It was my fault, little girl.

Some day you will understand that it was not a wholly selfish fault--because I believed--perhaps only dreamed--that I could make you happier by loving you in--both ways.

That is all; it is your happiness--our happiness that we must consider; and if it is to last and endure, we must be very, very careful that nothing really disturbs it again.

And that means that the love, which is sometimes called friendship, must be recognised as sufficient.

.