He seemed so buried in his books; he was so unlike the men who had troubled her with attentions hitherto.

Yet he held her hand, and surely his words could have but one meaning.
Gilbert saw how disconcerted, how almost shocked, she was.
'I didn't mean to say that at once,' he continued hurriedly, releasing her hand.

'I've been too hasty.

You didn't expect that.

It isn't fair to you.