The next moment his self-esteem was bobbing again, was jauntily assuring him that he was "a born king" and, therefore, would naturally be discovered and loved by a truly princess--"And, by Heaven, she IS a princess of the blood royal! Those eyes, those hands, those slender feet!" Having no great sense of humor he did not remind himself here how malicious nature usually deprives royalty of the outward marks of aristocracy to bestow them upon peasant.
At last he convinced himself that she was actually burning with love for him, that she had lifted the veil for an instant--had lifted it deliberately to encourage him to speak for himself.

And he was not repelled by this forwardness, was, on the contrary, immensely flattered.
It is the custom for those of high station to reassure those of lower, to make them feel that they may draw near without fear.

A queen seeking a consort among princes always begins the courting.

A rich girl willing to marry a poor man lets him see she will not be offended if he offers to add himself to her possessions.

Yes, it would be quite consistent with sex-custom, with maidenly modesty, for a Severence to make the first open move toward a Josh Craig.
"But do I want her ?" That was another question.