re 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."

The answer somewhat chilled Bateman. It seemed to him a little cynical.
He would not have been sorry to act a noble part.

"Do you mean to say you're content to waste your life here? It's nothing
less than suicide. When I think of the great hopes you had when we left
college it seems terrible that you should be content to be no more than
a salesman in a cheap-John store."

"Oh, I'm only doing that for the present, and I'm gaining a great deal
of valuable experience. I have another plan in my head. Arnold Jackson
has a small island in the Paumotas, about a thousand miles from here, a
ring of land round a lagoon. He's planted coconut there. He's offered to
give it me."

"Why should he do that?" asked Bateman.

"Because if Isabel releases me I shall marry his daughter."

"You?" Bateman was thunderstruck. "You can't marry a half-caste. You
wouldn't be so crazy as that."

"She's a good girl, and she has a sweet and gentle nature. I think she
would make me very happy."

"Are you in love with her?"

"I don't know," answered Edward reflectively. "I'm not in love with her
as I was in love with Isabel. I worshipped Isabel. I thought she was the
most wonderful creature I had ever seen. I was not half good enough for
her. I don't feel like that with Eva. She's like a beautiful exotic
flower that must be sheltered from bitter winds. I want to protect her.
No one ever thought of protecting Isabel. I think she loves me for
myself and not for what I may become. Whatever happens to me I shall
never disappoint her. She suits me."

Bateman was silent.

"We must turn out early in the morning," said Edward at last. "It's
really about time we went to bed."

Then Bateman spoke and his voice had in it a genuine distress.

"I'm so bewildered, I don't know what to say. I came here because I
thought something was wrong. I thought you hadn't succeeded in what you
set out to do and were ashamed to come back when you