 should think it was a strong point,« said Herbert, »and I should think
you would be puzzled to imagine a stronger; as to the rest, you must bide your
guardian's time, and he must bide his client's time. You'll be one-and-twenty
before you know where you are, and then perhaps you'll get some further
enlightenment. At all events, you'll be nearer getting it, for it must come at
last.«
    »What a hopeful disposition you have!« said I, gratefully admiring his
cheery ways.
    »I ought to have,« said Herbert, »for I have not much else. I must
acknowledge, by-the-bye, that the good sense of what I have just said is not my
own, but my father's. The only remark I ever heard him make on your story, was
the final one: The thing is settled and done, or Mr. Jaggers would not be in it.
And now, before I say anything more about my father, or my father's son, and
repay confidence with confidence, I want to make myself seriously disagreeable
to you for a moment - positively repulsive.«
    »You won't succeed,« said I.
    »Oh yes, I shall!« said he. »One, two, three, and now I am in for it.
Handel, my good fellow:« though he spoke in this light tone, he was very much in
earnest: »I have been thinking since we have been talking with our feet on this
fender, that Estella cannot surely be a condition of your inheritance, if she
was never referred to by your guardian. Am I right in so understanding what you
have told me, as that he never referred to her, directly or indirectly, in any
way? Never even hinted, for instance, that your patron might have views as to
your marriage ultimately?«
    »Never.«
    »Now, Handel, I am quite free from the flavour of sour grapes, upon my soul
and honour! Not being bound to her, can you not detach yourself from her? - I
told you I should be disagreeable.«
    I turned my head aside, for, with a rush and a sweep, like the old marsh
winds coming up from the sea, a feeling like that which had subdued me on the
morning when I left the forge, when the mists were solemnly rising, and when I
laid my hand upon the village finger-post, smote upon
