Returns the hint color for this combo box provided its line edit is
        an XLineEdit instance.
        
        :return     <QColor>

def hintColor(self):
        """
        Returns the hint color for this combo box provided its line edit is
        an XLineEdit instance.
        
        :return     <QColor>
        """
        lineEdit = self.lineEdit()
        if isinstance(lineEdit, XLineEdit):
            return lineEdit.hintColor()
        return QColor()