Her father and her uncle had done so: she felt that Robert would.

Love for him would have prompted her to confide in him absolutely.

She was not softened by love; there was no fire on her side to melt and make them run in one stream, and they could not meet.
"Then, if you will not tell me," said Robert, "say what you think of your father's proposal?
He meant that I may ask you to be my wife.
He used to fancy I cared for your sister.

That's false.

I care for her--yes; as my sister too; and here is my hand to do my utmost for her, but I love you, and I've loved you for some time.