"A very cold goddess, I should think, from what I hear. I wish to ask you for a promise respecting her."
"What promise?"
"Will you grant it me?"
"How can I tell till I hear?"
"You must promise me not to speak of me to her when you see her."
"But why must I promise that?"
"Promise me."
"Not unless you tell me why." Johnny had already assured himself that nothing could be more improbable than that he should mention the name of Miss Demolines to Lily Dale.
"Very well, sir. Then you may go. And I must say that unless you can comply with so slight a request as that, I shall not care to see you here again. Mr. Eames, why should you want to speak evil of me to Miss Dale?"
"I do not want to speak evil of you."