No cause
in the world, however good, is worth the sacrifice of one's health.
"I hope that my news will not distress you. You realized, of course,
that your decision to remain known, or rather unknown, as Kingston
Brooks, made it at some time or other inevitable, and I hope to see a
good deal of you when we return to town, and that you will always
believe that I am your most sincere friend,
"CATHERINE CAROOM."
Brooks laid the two letters down with a curious mixture of sensations.
He knew that a very short time ago he might have considered himself
brokenhearted, and he knew that as a matter of fact he was nothing of
the sort. He answered Lady Caroom's letter first.
"27, JERMYN STREET, W.
"DEAR LADY CAROOM,
"It was very kind of you to write to me, and to send me the news of
Sybil's engagement so promptly. I wish her most heartily every
happiness. After all, it is the most suitable thing which could have
happened.
"You are right in your surmise. After our conversation I realized quite
plainly that under my present identity I could not possibly think of
Lady Sybil except as a very charming and a very valued friend.
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