Simpson departs and Trebell comes to her for his letters. She looks at him with baffled affection.

Frances. Can I do nothing? Oh, Henry!

Trebell. Help me to open my letters.

Frances. Don't you leave them to Mr. Kent?

Trebell. Not this morning.

Frances. But there are so many.

Trebell. [For the first time lifting his voice from its dull monotony.] What a busy man I was.

Frances. Henry ... you're a little mad.

Trebell. Do you find me so? That's interesting.

Frances. [With the ghost of a smile.] Well ... maddening.