f life. I am entirely unworthy of her."

"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 assu