In this wordless exchange (which shows that Charles Gould is not an unfeeling character), the conditions for the Goulds' continued marriage are laid down in the face of their recognized differences. Charles' gesture indicates that he requires her for his ideal (seizing her hands), and is grateful for her participation (the kiss). Emily's approach to the marriage, however, is to pull one hand free ("disengage" has a marital overtone) in order to express sympathy, i.e., continue her altruistic interests. At that he stands up, rejecting sympathy for himself, perhaps conscientious of his secret dynamite but at any rate relegating her altruism to a solitary crusade. (See "leaving her outside" below. )