Sergius paused.
"Well," she asked.
"The inferences—consider them."
"State them."
"My tongue refuses. Or if I must, O Princess, I will use the form of accusation others are likely to have adopted. 'The Princess Irene lives at Therapia because Prince Mahommed is her lover, and it is a convenient place of meeting. Therefore his safeguard on her gate.'"
"No one could be bold enough to"—
"One has been bold enough."
"One?"
"The Hegumen of my Brotherhood."
The Princess was very pale.