"Yes."
"Do you mind telling me about yourself?"
Harry hesitated. He knew that he ought not to do it. He had received imperative commands not to tell anybody about himself; but his temptation to yield to the beautiful lady's wishes was great, for he was heart-starved like herself. Mrs. Balfour was kind, even affectionate, but he felt that he had never filled the place in her heart of the boy she had lost. She did not take him into her embrace, and lavish caresses upon him. He had hungered for just this, and the impulse to show the whole of his heart and life to Mrs. Dillingham was irresistible.
"If you'll never tell."
"I will never tell, Harry."
"Never, never tell?"
"Never."
"You are Mr. Belcher's friend, aren't you?"
"I know Mr. Belcher."
"If Mr. Belcher should tell you that he would kill you if you didn't tell, what would you do?"