I arrived in my home village three days later. Word had already spread that I had lost my fortune, and the staff at the Blue Boar hotel treated me very poorly now that I wasn't a rich guest.
The next morning, I walked past Satis House. It was a sad sight. All the furniture was being sold at an auction, and the house itself was going to be pulled down. The ivy was torn away, and the old rooms were open to the dust.
At breakfast, I met Mr. Pumblechook. He acted as if he were a great, forgiving man. "I am sorry to see you brought so low, young man," he said, though he looked quite pleased. He gave a long, fake speech to the landlord about how he was my "earliest benefactor" and how I had been ungrateful. I didn't argue with him; I just finished my tea and left. I didn't care about his lies anymore. I only wanted to see Joe and Biddy.
The June weather was beautiful as I walked toward the forge. I expected to hear the sound of Joe’s hammer, but the air was silent. When I reached the forge, the doors were closed. No fire, no sparks, no noise.
I walked toward the house and saw that the windows were open and filled with flowers. Suddenly, Joe and Biddy stepped out, arm in arm. They were both dressed in their finest clothes.
Biddy cried out when she saw me and ran to hug me. "But Biddy, how beautiful you look!" I said. "And Joe, you are so well-dressed!"
"It’s my wedding day!" Biddy cried happily. "I have just married Joe!"
I felt a shock, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. I sat down at the kitchen table and put my head in my hands. But I wasn't sad; I was thankful. I was so glad that I had never told Joe or Biddy about my plan to marry her. I had almost made another terrible mistake, but I was saved from it.
"Dear Biddy," I said, "you have the best husband in the whole world."
"And Joe," I added, "you have the best wife. You both deserve to be happy."
I stayed with them for a while and asked for their forgiveness. "I am going away soon to work abroad," I told them. "I will work hard until I can pay you back the money you spent to save me from prison. But I can never truly repay the debt of love I owe you."
"Pip, old chap," Joe said, wiping his eyes, "God knows I forgive you, if there is anything to forgive."
"And I do, too," said Biddy.
I left England a month later and joined Herbert in the East. I worked as a clerk for his company, Clarriker and Co. I lived simply, saved my money, and slowly paid off all my debts.
Many years passed. I worked hard and eventually became a partner in the firm. I lived happily with Herbert and his wife, Clara. I kept in touch with Joe and Biddy, who had children of their own now.
I eventually found out that it was I who had secretly paid for Herbert’s partnership years ago. When Herbert finally found out the truth, he was amazed. We remained the best of friends. I realized that I was no longer a man of "great expectations," but I had something much better: a steady job, honest friends, and a peaceful heart.