fotir-oarod  galley,  did  yoti  say?"  eaid  I. 
"A  four,"  said  the  Jack,  "and  two  sitters." 
"Did  they  como  ashore  here?" 
"They  put  ia  with  a  stone  two-gallon  jar,  for  some 
^rd  ha'   been  glad    to   pison  the  beer  myself," 

B  Jack,  "or  put  some  rattling  physic  in  it." 

ly?" 

'  know  why,"  said  the  Jack.  He  spoke  in  a 
hy  voice,  as  if  much  mud  had  washed  into  his 
at. 

''He  thinks,"  said  the  landlord:  a  weakJy  medita- 
man  with  a  pale  eye,  who  seemed  to  rely  greatly 
lis  Jack:  "he  thinks  they  was,  what  they  wasn't." 
"/  knows  what  I  thinks,"  observed  the  Jack. 
"You  thinks  Custiim  'Ua,  Jack?"  said  the  landlord. 
"I  do,"  said  the  Jack. 
"Then  you're  wrong,  Jack." 
"Ami/" 


QBE  AT  EXPECTATIONS. 


F 

^^H  In  the  iafinitive  meaning  of  his  reply  and  b 
^^^BDiindleBB  confidence  in  his  views,  the  Jack  took  oat 
^^^mis  bloated  shoes  off,  looked  into  it,  knocked  &  ft 
^^^^tonea  out  of  it  on  the  kitchen  floor,  and  put  it  0 
^^Eng^'°'     ^''  ^^^  ^^'^  with  the  air  of  a  Jack  who  « 

80  right  that  he  could  aflbrd  to  do  anything. 

"Wliy,  what  do  you  make  out  that  tbsy  done  if^ 

their  buttona  then,  Jack?"   asked  the  landlord,  vk 

I  luting  weakly. 
"Done  with  their  buttona?"  returned  the  Jad 
^'Chucked  'em  overboard.  Swallered  'em.  Sowed  'e 
to  come  up  small  salad.  Done  widi  their  Luttons!" 
"Don't  be  cheeky,  Jack,"  remonstrated  the  bw 
lord,  in  a  melancholy  and  pathetic  way. 
"A  Custum  'Ua  officer  knows  what  to  do  with  h 
Buttons,"  said  the  Jack,  repeating  the  obnoxiouB  » 
with  the  greateflt  contempt,  "whi;n  they  comes  betffil 
him  and  his  own  light.  A  Four  and  t 
go  hanging  and  hovering,  up  with  one  tide  and  ioH 
with  another,  and  both  with  and  against  another,  *id 
out  there  being  Cuatura  'Us  at  the  bottom  of  it."  f 
ing  which  he  went  out  in  disdain;  and  the  landlor 
having  no  one  to  rely  upon,  found  it  impracticable  t 
pursue  the  subject. 

This   dialogue  made   us  all  uneaay,   and  me  >* 
uneasy.     The  dismal   wind   was   muttering  round  o 
L  fcouse,  the  tide  waa  flapping  at  the  shore,  and  I  iii 
■'Reeling  that  we  were  caged  and  threatened. 

wared  galley  hovering  about  in  so  unusual  a  way  » ' 
Kattract  this  notice,   was   an  ugly  circnmBtanc&  tblt 
Biftould  not  get  rid  of.     When  I  had  induced  VrvnS ' 
'  ap  to  bed,  I  went  ouUVie  vAdi  ta-j  t 


865 

till  Midtbpr  council.  Whether  we  sUouJd  remain  at, 
lU  house  until  near  the  steamer's  time,  which  would 
J  about  one  in  the  afternoon;  or  whether  we  should 
it  off  early  in  the  morning;  was  the  question  we  iii«- 
issed.  On  the  whole  we  deemed  it  the  better  conrse 
I  lie  where  we  were,  until  within  an  hour  or  so  of  the 
earner's  time,  and  then  to  get  out  in  her  traek,  and 
ift  easily  with  the  tide.  Having  settled  to  do  thia, 
e  returned  into  the  houne  and  went  to  bed. 

1  lay  down  with  the  greater  part  of  my  clothes  on, 
id  slept  well  for  s  few  honrn.  When  I  awoke,  the 
ind  had  risen,  and  the  sign  of  tie  bouse  (the  Ship} 
as  creaking  iind  banging  about,  with  noises  that 
artled  mo,  Kiwing  softly,  for  my  charge  lay  fast 
ileep,  I  looked  out  of  the  window.  It  commanded 
le  causeway  where  we  had  hauled  up  our  boat,  and, 
'  my  eyes  adapted  themselves  to  the  light  of  the 
oaded  moon,  I  saw  two  men  looking  into  her.  They 
iased  by  under  the  window,  looking  at  nothing  ekei, 
id  they  did  not  go  down  to  the  landing-place  which 
could  discern  to  he  empty,  hut  struck  across  the 
larsh  in  the  direction  of  the  Nore. 

My  first  impulse  was  to  call  up  Herbert,  and  show 
I'll  the  two  men  going  away.  But,  reflecting  before  I 
>t  into  his  room,  which  was  nt  the  bach  of  the  house 
"i  adjoined  mine,  that  he  and  Htartop  had  had  a 
srder  day  than  I,  and  were  fatigued,  I  forbore,  Going 
*ck  to  njy  window,  I  could  see  the  two  men  moving 
fer  the  marsh.  In  that  light,  however,  I  soon  lost 
fern,  and  feeling  very  cold,  lay  down  to  think  of  the 
itler,  and  fell  asleep  again. 

We  wi-ro  ap  early.     As  we  wniVkei  te  a.Tii.  ^rs.,  s^ 
IP'  together,    beforQ  breakftwt.   I  dewnft^  ^  t'  ^'^  " 


^Bf^ecoant  trhat  I  had  seen.  Again  otu-  charge  waa  4 
^"  least  anxious  of  tlie  party.  It  was  very  likely  that  lJ 
men  belonged  to  the  Custom  House,  he  said  quieU 
and  that  they  had  no  thought  of  ua.  I  tried  U)  ft 
suade  myself  that  it  was  so  - —  as,  indeed,  it  migj 
easily  he.  However,  I  proposed  that  he  and  I  shaa 
walk  away  together  to  a  distant  point  we  could  see, 
that  the  boat  should  tako  us  aboard  there,  or  as  i 
there  as  might  prove  feasible,  at  about  noon.  This  h 
considered  a  good  precaution,  soon  after  breakfast  ) 
and  I  set  forth,  without  saying  anything  at  the  ta' 
He  smoked  his  pipe  as  we  went  along,  and  » 
times  stopped  to  clap  me  on  the  shoulder.  One  wonl 
have  supposed  that  it  was  I  who  was  in  danger, 
he,  and  that  ho  was  reassuring  me.  We  spoke  v 
little.  As  we  approached  the  point,  I  begged  him  I 
remain  in  a  sheltered  place,  while  I  went  on  to  i 
noitre;  for,  it  was  towards  tt  that  the  men  had  \ 
ifi  the  night.  He  complied  and  I  went  on  alone.  ThK 
was  no  boat  off  the  point,  noi  any  boat  drawn  up  anj 
where  near  it,  nor  were  there  any  signs  of  the  ni 
having  embarked  there.  But,  to  be  sure  the  tide  * 
high,  and  there  might  have  been  some  footprints  ondE 

if  a  When  he  looked  out  from  his  shelter  in   the  d 
tance,  and  saw  that  I  waved  my  hat  to  bim  to  come  i 
he  rejoined  me,  and  there  we  waited:   sometimes  lyii 
on  the  bank  wrapped  in  our    coats,    and    Bometim 
moving   about  to  warm  ourselves:   until   we  flaw  o"^ 
boat  coming  round.    We  got  aboard  easily,  and  rowfi^ 
out  into   the   track   of  the   steamer.     By  that  timo  •• 
wanted  but  ten  miaulea  oi  o 
to  look  ont  for  her  smoke. 


267 


|!(lt,  it  was  half-past  one  before  we  saw  her  smokR, 
Boon  afterwards  we  saw  belund  it  the  smuke  of 
other  steamer.  As  they  were  coining  on.  at  full 
sed,  we  got  the  two  bags  ready,  and  toijk  that  op- 
rtunity  of  saying  good-by  to  Herbert  and  Startop. 
e  had  aJL  shaken  hands  eordially,  and  neitlier  Her- 
rt's  eyes  nor  mine  nerc  quite  dry,  when  I  eaw  a 
ir-oared  galley  shoot  out  from  under  the  bank  but  a 
tie  way  ahead  of  us,  and  row  out  into  the  same 
xk. 

A  stretch  of  shore  had  been  as  yet  between  us  and 
i  steamer's  smoke,  by  reason  of  the  bend  and  wind 
the  riper;  hut  now  she  was  visible,  coming  head  on. 
called  to  Herbert  and  Startop  to  keep  before  the 
le,  that  she  might  see  ns  lying  by  for  her,  and  I 
jured  Provis  to  sit  quite  still,  wrapped  in  his  cloak. 
e  answered  uheerily,  "Trust  to  me,  dear  boy,"  and 
t  like  a  statue.  Meantime  the  galley,  which  was 
cy  skilfully  handled,  had  crossed  vs,  let  ub  come  up 
itb  her,  and  fallen  alongside.  Leaving  just  room 
ougb  for  the  play  of  the  oars,  she  kept  alongside, 
iftiag  when  we  drifted,  and  pulling  a  stroke  or  two 
ben  we  pulled.  Of  the  two  sitters,  one  held  the 
dder  lines,  and  looked  at  us  attentively  —  as  did 
I  the  rowers;  the  other  sitter  was  wrapped  up,  much 

Provis  was,  and  seemed  to  shrink,  and  whisper 
me  instruction  to  the  stecrer  as  he  looked  at  ns.  Not 
word  was  spoken  in  either  boat. 

Startop  could  make  out,  after  a  few  minutes,  which 
Jamer  was  first,  and  gave  me  the  word  "Hamburg," 

a  low  voice  as  we  sat  face  to  face.    She  was  neaiin^ 

very  fast,    and   the  beating    of  tet  ^a.iSift'a   ^«^ 


I 


[tely   upon  lis,    vrhen  tlie  galley  bailed  ub.      I  ao- 
Wered. 

"You  have  a.  returned  Transport  there,"  sad  t 
who  held  the  lines.     "That'a  the  mnn,   wrappt! 
the  cloak.     His  name  is  Abel  Mag;witch,  oth« 

I  apprehend  that  man,  and  call  upon  him  ta 
inder,  and  you  to  assist." 

At  the  same  moment,  nitbont  gi^'ng  any  andibbj 
direction  to  his  crew,  he  ran  the  galley  aboard  ofm 
They  bad  pnlled  one  sudden  stroke  ahead, 
their  oars  in,  had  run  athwart,  ns,  and  were  holding  0| 
to  oBr  gunwale,  before  we  ^ow  what  they  vrtae  AoJOl 
This  caused  great  confusion  on  hoard  the  steamer,  «nJ 
I  heard  thorn  calling  to  as,  and  heard  the  order  ^ven 
to  Btop  the  paddles,  and  heard  them  stop,  but  felt  hw 
driving  down,  upon  us  irresistibly.  In  the  aiune  m"- 
mrait,  1  saw  the  steeraman  of  the  galley  lay  his  hsuA 
on  his  prisoner's  shoulder,  and  saw  that  both  bd^ 
were  swinging  round  with  the  force  of  the  tide,  ■M_ 
saw  that  all  hands  on  hoard  the  steamer  were  i 
^  forward  quite  frantically.  Still  in 
Baw  the  prisoner  start  up,  lean  across  his  captor, « 
pull  the  cloak  from  the  neck  of  the  shrinking  BittW  H 
the  galley.  StJU  in  the  same  moment,  I  i 
face  disclosed,  was  the  face  of  the  other  convict  of  It"* 
.ago.  Still  in  the  same  moment,  I  saw  thu  fuse  B 
backward  with  a  white  terror  on  it  that  I  eball  n 
I  forget,  and  heai'd  a  great  cry  on  board  the  steamn  ■ 
fi  loud  splash  in  the  water,  and  felt  the  boat  sink  6 

It  was  but  for  an  instant  that  I  seemed  to  rtrogff 
with  a  thousand  miU-wavK  aai  «.  '^^«l^5.43.&d  flwhed  _* 
IJg'ht;    that  instant   past,  ij 


V  ESPECTATIONS.  2B9 


t  Herbert  wua  there,  and  Startop  was  there;  but 
t  waa  gone,  and  the  two  convicts  were  gone. 
Wltat  with  the  crioa  aboard  the  steamer,  and  the 
.ous  blowing-off  of  lier  eteam,  and  her  driying  on, 
'.  our  driving  on,  I  could  not  at  first  distinguish  sky 
a  water  or  shore  from  shore;  but,  the  crew  of  the 
ley  righted  her  with  groat  speed,  and,  pulling  cer- 
1  swift  strong  stroljes  aherwl,  lay  upon  their  oars, 
ry  man  looking  silently  and  eagerly  at  the  water 
)m.  Presently  a  dark  object  was  seen  in  it,  bearing 
ards  us  on  the  tide.  No  man  spoke,  but  the  steers- 
[j  held  np  his  hand,  and  all  softly  backed  water, 
I  kept  tlie  boat  straight  and  true  before  it.  As  it 
le  nearer,  I  saw  it  to  be  Magwitoh,  swimming,  but 
swimming  freely.  Ho  was  taken  on  hoard,  and 
antly  manacled  at  the  wrists  and  ankles. 
The  galley  was  kept  steady,  and  the  silent  eager 
k-out  at  the  water  was  resumed.  But,  the  Rotter- 
u  steamer  now  came  up,  and  apparently  not  nndei'- 
ading  what  had  happened,  came  on  at  speed.  By 
time  she  had  been  hailed  and  stopped,  both  steam- 
were  drifting  away  from  us,  and  we  were  rising 
I  falling  in  a  troubled  wake  of  water.  The  look- 
)  was  kept,  long  after  all  was  still  again  and  the 
i  steamers  were  gone;  but,  everybody  knew  that  it 
a  liopeloMs  now. 

At  length  we  gave  it  up,  and  pulled  nnder  the 
ire  towards  the  tavern  we  had  lately  left,  where  we 
re  received  with  no  littl^  Hurpriso.  Here,  I  was  able 
get  some  comforts  for  Magwitch  - —  Provis  no  longer 
who  had  received  some  very  severe  injury  in  ihs. 
at  and  a  deejj  cut  in  the  head. 
" \  \a  Vwft_5P» 


ider  the  keel  of  the  steamer,  and  to  have  been  atrni 

on  the  head  in  rising.     The  injury  to  his  chest  (whi< 

rendered  hia  breathing  extremely  painful)  he  thoi 

he  had  received  against  the  side  of  the  galley. 

added  that  he  did  not  pretend  to  say  what  he  mig;lit  x 

might  not  have  done  to  Compeyaon,  but,  that  ' 

ment  hia  laying  Ms  hand  on  his  cloak  to  identify  him, 

that  villain  bad  staggered  up  and  ataggered  back,  and 

both    gone    overboard  together;    when  tie 

idden  wrenching  of  him  (Magwitch)  out  of  our  boat, 

id  the  endeavour  of  his  captor  to  keep  him  in  it,  hsA 

He  told  me  in  a  ivhiaper  that  they  had 

igone  down,   fiercely  locked  in  each  other's  arms, 

'Jtiiat  there  had  been  a  struggle  under  water,    and  tli 

Jie  had    disengaged    himself,    struck    out,    and 

way. 

I  never  had  any  reason  to  doubt  the  exact  troth 
what  he  thus  told  me.  The  officer  who  steered  llw 
walloy  gave  the  same  account  of  their  going  overboard. 
When  I  aaked  thia  office-r's  permiaeiou  to  change 
prisoner's  wet  clothes  by  purchasing  any  spare  ga^ 
'ments  I  could  get  at  the  public-house,  he  gave  it  re«- 
dily:  merely  observing  that  he  must  take  charge  rf 
everything  his  prisoner  had  about  him.  So  the  pocket- 
book  which  had  once  been  in  my  hands,  passed  inM 
the  officer's.  He  further  gave  me  leave  to  aceompu/ 
the  prisoner  to  London;  but,  declined  to  accord  tW 
grace  to  my  two  friends. 

