Page:The Princess Casamassima (London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886), Volume 3.djvu/67

 'A fine stiff conservative is a thing I perfectly understand,' said Paul Muniment. 'If I were on the top, I'd stick there.'

'I see, you are not narrow,' the Princess murmured, appreciatively.

'I beg your pardon, I am. I don't call that wide. One must be narrow to penetrate.'

'Whatever you are, you'll succeed,' said the Princess. 'Hyacinth won't, but you will.'

'It depends upon what you call success!' the young man exclaimed. And in a moment, before she replied, he added, looking about the room, 'You've got a very lovely dwelling.'

'Lovely? My dear sir, it's hideous. That's what I like it for,' the Princess added.

'Well, I like it; but perhaps I don't know the reason. I thought you had given up everything—pitched your goods out of window, for a grand scramble.

'Well, so I have. You should have seen me before.'

'I should have liked that,' said Muniment, smiling. 'I like to see solid wealth.'

'Ah, you're as bad as Hyacinth. I am the only consistent one!' the Princess sighed.

'You have a great deal left, for a person who has given everything away.'

'These are not mine—these abominations—or I would give them, too!' Paul's hostess rejoined, artlessly.

Muniment got up from his chair, still looking about the room. 'I would give my nose for such a place as this. At any rate, you are not yet reduced to poverty.'

'I have a little left—to help you.'