"...Alice felt a tinge of regret that Eric was always much sweeter with her when she was feeling strong and doing well than when she was weak and drained of self-confidence. She didn't need to be taken out for dinner when she could afford it, or told she looked beautiful when she could almost believe it...'If you loved me when I was down, you will love me always...If you begin to love me only now I'm respectable, how do I know that it's indeed me rather than the respectability you love?'"
(The Romanic Movement by Alain de Botton)
Except it's not so much the respectability he loves, it's himself. The more accomplished, beautiful and confident she is, and the more that other people admire her and approve of her, the more that he will think she is someone of value. And he is convinced that because of this, being with her will add to his own value.
