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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Elsie Dinsmore
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+Posting Date: May 28, 2012 [EBook #6440]
+Release Date: September, 2004
+First Posted: December 14, 2002
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE DINSMORE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Vital Debroey, Charles Franks and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE DINSMORE
+
+BY
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIRST
+
+
+   "I never saw an eye so bright,
+     And yet so soft as hers;
+   It sometimes swam in liquid light,
+     And sometimes swam in tears;
+   It seemed a beauty set apart
+     For softness and for sighs."
+                                 --MRS. WELBY.
+
+
+The school-room at Roselands was a very pleasant apartment; the
+ceiling, it is true, was somewhat lower than in the more modern portion
+of the building, for the wing in which it was situated dated back to
+the old-fashioned days prior to the Revolution, while the larger part
+of the mansion had not stood more than twenty or thirty years; but the
+effect was relieved by windows reaching from floor to ceiling, and
+opening on a veranda which overlooked a lovely flower-garden, beyond
+which were fields and woods and hills. The view from the veranda was
+very beautiful, and the room itself looked most inviting, with its neat
+matting, its windows draped with snow-white muslin, its comfortable
+chairs, and pretty rosewood desks.
+
+Within this pleasant apartment sat Miss Day with her pupils, six in
+number. She was giving a lesson to Enna, the youngest, the spoiled
+darling of the family, the pet and plaything of both father and mother.
+It was always a trying task to both teacher and scholar, for Enna was
+very wilful, and her teacher's patience by no means inexhaustible.
+
+"There!" exclaimed Miss Day, shutting the book and giving it an
+impatient toss on to the desk; "go, for I might as well try to teach
+old Bruno. I presume he would learn about as fast."
+
+And Enna walked away with a pout on her pretty face, muttering that she
+would "tell mamma."
+
+"Young ladies and gentlemen," said Miss Day, looking at her watch, "I
+shall leave you to your studies for an hour; at the end of which time I
+shall return to hear your recitations, when those who have attended
+properly to their duties will be permitted to ride out with me to visit
+the fair."
+
+"Oh! that will be jolly!" exclaimed Arthur, a bright-eyed,
+mischief-loving boy of ten.
+
+"Hush!" said Miss Day sternly; "let me hear no more such exclamations;
+and remember that you will not go unless your lessons are thoroughly
+learned. Louise and Lora," addressing two young girls of the respective
+ages of twelve and fourteen, "that French exercise must be perfect, and
+your English lessons as well. Elsie," to a little girl of eight,
+sitting alone at a desk near one of the windows, and bending over a
+slate with an appearance of great industry, "every figure of that
+example must be correct, your geography lesson recited perfectly, and a
+page in your copybook written without a blot."
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the child meekly, raising a pair of large soft eyes
+of the darkest hazel for an instant to her teacher's face, and then
+dropping them again upon her slate.
+
+"And see that none of you leave the room until I return," continued the
+governess. "Walter, if you miss one word of that spelling, you will
+have to stay at home and learn it over."
+
+"Unless mamma interferes, as she will be pretty sure to do," muttered
+Arthur, as the door closed on Miss Day, and her retreating footsteps
+were heard passing down the hall.
+
+For about ten minutes after her departure, all was quiet in the
+school-room, each seemingly completely absorbed in study. But at the
+end of that time Arthur sprang up, and flinging his book across the
+room, exclaimed, "There! I know my lesson; and if I didn't, I shouldn't
+study another bit for old Day, or Night either."
+
+"Do be quiet, Arthur," said his sister Louise; "I can't study in such a
+racket."
+
+Arthur stole on tiptoe across the room, and coming up behind Elsie,
+tickled the back of her neck with a feather.
+
+She started, saying in a pleading tone, "Please, Arthur, don't."
+
+"It pleases me to do," he said, repeating the experiment.
+
+Elsie changed her position, saying in the same gentle, persuasive tone,
+"O Arthur! _please_ let me alone, or I never shall be able to do this
+example."
+
+"What! all this time on one example! you ought to be ashamed. Why, I
+could have done it half a dozen times over."
+
+"I have been over and over it," replied the little girl in a tone of
+despondency, "and still there are two figures that will not come right."
+
+"How do you know they are not right, little puss?" shaking her curls as
+he spoke.
+
+"Oh! please, Arthur, don't pull my hair. I have the answer--that's the
+way I know."
+
+"Well, then, why don't you just set the figures down. I would."
+
+"Oh! no, indeed; that would not be honest."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! nobody would be the wiser, nor the poorer."
+
+"No, but it would be just like telling a lie. But I can never get it
+right while you are bothering me so," said Elsie, laying her slate
+aside in despair. Then taking out her geography, she began studying
+most diligently. But Arthur continued his persecutions--tickling her,
+pulling her hair, twitching the book out of her hand, and talking
+almost incessantly, making remarks, and asking questions; till at last
+Elsie said, as if just ready to cry, "Indeed, Arthur, if you don't let
+me alone, I shall never be able to get my lessons."
+
+"Go away then; take your book out on the veranda, and learn your
+lessons there," said Louise. "I'll call you when Miss Day comes."
+
+"Oh! no, Louise, I cannot do that, because it would be disobedience,"
+replied Elsie, taking out her writing materials.
+
+Arthur stood over her criticising every letter she made, and finally
+jogged her elbow in such a way as to cause her to drop all the ink in
+her pen upon the paper, making quite a large blot.
+
+"Oh!" cried the little girl, bursting into tears, "now I shall lose my
+ride, for Miss Day will not let me go; and I was so anxious to see all
+those beautiful flowers."
+
+Arthur, who was really not very vicious, felt some compunction when he
+saw the mischief he had done. "Never mind, Elsie," said he. "I can fix
+it yet. Just let me tear out this page, and you can begin again on the
+next, and I'll not bother you. I'll make these two figures come right
+too," he added, taking up her slate.
+
+"Thank you, Arthur," said the little girl, smiling through her tears;
+"you are very kind, but it would not be honest to do either, and I had
+rather stay at home than be deceitful."
+
+"Very well, miss," said he, tossing his head, and walking away, "since
+you won't let me help you, it is all your own fault if you have to stay
+at home."
+
+"Elsie," exclaimed Louise, "I have no patience with you! such
+ridiculous scruples as you are always raising. I shall not pity you one
+bit, if you are obliged to stay at home."
+
+Elsie made no reply, but, brushing away a tear, bent over her writing,
+taking great pains with every letter, though saying sadly to herself
+all the time, "It's of no use, for that great ugly blot will spoil it
+all."
+
+She finished her page, and, excepting the unfortunate blot, it all
+looked very neat indeed, showing plainly that it had been written with
+great care. She then took up her slate and patiently went over and over
+every figure of the troublesome example, trying to discover where her
+mistake had been. But much time had been lost through Arthur's teasing,
+and her mind was so disturbed by the accident to her writing that she
+tried in vain to fix it upon the business in hand; and before the two
+troublesome figures had been made right, the hour was past and Miss Day
+returned.
+
+"Oh!" thought Elsie, "if she will only hear the others first, I may be
+able to get this and the geography ready yet; and perhaps, if Arthur
+will be generous enough to tell her about the blot, she may excuse me
+for it."
+
+But it was a vain hope. Miss Day had no sooner seated herself at her
+desk, than she called, "Elsie, come here and say that lesson; and bring
+your copybook and slate, that I may examine your work."
+
+Elsie tremblingly obeyed.
+
+The lesson, though a difficult one, was very tolerably recited; for
+Elsie, knowing Arthur's propensity for teasing, had studied it in her
+own room before school hours. But Miss Day handed back the book with a
+frown, saying, "I told you the recitation must be perfect, and it was
+not."
+
+She was always more severe with Elsie than with any other of her
+pupils. The reason the reader will probably be able to divine ere long.
+
+"There are two incorrect figures in this example," said she, laying
+down the slate, after glancing over its contents. Then taking up the
+copy-book, she exclaimed, "Careless, disobedient child! did I not
+caution you to be careful not to blot your book! There will be no ride
+for you this morning. You have failed in everything. Go to your seat.
+Make that example right, and do the next; learn your geography lesson
+over, and write another page in your copy-book; and, mind, if there is
+a blot on it, you will get no dinner."
+
+Weeping and sobbing, Elsie took up her books and obeyed.
+
+During this scene Arthur stood at his desk pretending to study, but
+glancing every now and then at Elsie, with a conscience evidently ill
+at ease. She cast an imploring glance at him, as she returned to her
+seat; but he turned away his head, muttering, "It's all her own fault,
+for she wouldn't let me help her."
+
+As he looked up again, he caught his sister Lora's eyes fixed on him
+with an expression of scorn and contempt. He colored violently, and
+dropped his eyes upon his book.
+
+"Miss Day," said Lora, indignantly, "I see Arthur does not mean to
+speak, and as I cannot bear to see such injustice, I must tell you that
+it is all his fault that Elsie has failed in her lessons; for she tried
+her very best, but he teased her incessantly, and also jogged her elbow
+and made her spill the ink on her book; and to her credit she was too
+honorable to tear out the leaf from her copy-book, or to let him make
+her example right; both which he very generously proposed doing after
+causing all the mischief."
+
+"Is this so, Arthur?" asked Miss Day, angrily.
+
+The boy hung his head, but made no reply.
+
+"Very well, then," said Miss Day, "you too must stay at home."
+
+"Surely," said Lora, in surprise, "you will not keep Elsie, since I
+have shown you that she was not to blame."
+
+"Miss Lora," replied her teacher, haughtily, "I wish you to understand
+that I am not to be dictated to by my pupils."
+
+Lora bit her lip, but said nothing, and Miss Day went on hearing the
+lessons without further remark.
+
+In the meantime the little Elsie sat at her desk, striving to conquer
+the feelings of anger and indignation that were swelling in her breast;
+for Elsie, though she possessed much of "the ornament of a meek and
+quiet spirit," was not yet perfect, and often had a fierce contest with
+her naturally quick temper. Yet it was seldom, very seldom that word or
+tone or look betrayed the existence of such feelings; and it was a
+common remark in the family that Elsie had no spirit.
+
+The recitations were scarcely finished when the door opened and a lady
+entered dressed for a ride.
+
+"Not through yet, Miss Day?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, madam, we are just done," replied the teacher, closing the French
+grammar and handing it to Louise.
+
+"Well, I hope your pupils have all done their duty this morning, and
+are ready to accompany us to the fair," said Mrs. Dinsmore. "But what
+is the matter with Elsie?"
+
+"She has failed in all her exercises, and therefore has been told that
+she must remain at home," replied Miss Day with heightened color and in
+a tone of anger; "and as Miss Lora tells me that Master Arthur was
+partly the cause, I have forbidden him also to accompany us."
+
+"Excuse me, Miss Day, for correcting you," said Lora, a little
+indignantly; "but I did not say _partly,_ for I am sure it was
+_entirely_ his fault."
+
+"Hush, hush, Lora," said her mother, a little impatiently; "how can you
+be sure of any such thing; Miss Day, I must beg of you to excuse Arthur
+this once, for I have quite set my heart on taking him along. He is
+fond of mischief, I know, but he is only a child, and you must not be
+too hard upon him."
+
+"Very well, madam," replied the governess stiffly, "you have of course
+the best right to control your own children."
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore turned to leave the room.
+
+"Mamma," asked Lora, "is not Elsie to be allowed to go too?"
+
+"Elsie is not my child, and I have nothing to say about it. Miss Day,
+who knows all the circumstances, is much better able than I to judge
+whether or no she is deserving of punishment," replied Mrs. Dinsmore,
+sailing out of the room.
+
+"You will let her go, Miss Day?" said Lora, inquiringly.
+
+"Miss Lora," replied Miss Day, angrily, "I have already told you I was
+not to be dictated to. I have said Elsie must remain at home, and I
+shall not break my word."
+
+"Such injustice!" muttered Lora, turning away.
+
+"Lora," said Louise, impatiently, "why need you concern yourself with
+Elsie's affairs? for my part, I have no pity for her, so full as she is
+of nonsensical scruples."
+
+Miss Day crossed the room to where Elsie was sitting leaning her head
+upon the desk, struggling hard to keep down the feelings of anger and
+indignation aroused by the unjust treatment she had received.
+
+"Did I not order you to learn that lesson over?" said the governess,
+"and why are you sitting here idling?"
+
+Elsie dared not speak lest her anger should show itself in words; so
+merely raised her head, and hastily brushing away her tears, opened the
+book. But Miss Day, who was irritated by Mrs. Dinsmore's interference,
+and also by the consciousness that she was acting unjustly, seemed
+determined to vent her displeasure upon her innocent victim.
+
+"Why do you not speak?" she exclaimed, seizing Elsie by the arm and
+shaking her violently. "Answer me this instant. Why have you been
+idling all the morning?"
+
+"I have _not_," replied the child hastily, stung to the quick by her
+unjust violence. "I have tried hard to do my duty, and you are
+punishing me when I don't deserve it at all."
+
+"How dare you? there! take that for your impertinence," said Miss Day,
+giving her a box on the ear.
+
+Elsie was about to make a still more angry reply; but she restrained
+herself, and turning to her book, tried to study, though the hot,
+blinding tears came so thick and fast that she could not see a letter.
+
+"De carriage am waiting, ladies, an' missus in a hurry," said a
+servant, opening the door; and Miss Day hastily quitted the room,
+followed by Louise and Lora; and Elsie was left alone.
+
+She laid down the geography, and opening her desk, took out a small
+pocket Bible, which bore the marks of frequent use. She turned over the
+leaves as though seeking for some particular passage; at length she
+found it, and wiping away the blinding tears, she read these words in a
+low, murmuring tone:
+
+"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure
+grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it if, when ye be
+buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if when ye do
+well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with
+God. For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for
+us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps."
+
+"Oh! I have not done it. I did not take it patiently. I am afraid I am
+not following in His steps," she cried, bursting into an agony of tears
+and sobs.
+
+"My dear little girl, what is the matter?" asked a kind voice, and a
+soft hand was gently laid on her shoulder.
+
+The child looked up hastily. "O Miss Allison!" she said, "is it you? I
+thought I was quite alone."
+
+"And so you were, my dear, until this moment" replied the lady, drawing
+up a chair, and sitting down close beside her. "I was on the veranda,
+and hearing sobs, came in to see if I could be of any assistance. You
+look very much distressed; will you not tell me the cause of your
+sorrow?"
+
+Elsie answered only by a fresh burst of tears.
+
+"They have all gone to the fair and left you at home alone; perhaps to
+learn a lesson you have failed in reciting?" said the lady, inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the child; "but that is not the worst;" and her
+tears fell faster, as she laid the little Bible on the desk, and
+pointed with her finger to the words she had been reading. "Oh!" she
+sobbed, "I--I did not do it; I did not bear it patiently. I was treated
+unjustly, and punished when I was not to blame, and I grew angry. Oh!
+I'm afraid I shall never be like Jesus! never, never."
+
+The child's distress seemed very great, and Miss Allison was extremely
+surprised. She was a visitor who had been in the house only a few days,
+and, herself a devoted Christian, had been greatly pained by the utter
+disregard of the family in which she was sojourning for the teachings
+of God's word. Rose Allison was from the North, and Mr. Dinsmore, the
+proprietor of Roselands, was an old friend of her father, to whom he
+had been paying a visit, and finding Rose in delicate health, he had
+prevailed upon her parents to allow her to spend the winter months with
+his family in the more congenial clime of their Southern home.
+
+"My poor child," she said, passing her arm around the little one's
+waist, "my poor little Elsie! that is your name, is it not?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; Elsie Dinsmore," replied the little girl.
+
+"Well, Elsie, let me read you another verse from this blessed book.
+Here it is: 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from _all_
+sin.' And here again: 'If any man sin, we have an advocate with the
+Father Jesus Christ the righteous.' Dear Elsie, 'if we confess our
+sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.'"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the child; "I have asked Him to forgive me, and I
+know He has; but I am so sorry, oh! _so_ sorry that I have grieved and
+displeased Him; for, O Miss Allison! I _do_ love Jesus, and want to be
+like Him always."
+
+"Yes, dear child, we must grieve for our sins when we remember that
+they helped to slay the Lord. But I am very, very glad to learn that
+you love Jesus, and are striving to do His will. I love Him too, and we
+will love one another; for you know He says, 'By this shall men know
+that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,'" said Miss
+Allison, stroking the little girl's hair, and kissing her tenderly.
+
+"Will you love me? Oh! how glad I am," exclaimed the child joyfully; "I
+have nobody to love me but poor old mammy."
+
+"And who is mammy?" asked the lady.
+
+"My dear old nurse, who has always taken care of me. Have you not seen
+her, ma'am?"
+
+"Perhaps I may. I have seen a number of nice old colored women about
+here since I came. But, Elsie, will you tell me who taught you about
+Jesus, and how long you have loved Him?"
+
+"Ever since I can remember," replied the little girl earnestly; "and it
+was dear old mammy who first told me how He suffered and died on the
+cross for us." Her eyes filled with tears and her voice quivered with
+emotion. "She used to talk to me about it just as soon as I could
+understand anything," she continued; "and then she would tell me that
+my own dear mamma loved Jesus, and had gone to be with Him in heaven;
+and how, when she was dying, she put me--a little, wee baby, I was then
+not quite a week old--into her arms, and said, 'Mammy, take my dear
+little baby and love her, and take care of her just as you did of me;
+and O mammy! be sure that you teach her to love God.' Would you like to
+see my mamma, Miss Allison?"
+
+And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a miniature set in gold and
+diamonds, which she wore suspended by a gold chain around her neck, and
+put it in Rose's hand.
+
+It was the likeness of a young and blooming girl, not more than fifteen
+or sixteen years of age. She was very beautiful, with a sweet, gentle,
+winning countenance, the same soft hazel eyes and golden brown curls
+that the little Elsie possessed; the same regular features, pure
+complexion, and sweet smile.
+
+Miss Allison gazed at it a moment in silent admiration; then turning
+from it to the child with a puzzled expression, she said, "But, Elsie,
+I do not understand; are you not sister to Enna and the rest, and is
+not Mrs. Dinsmore own mother to them all?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am, to all of them, but not to me nor my papa. Their brother
+Horace is my papa, and so they are all my aunts and uncles."
+
+"Indeed," said the lady, musingly; "I thought you looked very unlike
+the rest. And your papa is away, is he not, Elsie?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; he is in Europe. He has been away almost ever since I was
+born, and I have never seen him. Oh! how I do wish he would come home!
+how I long to see him! Do you think he would love me, Miss Allison? Do
+you think he would take me on his knee and pet me, as grandpa does
+Enna?"
+
+"I should think he would, dear; I don't know how he could help loving
+his own dear little girl," said the lady, again kissing the little rosy
+cheek. "But now," she added, rising, "I must go away and let you learn
+your lesson."
+
+Then taking up the little Bible, and turning over the leaves, she
+asked, "Would you like to come to my room sometimes in the mornings and
+evenings, and read this book with me, Elsie?"
+
+"Oh! yes, ma'am, dearly!" exclaimed the child, her eyes sparkling with
+pleasure.
+
+"Come then this evening, if you like; and now goodbye for the present."
+And pressing another kiss on the child's cheek, she left her and went
+back to her own room, where she found her friend Adelaide Dinsmore, a
+young lady near her own age, and the eldest daughter of the family.
+Adelaide was seated on a sofa, busily employed with some fancy work.
+
+"You see I am making myself quite at home," she said, looking up as
+Rose entered. "I cannot imagine where you have been all this time."
