bluejak, on 2012-February-15, 09:01, said:
Partner's hesitation before bidding 3♥ suggests to me:
- he was considering whether to try or pass, or
- he was considering whether to force to game or try, or
- he is 7-5, or 6-5 with much better spades, and was considering 3S as an alternative, or
- he was considering whether he would find out more information by using fourth suit
If 2 was non-forcing, then I think that the 2nd and 3rd of these options are unlikely. I think that partner is 5-6, and was wondering if you made a false preference and a return to hearts would improve the contract. Although he did raise the level, so perhaps this is implausible.