"That's right!" he said to himself.

"I'm glad to hear that." "Is the doctor's treatment of you a secret ?" I asked.
"It must be a secret from Lucilla," he said, speaking very earnestly.

"If she attempts to find it out, she must be kept--for the present, at least--from all knowledge of it.

Nobody has any influence over her but you.

I look to you to help me." "Is this the favor you had to ask me ?" "Yes." "Am I to know the secret of the medical treatment ?" "Certainly! How can I expect you to help me unless you know what a serious reason there is for keeping Lucilla in the dark." He laid a strong emphasis on the two words "serious reason.