[Thanks the gods this is a private conversation, is her thought rather than how she might, say, simply and perfectly reasonably object to answer.]

Well he is quite bright. —I suppose it simply at some point during our long association occurred to me that perhaps the shared passion for certain intellectual pursuits which led us to be so argumentative with one another might equally be admired.

And he is quite enthusiastic about my work, of course.

And also looks well.