[Marianne's optimism does help to buoy her spirits, and she offers a reserved smile in response, along with a polite nod of agreement.]

I suppose we shall, once we've tracked him down. I appreciate that you're not only willing to help, but that you've chosen to be so open-minded. I can't speak for any of the others from your world; many I've spoken to seem to like him well enough despite being equally concerned, but I know what he thinks of himself.

[That anyone would forgive him when he cannot forgive himself would astound him no matter how many times he encountered it, she thinks.]

I'm glad to know he wasn't without friends at home, either.