betray her into any sudden caress

[Caorthine]

I'm not sure if I have understood the expression to betray her into any sudden caress correctly in the context below. Does it mean to betray her confidence, or something like it?


In most of the village friendships between youths and
maidens lack of conversation was made up for by tentative fondling; but
Harney, except when he had tried to comfort her in her trouble on their
way back from the Hyatts', had never put his arm about her, or sought
to betray her into any sudden caress.


Comments, please!

[Anglika]

He never created the situation where she inadvertently hugged or kissed him - referring back to the statement "lack of conversation was made up for by tentative fondling".

[Caorthine]

He never created the situation where she inadvertently hugged or kissed him - referring back to the statement "lack of conversation was made up for by tentative fondling".

Thanks Anglika. Obviously I didn't read it properly, but it's clear to me now.