What was it?
Love, astonishment, pain, vexation, or joy?
I could not tell; but my tongue was unloosed.
"Do I annoy you, astonish you, Miss Forrest ?" I said.

"Forgive me if I do.

I have been regarded as a woman-hater, a society-avoider.

That is because I never saw a woman in whom I was sufficiently interested to court her society.

I have heard it said that such characters fall in love quickly, or not at all.