The  Jack  at  the  Ship  was  instructed  whrae  ti< 
drowned  man  had  gone  down,  and  undertook  to  soiiW 
for  the  body  in  the  places  where  it  was  likeliest  t» 
come  ashore.  His  mteTe.a\.  m  'to  twovery  seemed  W_ 
He  to  be  much  heig\iteiie,4  'wVea'Wtea^ 


GREAT  BXPECTATI0S8.  271 

(lockings  oa.  Probably,  it  took  about  a  dozen  drowned 
nen  to  fit  him  out  completely;  and  that  may  have 
leen  the  reason  why  the  different  articles  of  his  dreas 
were  in  various  stages  of  decay. 

We  remained  at  the  public-house  until  the  tide 
limed,  and  then  Magwitch  was  carried  down  to  the 
jalley  and  put  on  board.  Herbert  and  Startop  were 
;o  get  to  London  by  land,  as  soon  as  they  could.  We 
lad  a  doleful  parting,  and  when  I  took  my  place  by 
Hagwitch's  side,  I  felt  that  that  was  my  place  henceforth 
s'hile  he  lived. 

For  now,  nty  repugnance  to  Iiim  had  all  melted 
iway,  and  in  the  hunted  wounded  shackled  creature 
vho  held  my  band  in  hia,  I  only  saw  a  man  who  had 
neant  to  he  ray  benefactor,  and  who  had  felt  affection- 
itely,  gratefully,  and  generously,  towards  me  with 
jreat  constancy  through  a  scries  of  years,  I  only 
law  in  him    a  much   better  man  than  I  had  been  to 

His  breathing  became  more  difficult  and  painful  as 
;he  night  drew  on,  and  often  be  could  not  repress  a 
i^roan.  I  tried  to  rest  him  on  the  arm  I  could  use, 
,n  any  easy  position;  but,  it  was  dreadful  to  think 
;hat  I  could  not  be  sorry  at  heart  for  his  being  badly 
burt,  since  it  was  unquestionably  best  that  he  should 
3ie.  That  there  were,  still  living,  people  enough  who 
were  able  and  willing  to  identify  him,  I  could  not 
doubt.  That  he  would  bo  leniently  treated,  1  could 
not  hope.  He  who  had  been  presented  in  the  worst 
light  at  ■  his  trial,  who  bad  since  broken  prison  and 
been  tried  again,  who  had  returned  from  transportation. 
■mder  a  life  sentence,  and  who  \ia4  ow.aavi'a.t^  *«■ 
vhi  SMJil&  ftanaa  ot^a  amga^ 


P873 
yestet 


r  BXPGCTATIONS. 


■turned  towards  tlio  settiug  aim  we  baJ 
yesterday  laft  behind  ns,  aud  as  the  stream  of  our 
hopes  seemed  all  running  back,  I  lold  hiiu  how  grieT^ 
I  -was  to  think  that  he  had  come  home  for  my  sake. 

"Dear  boy,"  La  anawered,  "I'm  quite  content  ti> 
take  my  chauce.  I've  seeu  my  boy,  and  lie  can  be  » 
geutloman  without  me." 

No.  I  had  thought  about  that^  while  we  had  been 
thei'e  side  by  side.  No.  Apart  from  any  incliuaUons 
of  my  own,  I  understand  Wemmiclc'a  hint  now.  I 
foresaw  that,  being  convicted,  hia  poBsessions  would  lie 
forfeited  to  the  Crown. 

"Lookee  here,  dear  boy,"  said  he.  "It's  best  m 
&  gentlemau  should  not  be  kauwed  to  belong  to  w 
now.  Only  come  to  see  me  as  if  you  come  by  chanL* 
alonger  Wemmick.  Sit  where  I  can  see  you  when  I 
urn  swore  to,  for  the  last  o'  many  times,  aud  1  donl 
mk  no  more." 

"I  will  never  stir  from  your  side,"  said  I,  "wheu 
I  am  suffered  to  be  near  you.  Please  God,  I  will  t* 
as  true  to  you,  as  you  have  been  to  me!" 

I  felt  hia  hand  tremble  a,n  it  held  mine,  and  ^ 
turned  his  face  away  as  he  lay  in  the  bottom  oft> 
boat,  and  I  heard  that  old  sound  in  his  throat  — 
ened  now,  like  all  the  rest  of  him.  It  was  a  gOi 
thing  that  he  had  touched  this  point,  fur  it  pnt  ' 
my  mind  what  I  might  not  otherwise  have  thought 
dntil  too  late:  That  be  need  never  know  how  hiBhopM 
of  enriching  me  had  perished. 


CHAPTKE  XXVII. 


I  was  taken  to  tlie  Politu  Court  next  day,  and 
have  been  immediately  committed  for  trial,  liut 
hat  it  was  necessary  to  send  down  for  an  old  officer 
f  tie  prison-ship  from  which  he  had  once  escaped,  to 
peak  to  bis  identity.  Nobody  doubted  it;  but,  Com- 
leyson,  who  had  meant  to  depose  to  it,  was  tumbling 
'U  the  tides,  dead,  and  it  happened  that  there  was  not 
it  that  time  any  prison  officer  in  London  who  could 
;ive  the  required  evidence.     I  had  gone  direct  to  Mr. 

aggers  at  his  private  house,  on  my  arrival  over-night, 
0  retain  his  assistance,  and  Mr.  Jaggera  on  the  pri- 
oner's  behalf  would  admit  nothing.  It  was  the  sole 
eaource,  for  he  told  me  that  the  case  must  be  over  in 
ive  minutes  when  the  witness  was  there,  and  that  no 
'ower  on  earth  could  prevent  ita  going  against  us, 

I  imparted  to  Mr.  Jaggera  my  design  of  keeping 
inn  in  ignorance  of  the  fate  of  his  wealth.  Mr.  Jag- 
^t9  was  querulous  and  angry  with  me  for  having  "let 
t  slip  through  my  fingera,"  and  said  we  must  memo- 
ialise  by-and-hy,  and  try  at  all  events  for  some  of  it. 
iut,  he  did  not  coiiceal  from  me  that  although  there 
light  be  many  cases  in  which  the  forfeiture  would  not 
e  exacted,  there  were  no  circumstances  in  this  case 
3  make  it  one  of  them.     I  understood  that,  very  well. 

was  not  related  to  the  outlaw,  or  connected  with  him 
y  any  recognisable  tie;  he  had  put  hia  hand  to  no 
riting  or  settlement  in  my  favour  before  his  apprehen- 
on,  and  to  do  so  now  would  be  idle.  1  UeA  \i.a  A^mn-, 
id  I  iinaUf  i-esoJved,   and  ever  aitei-WMis  tAMs^^ 


'    274  BEEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


uckesed'fl 
sh  one.      ' 


'  the  leBolation,  that  my  licort  should  never  bo  uckesed'4 
with  the  hopeless  taek  of  attempting  to  establish  one. 

There  appeared  to  be  reason  for  BUpposing  that  tin' 

drowned  ini'ormor  had  hoped  for  a  reward  out  of  this 

forfcitui-e,    and  had  obtained  some  accurate  knowledge 

of  Magwitch's    afFairn.      When    hla    body  was    found 

I  many  miles  from  the  fteeno  of  hia  death,  and  bo  hor- 

'  ribly  disfig^iired  that  he  waa  only  recognisable  by  tlip 

contents  of  his  pockets,  notes  were  still  legible,  folded 

in  a  case  he  carried.     Among  these,  were  the  name  of    , 

a  banking-bonse  in  New  South  Wales  where  a  sum  of  J 

money  was,   aud  the   designation  of  certain  lands  o^ 

considerable  value.     Both  these  heads  of   informatii^B 

I  vere  in  a  list  that  Hagwitch,  while  in  prison,  gave  ^H 

'  Wr.  Jaggers,    of  the  possessions  be  supposed  I  sbool^l 

inherit.     His   ignorance,    poor  fellow,    at  last  serr^H 

him;  he  never  mistrusted  hut  that  my  inheritance  w1^| 

quite  safe,  with  iir.  Jaggcrs's  aid.  ^M 

After  three  days'  delay,    during  which  the  croi^H 

prosecution  stood  over  for  the  production  of  the  w^M 

ness  from  the  prison-ship,  the  witness  came,  and  CM^H 

pleted  the  easy  case.     He  was  committed  to  take  ^^M 

trial  at  the  next  Sessions,    which  would  come  on  in  i^| 

I  month.  I 

L         It  was  at  this  dark  time  of  my  life  that  Hertm^ 

I  returned  home  one  evening,    a  good  deal   cast  doiroW 

I  and  said:  H 

I  "My  dear  Handel,  I  fear  I  shall  soon  have  to  Ica'^fl 

His  partner  having  prepared  me  for  that,  I  *^H 
'   Jess  surprised  than  he  thought,  fl 


GKEAT  EXPEOTATIOKS.  275 

o  Cairo,  and  I  am  very  much  afraid  I  must  go, 
Llandel,  wbea  you  most  need  me." 

"Herbert,  I  shall  always  need  you,  because  I  shall 
ilways  love  yon;  but  my  need  is  no  greater  now,  than 
it  anotber  time." 

"Toll  will  be  bo  lonely." 

"I  bave  not  leisure  to  think  of  that,"  said  I,  "You 
enow  that  I  am  always  with  him  to  the  full  extent  of 
he  time  allowed,  and  that  I  should  be  with  Lim  all 
lay  long,  if  I  could.  And  when  I  come  away  from 
lim,  you  know  that  my  thoughts  are  with  him." 

The  dreadful  condition  to  which  he  was  brought, 
ffBs  80  appalling  to  both  of  us,  that  we  could  not  refer 
to  it  in  plainer  words. 

"My  dear  fellow,  said  Herbert,  "let  the  near  pro- 
spect of  our  separation  - —  for,  it  is  very  near  —  be 
my  justification  for  troubling  you  about  yourself.  Have 
yon  thought  of  your  future?" 

"No,  for  I  have  been  afraid  to  think  of  any  fu- 
ture." 

"But  yours  cannot  be  dismissed;  indeed,  my  dear 
dear  Handel,  it  must  not  be  dismissed.  I  wish  you  would 
enter  on  it  now,  as  far  as  a  few  friendly  words  go, 
with  me." 

"I  will,"  said  I. 

"In  this  branch  house  of  ours,   Handel,    we  must 

I  saw  that  his  delicacy  was  avoiding  the  right  word, 
so  I  said,  "A  clerk." 

"A  clerk.  And  I  hope  it  is  not  at  all  unlikely 
that  he  may  expand  (as  a  clerk  of  your  acquaintance 
has  expanded)    into   a  partner.     'Now,  'Saiii^  - 


I 

t 


rare  om 

W        Thei-e  was  something  charmingly  cordial  and  e 
*  gaging  in  Ihe   maunei"  in   which  after  saying   '  "~ 
Handel,"  aa  if  it  were  the  grave  beginniag'  of  a  pa 
tcntoue  business  exordium,  he  had  suddeiiiy  ^vdd  W 
that  tone,    stretched  out  ills  honest  hand,    and  spokiq 
like  a  schoolboy. 

"Clara  and  I  have  talked  about  it  again  and  again," 
Herbert  pursued,  "and  the  dear  little  thing  begged  me 
only  this  evening,  with  tears  in  her  eyea,  to  say  tf 
yon  that  if  you  will  live  with  ns  when  we  come  together, 
she  will  do  her  beat  to  make  you  happy,  and  to  con- 
vince her  husband's  friend  that  he  is  her  friend  too. 
We  should  get  on  bo  well,  Handell" 

I  thanked  her  heartily,  and  I  thanked  him  heartily, 
but  said  I  could  not  yet  make  sure  of  joining  him 
he  BO  kindly  offered.  Firstly,  my  mind  was  too  | 
occupied  to  be  able  to  take  in  the  subject  clea 
Secondly  —  TesI  Secondly!  there  was  a  vague  to. 
thing  lingering  in  my  thonghts  that  will  come  out  veq 
near  the  end  of  this  slight  narrative. 

"But  if  you  thought,  Herbert,  that  you  could,  with-  I 
out  doing  any  injury  to  your  business,  leave  the  qu*  I 
tion  open  for  a  little  while  — "  | 

"For  any  while,"   cried  Herbert.     "Sis  months,  * 

"Not  HO  long  as  that,"  said  I.  "Two  or  [hrW  | 
months  at  most."  J 

Herbert  was  highly  delighted  when  we  shook  tw*  | 
on  this  arrangement,  and  said  he  could  now  take  «  ~ 
age  to  tell  me  that  he  believed  he  mast  go  avuy  " 

end  of  the  week. 

'And  Clara?"  saidl. 

Tie  dear  littlej^p^,^' -^.^ 


GKEAT  EXPECTATI0K8,  277 

lutifiillj'  to  her  father  as  long  as  he  lasts;  bnt  he 
von't  Iftst  long.  Mrs.  Whimple  confides  to  me  that  he 
a  certainly  going." 

"Not  to  say  an  unfeeling  thing,"  said  I,  "he  can- 
lot  do  better  than  go." 

"I  B.m  afraid  that  mast  he  admitted,"  aaid  Herbsf 
'and  Chen  I  Bhall  come  back  for  the  dear  little  thing,  I 
md  the  dear  little  thing  and  I  will  walk  quietly  into  \ 
he  nearest  chiirth.  Remember!  The  blessed  darling  / 
;onies  of  no  family,  my  dear  Handel,  and  never  looked  I 
nto  the  red  hook,  and  hasn't  a  notion  about  har  grand- 
)apa,     What  a  fortune  for  the  son  of  my  mother!" 

On  the  Saturday  in  that  same  week,  I  took  my 
eaye  of  Herbert  —  full  of  bright  hope,  Imt  sad  and 
wrry  to  leave  me  —  as  he  sat  on  one  of  the  seaport 
nail  coHthea.  I  went  into  a  coffee-house  to  write  a 
little  note  to  Clara,  telling  her  he  had  gone  off,  send- 
ing hia  love  to  her  over  and  over  again,  and  then  went 
to  ray  lonely  home  —  if  it  deaerved  the  name,  for  it 
Was  now  no  home  to  me,  attd  I  had  no  home  any- 
where. 

On  the  stairs  I  encountered  Wemmick,  who  was 
coming  down,  after  an  unaucceaaful  application  of  his 
tnuukles  to  my  door.  I  had  not  seen  him  alone,  since 
tlio  diaastrons  isane  of  the  attempted  flight;  and  he 
liad  come,  in  his  private  and  personal  capacity,  to 
^y  a  few  worda  of  explanation  in  reference  to  that 
failure. 

"The  late  Compeyson,"   said  Wemmick,   "had  by 
ittle  and  little  got  at  the  bottom  of  half  of  the  regular 
'QMnesa  now  transacted,   and  it  was  from  the  talk  of 
ome  of  hia  people  in  trouble  (soma  o?  \usl  ^f^u-^e.^s'ssii'^ 
r  in  troable)  that  I  heard  wUa\.  1  fti.&-    V**^ 


OHEAT    ESPBCTATIONS. 

my  ears   open,    aeeming   tt>  liare  tliom  shnt,   nntilj 

pbeard  that  Le  was  absent,   and  I  thought  that  warn 

B  '^le  best  time  for  making  the  attempt.     I  c 

now,   thnt  it  was  a  part  of  his  policy, 

■Tery  clerer  man,  habitually  to  deeeive  h' 

You   don't   blame   me,    I  hope,   Mr.   Pip? 
e  I  tried  to  serve  you,  with  all  my  heart." 
am  a3  sure  of  that,  Wemniick,  as 
I  and  I  thank  you  most  earnestly  for  all  i 
and  IVitindahip." 

