'But you know that you have something to learn about me yet. I
only want to say this: I shall not think less of you — less well of
you, I mean — if you, too, fall away from me when you know all.
Stop!' said she, as if fearing another burst of mad words. 'Listen
to me. My father is a man of great wealth. I never knew my mother;
she must have died when I was very young. When first I remember
anything, I was living in a great, lonely house, with my dear and
faithful Mistress Clarke. My father, even, was not there; he was —
he is — a soldier, and his duties lie abroad. But he came, from
time to time, and every time I think he loved me more and more. He
brought me rarities from foreign lands, which prove to me now how
much he must have thought of me during his absences. I can sit dow
