"That was the very word!"
"And last night?" said Isaacson, fixing his eyes upon her.
"Last night you startled him to death, rushing in upon him without warning or preparation. Wasn't it a cruel, dangerous thing to do in his condition, Doctor Hartley?"
"Most cruel! Unpardonably so! If anything had occurred you ought to have been held responsible, Doctor Isaacson."
"And then whatever it was you gave him, you forced it on him. And he had a perfectly terrible night in consequence."
"Not in consequence of what I gave him!" Isaacson said.
"It must have been."
"It was certainly not."
"He never had such a night before—never, till you interfered with him, and interrupted Doctor Hartley's treatment."
"Disgraceful!" exclaimed the young doctor. "I never have heard of such conduct. If it were ever to be made public, your medical reputation would be ruined."