We can only undermine its base by too searching an analysis of that upon which it is built.
So Paul replied "No," and took pleasure in looking at her, as any lover must needs have done.
"Except, of course," she said, "that one may do good with great riches." She gave a little sigh, as if deploring the misfortune that hitherto her own small means had fallen short of the happy point at which one may begin doing good.
"Are you so very rich, Paul ?" she repeated, as if she was rather afraid of those riches and mistrusted them.
"Oh, I suppose so.

Horribly rich!" She had withdrawn her hand.

She gave it to him again, with a pretty movement usually understood to indicate bashfulness.
"It can't be helped," she said.

"We"-- she dwelt upon the word ever so slightly--"we can perhaps do a little good with it." Then suddenly he blurted out all his wishes on this point--his quixotic aims, the foolish imaginings of a too chivalrous soul.

She listened, prettily eager, sweetly compassionate of the sorrows of the peasantry whom he made the object of his simple pity.