She is kind and gentle, I know, for she is so to all; but she does not confide in me, she does not trust me; she has some sorrow at heart which I am never allowed to learn and soothe.

Why does she avoid all mention of her early days?
She never talks to me as if she, too, had once a mother! Why am I never to speak of her first marriage, of my father?
Why does she look reproachfully at me, and shun me--yes, shun me, for days together--if--if I attempt to draw her to the past?
Is there a secret?
If so, am I not old enough to know it ?" Evelyn spoke quickly and nervously, and with quivering lips.

Aubrey took her hand, and pressing it, said, after a little pause,-- "Evelyn, this is the first time you have ever thus spoken to me.

Has anything chanced to arouse your--shall I call it curiosity, or shall I call it the mortified pride of affection ?" "And you, too, aye harsh; you blame me! No, it is true that I have not thus spoken to you before; but I have long, long thought with grief that I was insufficient to my mother's happiness,--I who love her so dearly.
And now, since Mrs.Leslie has been here, I find her conversing with this comparative stranger so much more confidentially than with me.

When I come in unexpectedly, they cease their conference, as if I were not worthy to share it; and--and oh, if I could but make you understand that all I desire is that my mother should love me and know me and trust me--" "Evelyn," said the curate, coldly, "you love your mother, and justly; a kinder and a gentler heart than hers does not beat in a human breast.
Her first wish in life is for your happiness and welfare.