In spite of myself?
I know the meaning of -in spite of-, but I do not understand the use in this sentence from a book I am reading. How can you be -in spite of yourself-?
Quote:
"I can't afford to give into those feelings," she said so quickly that I knew at once that she must in fact like someone very much. "But enough about me. You came to ask me something, didn't you?"
"Yes," I said, relieved -in spite of myself- to change the subject. I put my hand in my coat pocket and brought out Ralph.