In the concept “alienation of affection” there is a third party involved; but alienation may occur without such personal intervention; it may be brought on by any conflicting interest.

A gentleman, please Sir, said the blushing Mary, (or Poll as some unrespective and light-minded persons have misnamed her), and the gentleman entered.

She wrote him a melodramatic letter, threatening to kill herself.

And unless the universe is thought of as essentially lifeless, might there not be a regressive return to pre-scientific pan-vitalism?