Salta il testo dell’articolo
Estella’s admirers were many , and one of them was Bentley Drummle . He followed her everywhere , though he was the dullest and most disagreeable man I knew . At a ball in Richmond I saw her smile at him , and I could not bear it . “ Estella , ” I said , “ how can you encourage a man like Drummle ? You know that he is despised by everyone . ” “ Moths and all sorts of ugly creatures fly around a lighted candle , ” she answered . “ Can the candle help it ? ” “ But Estella , you give him looks and smiles that you never give to me . ” “ Do you want me , then , ” said Estella , turning suddenly with a serious look , “ to deceive and trap you ? ” “ Do you deceive and trap him , Estella ? ” “ Yes , and many others , all of them but you . ” Once I went with Estella to Satis House , and I saw her quarrel with Miss Havisham . Miss Havisham held her tightly and complained that Estella was cold to her . “ I am what you have made me , ” Estella answered calmly . “ Take all the praise , take all the blame , take all the success , take all the failure . In short , take me . You taught me to be hard and proud . Why should I be different now ? ” Miss Havisham sank down on the floor among her faded bridal things , and she moaned . I had never seen her so weak . X . The Return I was twenty - three years old , and still I had heard nothing more about my expectations . Herbert and I had moved to rooms in the Temple , close to the river , but Herbert had gone to France on business , and I was alone . The weather was terrible , and for days wild storms of wind and rain had been blowing through London . One night , at eleven o’clock , I was reading by the lamp when I heard a step on the stairs . “ There is someone down there , is there not ? ” I called out . “ Yes , ” said a voice from the darkness below . “ What floor do you want ? ” “ The top . Mr Pip . ” “ That is my name . There is nothing the matter ? ” “ Nothing the matter , ” answered the voice , and the man came up . He was a strong man of about sixty , with long grey hair and a brown face . He was dressed like a traveller who had come from over the sea . When he saw me , he held out both his hands , and his face was full of pleasure . I did not know him , and I did not like the look of him at all . “ Pray what is your business ? ” I asked . “ My business ? ” he said . “ Ah ! Yes . I will explain my business , by your leave . ” He sat down and looked at me and at the room with the greatest delight . Then , slowly , I began to know him . I had no need to see a file , or the iron on his leg , or to feel the cold wind of the marshes , to be sure of it : he was my convict from the churchyard . “ You acted nobly , my boy , ” he said . “ Noble Pip ! And I have never forgot it . ”
Indietro Pagina 19 di 31 Pagina 19 di 31 Avanti Continua a leggere con le traduzioni Crea un account gratuito: 7 giorni di Pro, poi 20 traduzioni di parole al giorno oppure un piano a pagamento.
