engrossment

But, at the information received, Newt forgot his wrath in the engrossment of a sudden idea.

In the tedious dulness of the three-days' voyage the dog becomes a topic, and his devotion to the fair-haired lady an engrossment.

He missed her former feverish engrossment in the projected lecture series and wanted to bring her back to it.

The whole tendency of the age is towards cynicism, indifference, self-engrossment.

To care only for each other is selfishness for two, only one step removed from self-centered engrossment.