He made a step or two forward to meet her; and then stopped, petrified, as it were, at the sight of her hard white face.
"Miss Wilkins, I am afraid you are ill! I have come too early.

But I have to leave Hamley in half an hour, and I thought--Oh, Miss Wilkins! what have I done ?" For she sank into the chair nearest to her, as if overcome by his words; but, indeed, it was by the oppression of her own thoughts: she was hardly conscious of his presence.
He came a step or two nearer, as if he longed to take her in his arms and comfort and shelter her; but she stiffened herself and arose, and by an effort walked towards the fireplace, and there stood, as if awaiting what he would say next.

But he was overwhelmed by her aspect of illness.

He almost forgot his own wishes, his own suit, in his desire to relieve her from the pain, physical as he believed it, under which she was suffering.
It was she who had to begin the subject.
"I received your letter yesterday, Mr.Livingstone.

I was anxious to see you to-day, in order that I might prevent you from speaking to my father.
I do not say anything of the kind of affection you can feel for me--me, whom you have only seen once.