"Have you thought my conduct strange since we last rode out together?" she said.
"I have indeed," I replied bluntly, "especially as I do not remember having done anything that should merit your evident dislike to me."
"I owe you an apology," she said. "I have been very foolish, very unjust. I am very sorry."
"But might I ask why you saw fit to change your conduct from friendliness to extreme aversion?"
"I'm almost ashamed to tell you, Mr. Blake, but I will. If there is one thing for which I have aversion and contempt, it is for flirting, coquetry, and the like. If there is any species of mankind that I despise, it is that of a flirt, a society man, a ladies' man."
"And have I ever given evidence of belonging to that class, Miss
Forrest?"
"No," she replied; "and that is why I am so ashamed of myself. But I listened to some foolish gossip about your boasting of your conquests with ladies and the like. I know I ought not to have listened to it, but I did. I am very sorry; will you forgive me?"
She said this frankly, and without hesitation; yet I thought I saw a blush mount her cheek as she spoke.
"If there is anything to forgive, I do forgive you," I replied, "especially as I despise that class of individuals as much as you. The vapid, dancing society mannikin is everywhere an object of contempt, while a society girl, as generally accepted, is not a whit more to my taste."
I saw she was pleased at this, and I felt I loved her more than ever. Did she, I wondered, care anything for me? Was there any vestige of interest in her heart beyond that which she felt for any passing acquaintance?