+
+"Can you not? In the school-room, talking with little Elsie. Do you
+know, Adelaide, I thought she was your sister; but she tells me not."
+
+"No, she is Horace's child. I supposed you knew; but if you do not, I
+may just as well tell you the whole story. Horace was a very wild boy,
+petted and spoiled, and always used to having his own way; and when he
+was about seventeen--quite a forward youth he was too--he must needs go
+to New Orleans to spend some months with a schoolmate; and there he
+met, and fell desperately in love with, a very beautiful girl a year or
+two younger than himself, an orphan and very wealthy. Fearing that
+objections would be made on the score of their youth, etc., etc., he
+persuaded her to consent to a private marriage, and they had been man
+and wife for some months before either her friends or his suspected it.
+
+"Well, when it came at last to papa's ears, he was very angry, both on
+account of their extreme youth, and because, as Elsie Grayson's father
+had made all his money by trade, he did not consider her quite my
+brother's equal; so he called Horace home and sent him North to
+college. Then he studied law, and since that he has been traveling in
+foreign lands. But to return to his wife; it seems that her guardian
+was quite as much opposed to the match as papa; and the poor girl was
+made to believe that she should never see her husband again. All their
+letters were intercepted, and finally she was told that he was dead;
+so, as Aunt Chloe says, 'she grew thin and pale, and weak and
+melancholy,' and while the little Elsie was yet not quite a week old,
+she died. We never saw her; she died in her guardian's house, and there
+the little Elsie stayed in charge of Aunt Chloe, who was an old servant
+in the family, and had nursed her mother before her, and of the
+housekeeper, Mrs. Murray, a pious old Scotch woman, until about four
+years ago, when her guardian's death broke up the family, and then they
+came to us. Horace never comes home, and does not seem to care for his
+child, for he never mentions her in his letters, except when it is
+necessary in the way of business."
+
+"She is a dear little thing," said Rose. "I am sure he could not help
+loving her, if he could only see her."
+
+"Oh! yes, she is well enough, and I often feel sorry for the lonely
+little thing, but the truth is, I believe we are a little jealous of
+her; she is so extremely beautiful, and heiress to such an immense
+fortune. Mamma often frets, and says that one of these days she will
+quite eclipse her younger daughters."
+
+"But then," said Rose, "she is almost as near; her own grand-daughter."
+
+"No, she is not so very near," replied Adelaide, "for Horace is not
+mamma's son. He was seven or eight years old when she married papa, and
+I think she was never particularly fond of him."
+
+"Ah! yes," thought Rose, "that explains it. Poor little Elsie! No
+wonder you pine for your father's love, and grieve over the loss of the
+mother you never knew!"
+
+"She is an odd child," said Adelaide; "I don't understand her; she is
+so meek and patient she will fairly let you trample upon her. It
+provokes papa. He says she is no Dinsmore, or she would know how to
+stand up for her own rights; and yet she has a temper, I know, for once
+in a great while it shows itself for an instant--only an instant,
+though, and at very long intervals--and then she grieves over it for
+days, as though she had committed some great crime; while the rest of
+us think nothing of getting angry half a dozen times in a day. And then
+she is forever poring over that little Bible of hers; what she sees so
+attractive in it I'm sure I cannot tell, for I must say I find it the
+dullest of dull books."
+
+"Do you," said Rose; "how strange! I had rather give up all other books
+than that one. 'Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever, for
+they are the rejoicing of my heart,' 'How sweet are thy words unto my
+taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.'"
+
+"Do you _really_ love it so, Rose?" asked Adelaide, lifting her eyes to
+her friend's face with an expression of astonishment; "do tell me why?"
+
+"For its exceeding great and precious promises Adelaide; for its holy
+teachings; for its offers of peace and pardon and eternal life. I am a
+sinner, Adelaide, lost, ruined, helpless, hopeless, and the Bible
+brings me the glad news of salvation offered as a free, unmerited gift;
+it tells me that Jesus died to save sinners--just such sinners as I. I
+find that I have a heart deceitful above all things and desperately
+wicked, and the blessed Bible tells me how that heart can be renewed,
+and where I can obtain that holiness without which no man shall see the
+Lord. I find myself utterly unable to keep God's holy law, and it tells
+me of One who has kept it for me. I find that I deserve the wrath and
+curse of a justly offended God, and it tells me of Him who was made a
+curse for me. I find that all my righteousnesses are as filthy rags,
+and it offers me the beautiful, spotless robe of Christ's perfect
+righteousness. Yes, it tells me that God can be just, and the justifier
+of him who believes in Jesus."
+
+Rose spoke these words with deep emotion, then suddenly clasping her
+hands and raising her eyes, she exclaimed, "'Thanks be unto God for His
+unspeakable gift!'"
+
+For a moment there was silence. Then Adelaide spoke:
+
+"Rose," said she, "you talk as if you were a great sinner; but I don't
+believe it; it is only your humility that makes you think so. Why, what
+have you ever done? Had you been a thief, a murderer, or guilty of any
+other great crime, I could see the propriety of your using such
+language with regard to yourself; but for a refined, intelligent,
+amiable young lady, excuse me for saying it, dear Rose, but such
+language seems to me simply absurd."
+
+"Man looketh upon the outward appearance, but the Lord pondereth the
+heart," said Rose, gently. "No, dear Adelaide, you are mistaken; for I
+can truly say 'mine iniquities have gone over my head as a cloud, and
+my transgressions as a thick cloud.' Every duty has been stained with
+sin, every motive impure, every thought unholy. From my earliest
+existence, God has required the undivided love of my whole heart, soul,
+strength, and mind; and so far from yielding it, I live at enmity with
+Him, and rebellion against His government, until within the last two
+years. For seventeen years He has showered blessings upon me, giving me
+life, health, strength, friends, and all that was necessary for
+happiness; and for fifteen of those years I returned Him nothing but
+ingratitude and rebellion. For fifteen years I rejected His offers of
+pardon and reconciliation, turned my back upon the Saviour of sinners,
+and resisted all the strivings of God's Holy Spirit, and will you say
+that I am not a great sinner?" Her voice quivered, and her eyes were
+full of tears.
+
+"Dear Rose," said Adelaide, putting her arm around her friend and
+kissing her cheek affectionately, "don't think of these things;
+religion is too gloomy for one so young as you."
+
+"Gloomy, dear Adelaide!" replied Rose, returning the embrace; "I never
+knew what true happiness was until I found Jesus. My sins often make me
+sad, but religion, never.
+
+   "'Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
+    Dark as midnight's gloomy shroud;
+    But when fear is at the height,
+    Jesus comes, and all is light.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SECOND
+
+
+   "Thy injuries would teach patience to blaspheme,
+    Yet still thou art a dove."
+                             --BEAUMONT'S _Double Marriage._
+
+
+   "When forced to part from those we love,
+      Though sure to meet to-morrow;
+    We yet a kind of anguish prove
+      And feel a touch of sorrow.
+    But oh! what words can paint the fears
+      When from these friends we sever,
+    Perhaps to part for months--for years--
+      Perhaps to part forever."
+                                 --ANON.
+
+
+When Miss Allison had gone, and Elsie found herself once more quite
+alone, she rose from her chair, and kneeling down with the open Bible
+before her, she poured out her story of sins and sorrows, in simple,
+child-like words, into the ears of the dear Saviour whom she loved so
+well; confessing that when she had done well and suffered for it, she
+had not taken it patiently, and earnestly pleading that she might be
+made like unto the meek and lowly Jesus. Low sobs burst from her
+burdened heart, and the tears of penitence fell upon the pages of the
+holy book. But when she rose from her knees, her load of sin and sorrow
+was all gone, and her heart made light and happy with a sweet sense of
+peace and pardon. Once again, as often before, the little Elsie was
+made to experience the blessedness of "the man whose transgression is
+forgiven, whose sin is covered."
+
+She now set to work diligently at her studies, and ere the party
+returned was quite prepared to meet Miss Day, having attended
+faithfully to all she had required of her. The lesson was recited
+without the smallest mistake, every figure of the examples worked out
+correctly, and the page of the copy-book neatly and carefully written.
+
+Miss Day had been in a very captious mood all day, and seemed really
+provoked that Elsie had not given her the smallest excuse for
+fault-finding. Handing the book back to her, she said, very coldly, "I
+see you can do your duties well enough when you choose."
+
+Elsie felt keenly the injustice of the remark, and longed to say that
+she had tried quite as earnestly in the morning; but she resolutely
+crushed down the indignant feeling, and calling to mind the rash words
+that had cost her so many repentant tears, she replied meekly, "I am
+sorry I did not succeed better this morning, Miss Day, though I did
+really try; and I am still more sorry for the saucy answer I gave you;
+and I ask your pardon for it."
+
+"You _ought_ to be sorry," replied Miss Day, severely, "and I hope you
+are; for it was a very impertinent speech indeed, and deserving of a
+much more severe punishment than you received. Now go, and never let me
+hear anything of the kind from you again."
+
+Poor little Elsie's eyes filled with tears at these ungracious words,
+accompanied by a still more ungracious manner; but she turned away
+without a word, and placing her books and slate carefully in her desk,
+left the room.
+
+Rose Allison was sitting alone in her room that evening, thinking of
+her far-distant home, when hearing a gentle rap at her door, she rose
+and opened it to find Elsie standing there with her little Bible in her
+hand.
+
+"Come in, darling," she said, stooping to give the little one a kiss;
+"I am very glad to see you."
+
+"I may stay with you for half an hour, Miss Allison, if you like," said
+the child, seating herself on the low ottoman pointed out by Rose, "and
+then mammy is coming to put me to bed."
+
+"It will be a very pleasant half-hour to both of us, I hope," replied
+Rose, opening her Bible.
+
+They read a chapter together--Rose now and then pausing to make a few
+explanations--and then kneeling down, she offered up a prayer for the
+teachings of the Spirit, and for God's blessing on themselves and all
+their dear ones.
+
+"Dear little Elsie," she said, folding the child in her arms, when they
+had risen from their knees, "how I love you already, and how very glad
+I am to find that there is one in this house beside myself who loves
+Jesus, and loves to study His word, and to call upon His name."
+
+"Yes, dear Miss Allison; and there is _more_ than one, for mammy loves
+Him, too, very dearly," replied the little girl, earnestly.
+
+"Does she, darling? Then I must love her, too, for I cannot help loving
+all who love my Saviour."
+
+Then Rose sat down, and drawing the little girl to a seat on her knee,
+they talked sweetly together of the race they were running, and the
+prize they hoped to obtain at the end of it; of the battle they were
+fighting, and the invisible foes with whom they were called to
+struggle--the armor that had been provided, and of Him who had promised
+to be the Captain of their salvation, and to bring them off more than
+conquerors. They were pilgrims in the same straight and narrow way, and
+it was very pleasant thus to walk a little while together. "Then they
+that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened
+and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them
+that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be
+mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels;
+and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."
+
+"That is mammy coming for me," said Elsie, as a low knock was heard at
+the door.
+
+"Come in," said Rose, and the door opened, and a very nice colored
+woman of middle age, looking beautifully neat in her snow-white apron
+and turban, entered with a low courtesy, asking, "Is my little missus
+ready for bed now?"
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, jumping off Rose's lap; "but come here, mammy; I
+want to introduce you to Miss Allison."
+
+"How do you do, Aunt Chloe? I am very glad to know you, since Elsie
+tells me you are a servant of the same blessed Master whom I love and
+try to serve," said Rose, putting her small white hand cordially into
+Chloe's dusky one.
+
+"'Deed I hope I is, missus," replied Chloe, pressing it fervently in
+both of hers. "I's only a poor old black sinner, but de good Lord
+Jesus, He loves me jes de same as if I was white, an' I love Him an'
+all His chillen with all my heart."
+
+"Yes, Aunt Chloe," said Rose, "He is our peace, and hath made both one,
+and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; so that
+we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the
+saints and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation
+of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
+corner-stone."
+
+"Yes, missus, dat's it for sure; ole Chloe knows dat's in de Bible; an'
+if we be built on dat bressed corner-stone, we's safe ebery one; I'se
+heard it many's de time, an' it fills dis ole heart with joy an' peace
+in believing," she exclaimed, raising her tearful eyes and clasping her
+hands. "But good night, missus; I must put my chile to bed," she added,
+taking Elsie's hand.
+
+"Good-night, Aunt Chloe; come in again," said Rose. "And good-night to
+you, too, dear little Elsie," folding the little girl again in her arms.
+
+"Ain't dat a bressed young lady, darlin'!" exclaimed Chloe, earnestly,
+as she began the business of preparing her young charge for bed.
+
+"O mammy, I love her so much! she's so good and kind," replied the
+child, "and she loves Jesus, and loves to talk about Him."
+
+"She reminds me of your dear mamma, Miss Elsie, but she's not so
+handsome," replied the nurse, with a tear in her eye; "ole Chloe tinks
+dere's nebber any lady so beautiful as her dear young missus was."
+
+Elsie drew out the miniature and kissed it, murmuring, "Dear, darling
+mamma," then put it back in her bosom again, for she always wore it day
+and night. She was standing in her white night-dress, the tiny white
+feet just peeping from under it, while Chloe brushed back her curls and
+put on her night-cap.
+
+"Dere now, darlin', you's ready for bed," she exclaimed, giving the
+child a hug and a kiss.
+
+"No, mammy, not quite," replied the little girl, and gliding away to
+the side of the bed, she knelt down and offered up her evening prayer.
+Then, coming back to the toilet table, she opened her little Bible,
+saying, "Now, mammy, I will read you a chapter while you are getting
+ready for bed."
+
+The room was large and airy, and Aunt Chloe, who was never willing to
+leave her nursling, but watched over her night and day with the most
+devoted affection, slept in a cot bed in one corner.
+
+"Tank you, my dear young missus, you's berry good," she said, beginning
+the preparations for the night by taking off her turban and replacing
+it by a thick night-cap.
+
+When the chapter was finished Elsie got into bed, saying, "Now, mammy,
+you may put out the light as soon as you please; and be sure to call me
+early in the morning, for I have a lesson to learn before breakfast."
+
+"That I will, darlin'," replied the old woman, spreading the cover
+carefully over her. "Good-night, my pet, your ole mammy hopes her chile
+will have pleasant dreams."
+
+Rose Allison was an early riser, and as the breakfast hour at Roselands
+was eight o'clock, she always had an hour or two for reading before it
+was time to join the family circle. She had asked Elsie to come to her
+at half-past seven, and punctually at the hour the little girl's gentle
+rap was heard at her door.
+
+"Come in," said Rose, and Elsie entered, looking as bright and fresh
+and rosy as the morning. She had her little Bible under her arm, and a
+bouquet of fresh flowers in her hand. "Good-morning, dear Miss
+Allison," she said, dropping a graceful courtesy as she presented it.
+"I have come to read, and I have just been out to gather these for you,
+because I know you love flowers."
+
+"Thank you, darling, they are very lovely," said Rose, accepting the
+gift and bestowing a caress upon the giver. "You are quite punctual,"
+she added, "and now we can have our half-hour together before
+breakfast."
+
+The time was spent profitably and pleasantly, and passed so quickly
+that both were surprised when the breakfast bell rang.
+
+Miss Allison spent the whole fall and winter at Roselands; and it was
+very seldom during all that time that she and Elsie failed to have
+their morning and evening reading and prayer together. Rose was often
+made to wonder at the depth of the little girl's piety and the
+knowledge of divine things she possessed. But Elsie had had the best of
+teaching. Chloe, though entirely uneducated, was a simple-minded,
+earnest Christian, and with a heart full of love to Jesus, had, as we
+have seen, early endeavored to lead the little one to Him, and Mrs.
+Murray--the housekeeper whom Adelaide had mentioned, and who had
+assisted Chloe in the care of the child from the time of her birth
+until a few months before Rose's coming, when she had suddenly been
+summoned home to Scotland--had proved a very faithful friend. She was
+an intelligent woman and devotedly pious, and had carefully instructed
+this lonely little one, for whom she felt almost a parent's affection,
+and her efforts to bring her to a saving knowledge of Christ had been
+signally owned and blessed of God; and in answer to her earnest
+prayers, the Holy Spirit had vouchsafed His teachings, without which
+all human instruction must ever be in vain. And young as Elsie was, she
+had already a very lovely and well-developed Christian character.
+Though not a remarkably precocious child in other respects, she seemed
+to have very clear and correct views on almost every subject connected
+with her duty to God and her neighbor; was very truthful both in word
+and deed, very strict in her observance of the Sabbath--though the rest
+of the family were by no means particular in that respect--very
+diligent in her studies, respectful to superiors, and kind to inferiors
+and equals; and she was gentle, sweet-tempered, patient, and forgiving
+to a remarkable degree. Rose became strongly attached to her, and the
+little girl fully returned her affection.
+
+Elsie was very sensitive and affectionate, and felt keenly the want of
+sympathy and love, for which, at the time of Rose's coming, she had no
+one to look to but poor old Chloe, who loved her with all her heart.
+
+It is true, Adelaide sometimes treated her almost affectionately, and
+Lora, who had a very strong sense of justice, occasionally interfered
+and took her part when she was very unjustly accused, but no one seemed
+really to care for her, and she often felt sad and lonely. Mr.
+Dinsmore, though her own grandfather, treated her with entire neglect,
+seemed to have not the slightest affection for her, and usually spoke
+of her as "old Crayson's grandchild." Mrs. Dinsmore really disliked
+her, because she looked upon her as the child of a stepson for whom she
+had never felt any affection, and also as the future rival of her own
+children; while the governess and the younger members of the family,
+following the example of their elders, treated her with neglect, and
+occasionally even with abuse. Miss Day, knowing that she was in no
+danger of incurring the displeasure of her superiors by so doing,
+vented upon her all the spite she dared not show to her other pupils;
+and continually she was made to give up her toys and pleasures to Enna,
+and even sometimes to Arthur and Walter. It often cost her a struggle,
+and had she possessed less of the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
+her life had been wretched indeed.
+
+But in spite of all her trials and vexations, little Elsie was the
+happiest person in the family; for she had in her heart that peace
+which the world can neither give nor take away; that joy which the
+Saviour gives to His own, and no man taketh from them. She constantly
+carried all her sorrows and troubles to Him, and the coldness and
+neglect of others seemed but to drive her nearer to that Heavenly
+Friend, until she felt that while possessed of His love, she could not
+be unhappy, though treated with scorn and abuse by all the world.
+
+   "The good are better made by ill,
+    As odors crushed are sweeter still;"
+
+And even so it seemed to be with little Elsie; her trials seemed to
+have only the effect of purifying and making more lovely her naturally
+amiable character.
+
+Elsie talked much and thought more of her absent and unknown father,
+and longed with an intensity of desire for his return home. It was her
+dream, by day and by night, that he had come, that he had taken her to
+his heart, calling her "his own darling child, his precious little
+Elsie;" for such were the loving epithets she often heard lavished upon
+Enna, and which she longed to hear addressed to herself. But from month
+to month, and year to year, that longed-for return had been delayed
+until the little heart had grown sick with hope deferred, and was often
+weary with its almost hopeless waiting. But to return.
+
+"Elsie," said Adelaide, as Miss Allison and the little girl entered the
+breakfast-room on the morning after Elsie's disappointment, "the fair
+is not over yet, and Miss Allison and I are going to ride out there
+this afternoon; so, if you are a good girl in school, you may go with
+us."
