In the short story The Face of Helen, Philip Eastney is one of two men (the other being Charlie Burns) vying for the attention of Gillian West. Of the two, Eastney is the one who has known Gillian for longer. He takes a great interest in music and he encouraged Gillian to take up singing and helped her along by arranging good instruction for her.
Eastney is also the more intelligent of the two men. Speaking to him, Mr Satterthwaite had the impression that Eastney has a brain that might almost be described as that of a genius. "Brilliant, erratic, undecided as yet as to the true channel to give it outlet, but undoubtedly genius". Gillian acknowledges that Eastney had done a lot for her but ultimately she chooses Charlie Burns and the two become engaged. Eastney is at first extremely jealous about this but later appears to have overcome his jealousy. He sends two gifts to Gillian, a radio and a glass sculpture (he works in a glass factory). What happens thereafter forms the main plot of the story.
By the end of the short story it is hinted that Philip took his own life, by throwing himself into the River Thames.