He was prepared to marry her; but if she had not made that mistake, oh, what a delight it would have been to him never to marry anyone! He felt keenly miserable.
"Grizel, I seem to be different from all other men.

There seems to be some curse upon me that makes me unable to love as they do.

I want to love you, dear one; you are the only woman I ever wanted to love; but apparently I can't.

I have decided to go on with this thing because it seems best for you; but is it?
I would tell you all and leave the decision to you, were it not that I fear you would think I wanted you to let me off." It would have been an honest speech, and he might have said it had he begun at once, for it was in a passion to be out, so desirous was he that dear Grizel should not be deceived; but he tried its effect first upon himself, and as he went on the tragedy he saw mastered him.

He forgot that she was there, except as a figure needed to complete the picture of the man who could not love.