But all my praise
Amelia thought too slight for Millicent,
And on my lovelier-freighted arm she leant,
For more attent;
And the tea-rose I gave,
To deck her breast, she dropp'd upon the grave.
"And this was her's," said I, decoring with a band
Of mildest pearls Amelia's milder hand.
"Nay, I will wear it for her sake," she said:
For dear to maidens are their rivals dead.

This excerpt from Patmore's work underscores the subtle dynamics of love and rivalry. Amelia, the speaker's beloved, reacts to his praise of Millicent—a past love now deceased—by dropping a tea-rose on Millicent's grave, symbolizing her respect yet subtle triumph. When the speaker offers pearls to Amelia, she graciously accepts them "for her sake," indicating a gesture of empathy towards Millicent but also a quiet acknowledgment of her own place in the speaker's affections. The closing line, "for dear to maidens are their rivals dead," encapsulates the irony and complexity of female relationships. In death, Millicent poses no threat, allowing Amelia to express affection without fear. This moment reveals the speaker's honor and restraint, proposing that genuine love is cultivated through patience and respect, leading to a deeper understanding of romance and commitment.