You need not flatter yourself, however.

It was not in the least on account of any conscientious qualms, like yours.
I wished to know her personally from a totally different motive; and yet, in spite of all attempts and stratagems on my part, I never could get a chance of meeting her when I was in the company of some kind friend to act as go-between and soothe the exigencies of introduction; although, when alone I would encounter her frequently.

This was very vexing--especially so after a while; and I'll tell you how it was.
As the days flew by, and the new year, born in a moment, grew with giant strides in that hasty growth common to all new years--they have a habit of shooting ahead the first few months of their existence, as if they desired to "force the pace," and make all the "running" they can--my facilities for intercourse with Min became "small by degrees and beautifully less." There you have the cause of my annoyance at once.
I could see her at the window, certainly.

I also frequently passed her mother and herself in the street, or on The Terrace, or along the Prebend's Walk, when I was taking an airing abroad with dog Catch at my heels; yet, I don't know how it was, but I invariably chanced to be on the opposite side of the street, or road, or terrace, whenever I thus passed them.

I never failed to receive the timid little bow and smile from Min, with a rosy heightening of her complexion the while--to which I had now got so accustomed that, should I have been debarred from their receipt, I would have considered myself very hardly used and felt a morbid inclination to go mad and drown myself.