Oh, I meant “and”, rather than “as”. They are entirely separate.
You did write 'and' I just presumed the link. *g*

Another possible explanation is that he was one of those rare men who know what their wives … really think about them.
That certainly is the Doctor, yes.

(It's been an age since I read Dante & the introductions. Well, it was back when I wrote the Hollow Men meta.)