I was rather afraid of stating it, for it sounded a large sum. "Nine hundred pounds."

     "If I give you the money for this purpose, will you keep my secret as you have kept your own?"

     "Quite as faithfully."

     "And your mind will be more at rest?"

     "Much more at rest."

     "Are you very unhappy now?"

     She asked this question, still without looking at me, but in an unwonted tone of sympathy. I could not reply at the moment, for my voice failed me. She put her left arm across the head of her stick, and softly laid her forehead on it.

     "I am far from happy, Miss Havisham; but I have other causes of disquiet than any you know of. They are the secrets I have mentioned."

     After a little while, she raised her head, and looked at the fire Again.

     "It is noble in you to tell me that you have other causes of unhappiness, Is it true?"