"One might almost think that he was joshing me," said Bateman, flushing.
"It reads like that, but it must be unintentional. That's so unlike Edward."
"He says nothing about coming back."
"If I weren't so confident of his love I should think.... I hardly know what I should think."
It was then that Bateman had broached the scheme which during the afternoon had formed itself in his brain. The firm, founded by his father, in which he was now a partner, a firm which manufactured all manner of motor vehicles, was about to establish agencies in Honolulu, Sidney, and Wellington; and Bateman proposed that himself should go instead of the manager who had been suggested. He could return by Tahiti; in fact, travelling from Wellington, it was inevitable to do so; and he could see Edward.
"There's some mystery and I'm going to clear it up. That's the only way to do it."
"Oh, Bateman, how can you be so good and kind?" she exclaimed.
"You know there's nothing in the world I want more than your happiness, Isabel."
She looked at him and she gave him her hands.
"You're wonderful, Bateman. I didn't know there was anyone in the world like you. How can I ever thank you?"