>Still, I think that his refusal to comment on anything is
>still a (misguided) effort to protect her in some way.
He thinks he's being noble and "falling on his sword" because he abused his free punany privileges. The deal with these arrangements is usually "do anything you want but don't bring me shame". If he admits that he's a scumbag but denies being a rapist, Camille is now expected to react. Her own character is called into question. Does she have to pretend surprise, become angry etc?