"Thank  you,   thank  you  very  much.     It's  a  ^"^M 
job,"  said  Wenimick,    scratching  his  head,  "and  I  s 
sure  yon  I  haven't    been  so   cut  up  for  &  long  time. 
What  I  look  at,    is  the  sacrifice  of  so  much  portable 
property.     Dear  mel" 

("What  /  think  of,  Wemmick,  is  the  poor  owner  ol' 
tiie  property." 
"Tes,  to  be  enre,"  said  Wemmick.  "Of  course 
there  can  be  no  objection  to  your  being  sorry  for  liim, 
and  I'd  put  down  s  five-pound  note  myself  to  get  h'  '^ 
out  of  it.  But  what  I  look  at,  ia  this.  The  late  Ci 
jHsyson  having  been  beforehand  with  him  in  intellige 
of  liis  return,  and  being  so  determined  to  bring  hini  ij 
book ,  I  do  not  think  he  could  have  been  sa 
Whereas,  the  portable  property  certainly  could  1 
been  saved.  That's  the  difference  between  the  prop« 
and  the  owner,  don't  you  see?" 
I  invited  Wemmick  to  come  up-ataire,  and  refrew  | 
himaelf  with  a  glass  of  grog  before  walking  to  Wd- 
worth.  Ho  accepted  the  invitation.  While  he  i "" 
drinking  his  moderate  allowance,  he  said,  with  n 
to  lead   up    to  it,    and  a.ft.ra  taving  appeared  i 


GREAT  BSPECTATIONS. 


279 


"Wliiit  do  you  think  of  my  meaning  to  take  a  Loli- 
day  on  Monday,  Mr.  Pip?" 

"Why,  I  Bnppose  you  have  not  done  such  a,  thing 
these  twelve  months." 

"These  twelve  years,  more  likely,"  said  Wemmick. 
"Yes.  I'm  going  to  take  a  holiday.  Mote  than  that; 
I'm  going  to  take  a  walk.  More  than  that;  I'm  going 
to  ask  you  to  take  a  walk  with  me," 

I  was  about  to  excuse  myself,  as  being  bnt  a  bad 
companion  just  then,  when  Wemmick  anticipated 

"I  know  your  engagements,"  said  he,  "and  I  know 
you  are  out  of  sorts,  Mr.  Pip.  But  if  you  could  oblige^ 
me,  I  should  take  it  as  a  kindness.  It  ain't  a  long- 
walk,  and  it's  an  early  one.  Say  it  might  occupy  yoa 
[including  breakfast  on  the  walk)  from  eight  to  twelve. 
Couldn't  you  stretch  a  point  and  manage  it?" 

He  bad  done  so  much  for  me  at  various  times,  that 
this  was  very  little  to  do  for  him.  I  said  I  could 
manage  it  —  would  manage  it  —  and  he  was  so  very 
much  pleased  by  my  acquiescence,  that  I  was  pleased 
too.  At  his  particular  request,  I  appointed  to  call  for 
him  at  the  Castle  at  half-post  eight  on  Monday  n 
ing,  and  so  we  parted  for  the  time. 

Punctual  to  my  appointment,  I  rang  at  the  Castle 
giite  on  the  Monday  morning,  and  was  received  by 
Wemmick  himself;  who  struck  me  as  looking  tightt 
than  usual,  and  having  a  sleeker  hat  on.  Within, 
there  were  two  glasses  of  rum-and-milk  prepared,  and 
two  biscuits.  The  Aged  must  have  been  stirring  with 
the  lark,  for,  glancing  into  the  perspective  of  his  bed- 
room, I  observed  that  his  bed  was  empty. 

When  we  had  fortified  ourseWea  ■wVlV  xXa  rwca.-' 
I»^^^md  biscuits,    and  were  go\ng  out  ?at  "^» 


p 


4&  that  training  preparation  on  ub,  I  was  coneidi 
■itbly  sarprised  to  see  Wommicfc  take  up  a  fishing-to 
and  put  it  over  his  shoulder.  "Why,  we  are  not  goi 
fishing!"  said  I,  "No,"  returned  Wemmick,  "bi 
like  to  walk  with  one." 

I  thought  this  odd;  however,   I  said  nothing, 
'e  set  off.     We  went  towards  Camberwell  Green, 
we  wore  thereabouts,  Wemmick  said  suddeal^r 
HftUoal  Here's  a  chorchl" 
^There  was  nothing    very   surprising  in   that; 
in,  I  was  rather  surprised,   when  he  aaid,   «i  if  1 
e  animated  hy  a  brilliant  id 
"Let's  go  in!" 
EWe  went  in,   Wemmick  leaving  his  fishing-rod  i 
t^e  poruh,   and  looked  all  round.     In  the  mean  ti 
iWemmick  was  tliving  into  his  coat-pockets,  and  geB 
Ijumething  out  of  paper  there. 

"Halloal"   said   he.      "Here's  a  couple  of  ptur  < 
loves!  Let's  put  'em  on! " 

As  the  gloves  were  white  kid  gloves,  and  as 
IjOBt-office  was  widened  to  its  utmost  extent,  I  t 
began    to    have    my    strong    suspicions.      They  « 

1  into   certainty  when  I  beheld   the  Afi 
■enteE.jrtiaide  door,  escorting  a  lady. 

■HailoaT"^at4^W:enrtmctc:-^Eere's  Miss  Skii&<« 
JLet's  have  a  wedding." 

^That  discreet  damsel  was  attired  as  nstial,  excel 
iitat  she  was  now  engaged  in  substituting  for  her  g 
kid  gloves,  a  pair  of  white.  The  Aged  was  likewii 
occupied  in  preparing  a  similar  sacrifice  for  Uie  aW 
of  ^^m|n^  The  old  gentleman,  ho? 
so  much  difficulty  in  getting  hia  gloves  on,  thatWfl 
mick  found  it  necesftavy  Vo  \|U\.  ^■ 


OBSAT  EXPECTATIONS.  281 

I  a  pillar,  and  then  to  get  behind  the  pillar  him- 

i  puU  away  at  them,   while  I  for  my  part  held 

1  gentleman  round  the  waist,   that  he  might  pre- 

.  eqnal   and  safe  resistance.      By  dint  of  this 

lone   scheme,    his   gloves   were   got   on  to   per- 

ion. 

The  clerk  and  clergyman  then  appearing,  we  were 
ged  in  order  at  those  fatal  rails.  True  to  his  notion 
seeming  to  do  it  all  without  preparation,  I  heard 
immick  aay  to  himself  as  he  took  something'  out  of 
waistcoat- pocket  before  the  service  began,  "Halloa! 
re's  a  ringi" 

fcacted  in  the  capacity  of  backer,  or  bcatman,  to 
Tpdegroom;  while  a  little  limp  pew  opener  in  a 
lOnnet  like  a  baby's,  made  a  feint  of  being  the 
I  friend  of  Miss  Skiffins.  The  responsibility  of 
ing  the  lady  away,  devolved  upon  the  Aged,  which 
to  the  clergyman's  being  unintentionally  scandalised, 
1  it  happened  thus.  When  he  said,  "Who  giveth 
t  woman  to  be  married  to  this  man?"  the  old  gentle- 
0,  not  in  the  least  knowing  what  point  of  the  cere- 
ny  we  had  arrived  at,  stood  most  amiably  beaming 
the  ten  commandments.  Upon  which,  the  clergyman 
1  again,  "Who  giveth  this  woman  to  be  married  to 
!  man?"  The  old  gentleman  being  still  in  a  state  of 
ft  estimable  unconsciousness,  the  bridegroom  cried 
in  his  accustomed  voice,  "Xow  Aged  P.  yon  know; 
n  giveth?"  To  which  the  Aged  replied  with  great 
ikness,  before  saying  t^at //e  gave,  "All  right,  John, 
right,  my  boy!"  And  the  clergyman  came  to  so 
omy  a  pause  upon  it,  that  I  had  doubts  for  the 
ment    whether   we    should    get   coti^iVeNA^Y  'eis)-'^\sA^ 


I 


1 982  OKE 

I  It  was  completely  done,  liowevi'r,  and  wbea  i 
were  guiog  out  of  chitrcli,  Wemmick  took  the  cov 
off  the  font,  and  put  his  white  gloves  in  it,  and  p 
the  cover  on.  again.  Mrs.  Wemraiok,  more  heedfol> 
the  future,  put  her  white  gloves  in  her  pocket  and  ( 
BumEd  her  green.  "jVoit-,  Mr,  Pip,"  said  Wemmie 
triumphantly  Bhouldering  the  fishing-rod  i 
out,  "let  mc  ask  you  whether  aayhody  would  Buppoi 
this  to  be  a  wedding  partyl" 

Breakfast   had    hecn    ordered    at  a  pleasant  litd 
tavern,   a  mile  or  so  away  upon  the  rising-ground  b 
yond  the  Green;  and  there  was  a  hagatelle  board  in  T 
room,    in  case  we  should  desire  to  unbpud  t 
after  the  solemnity.     It  was   pleasant  to  observe  i 
Mrs.   Wemmick  no  longer  unwound   Wemmick's  a 
when  it  adapted  itself  to  her  figure,  but  sat  in  ahigi 
backed  chair  against  the  wall,    like  a  violoncello  inn 
case,  and  submitted  to  he  embraced  as  that  melodioP 
instrument  might  have  done. 

We  had  an  excellent  breakfast,  and  when  any  m 
declined  anything  on  table,  Wemmick  said,  "Provide 
by  contract,  you  know,  don't  he  afraid  of  it!"  I  drsn 
to  the  new  couple,  drank  to  the  Aged,  drank  to  ff^^ 
Castle,  saluted  the  bride  at  parting,  and  made  myM 
aa  agreeable  aa  I  could. 

Wemmick  came  down  to  the  door  with  ma,  anfl 
again  shook  bands  with  him,  and  wished  him  joy. 

"Thankcel"    said  Wemmick,    rubbing   his  1 
"She's   such  a  manager   of  fowls  you  have  no  i 
Yoa  shall  have  some  eggs,   and  judge  for  yourselt 
Mj^,   Mr.  Pipl"    calling  toe  hack,   and  speaking  IC 
"This  IB  altogether  a  YIa\'«otfti  WBlwtafc'o.i.^-^waafc!' 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


28S 


Ppi  understand.      Not    to    Le    mentioned   ia  Little 
ftrin,"  Hiiid  I. 

Wemmick  nodded.  "After  wliat  you  let  oat  the 
lier  day,  Mr.  Jaggers  may  as  well  not  know  of  it. 
e  might  think  my  brain 
the  kind." 


CHAPTER  XXVIIL 


ithing     I 


He  lay  in  prison  very  ill,  during  the  whole  interval 
itween  the  committal  fui'  trial,  and  the  coming  round 

the  Sessions.  He  had  hroken  two  ribs,  they  had 
Diinded  one  of  hia  lunga,  and  he  breathed  with  great 
Lin  and  difSeulty,  which  increaaed  daily.  It  was  a 
nsequence  of  his  hurt,  that  he  spoke  bo  low  as  to  be 
arcely  audible;  therefore,  he  spoke  very  little.     But, 

was  ever  ready  to  listen  to  me,  and  it  became  the 
8t  duty  of  my  life  to  say  to  him,  and  read  to  him, 
lat  I  knew  he  ought  to  hear. 

Being  far  too  ill  to  remain  in  the  common  prison, 

was  removed,  after  the  first  day  or  so,  into  tlie  in- 
mary.  This  gave  me  opportiinities  of  being  with  him 
at  I  could  not  otherwise  have  had.  And  but  for  his 
ncBS  he  would  have  been  put  in  irons,  for  he  was  re- 
rded  as  a  determined  prison-breaker,  and  I  know  not 
lat  else. 

Although  I  saw  him  every  day,  it  wan  for  only  a 
ort  time;  hence,  the  regularly  recurring  spaces  of  our 
paration  were  long  enough  to  record  on  his  face  any 
ght  changes  that  occurred  in  hia  physical  state.  I  do 
't  recollect  that  I  once  saw  any  change  \n  V\.  In^  ■&!» 
wasted,    and   loeeame    bVotiVt  ■■>igiB>Kgc  ^ 


■fl84 


^^B  IrorBe,  dnj  by  day,  from  the  day  when  the  prison  do 
^^B  closed  npon  him. 

^^B        The    kind    of  suhmiasion    or   resignation    tha' 
^^H^owed,  w»s  tliat  of  s.  man  who  was  tired  out.  I  8 
^^■times  derived  an  impreasion,   from  hia  manner  or 
^^Ba  whispered  word  or  two  which  escaped  him,  that 
^^Bpondered  over  the  question  whether  he  might  have  1m 
^^Vft  better  man    under    better    circumatanees.      But, 
^^Vnever  jnstified  himself  by  a,  hint  tending  that  way, 
^^H'tried  to  bend  the  past  out  of  its  eternal  shape. 
^^B        It  happened  on  two  or  three  occasions  in  u 
^^P  Hence,  that  his  desperate  reputation  was  alluded  to  i 
one  or  other  of  the  people  in  attendance  c 
smile  urossed  bis  face  then,  and  he  turned  his  eyes  o 
me  with  a  trustful  look,  as  if  he  were  confident  that 

thad  seen  some  small  redeeming  touch  in  him,  even  ' 
long  ago  as  when  I  was  a  little  child.  As  to  all  tl 
»8t,  he  was  humble  and  cqn trite,  and  I  never  kne 
him  complain. 

When  the  Sessions  came  round,  Mr.  Jaggers  c 
an  application  to  be  made  for  the  postponement  of )» 
trial  until  the  following   Sessions.     It   was  obvioasl 

imade  with  the  assurance  that  he  could  not  live  so  lOB 
and  was  refused.  The  trial  eame  on  at  once,  W 
when  he  was  put  to  the  bar,  he  waa  seated  in  a  ch> 
No  objection  was  made  to  my  getting  close  to  tl 
dock,  on  the  outside  of  it,  and  holding  the  hand  th 
he  stretched  forth  to  me. 
The  trial  was  very  short  and  very  clear.  S* 
things  ae  could  bo  said  for  him,  were  said  —  howl 
had  taken  to  industi'ious  habits,  and  had  thriven  l*i' 
Aify  and  reputably.  But,  nothing  could  unsay  t 
&ct  that  he  had  ret\imel,  ani  -waa  'CoKtft  \n. -^ftMiia 


OKEAT  KXPECTATIONS. 

of  the  Judge  and  Jury.     It  was  impossible  to  try  liim 
for  that,  aud  do  otherwise  than  find  him  G-oilty, 

At  thftt  time,  it  was  tlie  custom  (els  I  learnt  &om. 
my  terrible  esperiencfl  of  that  SesBions)  to  devote  aj 
conclading  day  to  the  passing  of  Sentences,  and  to 
make  a  finiahing  effect  with  the  Sentence  of  Death. 
But  for  the  indelible  pieture  that  my  remembrance  now 
holds  before  me,  I  could  scarcely  believe,  even  as  £ 
write  these  words,  that  I  saw  two-and-thirty  men  and 
women  put  before  the  Judge  to  receive  that  sentence 
together.  Foremost  among  the  two-and-thirty, 
seated,  that  he  might  get  breath  enough  to  keep  Ufa 
in  him. 

The  whole  scene  staits  out  again  in  the  vivid  col- 
ODrs  of  the  moment,  down  to  the  drops  of  April  raia 
on  the  windows  of  the  court,  glittering  in  the  rays  a!- 
April  sua.  Penned  in  the  dock,  as  I  again  stood  out- 
side it  at  the  comer  with  his  hand  in  mine,  were  the 
two-and-thirty  men  and  women;  some  defiant,  some 
stricken  with  terror,  some  sobbing  and  weeping,  some 
'  'ivering  their  faces,  some  staring  gloomily  abont. 
I'here  had  been  shrieks  from  among  the  women  con- 

I^'icta,  but  they  had  been  stilled,  and  a  hush  bad  suc~ 
ceeded.  The  eheriffs  with  their  great  chains  and 
gays,  other  civic  gewgaws  and  monsters,  criera,  ui 
*  great  gallery  full  of  people  —  a  large  theatrical 
audience  —  looked  on,  as  the  two-and-thirty  and  the 
Judge  were  solemnly  confronted.  Then,  the  Judge 
addressed  them.  Among  the  wretched  creatures  befora 
him  whom  he  nrnat  single  out  for  apecial  address, 
•Jie  who  almost  from  Ida  infancy  had  been  an  offender 
gainst  the  laws;    who,    after  re-pealfei  S.-os^ris^sraiffl 

IttHiiiiliiiMii ' 


thi 

1 


P86  GREAT  EKl'ECTATIONB. 

