'But where are Mrs. Elstree's friends?' 'She has no friends.' 'Oh! She has--or had--an immense circle of friends.' 'That was before her father lost everything and killed himself. They were fair-weather friends.' 'Yes, but one's own people don't run away because of misfortune.' Philippa looked dissatisfied with the explanation. 'My dear cousin, this must be inquired into. Your lawyer told me that Mrs. Elstree's large circle of friends would be of such service to you. Do you really mean that you go nowhere? And your wonderful playing absolutely wasted? And your face seen nowhere? Oh! it is intolerable that such a girl as you should be so neglected.' 'I have other friends. There is Effie Wilmot and her brother who wants to become a dramatist. And I have found an old friend, an artist. I am not at all lonely. But in the evening, I confess, it is dull. I am not afraid of being alone. I have always been alone. But now I am not alone. I have to talk.' 'And uncongenial talk.' 'Now advise me, Philippa. Her talk is always on one subject--always the wonderful virtues of Mr. Feilding.' 'My cousin Alec? Yes'--Philippa changed colour, and shaded her face with a hand-screen. 'I believe she knows him.' 'Your cousin? Oh! I had forgotten. But it is all the better, because you know him. Philippa, I am troubled about him. For not only does Zoe talk about him perpetually, but he is always calling on one pretext or other. If I go to a picture-gallery, he is there: if I walk in the park, I meet him: if I go to church--Zoe does not go--he meets me in the porch: if we go to the theatre, he is there.' 'I did not think that Alec was that kind of man,' said Philippa, still keeping the hand-screen before her face. 'Are you mistaken, perhaps? Has he said anything?' 'No: he has said nothing. But it annoys me to have this man following me about--and--and--Philippa--he is your cousin--I know--but I detest him.' 'Can you not show that you dislike his attentions? If he will not understand that you dislike him--wait--perhaps he will speak--though I hardly think--you may be mistaken, dear. If he speaks, let your answer be quite unmistakable.' 'Then I hope that he will speak to-morrow. Zoe wanted me to find some money in order to help him in some way--out of some worries.' 'My dear child--I implore you--do not be drawn into any money entanglements. What does Zoe mean? What does it all mean? My dear, there is something here that I cannot understand. What can it mean? Zoe to help my cousin out of worries about money? Zoe? What has Zoe to do with him and his worries?' 'He has been very kind to her and to her husband.' 'There is something we do not understand,' Philippa repeated. 'You are not angry with me for not liking your cousin?'