He had hoped to see Miss March after breakfast, but she seemed to have withdrawn herself entirely from observation.

Perhaps she considered that she had sufficiently rejected him on the previous morning, and that she now intended, except when she was sure of the company of the others, to remain in her room until he should go away.

But he had no such opinion in regard to their interview on Pine Top Hill.

He believed that he had been punished, not rejected, and that when he should be able to explain everything to her, he would be forgiven.

That, at least, was his earnest hope, and hope makes us believe almost anything.
But, although there were so many difficulties in his way, Lawrence had a friend in that household who still remained true to him.