Part 13 (1/2)

”She doesn't think so.”

”But you must tell her so, Bateman.”

”I?” cried Bateman. ”I'm the last person who could ever do that.”

Edward had his back to the vivid light of the moon and his face could not be seen. Is it possible that he smiled again?

”It's no good your trying to conceal anything from her, Bateman. With her quick intelligence she'll turn you inside out in five minutes. You'd better make a clean breast of it right away.”

”I don't know what you mean. Of course I shall tell her I've seen you.”

Bateman spoke in some agitation. ”Honestly I don't know what to say to her.”

”Tell her that I haven't made good. Tell her that I'm not only poor, but that I'm content to be poor. Tell her I was fired from my job because I was idle and inattentive. Tell her all you've seen to-night and all I've told you.”

The idea which on a sudden flashed through Bateman's brain brought him to his feet and in uncontrollable perturbation he faced Edward.

”Man alive, don't you want to marry her?”

Edward looked at him gravely.

”I can never ask her to release me. If she wishes to hold me to my word I will do my best to make her a good and loving husband.”

”Do you wish me to give her that message, Edward? Oh, I can't. It's terrible. It's never dawned on her for a moment that you don't want to marry her. She loves you. How can I inflict such a mortification on her?”

Edward smiled again.

”Why don't you marry her yourself, Bateman? You've been in love with her for ages. You're perfectly suited to one another. You'll make her very happy.”

”Don't talk to me like that. I can't bear it.”

”I resign in your favour, Bateman. You are the better man.”

There was something in Edward's tone that made Bateman look up quickly, but Edward's eyes were grave and unsmiling. Bateman did not know what to say. He was disconcerted. He wondered whether Edward could possibly suspect that he had come to Tahiti on a special errand. And though he knew it was horrible he could not prevent the exultation in his heart.

”What will you do if Isabel writes and puts an end to her engagement with you?” he said, slowly.

”Survive,” said Edward.

Bateman was so agitated that he did not hear the answer.

”I wish you had ordinary clothes on,” he said, somewhat irritably. ”It's such a tremendously serious decision you're taking. That fantastic costume of yours makes it seem terribly casual.”

”I a.s.sure you, I can be just as solemn in a _pareo_ and a wreath of roses, as in a high hat and a cut-away coat.”

Then another thought struck Bateman.

”Edward, it's not for my sake you're doing this? I don't know, but perhaps this is going to make a tremendous difference to my future.

You're not sacrificing yourself for me? I couldn't stand for that, you know.”

”No, Bateman, I have learnt not to be silly and sentimental here. I should like you and Isabel to be happy, but I have not the least wish to be unhappy myself.”