She asked him for a book to read.

He ran indoors.
"What! is that Miriam ?" asked his mother coldly.
"Yes; she said she'd call and see Clara." "You told her, then ?" came the sarcastic answer.
"Yes; why shouldn't I ?" "There's certainly no reason why you shouldn't," said Mrs.Morel, and she returned to her book.

He winced from his mother's irony, frowned irritably, thinking: "Why can't I do as I like ?" "You've not seen Mrs.Morel before ?" Miriam was saying to Clara.
"No; but she's so nice!" "Yes," said Miriam, dropping her head; "in some ways she's very fine." "I should think so." "Had Paul told you much about her ?" "He had talked a good deal." "Ha!" There was silence until he returned with the book.
"When will you want it back ?" Miriam asked.
"When you like," he answered.
Clara turned to go indoors, whilst he accompanied Miriam to the gate.
"When will you come up to Willey Farm ?" the latter asked.
"I couldn't say," replied Clara.
"Mother asked me to say she'd be pleased to see you any time, if you cared to come." "Thank you; I should like to, but I can't say when." "Oh, very well!" exclaimed Miriam rather bitterly, turning away.
She went down the path with her mouth to the flowers he had given her.
"You're sure you won't come in ?" he said.
"No, thanks." "We are going to chapel." "Ah, I shall see you, then!" Miriam was very bitter.
"Yes." They parted.

He felt guilty towards her.

She was bitter, and she scorned him.