But nevertheless she had not done it on purpose, any more than he had done it on purpose to that other poor creature of God.

_She did not understand._ Her fair, sweet face, which he had shuddered at as at a leper's, came back to him, smiling at him with a soft reproach.

Ah! It was a child's face.

That was the secret of it all.

That was one of the reasons why he had so worshipped it, that dear face.