I did not, even that romantic morning, invest her with any attributes save those she possessed.I mention this in this place, of a fixed purpose, because it is the clew by which I am to be followedinto my poor labyrinth. According to my experience, the conventional notion of a lover cannot bealways true. The unqualified truth is, that when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved hersimply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if notalways, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, againsthappiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I loved her none the less
because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me than if I had devoutly believedher to be human perfection.