n his narrative he might have wondered
at her expression.

"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.

"You're wonderful, Isabel, you're simply wonderful."

She smiled, and, standing up, held out her hand to him.

"How can I ever thank you for what you've done for me?" she said.
"You've done me a great service. I knew I could trust you."

He took her hand and held it. She had never looked more beautiful.

"Oh, Isabel, I would do so much more for you than that. You know that I
only ask to be allowed to love and serve you."

"You're so strong, Bateman," she sighed. "It gives me such a delicious
feeling of confidence."

"Isabel, I adore you."

He hardly knew how the inspiration had come to him, but suddenly he
clasped her in his arms, and she, all unresisting, smiled into his eyes.

"Isabel, you know I wanted to marry you the very first day I saw you,"
he cried passionately.

"Then why on earth didn't you ask me?" she replied.

She loved him. He could hardly believe it was true. She gave him her
lovely lips to kiss. And as he held her in his arms he had a vision of
the works of the Hunter Motor Traction and Automobile