"Yes, I heard it; it was rubbish." But something in her face impressed
him. "Eve, you are not really going to throw me over for a fancy like
that?"
"No; for the horrible truth."
"My poor girl, you are all wrong, you are out of your mind. Let us look
at only one side of it: what can you do in the world without me and my
love as your shield? Your very position (which you talk too much about)
makes _me_ your refuge. Where else could you go? To whom? You speak of
staying with Cicely. But Cicely--about Ferdie--is a little devil. The
boy will never be yours, she will not give him to you; and, all alone in
the world, how desolate you will be! You think yourself strong, but to
me you are like a child; I long to take care of you, I should guard you
from everything. And there wouldn't be the least goodness in this on my
part; don't think that; I'm passionately in love with you--I might as
well confess it outright."