If he would only say, "I have you left," how she would strive to shut all else out of her life! He was exasperated.

His usual prescience and prudence forsook him.

It angered him that she should press him to an act of sacrifice for the man who had so great an influence upon her.

Perversity possessed him.
Lifelong egotism was too strong for wisdom, or discretion.
Suddenly he caught her hands in both of his and said hoarsely: "Do you love me--answer me, do you love me with all your heart and soul?
The truth now, as though it were your last word on earth." Always self.

She had asked, if not in so many words, for a little love, something for herself to feed on in the darkening days for him, for her, for both; and he was thinking only of himself.
She shrank, but her hands lay passive in his.