He lays his hand over hers. Suddenly there are tears in her eyes—at the same time she is watching him furtively.
"What is it?—nothing—nothing!"
"There is something. Something is annoying you—troubling you. You must tell me what it is."
There is sudden command in his voice. She clasps her hands. Her excitement is intense, but she does not forget the business in hand for an instant. Even when she clasps her hands in an excess of agitation, she remembers to make the action effective. It is effective.
"Helen,"—he speaks under his breath,—"I want to know what troubles you. Has it anything to do with business?"
She starts a little.
"Has it anything to do with business affairs?"
He repeats it.
She does not answer.
"Is it about this measure Braine is working for?"