] My take on this conversation is that Henry is being quite mischievous here, almost a teensy bit mean! But of course he does it much too charmingly for us or Catherine to mind. :-)

Yes, I also had the feeling that Henry was being quite mischievous with his how-does-one-learn-to-love-a-hyacinth line. That whole scene has a subtle underlying feel to it that Henry is quite amused and is teasing Catherine. He does it in such a natural, conversational, straight-faced way that Catherine falls for it hook, line and sinker. Poor baby, she is so easy for him to bait. I think he finds it so charming that he just can't resist.