I went circuitously to Miss Havisham's by all the back ways, and rang

at the bell constrainedly, on account of the stiff long fingers of my

gloves. Sarah Pocket came to the gate, and positively reeled back when

she saw me so changed; her walnut-shell countenance likewise turned from

brown to green and yellow.

"You?" said she. "You? Good gracious! What do you want?"

"I am going to London, Miss Pocket," said I, "and want to say good by to

Miss Havisham."

I was not expected, for she left me locked in the yard, while she went

to ask if I were to be admitted. After a very short delay, she returned

and took me up, staring at me all the way.

Miss Havisham was taking exercise in the room with the long spread

table, leaning on her crutch stick. The room was lighted as of yore, and

at the sound of our entrance, she stopped and turned. She was then just

abreast of the rotted bride-cake.

"Don't go, Sarah," she said. "Well, Pip?"

"I start for London, Miss Havisham, to-morrow," I was exceedingly

careful what I said, "and I thought you would kindly not mind my taking

leave of you."

"This is a gay figure, Pip," said she, making her crutch stick play

round me, as if she, the fairy godmother who had changed me, were

bestowing the finishing gift.

"I have come into such good fortune since I saw you last, Miss

Havisham," I murmured. "And I am so grateful for it, Miss Havisham!"

"Ay, ay!" said she, looking at the discomfited and envious Sarah, with

delight. "I have seen Mr. Jaggers. I have heard about it, Pip. So you go

to-morrow?"

"Yes, Miss Havisham."

"And you are adopted by a rich person?"

"Yes, Miss Havisham."

"Not named?"

"No, Miss Havisham."

"And Mr. Jaggers is made your guardian?"

"Yes, Miss Havisham."

She quite gloated on these questions and answers, so keen was her

enjoyment of Sarah Pocket's jealous dismay. "Well!" she went on; "you

have a promising career before you. Be good--deserve it--and abide by

Mr. Jaggers's instructions." She looked at me, and looked at Sarah, and

Sarah's countenance wrung out of her watchful face a cruel smile. "Good

by, Pip!--you will always keep the name of Pip, you know."

"Yes, Miss Havisham."

"Good by, Pip!"




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