The analyses of a text #1

The narrator recalls his adolescence.
His old nurse Peggotty's niece Emily fled away with his best friend Mr. James Steerforth, leaving her fiance Ham behind.
Peggotty's elder brother Mr. Peggotty has sought for her niece Emily after her leaving.
At length, he found out her niece by her friend Martha's help, and determined to emigrate to Australia with her niece.
And the narrator visited Ham to break the information, with Mr. Peggotty.
It felt as if Ham want to talke to him alone the night, so he resolved to give him a chance tomorrow evening.

Chapter 51 THE BEGINNING OF A LONGER JOURNEY

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As I had a sorrowful wish to see the old place once more, before it was locked up, I engaged to meet them there in the evening. But I so arranged it, as that I should meet Ham first.
It was easy to come in his way, as I knew where he worked. I met him at a retired part of the sands, which I knew he would cross, and turned back with him, that he might have leisure to speak to me if he really wished. I had not mistaken the expression of his face. We had walked but a little way together, when he said, without looking at me:
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I'd like to know why it is "so arranged," not "much arranged."
2. I'd like to know if "it" refers to the following "that" clause.
3. And I'd like to know why there is "as."
Thank you in advance for your help.