"Well, you might have. I am sure I have a great many."

"Friends!" said Elizabeth.

"Well — I don't know who you call friends," said Rose, breaking her silk with an impatient tug at a knot, — "There! — dear! how shall I tie it again? — I should think you needn't look so glum."

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Why — because. You have everything in the world."

"Have I?" said Elizabeth bitterly. "I am alone as I can be."

"Alone!" said Rose.

"Yes. I am alone. My father is buried in his business; I have nothing of him, even what I might have, or used to have — you never were anything to me. There is not a face in the world that my heart jumps to see."

"Except that one?" said Rose.

"'That one,' as you elegantly express it, I do not see, as it happens."