She was quite well aware of its existence--had been aware of it for some time.

Karl Steinmetz had thrown out one or two vague hints; everything pointed to it.

Maggie could hardly be ignorant of the fact that Catrina had grown to womanhood loving Paul.
A score of times Catrina approached the subject, and with imperturbable steadfastness Maggie held to her determination that Paul was not to be discussed by them.

She warded, she evaded, she ignored with a skill which baffled the simple Russian.

She had a hundred subterfuges--a hundred skilful turns and twists.