"You have not every reason to say so of the rest of his people," said Estella, nodding at me with an expression of face that was at once grave and rallying, "for they beset Miss Havisham with reports and insinuations to your disadvantage. They watch you, misrepresent you, write letters about you (anonymous sometimes), and you are the torment and the occupation of their lives. You can scarcely realize to yourself the hatred those people feel for you."

     "They do me no harm, I hope?"

     Instead of answering, Estella burst out laughing. This was very singular to me, and I looked at her in considerable perplexity. When she left off--and she had not laughed languidly, but with real enjoyment--I said, in my diffident way with her,--

     "I hope I may suppose that you would not be amused if they did me any harm."