In the dialogue from George Eliot's "Middlemarch," Dorothea expresses her genuine affection for Will, stating her fondness for him in a warm and open manner. Her kindness highlights her character's sincerity, as she openly shares her feelings without any reservations.

However, Will struggles with this display of affection. Rather than feeling uplifted by Dorothea's words, he feels a sense of discomfort, believing his significance would have been greater if she had shown him dislike instead. His reaction is one of gloominess, suggesting a complex emotional response to the unreciprocated dynamics of their relationship.