I decided to go to London first, to stay at a hotel for a few nights, and see all the sights of that great city. I knew it would be very different from the last time I was in London, when I was working at the warehouse. Now I was adult, and educated, and had money.

The hotel I chose was called the Golden Cross, and because I looked so young, I was given a very small, dark room in the roof. But I did not feel confident enough to complain.

He stared at me for a moment. Then he cried, "Good heavens! It's little Copperfield!"

I was so delighted to see him that I held both his hands, saying, "My dear Steerforth, you have no idea how pleased I am to see you again!" I remembered how much I had admired him, and all my love for him came back. I had to brush away the tears from my eyes.

That evening I was returning from the theatre when I recognized someone going into the hotel. I could not prevent my self from saying at once, "Steerforth! Do you remember me?"

"Don't cry, Copperfield, old boy!" he said kindly. "I'm glad to see you too. What are you doing here?"

"Number 44. It's rather high up," I confessed, blushing.

"Well, I'm studying at Oxford University, but nothing ex citing ever happens there! That's why I'm in London for a few days. But it's boring here too, isn't it?"

"David, David!" laughed Steerforth. "It does me good to see your fresh, innocent face, so full of excitement! Now, let me see, which room are staying in?"

"I've just finished school, and my aunt has sent me to Lon don to look around before deciding on a profession. What about you, Steerforth?"

"In London?" I asked, surprised. "I think it's wonderful! There's so much to do and see! I've just been to the theatre -- the actors were excellent and --"

A week passed very quickly, with visits to the theatre, the museums and the zoo. We went sightseeing, riding, swimming and boating. Steerforth was the perfect companion to have, and I admired him even more than before. In fact, I loved him with all my heart.

"They've put you in number 44? I'll soon change that." And when Steerforth complained to the manager, I was immediately given a large, airy, comfortable room on the first floor, next to his. That night as I fell asleep I thought happily of the next few days, which Steerforth and I were planning to spend together.

"Yes, David, I remember you told me. She lives in Yarmouth now, doesn't she? Why don't we go there together?"

"Oh yes, Steerforth! You'd enjoy meeting her brother, and all the family! They're very kind, good people."

We travelled to Yarmouth by coach, and when we arrived, Steerforth stayed at the hotel while I went to Barkis's house to find Peggotty. When I knocked at the door, Peggotty opened it, and did not recognize me for a moment. I had continued to write to her regularly, but we had not seen each other for seven years, and I was no longer the small boy she remembered. But when she realized I was her Master David, she sobbed and sobbed with delight, holding me in her arms as she had always done. Soon she was calmer, and we talked about the events of the last few years. I heard that she was very happy with Mr Barkis, who; however, was ill in bed at the time. She was so pleased to see me that she insisted I should sleep at her house during my stay in Yarmouth, in the little bedroom she had al ways kept for me.

One day I said to him, "You know, Steerforth, I really must go and visit my mother's old servant, Peggotty. She was very good to me when I was a child."

"Even if they are only working people," said Steerforth. I looked quickly at him to see what he meant, but he was smiling at me, so I knew he was joking, and I smiled too.

And for a moment we were all shaking hands and talking and laughing at the same time. I did not forget to introduce Steerforth. They welcomed him warmly as my best friend.

"Look! It's Master David! Look how he's grown!"

"Master David knows how I love this girl," continued old Daniel, "and my dearest wish was for her to have a good husband to take care of her. And there's no one I trust more than Ham! He's only a rough sailor like me, but he's honest, and sincere, and I know she'll come to no harm while he lives!"

"Well!" cried Daniel Peggotty, his large face red and shining with delight. "It's wonderful, Master David, that you two gentlemen have come here tonight of all nights! The best night of my life! Because tonight, gentlemen, my little Emily --" and he took Emily's small white hand in his rough red one and placed it on his heart -- "has agreed to become Ham's wife!"

"I congratulate you with all my heart," said Steerforth politely to Ham, without taking his eyes off Emily, who was blushing prettily.

The next day I took Steerforth with me to visit Daniel Peggotty. It was a dark and windy winter evening. As we came closer to the old boat, we heard happy voices and laughter in side. I opened the door, and suddenly I was surrounded by Daniel, Ham and Emily, all looking very surprised.

"Well!" said Steerforth to me as we walked across the sand in the cold night air. "What a lovely girl! And what a coarse young man she's engaged to!"

Meanwhile, Ham was blushing too. I did not know what to say, unsure whether I still loved Emily and was therefore jealous of Ham, or whether I was glad they were going to be happy together. But Steerforth always knew the right thing to say, and with a few well-chosen words he made us all feel much more comfortable.

We spent the rest of the evening very pleasantly, telling stories and singing songs, and it was midnight when Steerforth and I left the old boat.

He stopped and looked at me, saying rather sadly, "David, you're serious, aren't you? I wish I were as good as you!"

I was shocked by these unexpectedly cold words. But when I turned to him and saw him smiling, I replied warmly, "Ah, Steerforth! You pretend to laugh at people who are poorer or less educated than yourself, but I've just seen you spend the whole evening with the Peggotty family, making them happy! I know you understand and love them, and I admire you all the more for it!"

"Oh, David!" he said unhappily. "I wish I could control myself better! I hate myself sometimes!"

While we were travelling back on the coach, I turned to say something, and was surprised to see how miserable he looked.

For the next two weeks I was often with Peggotty and Barkis, while Steerforth went sailing or fishing with Daniel and Ham, or found other things to do, so I did not see very much of him. Finally we decided to return to London.

"Thank you, David," he said, shaking his head, "but you don't know how bad I am."

"Bad!" I repeated. "My dear Steerforth! Don't say that! I know your character well, and I'm proud to call you my friend!"

