She nodded mutely, still withdrawing into herself, her eyes on his hand as though it would jump out and hurt her at any moment. "Yes, m'sieur, I'm sorry. I don't mean to offend you-- it's just that is what happens so often in my life. Even if I offer, men will take what they want from me. It is an inevitability, I have come to learn. I do not mean any offense."

She swallowed, rising to her feet with more help from the chair than she needed. "You've already showed me a great kindness in letting me into your home. I should be worried that there would be some sort of catch. You truly are as good a man as they say you are, m'sieur." She offered him a broken smile.