“Why would you want me after all I have done?' Hyacinthe asks, anguished.

'Why does anyone want anyone else?' Tiernan answers. 'We do not love because people deserve it- nor would I want to be loved because I was the most deserving of some list of candidates. I want to be loved for my worst self as well as my best. I want to be forgiven my flaws.'

'I find it harder to forgive your virtues,' Hyacinthe tells him, a smile in his voice.”