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.