It was not in his nature to encourage a chivalrous desire to protect a woman who had betrayed, however innocently, a sentiment for another man.

When the Reverend Mr.Mullen inadvertently introduced an emotional triangle, he had changed the situation from one of mere sentimental dalliance into direct pursuit.

By some law of reflex action, known only to the male mind at such instants, the first sign that she was not to be won threw him into the mental attitude of the chase.
"Are the fascinations of your Mr.Mullen confined to the pulpit ?" he inquired after a moment, "or does he wear them for the benefit of the heterodox when he walks abroad ?" "Oh, he's not my Mr.Mullen, sir," she hastened to explain though her words trailed off into a sound that was suspiciously like a sigh.
"Molly Merryweather's Mr.Mullen, then ?" "I don't think he cares for Molly--not in that way." "Are you quite as sure that Molly doesn't care for him in that way ?" "She couldn't or she wouldn't be so cruel.

Then she never goes to lectures or Bible classes or mission societies.

She is the only girl in the congregation who never makes him anything to wear.