+
+"Oh! thank you, dear Aunt Adelaide," exclaimed the little girl,
+clapping her hands with delight; "how kind you are! and I shall be so
+glad."
+
+Miss Day frowned, and looked as if she wanted to reprove her for her
+noisy demonstrations of delight, but, standing somewhat in awe of
+Adelaide, said nothing.
+
+But Elsie suddenly relapsed into silence, for at that moment Mrs.
+Dinsmore entered the room, and it was seldom that she could utter a
+word in her presence without being reproved and told that "children
+should be seen and not heard," though her own were allowed to talk as
+much as they pleased.
+
+Miss Day seemed cross, Mrs. Dinsmore was moody and taciturn,
+complaining of headache, and Mr. Dinsmore occupied with the morning
+paper; and so the meal passed off in almost unbroken silence. Elsie was
+glad when it was over, and hastening to the school-room, she began her
+tasks without waiting for the arrival of the regular hour for study.
+
+She had the room entirely to herself, and had been busily engaged for
+half an hour in working out her examples, when the opening of the door
+caused her to look up, and, to her dismay, Arthur entered. He did not,
+however, as she feared, begin his customary course of teasing and
+tormenting, but seated himself at his desk, leaning his head upon his
+hand in an attitude of dejection.
+
+Elsie wondered what ailed him, his conduct was so unusual, and she
+could not help every now and then sending an inquiring glance toward
+him, and at length she asked, "What is the matter, Arthur?"
+
+"Nothing much," said he, gruffly, turning his back to her.
+
+Thus repulsed, she said no more, but gave her undivided attention to
+her employment; and so diligent was she, that Miss Day had no excuse
+whatever for fault-finding this morning. Her tasks were all completed
+within the required time, and she enjoyed her promised ride with her
+aunt and Miss Allison, and her visit to the fair, very much indeed.
+
+It was still early when they returned; and finding that she had nearly
+an hour to dispose of before tea-time, Elsie thought she would finish a
+drawing which she had left in her desk in the school-room. While
+searching for it and her pencil, she heard Lora's and Arthur's voices
+on the veranda.
+
+She did not notice what they were saying, until her own name struck her
+ear.
+
+"Elsie is the only person," Lora was saying, "who can, and probably
+will, help you; for she has plenty of money, and she is so kind and
+generous; but, if I were you, I should be ashamed to ask her, after the
+way you acted toward her."
+
+"I wish I hadn't teased her so yesterday," replied Arthur,
+disconsolately, "but it's such fun, I can't help it sometimes."
+
+"Well, I know I wouldn't ask a favor of anybody I had treated so," said
+Lora, walking away.
+
+Elsie sat still a few moments, working at her drawing and wondering all
+the time what it was Arthur wanted, and thinking how glad she would be
+of an opportunity of returning him good for evil. She did not like,
+though, to seek his confidence, but presently hearing him heave a deep
+sigh, she rose and went out on the veranda.
+
+He was leaning on the railing in an attitude of dejection, his head
+bent down and his eyes fixed on the floor. She went up to him, and
+laying her hand softly on his shoulder, said, in the sweet, gentle
+tones natural to her. "What ails you, Arthur? Can I do anything for
+you? I will be very glad if I can."
+
+"No--yes--" he answered hesitatingly; "I wouldn't like to ask you
+after--after--"
+
+"Oh! never mind," said Elsie, quickly; "I do not care anything about
+that now. I had the ride to-day, and that was better still, because I
+went with Aunt Adelaide and Miss Allison. Tell me what you want."
+
+Thus encouraged, Arthur replied, "I saw a beautiful little ship
+yesterday when I was in the city; it was only five dollars, and I've
+set my heart on having it, but my pocket money's all gone, and papa
+won't give me a cent until next month's allowance is due; and by that
+time the ship will be gone, for it's such a beauty somebody'll be sure
+to buy it."
+
+"Won't your mamma buy it for you?" asked Elsie.
+
+"No, she says she hasn't the money to spare just now. You know it's
+near the end of the month, and they've all spent their allowances
+except Louise, and she says she'll not lend her money to such a
+spendthrift as I am."
+
+Elsie drew out her purse, and seemed just about to put it into his
+hand; but, apparently changing her mind, she hesitated a moment, and
+then returning it to her pocket, said, with a half smile, "I don't
+know, Arthur; five dollars is a good deal for a little girl like me to
+lay out at once. I must think about it a little."
+
+"I don't ask you to _give_ it," he replied scornfully; "I'll pay it
+back in two weeks."
+
+"Well, I will see by to-morrow morning," she said, darting away, while
+he sent an angry glance after her, muttering the word "stingy" between
+his teeth.
+
+Elsie ran down to the kitchen, asking of one and another of the
+servants as she passed, "Where's Pompey?" The last time she put the
+question to Phoebe, the cook, but was answered by Pompey himself. "Here
+am Pomp, Miss Elsie; what does little missy want wid dis chile?"
+
+"Are you going to the city to-night, Pompey?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Elsie, I'se got some arrants to do for missus an' de family
+in ginral, an' I ben gwine start in 'bout ten minutes. Little missy
+wants sumpin', eh?"
+
+Elsie motioned to him to come close to her, and then putting her purse
+into his hands, she told him in a whisper of Arthur's wish, and
+directed him to purchase the coveted toy, and bring it to her, if
+possible, without letting any one else know anything about it. "And
+keep half a dollar for yourself, Pompey, to pay you for your trouble,"
+she added in conclusion.
+
+"Tank you, little missy," he replied, with a broad grin of
+satisfaction; "dat be berry good pay, and Pomp am de man to do dis
+business up for you 'bout right."
+
+The tea-bell rang, and Elsie hastened away to answer the summons. She
+looked across the table at Arthur with a pleasant smile on her
+countenance, but he averted his eyes with an angry scowl; and with a
+slight sigh she turned away her head, and did not look at him again
+during the meal.
+
+Pompey executed his commission faithfully; and when Elsie returned to
+her own room after her evening hour with Miss Rose, Chloe pointed out
+the little ship standing on the mantel.
+
+"Oh! it's a little beauty," cried Elsie, clapping her hands and dancing
+up and down with delight; "how Arthur will be pleased! Now, mammy, can
+you take it to the school-room, and put it on Master Arthur's desk,
+without anybody seeing you?"
+
+"Ole Chloe'll try, darlin," she said, taking it in her hands.
+
+"Oh! wait one moment," exclaimed Elsie, and taking a card, she wrote on
+it, "A present to Arthur, from his niece Elsie." Then laying it on the
+deck of the little vessel. "There, mammy," she said, "I think that will
+do; but please look out first to see whether any one is in the hall."
+
+"Coast all clear, darlin'," replied Chloe, after a careful survey; "all
+de chillens am in bed before dis time, I spec." And taking a candle in
+one hand and the little ship in the other, she started for the
+school-room. She soon returned with a broad grin of satisfaction on her
+black face, saying, "All right, darlin', I put him on Massa Arthur's
+desk, an' nobody de wiser."
+
+So Elsie went to bed very happy in the thought of the pleasure Arthur
+would have in receiving her present.
+
+She was hurrying down to the breakfast-room the next morning, a little
+in advance of Miss Rose, who had stopped to speak to Adelaide, when
+Arthur came running up behind her, having just come in by a side door
+from the garden, and seizing her round the waist, he said, "Thank you,
+Elsie; you're a real good girl! She sails beautifully. I've been trying
+her on the pond. But it mustn't be a _present;_ you must let me pay you
+back when I get my allowance."
+
+"Oh! no, Arthur, that would spoil it all," she answered quickly; "you
+are entirely welcome, and you know my allowance is so large that half
+the time I have more money than I know how to spend."
+
+"I should like to see the time that would be the case with me," said
+he, laughing. Then in a lower tone, "Elsie, I'm sorry I teased you so.
+I'll not do it again soon."
+
+Elsie answered him with a grateful look, as she stepped past him and
+quietly took her place at the table.
+
+Arthur kept his word, and for many weeks entirely refrained from
+teasing Elsie, and while freed from that annoyance she was always able
+to have her tasks thoroughly prepared; and though her governess was
+often unreasonable and exacting, and there was scarcely a day in which
+she was not called upon to yield her own wishes or pleasures, or in
+some way to inconvenience herself to please Walter or Enna, or
+occasionally the older members of the family, yet it was an unusually
+happy winter to her, for Rose Allison's love and uniform kindness shed
+sunshine on her path. She had learned to yield readily to others, and
+when fretted or saddened by unjust or unkind treatment, a few moments
+alone with her precious Bible and her loved Saviour made all right
+again, and she would come from those sweet communings looking as
+serenely happy as if she had never known an annoyance. She was a wonder
+to all the family. Her grandfather would sometimes look at her as,
+without a frown or a pout, she would give up her own wishes to Enna,
+and shaking his head, say, "She's no Dinsmore, or she would know how to
+stand up for her own rights better than that. _I_ don't like such
+tame-spirited people. She's not Horace's child; it never was an easy
+matter to impose upon or conquer him. He was a boy of spirit."
+
+"What a strange child Elsie is?" Adelaide remarked to her friend one
+day. "I am often surprised to see how sweetly she gives up to all of
+us; really she has a lovely temper. I quite envy her; it was always
+hard for me to give up my own way."
+
+"I do not believe it was easy for her at first," said Rose. "I think
+her sweet disposition is the fruit of a work of grace in her heart. It
+is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which God alone can bestow."
+
+"I wish I had it, then," said Adelaide, sighing.
+
+"You have only to go to the right source to obtain it, dear Adelaide,"
+replied her friend, gently.
+
+"And yet," said Adelaide, "I must say I sometimes think that, as papa
+says, there is something mean-spirited and cowardly in always giving up
+to other people."
+
+"It would indeed be cowardly and wrong to give up _principle_," replied
+Rose, "but surely it is noble and generous to give up our own wishes to
+another, where no principle is involved."
+
+"Certainly, you are right," said Adelaide, musingly. "And now I
+recollect that, readily as Elsie gives up her own wishes to others on
+ordinary occasions, I have never known her to sacrifice principle; but,
+on the contrary, she has several times made mamma excessively angry by
+refusing to romp and play with Enna on the Sabbath, or to deceive papa
+when questioned with regard to some of Arthur's misdeeds; yet she has
+often borne the blame of his faults, when she might have escaped by
+telling of him. Elsie is certainly very different from any of the rest
+of us, and if it is piety that makes her what she is, I think piety is
+a very lovely thing."
+
+Elsie's mornings were spent in the school-room; in the afternoon she
+walked, or rode out, sometimes in company with her young uncles and
+aunts, and sometimes alone, a negro boy following at a respectful
+distance, as a protector. In the evening there was almost always
+company in the parlor, and she found it pleasanter to sit beside the
+bright wood-fire in her own room, with her fond old nurse for a
+companion, than to stay there, or with the younger ones in the
+sitting-room or nursery. If she had no lesson to learn, she usually
+read aloud to Chloe, as she sat knitting by the fire, and the Bible was
+the book generally preferred by both; and then when she grew weary of
+reading, she would often take a stool, and sitting down close to Chloe,
+put her head in her lap, saying, "Now, mammy, tell me about mamma."
+
+And then for the hundredth time or more the old woman would go over the
+story of the life and death of her "dear young missus," as she always
+called her; telling of her beauty, her goodness, and of her sorrows and
+sufferings during the last year of her short life.
+
+It was a story which never lost its charm for Elsie; a story which the
+one never wearied of telling, nor the other of hearing. Elsie would sit
+listening, with her mother's miniature in her hand, gazing at it with
+tearful eyes, then press it to her lips, murmuring, "My own mamma;
+poor, dear mamma." And when Chloe had finished that story she would
+usually say, "Now, mammy, tell me all about papa."
+
+But upon this subject Chloe had very little information to give. She
+knew him only as a gay, handsome young stranger, whom she had seen
+occasionally during a few months, and who had stolen all the sunshine
+from her beloved young mistress' life, and left her to die alone; yet
+she did not blame him when speaking to his child, for the young wife
+had told her that he had not forsaken her of his own free choice; and
+though she could not quite banish from her own mind the idea that he
+had not been altogether innocent in the matter, she breathed no hint of
+it to Elsie; for Chloe was a sensible woman, and knew that to lead the
+little one to think ill of her only remaining parent would but tend to
+make her unhappy.
+
+Sometimes Elsie would ask very earnestly, "Do you thing papa loves
+Jesus, mammy?" And Chloe would reply with a doubtful shake of the head,
+"Dunno, darlin'; but ole Chloe prays for him ebery day."
+
+"And so do I," Elsie would answer; "dear, dear papa, how I wish he
+would come home!"
+
+And so the winter glided away, and spring came, and Miss Allison must
+soon return home. It was now the last day of March, and her departure
+had been fixed for the second of April. For a number of weeks Elsie had
+been engaged, during all her spare moments, in knitting a purse for
+Rose, wishing to give her something which was the work of her own
+hands, knowing that as such it would be more prized by her friend than
+a costlier gift. She had just returned from her afternoon ride, and
+taking out her work she sat down to finish it. She was in her own room,
+with no companion but Chloe, who sat beside her knitting as usual.
+
+Elsie worked on silently for some time, then suddenly holding up her
+purse, she exclaimed, "See, mammy, it is all done but putting on the
+tassel! Isn't it pretty? and won't dear Miss Allison be pleased with
+it?"
+
+It really was very pretty indeed, of crimson and gold, and beautifully
+knit, and Chloe, looking at it with admiring eyes, said, "I spec she
+will, darlin'. I tink it's berry handsome."
+
+At this moment Enna opened the door and came in.
+
+Elsie hastily attempted to conceal the purse by thrusting it into her
+pocket, but it was too late, for Enna had seen it, and running toward
+her, cried out, "Now, Elsie, just give that to me!"
+
+"No, Enna," replied Elsie, mildly, "I cannot let you have it, because
+it is for Miss Rose."
+
+"I will have it," exclaimed the child, resolutely, "and if you don't
+give it to me at once I shall just go and tell mamma."
+
+"I will let you take it in your hand a few moments to look at it, if
+you will be careful not to soil it, Enna," said Elsie, in the same
+gentle tone; "and if you wish, I will get some more silk and beads, and
+make you one just like it; but I cannot give you this, because I would
+not have time to make another for Miss Rose."
+
+"No, I shall just have that one; and I shall have it to keep," said
+Enna, attempting to snatch it out of Elsie's hand.
+
+But Elsie held it up out of her reach, and after trying several times
+in vain to get it, Enna left the room, crying and screaming with
+passion.
+
+Chloe locked the door, saying, "Great pity, darlin', we forgot to do
+dat 'fore Miss Enna came. I'se 'fraid she gwine bring missus for make
+you gib um up."
+
+Elsie sat down to her work again, but she was very pale, and her little
+hands trembled with agitation, and her soft eyes were full of tears.
+
+Chloe's fears were but too well founded; for the next moment hasty
+steps were heard in the passage, and the handle of the door was laid
+hold of with no very gentle grasp; and then, as it refused to yield to
+her touch, Mrs. Dinsmore's voice was heard in an angry tone giving the
+command, "Open this door instantly."
+
+Chloe looked at her young mistress.
+
+"You will have to," said Elsie, tearfully, slipping her work into her
+pocket again, and lifting up her heart in prayer for patience and
+meekness, for she well knew she would have need of both.
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore entered, leading the sobbing Enna by the hand; her face
+was flushed with passion, and addressing Elsie in tones of violent
+anger, she asked, "What is the meaning of all this, you
+good-for-nothing hussy? Why are you always tormenting this poor child?
+Where is that paltry trifle that all this fuss is about? let me see it
+this instant."
+
+Elsie drew the purse from her pocket, saying in tearful, trembling
+tones, "It is a purse I was making for Miss Rose, ma'am; and I offered
+to make another just like it for Enna; but I cannot give her this one,
+because there would not be time to make another before Miss Rose goes
+away."
+
+"You _can_ not give it to her, indeed! You _will_ not, you mean; but I
+say you _shall;_ and I'll see if I'm not mistress in my own house. Give
+it to the child this instant; I'll not have her crying her eyes out
+that you may be humored in all your whims. There are plenty of
+handsomer ones to be had in the city, and if you are too mean to make
+her a present of it, I'll buy you another to-morrow."
+
+"But that would not be my work, and this is," replied Elsie, still
+retaining the purse, loath to let it go.
+
+"Nonsense! what difference will that make to Miss Rose?" said Mrs.
+Dinsmore; and snatching it out of her hand, she gave it to Enna,
+saying, "There, my pet, you shall have it. Elsie is a naughty, mean,
+stingy girl, but she shan't plague you while your mamma's about."
+
+Enna cast a look of triumph at Elsie, and ran off with her prize,
+followed by her mother, while poor Elsie hid her face in Chloe's lap
+and cried bitterly.
+
+It required all Chloe's religion to keep down her anger and indignation
+at this unjust and cruel treatment of her darling, and for a few
+moments she allowed her to sob and cry without a word, only soothing
+her with mute caresses, not daring to trust her voice, lest her anger
+should find vent in words. But at length, when her feelings had grown
+somewhat calmer, she said soothingly, "Nebber mind it, my poor darlin'
+chile. Just go to de city and buy de prettiest purse you can find, for
+Miss Rose."
+
+But Elsie shook her head sadly. "I wanted it to be my own work," she
+sobbed, "and now there is no time."
+
+"Oh! I'll tell you what, my pet," exclaimed Chloe suddenly, "dere's de
+purse you was aknittin' for your papa, an' dey wouldn't send it for
+you; you can get dat done for de lady, and knit another for your papa,
+'fore he comes home."
+
+Elsie raised her head with a look of relief, but her face clouded
+again, as she replied, "But it is not quite done, and I haven't the
+beads to finish it with, and Miss Rose goes day after to-morrow."
+
+"Nebber mind dat, darlin'," said Chloe, jumping up; "Pomp he been gwine
+to de city dis berry afternoon, an' we'll tell him to buy de beads, an'
+den you can get de purse finished 'fore to-morrow night, an' de lady
+don't go till de next day, an' so it gwine all come right yet."
+
+"Oh! yes, that will do; dear old mammy, I'm so glad you thought of it,"
+said Elsie, joyfully. And rising, she went to her bureau, and unlocking
+a drawer, took from it a bead purse of blue and gold, quite as handsome
+as the one of which she had been so ruthlessly despoiled, and rolling
+it up in a piece of paper, she handed it to Chloe, saying: "There,
+mammy, please give it to Pomp, and tell him to match the beads and the
+silk exactly."
+
+Chloe hastened in search of Pomp, but when she found him, he insisted
+that he should not have time to attend to Miss Elsie's commission and
+do his other errands; and Chloe, knowing that he, in common with all
+the other servants, was very fond of the little girl, felt satisfied
+that it was not merely an excuse, therefore did not urge her request.
+She stood a moment in great perplexity, then suddenly exclaimed, "I'll
+go myself. Miss Elsie will spare me, an' I'll go right long wid you,
+Pomp."
+
+Chloe was entirely Elsie's servant, having no other business than to
+wait upon her and take care of her clothing and her room; and the
+little girl, of course, readily gave her permission to accompany Pomp
+and do the errand.
+
+But it was quite late ere Chloe returned, and the little girl spent the
+evening alone in her own room. She was sadly disappointed that she
+could not even have her hour with Miss Rose, who was detained in the
+parlor with company whom she could not leave, and so the evening seemed
+very long and wore away very slowly.
