By these lights of his character she read the act.

His intention was...

and even while she saw it accurately, the moment of keen perception was overclouded by her innate distrust of her claim to feminine charms.

For why should he wish her to understand that he was no fortune-hunter and treated heiresses with greater reserve than ordinary women! How could it matter to him?
She saw the tears roll.

Tears of men sink plummet-deep; they find their level.