when one believes that love will not be returned, and that no relationship is possible, the 'safest' course is what the lady did...say almost nothing and go away. It is hard to juggle interlaced personal relationships, and we read of failed attempts everyday..*sigh*

A declaration of love, even a low-key one, put some obligation on the recipient to respond somehow, even if it is only to *gulp* and feel awkward.

She was probably aware that you'd eventually learn about her feelings...and it IS a certain ego boost, hmmm?

(there was a girl in high school that I had a monumental crush on...popular, beautiful...etc..and I heard many years later, that when my name came up in a conversation, she said "..I wonder why he never asked me for a date" tsk!...because I was scared witless, that's why!