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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