Page 554 - GREAT EXPECTATIONS
P. 554
Great Expectations
‘Why should I look at him?’ returned Estella, with her
eyes on me instead. ‘What is there in that fellow in the
corner yonder - to use your words - that I need look at?’
‘Indeed, that is the very question I want to ask you,’
said I. ‘For he has been hovering about you all night.’
‘Moths, and all sorts of ugly creatures,’ replied Estella,
with a glance towards him, ‘hover about a lighted candle.
Can the candle help it?’
‘No,’ I returned; ‘but cannot the Estella help it?’
‘Well!’ said she, laughing, after a moment, ‘perhaps.
Yes. Anything you like.’
‘But, Estella, do hear me speak. It makes me wretched
that you should encourage a man so generally despised as
Drummle. You know he is despised.’
‘Well?’ said she.
‘You know he is as ungainly within, as without. A
deficient, illtempered, lowering, stupid fellow.’
‘Well?’ said she.
‘You know he has nothing to recommend him but
money, and a ridiculous roll of addle-headed predecessors;
now, don’t you?’
‘Well?’ said she again; and each time she said it, she
opened her lovely eyes the wider.
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