her figure, but sat in a high-backed chair against the wall,
like a violoncello in its case, and submitted to be embraced as that melodious
instrument might have done.
    We had an excellent breakfast, and when any one declined anything on table,
Wemmick said, »Provided by contract, you know; don't be afraid of it!« I drank
to the new couple, drank to the Aged, drank to the Castle, saluted the bride at
parting, and made myself as agreeable as I could.
    Wemmick came down to the door with me, and I again shook hands with him, and
wished him joy.
    »Thankee!« said Wemmick, rubbing his hands. »She's such a manager of fowls,
you have no idea. You shall have some eggs and judge for yourself. I say, Mr.
Pip!« calling me back and speaking low. »This is altogether a Walworth
sentiment, please.«
    »I understand. Not to be mentioned in Little Britain,« said I.
    Wemmick nodded. »After what you let out the other day, Mr. Jaggers may as
well not know of it. He might think my brain was softening, or something of the
kind.«
 

                                  Chapter LVI

He lay in prison very ill, during the whole interval between his committal for
trial, and the coming round of the Sessions. He had broken two ribs, they had
wounded one of his lungs, and he breathed with great pain and difficulty, which
increased daily. It was a consequence of his hurt that he spoke so low as to be
scarcely audible; therefore, he spoke very little. But, he was ever ready to
listen to me, and it became the first duty of my life to say to him, and read to
him, what I knew he ought to hear.
    Being far too ill to remain in the common prison, he was removed, after the
first day or so, into the infirmary. This gave me opportunities of being with
him that I could not otherwise have had. And but for his illness he would have
been put in irons, for he was regarded as a determined prison-breaker, and I
know not what else.
    Although I saw him every day, it was for only a short time; hence the
regularly recurring spaces of our separation were long enough to record on his
face any slight changes that occurred in his physical state. I do not recollect
that I once saw any change in it for the better; he wasted, and became slowly
weaker and worse, day by