+
+But at last Chloe came, and in answer to her eager inquiries displayed
+her purchases with great satisfaction, saying, "Yes, darlin', I'se got
+de berry t'ings you wanted."
+
+"Oh! yes," said Elsie, examining them with delight; "they are just
+right; and now I can finish it in a couple of hours."
+
+"Time to get ready for bed now, ain't it, pet?" asked Chloe; but before
+the little girl had time to answer, a servant knocked at the door, and
+handed in a note for her. It was from Miss Allison, and, hastily
+tearing it open, she read:
+
+"DEAR ELSIE--I am very sorry that we cannot have our reading together
+this evening; but be sure, darling, to come to me early in the morning;
+it will be our last opportunity, for, dear child, I have another
+disappointment for you. I had not expected to leave before day after
+to-morrow, but I have learned this evening that the vessel sails a day
+sooner than I had supposed, and therefore I shall be obliged to start
+on my journey to-morrow.
+
+"Your friend,                                              ROSE."
+
+Elsie dropped the note on the floor and burst into tears.
+
+"What de matter, darlin'?" asked Chloe, anxiously.
+
+"Oh! Miss Rose, dear, _dear_ Miss Rose is going tomorrow," she sobbed.
+Then hastily drying her eyes, she said: "But I have no time for crying.
+I must sit up and finish the purse to-night, because there will not be
+time to-morrow."
+
+It was long past her usual hour for retiring when at last her task, or
+rather her labor of love, was completed. Yet she was up betimes, and at
+the usual hour her gentle rap was heard at Miss Allison's door.
+
+Rose clasped her in her arms and kissed her tenderly.
+
+"O Miss Rose! _dear, dear_ Miss Rose, what shall I do without you?"
+sobbed the little girl. "I shall have nobody to love me now but mammy."
+
+"You have another and a better friend, dear Elsie, who has said, 'I
+will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,'" whispered Rose, with another
+tender caress.
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, wiping away her tears; "and He is your Friend, too;
+and don't you think, Miss Rose, He will bring us together again some
+day?"
+
+"I hope so indeed, darling. We must keep very close to Him, dear Elsie;
+we must often commune with Him in secret; often study His word, and try
+always to do His will. Ah! dear child, if we can only have the
+assurance that that dear Friend is with us--that we have His presence
+and His love, we shall be supremely happy, though separated from all
+earthly friends. I know, dear little one, that you have peculiar
+trials, and that you often feel the want of sympathy and love; but you
+may always find them in Jesus. And now we will have our reading and
+prayer as usual."
+
+She took the little girl in her lap, and opening the Bible, read aloud
+the fourteenth chapter of John, a part of that touching farewell of our
+Saviour to His sorrowing disciples; and then they knelt to pray. Elsie
+was only a listener, for her little heart was too full to allow her to
+be anything more.
+
+"My poor darling!" Rose said, again taking her in her arms, "we will
+hope to meet again before very long. Who knows but your papa may come
+home, and some day bring you to see me. It seems not unlikely, as he is
+so fond of traveling."
+
+Elsie looked up, smiling through her tears, "Oh! how delightful that
+would be," she said. "But it seems as though my papa would never come,"
+she added, with a deep-drawn sigh.
+
+"Well, darling, we can hope," Rose answered cheerfully. "And, dear
+child, though we must be separated in body for a time, we can still
+meet in spirit at the mercy-seat. Shall we not do so at this hour every
+morning?"
+
+Elsie gave a joyful assent.
+
+"And I shall write to you, darling," Rose said; "I will write on my
+journey, if I can, so that you will get the letter in a week from the
+time I leave; and then you must write to me; will you?"
+
+"If you won't care for the mistakes, Miss Rose. But you know I am a
+very little girl, and I wouldn't like to let Miss Day read my letter to
+you, to correct it. But I shall be so very glad to get yours. I never
+had a letter in my life."
+
+"I sha'n't care for mistakes at all, dear, and no one shall see your
+letters but myself," said Rose, kissing her. "I should be as sorry as
+you to have Miss Day look at them."
+
+Elsie drew out the purse and put it in her friend's hand, saying: "It
+is all my own work, dear Miss Rose; I thought you would value it more
+for that."
+
+"And indeed I shall, darling," replied Rose, with tears of pleasure in
+her eyes. "It is beautiful in itself, but I shall value it ten times
+more because it is your gift, and the work of your own dear little
+hands."
+
+But the breakfast-bell now summoned them to join the rest of the
+family, and, in a few moments after they left the table, the carriage
+which was to take Rose to the city was at the door. Rose had endeared
+herself to all, old and young, and they were loath to part with her.
+One after another bade her an affectionate farewell. Elsie was the
+last. Rose pressed her tenderly to her bosom, and kissed her again and
+again, saying, in a voice half choked with grief, "God bless and keep
+you, my poor little darling; my dear, dear little Elsie!"
+
+Elsie could not speak; and the moment the carriage had rolled away with
+her friend, she went to her own room, and locking herself in, cried
+long and bitterly. She had learned to love Rose very dearly, and to
+lean upon her very much; and now the parting from her, with no
+certainty of ever meeting her again in this world, was the severest
+trial the poor child had ever known.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRD
+
+
+   "The morning blush was lighted up by hope--
+    The hope of meeting him."
+                                 --Miss LANDON.
+
+   "Unkindness, do thy office; poor heart, break."
+
+
+A week had now passed away since Miss Allison's departure, and Elsie,
+to whom it had been a sad and lonely one, was beginning to look eagerly
+for her first letter.
+
+"It is just a week to-day since Rose left," remarked Adelaide at the
+breakfast table, "and I think we ought to hear from her soon. She
+promised to write on her journey. Ah! here comes Pomp with the letters
+now," she added, as the servant man entered the room bearing in his
+hand the bag in which he always brought the letters of the family from
+the office in the neighboring city, whither he was sent every morning.
+
+"Pomp, you are late this morning," said Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+"Yes, missus," replied the negro, scratching his head, "de horses am
+berry lazy; spec dey's got de spring fever."
+
+"Do make haste, papa, and see if there is not one from Rose," said
+Adelaide coaxingly, as her father took the bag, and very deliberately
+adjusted his spectacles before opening it.
+
+"Have patience, young lady," said he. "Yes, here is a letter for you,
+and one for Elsie," tossing them across the table as he spoke.
+
+Elsie eagerly seized hers and ran away to her own room to read it. It
+was a feast to her, this first letter, and from such a dear friend,
+too. It gave her almost as much pleasure for the moment as Miss Rose's
+presence could have afforded.
+
+She had just finished its perusal and was beginning it again, when she
+heard Adelaide's voice calling her by name, and the next moment she
+entered the room, saying: "Well, Elsie, I suppose you have read your
+letter; and now I have another piece of news for you. Can you guess
+what it is?" she asked, looking at her with a strange smile.
+
+"Oh! no, Aunt Adelaide; please tell me. Is dear Miss Rose coming back?"
+
+"O! nonsense; what a guess!" said Adelaide. "No, stranger than that. My
+brother Horace--your papa--has actually sailed for America, and is
+coming directly home."
+
+Elsie sprang up, her cheeks flushed, and her little heart beating
+wildly.
+
+"O Aunt Adelaide!" she cried, "is it really true? is he coming? and
+will he be here soon?"
+
+"He has really started at last; but how soon he will be here I don't
+know," replied her aunt, turning to leave the room. "I have told you
+all I know about it."
+
+Elsie clasped her hands together, and sank down upon a sofa, Miss
+Rose's letter, prized so highly a moment before, lying unheeded at her
+feet; for her thoughts were far away, following that unknown parent as
+he crossed the ocean; trying to imagine how he would look, how he would
+speak, what would be his feelings toward her.
+
+"Oh!" she asked, with a beating heart, "_will_ he _love_ me? My own
+papa! will he let me love him? will he take me in his arms and call me
+his own darling child?"
+
+But who could answer the anxious inquiry? She must just wait until the
+slow wheels of time should bring the much longed-for, yet sometimes
+half-dreaded arrival.
+
+Elsie's lessons were but indifferently recited that morning, and Miss
+Day frowned, and said in a tone of severity that it did not agree with
+her to receive letters; and that, unless she wished her papa to be much
+displeased with her on his expected arrival, she must do a great deal
+better than that.
+
+She had touched the right chord then; for Elsie, intensely anxious to
+please that unknown father, and, if possible, gain his approbation and
+affection, gave her whole mind to her studies with such a determined
+purpose that the governess could find no more cause for complaint.
+
+But while the child is looking forward to the expected meeting with
+such longing affection for him, how is it with the father?
+
+Horace Dinsmore was, like his father, an upright, moral man, who paid
+an outward respect to the forms of religion, but cared nothing for the
+vital power of godliness; trusted entirely to his morality, and looked
+upon Christians as hypocrites and deceivers. He had been told that his
+little Elsie was one of these, and, though he would not have
+acknowledged it even to himself, it had prejudiced him against her.
+Then, too, in common with all the Dinsmores, he had a great deal of
+family pride; and, though old Mr. Grayson had been a man of sterling
+worth, intelligent, honest, and pious, and had died very wealthy, yet
+because he was known to have begun life as a poor boy, the whole family
+were accustomed to speak as though Horace had stooped very much in
+marrying his heiress.
+
+And Horace himself had come to look upon his early marriage as a piece
+of boyish folly, of which he was rather ashamed; and so constantly had
+Mr. Dinsmore spoken in his letters of Elsie as "old Grayson's
+grandchild," that he had got into the habit of looking upon her as a
+kind of disgrace to him; especially as she had always been described to
+him as a disagreeable, troublesome child.
+
+He had loved his wife with all the warmth of his passionate nature, and
+had mourned bitterly over her untimely death; but years of study,
+travel and worldly pleasures had almost banished her image from his
+mind, and he seldom thought of her except in connection with the child
+for whom he felt a secret dislike.
+
+Scarcely anything but the expected arrival was now spoken or thought of
+at Roselands, and Elsie was not the only one to whom old Time seemed to
+move with an unusually laggard pace.
+
+But at length a letter came telling them that they might look upon it
+as being but one day in advance of its writer; and now all was bustle
+and preparation.
+
+"O mammy, mammy!" exclaimed Elsie, jumping up and down, and clapping
+her hands for joy, as she came in from her afternoon ride, "just think!
+papa, dear papa, will be here to-morrow morning."
+
+She seemed wild with delight; but suddenly sobered down, and a look of
+care stole over the little face, as the torturing question recurred to
+her mind, "_Will he love me?_"
+
+She stood quite still, with her eyes fixed thoughtfully, and almost
+sadly, upon the floor, while Chloe took off her riding dress and cap
+and smoothed her hair. As she finished arranging her dress she clasped
+the little form in her arms, and pressed a fond kiss on the fair brow,
+thinking to herself that was the sweetest and loveliest little face she
+had ever looked upon.
+
+Just at that moment an unusual bustle was heard in the house.
+
+Elsie started, changed color, and stood listening with a throbbing
+heart.
+
+Presently little feet were heard running rapidly down the hall, and
+Walter, throwing open the door, called out, "Elsie, he's come!" and
+catching her hand, hurried her along to the parlor door.
+
+"Stop, stop, Walter," she gasped as they reached it; and she leaned
+against the wall, her heart throbbing so wildly she could scarcely
+breathe.
+
+"What is the matter?" said he, "are you ill? come along;" and pushing
+the door open, he rushed in, dragging her after him.
+
+So over-wrought were the child's feelings that she nearly fainted;
+everything in the room seemed to be turning round, and for an instant
+she scarcely knew where she was.
+
+But a strange voice asked, "And who is this?" and looking up as her
+grandfather pronounced her name, she saw a stranger standing before
+her--very handsome, and very youthful-looking, in spite of a heavy dark
+beard and mustache--who exclaimed hastily, "What! this great girl _my_
+child? really it is enough to make a man feel old."
+
+Then, taking her hand, he stooped and coldly kissed her lips.
+
+She was trembling violently, and the very depth of her feelings kept
+her silent and still; her hand lay still in his, cold and clammy.
+
+He held it an instant, at the same time gazing searchingly into her
+face; then dropped it, saying in a tone of displeasure, "I am not an
+ogre, that you need be so afraid of me; but there, you may go; I will
+not keep you in terror any longer."
+
+She rushed away to her own room, and there, throwing herself upon the
+bed, wept long and wildly. It was the disappointment of a lifelong
+hope. Since her earliest recollection she had looked and longed for
+this hour; and it seemed as though the little heart would break with
+its weight of bitter anguish.
+
+She was all alone, for Chloe had gone down to the kitchen to talk over
+the arrival, not doubting that her darling was supremely happy in the
+possession of her long looked-for parent.
+
+And so the little girl lay there with her crushed and bleeding heart,
+sobbing, mourning, weeping as though she would weep her very life away,
+without an earthly friend to speak one word of comfort.
+
+"O papa, papa!" she sobbed, "my own papa, you do not love me; me, your
+own little girl. Oh! my heart will break. O mamma, mamma! if I could
+only go to you; for there is no one here to love me, and I am so
+lonely, oh! _so_ lonely and desolate."
+
+And thus Chloe found her, when she came in an hour later, weeping and
+sobbing out such broken exclamations of grief and anguish.
+
+She was much surprised, but comprehending at once how her child was
+suffering, she raised her up in her strong arms, and laying the little
+head lovingly against her bosom, she smoothed the tangled hair, kissed
+the tear-swollen eyes, and bathed the throbbing temples, saying, "My
+precious pet, my darlin' chile, your ole mammy loves you better dan
+life; an' did my darlin' forget de almighty Friend dat says, _I_ have
+loved thee with an everlasting love,' an' 'I will never leave thee, nor
+forsake thee'? He sticks closer dan a brudder, precious chile, and
+says,'though a woman forget her sucking child, He will not forget _His_
+chillen.' Mothers love dere chillens better dan fathers, darlin', and
+so you see Jesus' love is better dan all other love; and I _knows_ you
+hes got dat."
+
+"O mammy! ask Him to take me to Himself, and to mamma--for oh! I am
+very lonely, and I want to die!"
+
+"Hush, hush, darlin'; old Chloe nebber could ask dat; dis ole heart
+would break for sure. Yous all de world to your old mammy, darlin'; and
+you know we must all wait de Lord's time."
+
+"Then ask Him to help me to be patient," she said, in a weary tone.
+"And O mammy!" she added, with a burst of bitter tears, "ask Him to
+make my father love me."
+
+"I will, darlin', I will," sobbed Chloe, pressing the little form
+closer to her heart; "an' don't you go for to be discouraged right
+away; for I'se sure Massa Horace must love you, fore long."
+
+The tea-bell rang, and the family gathered about the table; but one
+chair remained unoccupied.
+
+"Where is Miss Elsie?" asked Adelaide of one of the servants.
+
+"Dunno, missus," was the reply.
+
+"Well, then, go and see," said Adelaide; "perhaps she did not hear the
+bell."
+
+The servant returned in a moment, saying that Miss Elsie had a bad
+headache and did not want any supper. Mr. Horace Dinsmore paused in the
+conversation he was carrying on with his father, to listen to the
+servant's announcement. "I hope she is not a sickly child," said he,
+addressing Adelaide; "is she subject to such attacks?"
+
+"Not very," replied his sister dryly, for she had seen the meeting, and
+felt really sorry for Elsie's evident disappointment; "I imagine crying
+has brought this on."
+
+He colored violently, and said in a tone of great displeasure, "Truly,
+the return of a parent _is_ a cause for grief; yet I hardly expected my
+presence to be quite so distressing to my only child. I had no idea
+that she had already learned to dislike me so thoroughly."
+
+"She doesn't," said Adelaide, "she has been looking and longing for
+your return ever since I have known her."
+
+"Then she has certainly been disappointed in me; her grief is not at
+all complimentary, explain it as you will."
+
+Adelaide made no reply, for she saw that he was determined to put an
+unfavorable construction upon Elsie's conduct, and feared that any
+defence she could offer would only increase his displeasure.
+
+It was a weary, aching head the little girl laid upon her pillow that
+night, and the little heart was sad and sore; yet she was not
+altogether comfortless, for she had turned in her sorrow to Him who has
+said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them
+not," and she had the sweet assurance of _His_ love and favor.
+
+It was with a trembling heart, hoping yet fearing, longing and yet
+dreading to see her father, that Elsie descended to the breakfast-room
+the next morning. She glanced timidly around, but he was not there.
+
+"Where is papa, Aunt Adelaide?" she asked.
+
+"He is not coming down to breakfast, as he feels quite fatigued with
+his journey," replied her aunt; "so you will not see him this morning,
+and perhaps not at all to-day, for there will be a good deal of company
+here this afternoon and evening."
+
+Elsie sighed, and looked sadly disappointed. She found it very
+difficult to attend to her lessons that morning, and every time the
+door opened she started and looked up, half hoping it might be her papa.
+
+But he did not come; and when the dinner hour arrived, the children
+were told that they were to dine in the nursery, on account of the
+large number of guests to be entertained in the dining-room. The
+company remained until bedtime; she was not called down to the parlor;
+and so saw nothing of her father that day.
+
+But the next morning Chloe told her the children were to breakfast with
+the family, as all the visitors had left excepting one or two
+gentlemen. So Elsie went down to the breakfast-room, where, to her
+surprise, she found her papa sitting alone, reading the morning paper.
+
+He looked up as she entered.
+
+"Good-morning, papa," she said, in half-trembling tones.
+
+He started a little--for it was the first time he had ever been
+addressed by that title, and it sounded strange to his ears--gave her a
+glance of mingled curiosity and interest, half held out his hand, but
+drawing it back again, simply said, "Good-morning, Elsie," and returned
+to his paper.
+
+Elsie stood irresolutely in the middle of the floor, wanting, yet not
+daring to go to him.
+
+But just at that instant the door opened, and Enna, looking rosy and
+happy, came running in, and rushing up to her brother, climbed upon his
+knee, and put her arms around his neck, saying, "Good-morning, brother
+Horace. I want a kiss."
+
+"You shall have it, little pet," said he, throwing down his paper.
+
+Then, kissing her several times and hugging her in his arms, he said,
+"_You_ are not afraid of me, are you? nor sorry that I have come home?"
+
+"No, indeed," said Enna.
+
+He glanced at Elsie as she stood looking at them, her large soft eyes
+full of tears. She could not help feeling that Enna had her place, and
+was receiving the caresses that should have been lavished upon herself.
+
+"Jealous," thought her father; "I cannot bear jealous people;" and he
+gave her a look of displeasure that cut her to the heart, and she
+turned quickly away and left the room to hide the tears she could no
+longer keep back.
+
+"I am envious," she thought, "jealous of Enna. Oh! how wicked!" And she
+prayed silently, "Dear Saviour, help me! take away these sinful
+feelings."
+
+Young as she was, she was learning to have some control over her
+feelings, and in a few moments she had so far recovered her composure
+as to be able to return to the breakfast-room and take her place at the
+table, where the rest were already seated, her sweet little face sad
+indeed and bearing the traces of tears, but quite calm and peaceful.
+
+Her father took no further notice of her, and she did not dare trust
+herself to look at him. The servants filled her plate, and she ate in
+silence, feeling it a great relief that all were too busily engaged in
+talking and eating to pay any attention to her. She scarcely raised her
+eyes from her plate, and did not know how often a strange gentleman,
+who sat nearly opposite, fixed his upon her.
+
+As she left the room at the conclusion of the meal, he asked, while
+following her with his eyes, "Is that one of your sisters, Dinsmore?"
