"What was this girl like?" she asked when he finished. "Uncle Arnold's daughter. Would you say there was any resemblance between her and me?"
Bateman was surprised at the question.
"It never struck me. You know I've never had eyes for anyone but you and I could never think that anyone was like you. Who could resemble you?"
"Was she pretty?" said Isabel, smiling slightly at his words.
"I suppose so. I daresay some men would say she was very beautiful."
"Well, it's of no consequence. I don't think we need give her any more of our attention."
"What are you going to do, Isabel?" he asked then.
Isabel looked down at the hand which still bore the ring Edward had given her on their betrothal.
"I wouldn't let Edward break our engagement because I thought it would be an incentive to him. I wanted to be an inspiration to him. I thought if anything could enable him to achieve success it was the thought that I loved him. I have done all I could. It's hopeless. It would only be weakness on my part not to recognise the facts. Poor Edward, he's nobody's enemy but his own. He was a dear, nice fellow, but there was something lacking in him, I suppose it was backbone. I hope he'll be happy."
She slipped the ring off her finger and placed it on the table. Bateman watched her with a heart beating so rapidly that he could hardly breathe.