I felt supremely happy as I rode by Miss Forrest's side.
We had gone perhaps two miles from the house, when we found ourselves separated from Tom Temple and Miss Gray, and we slackened our horses' speed to a walk.
"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.