“Estella, to the last hour of my life, you cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil. But, in this separation, I associate you only with the good; and I will faithfully hold you to that always, for you must have done me far more good than harm, let me feel now what sharp distress I may. O God bless you, God forgive you!”
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 44. Even after Estella announces her plans to marry the unworthy Drummle, Pip declares his unswerving love for her. Pip has a highly romanticized view of Estella, even when she tells him that he will quickly forget her. In this passionate speech he blesses and forgives her and expresses the depth of his desperate love and despair. He resolves to remember her only for the good parts of their relationship, not the painful ones.