Softly he approached.

The girl's fur cap had fallen off.

Her long, shining braid was half undone and its silken strands fell over her shoulder and glistened in the lamp-glow on the table.

His hand hesitated, and then fell gently on the bowed head.
"Sometimes the friend who lies is the only friend who's true," he said.
"I believe that it was necessary for you to--lie." Just once his hand stroked her soft hair, then, catching himself, he went to the opposite side of the narrow table and sat down.

When the girl raised her head there was a bright flush in her cheeks.