Page:The Princess Casamassima (London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886), Volume 3.djvu/243

 'No, I want to do the business first, so that it won't be left for another. If Hyacinth will look in his place at a grand party, should not I look still more in mine? And as I know the individual I should be able to approach him without exciting the smallest suspicion.'

Muniment appeared to consider her suggestion a moment, as if it were practical and interesting; but presently he answered, placidly, 'To fall by your hand would be too good for him.'

'However he falls, will it be useful, valuable?' the Princess asked.

'It's worth trying. He's a very bad institution.'

'And don't you mean to go near Hyacinth?'

'No, I wish to leave him free,' Muniment answered.

'Ah, Paul Muniment,' murmured the Princess, 'you are a first-rate man!' She sank down upon the sofa and sat looking up at him. 'In God's name, why have you told me this?' she broke out.

'So that you should not be able to throw it up at me, later, that I had not.'

She threw herself over, burying her face in the cushions, and remained so for some minutes, in silence. Muniment watched her awhile, without speaking; but at last he remarked, 'I don't want to aggravate you, but you will go back!' The words failed to cause her even to raise her head, and after a moment he quietly went out.