as it may, it did arise, and was not brought about by any one."
Any one might have seen in her haggard face that there was no suppression or evasion so far.
"But when I fell into the mistake I have so long remained in, at least you led me on?" said I.
"Yes," she returned, again nodding steadily, "I let you go on."
"Was that kind?"
"Who am I," cried Miss Havisham, striking her stick upon the floor and flash into wrath so suddenly that Estella glanced up at her in surprise, "who am I, for God's sake, that I should be kind!"
It was a weak complaint to have made, and I had not meant to make it. I told her so, as she sat brooding after this out-burst. Well, well, well!" she said. "What else?"
"I was liberally paid for my old attendance here," I said, to soothe her, "in being apprenticed, and I have asked these ques-
