ace no one had ever seen there before.

"And the only outlines that can satisfy us are the outlines of a
Personality. As a rule I have always disliked individuals. I know you
are surprised. Of course, you are just the other way; you have a touch
of genius, a gift for being conscious of personalities, of being
attracted to them. Now I have never liked people; in fact, I've hated
most of them. But since this religious experience I have known"--her
voice dropped; it had been a little loud--"I have known that I want a
friend, and can have one."

The priest was astonished by Molly. He had never met any one like her
before. Her self-confidence was curious, and her eloquence was so sudden
and abounding that his own words seemed to leave him. She was in a
moment as silent as she had been talkative, her eyes cast down on the
floor. Then she looked at him with an almost imperious questioning in
her eyes.

"You have said so much that I expected to say myself," he said, with a
faint sense of humour, "and you have not asked me a single question."

Molly laughed "Tell me," she said, "I am right; it is all true? I _do_
understand religious experience, the religious sense at last, don't I?"

"Shall I tell you what I miss in it?" he said, suppressing any further
comment on her amazing assertion. "I mean in all you have said. And,
oddly enough, the Welsh miner would have had it. I mean that, seeing Our
Lord as the One Friend of your life, you should also see that you have
resisted and betrayed and offended Him during that life which He gave
you."

"No: I have not thought much about that side of things" said Molly "I
have been too happy."

"You would be far happier if you did."

"But what have I done?" said Molly, almost in a tone of injured
respectability.

"Well, you have hated people--or, at least" (in a tone of apology), "you
said so just now."

"Oh! yes; it's quite true. I am a great hater and an uncertain one. I
never know who it is going to be, or when it will come."

"But you know you have been commanded to love them."

"Yes; but only as much as I love myself, and I quite particularly
dislike myself."

"You've no right to--none whatever."

"And why not?"

"Because God made you in His own image and likeness. You can't get out
of it. But, you know, I don't believe one word you say. I met you
showing love to the poor."

"No, indeed," said Molly indignantly, "I did not love Pat Moloney. I
wish you would believe w