Keith's heart gave a bound of hope. The blood surged back and forth in his veins. Life seemed to revive for him.
"Is she alive? Will she live?" he faltered.
"Yes. Who says she will not?" demanded the Doctor, testily.
"The paper--the despatch."
"No thanks to you that she does!" He faced Keith, and suddenly flamed out: "I want to tell you that I think you have acted like a damned rascal!"
Keith's jaw dropped, and he actually staggered with amazement. "What! What do you mean? I do not understand!"
"You are not a bit better than that dog that you turned her over to, who got his deserts yesterday."
"But I do not understand!" gasped Keith, white and hot.
"Then I will tell you. You led that innocent girl to believe that you were in love with her, and then when she was fool enough to believe you and let herself become--interested, you left her to run, like a little puppy, after a rich woman."
"Where did you hear this?" asked Keith, still amazed, but recovering himself. "What have you heard? Who told you?"