NES. 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.]

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.

LUCAS. [Referring to his watch.] Nine twenty-five.

AGNES. You can almost manage it--if you'd like to go.

LUCAS. Oh, let them wait a few minutes for me; that won't hurt them.

AGNES. [Dazed.] Let me see--I did fetch your hat and coat--[She rises
and walks mechanically, stumbling against a chair. LUCAS looks up,
alarmed; ST. OLPHERTS rises.]

AGNES. [Replacing the chair.] It's all right; I didn't notice this.
[Bringing LUCAS'S hat and coat, and assisting him with the latter.] How
long will you be?

LUCAS. Not more than half an hour. An hour at the outside.

AGNES. [Arranging his neck handkerchief.] Keep this so.

LUCAS. Er--if--if I--if we--

AGNES. The Duke is waiting. [LUCAS turns away, and joins ST. OLPHERTS.]

LUCAS. [To him, in a low voice.] I am going back to the hotel with you.

ST. OLPHERTS. Oh, are you? [The door opens and FORTUNE enters, followed
by AMOS WINTERFIELD.