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.
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