Grief. Thérèse had known, somewhat; he had that air about him, of loss. Like an aura that only those part of the exclusive 'club' of people that have lost can have. But she didn't know the details, and she didn't want to pry. She had no problems telling people she trusted about Julien, but she knew it was different for most. If Christopher didn't want to say, he didn't have to.
"How fresh it is, is no factor to be considered. Grief doesn't fade, it just gets easier to ignore. We don't lose it, we tolerate it." She paused for a moment before reaching her hand out, taking Christopher's gently, watching his face. "You are a brave man, to show such incomparable kindness when you are experiencing much the same as I. I admire you, sir."