+
+"No," said he, coloring slightly; "she is my daughter."
+
+"Ah, indeed!" said his friend. "I remember to have heard that you had a
+child, but had forgotten it. Well, you have no reason to be ashamed of
+her; she is lovely, perfectly lovely! has the sweetest little face I
+ever saw."
+
+"Will you ride, Travilla?" asked Mr. Dinsmore hastily, as though
+anxious to change the subject.
+
+"I don't care if I do," was the reply, and they went out together.
+
+Some hours later in the day Elsie was at the piano in the music-room
+practising, when a sudden feeling that some one was in the room caused
+her to turn and look behind her.
+
+Mr. Travilla was standing there.
+
+"Excuse me," said he, bowing politely, "but I heard the sound of the
+instrument, and, being very fond of music, I ventured to walk in."
+
+Elsie was very modest, and rather timid, too, but also very polite; so
+she said, "No excuse is necessary; but will you not take a seat, sir?
+though I fear my music will not afford you any pleasure, for you know I
+am only a little girl, and cannot play very well yet."
+
+"Thank you," said he, taking a seat by her side. "And now will you do
+me the favor to repeat the song I heard you singing a few moments
+since?"
+
+Elsie immediately complied, though her cheeks burned, and her voice
+trembled at first from embarrassment; but it grew stronger as she
+proceeded and in the last verse was quite steady and full. She had a
+very fine voice for a child of her age; its sweetness was remarkable
+both in singing and speaking; and she had also a good deal of musical
+talent, which had been well cultivated, for she had had good teachers,
+and had practised with great patience and perseverance. Her music was
+simple, as suited her years, but her performance of it was very good
+indeed.
+
+Mr. Travilla thanked her very heartily, and complimented her singing;
+then asked for another and another song, another and another piece,
+chatting with her about each, until they grew quite familiar, and Elsie
+lost all feeling of embarrassment.
+
+"Elsie, I think, is your name, is it not?" he asked after a little.
+
+"Yes, sir," said she, "Elsie Dinsmore."
+
+"And you are the daughter of my friend, Mr. Horace Dinsmore?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Your papa has been absent a long time, and I suppose you must have
+quite forgotten him."
+
+"No, sir, not _forgotten_, for I never had seen him."
+
+"Indeed!" said he, in a tone of surprise; "then, since he is an entire
+stranger to you, I suppose you cannot have much affection for him?"
+
+Elsie raised her large, dark eyes to his face, with an expression of
+astonishment. "Not love papa, my own dear papa, who has no child but
+me? Oh! sir, how could you think that?"
+
+"Ah! I see I was mistaken," said he, smiling; "I thought you could
+hardly care for him at all; but do you think that he loves you?"
+
+Elsie dropped her face into her hands, and burst into an agony of tears.
+
+The young gentleman looked extremely vexed with himself.
+
+"My poor little girl, my poor, dear little girl," he said, stroking her
+hair, "forgive me. I am very, _very_ sorry for my thoughtless question.
+Do be comforted, my poor child, for whether your papa loves you now or
+not, I am quite sure he soon will."
+
+Elsie now dried her tears, rose and closed the instrument. He assisted
+her, and then asked if she would not take a little walk with him in the
+garden. She complied, and, feeling really very sorry for the wound he
+had so thoughtlessly inflicted, as well as interested in his little
+companion, he exerted all his powers to entertain her--talked with her
+about the plants and flowers, described those he had seen in foreign
+lands, and related incidents of travel, usually choosing those in which
+her father had borne a part, because he perceived that they were doubly
+interesting to her.
+
+Elsie, having been thrown very much upon her own resources for
+amusement, and having a natural love for books, and constant access to
+her grandfather's well-stocked library, had read many more, and with
+much more thought, than most children of her age, so that Mr. Travilla
+found her a not uninteresting companion, and was often surprised at the
+intelligence shown by her questions and replies.
+
+When the dinner-bell rang he led her in, and seated her by himself, and
+never was any lady more carefully waited upon than little Elsie at this
+meal. Two or three other gentlemen guests were present, giving their
+attention to the older ladies of the company, and thus Mr. Travilla
+seemed to feel quite at liberty to devote himself entirely to her,
+attending to all her wants, talking with her, and making her talk.
+
+Elsie now and then stole a glance at Mrs. Dinsmore, fearing her
+displeasure; but to her great relief, the lady seemed too much occupied
+to notice her. Once she looked timidly at her father, and her eyes met
+his. He was looking at her with an expression half curious, half
+amused. She was at a loss to understand the look, but, satisfied that
+there was no displeasure in it, her heart grew light, and her cheeks
+flushed with happiness.
+
+"Really, Dinsmore," said Mr. Travilla, as they stood together near one
+of the windows of the drawing-room soon after dinner, "your little girl
+is remarkably intelligent, as well as remarkably pretty; and I have
+discovered that she has quite a good deal of musical talent."
+
+"Indeed! I think it is quite a pity that she does not belong to you,
+Travilla, instead of me, since you seem to appreciate her so much more
+highly," replied the father, laughing.
+
+"I wish she did," said his friend. "But, seriously, Dinsmore, you ought
+to love that child, for she certainly loves you devotedly."
+
+He looked surprised. "How do you know?" he asked.
+
+"It was evident enough from what I saw and heard this morning.
+Dinsmore, she would value a caress from you more than the richest
+jewel."
+
+"Doubtful," replied Horace, hastily quitting the room, for Elsie had
+come out on to the portico in her riding suit, and Jim, her usual
+attendant, was bringing up her horse.
+
+"Are you going to ride, Elsie?" asked her father, coming up to her.
+
+"Yes, papa," she said, raising her eyes to his face.
+
+He lifted her in his arms and placed her on the horse, saying to the
+servant as he did so, "Now, Jim, you must take good care of my little
+girl."
+
+Tears of happiness rose in Elsie's eyes as she turned her horse's head
+and rode down the avenue. "He called me _his_ little girl," she
+murmured to herself, "and bade Jim take good care of me. Oh! he _will_
+love me soon, as good, kind Mr. Travilla said he would."
+
+Her father was still standing on the portico, looking after her.
+
+"How well she sits her horse!" remarked Travilla, who had stepped out
+and stood close by his side.
+
+"Yes, I think she does," was the reply, in an absent tone. He was
+thinking of a time, some eight or nine years before, when he had
+assisted another Elsie to mount her horse, and had ridden for hours at
+her side.
+
+All the afternoon memories of the past came crowding thickly on his
+mind, and an emotion of tenderness began to spring up in his heart
+toward the child of her who had once been so dear to him; and as he saw
+the little girl ride up to the house on her return, he again went out,
+and lifting her from her horse, asked kindly, "Had you a pleasant ride,
+my dear?"
+
+"Oh! yes, papa, very pleasant," she said, looking up at him with a face
+beaming with delight. He stooped and kissed her, saying, "I think I
+shall ride with you one of these days; should you like it?"
+
+"Oh! so very, _very_ much, papa," she answered, eagerly.
+
+He smiled at her earnestness, and she hastened away to her room to
+change her dress and tell Chloe of her happiness.
+
+Alas! it was but a transient gleam of sunshine that darted across her
+path, to be lost again almost instantly behind the gathering clouds.
+
+More company came, so that the drawing-room was quite full in the
+evening; and, though Elsie was there, her father seemed too much
+occupied with the guests to give her even a glance. She sat alone and
+unnoticed in a corner, her eyes following him wherever he moved, and
+her ear strained to catch every tone of his voice; until Mr. Travilla,
+disengaging himself from a group of ladies and gentlemen on the
+opposite side of the room, came up to her, and taking her by the hand,
+led her to a pleasant-looking elderly lady, who sat at a centre-table
+examining some choice engravings which Mr. Dinsmore had brought with
+him from Europe.
+
+"Mother," said Mr. Travilla, "This is my little friend Elsie."
+
+"Ah!" said she, giving the little girl a kiss, "I am glad to see you,
+my dear."
+
+Mr. Travilla set a chair for her close to his mother and then sat down
+on her other side, and taking up the engravings one after another, he
+explained them to her in a most entertaining manner, generally having
+some anecdote to tell in connection with each.
+
+Elsie was so much amused and delighted with what he was saying that she
+at last quite forgot her father, and did not notice where he was.
+
+Suddenly Mr. Travilla laid down the engraving he had in his hand,
+saying: "Come, Miss Elsie, I want my mother to hear you play and sing;
+will you not do me the favor to repeat that song I admired so much this
+morning?"
+
+"Oh! Mr. Travilla!" exclaimed the little girl, blushing and trembling,
+"I could not play or sing before so many people. Please excuse me."
+
+"Elsie," said her father's voice just at her side, "go _immediately,_
+and do as the gentleman requests."
+
+His tone was very stern, and as she lifted her eyes to his face, she
+saw that his look was still more so; and tremblingly and tearfully she
+rose to obey.
+
+"Stay," said Mr. Travilla kindly, pitying her distress, "I withdraw my
+request."
+
+"But I do _not_ withdraw my command," said her father in the same stern
+tone; "go at once, Elsie, and do as I bid you."
+
+She obeyed instantly, struggling hard to overcome her emotion.
+
+Mr. Travilla, scolding himself inwardly all the time for having brought
+her into such trouble, selected her music, and placing it before her as
+she took her seat at the instrument, whispered encouragingly, "Now,
+Miss Elsie, only have confidence in yourself; that is all that is
+necessary to your success."
+
+But Elsie was not only embarrassed, but her heart was well-nigh broken
+by her father's sternness, and the tears _would_ fill her eyes so that
+she could see neither notes nor words. She attempted to play the
+prelude, but blundered sadly, her embarrassment increasing every moment.
+
+"Never mind," said Mr. Travilla, "never mind the prelude, but just
+begin the song."
+
+She made the attempt, but fairly broke down, and burst into tears
+before she had got through the first verse. Her father had come up
+behind her, and was standing there, looking much mortified.
+
+"Elsie," he said, leaning down and speaking in a low, stern tone, close
+to her ear, "I am ashamed of you; go to your room and to your bed
+immediately."
+
+With a heart almost bursting with grief and mortification she obeyed
+him, and her pillow was wet with many bitter tears ere the weary eyes
+closed in slumber.
+
+When she came down the next morning she learned to her great grief that
+Mr. Travilla and his mother had returned to their own home; she was
+very sorry she had not been permitted to say good-bye to her friend,
+and for several days she felt very sad and lonely, for all her father's
+coldness of manner had returned, and he scarcely ever spoke to her;
+while the younger members of the family ridiculed her for her failure
+in attempting to play for company; and Miss Day, who seemed unusually
+cross and exacting, often taunted her with it also.
+
+These were sad, dark days for the little girl; she tried most earnestly
+to attend to all her duties, but so depressed were her spirits, so
+troubled was her mind, that she failed repeatedly in her lessons, and
+so was in continual disgrace with Miss Day, who threatened more than
+once to tell her papa.
+
+It was a threat which Elsie dreaded extremely to have put in execution,
+and Miss Day, seeing that it distressed her, used it the more
+frequently, and thus kept the poor child in constant terror.
+
+How to gain her father's love was the constant subject of her thoughts,
+and she tried in many ways to win his affection. She always yielded a
+ready and cheerful obedience to his commands, and strove to anticipate
+and fulfil all his wishes. But he seldom noticed her, unless to give a
+command or administer a rebuke, while he lavished many a caress upon
+his little sister, Enna. Often Elsie would watch him fondling her,
+until, unable any longer to control her feelings, she would rush away
+to her own room to weep and mourn in secret, and pray that her father
+might some day learn to love her. She never complained even to poor old
+Aunt Chloe, but the anxious nurse watched all these things with the
+jealous eye of affection; she saw that her child--as she delighted to
+call her--was very unhappy, and was growing pale and melancholy; and
+her heart ached for her, and many were the tears she shed in secret
+over the sorrows of her nursling.
+
+"Don't 'pear so sorrowful, darlin'," she sometimes said to her; "try to
+be merry, like Miss Enna, and run and jump on Massa Horace's knee, and
+den I tink he will like you better."
+
+"O mammy! I _can't_," Elsie would say; "I don't dare to do it."
+
+And Chloe would sigh and shake her head sorrowfully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTH
+
+
+   "With more capacity for love than earth
+    Bestows on most of mortal mould and birth."
+                                 --BYRON.
+
+
+                          "What are our hopes?
+   Like garlands, on afflictions's forehead worn,
+   Kissed in the morning, and at evening torn."
+                   --DAVENPORT'S _King John and Matilda._
+
+
+Such had been the state of affairs for about a week, when one morning
+Elsie and her father met at the breakfast-room door.
+
+"Good morning, papa," she said timidly.
+
+"Good morning, Elsie," he replied in an unusually pleasant tone.
+
+Then, taking her by the hand, he led her in and seated her beside
+himself at the table.
+
+Elsie's cheek glowed and her eyes sparkled with pleasure.
+
+There were several guests present, and she waited patiently while they
+and the older members of the family were being helped. At length it was
+her turn.
+
+"Elsie, will you have some meat?" asked her grandfather.
+
+"No," said her father, answering for her; "once a day is as often as a
+child of her age ought to eat meat; she may have it at dinner, but
+never for breakfast or tea."
+
+The elder Mr. Dinsmore laughed, saying, "Really, Horace, I had no idea
+you were so notionate. I always allowed you to eat whatever you
+pleased, and I never saw that it hurt you. But, of course, you must
+manage your own child in your own way."
+
+"If you please, papa, I had rather have some of those hot cakes," said
+Elsie, timidly, as her father laid a slice of bread upon her plate.
+
+"No," said he decidedly; "I don't approve of hot bread for children;
+you must eat the cold." Then to a servant who was setting down a cup of
+coffee beside the little girl's plate, "Take that away, Pomp, and bring
+Miss Elsie a tumbler of milk. Or would you prefer water, Elsie?"
+
+"Milk, if you please, papa," she replied with a little sigh; for she
+was extremely fond of coffee, and it was something of a trial to give
+it up.
+
+Her father put a spoonful of stewed fruit upon her plate, and as Pompey
+set down a tumbler of rich milk beside it, said, "Now you have your
+breakfast before you, Elsie. Children in England are not allowed to eat
+butter until they are ten or eleven years of age, and I think it an
+excellent plan, to make them grow up rosy and healthy. I have neglected
+my little girl too long, but I intend to begin to take good care of her
+now," he added, with a smile, and laying his hand for an instant upon
+her head.
+
+The slight caress and the few kind words were quite enough to reconcile
+Elsie to the rather meagre fare, and she ate it with a happy heart. But
+the meagre fare became a constant thing, while the caresses and kind
+words were not; and though she submitted without a murmur, she could
+not help sometimes looking with longing eyes at the coffee and hot
+buttered rolls, of which she was very fond. But she tried to be
+contented, saying to herself, "Papa knows best, and I ought to be
+satisfied with whatever he gives me."
+
+"Isn't it delightful to have your papa at home, Elsie?" Mr. Dinsmore
+one morning overheard Arthur saying to his little girl in a mocking
+tone. "It's very pleasant to live on bread and water, isn't it, eh?"
+
+"I _don't_ live on bread and water," Elsie replied, a little
+indignantly. "Papa always allows me to have as much good, rich milk,
+and cream, and fruit as I want, or I can have eggs, or cheese, or
+honey, or anything else, except meat and hot cakes, and butter, and
+coffee; and who wouldn't rather do without such things all their lives
+than not have a papa to love them? And besides, you know, Arthur, that
+I can have all the meat I want at dinner."
+
+"Pooh! that's nothing; and _I_ wouldn't give much for all the love
+_you_ get from him," said Arthur, scornfully.
+
+There was something like a sob from Elsie; and as her father rose and
+went to the window, he just caught a glimpse of her white dress
+disappearing down the garden walk.
+
+"What do you mean, sir, by teasing Elsie in that manner?" he exclaimed
+angrily to Arthur, who still stood where the little girl had left him,
+leaning against one of the pillars of the portico.
+
+"I only wanted to have a little fun," returned the boy doggedly.
+
+"Well, sir, I don't approve of such fun, and you will please to let the
+child alone in future," replied his brother as he returned to his
+newspaper again.
+
+But somehow the paper had lost its interest. He seemed constantly to
+hear that little sob, and to see a little face all wet with tears of
+wounded feeling.
+
+Just then the school-bell rang, and suddenly throwing down his paper,
+he took a card from his pocket, wrote a few words upon it, and calling
+a servant, said, "Take this to Miss Day."
+
+Elsie was seated at her desk, beginning her morning's work, when the
+servant entered and handed the card to the governess.
+
+Miss Day glanced at it and said:
+
+"Elsie, your father wants you. You may go."
+
+Elsie rose in some trepidation and left the room, wondering what her
+papa could want with her.
+
+"Where is papa, Fanny?" she asked of the servant.
+
+"In de drawin'-room, Miss Elsie," was the reply; and she hastened to
+seek him there.
+
+He held out his hand as she entered, saying with a smile, "Come here,
+daughter."
+
+It was the first time he had called her that, and it sent a thrill of
+joy to her heart.
+
+She sprang to his side, and, taking her hand in one of his, and laying
+the other gently on her head, and bending it back a little, he looked
+keenly into her face. It was bright enough now, yet the traces of tears
+were very evident.
+
+"You have been crying," he said, in a slightly reproving tone. "I am
+afraid you do a great deal more of that than is good for you. It is a
+very babyish habit, and you must try to break yourself of it."
+
+The little face flushed painfully, and the eyes filled again.
+
+"There," he said, stroking her hair, "don't begin it again. I am going
+to drive over to Ion, where your friend Mr. Travilla lives, to spend
+the day; would my little daughter like to go with me?"
+
+"Oh! so _very_ much, papa!" she answered eagerly.
+
+"There are no little folks there," he said smiling, "nobody to see but
+Mr. Travilla and his mother. But I see you want to go; so run and ask
+Aunt Chloe to get you ready. Tell her I want you nicely dressed, and
+the carriage will be at the door in half an hour."
+
+Elsie bounded away to do his bidding, her face radiant with happiness;
+and at the specified time came down again, looking so very lovely that
+her father gazed at her with proud delight, and could not refrain from
+giving her a kiss as he lifted her up to place her in the carriage.
+
+Then, seating himself beside her, he took her hand in his; and, closing
+the door with the other, bade the coachman drive on.
+
+"I suppose you have never been to Ion, Elsie?" he said, inquiringly.
+
+"No, sir; but I have heard Aunt Adelaide say she thought it a very
+pretty place," replied the little girl.
+
+"So it is--almost as pretty as Roselands," said her father. "Travilla
+and I have known each other from boyhood, and I spent many a happy day
+at Ion, and we had many a boyish frolic together, before I ever thought
+of you."
+
+He smiled, and patted her cheek as he spoke.
+
+Elsie's eyes sparkled. "O papa!" she said eagerly; "won't you tell me
+about those times? It seems so strange that you were ever a little boy
+and I was nowhere."
+
+He laughed. Then said, musingly, "It seems but a very little while to
+me, Elsie, since I was no older than you are now."
+
+He heaved a sigh, and relapsed into silence.
+
+Elsie wished very much that he would grant her request, but did not
+dare to disturb him by speaking a word; and they rode on quietly for
+some time, until a squirrel darting up a tree caught her eye, and she
+uttered an exclamation. "O papa! did you see that squirrel? look at him
+now, perched up on that branch. There, we have passed the tree, and now
+he is out of sight."