Ilor  ii  term  of  years;  and  who,  undef  circutustauceB 
g>reat  violence  and  during  bad  made  liia  escape  a 
been  re-sentenced  to  esile  for  life.  That  miBeraHble  n 
would  eecm  for  a  time  to  have  become  conrincoJ- 
his  errors,  when  far  removed  from  the  econes  of  hk  i 
oSences,  and  to  havo  lived  a  peaceable  aud  honest  I 
But  in  a  fatal  moment,  yielding  to  those  propemJt 
and  passions,  the  indulgence  of  which  had  bo  long  n 
dered  him  a  scoiuge  to  eociety,  he  had  quitt^  1 
haven  of  rest  and  repentrmce,  and  bad  come  back 
the  country  where  he  waa  proswibed.  Being  here  p 
sently  denounced,  be  had  for  a  time  succeeded  inSf 
ding  the  ofdcers  of  Justice,  but  being'  at  lengUi  sdw 
while  in  the  act  of  Higbt,  he  had  resisted  tbem,  ii 
had  —  he  best  knew  whether  by  e^preas  desi^  m  : 
the  blindness  of  his  hardihood  —  caused  the  d^ath ' 
his  denouncer,  to  whom  hia  whole  career  was  knom 
The  appointed  punishment  for  his  return  to  the  lu 
that  had  cast  him  out,  being  Death,  and  hia  case  b«ii 
this  aggravated  case,  be  must  prepare  himself  to  Did 
The  sun  was  striking  in  at  the  great  windOT"  " 
court,  through  the  glittering  drops  of  rain  npont 
glass,  and  it  made  a  broad  shaft  of  light  betwemft 
two-and-tliirty  and  the  Judge,  linking  both  to^ 
and  perhaps  reminding  some  among  the  audiencf, 
both  were  passing  on,  with  absolute  equality,  to  di 
later  Judgment  that  knoweth  all  things  and  caaii< 
Rising  for  a  moment,  a  distinct  upeck  of  face  i 
way  of  light,  the  prisoner  said,  "My  Lord,  I  h*' 
leived  my  sentence  of  Death  from  the  Almighty,  iS 
bow  to  yours,"  and  sat  down  again.  Thexe  was  son 
inahing,  aud  the  Judge  went  on  with  what  he  had  I 
rest,    Tten,  tVe^  "«et«  «a.  ti       "    "     ""* 


•         ■  GREAT  EXPECTATIONS.  287 

aud  some  of  them  were  supported  out,  and  some  of 
them  sauntered  out  with  a  haggard  look  of  bravery, 
:iiid  a  few  nodded  to  the  gallery,  and  two  or  three 
hl.niok  hands,  and  others  wcut  out  ehewing  the  frag- 
monts  of  herb  they  liad  taken  frora  the  aweet  herhs  ly- 
ing about.  He  went  last  of  all,  because  of  having  to 
bo  helped  from  hia  chair  and  to  go  very  slowly;  and 
he  held  my  baud  while  all  the  others  were  removed, 
and  while  the  audience  got  wp  (putting  tbeb  dresaes 
iifrbt,  as  they  might  at  church  or  elsewliere)  and  pointed 
Jown  at  this  criminal  or  at  that,  and  most  of  all  at 
liim  and  me. 

I  earnestly  hoped  and  prayed  that  he  might  die 
lii:f'iire  the  Recorder's  Eeport  was  made,  but,  in  the 
i|j(;ad  of  his  lingering  on,  I  began  that  night  to  write 
uut  a  petition  to  the  Home  Seci-etary  of  State,  setting 
forth  my  knowledge  of  him,  and  how  it  was  that  he 
l)ad  come  hack  for  my  sake.  I  wrote  it  as  fervently 
Hud  pathetically  as  I  could,  and  when  I  had  finished  it 
and  sent  it  in,  I  wrote  out  other  petitions  to  such  men 
tn  authority  as  I  hoped  were  the  most  merciful,  and 
irew  up  one  to  the  Crown  itself.  For  several  days  and 
lights  after  he  was  sentenced  I  took  no  rest  except 
^hen  I  fell  asleep  in  mj  chair,  but  was  wholly  ab- 
sorbed in  these  appeals.  And  after  I  had  sent  them 
m,  I  could  not  keep  away  from  the  place  where  they 
Were,  but  felt  as  if  they  were  more  hopeful  and  less 
desperate  when  I  was  near  them.  In  this  unreasonable 
festlessness  and  pain  of  mind,  I  would  roam  the  streets 
of  an  evening,  wandering  by  those  offices  and  houses 
*here  I  had  left  the  petitions.  To  the  present  liour, 
'he  weary  western  streets  of  London  oa  a.  wAi.  iftsi--^  , 
r  oi^bt,  with  their  rangea  oi  ateiw  ^m.V^'^  ^p'^^" 


|;SS8 


OHEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


Moaa  and  their  long  rows  of  lamps,  are  melanctoly 

3  from  tliis  association. 

The  daily  visits  I  could  make  him  were  shortened 

nd  ho  was  more  stnctly  kept    Seciug,  or  t'ancy- 

Klng,  that  I  was  suspected  of  an  intention  of  eairyinj 

wison  to  him,   I  asked  to  he  searched  before  I 

1  at  his  bedside,  and  told  the  ofdecr  who  WW 

■ways  there,  that  Z  was   willing  to  do  anything 

P  would  assure  him    of  the    singleness  of   my  deeij 

Mobody  was  hard  with  him,  or  with  me.     There 

duty  to   be  done,    and  it  was  done,   but  not 

r  The  officer  always  gave  me  the  assurance  that  ha 

e,  and  some  other  sick  prisoners  in  the  room, 

!  other  prisoners  who   attended  on   them  as 

linnrses  (malefactcrs,  but  not  incapable  of  kindness,  G' 

'  be  thanked!),  always  joined  in  the  same  report 

As  the  days  went  on,  I  noticed  more  and  more  Hfit 
'ould  lie  placidly  looking  at  the  white  ceiling,  wii, 
an  absence  of  light  in  his  face,  until  some  wonl  w 
mine  brightened  it  for  an  instant,  and  then  it  wonB 
subside  again.  Sometimes  ho  was  almost,  or  quite,  OH' 
able  to  speak;  then,  he  would  juaswei-  me  with  sligb' 
pressures  on  my  hand,  and  I  grew  to  understand  bw 
meaning  Tery  well. 

The  number  of  the  days  had  risen  to  ten,  wh*"-^ 
saw  a  greater  change  in  him  than  I  bad  seen  yet  H" 
I  .eyes  were  turned  towards  the  door,  and  lighted  op  •* 
I  X  entered. 

"Dear  boy,"  he  said,  as  I  sat  down  by  his  b»' 
[  thought  you  was  late.     But  I  knowed  j 


"It  is  just  the  time,"  said  I. 


"I  » 


1  for  it  4 


■  !■■ 

II  OHBAT  BXPB0TATIOS3.  289  | 

"You  always  waits  at  the  gate;  don't  you,  deaj 
'?" 

"Yes.     Not  to  lose  a  moment  of  the  time." 

"Thank'ee  dear  boy,  thank'ee.  God  bless  youl  \ 
I've  never  deserted  me,  dear  boy."  i 

I  pressed  hig  hand  in  silence,  for  I  could  not  forget  ' 
t  I  had  once  meant  to  desert  him.  ' 

"And  what's  the  best  of  all,''  he  said,  "you've  been  | 
re  comfortable  alonger  me,  slnue  I  was  under  a  dark  , 
id,  than  when  the  sun  shono.     That's  best  of  all."  f 

He  lay  on  his  back,  breathing  with  great  difficulty.        ' 

what  he  would,  and  love  me  though  he  did,  the 
it  left  his  face  over  and  again,  and  a  film  came 
ir  the  placid  look  at  the  white  ceiling. 

"Are  yon  in  much  pain  to*day?" 

"I  don't  complain  of  none,  dear  hoy."  , 

"You  never  do  complain." 

He  had  spoken  his  last  words.     He  smiled,    and  I 
lerstood  his  touch  to  mean  that  he  wished  to  iifl  my 
id,  and  lay  it  on  his  breast.     I  laid  it  there,  and  he        I 
iled  again,  and  put  both  his  hands  upon  it. 

The  allotted  time  ran  out,  while  we  were  thus; 
.,  looking  round,  I  found  the  governor  of  the  prison 
nding  neai'  me,  and  he  whispered,  "Yon  needn't  go 
."  I  thanked  him  gratefuDy,  and  asked,  "Might  I 
ak  to  him,  if  he  can  hear  me?" 

The  governor  stepped  aside,  and  beckoned  the 
cer  away.     The  change,    though  it  was  made  with- 

noise,    drew  back  the  £lm  from  the  placid  look  at 

white  ceiling,    and   he  looked  most  affectionately 


CHEAT  EXPECTATI0S8. 


A  gentle  pressure  on  my  hsod. 

"You    bad    a    child    once,    whom    yon  loved  and 


I 

^^H       A  etronger  pressure  on  loy  hand. 
^^H       "She  lived   and  found    powerful    friends.     She  is 
^^HKring  now.     She  is  a  lady  and  very  beautiful,     Aoi 
^^^^  love  her!" 

^^B  Witb  a  last  faint  effort,  which  would  have  teen 
^^"  powerless  but  for  my  yielding  to  it  and  assisting  it,  ho 
raised  niy  hand  to  hia  lips.  Then,  he  gently  let  ft 
sink  upon  his  breast  again,  with  his  own  hands  lying 
on  it,  The  placid  look  at  the  white  ceiling  caiM 
back,  and  passed  away,  and  his  head  dropped  quietly 
on  his  breast. 

Mindful,  then,  of  what  we  had  read  together,  I 
thought  of  the  two  men  who  went  up  into  the  Tampk 
to  pray,  slid  I  knew  there  were  no  better  words  tbat  I 
could  say  beside  his  bed,  than  "0  Lord,  be  inercifiu 
to  him,  a  sinner  I" 


t  CHAPTER  XXIS. 

Now  that  I  was  left  wholiy  to  myself,  I  ga" 
notice  of  my  intention  to  quit  the  chambers  in  tM 
Temple  as  soon  as  my  tenancy  could  legally  detr^ 
mine,  and  in  the  mean  while  to  underlet  them,  " 
once  I  put  bills  up  in  the  windows;  for,  I  was  in  de^fc 
and  had  scarcely  any  money,  and  began  to  be  serio'wj' 
alarmed  by  the  state  of  my  affairs,  I  ought  ratlier  W 
write  that  I  should  have  been  alarmed  if  I  had  b"" 
energy  and  concentTation  enough  to  help  me  to  tW 
clear  perception  ot  any  Infti  "^k^otA  'Saa  *   "" 


I 


OREA.T  EXPECTATIONS.  291 

3.3  falling  very  ill.  The  late  stress  upon  me  liad 
nabled  me  to  put  off  illness,  hut  not  to  put  it  away; 
knew  that  it  was  coming  on  me  now,  and  I  knew 
■ery  little  else,  and  was  even  careless  as  to  that. 

For  a  day  or  two,  I  lay  on  the  sofa,  or  on  the 
loor  —  anywhere,  according  as  I  happened  to  sink 
town  —  with  a  hca\-y  head  and  aching  limha,  and  no 
nu-pose,  and  no  power.  Then  there  eanie,  one  night 
vhich  appeai'ed  of  great  duration,  and  which  teemed 
irith  anxiety  and  horror;  and  when  in  the  morning  I 
»ied  to  sit  up  ic  my  bed  and  think  of  it,  I  found  I 
sould  not  do  so. 

Whether  I  really  had  been  down  in  Garden-court 
n  the  dead  of  the  night,  groping  about  for  the  boat 
hat  I  supposed  to  be  there-,  whether  I  had  tn-o  or 
hree  times  come  to  myself  on  the  staircase  with  great 
error,  not  knowing  how  I  had  got  out  of  bed;  whether 
had  found  myself  lighting  the  lamp,  possessed  by  the 
lea  that  he  was  coming  up  the  stairs,  and  that  the 
ghts  were  blown  out;  whether  I  had  been  iuexpress- 
*ly  harassed  by  the  distracted  talking,  laughing,  and 
loaning,  of  some  one.  and  had  half  suspected  those 
OHnds  to  be  of  my  own  making;  wliether  there  had 
'een  a  closed  iron  furnace  in  a  dark  comer  of  the 
oom,  and  a  voice  had  called  out  over  and  over  again 
hat  Miss  Havisham  was  consuming  within  it;  these 
*'ere  things  that  I  tried  to  settle  with  myself  and  get 
nto  some  order,  as  I  lay  that  morning  on  my  bed. 
'nt,  the  vapour  of  a  limekiln  would  come  between  me 
tod  them,  disordering  them  all,  and  it  was  through  the 
'apour  at  last  that  I  saw  two  men  looking  at  me, 

"Whttt  do  you  want?"   I  asked,  elanvci^-,  "\  &.isix. 


I  GttEAT  EXPECTATIONS. 

"Well,    sir,"   retnrned  one  of  them,   bending  d< 
Kimd   touching  me  on  tlie  shoulder,    "tfaie  is  a.  im 
Ehat  you'll  soon  arrange,    I  dare  say,    but  you're 
Mted." 

"What  is  the  debt?" 

"Hundred    and    twenty-three    pound,    fifteen, 
I'Jeweller's  account,  I  think." 
"What  ia  to  he  done?" 

"Tou  had  better  come  to  my  house,"  said  then 
i*l  keep  a  very  nice  house." 

I  made  some  attempt  to  get  up  and  dress  myi 
■TVlien  I  nest  attended  to  them,    they  were  stondinj 
Pittle   off  from   the   bed,    looking  at   mo.     I    Btill 
re. 

"Tou  see  my  state,"   said  I.     "I  would  come  n 

Byou  if  I  could;   but  indeed  I  am  quite  unable.    It'] 

'  "         3  from  here,  I  tliink  I  shall  die  by  the  vn,y' 

Perhaps  they  replied,  or  argued  the  point,  or  tr 

pto  encourage  me  to  believe  that  I  was  better  thaB 

thought.     Porasmuch  as  they  hang  in  my  memoiy 

only  this  one  slender  thread,   I  don't  know  what  tl 

did,  except  that  they  forbore  to  remove  me. 

.  That  I  had  a  fever  and  was  avoided,  that  I  suffe 

Lgreatly,   that  I  often  lost  my  reason,    that  the  ti 

^seemed    iuteiTninable,    that   I    confounded    irapOfBl 

"existences  with  my  own  identity;   that  I  waa  a  br 

in   the  house-wall,    and  yet  entreating   to  be  relw 

i'rom  the  giddy  place  where  the  builders  had  set  i 

that  I  was  a  steel  beam  of  u  vast  engine,  cl»ihilig  > 

.  whirling  over  a  gnlf,    and  yet  that  I  implored  in' 

I  to  have  the  engine  stopped,    and  my  P 

)  it  Jiammered  off-,  that  I  passed  through  these  pb* 

fdJBease,  I  know  ot  m- 


r  EXPECtATlOm 

aome  sort   know   at  the  time.     That  I    sometl 
ruggled  w-ith  real  people,  ia  the  belief  that  ihey  n 
nrderers,    and  that  I  vould  all  at  once  coinprehena 
at  they  meant  to  do  me  good,   and  would  than  sii ' 
:hau8ted  in  their  arms,    and   suffer  them   to   lity  i 
iwn,   I   also  knew  at  the  time.     But,   above  all, 
lew  that  there  was  a  constant  tendency  in  all  these  I 
loplo  —  who,  when  I  was  very  ill,  would  present  all  | 
nds   of  estraordinary  transformations  of  the   human  \ 
ce,    and  would   be  much   dilated   in  size  —   above 
I,    I    say,   I  knew  that  there  was  an  extraordinary 
ndency  in  all  tbeae  people,    sooner  or  later  to  settle 
iwn  into  the  likeness  of  Joe. 

