“That’s not true,” she protested weakly, but he went on.
“Of course it didn’t really matter in the least my being in love with you. I had other things to think about. But when you began to be in love with me, things began to be dangerous. You see it was quite impossible for me to marry you.”
“Why?” she said sharply.
“Do you really wish to know?” he asked.
“I do.”
“It will offend you, possibly.”
“Never mind.... Tell me....”
He paused before answering.
“Well,” he said, “this is the politest way I can put it. I could not marry you because you weren’t up to standard—my standard, that is.”
“What’s the matter with me?”