and so across again into
that, never ceasing the low cry. After a time, I tried in the dark both to get
out and to go back, but I could do neither until some streaks of day strayed in
and showed me where to lay my hands. During the whole interval, whenever I went
to the bottom of the staircase, I heard her footstep, saw her candle pass above,
and heard her ceaseless low cry.
    Before we left next day, there was no revival of the difference between her
and Estella, nor was it ever revived on any similar occasion; and there were
four similar occasions, to the best of my remembrance. Nor, did Miss Havisham's
manner towards Estella in anywise change, except that I believed it to have
something like fear infused among its former characteristics.
    It is impossible to turn this leaf of my life without putting Bentley
Drummle's name upon it; or I would, very gladly.
    On a certain occasion when the Finches were assembled in force, and when
good feeling was being promoted in the usual manner by nobody's agreeing with
anybody else, the presiding Finch called the Grove to order, forasmuch as Mr.
Drummle had not yet toasted a lady; which, according to the solemn constitution
of the society, it was the brute's turn to do that day. I thought I saw him leer
in an ugly way at me while the decanters were going round, but as there was no
love lost between us, that might easily be. What was my indignant surprise when
he called upon the company to pledge him to »Estella!«
    »Estella who?« said I.
    »Never you mind,« retorted Drummle.
    »Estella of where?« said I. »You are bound to say of where.« Which he was,
as a Finch.
    »Of Richmond, gentlemen,« said Drummle, putting me out of the question, »and
a peerless beauty.«
    Much he knew about peerless beauties, a mean miserable idiot! I whispered
Herbert.
    »I know that lady,« said Herbert, across the table, when the toast had been
honoured.
    »Do you?« said Drummle.
    »And so do I,« I added with a scarlet face.
    »Do you?« said Drummle. »Oh, Lord!«
    This was the only retort - except glass or crockery - that the heavy
creature was capable of making; but, I became as highly incensed by it as if it
had been barbed with it, and I immediately rose in my place and