Sir Thomas Lake then turned to the paper which he had just opened before

Aveline"s appearance, and was soon so much engrossed by it that he
seemed quite unconscious of her presence
Sir Thomas Lake then turned to the paper which he had just opened before
Aveline"s appearance, and was soon so much engrossed by it that he
seemed quite unconscious of her presence. His countenance became
gloomier and more austere as he read on, and an expression of
pain--almost a groan--escaped him. He appeared then to feel sensible
that he had committed an indiscretion, for he laid down the paper, and,
as if forcibly diverting himself from its contents, addressed Aveline.