"Madam," he replied, "you place me in a most embarrassing situation. My duty to you and the natural gallantry of my nature draw me in different directions."
"I insist."
"I put myself in your hands. In saying what I do I'm laying myself open to serious misconstruction."
"You may rely upon my silence."
"Any indiscretion on your part would be most unfortunate."
"I shall not forget the confidence you've reposed in me."
"I shall hold you to that," he said. "If I tell you what I have in mind, will you promise not to use the information without my permission?"
"That I cannot say."
"Then I say nothing."
"But you've already implied—"