I cannot describe how much I hated the situation I was in. I kept thinking about Estella. I remembered how, years ago, I had tried to hide my past connection to prisons before meeting her. Now, a real convict was living in my home. The difference between the beautiful Estella and this man, Provis, felt like a deep, dark hole. I felt ashamed and trapped.
A new fear also filled my mind. Provis’s story about Compeyson had changed everything. If Compeyson was still alive and found out that Provis had returned to England, he would certainly tell the police to save himself. Compeyson was a clever, dangerous man who would do anything to destroy his enemy.
I decided I must see Estella and Miss Havisham one last time before leaving the country with Provis. I went to Richmond the next day to find Estella, but her maid told me she had gone to Satis House. This was very strange because she usually didn't go there without me. I went home feeling worried and confused.
That night, I had another long talk with Herbert. We decided that we must get Provis out of England as soon as possible. We needed to find a good reason to make him leave without making him angry. I told Provis that I had to go to the village to visit Joe. It was a lie, but I felt I had to do it. I asked Herbert to look after Provis while I was away.
I took the early morning coach. The weather was cold and misty, and the world looked grey and miserable. When I arrived at the Blue Boar inn, I saw a familiar face under the gateway: Bentley Drummle.
We both went into the coffee-room. Drummle stood directly in front of the fire, taking up all the warmth. I was determined not to let him win, so I walked up and stood right next to him. We pretended not to know each other at first, but the silence was full of anger.
"This is a beastly place," Drummle said finally, looking at me. "It is your part of the country, I believe?"
"Yes," I replied shortly. "Do you plan to stay long?"
"I’m not sure," he said, pretending to yawn. He called the waiter over and said, "The lady won’t ride today because of the weather. But tell her I will still come for dinner."
I knew he was talking about Estella. It felt like poison to hear him say it. He looked at me with a cruel smile, knowing he was making me angry. We stood there, shoulder to shoulder, refusing to move from the fire. Neither of us would give up an inch of space. Finally, three farmers entered the room and walked toward the fire, so we were forced to move away.
I watched from the window as Drummle got on his horse in his usual clumsy, brutal way. Before he rode off, a man in dusty, grey clothes came out to light Drummle’s cigar. The man had his back to me, but his slouching shoulders and ragged hair reminded me of Orlick.
I was too tired and upset to think about it for long. I didn't even touch my breakfast. I washed my face and hands and walked toward Satis House—the house I wished I had never seen.