After  I  had  turned  the  worst  point  of  my  illneas, 
began  to  notice  that  while  all  its  other  features 
langed,  this  one  consistent  feature  did  not  change. 
Tioever  came  about  me,  still  settled  down  into  Joe. 
1  my  eyes  in  the  night,  and  I  saw  in  the  great 
r  at  the  bedside,  Joe.  I  opened  my  eyes  in  the 
md,  sitting  on  the  window-seiit,  smoking  his  pipe 
|he  shaded  open  window,  still  I  saw  Joe.  I  asked 
Icooling  drink,  and  the  dear  hand  that  gave  it  me 
"ink  back  on  my  pillow  after  drinking, 
I  the  face  tliat  looked  so  hopefully  and  tenderly 
9  the  face  of  Joe. 
t  last,  one  day,  I  took  conrage,  and  said,   "Is  it 


ered,  "Wliich  it 


|id  the  dear  old  home-vo 

f  Joe,  you  break  my  heart!    Look  angry  at  me, 
Btrike  me,    Joe,     Tell   me   of  niy    in.^a.ty.'oA«i. 
Ke  so  good  to  me!" 
^  Joe  hud  actually  laid  bis  \\fea5.  io'wti  c 


■jiillo'w  at  my  side  and  put  his  arm  round  my  n^U, 
Bltis  joy  that  I  hnew  him. 

""Which  dear  old  Pip,    old  chap,"   said  Joe,  "^ 
1    me    was    ever    friends.     And    when    you're  i 
■enough  to  go  out  for  a  ride  —  what  larka!" 

After  which,    Joe  withdi'ew  to  the   window,  ; 

(stood  with  his  hack  towards  me,  wiping  his  eyes.  J 

I  my   extreme  weakness  prevented  me  from  getti 

Pttp  and  going  to  him,    I  lay  there,   penitently  whispi 

"0   God   bless   him!     O    God    hies 

Christian  man!" 

Joe's  eyes  were  red  when  I  next  found  him  he» 
e;  but,   I  was  holding  his  Land,    and  we  bnth  I 

"How  long,  dear  Joe?" 

"Which  you  meanteraay,  Pip,  how  long  have  yo 

ess  lasted,  dear  old  chap?" 

"Tea,  Joe." 

"It's  the  end  of  May,  Pip.  To-morrow  is  the  fii 
[of  June." 

"And  have  you  been  here  all  the  time,  dear  Jo9^ 

"Pretty  nigh,  old  chap.  Por,  as  I  says  to  BiA 
when  the  news  of  your  being  ill  were  bronghl  ' 
letter,  which  it  were  brought  by  the  post  and  hg' 
formerly  single  he  is  now   married  though  imdeq* 

1  deal  of  walking  and  shoe-leather,  but  weahh  * 

a  object  on  lis  part,    and  marriage  were  tie ^ 

1  of  his  hart  — " 

"It  is  so  delightful  to  hear  you,    Joe!   But  I  inl 

;  you  in  what  you  said  to  Biddy." 

"Vi^hieh  it  were,"  said  Joe,  "tliat  how  yoo  oij 
5  amongat  strangers,  and  \,\Ya.\,  Wb  ^qu.  and  me  ht 


*  GREAT  EXPECTATIOSa.  295 

prove  unacceptftbobble.  And  Biddy,  her  word  were, 
'Go  to  Lim,  without  loss  of  time.'  That,"  aaid  Joe, 
Bumming  up  with  his  judicial  air,  "were  the  word  of 
Biddy.  'Go  to  him,'  Biddy  say,  'without  loss  of  time.' 
In  short,  I  shouldn't  greatly  deoeive  you,"  Joe  added, 
after  a  tittle  grave  reflection,  "if  I  represented  to  you 
that  the  word  of  that  young  woman  were,    'wilhont  a 

There  Joe  cut  himself  short,  and  informed  mo  that 
I  was  to  be  talked  to  in  great  moderation,  and  that  I 
was  to  take  a  little  nourishment  at  stated  frequent 
timea,  whether  I  felt  incliued  for  it  or  not,  and  that  I 
was  to  submit  myself  to  all  his  orders.  So,  I  kissed 
his  hand,  and  lay  quiet,  while  be  proceeded  to  indite 
a  note  to  Biddy,  with  ray  love  in  it.  " 

Evidently,  Biddy  had  taught  Joe  to  write.  Aa  I 
lay  in  bed  looking  at  him,  it  made  me,  in  my  weak 
state,  cry  again  with  pleasure  to  see  the  pride  with 
which  he  set  about  his  letter.  My  bedstead,  divested 
of  its  eurtaina,  bad  been  removed,  with  me  upon  ;' 
into  the  sitting-room,  as  the  airiest  and  largest,  and 
the  carpet  had  been  taken  away,  and  the  room  kept 
always  fresh  and  wholesome  night  and  day.  At  my 
own  writing-table,  pushed  into  a  comer  and  cumbered 
with  little  bottles,  Joe  now  sat  down  to  his  great  work, 
first  cbnoaing  a  pen  from  the  pen-tray  as  if  it  wer 
ehest  of  large  tools,  and  tucking  up  his  sleeves  aa  if  he 
were  going  to  wield  a  ci'owhar  or  sledge-hammer, 
was  necessary  for  Joe  to  hold  on  heavily  to  the  table 
with  liU  left  elbow,  and  to  get  his  right  leg  well  out 
behind  him,  before  he  could  begin,  and  when,  he  did 
Kon-Ii.  he  made  every  down-Btvoka  »a  ^uVv^  '^'^  '< 
have  been  six  feet  long,  -wYiiiB  a.t  6-ve.v3  \t?-«!w3l 


^jjgbi 


^P  I  coi 


'  I  could  hear  hia  pen  spluttering  extensively.  He  b 
a  curiotis  idea  that  the  inkstand  was  on  the  aide 
him  where  it  was  not,  and  constantly  dipped  hia  | 
into  space,  and  seemed  quite  satisfied  with  the  nsi 
Occasionally,  he  was  tripped  up  by  some  ortbograpliit 
stambling-blocfe,  but  on  the  whole  he  got  on  very  n 
indied,  and  when  he  had  signed  his  name,  and  h 
removed  a  finishino;  blot  from  the  paper  to  the  oroi( 
of  his  head  with  his  two  forefingers,  he  got  up  i 
hovered  about  the  table;  trying  the  effect  of  his  pe 
formance  from  various  points  of  view  as  it  lay  thei 
with  unboimded  satisfaction. 

Not  to  make  Joe  uneasy  hy  talking  too  mu« 
even  if  I  had  been  able  to  talk  much,  I  deferred  askii 
him  about  Miss  Havisham  until  next  day.      He  eboo 

»lu8  head  when  I  then  asked  him  if  she  had  i 
"Is  she  dead,  Joe?" 
"Why  you  see,  old  chap,"  said  Joe, 
.femons trance,  and  by  way  of  getting  at  it  by  degft 
,''I  wouldn't  go  so  far  as  to  say  that,  for  that's 
4o  say;  but  she  ain't  — " 
"Living,  Joe?" 
"That's  nigher  where  it  is,"  said  Joe;  "she  ain' 
living." 
"Did  she  linger  long,  Joe?" 
"Arter  you  was  took  ill,  pretty  much  about  wh*' 
you  might  call  (if  you  was  put  to  it)  a  week,"  sw* 
Joe;  still  determined,  on  my  account,  to  come  "' 
everything  by  degrees, 

"Dear  Joe,  have  you  heard  what  becomes  oft* 
property?" 

"Well,  old  chaj"  ftMi  3oft,  "it  do  appear  tW 


Ol'GAT  BKPECTATI0K8.  297 


K  on  Miss  Estella.  But  slie  had  wrote  out  a  little 
Jtfieslien  in  her  own  hand  a  day  or  two  afore  the 
ident,  leaving  a  cool  four  thousand  to  Mr.  Matthew 
;ket.  And  why,  do  you  sappose,  above  all  things, 
I,  she  left  that  cool  fonr  thousand  unto  him?  'Because 
Pip's  account  of  him  the  said  Matthew.'  I  am  told 
Biddy,  that  air  the  writing,"  said  Joe,  repeating 
legal  turn  as  if  it  did  him  infinite  good,  '"acconnt 
him  the  said  Matthew.'     And  a  cool  four  thousand, 

I  never  discovered  from  whom  Joe  derived  the 
ventional  temperature  of  the  four  thousand  pounds, 
■b  appeared  to  make  the  sum  of  money  more  to 
Kluid  he  bad  a  manifest  relish  in  insisting  on  its 

TThis  account  gave  me  great  joy,  as  it  perfected  the 
y  good  thing  I  had  done,  I  asked  Joe  whether  he 
L    heard    if    any    of    the   other  relations   had   any 

"Miss  Sarah,"  said  Joe,  "she  have  tweuty  five 
ind  perannium  fur  to  huy  pills,  on  account  of  being 
ous.  Miss  Georgiana,  she  have  twenty  pound  down. 
1.  —  what's  the  name  of  them  wild  beasts  with 
aps,  old  chap?" 

"Camels?"  said  I,  wondering  why  he  could  possibly 
it  to  know. 

Joe  nodded.  "Mrs.  Camels,"  by  which  I  presently 
erstood  he  meant  Camilla,  "she  have  five  pound  fur 
buy  mshlighta  to  put  her  in  spirits  when  she  wake 
in  the  night." 

The  accuracy  of  these  recitals  was  sufficieatl^ 
i  to  me,   to  give  me  great   cont-ifctica  va  5tv£* J 


be 


298  GEEAT  EXPECTATIO'ra. 

fltrong  yet,    old.  chap,  that  you  can  take  in  mare  n 
one    additional    shovel-fiill    to-day.      Old    Orlick    U 
■been  a  bustin'  open  a  dwelHng-ouae." 
"Whose?"  swd  I. 

"Not,  I  grant  you,  but  what  his  mancera  is  giy 
to  blusterous,"  said  Joe,  apologetically;  "still, 
£Dglialm) ail's  ouse  is  his  Castle,  and  costlca  must  n 
be  buBtod  'cept  when  done  in  was  time.  And  wotsiune'i 
"le  failings  on  his  part,  he  were  a  com  and  seedamij 
his  hart," 
"Is  it  Piunblechook's  house  that  has  been  broke 
ito,  then?" 

)  it,  Pip,"  eaid  Joe;  "and  they  took  his  ti 
and  thoy  took  his  cash-bos,  and  they  drinked  hw  vie 
and  they  partook  of  his  wittlcs,  and  they  slapped  h 
face,  and  they  pulled  his  nose,  and  they  tied  him  i 

to  hia  bedpust,    and  they  giv'  him  a  dozen,    and  th( 

stuffed  Ilia  mouth  full  of  flowering  annuals  to  preweu 
hia  crying  out.     But  he  knowed  Orlick,  and  Orlick'* 
,  in  the  county  jail." 

.  By  these   approachea    we    arrived    at    unrestricted 

*■  conversation.     1  was  alow  to  gain  strength,  but  I  did 
slowly  and  surely  become  less  weak,   and  Joe  st^yed^ 
with  me,  and  I  fancied  I  was  little  Pip  again. 

For,  the  tenderness  of  Joe  was  so  beautifully  pr* 
portioned  to  mj  need,  that  I  waa  like  a  child  i 
hands.     He  would  sit  and  talk  to  me  in  the  old  eotj 
fidence,    and  with  the  old  simplicity,    and  i 
unassertive  protecting  way,  so  that  1  would  half  beli 
that  all  my  life  since  the  dsya  of  the  old  kitchen  * 
one  of  the  mental  troubles  of  the  fever  that  i 
Sb  did  everything  ioi  ma  except  tbe  household  ^ 
for  which  he  had  engagoi  «■  "^^^  ^ 


I^^OTBl 


299 

paying  off  the  laundi-cas  on  his  first  arrival.  "Wbicli 
I  do  assnre  you,  Pip,"  he  would  often  say,  in  expla- 
nation of  that  liherty;  "I  found  her  a  tapping:  the 
spare  bed,  like  a  cask  of  beer,  and  drawing  ofF  the 
t'eathera  in  a  bucket,  for  sale.  Which  she  would  have 
tapped  yourn  next,  and  draw'd  it  off  with  you  a  laying^ 
on  it,  and  waa  then  a  caiTying  away  the  coak  gradi- 
wally  in  the  soup-tureen  and  wegetable-dishes,  and  th© 
wine  and  spirits  in  your  Wellington  boots." 

We  looked  forward  to  the  day  when  I  should  go 
out  for  a  ride,  as  we  had  once  looked  forward  to  the 
day  of  my  apprenticeship.  And  when  the  day  eame, 
and  an  open  carriage  was  got  Into  the  Lane,  Joe- 
ivrapped  me  up,  took  me  in  hia  arras,  carried  me  down 
to  it,  and  put  me  m,  as  if  I  were  still  the  small 
helpless  creature  to  whom  he  had  so  abundantly  given 
of  the  wealth  of  his  great  nature. 

And  Joe  got  in  beside  me,  and  we  drove  away 
together  into  the  country,  where  the  rich  summer  growth 
was  already  on  the  trees  and  on  tho  grass,  and  sweet 
summer  stents  hlled  all  the  air.  The  day  happened, 
to  be  Sunday,  and  when  I  looked  on  the  lovelinesa 
around  me,  and  thought  how  it  had  grown  and  changed,, 
and  how  the  little  wild  flowers  had  been  forming,  and 
the  voices  of  the  birds  had  been  strengthening,  by  day 
and  by  night,  under  the  sun  and  under  the  stars,  while 
poor  I  lay  burning  and  tossing  on  my  bed,  the  mere 
remembrance  of  having  burned  and  tossed  there,  came 
liie  a  check  upon  my  peace.  But,  when  I  heard  the 
Sunday  hells,  and  looked  around  a  little  more  upon 
the  outspread  beauty,  I  felt  that  I  was  not  nearly, 
thankful  enough  —  that  1  was  Voo  -wfev^ 

that  —  and  I  l^d  my  \ica,i  !>^3g^* 


r  EXPECTATIONS. 


^^n  I  had  laid  it  long  ago  when  be  had  taken  me  t 
^^%e  Fair  or  where  not,  and  it  was  too  much   for  n 
young  senses. 

More  composure  came  to  me  ailer  a  while,  and  t 
talked  as  we  used  to  talk,  lying  on  the  grass  at  th 
old  Battery.  There  was  no  change  whatever  i 
Exactly  what  he  had  been  in  my  eyes  then,  he  was  i 
my  eyes  still;  just  as  simply  faithful,  and  as  simpl 
right. 

When  we   got  hack  again  and  he  lifted  me  ont 
and  carried  me  —  eo  easily  —  across  the  court  i 
up  the  stairs,  I  thought  of  that  eventful  Christmas  Da; 

Pwhen  he  had  carried  mc  over  the  marshes.  We  h» 
flot  yet  made  any  allusion  to  my  change  of  forton* 
nor  did  I  know  how  much  of  my  late  history  he  vi 
acquainted  with.  I  was  ao  doubtful  of  myself  now 
and  put  so  much  trust  in  him,  that  I  could  not  satisf 
myself  whether  I  ought  to  refer  to  it  when  he  di 
not. 

"Have  you  heard,  Joe,"  I  asked  him  that  eveninj 
upon  further  consideration,    as  he  smoked  his  pipe  i 
the  window,  "who  my  patron  was?" 
^H^    "I  heerd,"   returned  Joe,    "as    it    were    not  Mil 
^■pEnvisham,  old  chap." 
^^P     "Did  you  hear  who  it  was,  Joe?" 
^B^      "Weill   I  heerd  as  it  were  a  person  what  aent  th( 
person    what    giv'  you    the    bank-notes    at    the   JoII; 
Bargemen,  Pip." 
"So  it  was." 

