Great Expectations Page #9

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- Oh, I came back, allright?

- You killed my sister.

Your doing. You did for her.

And now you're a gentleman

and I can barely earn a living.

I am as wretched and hopeless

as you would never be.

You're a liar.

This is some... pleading.

- But Orlick won't listen to it.

- My benefactor is a convict.

A convict to die hard

from the rope.

So I have a fortune which

can never enrich me.

The woman I love is married to someone else

and I have no idea what is to become of me.

I'm already done for, Orlick.

I've nothing left except my life.

And so I would gladly let

you take it. Take it.

You... enemy!

Will you let me go?

You could show mercy to me.

Aye.

As to a poor beast.

You pray well to drive me

out of this country

Now you are to be out though.

You're not to be favoured any more!

You are my equal now and I am yours,

except that I am more than yours

because I let you go.

Yes.

I am higher than you now,

young villain.

I am higher than you!

I don't know why I did not see the likeness before

between Estella and her mother

Molly, your housekeeper.

So you think you know some

of Estella's history, Pip?

I think I know it all.

I know her father too.

Magwitch makes no claim here.

He has absolutely no knowledge

of her existence.

But I know Molly harboured enough

jealousy to kill another woman for him

and enough malice to deprive him

of his daughter too.

I should remind you we still attend

Miss Havisham's funeral.

Miss Havisham who had a fancy to bring up

a child, then engage to your services.

Miss Havisham to whom you

sent Estella to be saved

once you deprived her of

her natural mother.

Molly was facing the gallows.

If you saw the children I see daily...

If you saw what happened to them...

- I saw what happened to Estella.

- And whom are you certain to reveal the secret?

Estella is now married for money.

Do you wish to drag her back to disgrace

after an escape of 20 years?

She is married to Drummle. I hardly

call that a redemption, her saving.

We used to share those

confidences, Pip.

- Which?

- When you were troubled or unhappy.

Am I now?

You know Miss Havisham

was not my patron, Biddy.

I have heard it.

I cannot tell you the rest.

Not yet.

I forgive you.

Drummle did not

accompany you today?

Mr. Drummle is with his horse today

riding hard in the country.

He treats you well, I hope.

He whips his horse.

I'm spared in comparison.

- Estella...

- No, it's of no matter, Pip.

Only warm-blooded creatures

feel pain.

Estella, I found I'm more attached

to you than I could ever imagined.

Must wish me good fortune.

Where is he?

A few weeks ago you could not

stand aside, Pip.

Now you cannot wait for him.

The day after tomorrow there are

two steamers coming off London.

One for Hamburg,

one for Rotterdam.

We raw out, hail the first and

do not get on board until

we have a chance.

- We?

- I'm coming with you.

- Dear boy.

- There's nothing to keep me in London.

I have no idea what is to follow our going.

I have no idea what is to become of us.

Then stick by me, dear boy.

I'm used to such.

Abel...

You look like the uncertain

prince of Denmark.

Thank you, dear boy.

- You want to know what it means?

- No, no.

Main thing is the foreign language.

You read me a foreign language,

dear boy.

Abel.

You spoke of having a child once.

Mind if I ask you the particulars?

A daughter.

Her mother took her away.

Gave her up for adoption.

I've never seen her since.

I never shall.

I do wonder what have become of her.

I do wonder everyday.

- You cold?

- I've been colder.

What was that?

It's a boat yonder.

We're being followed.

Pull in there.

Hurry.

That looks a comfortable home.

It looks like they're

customs officers.

Look.

There's no thought of us.

You're shivering, dear boy.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Pip.

- Goodbye, Herbert.

Good luck.

- You ready?

- Trust me, dear boy.

Pip.

You have to return the fugitive back.

His name is Abel Magwitch.

I apprehend that man.

I call upon him to surrender

and you two with him.

Compeyson. Take him down with me.

Abel!

Pip!

But in a fatal moment,

you clinged to those propensities and passions

the holds of which so long

rendered him a scourge to society.

He has left his heaven

of rest and repentance

and come back to the country

where he was proscribed.

The appointed punishment for his return

to the land which had cast him out

being death.

He came here for my sake!

His case being this aggravated case,

he must prepare himself to die.

He came here for my sake!

- Have you thought about what you are to do?

- No.

In this branch-house of our, Pip,

we must have a... a...

- A clerk?

- A clerk.

And I hope it is not at all

unlikely that

he may expand into a partner

as I have.

Perhaps you can leave

the question open for a while.

Of course.

Of course there are other

priorities first to look up to.

- Remember me to him.

- I shall. I hope you'll find Cairo agreeable.

- I cannot put this off, Pip.

- Nor should you. Now go.

You will look after Clara

while I have gone off?

When I come back she and I

will walk quietly to the nearest church.

- How is he?

- Less and less.

- He's removed now to the infirmary.

- So bad job.

And I assure you I mean

to cut off for long time

the sacrifice of so much

portable property!

- Dear me!

- And the owner of such property?

I know you are rather

out of sorts, Mr. Pip,

but I hope you will remember

the match for the walk

we agreed upon today.

You can still manage it, I hope.

It will surely occupy you

an hour or so.

I have taken a holiday today.

I have not done such a thing

in last 12 months.

Halloa! Here's a church.

Let's go in.

Halloa! It's some gloves.

Let's put them on.

Halloa! Here's Miss Skiffins.

Let's have a wedding.

Halloa! Here's a ring.

Westminster Abbey was the scene, Abel.

My very good friend

and one or two baronets

were the best men.

Gentlemen of the congregation

including me, all dressed alike.

Black dress coat, silk white necktie.

These white gloves

which I bring you as a keepsake.

I always knew you could

be a gentleman.

Without me.

I...

I occupied one of

the front pews, Abel.

And after the ecclesiastical splendor

and court service,

we were entertained to

a wonderful breakfast

and a military band.

And the wedding cake

was nine feet high and a foot deep.

And such presents were displayed!

Rugs from Persia,

the finest gold clocks.

Exquisite jewellery.

Are you in great pain?

I don't complain, but...

Would you let me give you

something of what it means?

So he found his father alone

in a terraced vineyard,

taking about the plant.

He was clothed in filthy doublet,

patched and obscene.

Now, when Odiseus saw his father

thus wasted with age

and in great grief of heart,

he stood still beneath a tall pear tree

and let fall a tear.

He had returned to his

own country, Abel.

You are my father now

And I love you.

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