I gave a quick little start, then recovered my composure.
But Hilda noted it.

She looked up at me hastily.

She was sitting with her back to the window, and therefore, of course, could not see the face itself, which indeed was withdrawn with a hurried movement, yet with a certain strange dignity, almost before I could feel sure of having seen it.

Still, she caught my startled expression, and the gleam of surprise and recognition in my eye.

She laid one hand upon my arm.