"Astonishing I"  said  Joe,  in  the  placidest  way, 
"Did  you  hear  that  he  was    dead,   Joe?"   I  prO; 
Bendy  asked,  with  inereaBm^  IVlti^itft. 
^    "Wiich?    Him  aa  Bent  ftvft  NsMite.- - 


GREAT  EKPECTATIONS.  301 


I    "I  think,"  Haid  Joe,  after  meditating  a  long  time, 
td  looking  rather  evasively  at  the  window-seat, 
did  hear  tell  that  how  he  were  something  or  another 
i  &  general  way  in  that  direction," 
"Did    you    hear    anything    of    his    tircumstsnces, 


^nie. 


"Not  partickler,  Pip." 

"If  you  would  like  to  hear,  Joe  — "  I  was  bo- 
ginning,  when  Joe  got  up  and  came  to  my  sofa. 

Lookee  here,  old  cbap,"   said  Joe,   bending  ovei 
"Ever  the  best  of  friends;  ain't  qb,  Pip?" 
was  ashamed  to  answer  him. 

"Wery  good,  then,"  said  Joe,  as  if  I  hod  answered;, 
all  right;  that's  agreed  upon.  Then  wliy  gi> 
into  subjects,  old  chap,  which  as  betwixt  two  seek 
must  be  for  ever  onnecessary?  There's  subjects  enongh 
as  betwixt  two  sech,  without  onnecessary  ones.  LordI 
To  think  of  your  poor  sister  and  her  Rampages!  And 
don't  yon  remember  Tickler?" 

"I  do  indeed,  Joe." 

"Lookee  here,  old  chap,"  said  Joe.  "I  done  what 
I  could  to  keep  you  and  Tickler  in  sunders,  but  my 
power  were  not  always  fully  equal  to  my  inclinations, 
i'or  when  your  poor  sister  had  a  mind  to  drop  into 
you,  it  were  not  so  much,"  said  Joe,  in  his  favourite 
argumentative  way,  "that  she  dropped  into  me  too,  if 
I  put  myself  in.  opposition  to  her  but  that  she  dropped 
into  you  always  heavier  for  it.  I  noticed  that.  It 
ain't  a  grab  at  a  man's  whisker,  nor  yet  a  shake  or 
two  of  a  man  (to  which  yom-  sister  was  quite  -wfcV- 
i-jimfil.    that  '«d  put  a  man  oS  £toia  ^bVCxq^  ». ''fASI 


R  803  GBEAT  EXFECTATIOXS. 


dropped  into,  heavier,  for  that  grab  of  whisker  i 
inking,  then  that  man  naturally  up  and  says  to  hin 
Self,  'Where  is  the  good  aa  you  are  a  doing?  I  gra 
you  I  see  the  'arm,'  says  die  man,  'but  I  don't  e 
the  good.  I  call  upon  you,  sir,  theerfore,  to  pint  on 
the  good.'" 

"The  man  says?"  I  observed,    as  Joe  waited  f( 
me  to  speak. 

"The  man  aaya,"  Joe  assented,     "Is  he  right,  tha 
in?" 
"Dear  Joe,  he  ia  always  right." 
"Well,  old  chap,"  said  Joe,  "then  abide  by  yon 
^■■words.     If  he's   always  right   fwbich   in  general  he 
:ly  wrong),    he's  right  when  he  saya  this:  — 
i  ^^^J'  y^  ^^V  '"^y  ^'^■'^  matter  to  yonrsel 
f  when  you  was  a  little  child,  you  kcp  it  mostly  becaus 
lyou  know'd  as  J.  Gargery's   power  to    part   you  an 
llTickler  in  sunders,  were  not  fully  equal  to  his  inclini 
tions.     Theerfoi'o,   think  no  more  of  it  as  betwiit  tw 
aeuh,  aud  do  not  let  us  pass  remiu'ks  upon  onnecesaai 
subjects.     Biddy  giv'  herself  a  deal  o'  trouble  with  nj 
afore  I  left  (for  I  am  most  awful  dull),    aa  I  shonl 
view  it  in  this  light,  and,  viewing  it  in  this  light,  as 
should   so   put  it.     Both  of  which,"  said   Joe,   quil 
charmed  with  his  logical   arrangement,    "being  doni 
now  this  to   yoti  a   true  friend,   say.     Namely.     T 
mustn't  go  a  over-doing  on  it,  but  you  must  have  y 
supper  and  your  wine-and- water,  and  you  must  be  pu 
betwixt  the  sheets." 

The  delicacy  with  which  Joe  dismissed  this  theme, 
and  the  sweet  tact  and  kindness  with  which  Biddy  — 
vho  with  her  woman's  wit  bad  found  me  out  so  soou 
—  bid  prepared  him  ior  \t,  miAa  «.  i^w^  Wni^^l 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS.  303 

in  my  mind.  But  whether  Joe  knew  how  poor  I  waa, 
ind  liow  my  great  expectations  had  all  dissolved,  like 
HU-  own  marsh  mists  before  the  aun,  I  could  not  under- 
itand. 

Another  thing  in  Joe  that  I  conld  not  understand 
vhcn  it  first  began  to  develop  itself,  but  which  I  soon 
irrived  at  a  Borrowfnl  comprehension  of,  was  tliis:  As 
'.  became  stronger  and  better,  Joe  became  a  little  less 
'asy  with  me.  In  my  weakness  and  entire  dependence 
m  liim,  the  dear  fellow  had  falleji  into  the  old  tone, 
md  called  me  by  the  old  names,  the  dear  "old  Pip, 
»ld  chap,"  that  now  were  music  in  my  ears,  I  too 
lad  fallen  into  the  old  ways,  only  happy  and  thankful 
hat  he  let  me.  But,  imperceptibly,  though  I  held  by 
hem  fast,  Joe's  hold  upon  them  began  to  slackeu; 
md  whereas  I  wondered  at  this,  at  first,  I  soon  began 
o  understand  that  the  cause  of  it  was  in  me,  and  that 
he  fault  of  it  waa  all  mine. 

Ah!  Had  I  given  Joe  no  reason  to  donbt  my  con- 
itancy,  and  lo  think  that  in  prosperity  I  sIiouId,grow 
•old  to  him  and  cast  him  oif?  Had  I  given  Joe's  in- 
locent  heart  no  cause  to  feel  iu'ftinctively  that  as  I 
;ot  stronger,  his  hold  upon  me  would  be  weaker,  and 
hat  he  had  better  loosen  it  in  time  and  let  me  go,  be- 
'ore  I  plucked  myself  away? 

It  waa  on  the  third  or  fourth  occasion  of  my  going 
>ut  walking  in  the  Temple  Gardens  leaning  on  Joe's 
irm,  that  I  saw  this  change  in  him  very  plainly.  We 
lad  been  sitting  in  the  bright  warm  sunlight,  looking 
it  the  river,  and  I  chanced  to  say  as  we  got  up; 
,  Joel  I  can  walk  quite  sMon^'j. 
Mck  by  myse\t." 


304  OSEAT  BXPECTATI0!>I3. 

"Widcli  do  not  o¥er-do  it,  Pip,"  said  Joe;  "but 
aliall  be  happy  fur  to  see  you  able,  sir." 

Tbe  last  word  grated  on  me;  but  how  could  I  r 
monstratel  I  walked  do  further  than  the  gate  of  tl 
gardens,  and  then  pretended  to  be  weaker  than  I  y 
and  asked  Joe  for  his  arm.  Joe  gave  it  me,  but  ^ 
thoughtful. 

I,  for  my  part,  was  thoughtful  too;  for,  how  ba 
to  check  this  growing  change  in  Joe,  was  a  great  p 
plexity  to  my  remorseful  thoughts.  That  I  was  asbon 
to  tell  him  exactly  how  I  was  placed,  and  what  I  ha 
come  down  to,  I  do  not  seek  to  conceal-,  but,  I  I 
my  reluctance  was  not  q^niite  an  unworthy  one. 
would  want  to  help  me  out  of  his  little  savings, 
knew,  and  I  knew  that  he  ought  not  to  help  me,  ai 
that  I  must  not  suffer  him  to  do  it. 
m  It  was  a  thoughtful  evening  with  both  of  ua.  Bi 
I  before  we  went  to  hed,  I  had  resolved  that  I  wou 
wait  over  to-morrow,  to-morrow  being  Sunday,  ai 
would  begin  my  new  course  with  the  new  week.  C 
Monday  morning  I  would  speak  to  Joe  about  tE 
change,  I  would  lay  aside  this  last  vestige  of  reaen 
I  would  tell  bim  what  I  had  in  my  thoughts  (th 
Secondly,  not  yet  arrived  at),  and  why  I  had  not  d 
cided  to  go  out  to  Herbert,  and  then  the  change  won] 
be  conquered  for  ever.  As  I  cleared,  Joe  cleared,  an 
seemed  as  though  he  had  sympathetically  arriTt 
a  resolution  too. 

We  had  a  quiet  day  on  the  Sunday,  and  we  TOi 
Iftut  into  the  country,  and  then  walked  in  the  fields. 

"I  feel  thankful  that  I  have  been  ill,  Joe,"  I  sail 

"Dear  old  Pip,  old  clia^,  you're  a'most  come  ri 


30fi 


E"It  lias  been  a  memorable  time  for  me,  Joe." 
"Likewaya  for  myselfi  sir,"  Joe  returuod. 
"We  have  had  a  time  together,  Joe,  that  I  can 
er  forget.  There  were  days  once,  I  know,  that  I. 
for  a  while  forget;  but  I  never  shall  forget  these." 
"Pip,"  said  Job,  appearing  a  iittle  hurried  an(l' 
troubled,  "there  has  been  larka.  And,  dear  sir,  what, 
have  been  betwixt  ua  —  have  been." 

At  night,  when  I  had  gone  to  bed,   Joe  came  int» 
niy  room,    as  he  had  done  all  throagh  my  recovery. 
He  asked  me  if  I  felt  sure  that  I  was  as  well  as  in  the 
I      morning? 

»"Yea,  dear  Joe,  quite." 
"And  are  always  a  getting  stronger,  old  chap?'' 
"Yes,  dear  Joe,  steadily." 
Joe  patted  the  coverlet  on   ray  shoulder  with  his 
great  good  hand,  and  said,  in  what  I  thought  a  husky- 
voice,  "-Good  night!" 

When  I  got  up  in  the  morning,  refreshed  and 
stronger  yet,  I  was  full  of  ray  resolution  to  tell  Joe 
all,  without  delay.  I  would  tell  him  before  breakfast 
I  would  dress  at  once  and  go  to  his  room  and  surprise 
hiin;  for,  it  was  the  first  day  I  had  been  up  early. 
I  went  to  hia  room,  and  he  was  not  there.  Not  only 
was  he  not  there,  but  hia  box  was  gone. 

I  hurried  then  to  the  breakfast-table,  and  on  it 
found  a  letter.     These  were  its  brief  contents. 


I 


QREIAT  fiXPElCTATlOKS. 

flnd  costs  on  whicli  I  had  been  wrested.  Down  i 
tliat  moment  I  bad  vainly  Bopposed  that  lay  credito 
had  withdrawn  or  suspended  proceedings  until  I  Hhoul 
be  quite  recovered.  I  had  never  di-eamed  of  Job 
having  paid  the  money;  but,  Joe  had  paid  it,  an 
,;t]ie  receipt  was  ia  his  name. 

*  What  remained  for  me  now,  but  to  follow  him  Ij 
the  dear  old  forge,  and  there  to  have  out  my  dbcl 
sure  to  him,  and  my  penitent  remonstrtiuce  with  bii 
and  there  to  relieve  my  raind  and  heart  of  that  x 
served  Secondly,  which  had  began  as  a  vague  som 
thing  lingering  in  my  thoughts,  and  had  formed  in 
a  settled  purpoae? 

^  The  purpose  was,  that  I  would  go  to  Biddy,  tbi 
'I  would  show  her  how  humbled  and  repentant  I  ci 
back,  that  I  would  tell  her  how  I  had  lost  all  I  o 
hoped  for,  that  I  would  remind  her  of  our  old  i 
fidencea  in  my  first  unhappy  time.  Then,  I  WDid 
say  to  her,  "Biddy,  I  think  you  once  liked  rae  v 
well,  when  my  errant  heart,  even  while  it  Btiaya 
away  from  you,  was  quieter  and  bettei-  with  you  dia 
it  ever  has  been  since.  If  you  can  like  me  only  bai 
as  well  once  more,  if  you  can  taku  me  with  all  i 
faults  and  disappointments  on  my  head,  if  yon  c 
receive  me  like  a  forgiven  child  (and  indeed  I  am 
sorry,  Biddy,  and  have  as  much  need  of  a  kushin 
voice  and  a  soothing  hand),  I  hope  I  am  a  little 
thier  of  you  than  I  was  —  not  much,  but  a  littli 
And,  Biddy,  it  shall  rest  with  you  to  say  whethc 
I  shall  work  at  the  forge  with  Joe,  or  whether  I  8* 
tiy  for  any  different  occupation  down  in  thia  count] 
whether  we  shall  go  a.way  W  a.  distant  plaoe  whs 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS,  307 

wiia  offered,  until  I  knew  your  answer.  And  now, 
dear  Biddy,  if  you  can  tell  me  that  you  will  go  through 
the  world  with  me,  you  will  surely  make  it  a  better 
world  for  me,  and  me  a  better  man  for  it,  and  I  will 
try  hard  to  make  it  a  better  world  for  you," 

Such  was  my  purpose.  After  three  days  more  of 
recovery,  I  went  down  to  the  old  place,  to  put  it  in 
execution;  and  how  I  sped  iu  it,  is  all  I  have  left  to 
tell. 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

Tbb  tidings  of  my  high  fortunes  having  had  a 
heavy  fall,  had  got  down  to  my  native  place  and  its 
neighbourhood,  before  I  got^  there.  I  found  the  Blue. 
Boar  in  possesBion  of  the  intelligence,  and  I  found 
that  it  made  a  great  change  in  the  Boat's  demeanour.. 
Whereas  the  Boar  had  cultivated  my  pood  opinion 
with  warm  assi^wjty  when  I  wna  coming  into  property, 
the  Boar  was  exceedingly  cool  on  the  snbject  nov 
that  I  was  poin^  out  of  property. 

