"I am sure that Mr. Scamander appreciates the effort," Aldous returned with a small, but genuine, smile. Would Miss Scamander be a similar sort of wife, or would she enslave herself to the fashions of the day instead? "I expect he knows how fortunate he is indeed, to have so considerate a wife."

Was this a natural moment in the conversation to transition to his Question (capital Q indeed necessary, given its gravity)? Did such a moment exist outside the bonds of romance?

"I expect, though, that she must have a flower she prefers herself—as must you, Miss Scamander," though technically a statement, the upturn at the end of his sentence indicated a question. After all, that seemed like a good sort of thing to know about a woman, should she become his wife.