They had spoken of George as a man with whom any closer connection than that which existed at present was impossible, and had been written with the view of begging Kate to desist from making futile attempts in that direction.

"I feel myself driven," Alice had said, "to write all this, as otherwise,--if I were simply to tell you that I have resolved to part from Mr Grey,--you would think that the other thing might follow.

The other thing cannot follow.

I should think myself untrue in my friendship to you if I did not tell you about Mr Grey; and you will be untrue in your friendship to me if you take advantage of my confidence by saying more about your brother." This part of Alice's letter Kate had not sent to George Vavasor;--"But the other thing shall follow," Kate had said, as she read the words for the second time, and then put the papers into her desk.

"It shall follow." To give Kate Vavasor her due, she was, at any rate, unselfish in her intrigues.