The quote suggests that being the mistress of a married man comes with certain advantages. While the man's wife deals with all the unpleasant aspects of his daily life, the mistress enjoys his more pleasant side. He arrives to spend time with her clean and cheerful, having set aside his domestic burdens. This comparison highlights the stark difference between his behavior at home and when he is with her, making his company seem more appealing.
This dynamic emphasizes the notion that the mistress experiences a curated version of the man, free from the mundane and often unpleasant realities of married life. In this light, the mistress is arguably given a role that allows her to enjoy the relationship without the associated hardships of marriage, leading to an intriguing, albeit complicated, emotional landscape. Such insights reveal the complexities surrounding infidelity and the roles people play within these relationships.