Pip and Herbert feel it is important to establish Estella’s parentage. Pip plans to speak to Mr. Jaggers. He does it for Provis’ sake.
Jaggers and Wemmick are going over the accounts. Jaggers wishes to hear a more in-depth narration about the fire. Pip gives him Miss Havisham’s note for the money transfer. Wemmick and Jaggers both agree that Pip should have asked Miss Havisham to help him as well.
Pip tells Mr. Jaggers that he believes that Provis is Estella’s father. He gives all the information he has learned that has lead him to this conviction. Jaggers is not forthcoming in confirming this. Pip appeals to Wemmick. Jaggers finally tells Pip he admits nothing, but he will tell him of a particular case he knows about. There was a mother being tried for murder. She claimed she had killed her child, but the child was still alive. If the child had remained in those circumstances, it would have suffered a sad fate. Most children in those circumstances are abused, neglected, and grow up to be hanged. The mother agreed to part with the child because her advisor knew that she was guilty of the crime she was charged with. The father believed the child was dead. The pretty child was spared a bad fate when she was adopted by a rich woman.
Jaggers tells Pip there is no good in revealing this secret to anyone. He would only disgrace Estella, and Provis and Molly are better off being ignorant of each other. Jaggers advises Pip to forget Estella.
Pip revealing Wemmick’s home life causes some friction between Jaggers and Wemmick. However, they seem to re-establish their former harmony quickly enough after throwing out a repeat client.