AGNES. [With an effort.] Go on.

LUCAS. [Looking before him--partly to himself, his voice hardening.]
I'll never be mad again--never. [Thrusting his head back.] By heavens!
[To her, in an altered tone.] You don't say it.

AGNES. [After a pause.] I--I will never be mad again.

LUCAS. [Triumphantly.] Hah! ha, ha! [She deliberately removes the shawl
from her shoulders, and, putting her arms round his neck, draws him to
her.] Ah, my dear girl!

AGNES. [In a whisper, with her head on his breast.] Lucas.

LUCAS. Yes?

AGNES. Isn't this madness?

LUCAS. I don't think so.

AGNES. Oh! oh! oh! I believe, to be a woman is to be mad.

LUCAS. No, to be a woman trying not to be a woman--that is to be mad.
[She draws a long, deep breath, then, sitting away from him, resumes
her shawl mechanically.]

AGNES. Now, you promised me to run out to the Capello Nero to get a
little food.