Combeferre had been half-expecting her to refuse. Not outright, of course, for Sybil was too well schooled for that. But he had feared she might look askance, or keep what distance she could, or even laugh at him. A woman might reject a man's arm in a hundred ways without outright refusing it.

But Sybil did none of those things, and Combeferre flashed her a smile full of warmth as they walked towards the hospital. "My behavior thus far does not warrant concern? Here I am in the company of a lovely woman, and all I can do is talk of insects."