In 1830, at age 18, Charles Dickens met his first love, Maria Beadnell. At some times, Maria treated Dickens indifferently, and encouraged his affections. However, in 1833 when Charles told Maria of his true feelings for her she, much like Estella, insulted him, and told him that he was just a "boy". After twenty four years of separation, Dickens and Beadnell met once again, Dickens was thrilled. However, Dickens was now an accomplished writer, while Maria lacked the same beauty that Charles had seen in her before.