- Lord Peter Wimsey: May I come into your parlor?
- Harriet Vane: Peter! What on earth are you doing here?
- Lord Peter Wimsey: [holds up newspaper] "Famous Mystery Author Finds Body on Beach" So, here I am, like a bird that hears the call of its mate.
- Harriet Vane: I didn't call you...
- Lord Peter Wimsey: I meant the body. But talking of mates, will you marry me?
- Harriet Vane: Certainly not.
- Harriet Vane: I'm sorry, I know I'm being horribly ungrateful...
- Lord Peter Wimsey: Oh, *hell*! Am I never to hear the end of that hateful adjective? I keep telling you, I don't want gratitude! I don't want kindness, I don't want sentimentality! I just want common honesty.
- Harriet Vane: But that's all I ever wanted! I don't think it's to be had.
- [silence]
- Lord Peter Wimsey: Harriet, I do understand. I know you don't ever want to have to depend on another person for your happiness ever again.
- Harriet Vane: That's true. That's the truest thing you've ever said.