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.

Question

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.

Answer

In spite of oneself: although one did not want or expect to do so.
"Oliver smiled in spite of himself"

Answer

Thanks crazyworld. You have given a good explanation. Nevertheless I already got an answer. That answer I marked as the correct answer got deleted. I am very sorry you wasted your time on an already answered question.

Answer

Hey right Su.Ki, my answer is gone??

Answer

If you do something in spite of yourself, you do it although you did not expect or intend to do it. You just can't help yourself.

Answer

Hi there, RTL. Can you shed any light on this mystery, by any chance? http://www.italki.com/discussion/91912