Pip plans to visit Joe the following day after his visit to Miss Havisham. He ponders Miss Havisham’s plans for him, believing she is his patroness. He believes she has adopted him and plans to marry him to Estella. He plans to restore the house and allow the sunshine in. He will make the clocks keep time again and destroy the cobwebs and vermin.
Pip doesn’t give Estella any romantic attributes. He realizes his love for Estella is against logic and will not grant him a peaceful existence.
Orlick answers the gate at Miss Havisham’s. He tells Pip he had left the forge some time ago. Miss Havisham decided to hire a porter when it became dangerous with convicts roaming about. He finds it easier than blacksmithing.
Pip meets Sarah Pocket at he end of the passage, telling her Matthew and his family are well. Sarah asks if they are any wiser, then directs him to go up.
Pip feels himself become the coarse little boy again when he sees how beautiful and elegant Estella is. She seems unattainable still. She has returned recently from France. She is to go to London.
As Pip and Estella walk around the property, they come to the place he had fought Herbert. Estella admits that she had secretly watched them fight and had enjoyed it. Pip remembers the kiss that she had granted him. Estella had disliked Herbert because he had been brought there to pester her. Pip says he and Herbert are friends now, and Herbert’s father is his tutor.
Estella still treats Pip like a boy. She asks if he has changed his companions with his changed fortunes. Pip says yes, and she tells him that is good—for his former associates are now unfit for him. Pip decides not to visit Joe after all.
Estella asks if he knew his fortunes would change back then. Pip says no. He feels like crying again when Estella doesn’t remember the things he mentions from their childhood meetings. She tells him that she has no heart. She has a physical heart, but she lacks sympathy and sentiment. Pip sees some of Miss Havisham’s mannerisms in Estella. She tells Pip he had better believe her, and it isn’t because she loves someone else. She has never felt love.
They learn that Mr. Jaggers will be dining with them when they return inside. Miss Havisham asks Pip if he finds Estella beautiful, and he confirms this. She encourages him to love Estella, regardless of whether she reciprocates or wounds him. She had adopted and bred Estella to be loved. Pip notices when she says the word love, it sounds like a curse. She tells Pip that love is a blind devotion that reduces you to submission and humiliation, which leads to your destruction.
Miss Havisham is as frightened of Mr. Jaggers as everyone else. He remarks that Estella is a fine young lady and asks Pip how often he has seen her. When they both leave Miss Havisham’s room, he asks Pip if he has ever seen Miss Havisham eat. Pip says never. Jaggers says she wanders around at night and eats then.
Pip asks if Estella’s last name is Havisham, and Jaggers says it is. They join Estella and Sarah for dinner. Mr. Jaggers never looks at Estella, though he answers her questions. Estella looks at him in curiosity and distrust. Jaggers takes pleasure in fanning Sarah Pocket’s envy of Pip. Pip wants to question Mr. Jaggers, but Mr. Jaggers discourages it. Jaggers, Pip, and Estella play cards while Miss Havisham watches.
Pip knows he loves Estella and believes he is destined of her. Would she be pleased? When will she give her heart to him? These are the quesitons that torment him.