 once, change any
sentiment that has become a conviction to you; least of all a sentiment that is
rooted in your trusting disposition. You ought not hastily to do that. I only
ask you, Trotwood, if you ever think of me - I mean,« with a quiet smile, for I
was going to interrupt her, and she knew why, »as often as you think of me - to
think of what I have said. Do you forgive me for all this?«
    »I will forgive you, Agnes,« I replied, »when you come to do Steerforth
justice, and to like him as well as I do.«
    »Not until then?« said Agnes.
    I saw a passing shadow on her face when I made this mention of him, but she
returned my smile, and we were again as unreserved in our mutual confidence as
of old.
    »And when, Agnes,« said I, »will you forgive me the other night?«
    »When I recall it,« said Agnes.
    She would have dismissed the subject so, but I was too full of it to allow
that, and insisted on telling her how it happened that I had disgraced myself,
and what chain of accidental circumstances had had the theatre for its final
link. It was a great relief to me to do this, and to enlarge on the obligation
that I owed to Steerforth for his care of me when I was unable to take care of
myself.
    »You must not forget,« said Agnes, calmly changing the conversation as soon
as I had concluded, »that you are always to tell me, not only when you fall into
trouble, but when you fall in love. Who has succeeded to Miss Larkins,
Trotwood?«
    »No one, Agnes.«
    »Some one, Trotwood,« said Agnes, laughing, and holding up her finger.
    »No, Agnes, upon my word! There is a lady, certainly, at Mrs. Steerforth's
house, who is very clever, and whom I like to talk to - Miss Dartle - but I
don't adore her.«
    Agnes laughed again at her own penetration, and told me that if I were
faithful to her in my confidence she thought she should keep a little register
of my violent attachments, with the date, duration, and termination of each,
like the table of the reigns of the kings and queens, in the History of England.
Then she asked me if I had seen Uriah.
    »Uriah Heep?« said I. »No
