[carefully, Cecelia loops her arm through his and hugs his arm to herself, scooting in tightly against him. her other hand reaches to lift a menu in pretense to reading it, but rather just further guarding the man from any scrutiny that could come from beyond the booth.]

For my part...I despise praises of courage and cleverness when I feel at my most bankrupt of them. Is it so for you, as well?

Perhaps I should refrain, even though I know in my heart of what is good and true to you, from what I've seen of you. It won't erase what is true.

[she hugs his arm a little tighter.]

That there is quite a deal of good in you, dear man.