If you have any doubts about it in your own mind, you may take my word for it--had you loved her, you would not have parted from her.

You would, if necessary, have carried her off from Paris, and continued to live with her in some world-forgotten spot, as you did at St.Valery.Or you would have gone off to the Philippines, and fought her husband to the death, in order to gain free possession of her or die in the attempt.
That is how love acts when it is of that elemental force which alone can justify such relations before the higher natural tribunal of morality.

But if your love is not strong enough to prompt you to do these things, then it is immoral, and must be shaken off." Wilhelm was still unconvinced.
"I surely owe her gratitude for having loved me?
That imposes certain duties upon me; I have no right to break a heart which gave itself wholly to me." "Your idea has a specious air of generosity," answered Schrotter firmly, "but in reality it is morbid and weak.

Love accepts no alms.
One gives oneself wholly or not at all.

Do you imagine that any woman of spirit would be satisfied if you said to her: 'I do not love you, I should like to leave you, but I will stay on with you because I do not wish to give you pain, or from pity--soft-heartedness.' Why, she would thrust you from her, and rather, a thousand times, die than live on your bounty.