Her face lights up so when she talks of her husband. It reminds him of when she were small, and would run to see him in the convent garden every day. She had no other thought than to spend her hour in his company alone, chattering away about her friends and the things she had learned, all the plants she could touch and the things she could see. His heart twists in his chest, but it is not all sad. She is sitting with him now, and still smiles at him, and though he is a wretch for allowing her to remain chained to him at all, he cannot feel anything but pleasure at being in her presence.

'He would be a force for good. All of society would choose him when they needed help, though of course if he does not want to practice, it is all very well. You will have him to yourself and run your house together, and be very happy. He will look after you, and have the servants run after you and make sure you have everything you need. I expect he will take a box at the theatre for you, if you wish, and a carriage to take you about the city. There will be no enjoyment you cannot share.'