Great Expectations: Novel Summary: Volume 3, Chapter 16-Volume 3, Chapter 18

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Volume 3, Chapter 16-Volume 3, Chapter 18

Volume 3, Chapter 16: Herbert tells Pip that he is now a partner in the business and that he must move to Cairo Egypt.  Because of Pip's new financial situation, he offers him a job as a clerk in his company.  Pip needs time to think on it and says goodbye to Herbert.  Later, Wemmick invites Pip to go for a walk with him the following Monday morning and Pip reluctantly agrees.  While they are walking, Wemmick leads him into a church where they walk into Wemmick's wedding ceremony to Miss Skiffins and Pip was the best man. 
Volume 3, Chapter 17: Pip spends his days with Magwitch in prison keeping him company while he is ill. When the trial arrives, Pip is there supporting Magwitch as much as he can.  The trial is over quickly and he is sentenced to death.  Pip knows that because of the situation, all of Magwitch's property and money are forfeited to the state, and all of Pip's expectations will lead to nothing.  After the sentencing, Pip still goes to visit him everyday in his cell but the visits our short and Magwitch is often too ill to speak.  One day, while Pip is there Magwitch passes away but right before he dies Pip tells him of the existence of his lost daughter, Estella.  At this news, Magwitch kisses his hand, and dies. 
Volume 3, Chapter 18: Alone now, Pip falls ill in his chambers and for days is there by himself.  Finally, creditors come to collect him and he is too sick to leave.  When he awakes next, Joe is there nursing him.  Pip asks after Miss Havisham, and Joe tells him the news of her death.  Most of her property and wealth was left to Estella, with a good-sized portion left also to Matthew Pocket.  Exceptionally small amounts are left to the relatives who sucked up to her all through her life.  Joe and Pip become close again, and Pip tries to tell him the story of his real benefactor but Joe will not hear it.  As Pip becomes stronger, Joe becomes more distant, and one morning when Pip wakes he finds that Joe has left.  Next to the note explaining where he went, Joe left a receipt paying off all of Pip's debts.  Pip decides that he will go back, work with Joe in the forge, and ask Biddy to spend the rest of her life with him.