Mrs Jennings. And very fond of the ladies.

Duke [pleased]. Oh, is he?

Mrs Jennings. And that he can't be five minutes with one without making himself agreeable to her.

Duke. Well, I don't call that a fault.

Mrs Jennings. No, I daresay not, but I know nothing about that, of course, as my relations with him have been entirely on a business footing.

Duke. Your relations with him?

Mrs Jennings. Yes, we have been exchanging letters for the last week.

Duke. Exchanging letters for the last week! [With a sudden idea—aside]. Ha! can it be that—no—it is not possible!

Mrs Jennings. You'd never guess what subject he's been corresponding with me about—not quite the sort of thing you'd expect from a Duke.

Duke [aside]. I really believe it is! [Aloud] Can it be the subject we were speaking about just now? Is it—