+
+This reminded Mr. Dinsmore of a day he had spent in those woods hunting
+squirrels, when quite a boy, and he gave Elsie an animated account of
+it. One of the incidents of the day had been the accidental discharge
+of the fowling-piece of one of his young companions, close at Horace
+Dinsmore's side, missing him by but a hair's breadth.
+
+"I felt faint and sick when I knew how near I had been to death," he
+said, as he finished his narrative.
+
+Elsie had been listening with breathless interest.
+
+"Dear papa," she murmured, laying her little cheek against his hand,
+"how good God was to spare your life! If you had been killed I could
+never have had you for my papa."
+
+"Perhaps you might have had a much better one, Elsie," he said gravely.
+
+"Oh! no, papa, I wouldn't want any other," she replied earnestly,
+pressing his hand to her lips.
+
+"Ah! here we are," exclaimed her father, as at that instant the
+carriage turned into a broad avenue, up which they drove quite rapidly,
+and the next moment they had stopped, the coachman had thrown open the
+carriage door, and Mr. Dinsmore, springing out, lifted his little girl
+in his arms and set her down on the steps of the veranda.
+
+"Ah! Dinsmore, how do you do? Glad to see you, and my little friend
+Elsie, too. Why this is really kind," cried Mr. Travilla, in his
+cheerful, hearty way, as, hurrying out to welcome them, he shook Mr.
+Dinsmore cordially by the hand, and kissed Elsie's cheek.
+
+"Walk in, walk in," he continued, leading the way into the house, "my
+mother will be delighted to see you both; Miss Elsie especially, for
+she seems to have taken a very great fancy to her."
+
+If Mrs. Travilla's greeting was less boisterous, it certainly was not
+lacking in cordiality, and she made Elsie feel at home at once; taking
+off her bonnet, smoothing her hair, and kissing her affectionately.
+
+The gentlemen soon went out together, and Elsie spent the morning in
+Mrs. Travilla's room, chatting with her and assisting her with some
+coarse garments she was making for her servants.
+
+Mrs. Travilla was an earnest Christian, and the lady and the little
+girl were not long in discovering the tie which existed between them.
+
+Mrs. Travilla, being also a woman of great discernment, and having
+known Horace Dinsmore nearly all his life, had conceived a very correct
+idea of the trials and difficulties of Elsie's situation, and without
+alluding to them at all, gave her some most excellent advice, which the
+little girl received very thankfully.
+
+They were still chatting together when Mr. Travilla came in, saying,
+"Come, Elsie, I want to take you out to see my garden, hot-house, etc.
+We will just have time before dinner. Will you go along, mother?"
+
+"No; I have some little matters to attend to before dinner, and will
+leave you to do the honors," replied the lady; and taking the little
+girl's hand he led her out.
+
+"Where is papa?" asked Elsie.
+
+"Oh! he's in the library, looking over some new books," replied Mr.
+Travilla. "He always cared more for books than anything else. But what
+do you think of my flowers?"
+
+"Oh! they are lovely! What a variety you have! what a splendid
+cape-jessamine that is, and there is a variety of cactus I never saw
+before! Oh! you have a great many more, and handsomer, I think, than we
+have at Roselands," exclaimed Elsie, as she passed admiringly from one
+to another.
+
+Mr. Travilla was much pleased with the admiration she expressed, for he
+was very fond of his flowers, and took great pride in showing them.
+
+But they were soon called in to dinner, where Elsie was seated by her
+father.
+
+"I hope this little girl has not given you any trouble, Mrs. Travilla,"
+said he, looking gravely at her.
+
+"Oh! no," the lady hastened to say, "I have enjoyed her company very
+much indeed, and hope you will bring her to see me again very soon."
+
+After dinner, as the day was very warm, they adjourned to the veranda,
+which was the coolest place to be found; it being on the shady side of
+the house, and also protected by thick trees, underneath which a
+beautiful fountain was playing.
+
+But the conversation was upon some subject which did not interest
+Elsie, and she presently stole away to the library, and seating herself
+in a corner of the sofa, was soon lost to everything around her in the
+intense interest with which she was reading a book she had taken from
+the table.
+
+"Ah! that is what you are about, Miss Elsie! a bookworm, just like your
+father, I see. I had been wondering what had become of you for the last
+two hours," exclaimed Mr. Travilla's pleasant voice; and sitting down
+beside her, he took the book from her hand, and putting it behind him,
+said, "Put it away now; you will have time enough to finish it, and I
+want you to talk to me."
+
+"Oh! please let me have it," she pleaded. "I shall not have much time,
+for papa will soon be calling me to go home."
+
+"No, no, he is not to take you away; I have made a bargain with him to
+let me keep you," said Mr. Travilla, very gravely. "We both think that
+there are children enough at Roselands without you; and so your papa
+has given you to me; and you are to be _my_ little girl, and call _me_
+papa in future."
+
+Elsie gazed earnestly in his face for an instant, saying in a
+half-frightened tone, "You are only joking, Mr. Travilla."
+
+"Not a bit of it," said he; "can't you see that I'm in earnest?"
+
+His tone and look were both so serious that for an instant Elsie
+believed he meant all that he was saying, and springing to her feet
+with a little cry of alarm, she hastily withdrew her hand which he had
+taken, and rushing out to the veranda, where her father still sat
+conversing with Mrs. Travilla, she flung herself into his arms, and
+clinging to him, hid her face on his breast, sobbing, "O papa, _dear_
+papa! _don't_ give me away; please don't--I will be so good--I will do
+everything you bid me--I--"
+
+"Why, Elsie, what does all this mean!" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore in great
+surprise and perplexity; while Mr. Travilla stood in the doorway
+looking half amused, half sorry for what he had done.
+
+"O papa!" sobbed the little girl, still clinging to him as though
+fearing she should be torn from his arms, "Mr. Travilla says you have
+given me to him. O papa! _don't_ give me away."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense, Elsie! I am ashamed of you! how can you be so very
+silly as to believe for one moment anything so perfectly absurd as that
+I should think of giving you away? Why, I would as soon think of
+parting with my eyes."
+
+Elsie raised her head and gazed searchingly into his face; then with a
+deep-drawn sigh of relief, dropped it again, saying, "Oh! I am _so_
+glad."
+
+"Really, Miss Elsie," said Travilla, coming up and patting her on the
+shoulder, "I can't say that I feel much complimented; and, indeed, I
+don't see why you need have been so very much distressed at the
+prospect before you; for I must say I have vanity enough to imagine
+that I should make the better--or at least the more indulgent--father
+of the two. Come, now, wouldn't you be willing to try me for a month,
+if your papa will give consent?"
+
+Elsie shook her head.
+
+"I will let you have your own way in everything," urged Travilla,
+coaxingly; "and I know that is more than he does."
+
+"I don't want my own way, Mr. Travilla; I know it wouldn't always be a
+good way," replied Elsie, decidedly.
+
+Her father laughed and passed his hand caressingly over her curls.
+
+"I thought you liked me, little Elsie," said Travilla, in a tone of
+disappointment.
+
+"So I do, Mr. Travilla; I like you very much," she replied.
+
+"Well, don't you think I would make a good father?"
+
+"I am sure you would be very kind, and that I should love you very
+much; but not so much as I love my own papa; because, you know, you are
+_not_ my papa, and never can be, even if he _should_ give me to you."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore laughed heartily, saying, "I think you may as well give it
+up, Travilla; it seems I'll have to keep her whether or no, for she
+clings to me like a leech."
+
+"Well, Elsie, you will at least come to the piano and play a little for
+me, will you not?" asked Travilla, smiling.
+
+But Elsie still clung to her father, seeming loath to leave him, until
+he said, in his grave, decided way, "Go, Elsie; go at once, and do as
+you are requested."
+
+Then she rose instantly to obey.
+
+Travilla looked somewhat vexed. "I wish," he afterward remarked to his
+mother, "that Dinsmore was not quite so ready to second my requests
+with his commands. I want Elsie's compliance to be voluntary; else I
+think it worth very little."
+
+Elsie played and sang until they were called to tea; after which she
+sat quietly by her father's side, listening to the conversation of her
+elders until the carriage was announced.
+
+"Well, my daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, when they were fairly upon
+their way to Roselands, "have you had a pleasant day?"
+
+"Oh! _very pleasant_, papa, excepting--" She paused, looking a little
+embarrassed.
+
+"Well, excepting what?" he asked, smiling down at her.
+
+"Excepting when Mr. Travilla frightened me so, papa," she replied,
+moving closer to his side, blushing and casting down her eyes.
+
+"And you do love your own papa best, and don't want to exchange him for
+another?" he said, inquiringly, as he passed his arm affectionately
+around her waist.
+
+"Oh! no, dear papa, not for anybody else in all the world," she said
+earnestly.
+
+He made no reply in words, but, looking highly gratified, bent down and
+kissed her cheek.
+
+He did not speak again during their ride, but when the carriage stopped
+he lifted her out, and setting her gently down, bade her a kind
+good-night, saying it was time for mammy to put her to bed.
+
+She ran lightly up-stairs, and springing into her nurse's arms,
+exclaimed, "O mammy, mammy! what a pleasant, _pleasant_ day I have had!
+Papa has been so kind, and so were Mr. Travilla and his mother."
+
+"I'se _berry_ glad, darlin', an' I hope you gwine hab many more such
+days," replied Chloe, embracing her fondly and then proceeding to take
+off her bonnet and prepare her for bed, while Elsie gave her a minute
+account of all the occurrences of the day, not omitting the fright Mr.
+Travilla had given her, and how happily her fears had been relieved.
+
+"You look berry happy, my darlin' pet," said Chloe, clasping her
+nursling again in her arms when her task was finished.
+
+"Yes, mammy, I am happy, oh! _so_ happy, because I do believe that papa
+is beginning to love me a little, and I hope that perhaps, after a
+while, he will love me very much."
+
+The tears gathered in her eyes as she spoke.
+
+The next afternoon, as Elsie was returning from her walk, she met her
+father.
+
+"Elsie," said he, in a reproving tone, "I have forbidden you to walk
+out alone; are you disobeying me?"
+
+"No, papa," she replied meekly, raising her eyes to his face, "I was
+not alone until about five minutes ago, when Aunt Adelaide and Louise
+left me. They said it did not matter, as I was so near home; and they
+were going to make a call, and did not want me along."
+
+"Very well," he said, taking hold of her hand and making her walk by
+his side. "How far have you been?"
+
+"We went down the river bank to the big spring, papa. I believe it is a
+little more than a mile that way; but when we came home, we made it
+shorter by coming across some of the fields and through the meadow."
+
+"Through the meadow?" said Mr. Dinsmore; "don't you go there again,
+Elsie, unless I give you express permission."
+
+"Why, papa?" she asked, looking up at him in some surprise.
+
+"Because I forbid it," he replied sternly; "that is quite enough for
+you to know; all you have to do is to obey, and you need never ask me
+why, when I give you an order."
+
+Elsie's eyes filled, and a big tear rolled quickly down her cheek.
+
+"I did not mean to be naughty, papa," she said, struggling to keep down
+a sob, "and I will try never to ask why again."
+
+"There is another thing," said he. "You cry quite too easily; it is
+entirely too babyish for a girl of your age; you must quit it."
+
+"I will try, papa," said the little girl, wiping her eyes, and making a
+great effort to control her feelings.
+
+They had entered the avenue while this conversation was going on, and
+were now drawing near the house; and just at this moment a little girl
+about Elsie's age came running to meet them, exclaiming, "O Elsie! I'm
+glad you've come at last. We've been here a whole hour--mamma, and
+Herbert, and I--and I've been looking for you all this time."
+
+"How do you do, Miss Lucy Carrington? I see you can talk as fast as
+ever," said Mr. Dinsmore, laughing, and holding out his hand.
+
+Lucy took it, saying with a little pout, "To be sure, Mr. Dinsmore, it
+isn't more than two or three weeks since you were at our house, and I
+wouldn't forget how to talk in that time." Then, looking at Elsie, she
+went on, "We've come to stay a week; won't we have a fine time?" and,
+catching her friend round the waist, she gave her a hearty squeeze.
+
+"I hope so," said Elsie, returning the embrace. "I am glad you have
+come."
+
+"Is your papa here, Miss Lucy?" asked Mr. Dinsmore.
+
+"Yes, sir; but he's going home again to-night, and then he'll come back
+for us next week."
+
+"I must go in and speak to him," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Elsie, do you
+entertain Lucy."
+
+"Yes, sir, I will," said Elsie. "Come with me to my room, won't you,
+Lucy?"
+
+"Yes; but won't you speak to mamma first? and Herbert, too; you are
+such a favorite with both of them; and they still are in the
+dressing-room, for mamma is not very well, and was quite fatigued with
+her ride."
+
+Lucy led the way to her mamma's room, as she spoke, Elsie following.
+
+"Ah! Elsie dear, how do you do? I'm delighted to see you," said Mrs.
+Carrington, rising from the sofa as they entered.
+
+Then, drawing the little girl closer to her, she passed her arm
+affectionately around her waist, and kissed her several times.
+
+"I suppose you are very happy now that your papa has come home at
+last?" she said, looking searchingly into Elsie's face. "I remember you
+used to be looking forward so to his return; constantly talking of it
+and longing for it."
+
+Poor Elsie, conscious that her father's presence had not brought with
+it the happiness she had anticipated, and yet unwilling either to
+acknowledge that fact or tell an untruth, was at a loss what to say.
+
+But she was relieved from the necessity of replying by Herbert, Lucy's
+twin brother, a pale, sickly-looking boy, who had for several years
+been a sufferer from hip complaint.
+
+"O Elsie!" he exclaimed, catching hold of her hand and squeezing it
+between both of his, "I'm ever so glad to see you again."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Carrington, "Herbert always says nobody can tell him
+such beautiful stories as Elsie; and nobody but his mother and his old
+mammy was half so kind to run and wait on him when he was laid on his
+back for so many weeks. He missed you very much when we went home, and
+often wished he was at Roselands again."
+
+"How is your hip now, Herbert?" asked Elsie, looking pityingly at the
+boy's pale face.
+
+"Oh! a great deal better, thank you. I can take quite long walks
+sometimes now, though I still limp, and cannot run and leap like other
+boys."
+
+They chatted a few moments longer, and then Elsie went to her room to
+have her hat taken off, and her hair made smooth before the tea-bell
+should ring.
+
+The two little girls were seated together at the table, Elsie's papa
+being on her other side.
+
+"How nice these muffins are! Don't you like them, Elsie?" asked Lucy,
+as she helped herself to a third or fourth.
+
+"Yes, very much," said Elsie, cheerfully.
+
+"Then what are you eating that cold bread for? and you haven't got any
+butter, either. Pompey, why don't hand Miss Elsie the butter?"
+
+"No, Lucy, I mustn't have it. Papa does not allow me to eat hot cakes
+or butter," said Elsie, in the same cheerful tone in which she had
+spoken before.
+
+Lucy opened her eyes very wide, and drew in her breath.
+
+"Well," she exclaimed, "I guess if _my_ papa should try that on me, I'd
+make such a fuss he'd _have_ to let me eat just whatever I wanted."
+
+"Elsie knows better than to do that," said Mr. Dinsmore, who had
+overheard the conversation; "she would only get sent away from the
+table and punished for her naughtiness."
+
+"I wouldn't do it anyhow, papa," said Elsie, raising her eyes
+beseechingly to his face.
+
+"No, daughter, I don't believe you would," he replied in an unusually
+kind tone, and Elsie's face flushed with pleasure.
+
+Several days passed away very pleasantly, Lucy sharing Elsie's studies
+in the mornings, while Herbert remained with his mamma; and then in the
+afternoon all walking or riding out together, unless the weather was
+too warm, when they spent the afternoon playing in the veranda, on the
+shady side of the house, and took their ride or walk after the sun was
+down.
+
+Arthur and Walter paid but little attention to Herbert, as his lameness
+prevented him from sharing in the active sports which they preferred;
+for they had never been taught to yield their wishes to others, and
+were consequently extremely selfish and overbearing; but Elsie was very
+kind, and did all in her power to interest and amuse him.
+
+One afternoon they all walked out together, attended by Jim; but Arthur
+and Walter, unwilling to accommodate their pace to Herbert's slow
+movements, were soon far in advance, Jim following close at their heels.
+
+"They're quite out of sight," said Herbert presently, "and I'm very
+tired. Let's sit down on this bank, girls; I want to try my new bow,
+and you may run and pick up my arrows for me."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Lucy, laughing; "Elsie may do it if she likes,
+but as for me, _I_ mean to take a nap; this nice, soft grass will make
+an elegant couch;" and throwing herself down, she soon was, or
+pretended to be, in a sound slumber; while Herbert, seating himself
+with his back against a tree, amused himself with shooting his arrows
+here and there, Elsie running for them and bringing them to him, until
+she was quite heated and out of breath.
+
+"Now I must rest a little, Herbert," she said at length, sitting down
+beside him. "Shall I tell you a story?"
+
+"Oh! yes, do; I like your stories, and I don't mind leaving off
+shooting till you're done," said he, laying down his bow.
+
+Elsie's story lasted about ten minutes, and when she had finished,
+Herbert took up his bow again, saying, "I guess you're rested now,
+Elsie," and sent an arrow over into the meadow.
+
+"There! just see how far I sent that! do run and bring it to me,
+Elsie!" he cried, "and let me see if I can't hit that tree next time;
+I've but just missed it."
+
+"I'm tired, Herbert; but I'll run and bring it to you this once,"
+replied Elsie, forgetting entirely her father's prohibition; "but then
+you must try to wait until Jim comes back before you shoot any more."
+
+So saying, she darted away, and came back in a moment with the arrow in
+her hand. But a sudden recollection had come over her just as she left
+the meadow, and throwing down the arrow at the boy's feet, she
+exclaimed in an agitated tone, "O Herbert! I must go home just as
+quickly as I can; I had forgotten--oh! how _could_ I forget! oh! what
+will papa say!"
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" asked Herbert in alarm.
+
+"Never mind," said Elsie, sobbing. "There are the boys coming; they
+will take care of you, and I must go home. Good-bye."
+
+And she ran quickly up the road, Herbert following her retreating form
+with wondering eyes.
+
+Elsie sped onward, crying bitterly as she went.
+
+"Where is papa!" she inquired of a servant whom she met in the avenue.
+
+"Dunno, Miss Elsie, but I reckon Massa Horace am in de house, kase his
+horse am in de stable."
+
+Elsie hardly waited for the answer, but hurrying into the house, went
+from room to room, looking and asking in vain for her father. He was
+not in the drawing-room, or the library, or his own apartments. She had
+just come out of this, and meeting a chamber-maid in the hall, she
+exclaimed, "O Fanny! where _is_ papa? can't you tell me? for I must see
+him."
+
+"Here I am, Elsie; what do you want with me?" called out her father's
+voice from the veranda, where she had neglected to look.
+
+"What do you want?" he repeated, as his little girl appeared before him
+with her flushed and tearful face. Elsie moved slowly toward him, with
+a timid air and downcast eyes.
+
+"I wanted to tell you something, papa," she said in a low, tremulous
+tone.
+
+"Well, I am listening," said he, taking hold of her hand and drawing
+her to his side. "What is it? are you sick or hurt?"
+
+"No, papa, not either; but--but, O papa! I have been a very naughty
+girl," she exclaimed, bursting into tears, and sobbing violently. "I
+disobeyed you, papa. I--I have been in the meadow."
