"But are you going away with him?"
"I don't know. Not if I can help it;" and at that moment her eyes went to the portrait of her mother.
"You lost your mother very early, and I have neglected you. She ought to be here to protect you."
"No, no, father; she would not understand me as well as you do."
"So you are glad that she is not here?"
Evelyn nodded, and then she said—
"If he were to go away and I were left here again, I don't know what would become of me. It isn't my fault, father; I can't help it."
"I did not know that you were like this. Your mother—"
"Ah I mother and I are quite different. I am more like you, father. You can't blame me; you have been in love with women—with mother, at least—and ought to understand."
"Evelyn ... these are subjects that cannot be discussed between us."