She must manoeuvre to put it off as long as possible; and meanwhile some opening might occur to enlighten him.

She would talk to him about her work; and explain to him how she had determined to devote her life to it to the exclusion of all other distractions.

If, then, he chose to go on loving her--or if he couldn't help it--that would not be her fault.

After all, it did him no harm.

She could always be gracious and kind to him.