He was completely shunted off his original track of thought and anticipation.

He had expected to ask for at least a mutual introduction when his visitor came into his room, and had anticipated taking upon himself the position of a polite inquisitor.

In spite of O'Connor, he had not thought she would be quite so pretty.

He had not believed her eyes would be so beautiful, or their lashes so long, or the touch of her hand so pleasantly unnerving.

And now, in place of asking for her name and the reason for her visit, he became an irrational idiot, explaining to her certain matters of physiology that had to do with aortas and aneurismal sacs.