It was part of her unselfconsciousness not to guess why Althea's relation to her had slightly changed.

She could hardly have followed with comprehension the suffering instability of her friend's character, nor dream that her own power over her was so great, yet so resented; but something in their talk about Mr.Kane had made Helen uncomfortable, and she said no more now, not wishing to emphasise any negative aspect of her attitude to Althea at a time when their relation seemed to have become a little strained.

And she was pleased that Gerald should talk about political economy with Althea--it was so much better than flirting with Frances Pickering.
No one, indeed, unless it were Franklin Kane, gave much conjecture to Gerald's talks with his hostess.

Lady Pickering noticed; but she was vexed, rather than jealous.

She couldn't imagine that Gerald felt anything but a purely intellectual interest in such talks.