In London I discovered that my aunt had arrived at the Golden Cross Hotel, and had booked a room there for several days. We were delighted to see each other, and had a long conversation that evening. She had come to ask me a particular question.

"Steerforth! What can you mean!" I cried. "You're the best, the most intelligent, the kindest of men!"

In a little while his mood changed, and he became cheerful again. I soon forgot his words, but I remembered them later.

"David," she said very seriously, "I've been thinking about your future profession. How would you feel about becoming a lawyer?"

I thought for a moment. "Well, aunt, it sounds a very good idea. I confess I hadn't considered it before, but I think I'd like it."

"Very good," said my aunt, jumping up. "In that case, let's go immediately to see Mr Spenlow. He's a partner in an important law firm, and I think he'll agree to train you. We'll have to pay him, of course, but after several years you'll be a properly trained lawyer, and be able to earn your own money."

And so we carried out this plan. My aunt paid Mr Spenlow's firm a thousand pounds, and I promised to work hard and do my best to become a successful lawyer. Before she returned to Dover, my aunt rented a small flat for me, at the top of a house near the law courts, and I moved in at once.

At first it seemed very exciting to walk through the busy streets after a long day in the courts or at Mr Spenlow's dusty office, and know that I had my own home to return to. But when I had climbed up all the stairs, and entered my sitting room, it no longer seemed so exciting. In fact, my flat looked empty and depressing. So, after two days of loneliness, I was very glad to receive my first visitor, Steerforth, and because I was so happy to see him, I invited him and two friends of his to dinner the next evening.

Someone suggested going to the theatre, and in a kind of mist we left my flat and walked through the streets. Steerforth was holding my arm and laughing. Then a man in a little box looked out of the fog, and took money from somebody. Soon we were sitting high up in a very hot, very crowded theatre. There were bright lights, and there was music, but I could not understand what anyone was saying, and the whole building seemed to swim in front of my eyes.

As it was my first dinner party, I did not know what to buy, but I ordered cooked dishes of chicken and fish from the restaurant, bought cheese and fruit from the market, and had a large number of bottles of wine delivered. I was quite frightened by how much money I had spent, but when Steerforth and his friends arrived, I soon became more cheerful. The party was a great success, and we all enjoyed ourselves very much. We ate, and drank, and smoked, and drank again. I was constantly opening bottles of wine, and became unusually talkative. I began to feel rather strange, and when I caught sight of myself in a mirror, I seemed very pale. I had to confess to myself that I looked drunk.

Then someone suggested going to visit some friends in an other part of the theatre, so we went downstairs. Suddenly I saw, quite clearly, Agnes Wickfield, sitting with a lady and gentleman. She was looking at me with a surprised expression on her face.

"Good heavens!" I cried. "Agnes! You're in London!"

"Quiet!" she whispered. "People are trying to listen to the actors. You'll disturb them!" Then she added kindly, "David, please do what I say. Ask your friends to take you home."

I had always taken Agnes's advice, and I did so this time. I do not remember how I got home, but I do remember Steer forth helping me to undress and get into bed. What a terrible, sleepless night I spent! How ill I felt! How dry my mouth was! But the next morning I felt even worse. I was so miser able and ashamed that I had been so stupid, and that Agnes had seen me drunk. I could not even apologize to her, because I did not know where she was staying in London. I spent the whole day with my head in my hands, in my dirty, smoky room, surrounded by empty wine bottles.

But the next day a note was delivered to my flat. It was from Agnes, asking me to visit her at the house where she was staying. I went straight there after my day's work at the office.

She looked so quiet and good, and reminded me so much of my happy schooldays in Canterbury, that I could not help crying.

"David, don't be unhappy," she said cheerfully. "You know you can trust me, and I'll always be your friend."

"My dear Agnes!" I cried. "Do you mean Steerforth?"

"I'm so sorry, Agnes," I said, "that you saw me like that. I wish I were dead!"

She shook her head. "No, David, but if I were, I'd warn you -- to stay away from your bad angel."

I took her hand and kissed it. "Agnes, you're my good angel!"

"Agnes, you're wrong! He is my trusted friend! He helps and guides me! It wasn't his fault that I got drunk, you know!"

"I do, David," she replied, looking firmly at me.

"I wasn't thinking of that. I judge him from what you've told me about him, and your character, and his influence over you." Agnes spoke very seriously, and her words went straight to my heart. "I'm certain I'm right. You've made a dangerous friend, David, because you're so trusting. Please remember what I say -- and forgive me for saying it."

"I will, if you forgive me for getting drunk."

Agnes agreed, smiling, and then said suddenly, "Have you seen Uriah Heep?"

"I'm worried, David," answered Agnes with sadness in her beautiful eyes. "I think he's going to be Father's partner."

I remembered Uriah Heep's oily smile, and how uncomfort able he always used to make me feel.

"No," I replied. "Is he in London? What's he doing here?"

"What? That creature? He's so unpleasant! You must prevent your father from agreeing to it, Agnes!"

Agnes smiled miserably. "My poor father has no choice. You know how unhappy he has often been? And of course you've seen him drinking. You see, he loved my mother very much, and when she died, he didn't care so much about his work. That's when he started drinking. Uriah's very clever -- he knows all this, and he's been very useful to Father, doing all the work that Father had forgotten or didn't want to do. Father really needs Uriah now, to keep his business going. And Uriah himself pretends to be humble and grateful, but in fact he's in a strong position, and is insisting on becoming a partner. Father is ashamed of himself, but he has to agree. Poor Father! I'd do anything to help him, any thing!" And Agnes sobbed bitterly.

I had never seen Agnes cry before. It made me so sad that I could only say helplessly, "My dear Agnes! Please don't cry!" However, in a few minutes she was calm again, and I was able to leave her, promising to visit her and her father in Canter bury very soon.