Like so many relatives of wealthy people, Camilla, Cousin
Raymond, and Sarah Pocket appear on Miss Havisham's birthday under the guise of wishing
her well. Miss Havisham has Pip support her as she walks with her cane around a great
table with a decaying wedding cake upon it. The "toadies" and "humbugs" tell Miss
Havisham that she "looks well." After Miss Pocket is rebuffed by Miss Havisham's "I do
not," Camilla complacently smiles, indicating her enjoyment of Miss Havisham's negative
treatment of Sarah. For, this may mean that Camilla might stand in better stead and
inherit more when Miss Havisham dies.
That they are
flatterers because they hope that Miss Havisham will bequeath money and property to them
is the reason these "toadies" even come each year. To Miss Havisham their words ring as
insincere. When Camilla says that Matthew is remiss for never coming, her desired
reaction from Miss Havisham is thrawted:
Matthew will come and see me at last," said Miss
Havisham sternly, "when I am laid on that table. That will be his place--there,"...at
my head! And yours will be there! And your husband's there! And Sarah Pocket's
there! And Georgiana's
there!
Once they all know
where they will stand and sit, Miss Havisham tells them to go. Then, she reveals that
not only is this day her birthday, but it was also her wedding day. Matthew Pocket,
father of Herbert, the pale young gentleman, does not come because he is the only one
who is not hypocritical. In fact, he has accused the others of "feasting on their
relations." He disapproved of her marrying Arthur, who jilted her, telling her he was a
swindler, but Miss Havisham rejected the honest Matthew.
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