LUCAS. [In an undertone.] I do make you paramount. I do. My dear girl, under any circumstances you would still be everything to me—always. [She nods with a vacant look.] There would have to be this pretence of an establishment of mine—that would have to be faced; the whited sepulchre, the mockery of dinners and receptions and so on. But it would be to you I should fly for sympathy, encouragement, rest.
AGNES. Even if you were ill again—
LUCAS. Even then, if it were practicable—if it could be—if it—
AGNES. [Looking him in the face.] Well—?
LUCAS. [Avoiding her gaze.] Yes, dear?
AGNES. What do you say, then, to asking the Duke to give you back that letter to your brother?
LUCAS. It wouldn't settle matters, simply destroying that letter.
Sandford begs me to go round to the Danieli tonight, to—to—
AGNES. To see him? [LUCAS nods.] And her? [He shrugs his shoulders.] At what time? Was any time specified?
LUCAS. Half-past nine.
AGNES. I—I haven't my watch on.