Early in life, before she had resided under the same roof with him in London, he had, as it were, washed his hands of all solicitude regarding her; and having no other ties of family, had fallen into habits of life which made it almost impossible for him to live with her as any other father would live with his child. 
Early in life, before she had come to live with him, he had, as it were, washed his hands of her upbringing. 