At a certain Assembly Ball at Richmond (there used to be Assembly Balls at most places then), where Estella had outshone all other beauties, this blundering Drummle so hung about her, and with so much toleration on her part, that I resolved to speak to her concerning him. I took the next opportunity; which was when she was waiting for Mrs. Blandley to take her home, and was sitting apart among some flowers, ready to go. I was with her, for I almost always accompanied them to and from such places.

     "Are you tired, Estella?"

     "Rather, Pip."

     "You should be."

     "Say rather, I should not be; for I have my letter to Satis House to write, before I go to sleep."

     "Recounting to-night's triumph?" said I. "Surely a very poor one, Estella."

     "What do you mean? I didn't know there had been any."

     "Estella," said I, "do look at that fellow in the corner yonder, who is looking over here at us."

     "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?"