I began to be really afraid of him now, and looked at him with the greatest astonishment. But I thought that he had pleasant eyes, although he kept on muttering to himself in an angry manner, and calling Mrs. Rachael names.
After a little while, he opened his outer wrapper, which appeared to me large enough to wrap up the whole coach, and put his arm down into a deep pocket in the side.
'Now, look here!' he said. 'In this paper,' which was nicely folded, 'is a piece of the best plum-cake that can be got for money – sugar on the outside an inch thick, like fat on mutton chops. Here's a little pie (a gem this is, both for size and quality), made in France. And what do you suppose it's made of? Livers of fat geese. There's a pie! Now let's see you eat 'em.'
'Thank you, sir,' I replied, 'thank you very much indeed, but I hope you won't be offended; they are too rich for me.'
'Floored again!' said the gentleman, which I didn't at all understand, and threw them both out of window.
He did not speak to me any more, until he got out of the coach a little way short of Reading, when he advised me to be a good girl, and to be studious; and shook hands with me. I must say I was relieved by his departure. We left him at a milestone. I often walked past it afterwards, and never for a long time, without thinking of him, and half expecting to meet him. But I never did; and so, as time went on, he passed out of my mind.
When the coach stopped, a very neat lady looked up at the window, and said:
'Miss Donny.'
'No, ma'am, Esther Summerson.'
'That is quite right,' said the lady, 'Miss Donny.'
I now understood that she introduced herself by that name, and begged Miss Donny's pardon for my mistake, and pointed out my boxes at her request. Under the direction of a very neat maid, they were put outside a very small green carriage; and then Miss Donny, the maid, and I, got inside, and were driven away.
'Everything is ready for you, Esther'' said Miss Donny; 'and the scheme of your pursuits has been arranged in exact accordance with the wishes of your guardian, Mr. Jarndyce.'
'Of – did you say, ma'am?'
'Of your guardian, Mr. Jarndyce,' said Miss Donny.
I was so bewildered that Miss Donny thought the cold had been too severe for me, and lent me her smelling-bottle.