I do strike you as surprising, no doubt--but surprisingly mild.

Because--don't you see ?--I AM mild.

I can bear anything." "Oh, 'bear'!" Mrs.Assingham fluted.
"For love," said the Princess.
Fanny hesitated.

"Of your father ?" "For love," Maggie repeated.
It kept her friend watching.

"Of your husband ?" "For love," Maggie said again.
It was, for the moment, as if the distinctness of this might have determined in her companion a choice between two or three highly different alternatives.