"You really are so.... breathtakingly kind, Marianne." His smile becomes a bit more genuine, rueful almost as he shakes his head slightly. Then he sighs, looking up towards the window, just staring out of it for a long moment, tumbling all the pieces around in his head.

"I suppose... it's a good thing, then. That I waited..." He squeezes her hand once more and slowly withdraws one of them. "I had thought... once the war was done..."

The hand still holding hers shifts, drawing her hand up so he can press a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "to ask for your hand... I'd never forgive myself if I kept you from pursuing the one you truly want."