It  was  evening  when  I  arrived,  much  fatigued  by' 
the  journey  I  had  eo  often  made  so  easily.  The  Boar' 
could  nop  put  me  into  my  usual  bedroom,  which  was 
engaged  (probably  by  some  one  who  had  expectafions)^ 
and  could  only  assign  me  a  very  indifferent  ehamber 
among  the  pigeons  and  post-el laisc?!  up  the  yard.  But, 
I  had  as  sound  a  sleep  in  that  lodging  as  in  the  most 
superior  accommodation  the  Boar  couM  have  givei 
me,  and  the  quality  of  my  dreams  was  ahou-t  tUe,  was 
as  in  the  best  bedroom, 

f  in    tie   moming    wliUei   m^  "btfeaJsAaa'^ 


T 


GBGAT  EXPECTATIONS.  I^H 

getting  ready,  I  strolled  round  by  Satis  House,  ^focifl 
were  printed  billa  on  tlie  gate,  and  on  bits  of  csipd 
hanging  out  of  the  windows,  announcing  a  said  bfl 
auction  of  the  Household  Furniture  and  Inflects,  ned 
week.  The  House  itself  was  to  be  sold  as  old  builS 
ing  materials  and  ]julled  down.  Lot  1  was  maikea 
in  whitewashed  knock-knee  letters  on  the  brewhousea 
Lot  2  on  that  part  of  the  main  building  which  haM 
been  bo  long  shut  up.  Other  lots  were  marked  off  on 
other  parts  of  the  structure,  and  the  ivy  had  been  toc3 
down  to  make  room  for  the  inscriptiooB,  and  much  oA 
it  trailed  low  in  the  dust  and  was  withered  aJreadjg 
Stepping  In  for  a  moment  at  the  opeu  gate  and  lood 
ing  around  me  with  the  uncomfortable  air  of  a  strangol 
who  had  no  buainesa  there,  I  saw  the  auctioneer's  tdevH 
walking  on  the  casks  and  telling  them  off  for  the  iid 
formation  of  a  catalogue-compiler,  pen  in  hand,  wm 
made  a  temporary  desk  of  the  wheeled  chair  I  had  sfl 
often  pushed  along  to  the  tune  of  Old  Clem.  J 

When  I  got  back  to  my  breakfast  in  the  Boarv 
coffee-room,  1  found  Mr.  Pumblechook  eonversing  wi^ 
the  landlord.  Mr.  Pumblechook  (not  improved  in  adi 
pearance  by  his  iate  nocturnal  adventure)  was  w«iti^ 
for  me,  and  addressed  me  in  the  following  terms.         \ 

"Young  man,  I  am  sorry  to  see  you  brftight  Ion 
But  what  else  could  be  expected!  What  else  conla 
be  expected!"  1 

As  ho  extended  his  hand  with  a,  magnificently  IbM 
giving  air,  and  as  I  was  broken  by  illness  and  unfa 
to  quarrel,  I  took  it.  J 

"William,"  sftid  Mr.  Pumblechook  to  the  v^teu 
'"pat  a  muftin  on  table.  And  has  it  come  to  thiu 
&JB  it  tfome  to  tidsl"       _    _    ^f^H 


GREAT  EXPECTATIOKS, 


>'  I  frowningly  sat  down  to  mj  breakfast.  Mr. 
amblechook  stood  over  me  and  poured  out  my  tea  — 
before  I  could  touch  tlie  teapot  —  with  the  air  of  a 
benefactor  who  was  resolved  to  bo  true  to  the  last, 

''William,"  said  Mr.  Puinblechook,  luournfully, 
"put  the  salt  on.  In  happier  times,"  addressing  me, 
"I  think  you  took  sugar?  And  did  you  take  milk? 
Tou  did.  Sugar  and  milk,  William,  bring  a  water- 
cress." 

"Thank  you,"  said  I,  shortly,  "but  I  don't  eat 
watercresaes." 

"You  don't  eat  'em,"  returned  Mr.  Pumhlechook, 
sighing  and  nodding  his  head  several  times,  as  if  he 
might  have  expected  that,  and  as  if  abstinence  from 
watercresses  were  conaistent  with  my  downfal.  "True. 
The  simple  fruits  of  the  eaith.  No.  You  needn't 
bring  any,  William." 

I  went  on  witli  my  breakfast,  and  Mr.  Pumble- 
chook  continued  to  stand  over  me,  staring  fishily  and 
breathing  noisily,  as  he  always  did. 

"Little  more  than  skin  and  bonel"  mused  Mr. 
Pumblechook,  aloud.  "And  yet  when  he  went  away 
from  here  (I  may  say  with  my  blessing),  and  1  spread 
afore  him  my  humble  store,  like  the  Bee,  he  was  aa 
plump  as  a  Peacb!" 

This  reminded  me  of  the  wonderful  difference 
between  the  servile  manner  in  which  be  had  offered 
hia  hand  in  my  new  prosperity,  saying,  "May  I?" 
and  the  ostentatious  clemency  with  which  he  had  just 
now  exhibited  the  same  fat  five  fingers. 

"Hahl"  he  went  on,   handing  me  the   hre*A.-«a.i!'' 
butter,     "And  air  you  a  going  to  3ose^Vi''' 
^^    "In  IIe:ivc-n's  name,"  sa-id  I,  ftrVng  w^  ft"gi^^2~~ 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. 


^^^felf,    "what  duos  it  matteT  to  you  where  I  am  goiDJ 
^^^Leave  that  teapot  alone." 

^^B  It  waa  tbe  worst  course  I  conld  have  taken, 
^^Bnuse  it  gave  Pumblechook  tlie  opportunity  he  waw  ^^ 
^^K  'Tes,  yonng  man,"  said  he,  releasing  the  liandi 
of  tbe  article  in  qnestion.  retiring  a  stvp  or  two  froi 
my  table,  and  speaking  for  the  behoof  ot'  the  landloi 
and  waiti?r  at  the  door,  "I  will  leave  that  teap 
alone.  You  are  right,  young  man.  For  once,  yfl 
are  right,  I  forgit  myself  when  I  take  such  an  ii 
terest  in  your  hreakfast,  as  to  wish  your  frame,  ei 
hauBted  by  the  debilitating  effects  of  prodigy galitj,  ( 
be  stimilated  by  the  'oleBome  nourishrafint  of  yos 
forefathers.  And  yet,"  said  Pumblechook,  tnming  I 
the  landlord  and  waiter,   and  pointing  me  ont  at  si  ^ 

» length,  "this  is  him  as  I  ever  sported  with  in  his  d 
of  happy  infancyl     Tell  me  not  it  cannot  be;  I 
^ou  this  is  him!" 
A  low  murmnr  from  the  two  replied.     The  waite 
appeared  to  be  particularly  affected. 
"This  is  him,"  said  Pumhlechook,  "as  I  hare  tod 
in  my  shay-cart.     This  is  him  as  I  have  seen  h 
up  hy  hand.     This  is  him  untoo  the  sister  of  whid 
I  was  uncle  by  marriage,    as  her  name  was  Georgianli 
M'ria    from  her   own  mother,   let  him   deny  it  if  h 
can!" 

»The  waiter  seemed  convinced  that  I  could  M 
deny  it,  and  that  it  gave  the  case  a  black  look. 
"Young  man,"  said  Pumblechook,  screwing  ^ 
head  at  me  in  the  old  fashion,  "you  air  a  going  I 
Joseph.  What  does  it  matter  to  roe,  you  ask  Ul 
where  you  air  a  going?  I  as-'y  to  you.  Sir,  you  "il ' 
.S°^S  ^^  Joseph."  '^ 


Ckeat  expectations.  311 

Tlie  waiter  couglied,  as  if  he  modestly  invited  me 
to  get  over  that. 

"Now,"  eaid  Pnmblechook ,  and  all  thia  with  A 
most  exasperating  air  of  saying  in  the  cause  of  virtue 
what  was  perfectly  convincing  and  concluflive,  "I  will 
tell  you  what  to  say  to  Joseph.  Here  is  Squirea  of  the 
Boar  present,  known  and  respected  in  this  town,  and 
here  is  William,  which  his  father's  name  was  Potkins 
if  I  do  not  deceive  myself." 

"You  do  not,  sir,"  said  William. 

"In  their  presence,"  pursued  Pumhlechook,  "I  will 
tell  you,  young  man,  what  to  say  to  Joseph.  Saya 
you,  'Joseph,  I  have  thia  day  seen  my  earliest  bene- 
factor and  the  founder  of  my  fortun's.  I  will  name  no 
names,  Joseph,  bnt  so  they  are  pleased  to  call  him 
Tip-town,  and  I  have  seen  that  man.'" 

"I  swear  I  don't  see  him  here,"  said  I. 

"Say  that  likewise,"  retorted  Pumhlechook.  "Say 
you  said  that,  and  even  Joseph  will  probably  betray 
surprise." 

"There  you  quite  mistake  hjm,"  said  I.  "I  know 
better." 

"Says  you,"  Pumblechook  went  on,  '"Joseph,  I 
have  seen  that  man,  and  that  man  bears  you  no  malice 
and  bears  me  no  malice.  He  knows  your  character, 
Joseph,  and  is  well  acquainted  with  your  pig-headedness 
and  ignorance;  and  he  knows  my  character,  Joseph,  and 
he  knows  my  want  of  gratitoode.  Yes,  Joseph,'  says 
you,"  here  Pumhlechook  shook  his  head  and  hand  at 
me,  "'he  knows  my  total  deficiency  of  common  human 
gratitoode.  i/c  knows  it,  Joseph,  aa  none  cb.b.,  "^Co-u 
do  itBt  know  it,  Joseph,  having  "011  taW  \o  V-rws  \'i.,^s' 
thatxai  do.'"  ' 


CHEAT  BXPBCTATIOSB. 


Windy  donkey  as  ho  was,  it  really  amazed 
e  could  liave  the  face  to  talk  thus  to  mine. 
"Says  you,  'Joseph,  he  ga.\-e  me  ii  little  i 
which  I  wiU  now  repeat.     It  was,    that   in    my  beii 
brought  low,   he  saw  the  finger  of  Providence,     I 
knowed  that  fino^er  when  be  saw  it,   Joseph,   and  1 
saw  it    plain.      It    pinted    out    this  writing,    Josepl 
.  lieicavd  of  bujraLilooiJi:   to    his  ewlicft   henrfactor, 
^^feunder  of  fartwi's.    But  that  man  said  that  he  did  at 
^^■igient  of  what  he  had  done,  Joseph.     Kot  at  all.    ] 
^Hfas  right  to  do  it,  it  was  kind  to  do  it,   it  was  bene 
^Hnrlent  to  do  it,  and  he  would  do  it  again.'" 

^  "It's  a  pity,"  said  I,  Ecornfally,  as  I  finished  m; 
interrupted  hreakfiiat,  "that  the  man  did  not  say  whi 
he  had  done  and  would  do  again." 

"Squires  of  the  Boar!"  Pumbleehdok  was  now  ai 
dressing  the  landlord,  "and  William!  I  have  no  ohjet 
tions  to  your  mentioning,  either  np-town  or  down-t< 
if  such  should  be  your  wishes,  that  it  was  right  to  i 
it,  kind  to  do  it,  benevolent  to  do  it,  and  that  I  woiil 
do  it  again." 

With  those  words  the  Impostor  shook  tliem  both  i^ 
the  hand,  with  an  air,  and  left  the  house;  leaving  m 
much  more  astonished  than  delighted  by  the  virtnea  ( 
that  same  indefinite  "it."  I  was  not  long  after  him  i 
leaving-  the  house  too,  and  when  I  went  down  the  High 
street  I  saw  him  holding  forth  (no  doubt  to  the  sam< 
effect)  at  his  shop  door  to  a  select  group,  who  honoured 
me  with  very  unfavourable  glar 
opposite  side  of  the  way. 

But,  it  was  only  the  pleasanter  to  ttim  to  Biddj 

and  to  Joe,  whose  great  fovbearawie  shone  more  bright!]; 

^ih&D  before,  if' that  coullXic,  (iQ-Q.i.-iB&\,iii.'»SSn.'0[aa\K»a» 


GEBAT  EXPECTATIONS.  313 


^Bjetender.  I  went  towai-da  them  slowly,  for  my  limba 
were  weak,  but  with  a  sense  of  incroasing  relief  as  I 
drew  nearer  to  them,  and  a  sense  of  leaving  arrogance 
and  untruth  fulness  further  and  further  beliiud. 

The  June  weather  was  delicious.  The  sky  was 
blue,  tbe  larks  were  soaring  high  over  the  green  com, 
I  thought  all  that  countryside  more  beautiful  and  peace- 
ful by  f;ir  than  I  had  ever  known  it  to  be  yet.  Many 
pleasant  pictures  of  the  life  that  I  would  lead  there, 
and  of  the  change  for  the  better  that  would  come  over 
my  charactei'  when  I  had  a  guiding  spirit  at  my  side 
whose  simple  faith  and  clear  home -wisdom  I  had  proved, 
beguiled  my  way.  They  awakened  a  tender  emotion  in 
me;  for,  my  heart  was  softened  by  my  return,  and  such 
a  change  had  come  to  pass,  that  I  felt  like  one  who 
■was  toiling  home  barefoot  from  distant  travel ,  and 
whose  wanderings  had  lasted  many  years. 

The  schoolhouse  where  Biddy  was  mistress,  I  had 
never  seen;  but,  the  little  roundabout  lane  by  which  I 
entered  the  village  for  quietness'  sake,  took  me  past  it, 
I  was  disappointed  to  find  that  the  day  was  a  holiday; 

_  no  children  were  there,  and  Biddy's  house  was  closed. 

^  Some  hopeful  notion  of  seeing  her  busily  engaged  in 
her  daily  duties,  before  she  saw  me,  had  been  in  my 
mind  and  was  defeated.. 

But,  the  forge  was  a  very  short  distance  off,  and 
I  went  towards  it  under  the  sweet 
ing  for  the  clink  of  Joe's  hammer.  Long  after  I  ought 
to  have  heard  it,  and  long  after  I  had  fancied  I  heard 
it  and  found  it  but  a  fancy,  all  was  still.  The  Uvoeb 
were  there,  and  the  white  thorns  wetft  XVietft,  wq&.  " 

jhesDuf-rrees  were  there,   and  the'iT  V-avca  ra:^^ 


i 


GREAT  EXPECTAT10K3. 

miously  when  I  stopped  fo  listen;  but,  the  cUn 
'  I  liammer  was  not  in  tLe  midsummer  wind. 
Almost  feariDg,  without  knowing  wlij,  to  come  i 
new  of  tlie  forge,  I  saw  it  at  last,  and  saw  that  it  wi 
leam  of  lire,  no  glittering  ahover  ( 
of  bellows;  all  eliut  up,  and  still. 
£nt,  the  house  was  not  deserted,  and  the  best  ps 
i  to  be  in  use,  for  there  were  white  cuztaii 
"fluttering  in  its  window,  and  the  window  was  open  an 
gay  wiUi  flowers.  I  went  softly  towards  it,  meaoin 
to  peep  over  the  flowers,  when  Joe  and  Biddy  stoi 
before  me,  arm  in  arm. 

At  first  Biddy  gave  a  cry,  as  if  she  thought  it  w: 

my  apparition,  but  in  another  moment  she  was  in  n 

I       embrace.     I  wept  to  see  hei',  and  she  wept  to  see  nn 

II,  because  she  looked  so  fresh  and  pleasant;  she,  becaoaS 
t  looked  so  worn  and  white. 
p  "But  dear  Biddy,  how  smart  you  are!" 
r  "Yes,  dear  Pip." 
I  "And  Joe,  how  smart  you  are!" 
f  "Yes,  dear  old  Pip,  old  chap." 
^  I  looked  at  both  of  them,  from  one  to  the  Other, 
and  then  — 

"It's  my  wedding-day,"  cried  Biddy,  in  a  burst  of 
happiness,  ''and  I  am  married  to  Joe!" 

***** 

They  had  taken  me  into  the  kitchen,  and  I  h»i 
laid  my  head  down  on  the  old  deal  table.  Biddy  IflU 
one  of  my  hands  to  her  lips,  and  Joe's  restoring  toucll 
was  on  my  shoulder.  "Which  he  wam't  strong  enonglh 
my  dear,  fur  to  be  surprised,"  said  Joe.  And  Bidd; 
said,  "I  ought  to  have  tWu^V  o^  \t^  Ae,a»  Joe,  but 
my;,"     Tbfty  "wwa  W'Ai.  wi  wwiis^^&'ui'a 


317 

me,  so  proud  to  Bee  me,  so  touched  by  my  coml^is^ 
them,  BO  deligbted  that  I  Bhould  have  come  by  aoci-- 
dent  to  make  their  day  comptete! 

My  first  thought  was  one  of  great  thankfulness  that 
I  had  never  breathed  tliia  last  baffled  hope  to  Joe. 
How  often,  while  he  was  with  me  in  my  illnesB,  had  it 
risen  to  my  lips.  How  irrevocable  would  have  beea 
bis  knowledge  of  it,  if  he  had  remained  with  me  but. 
another  hour! 

"Dear  Biddy,"  said  I,  "you  have  the  beat  husband 
in  the  whole  world,  and  if  you  eould  have  seen  him  by 
my  bed  you  would  have  —  But  no,  you  couldn't  love 
him  better  than  you  do." 

''No,  I  couldn't  indeed,"  said  Biddy. 

"And,  dear  Joe,  you  have  the  best  wife  in 
whole  world,  and  she  will  make  you  as  happy  as  E 
you  deserve  to  be,  you  dear,  good,  noble  Joe!" 

