Airey had never got further than the threshold. He stood there listening.
Trix went on, in a level hard voice: 'He thinks Mr. Trent found the money. It was three thousand pounds—it might have been four. I don't know why Mr. Fricker only took three when he might have had four.'
For an instant Airey glanced at Peggy's face.
'But whether it was three or four, it couldn't have been Peggy's own money. I've asked Peggy whose it was. I've asked Mr. Trent whether it was his. I can't get any answer out of either of them. They both seem to think there's no need to answer me. They both seem to think that I've been such a—such a—— Oh, what shall I do?' She dropped suddenly into a chair and hid her face in her hands.
At last Airey Newton advanced slowly towards her.
'Come, come, Mrs. Trevalla,' he began.
Trix raised her face to his. 'So, as I had no other friend—no other friend I could trust—and they wouldn't help me, I was coming to you. You won't forsake me? You'll tell me the truth?' Her voice rose strong again for a minute. 'This is terribly hard to bear,' she said, 'because I'd come to think it was all right, and that I hadn't been a wretched dupe. And now I have! And my own dear friends have done it too! First my enemies, then my friends!'
Tommy Trent cleared his throat, and looked shamefully indifferent; but for no apparent reason he stood up. Peggy sallied suddenly from her entrenchments, ran to Trix, and fell on her knees beside her.
'Trix, dear Trix!' she murmured.
'Yes, I daresay you loved me, but it's too hard, Peggy.' Trix's voice was hard and unforgiving still.