“But, doctor, he need not know,” she cried piteously.
“It would be impossible to keep him from it, since in his waking hours he calls often for you. It would be harsh and cruel to destroy his one chance to live by the shock of such a desertion,” Doctor Burns replied, telling her the truth without disguise, in his anxiety over his patient.
He thought she was going to faint, she turned so white as she clasped her hands on her heart, where pity for Royall Sherwood struggled with passion for her absent lover.
His dark, tender eyes, his noble face, rose before her mind’s eye, and she sobbed:
“Oh, that I might see Dallas! He would tell me what to do.”
“Shall I bring him here to see you?” he asked quickly.
“Oh, if you only would!”
“Then I will do so this morning, and if he is the noble man I take him for he will bid you stay and save his rival’s life, even though you desert him afterward—although, if my advice were asked, I should say make the best of a bargain, and keep the husband you have already won, since, after all, it’s not a bad match. Sherwood has loads of money, and isn’t at all a bad fellow.”
“I know—I know; but Love goes where it is sent, and I could never care for him as he deserved. Oh, Doctor Burns, don’t you turn against me, too, for all are in league to break my heart!” wildly.
“Poor girl—poor girl! Then I’ll take your part by going at once to bring Mr. Bain to consult with you. Where shall I find him?”