Her development, in proportion as it was rich and complete, led her away from and made her independent of him .-- No, it wasn't she, but the child whom he wanted.

And, standing at the foot of Damaris' bed, he knew, with a cruel certainty, he was there just simply to watch the child die.
Yes, it was a mere matter of time.

Sooner or later she would put a leading question--her methods being bravely candid and direct.

Of course, it was open to him to meet that question with blank denial, open to him to lie--as is the practice of the world when such damnably awkward situations come along .-- A solution having, in the present case, the specious argument behind it that in so doing he would spare her, save her pain, in addition to the obvious one that he would save his own skin.
Moreover, if he lied he could trust Damaris' loyalty.

Whether she believed it or not, she would accept his answer as final.