+
+"Is it possible! Would you _dare_ to do so when I so positively forbade
+it only the other day?" he said in his sternest tone, while a dark
+frown gathered on his brow. "Elsie, I shall have to punish you."
+
+"I did not intend to disobey you, papa," she sobbed; "I quite forgot
+that you had forbidden me to go there."
+
+"That is no excuse, no excuse at all," said he severely; "You must
+_remember_ my commands; and if your memory is so poor I shall find
+means to strengthen it."
+
+He paused a moment, still looking sternly at the little, trembling,
+sobbing girl at his side; then asked, "What were you doing in the
+meadow? tell me the whole story, that I may understand just how
+severely I ought to punish you."
+
+Elsie gave him all the particulars; and when, upon questioning her
+closely, he perceived how entirely voluntary her confession had been,
+his tone and manner became less stern, and he said quite mildly, "Well,
+Elsie, I shall not be very severe with you this time, as you seem to be
+very penitent, and have made so full and frank a confession; but beware
+how you disobey me again, for you will not escape so easily another
+time; and remember I will not take forgetfulness as any excuse. Go now
+to Aunt Chloe, and tell her from me that she is to put you immediately
+to bed."
+
+"It is only the middle of the afternoon, papa," said Elsie,
+deprecatingly.
+
+"If it were much _earlier_, Elsie, it would make no difference; you
+must go at once to your bed, and stay there until to-morrow morning."
+
+"What will Lucy and Herbert think when they come in and can't find me,
+papa?" she said, weeping afresh.
+
+"You should have thought of that before you disobeyed me," he answered
+very gravely. "If you are hungry," he added, "you may ask Chloe to get
+you a slice of bread or a cracker for your supper, but you can have
+nothing else."
+
+Elsie lingered, looking timidly up into his face as though wanting to
+say something, but afraid to venture.
+
+"Speak, Elsie, if you have anything more to say," he said encouragingly.
+
+"Dear papa, I am _so_ sorry I have been so naughty," she murmured,
+leaning her head against the arm of his chair, while the tears rolled
+fast down her cheeks; "won't you please forgive me, papa? it seems to
+me I can't go to sleep to-night if you are angry with me."
+
+He seemed quite touched by her penitence. "Yes, Elsie," he said, "I do
+forgive you. I am not at all angry with you now, and you may go to
+sleep in peace. Good night, my little daughter," and he bent down and
+pressed his lips to her brow.
+
+Elsie held up her face for another, and he kissed her lips.
+
+"Good night, dear papa," she said, "I hope I shall never be such a
+naughty girl again." And she went to her room, made almost happy by
+that kiss of forgiveness.
+
+Elsie was up quite early the next morning and had learned all her
+lessons before breakfast. As she came down the stairs she saw, through
+the open door, her papa standing with some of the men-servants,
+apparently gazing at some object lying on the ground. She ran out and
+stood on the steps of the portico, looking at them and wondering what
+they were doing.
+
+Presently her father turned round, and seeing her, held out his hand,
+calling, "Come here, Elsie."
+
+She sprang quickly down the steps, and running to him, put her hand in
+his, saying, "Good morning, papa."
+
+"Good morning, daughter," said he, "I have something to show you."
+
+And leading her forward a few paces, he pointed to a large rattlesnake
+lying there.
+
+"O papa!" she cried, starting back and clinging to him.
+
+"It will not hurt you _now_" he said; "it is dead; the men killed it
+this morning _in the meadow_. Do you see _now_ why I forbade you to go
+there?"
+
+"O papa!" she murmured, in a low tone of deep feeling, laying her cheek
+affectionately against his hand, "I might have lost my life by my
+disobedience. How good God was to take care of me! Oh! I hope I shall
+never be so naughty again."
+
+"I hope not," said he gravely, but not unkindly; "and I hope that you
+will always, after this, believe that your father has some good reason
+for his commands, even although he may not choose to explain it to you."
+
+"Yes, papa, I think I will," she answered, humbly.
+
+The breakfast-bell had rung, and he now led her in and seated her at
+the table.
+
+Lucy Carrington looked curiously at her, and soon took an opportunity
+to whisper, "Where were you last night, Elsie? I couldn't find you, and
+your papa wouldn't say what had become of you, though I am quite sure
+he knew."
+
+"I'll tell you after breakfast," replied Elsie, blushing deeply.
+
+Lucy waited rather impatiently until all had risen from the table, and
+then, putting her arm round Elsie's waist, she drew her out on to the
+veranda, saying, "now, Elsie, tell me; you know you promised."
+
+"I was in bed," replied Elsie, dropping her eyes, while the color
+mounted to her very hair.
+
+"In bed! before five o'clock!" exclaimed Lucy in a tone of
+astonishment. "Why, what was that for?"
+
+"Papa sent me," replied Elsie, with an effort. "I had been naughty, and
+disobeyed him."
+
+"Why, how strange! Do tell me what you had done!" exclaimed Lucy, with
+a face full of curiosity.
+
+"Papa had forbidden me to go into the meadow, I forgot all about it,
+and ran in there to get Herbert's arrow for him," replied Elsie,
+looking very much ashamed.
+
+"Was _that all?_ why _my_ papa wouldn't have punished me for that,"
+said Lucy. "He might have scolded me a little if I had done it on
+purpose, but if I had told him I had forgotten, he would only have
+said, 'You must remember better next time.'"
+
+"Papa says that forgetfulness is no excuse; that I am to remember his
+commands, and if I forget, he will have to punish me, to make me
+remember better next time," said Elsie.
+
+"He must be very strict indeed; I'm glad he is not _my_ papa," replied
+Lucy, in a tone of great satisfaction.
+
+"Come, little girls, make haste and get ready; we are to start in half
+an hour," said Adelaide Dinsmore, calling to them from the hall door.
+
+The whole family, old and young, including visitors, were on that day
+to go on a picnic up the river, taking their dinner along, and spending
+the day in the woods. They had been planning this excursion for several
+days, and the children especially had been looking forward to it with a
+great deal of pleasure.
+
+"Am I to go, Aunt Adelaide? did papa say so?" asked Elsie anxiously, as
+she and Lucy hastened to obey the summons.
+
+"I presume you are to go of course, Elsie; we have been discussing the
+matter for the last three days, always taking it for granted that you
+were to make one of the party, and he has never said you should not,"
+replied Adelaide, good-naturedly; "so make haste, or you will be too
+late. But here comes your papa now." she added, as the library door
+opened, and Mr. Dinsmore stepped out into the hall where they were
+standing.
+
+"Horace, Elsie is to go of course?"
+
+"I do not see the _of course_, Adelaide," said he dryly. "No; Elsie is
+_not_ to go; she must stay at home and attend to her lessons as usual."
+
+A look of keen disappointment came over Elsie's face, but she turned
+away without a word and went upstairs; while Lucy, casting a look of
+wrathful indignation at Mr. Dinsmore, ran after her, and following her
+into her room, she put her arm round her neck, saying, "Never mind,
+Elsie; it's too bad, and I wouldn't bear it. I'd go in spite of him."
+
+"No, no, Lucy, I must obey my father; God says so; and besides, I
+couldn't do that if I wanted to, for papa is stronger than I am, and
+would punish me severely if I were to attempt such a thing," replied
+Elsie hastily, brushing away a tear that _would_ come into her eye.
+
+"Then I'd coax him," said Lucy. "Come, I'll go with you, and we will
+both try."
+
+"No," replied Elsie, with a hopeless shake of the head, "I have found
+out already that my papa never breaks his word; and nothing could
+induce him to let me go, now that he has once said I should not. But
+you will have to leave me, Lucy, or you will be too late."
+
+"Good-bye, then," said Lucy, turning to go; "but I think it is a great
+shame, and I shan't half enjoy myself without you."
+
+"Well now, Horace, I think you might let the child go," was Adelaide's
+somewhat indignant rejoinder to her brother, as the two little girls
+disappeared; "I can't conceive what reason you can have for keeping her
+at home, and she looks so terribly disappointed. Indeed, Horace, I am
+sometimes half inclined to think you take pleasure in thwarting that
+child."
+
+"You had better call me a tyrant at once, Adelaide," said he angrily,
+and turning very red; "but I must beg to be permitted to manage my own
+child in my own way; and I cannot see that I am under any obligation to
+give my reasons either to you or to any one else."
+
+"Well, if you did not intend to let her go, I think you might have said
+so at first, and not left the poor child to build her hopes upon it,
+only to be disappointed. I must say I think it was cruel."
+
+"Until this morning, Adelaide," he replied, "I did intend to let her
+go, for I expected to go myself; but I find I shall not be able to do
+so, as I must meet a gentleman on business; and as I know that
+accidents frequently occur to such pleasure parties, I don't feel
+willing to let Elsie go, unless I could be there myself to take care of
+her. Whether you believe it or not, it is really regard for my child's
+safety, and _not_ cruelty, that leads me to refuse her this
+gratification."
+
+"You are full of notions about that child, Horace," said Adelaide, a
+little impatiently. "I'm sure some of the rest of us could take care of
+her."
+
+"No; in case of accident you would all have enough to do to take care
+of yourselves, and I shall not think of trusting Elsie in the company,
+since I cannot be there myself," he answered decidedly; and Adelaide,
+seeing he was not to be moved from his determination, gave up the
+attempt, and left the room to prepare for her ride.
+
+It was a great disappointment to Elsie, and for a few moments her heart
+rose up in rebellion against her father. She tried to put away the
+feeling, but it would come back; for she could not imagine any reason
+for his refusal to let her go, excepting the disobedience of the day
+before, and it seemed hard and unjust to punish her twice for the same
+fault, especially as he would have known nothing about it but for her
+own frank and voluntary confession. It was a great pity she had not
+heard the reasons he gave her Aunt Adelaide, for then she would have
+been quite submissive and content. It is indeed true that she ought to
+have been as it was; but our little Elsie, though sincerely desirous to
+do right, was not yet perfect, and had already strangely forgotten the
+lesson of the morning.
+
+She watched from the veranda the departure of the pleasure-seekers, all
+apparently in the gayest spirits. She was surprised to see that her
+father was not with them, and it half reconciled her to staying at
+home, although she hardly expected to see much of him; but there was
+something pleasant in the thought that he wanted her at home because he
+was to be there himself; it looked as though he really had some
+affection for her, and even a selfish love was better than none. I do
+not mean that these were Elsie's thoughts; no, she never would have
+dreamed of calling her father selfish; but the undefined feeling was
+there, as she watched him hand the ladies into the carriage, and then
+turn and reenter the house as they drove off.
+
+But Miss Day's bell rang, and Elsie gathered up her books and hastened
+to the school-room. Her patience and endurance were sorely tried that
+morning, for Miss Day was in an exceedingly bad humor, being greatly
+mortified and also highly indignant that she had not been invited to
+make one of the picnic party; and Elsie had never found her more
+unreasonable and difficult to please; and her incessant fault-finding
+and scolding were almost more than the little girl could bear in
+addition to her own sad disappointment. But at last the morning, which
+had seldom seemed so long, was over, and Elsie dismissed from the
+school-room for the day.
+
+At dinner, instead of the usual large party, there were only her father
+and the gentleman with whom he was transacting business, Miss Day, and
+herself.
+
+The gentleman was not one of those who care to notice children, but
+continued to discuss business and politics with Mr. Dinsmore, without
+seeming to be in the least aware of the presence of the little girl,
+who sat in perfect silence, eating whatever her father saw fit to put
+upon her plate; and Elsie was very glad indeed when at length Miss Day
+rose to leave the table, and her papa told her she might go too.
+
+He called her back though, before she had gone across the room, to say
+that he had intended to ride with her that afternoon, but found he
+should not be able to do so, and she must take Jim for a protector, as
+he did not wish her either to miss her ride or to go entirely alone.
+
+He spoke very kindly; Elsie thought with remorse of the rebellious
+feelings of the morning, and, had she been alone with her father, would
+certainly have confessed them, expressing her sorrow and asking
+forgiveness; but she could not do so before a third person, more
+especially a stranger; and merely saying, "Yes, papa, I will," she
+turned away and left the room. Jim was bringing up her horse as she
+passed the open door; and she hastened up-stairs to prepare for her
+ride.
+
+"O mammy!" she suddenly exclaimed, as Chloe was trying on her hat, "is
+Pomp going to the city to-day?"
+
+"Yes, darlin', he gwine start directly," said Chloe, arranging her
+nursling's curls to better advantage, and finishing her work with a
+fond caress.
+
+"Oh! then, mammy, take some money out of my purse, and tell him to buy
+me a pound of the very nicest candy he can find," said the little girl,
+eagerly. "I haven't had any for a long time, and I feel hungry for it
+to-day. What they had bought for the picnic looked so good, but you
+know I didn't get any of it."
+
+The picnic party returned just before tea-time, and Lucy Carrington
+rushed into Elsie's room eager to tell her what a delightful day they
+had had. She gave a very glowing account of their sports and
+entertainment, interrupting herself every now and then to lament over
+Elsie's absence, assuring her again and again that it had been the only
+drawback upon her own pleasure, and that she thought that Elsie's papa
+was very unkind indeed to refuse her permission to go. As Elsie
+listened the morning's feelings of vexation and disappointment returned
+in full force; and though she said nothing, she allowed her friend to
+accuse her father of cruelty and injustice without offering any
+remonstrance.
+
+In the midst of their talk the tea-bell rang, and they hurried down to
+take their places at the table, where Lucy went on with her narrative,
+though in a rather subdued tone, Elsie now and then asking a question,
+until Mr. Dinsmore turned to his daughter, saying, in his stern way,
+"Be quiet, Elsie; you are talking entirely too much for a child of your
+age; don't let me hear you speak again until you have left the table."
+
+Elsie's face flushed, and her eyes fell, under the rebuke; and during
+the rest of the meal not a sound escaped her lips.
+
+"Come, Elsie, let us go into the garden and finish our talk," said
+Lucy, putting her arm affectionately around her friend's waist as they
+left the table; "your papa can't hear us there, and we'll have a good
+time."
+
+"Papa only stopped us because we were talking too much at the table,"
+said Elsie, apologetically; "I'm sure he is willing you should tell me
+all about what a nice time you all had. But, Lucy," she added, lowering
+her voice, "please don't say again that you think papa was unkind to
+keep me at home to-day. I'm sure he knows best, and I ought not to have
+listened to a word of that kind about him."
+
+"O! well, never mind, I won't talk so any more," said Lucy,
+good-naturedly, as they skipped down the walk together; "but I do think
+he's cross, and I wish you were my sister, that you might have my kind,
+good papa for yours too," she added, drawing her arm more closely about
+her friend's waist.
+
+"Thank you, Lucy," said Elsie, with a little sigh, "I would like to be
+your sister, but indeed I would not like to give up my own dear papa,
+for I love him, oh! _so_ much."
+
+"Why, how funny, when he's so cross to you!" exclaimed Lucy, laughing.
+
+Elsie put her hand over her friend's mouth, and Lucy pushed it away,
+saying, "Excuse me; I forgot; but I'll try not to say it again."
+
+While the little girls were enjoying their talk in the garden, a
+servant with a small bundle in her hand came out on the veranda, where
+Mr. Horace Dinsmore was sitting smoking a cigar, and, casting an
+inquiring glance around, asked if he knew where Miss Elsie was?
+
+"What do you want with her?" he asked.
+
+"Only to give her dis bundle, massa, dat Pomp jus brought from de city."
+
+"Give it to me," he said, extending his hand to receive it.
+
+A few moments afterward Elsie and her friend returned to the house, and
+meeting Pomp, she asked him if he had brought her candy.
+
+He replied that he had got some that was very nice indeed, and he
+thought that Fanny had carried it to her; and seeing Fanny near, he
+called to her to know what she had done with it.
+
+"Why, Pomp, Massa Horace he told me to give it to him," said the girl.
+
+Elsie turned away with a very disappointed look.
+
+"You'll go and ask him for it, won't you?" asked Lucy, who was anxious
+to enjoy a share of the candy as well as to see Elsie gratified.
+
+"No," said Elsie, sighing, "I had rather do without it."
+
+Lucy coaxed for a little while, but finding it impossible to persuade
+Elsie to approach her father on the subject, finally volunteered to do
+the errand herself.
+
+Elsie readily consented, and Lucy, trembling a little in spite of her
+boast that she was not afraid of him, walked out on to the veranda
+where Mr. Dinsmore was still sitting, and putting on an air of great
+confidence, said:
+
+"Mr. Dinsmore, will you please to give me Elsie's candy? she wants it."
+
+"Did Elsie send you?" he asked in a cold, grave tone.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Lucy, somewhat frightened.
+
+"Then, if you please, Miss Lucy, you may tell Elsie to come directly to
+me."
+
+Lucy ran back to her friend, and Elsie received the message in some
+trepidation, but as no choice was now left her, she went immediately to
+her father.
+
+"Did you want me, papa?" she asked timidly.
+
+"Yes, Elsie; I wish to know why you send another person to me for what
+you want, instead of coming yourself. It displeases me very much, and
+you may rest assured that you will never get anything that you ask for
+in that way."
+
+Elsie hung her head in silence.
+
+"Are you going to answer me?" he asked, in his severe tone. "Why did
+you send Lucy instead of coming yourself?"
+
+"I was afraid, papa," she whispered, almost under her breath.
+
+"Afraid! afraid of what?" he asked, with increasing displeasure.
+
+"Of you, papa," she replied, in a tone so low that he could scarcely
+catch the words, although he bent down his ear to receive her reply.
+
+"If I were a drunken brute, in the habit of knocking you about, beating
+and abusing you, there might be some reason for your fear, Elsie," he
+said, coloring with anger; "but, as it is, I see no excuse for it at
+all and I am both hurt and displeased by it."
+
+"I am very sorry, papa; I won't do so again," she said, tremblingly.
+
+There was a moment's pause, and then she asked in a timid hesitating
+way, "Papa, may I have my candy, if you please?"
+
+"No, you may not," he said decidedly; "and understand and remember that
+I positively forbid you either to buy or eat anything of the kind again
+without my express permission."
+
+Elsie's eyes filled, and she had a hard struggle to keep down a rising
+sob as she turned away and went slowly back to the place where she had
+left her friend.
+
+"Have you got it?" asked Lucy, eagerly.
+
+Elsie shook her head.
+
+"What a shame!" exclaimed Lucy, indignantly. "He's just as cross as he
+can be. He's a tyrant, so he is! just a hateful old tyrant, and I
+wouldn't care a cent for him, if I were you, Elsie. I'm glad he is not
+my father, so I am."
+
+"I'm afraid he doesn't love me much," sighed Elsie in low, tearful
+tones, "for he hardly ever lets me have anything, or go anywhere that I
+want to."
+
+"Well, never mind, _I'll_ send and buy a good lot tomorrow, and we'll
+have a regular feast," said Lucy, soothingly, as she passed her arm
+around her friend's waist and drew her down to a seat on the portico
+step.
+
+"Thank you, Lucy; you can buy for yourself if you like, but not for me,
+for papa has forbidden me to eat anything of the sort."
+
+"Oh! of course we'll not let him know anything about it," said Lucy.
+
+But Elsie shook her head sadly, saying with a little sigh, "No, Lucy,
+you are very kind, but I cannot disobey papa, even if he should never
+know it, because that would be disobeying God, and He would know it."
+
+"Dear me, how particular you are!" exclaimed Lucy a little pettishly.
+
+"Elsie," said Mr. Dinsmore, speaking from the door, "what are you doing
+there? Did I not forbid you to be out in the evening air?"
