"By the way, while I am upon the subject, I suppose I can rely upon your saying nothing about the matter to him, or to any one else ?" "You may depend upon me implicitly," he answered.

"I should be scarcely likely to do so, for my own sake.

I trust the matter is not a very serious one.

I should not like to have any scandal in the hotel." "Well, between ourselves," I observed, "I am afraid it is rather a serious affair.

But you may be sure I will do all I can to prevent your name or the hotel's being mixed up in it." Then, as he had proposed, I followed him into the dining-room and took my place at a small table near the window.