It is that love can make the most terrible things acceptable.

I am dying!" he cried. "Kiss me, my love. Kiss me, and mayhap your love will keep me tethered to this mortal coil.

A kiss or two? Balderdash." He had kissed courtesans who had less skill.

Yes, well, how was I to know you would be so dramatic? Really, Francine, I don’t know where you get it from.” Then she primly grabbed the fowling gun before departing from the room.