# Symphonic Variations No 3 #
( The Tales and Adventures of Pip and Estella )
( Pip`s Tale )
" At last I finally arrived at Satis House on what seemed like an endless journey from the Forge. As I approached, I saw Estella waiting at the gate."This is the `second` time that you have been late!" she said angrily." You are to go up `immediately` to Miss Havisham!" (her impatience filled the air) She ran ahead of me towards the entrance of the house, and reached for the candle in the passage, and led our way up the stairs. On the way up she remarked "Since the only card game that you seem to know is `beggar my neighbour` I suppose we shall have to play it again today! " She gestured towards the door leading into the room where Miss Havisham was, and retorted " Well! " Go In Then ! " I entered the room .. and approached Miss Havisham .. who was leaning at her table, holding her head in her hand. "Try to get here on time in future Pip" she said wearily " D`you hear ? " Now come along - I want you to Walk me ! " She rose from her chair and placed her hand upon my shoulder .. and we walked about the room together. Later on .. Estella came into the room, and we played our game of cards. As the day wore on, I was given leave to go down into the garden and play. There was a `light` breeze in the air, and I could hear the faint `rustle` of leaves in the distance. As I continued to wander about the garden, I was suddenly struck by a curious compulsion to look up towards the `windows` of the house. Just below one of the window ledges .. I noticed what appeared to be a dark grey mist drifting away from the house .. which then began descending into the garden just ahead of me. I could only surmise, that a reflection of light from a window above, must have caused the effect. I turned .. and set my attention upon the garden behind me, and directed my gaze towards the old tree by the footpath ; Beyond it .. lay a tangle of undergrowth. As I continued my gaze, I began to notice the outline of a dark shape there. Uncertain as to what it was .. I walked a pace or two forwards towards it. There was what looked like, a thick, grey mist (like fog) moving about it. I stepped a little closer .. and was then able to see what I thought was the resemblence of a face. At first .. I could not detect anything of the features ; A strange premonition then struck me .. for something seemed oddly familiar about the face. ; I felt a cold chill pass through me as I looked upon it`s countenance. A dak grey mist was moving slowly around it, like a cloud ; The face seemed to be of the same substance as the mist itself . All of a sudden .. with a start .. I realized the the features of the face were that of Miss Havisham ! I ran quickly through the garden towards the house, and then stopped .. for I had to catch my breath ; Pausing for a while, I crouched dowm low by some bush, .. and tried to gather my thoughts. I confess .. had I been in my right mind, .. I would have never have allowed my curiousity to get above me ; But .. I nade my up mind .. to go back to the spot, where I had encounered the strange apparition. I crept back cautiously, and from a discreet distance, peered in the direction of the tangled undergrowth. Search as I might, I could no longer see any sign of it there. I suppose that I must have been given to some wild fancy .. for I felt certain that the garden itself had been somehow responsible for the strange experience that I`d had .. and felt that it had imparted some influence upon me! As I mused upon the notion .. I heard a voice calling in the distance. I realized that it was `Estella` calling .. and ran back towards the entrance of the house where she was waiting. She gave me a long look, and said " Well ! " "Have you finished Playing ? " Looking down .. I said "I hav`nt been playing exactly Estella !" She eyed me suspiciously."Exactly what Have you been doing then ? " I told her all about my experience ; She laughed, and said " You`re such a Silly, Foolish, and Fanciful boy Pip! You`ve spent too much Time in the garden .. Day Dreaming ! " I made no reply to her reproach. " You may go home now " she said ; " Do`nt dare be late next time ! " She ran off towards the gate, and closed it behind me with a resounding clang! As I made my way back home, I could not help thinking about my adventures in the garden ; And thinking about Estella .. her pretty face before my mind. All these weeks of my visits to Satis House had so pricked my imagination .. that I had begun to wonder that some unseen hand was at work, and that it had set me upon a path to another world. I thought about that world, with such anticipation that I always wished to return to. I would forever be content in the knowledge that I would once more be back within the walls Satis House, amidst the company of Miss Havisham and Estella ! "

[ Barry Wilson : 31/ 01 / 2025 ]