"Why, one has only to look at you----" For the first time, Celia coloured, and her eyes dropped.

As if ashamed of having caused her embarrassment, he bit his lip, and muttered, "I have been offensive, I am afraid.

But you see how it is?
And now you know the truth, have guessed something of it, you will see that I have either to face the music, plead guilty to the charge and go to prison, or get out of it by the only way." It was she who hid her face now.

He saw that she was trembling; he knew that she was struggling with her tears; he went round to her and laid his hand on her shoulder, very gently, almost reverently.

"Don't cry," he said.