Joe  looked  at  me  with  a  quivering  lip,  and  fairly 
put  hia  sleeve  before  his  eyes. 

"And  Joe  and  Biddy  both,  as  you  have  been  to 
church  to-day,  and  are  in  charity  and  love  with  all 
mankind,  receive  my  humble  thanks  for  all  you  have 
done  for  me,  and  all  I  have  so  ill  repaidl  And  when 
I  say  that  I  am  going  away  within  the  hour,  for  I  am 
soon  going  abroad,  and  that  I  shall  never  rest  until  I 
have  worked  for  the  money  with  which  you  have  kept 
me  out  of  prison,  and  have  sent  it  to  you,  don't  think, 
dear  Joe  and  Biddy,  that  if  I  could  repay  it  a  ihou- 
sand  times  over,  I  suppose  I  could  cancel  a  farthing' 
of  the  debt  I  owe  you,  or  that  I  would  do  so  if  Ij 
couldl " 

They  were  both  melted  by  tlaeaa  ■wOTi.'*,  »»&■ 


g]4  /  a&EkT  BXPBCTATIOSTB. 


SI4         J 

^ave  chili 


ut  I  must  saT  more.    Dear  Joe.  I  bopo  jron  irill 
cfaildrea  to  love,  and  that  some  little  fcUov  wilt 
Mt  in  thia  chimney  corner  of  a  winter  night,  who  m^ 

remind  you  of  another  little  fellow  gone  ont  of  it  tat 
ever.  Uon't  tell  him,  Joe,  that  I  was  thankless-,  dont 
tell  him,  Biddy,  that  I  was  ungenercus  and  ni^uBtj 
only  tell  him  that  I  honoured  you  both,  hecauae  yen 
were  both  so  good  and  true,  and  that,  as  your  child,  I 
said  it  would  he  natnral  to  hira  to  grow  np  a  tatiA 
better  man  than  I  did." 

"I  ain't  a  going,"  said  Joe,  from  behind  his  sleere, 
"to  tell  him  nothink  o'  that  natar,  Pip.  Nor  Biddy 
ain't.     Nor  yet  no  one  ain't." 

"And  now,  though  I  know  you  have  already  doBfl 
it  in  your  own  kind  hearts,  pray  tell  me,  both,  Uirt 
you  forgive  me!  Pray  let  me  hear  yon  say  the  worf», 
that  I  may  carry  the  Bound  of  them  away  with  me, 
and  then  1  shall  be  able  to  believe  that  you  can  trust 
me,  and  think  better  of  me,  in  tlie  time  to  cornel" 

"O  dear  old  Pip,  old  chap,"  said  Joe.  "G«d 
knows  as  I  forgive  you,  if  I  have  anytiiink  to  fw" 
give!" 

"Amen!     And  God  knows  I  do!"  echoed  Biddy. 

"Now  let  me  go  up  and  look  at  my  old  little  rttWi 
and  rest  there  a  few  minutes  by  myself,  and  then  when 
I  have  eaten  and  drunk  vrith  you,  go  with  me  ai  fw 
as  the  finger-post,  dear  Joe  and  Biddy,  before  wfl  MJ" 
good-by .' " 

I  sold  all  I  had,  and  put  aside  as  much  as  I  ix>M 
for  a  composition  with  my  ciaiViOTa  —  who  gave  oe 


^^^' 


?  BSPECTATIOSS. 

joined  Hi^ibert.     Within  a  month,   I  had  r[uitted  Enl 
laad,    and  within  two  months  I  waa  clerk  to  Clfttrika 
and  Co.,    and  within  four  monthB  I  assumed  my  &iM 
undivided  reBponsibility.      For,    the   beam   acroas  tb| 
parlour  ceiling  at  Mill  Pond  Bank,  had  then  ceased  b 
tremble    under    old   Bill   Barley's   growls   and   was  i 
peace,   and  Herbert   had   gone  away   to  man-y  Clara,! 
and  1  was  left  in  aolii  charge  of  the  Eaetem  Branch) 
until  he  brought  her  back. 

Many  a  year  went  round,    before  I  was  a 
in  the  House;   but,  I  lived  happily  with  Herbert  and  I 
his  wife,    and  lived  frugally,   and  paid  my  debts,   and 
maintained  a  constant  correspondence  with  Biddy  and 
Joe.    It  waa  not  tuitil  I  became  third  in  the  Firm,  that 
Clarriker  betrayed  me  to  Herbert;    but,    he  then  de- 
clared that  the  secret  of  Herbert's  partnership  had  been 
I  long  enough  upon  hi3  conacience,    and  he  must  tell  ii 
he  told   it,   and  Herbert  was  as  much  moved  e 
I  amazed,  and  the  dear  fellow  and  I  were  not  the  worse 
I  friends  for  the  long  concealment.     I  must  not  leave  it   . 
)  be  supposed  that  we  were  ever  a  great  House,   or 
lat  we  made  mints  of  money.  We  were  not  in  a  grand    , 
'ay  of  business,  but  we  had  a  good  name,  and  worked 
M  our  profits,  and  did  very  well.     We  owed  so  much 
}  Herbert's  ever  cheerful  industry  and  readiness,   that 
I  often  wondered  how  I  had  conceived  that  old  idea  of 
inaptitude,  until  I  was  one  day  enlightened  hy  the 
Iflection,    that  perhaps  the  inaptitude  hod  nevi 
' '  1  at  all,  but  had  been  in  me. 


CHEAT  EXPECTATI0X8. 


CHAPTEK  XXXI, 

For  elcveii  years,   I  liad  not  seen  Joe  nor  Bi'di 
ith   my   bodily  eyes  —  tLough  tliey  hud  both  1 

before  my  fancy  in  tbe  East  —  wben,  upon  , 
ening;  in  Deuember,  an  hour  or  two  after  dark, 
laid  my  band  suftly  on  tbe  latcb  of  tbe  old  kitdn 
door.  I  toucbed  it  so  sotUy  that  I  was  not  heard,  ai 
looked  in  unseen.  There,  smoking  bis  pipe  in  the  o 
ilace  by  tbe  kitchen  firelight,  as  hale  and  as  etron^ 
■er  though  a  little  gray,    sat  Joe;   and  there, 

the  comer  with  Joe's  leg,    and  sitting  on  my  OB 
lie  atool  looking  at  the  fi 

-  .  j^.^  ^j^^  name  of  Pip  for  your  sake,  del 
old   chap,"  said  Joe,   delighted  when  I  took  ai 
stool  by  tbe  child's  side  (but  I  did  not  rumple  his 
"and  wo  hoped  he  might  grow  a  Uttle  bit  like  y* 
aud  we  think  he  do." 

I  thought  90  too,  and  I  took  him  out  for  a  waI 
next  morning,  and  wu  talked  immensely,  understandili 
one  another  to  perfection.  And  I  took  him  doWD  I 
the  churehyard,  and  set  him  on  a  certain  ton 
there,  and  he  showed  me  from  that  clevntion  irfu< 
Btone  was  sacred  to  the  memory  of  Philip  Pirrip,  II 
Lgf  this  Parish,  and  Also  Geor^iana,  Wife  ct  I 
Ebove. 

P      "Biddy,"    said  I,    when  I   talked  with  her'  d 
dinner,  as  her  little  girl  lay  sleeping  in  her  lap,  "J 
t  give  Pip  to  me,  one  of  these  days;  or  lend  I 
at  all  GFents." 


6SBAT  BXPECTAT10S8.  319 

"So  Herbert  and  Clara  say,  but  I  don't  think  I 
shall,  Biddy.  I  have  so  settled  down  in  their  borne, 
that  it's  uot  ttt  all  likely.  I  am  already  quite  an  old 
bachelor." 

Biddy  looked  down  at  her  child,  and  put  its  little 
band  to  her  Upa,  and  then  put  the  good  matronly  lian^ 
with  which  she  iiad  touched  it,  into  mine.  There  was 
something  in  the  nction  und  in  the  light  pressure  of 
Biddy's  wedding-ring,  that  had  a  very  pretty  eloquence 

"Dear  Pip,"  said  Biddy,  "you  are  sure  you  don't 
irel  for  her?" 

"0  110  ~  1  Ihiak  not,  Biddy." 

"Ti'll  me  «B  &D  oM,  old  fi-iend.  Have  you  quita 
IVirgotten  her?" 

''My  dear  Biddy,  I  have  forgotten  nothing  in  my 
life  that  ever  bad  a  foremost  place  there,  and  little 
that  ever  had  any  place  there.  But  that  poor  dream, 
aa  I  once  used  to  call  it,  has  uil  gone  by,  Biddy,  all 
gone  by!" 

Nevertheless,  I  knew  while  I  said  those  wonh, 
that  I  secretly  intended  to  revisit  the  site  of  the  old 
houae  that  evening,  alone,  for  her  sake.  Yea 
Tor  Estella'a  sake. 

1  had  heard  of  her  as  leading  a  most  unhappy  life, 
and  as  being  aeparated  from  iier  bualiand,  wlio  had 
used  her  with  great  cruelty,  and  who  had  become  quite' 
renowned  aa  a  compound  of  pride,  avarice,  brutality, 
and  meanness.  And  I  had  heard  of  the  death  of  hei 
husband,  from  an  accident  consequent  on  his  ill-treat- 
ment of  a  horse.  This  release  had  befallen  U.«  ^ww 
two  years  before;  for  anything  1  Vdcm,  aVa^ 
affoin. 


i' 

^H  The  early  diniier-hour  at  Joe's,  left  me  abuudau 
^^tof  time,  without  huriying  my  talk  with  Biddy,  to  HI 
^Hsrer  to  the  old  spot  before  dark.  But,  what  -with  li 
^^R«riiig  on  the  way,  to  look  iit  old  objects  and  to  thii 
^fof  old  times,  the  day  had  quite  declined  when  I  cai 

to  the  place. 

There  was  no  houBe  now,  no  brewery,  no  bnildi] 

whatever   left,   but   the  wall  of  the  old  garden.     T 

» cleared  space  had  been  enclosed  with  a  rough  Seat 
■nd,  looking  over  it,  I  saw  that  some  of  the  old  ii 
bftd  struck  root  anew,  and  was  growing  green  on  Is 
quiet  mounds  of  ruin.  A  gate  in  the  fence  standii 
ajar,  I  pushed  it  open,  and  went  in. 

A  cold  silvery  mist  had  veiled  the  afternoon,  ai 
the  moon  was  not  yet  up  to  scatter  it  But,  the  eta 
were  shining  beyond  the  mist,  and  the  moon  wi 
coming,  and  the  evening  was  not  dark.  I  could  tr( 
out  where  eveiy  part  of  the  old  house  had  been,  a 
where  the  brewery  had  been,  and  where  the  gates,  a 
where  the  casks.  I  had  done  so,  and  was  looki 
along  the  desolate  garden-walk,  when  I  beheld  a  bo 
tary  figure  in  it. 

The  figure  showed  itself  aware  of  me,    as  I  a 
vanced.     It  had  been  moving  towards  me,  but  it  aUy 
still.     As  I  drew  nearer,  I  saw  it  to  be  tl^  figure 
a  woman.     As  I  drew  nearer  yet,  it  was  aUoat  to  tun 
away,  when  it  stopped,  and  lot  me  come  up  with  it. 
Then,  it  faltered  as  if  much  surprised,  and  utt«red  my 
name,  and  I  cried  out; 

"Estella!" 

"I  am  greatl"  changed.     I  wonder  you  know  me." 

The  fi-eshuos    of  tet  bea,afj  wns  indeed  gone,  but 


,  I  had  seen  before;  what  I  had  never  seen  before, 

I  the   saddened   eofteaed  light  of  the    onue    proud 
I    what  I  had  never  felt  before,   waa  the  friendly 
Kich  of  the  once  inseiuiblQ  bnnd. 

We  Bat  dowu  on  a  bench  that  was  near,  and  I  said, 
"After  so  many  years,  it  is  strange  that  we  should 
thus  meet  again,  Estella,  here  where  our  first  d 
was!  Do  you  often  come  back?" 

"I  have  never  been  here  sinci 

"Nor  I." 

The  moon  began  to  rise,  and  I  thought  of  the 
placid  look  at  the  white  ceiling,  which  had  passed 
away.  Tlie  moon  began  to  rise,  and  I  thought  of  thfl' 
pressure  on  my  hand  when  I  had  spoken  the  last  worda  ■ 
he  had  heard  on  earth. 

Estella  was  the  next  to  break  the  silence  that 
ensued  between  us. 

"I  have  very  often  hoped  and  intended  to  come 
back,  but  have  been  prevented  by  many  circumstances. 
Poor,  poor  old  place!" 

The  silvery  mist  was  touched  with  the  first  rays  of 
the  moonlight,  and  tiie  same  rays  touched  the  tears 
that  dropped  from  her  eyes.  Not  knowing  that  I  saw 
them,  and  setting  herself  to  get  the  better  of  them,  she 
said  quietly; 

*"Wcro  you  wondering,   as  you  walked  along,  how" 
it  came  to  be  left  in  this  condition?" 

"Yes,  Estella." 

"The  ground  belongs  to  me.  It  is  the  only  posses- 
sion I  have  not  relinquished.  Everything  else  has 
gone  from  me,  little  by  little,  but  1  '^wt  ltK^\. 'Osia- 
was  the  subject  of  the  only  detexiivv&^i  i 
laade  In  all  the  wretched  years." 


OttSAT^X^tfrAI^Sg. 


1 

a,  voice  c 


^t 


o^e  built  on?" 
"At  last  it  is.     I  came  here  tu  take  leave 
1  its   change.     And  you,"   she  said. 
racliing  interest  to  a    wanderer,    "you    Hve    abroa 

StilL" 

And  do  well,  I  am  sure?" 
"I  work   pretty  bard  for   a  sufficient  living,    aa 
ifore  —  Yea,  I  do  well." 
"I  bave  often  tbougbt  of  you,"  said  Eatella. 
Have  you?" 

Of  late,  very  often.  There  was  a  long  hard  tlm 
when  I  kept  far  from  me,  the  remembrance  of  ^at  i 
had  thrown  away  when  I  was  quite  ignorant  of  itl 
worth.  But,  since  my  duty  has  not  been  incompatibl< 
with  the  admission  of  that  remembrance,  1  have  given' 
it  a  place  in  my  heart." 

"You  have  always  held  your  place  in  my  heart,' 
I  answered.  And  we  were  silent  again,  until  abe 
spoke. 

"I  little  thought,"  saidEstella,  "that  I  should  t^ 
leave  of  you  in  taking  leave  of  this  spot,  I  am  VOTJ 
glad  to  do  so." 

"Glad  to  part  again,  Estella?    To  me,  parting 
painful  thing.     To  rae,   the  remembrance  of  onr  last 
parting  has  been  ever  mournful  and  painful." 

"But  you  said  to  me,"  returned  Estella,  very 
earnestly,  '"God  bless  you,  God  forgive  you!'  And  if 
you  could  say  that  to  mo  then,  you  will  not  hesitate 
to  say  that  to  me  now  —  now,  when  suffering  has  been 
stronger  than  all  other  teaching,  and  has  taught  me  to 
twderstand  wliat  y(i\ir  teatV  &**.&.  \,q  Ve.  \  Vt««.  b 
'     \t  and  broken,  but  —  1  Vo-pft  —  '"a*»  t-Nievoat  * 


323 


1  considerate  and  good  to  me  as  y 
s  we  are  friends." 

re  friends,"  said  I,  rising  and  bending  over 
fr-,  as  she  rose  from  the  bench. 

"And  will  continue  friends  apart,"  said  Estella. 
I  took  her  hand  in  mine,    and  we  went  out  of  tho.J 
led  place;  and,  as  the  morning  mists  had  risen  long 
)  whtn  I  first  left  the  forge,    so,   the  evening  miBts 
rising    now,    and    in   all  the  broad  expanse  o{, 
I  tranquil  light  they  showed  to  me,  I  saw  the  shadow  ot 
)  parting  from  her, 


k 


'S^^'F^ 

P^^H 

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W^m 


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