From the first she had been personally fascinating; but the fascination now had become intellectual as well.

He was constantly pondering her words and motions; they were as interesting as the factors in an algebraic problem.

This is saying a good deal; for Acton was extremely fond of mathematics.

He asked himself whether it could be that he was in love with her, and then hoped he was not; hoped it not so much for his own sake as for that of the amatory passion itself.

If this was love, love had been overrated.