As foreign and antiquated as Eloise's attitude seems to us "normal" people, this has been status quo for the wives of the noble, rich, and famous for centuries. That doesn't make it any more right than slavery or domestic violence. I suppose if you married for status, money, and things rather than for love or companionship, this "stick your head in the sand" solution she suggests makes sense. Not that Patrick's current responses are any healthier. Of course, the solution we reasonable readers have suggested would not make for as good a story!