"You have not allowed me to be anything but," he feels compelled to point out, given that Constance could easily do away with him with the flick of her fingers, but chooses to keep him in her life despite his list of many flaws. He knows that Bonacieux had never truly liked him, though he does feel sorry for the man. Dislike is no reason to wish harm on anyone and the loss of one's life is a difficult thing.

He reaches over to rest his other hand on hers, simply to hold there. "And you, you are a kind and gentle woman of great intelligence who deserves every ounce of happiness she can find, even if it is with someone who is not the man you married."