I knew she wouldn't; and it was nonsense to send the horses out such a night as this,' Frank said, sternly, with a mistaken notion that he must speak sharply to the unfortunate man, who, if rightly managed, was gentle as a child.
'Not come! Gretchen not come! There must be some mistake!' Arthur said, all the brightness fading from his face, which seemed to grow pinched and pallid as he turned it piteously toward his brother and continued: 'Not come! Oh, Frank! did John say so?
Was no one there?
Let me go and question him--there must be a mistake.' He was hurrying toward the door, when Frank caught his arm and detained him, while he said, decidedly: 'No use to see John.

Can't you believe me when I tell you no one was there--and I knew there would not be.

It was folly to send.' For a moment a pale, haggard face, which looked still more haggard and pale with the firelight flickering over it, confronted Frank steadily; then the lips began to quiver, and the eyelids to twitch, while great tears gathered in Arthur's eyes, until at last, covering his face with his hands, he staggered to the couch, and throwing himself upon it, sobbed convulsively.
'Oh, Gretchen, my darling!' he said.

'I was so sure, and now everything is swept away, and I am left so desolate.' Frank had never seen grief just like this, and, with his conscience pricking him a little for the deception he had practised, he found himself pitying his brother as he had never done before; and when at last the latter cried out loud, he went to him, and laying his hand gently upon his bowed head, said to him, soothingly: 'Don't, Arthur; don't feel so badly.

It is terrible to see a man cry as you are crying.' 'No, no; let me cry,' Arthur replied.