Great Expectations

There being to my knowledge a respectable lodging-house in Essex Street,

the back of which looked into the Temple, and was almost within hail of

my windows, I first of all repaired to that house, and was so fortunate

as to secure the second floor for my uncle, Mr. Provis. I then went from

shop to shop, making such purchases as were necessary to the change in

his appearance. This business transacted, I turned my face, on my own

account, to Little Britain. Mr. Jaggers was at his desk, but, seeing me

enter, got up immediately and stood before his fire.

"Now, Pip," said he, "be careful."

"I will, sir," I returned. For, coming along I had thought well of what

I was going to say.

"Don't commit yourself," said Mr. Jaggers, "and don't commit any one.

You understand--any one. Don't tell me anything: I don't want to know

anything; I am not curious."

Of course I saw that he knew the man was come.

"I merely want, Mr. Jaggers," said I, "to assure myself that what I have

been told is true. I have no hope of its being untrue, but at least I

may verify it."

Mr. Jaggers nodded. "But did you say 'told' or 'informed'?" he asked

me, with his head on one side, and not looking at me, but looking in

a listening way at the floor. "Told would seem to imply verbal

communication. You can't have verbal communication with a man in New

South Wales, you know."

"I will say, informed, Mr. Jaggers."

"Good."

"I have been informed by a person named Abel Magwitch, that he is the

benefactor so long unknown to me."

"That is the man," said Mr. Jaggers, "in New South Wales."

"And only he?" said I.

"And only he," said Mr. Jaggers.

"I am not so unreasonable, sir, as to think you at all responsible for

my mistakes and wrong conclusions; but I always supposed it was Miss

Havisham."

"As you say, Pip," returned Mr. Jaggers, turning his eyes upon

me coolly, and taking a bite at his forefinger, "I am not at all

responsible for that."

"And yet it looked so like it, sir," I pleaded with a downcast heart.

"Not a particle of evidence, Pip," said Mr. Jaggers, shaking his head

and gathering up his skirts. "Take nothing on its looks; take everything

on evidence. There's no better rule."