AGNES. An excellent one. You're so strong and well now.

LUCAS. Thanks to you.

AGNES. [Staring before her.] Well—I did nurse you carefully, didn't
I?

LUCAS. But I don't understand you. You are surely not proposing to—to —break with me?

AGNES. No—I—I—I was only thinking that you—you might see something in this suggestion of a compromise.

[LUCAS glances at ST. OLPHERTS, whose back is turned to them. ST.
OLPHERTS instinctively looks round, then goes and sits by the window.]

LUCAS. [Looking at her searchingly.] Well, but—you—?

AGNES. [With assumed indifference.] Oh, I—

LUCAS. You?

AGNES. Lucas, don't—don't make me paramount. [He moves to the end of the settee, showing by a look that he desires her to sit by him. After a moment's hesitation she takes her place beside him.]