13 DECEMBER 1930, Page 30

PHILIPPA. By Anne Douglas Sedgwick. (Constable. 7s. 6d.)—Miss Sedgwick has

written a tale full of morals. Aldous Wyntringharn deserted Beth his wife for Cosine' Brandon, a delicate, wealthy and querelous widow with a past. Cosima- was obliged to consolidate her conquest by taking Philippa, Aldous' daughter whom he adored, into their niinage, Philippe, still in her teens, was the embodiment of wiles and crafts. Realizing that fundamentally het father loved her better than Cosima, she used her discovery to good advantage and gradually forced Cosima into such an invidious position that when, after many scenes, she announced she was departing for good, Aldous made no effort to detain her. Divorced for the second time, he set up house with Philippa, only to find happiness with his beloved daughter was an illusion. Young. old, cynical, clever, scheming, strong-minded Philippa was not proof against love at first sight ! It is a pity that the story is seen only through the eyes of the stupid, faithful Beth, her disapproving mother, Cosima (a dowdy vampire) and Philippa. Aldous is scarcely given an opportunity testate his ease which, in view of the unspeakable tiresomeness of the other characters (who have Miss Sedgwick's sympathy) must have been much stronger than she allows.