"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, ill-tempered, 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.