Hearing that clamour she dragged herself together, hating herself for having heard it, and answered: 'Althea, of course; she is worth three of Frances.' Gerald gave a little sigh.

'Well, I'm glad we agree there,' he said.
'I'm glad you see that Althea is worth three of her.

What I do wish is that you cared more about Althea.' What he was telling her was that if she would care more about Althea, he would too, and she wondered if this, also, were a part of pride; should she help him to care more for Althea?
A better pride sustained her; she felt the danger in these subtleties of her torment.

'I like Althea,' she said.

'I, too, think that she is wise and good and gentle.