"So I did; I quite forgot. But Harry doesn't count, you know. I never keep anything from him—except, of course, the number of dances that I give to other men; but that is different."
"I cannot see why Gravesend doesn't count; he always appears to me to be a man of considerable weight."
"Oh! but you are not engaged to him; if you were you would know that his considerable weight could be tampered with by the display of a little tact and persuasion. But now tell me more about Harry's successor. Of course I know all about who he is to-day; but who was he yesterday? I want to read up the back numbers of his story."
The host shook his head. "Back numbers are always dull and generally fictitious, I find."
"I don't; they amuse me immensely—especially with portraits from early and hideous childhood up to 'present day'."
"Lady Eleanor," said the Secretary for War in a very low voice, "do you know why you have been successful in extracting this confidential communication from me?"
"No."
"Guess."
Lady Eleanor thought for a moment. "Because you knew you could trust me not to repeat it?"
Lord Kesterton smiled. "That was not exactly my reason. Try again."