
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 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 an 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.«
    »I have no more to say,« said I, with a sigh, after standing silent for a
little while. »I have verified my information, and there's an end.«
    »And Magwitch - in New South Wales - having
