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 followed into my poor labyrinth. According to my experience the conventional notion of a lover cannot be always true. The unqualified truth is that when I loved Estella with the love of a man I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow often and often if not always that I loved her against reason against promise against peace against hope against happiness 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 believed her to be human perfection.