Self-abnegatory

one for whom that purple mantle was too gaudy, and yet who bore it, as he bore everything else, in that self-abnegatory spirit which the higher reaches of philosophy bring

Women are so terrifically self-abnegatory; they must give, give, give, to some one all the time. Women, that is, of the mothering type, such as these.

In his present self-abnegatory mood, he will not acknowledge himself able to feel anything honest and noble.