The quote reflects a deep emotional conflict experienced by a character who, despite making a conscious choice to regret someone, finds it impossible to suppress her feelings in their presence. This illustrates the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of moving on when strong connections still exist.
In the context of "In Sunlight and in Shadow" by Mark Helprin, this internal struggle highlights the tension between rational decisions and emotional realities. The character's eyes reveal her true feelings, suggesting that love and attachment can persist even amidst attempts to distance oneself from someone important.