But my conditions did not suit him, nor his me, and no engagement was ever made.

Mr Grey knows the history of the whole thing.

As far as it was possible I have told him everything that took place." "The fact was, Alice, that George Vavasor's mode of life was such that an engagement with him would have been absolute madness." "Dear aunt, you must excuse me if I say that I cannot discuss George Vavasor's mode of life.

If I were thinking of becoming his wife you would have a perfect right to discuss it, because of your constant kindness to me.

But as matters are he is simply a cousin; and as I like him and you do not, we had better say nothing about him." "I must say this--that after what has passed, and at the present crisis of your life--" "Dear aunt, I'm not in any crisis." "Yes you are, Alice; in the most special crisis of a girl's life.