'No; nobody ever calls.'
'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.'