"Wait," she said breathlessly. "I love Beatrix, and it makes me slow to take this in. How long has it been going on?"
Thayer's lips tightened.
"Ever since I have known him," he answered reluctantly.
"Much?"
"No, comparatively little."
"Often?"
"Well—" The lengthening of the word told its own story.
"Does it increase?"
His expression answered her, and she took the answer in perfect silence. It was a full minute before she spoke again; but when she did speak, her voice had the old, level intonation.
"Are you willing to tell me just how far the trouble has gone, Mr. Thayer?"