That graceful though apparently accidental falling into position, which many have noticed as precipitating the end and making sweethearts the sweeter, was not here.
Why?
Because experience was absent.

A woman must have had many kisses before she kisses well.
In fact, the art of tendering the lips for these amatory salutes follows the principles laid down in treatises on legerdemain for performing the trick called Forcing a Card.

The card is to be shifted nimbly, withdrawn, edged under, and withal not to be offered till the moment the unsuspecting person's hand reaches the pack; this forcing to be done so modestly and yet so coaxingly, that the person trifled with imagines he is really choosing what is in fact thrust into his hand.
Well, there were no such facilities now; and Stephen was conscious of it--first with a momentary regret that his kiss should be spoilt by her confused receipt of it, and then with the pleasant perception that her awkwardness was her charm.
'And you do care for me and love me ?' said he.
'Yes.' 'Very much ?' 'Yes.' 'And I mustn't ask you if you'll wait for me, and be my wife some day ?' 'Why not ?' she said naively.
'There is a reason why, my Elfride.' 'Not any one that I know of.' 'Suppose there is something connected with me which makes it almost impossible for you to agree to be my wife, or for your father to countenance such an idea ?' 'Nothing shall make me cease to love you: no blemish can be found upon your personal nature.

That is pure and generous, I know; and having that, how can I be cold to you ?' 'And shall nothing else affect us--shall nothing beyond my nature be a part of my quality in your eyes, Elfie ?' 'Nothing whatever,' she said with a breath of relief.

'Is that all?
Some outside circumstance?
What do I care ?' 'You can hardly judge, dear, till you know what has to be judged.