Nor do I want the woman that I'm married to and that I love to leave me, but the thought of her doing so moves me in a way that our growing old together and contentedly slipping, in affectionate tandem, toward the grave does not.
The quote reflects a complex emotional landscape experienced by the narrator. While he expresses a deep love for his wife, he also contemplates the fear of losing her, highlighting how this fear provokes a stronger emotional response than the comfort of their shared future together. This juxtaposition emphasizes the complexity of love, where fear and affection coexist, often intensifying feelings toward one another.