He felt he was putting himself aside.

He sat there sacrificed to her purity, which felt more like nullity.

How could he kiss her hand passionately, when it would drive her away, and leave nothing but pain?
Yet slowly he drew her to him and kissed her.
They knew each other too well to pretend anything.

As she kissed him, she watched his eyes; they were staring across the room, with a peculiar dark blaze in them that fascinated her.

He was perfectly still.