Page:The Princess Casamassima (London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886), Volume 3.djvu/64

 , hilariously. 'He's fine sport when he talks about you.'

'Don't betray him,' said the Princess, gently.

'There's nothing to betray. You would be the first to admire it if you were there. Besides, I don't betray,' the young man added.

'I love him very much,' said the Princess; and it would have been impossible for the most impudent cynic to smile at the manner in which she made the declaration.

Paul accepted it respectfully. 'He's a sweet little lad, and, putting her ladyship aside, quite the light of our home.'

There was a short pause after this exchange of amenities, which the Princess terminated by inquiring, 'Wouldn't some one else do his work quite as well?'

'His work? Why, I'm told he's a master-hand.'

'Oh, I don't mean his bookbinding.' Then the Princess added, 'I don't know whether you know it, but I am in correspondence with Hoffendahl. I am acquainted with many of our most important men.'

'Yes, I know it. Hyacinth has told me. Do you mention it as a guarantee, so that I may know you are genuine?'

'Not exactly; that would be weak, wouldn't it?' the Princess asked. 'My genuineness must be in myself—a matter for you to appreciate as you know me better; not in my references and vouchers.'

'I shall never know you better. What business is it of mine?'

'I want to help you,' said the Princess, and as she made this earnest appeal her face became transfigured; it wore