He had seen at a glance that Arthur was alone, unless, indeed, he had brought a servant who had gone to the side door; and thus relieved from a load of anxiety, he was very cordial in his manner, and began at once to make excuses for the party, repeating in substance what John had already said.

‘Yes, I know; that fellow who drove me here told me,’ Arthur said, throwing off his coat and hat, and beginning to lave his face, and neck, and hands in the cold water which he turned into the bowl until it was full to the brim, and splashed over the sides as he dashed it upon himself.

All this time Frank had not seen his face distinctly, nor did he have an opportunity to do so until the ablutions were ended and Arthur had rubbed himself with, not one towel, but two, until it seemed as if he must have taken off the skin in places.  Then he turned, and running his fingers through his luxuriant hair, which had a habit of curling around his forehead as in his boyhood, looked full at his brother, who saw that he was very pale and thin, and that his eyes were unnaturally large and bright, while there was about him an indescribable something which puzzled Frank a little.  It was not altogether the air of foreign travel and cultivation which was so perceptible, but a something else—­a restlessness and nervousness of speech and manner as he moved about the room, walking rapidly and gesticulating as he walked.

‘You are looking thin and tired.  Are you not well?’ Frank asked.

‘Oh, yes, perfectly well,’ Arthur replied:  ’only this infernal heat in my blood, which keeps me up to fever pitch all the time.  I shall have to bathe my face again,’ and, turning a second time to the bowl, he began to throw water over his face and hands as he had done before.

‘I’d like a bath in ice water,’ he said, as he began drying himself with a fresh towel.  ’If I remember right, there is no bath-room on this floor, but I can soon have one built.  I intend to throw down the wall between this room and the next, and perhaps the next, so as to have a suite.’

He was asserting the ownership at once, and Frank had nothing to say, for his brother was master there, and had a right to tear the house down if he chose.  The second washing must have cooled him, for there came a change in his manner, and he moved more slowly and spoke with greater deliberation, as he asked some questions about the people below.

‘Will you come down by-and-bye,’ Frank said, after having made some explanations with regard to his guests.

‘No, you will have to excuse me,’ Arthur replied.  ’I am too tired to encounter old acquaintances or make new.  I do not believe I could stand old Peterkin, who you say is a millionaire.  I suppose you want his influence; your coachman told me you were running for Congress,’ and Arthur laughed the old merry musical laugh which Frank remembered so well:  then, suddenly changing his tune, he said:  ’When does the next train from the East pass the station?’