He was thinking of Gretchen, and longing for her so intensely that once he groaned aloud and whispered to himself: 'Poor Gretchen! I am so sorry for it all.

I can see it clearer now, how I left her and did not write, and I don't know where she is, or if she will ever come; and yet, I feel as if she had come, or tidings of her.
Perhaps my letter reached her.

Perhaps she is on her way.

God grant it, and forgive me for all I have made her suffer.' It was very still in the room where Arthur sat, for Charles had gone out, and only the occasional crackling of the coal in the grate and ticking of the clock broke the silence which reigned around him; and at last, soothed into quiet, he fell asleep and dreamed that on his door he heard again the thud of baby feet, while Gretchen's voice was calling to him to let the baby in..