Great Expectations

"But you said to me," returned Estella, very earnestly, "'God bless you,

God forgive you!' And if you could say that to me 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 understand what your heart

used to be. I have been bent and broken, but--I hope--into a better

shape. Be as considerate and good to me as you were, and tell me we are

friends."

"We are friends," said I, rising and bending over her, as she rose from

the bench.

"And will continue friends apart," said Estella.

I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as

the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so the

evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil

light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her.