Guy Oscard was rather afraid of most women.

He did not understand them, and probably he despised them.

Men who are afraid or ignorant often do.
"And when did you leave them ?" asked Jocelyn, after her visitor had explained who he was.

He was rather taken aback by so much dainty refinement in remote Africa, and explained rather badly.

But she helped him out by intimating that she knew all about him.
"I left them forty-four days ago," he replied.
"And were they well ?" "She is very much interested," reflected Oscard, upon whom her eagerness of manner had not been lost.