“Of course you think me very plain, very rude.”
“Certainly, you have not such a nice address as Hyacinth,” the Princess rejoined, not desiring, on her side, to evade the topic. “But that is given to very few,” she added; “and I don’t know that pretty manners are exactly what we are working for.”
“Ay, it won’t be very endearing when we cut down a few allowances,” said Muniment. “But I want to please you; I want to be as much as possible like Hyacinth,” he went on.
“That is not the way to please me. I don’t forgive him; he’s very silly.”
“Ah, don’t say that; he’s a little brick!” Muniment exclaimed.
“He’s a dear fellow, with extraordinary qualities, but so deplorably conventional.”
“Yes, talking about taking things seriously—he takes them seriously,” remarked Muniment.
“Has he ever told you his life?” asked the Princess.
“He hasn’t required to tell me. I’ve seen a good bit of it.”
“Yes, but I mean before you knew him.”