He treated me"-- giggling delightedly--"rather as if I _wasn't there_! At least"-- reminiscently--"he tried to." "It doesn't sound as though he had succeeded ?" suggested Sara, amused.
Molly looked at her solemnly.
"He told some one afterwards--Miles Herrick, the only man he ever speaks to, I think, without compulsion--that I was 'the Delilah type of woman, and ought to have been strangled at birth.'" "He must be a charming person," commented Sara ironically.
"Oh, he's a woman-hater--in fact, I believe he has a grudge against the world in general, but woman in particular.

I expect"-- shrewdly--"he's been crossed in love." At this moment Selwyn re-entered the room, his grave face clearing a little as he caught sight of his daughter.
"Hullo, Molly mine! Got back, then ?" he said, smiling.

"Have you made your peace with Miss Tennant, you scatterbrained young woman ?" "It's a hereditary taint, Dad--don't blame _me_!" retorted Molly with lazy impudence, pulling his head down and kissing him on the top of his ruffled hair.
Selwyn grinned.
"I pass," he submitted.

"And who is it that's been crossed in love ?" "The Hermit of Far End." "Oh"-- turning to Sara--"so you have been discussing our local enigma ?" "Yes.

I fancy I must have travelled down with him from Oldhampton.