Pip and Estella
1 "It seems," said Estella, very calmly, "that there are sentiments, fancies--I don't know how to call them--which I am not able to comprehend. When you say you love me, I know what you mean, as a form of words; but nothing more. I don't care for what you say at all. I have tried to warn you of this; now, have I not?"
2 I said in a miserable manner, "Yes."
3 "Yes. But you would not be warned, for you thought I did not mean it. Now, did you not think so?"
4 "I thought and hoped you could not mean it. You, so young, untried, and beautiful, Estella! Surely it is not in Nature."
5 "It is in my nature," she returned. And then she added, with a stress upon the words, "It is in the nature formed within me. I make a great difference between you and all other people when I say so much. I can do no more."
6 "Is it not true," said I, "that Bentley Drummle is in town here, and pursuing you?"
7 "It is quite true," she replied, referring to him with the indifference of utter contempt.
8 "That you encourage him, and ride out with him, and that he dines with you this very day?"
9 She seemed a little surprised that I should know it, but again replied, "Quite true."
10 "You cannot love him, Estella?"
11 Her fingers stopped for the first time, as she retorted rather angrily, "What have I told you? Do you still think, in spite of it, that I do not mean what I say?"
12 "You would never marry him, Estella?"
13 "Why not tell you the truth? I am going to be married to him."
14 "Estella, dearest, dearest Estella, do not let Miss Havisham lead you into this fatal step. Put me aside for ever--you have done so, I well know--but bestow yourself on some worthier person than Drummle. Miss Havisham gives you to him, as the greatest slight and injury that could be done to the many far better men who admire you. Among those few, there may be one who loves you even as dearly, though he has not loved you as long as I. Take him, and I can bear it better for your sake!"
15 "I am going," she said again, in a gentler voice, "to be married to him. The preparations for my marriage are making, and I shall be married soon. Why do you injuriously introduce the name of my mother by adoption? It is my own act."
16 "Your own act, Estella, to fling yourself away on a brute?"
17 "On whom should I fling myself away?" she retorted, with a smile.