She opened the door, and there was Iphigenia Palliser, Jeffrey's cousin, and Mr Palliser's cousin.

"Miss Vavasor," she said, "I know that I am taking a great liberty, but may I come into your room for a few minutes?
I so much wish to speak to you!" Alice of course bade her enter, and placed a chair for her by the fire.
Alice Vavasor had made very little intimacy with either of the two Miss Pallisers.

It had seemed to herself as though there had been two parties in the house, and that she had belonged to the one which was headed by the wife, whereas the Miss Pallisers had been naturally attached to that of the husband.

These ladies, as she had already seen, almost idolized their cousin; and though Plantagenet Palliser had till lately treated Alice with the greatest personal courtesy, there had been no intimacy of friendship between them, and consequently none between her and his special adherents.

Nor was either of these ladies prone to sudden friendship with such a one as Alice Vavasor.