Very different was he, however, from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. His expression was downcast, and his bearing meek and even apologetic.
Defending by words or arguments; said or written in defense, or by way of apology; regretfully excusing; as, an apologetic essay
If you are apologetic, you show or say that you are sorry for causing trouble for someone, for hurting them, or for disappointing them. The hospital staff were very apologetic but that couldn't really compensate `I don't follow football,' she said with an apologetic smile. + apologetically apolo·geti·cal·ly `It's of no great literary merit,' he said, almost apologetically. showing or saying that you are sorry that something has happened, especially because you feel guilty or embarrassed about it apologetic about