A friend of yours, let us say.

I can't Imagine why this friend of yours wants money, but so it is.

You don't contradict me ?" Eve remained mute, her head bent.
"What about your friend and you in the future?
Are you bound to this friend in any irredeemable way ?" "No--I am not," she answered, with emotion.
"There's nothing between you but--let us call it mere friendship." "Nothing--nothing!" "So far, so good." He looked keenly into her face.

"But how about the future ?" "There will never be anything more--there can't be." "Let us say that you think so at present.

Perhaps I don't feel quite so sure of it.