+
+"I did not know you meant the doorstep, papa. I thought I was only not
+to go down into the garden," replied the little girl, rising to go in.
+
+"I see you intend to make as near an approach to disobedience as you
+dare," said her father. "Go immediately to your room, and tell mammy to
+put you to bed."
+
+Elsie silently obeyed, and Lucy, casting an indignant glance at Mr.
+Dinsmore, was about to follow her, when he said, "I wish her to go
+alone, if you please, Miss Lucy;" and with a frown and a pout the
+little girl walked into the drawing-room and seated herself on the sofa
+beside her mamma.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore walked out on to the portico, and stood there watching the
+moon which was just rising over the treetops.
+
+"Horace," said Arthur, emerging from the shadow of a tree near by and
+approaching his brother, "Elsie thinks you're a tyrant. She says you
+never let her have anything, or go anywhere, and you're always
+punishing her. She and Lucy have had a fine time out here talking over
+your bad treatment of her, and planning to have some candy in spite of
+you."
+
+"Arthur, I do not believe that Elsie would deliberately plan to disobey
+me; and whatever faults she may have, I am very sure she is above the
+meanness of telling tales," replied Mr. Dinsmore, in a tone of
+severity, as he turned and went into the house, while Arthur, looking
+sadly crestfallen, crept away out of sight.
+
+When Elsie reached her room, she found that Chloe was not there; for,
+not expecting that her services would be required at so early an hour,
+she had gone down to the kitchen to have a little chat with her
+fellow-servants. Elsie rang for her, and then walking to the window,
+stood looking down into the garden in an attitude of thoughtfulness and
+dejection. She was mentally taking a review of the manner in which she
+had spent the day, as was her custom before retiring. The retrospect
+had seldom been so painful to the little girl. She had a very tender
+conscience, and it told her now that she had more than once during the
+day indulged in wrong feelings toward her father; that she had also
+allowed another to speak disrespectfully of him, giving by her silence
+a tacit approval of the sentiments uttered, and, more than that, had
+spoken complainingly of him herself.
+
+"Oh!" she murmured half aloud as she covered her face with her hands,
+and the tears trickled through her fingers, "how soon I have forgotten
+the lesson papa taught me this morning, and my promise to trust him
+without knowing his reasons. I don't deserve that he should love me or
+be kind and indulgent, when I am so rebellious."
+
+"What's de matter, darlin'?" asked Chloe's voice in pitiful tones, as
+she took her nursling in her arms and laid her little head against her
+bosom, passing her hand caressingly over the soft bright curls; "your
+ole mammy can't bear to see her pet cryin' like dat."
+
+"O mammy, mammy! I've been such a wicked girl to-day! Oh! I'm afraid I
+shall never be good, never be like Jesus. I'm afraid He is angry with
+me, for I have disobeyed Him to-day," sobbed the child.
+
+"Darlin'," said Chloe, earnestly, "didn't you read to your ole mammy
+dis very morning dese bressed words: 'If any man sin, we have an
+advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,' an' de other:
+'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
+sins.' Go to de dear, bressed Lord Jesus, darlin', an' ax Him to
+forgive you, an' I _knows_ He will."
+
+"Yes, He will," replied the little girl, raising her head and dashing
+away her tears, "He will forgive my sins, and take away my wicked
+heart, and give me right thoughts and feelings. How glad I am you
+remembered those sweet texts, you dear old mammy," she added, twining
+her arms lovingly around her nurse's neck. And then she delivered her
+papa's message, and Chloe began at once to prepare her for bed.
+
+Elsie's tears had ceased to flow, but they were still trembling in her
+eyes, and the little face wore a very sad and troubled expression as
+she stood patiently passive in her nurse's hands. Chloe had soon
+finished her labors, and then the little girl opened her Bible, and, as
+usual, read a few verses aloud, though her voice trembled, and once or
+twice a tear fell on the page; then closing the book she stole away to
+the side of the bed and knelt down.
+
+She was a good while on her knees, and several times, as the sound of a
+low sob fell upon Chloe's ear, she sighed and murmured to herself:
+"Poor, darlin'! dear, bressed lamb, your ole mammy don't like to hear
+dat."
+
+Then as the child rose from her kneeling posture she went to her, and
+taking her in her arms, folded her in a fond embrace, calling her by
+the most tender and endearing epithets, and telling her that her old
+mammy loved her better than life--better than anything in the wide
+world.
+
+Elsie flung her arms around her nurse's neck, and laid her head upon
+her bosom, saying, "Yes, my dear old mammy, I know you love me, and I
+love you, too. But put me in bed now, or papa will be displeased."
+
+"What makes you so onrestless, darlin'?" asked Chloe, half an hour
+afterward; "can't you go to sleep no how?"
+
+"O mammy! if I could only see papa just for one moment to tell him
+something. Do you think he would come to me?" sighed the little girl.
+"Please, mammy, go down and see if he is busy. Don't say a word if he
+is; but if not, ask him to come to me for just one minute."
+
+Chloe left the room immediately, but returned the next moment, saying,
+"I jes looked into de parlor, darlin', an' Mass Horace he mighty busy
+playin' chess wid Miss Lucy's mamma, an' I didn't say nuffin' to him.
+Jes you go sleep, my pet, an' tell Mass Horace all 'bout it in de
+mornin'."
+
+Elsie sighed deeply, and turning over on her pillow, cried herself to
+sleep.
+
+Chloe was just putting the finishing touches to the little girl's dress
+the next morning, when Lucy Carrington rapped at the door.
+
+"Good morning, Elsie," she said; "I was in a hurry to come to you,
+because it is my last day, you know. Wasn't it too bad of your father
+to send you off to bed so early last night?"
+
+"No, Lucy, papa has a right to send me to bed whenever he pleases; and
+besides, I was naughty and deserved to be punished; and it was not much
+more than half an hour earlier than my usual bedtime."
+
+"You naughty!" exclaimed Lucy, opening her eyes very wide. "Mamma often
+says she wishes I was half as good."
+
+Elsie sighed, but made no answer. Her thoughts seemed far away. She was
+thinking of what she had been so anxious, the night before, to say to
+her father, and trying to gain courage to do it this morning. "If I
+could only get close to him when nobody was by, and he would look and
+speak kindly to me, I could do it then," she murmured to herself.
+
+"Come, Aunt Chloe, aren't you done? I want to have a run in the garden
+before breakfast," said Lucy, somewhat impatiently, as Chloe tied and
+untied Elsie's sash several times.
+
+"Well, Miss Lucy, I'se done now," she answered, passing her hand once
+more over her nursling's curls: "but Mass Horace he mighty pertickler
+'bout Miss Elsie."
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, "papa wants me always to look very nice and neat;
+and when I go down in the morning he just gives me one glance from head
+to foot, and if anything is wrong he is sure to see it and send me back
+immediately to have it made right. Now, mammy, please give me my hat
+and let us go."
+
+"You's got plenty ob time, chillens; de bell won't go for to ring dis
+hour," remarked the old nurse, tying on Elsie's hat.
+
+"My chile looks sweet an' fresh as a moss rosebud dis mornin'," she
+added, talking to herself, as she watched the two little girls tripping
+down-stairs hand in hand.
+
+They skipped up and down the avenue several times, and ran all round
+the garden before it was time to go in. Then Elsie went up to Chloe to
+have her hair made smooth again. She was just descending for the second
+time to the hall, where she had left Lucy, when they saw a carriage
+drive up to the front door.
+
+"There's papa!" cried Lucy, joyfully, as it stopped and a gentleman
+sprang out and came up the steps into the portico; and in an instant
+she was in his arms, receiving such kisses and caresses as Elsie had
+vainly longed for all her life.
+
+Lucy had several brothers, but was an only daughter, and a very great
+pet, especially with her father.
+
+Elsie watched them with a wistful look and a strange aching at her
+heart.
+
+But presently Mr. Carrington set Lucy down and turning to her, gave her
+a shake of the hand, and then a kiss, saying, "How do you do this
+morning, my dear? I'm afraid you are hardly glad to see me, as I come
+to take Lucy away, for I suppose you have been having fine times
+together."
+
+"Yes, sir, indeed we have; and I hope you will let her come again."
+
+"Oh! yes, certainly; but the visits must not be all on one side. I
+shall talk to your papa about it, and perhaps persuade him to let us
+take you along this afternoon to spend a week at Ashlands."
+
+"Oh! how delightful!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands. "Elsie, do you
+think he will let you go?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm afraid not," replied the little girl doubtfully.
+
+"You must coax him, as I do my papa," said Lucy.
+
+But at this Elsie only shook her head, and just then the breakfast-bell
+rang.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was already in the breakfast-room, and Elsie, going up to
+him, said, "Good morning, papa."
+
+"Good morning, Elsie," he replied, but his tone was so cold that even
+if no one else had been by, she could not have said another word.
+
+He had not intended to be influenced by the information Arthur had so
+maliciously given him the night before; yet unconsciously he was, and
+his manner to his little daughter was many degrees colder than it had
+been for some time.
+
+After breakfast Lucy reminded Elsie of a promise she had made to show
+her some beautiful shells which her father had collected in his
+travels, and Elsie led the way to the cabinet, a small room opening
+into the library, and filled with curiosities.
+
+They had gone in alone, but were soon followed by Arthur, Walter and
+Enna.
+
+Almost everything in the room belonged to Mr. Horace Dinsmore; and
+Elsie, knowing that many of the articles were rare and costly, and that
+he was very careful of them, begged Enna and the boys to go out, lest
+they should accidentally do some mischief.
+
+"I won't," replied Arthur. "I've just as good a right to be here as
+you."
+
+As he spoke he gave her a push, which almost knocked her over, and in
+catching at a table to save herself from falling, she threw down a
+beautiful vase of rare old china, which Mr. Dinsmore prized very
+highly. It fell with a loud crash, and lay scattered in fragments at
+their feet.
+
+"There, see what you've done!" exclaimed Arthur, as the little group
+stood aghast at the mischief.
+
+It happened that Mr. Dinsmore was just then in the library, and the
+noise soon brought him upon the scene of action.
+
+"Who did this?" he asked, in a wrathful tone, looking from one to the
+other.
+
+"Elsie," said Arthur; "she threw it down and broke it."
+
+"Troublesome, careless child! I would not have taken a hundred dollars
+for that vase," he exclaimed. "Go to your room! go this instant, and
+stay there until I send for you; and remember, if you ever come in here
+again without permission I shall punish you."
+
+He opened the door as he spoke, and Elsie flew across the hall, up the
+stairs, and into her own room, without once pausing or looking back.
+
+"Now go out, every one of you, and don't come in here again; this is no
+place for children," said Mr. Dinsmore, turning the others into the
+hall, and shutting and locking the door upon them.
+
+"You ought to be ashamed, Arthur Dinsmore," exclaimed Lucy indignantly;
+"it was all your own fault, and Elsie was not to blame at all, and you
+know it."
+
+"I didn't touch the old vase, and I'm not going to take the blame of
+it, either, I can tell you, miss," replied Arthur, moving off, followed
+by Walter and Enna, while Lucy walked to the other end of the hall, and
+stood looking out of the window, debating in her own mind whether she
+had sufficient courage to face Mr. Dinsmore, and make him understand
+where the blame of the accident ought to lie.
+
+At length she seemed to have solved the question; for turning about and
+moving noiselessly down the passage to the library door, she gave a
+timid little rap, which was immediately answered by Mr. Dinsmore's
+voice saying, "Come in."
+
+Lucy opened the door and walked in, closing it after her.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore sat at a table writing, and he looked up with an
+expression of mingled surprise and impatience.
+
+"What do you want, Miss Lucy?" he said, "speak quickly, for I am very
+busy."
+
+"I just wanted to tell you, sir," replied Lucy, speaking up quite
+boldly, "that Elsie was not at all to blame about the vase; for it was
+Arthur who pushed her and made her fall against the table, and that was
+the way the vase came to fall and break."
+
+"What made him push her?" he asked.
+
+"Just because Elsie asked him, and Walter, and Enna to go out, for fear
+they might do some mischief."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore's pen was suspended over the paper for a moment, while he
+sat thinking with a somewhat clouded brow; but presently turning to the
+little girl, he said quite pleasantly, "Very well, Miss Lucy, I am much
+obliged to you for your information, for I should be very sorry to
+punish Elsie unjustly. And now will you do me the favor to go to her
+and tell her that her papa says she need not stay in her room any
+longer?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I will," replied Lucy, her face sparkling with delight as
+she hurried off with great alacrity to do his bidding.
+
+She found Elsie in her room crying violently, and throwing her arms
+around her neck she delivered Mr. Dinsmore's message, concluding with,
+"So now, Elsie, you see you needn't cry, nor feel sorry any more; but
+just dry your eyes and let us go down into the garden and have a good
+time."
+
+Elsie was very thankful to Lucy, and very glad that her papa now knew
+that she was not to blame; but she was still sorry for his loss, and
+his words had wounded her too deeply to be immediately forgotten;
+indeed it was some time before the sore spot they had made in her heart
+was entirely healed. But she tried to forget it all and enter heartily
+into the sports proposed by Lucy.
+
+The Carringtons were not to leave until the afternoon, and the little
+girls spent nearly the whole morning in the garden, coming into the
+drawing-room a few moments before the dinner-bell rang.
+
+Mrs. Carrington sat on a sofa engaged with some fancy work, while
+Herbert, who had not felt well enough to join the other children, had
+stretched himself out beside her, putting his head in her lap.
+
+Mr. Carrington and Mr. Horace Dinsmore were conversing near by.
+
+Lucy ran up to her papa and seated herself upon his knee with her arm
+around his neck; while Elsie stopped a moment to speak to Herbert, and
+then timidly approaching her father, with her eyes upon the floor, said
+in a low, half-frightened tone, that reached no ear but his, "I am very
+sorry about the vase, papa."
+
+He took her hand, and drawing her close to him, pushed back the hair
+from her forehead with his other hand, and bending down to her, said
+almost in a whisper, "Never mind, daughter, we will forget all about
+it. I am sorry I spoke so harshly to you, since Lucy tells me you were
+not so much to blame."
+
+Elsie's face flushed with pleasure, and she looked up gratefully; but
+before she had time to reply, Mrs. Carrington said, "Elsie, we want to
+take you home with us to spend a week; will you go?"
+
+"I should like to, very much, indeed, ma'am, if papa will let me,"
+replied the little girl, looking wistfully up into his face.
+
+"Well, Mr. Dinsmore, what do you say? I hope you can have no
+objection," said Mrs. Carrington, looking inquiringly at him; while her
+husband added, "Oh! yes, Dinsmore, you must let her go by all means;
+you can certainly spare her for a week, and it need be no interruption
+to her lessons, as she can share with Lucy in the instructions of our
+governess, who is really a superior teacher."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was looking very grave, and Elsie knew from the expression
+of his countenance what his answer would be, before he spoke. He had
+noticed the indignant glance Lucy had once or twice bestowed upon him,
+and remembering Arthur's report of the conversation between the two
+little girls the night before, had decided in his own mind that the
+less Elsie saw of Lucy the better.
+
+"I thank you both for your kind attention to my little girl," he
+replied courteously, "but while fully appreciating your kindness in
+extending the invitation, I must beg leave to decline it, as I am
+satisfied that home is the best place for her at present."
+
+"Ah! no, I suppose we ought hardly to have expected you to spare her so
+soon after your return," said Mrs. Carrington; "but, really, I am very
+sorry to be refused, for Elsie is such a good child that I am always
+delighted to have Lucy and Herbert with her."
+
+"Perhaps you think better of her than she deserves, Mrs. Carrington. I
+find that Elsie is sometimes naughty and in need of correction, as well
+as other children, and therefore, I think it best to keep her as much
+as possible under my own eye," replied Mr. Dinsmore, looking very
+gravely at his little daughter as he spoke.
+
+Elsie's face flushed painfully, and she had hard work to keep from
+bursting into tears. It was a great relief to her that just at that
+moment the dinner-bell rang, and there was a general movement in the
+direction of the dining-room. Her look was touchingly humble as her
+father led her in and seated her at the table.
+
+She was thinking, "Papa says I am naughty sometimes, but oh! how _very_
+naughty he would think me if he knew all the wicked feelings I had
+yesterday."
+
+As soon as they had risen from the table, Mrs. Carrington bade Lucy go
+up to her maid to have her bonnet put on, as the carriage was already
+at the door.
+
+Elsie would have gone with her, but her father had taken her hand
+again, and he held it fast.
+
+She looked up inquiringly into his face.
+
+"Stay here," he said. "Lucy will be down again in a moment."
+
+And Elsie stood quietly at his side until Lucy returned.
+
+But even then her father did not relinquish his hold of her hand, and
+all the talking the little girls could do must be done close at his
+side.
+
+Yet, as he was engaged in earnest conversation with Mr. Carrington, and
+did not seem to be listening to them, Lucy ventured to whisper to
+Elsie, "I think it's real mean of him; he might let you go."
+
+"No," replied Elsie, in the same low tone, "I'm sure papa knows best;
+and besides, I _have_ been naughty, and don't deserve to go, though I
+should like to, dearly."
+
+"Well, good-bye," said Lucy, giving her a kiss.
+
+It was not until Mr. Carrington's carriage was fairly on its way down
+the avenue, that Mr. Dinsmore dropped his little girl's hand; and then
+he said, "I want you in the library, Elsie; come to me in half an hour."
+
+"Yes, papa, I will," she replied, looking a little frightened.
+
+"You need not be afraid," he said, in a tone of displeasure; "I am not
+going to hurt you."
+
+Elsie blushed and hung her head, but made no reply, and he turned away
+and left her. She could not help wondering what he wanted with her, and
+though she tried not to feel afraid, it was impossible to keep from
+trembling a little as she knocked at the library door.
+
+Her father's voice said, "Come in," and entering, she found him alone,
+seated at a table covered with papers and writing materials, while
+beside the account book in which he was writing lay a pile of money, in
+bank notes, and gold and silver.
+
+"Here, Elsie," he said, laying down his pen, "I want to give you your
+month's allowance. Your grandfather has paid it to you heretofore, but
+of course, now that I am at home, I attend to everything that concerns
+you. You have been receiving eight dollars--I shall give you ten," and
+he counted out the money and laid it before her as he spoke; "but I
+shall require a strict account of all that you spend. I want you to
+learn to keep accounts, for if you live, you will some day have a great
+deal of money to take care of; and here is a blank book that I have
+prepared, so that you can do so very easily. Every time that you lay
+out or give away any money, you must set it down here as soon as you
+come home; be particular about that, lest you should forget something,
+because you must bring your book to me at the end of every month, and
+let me see how much you have spent, and what is the balance in hand;
+and if you are not able to make it come out square, and tell me what
+you have done with every penny, you will lose either the whole or a
+part of your allowance for the next month, according to the extent of
+your delinquency. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Very well. Let me see now how much you can remember of your last
+month's expenditures. Take the book and set down everything you can
+think of."
+
+Elsie had a good memory, and was able to remember how she had spent
+almost every cent during the time specified; and she set down one item
+after another, and then added up the column without any mistake.
+
+"That was very well done," said her father approvingly. And then
+running over the items half aloud, "Candy, half a dollar; remember,
+Elsie, there is to be no more money disposed of in that way; not as a
+matter of economy, by any means, but because I consider is very
+injurious. I am very anxious that you should grow up strong and
+healthy. I would not for anything have you a miserable dyspeptic."
+
+Then suddenly closing the book and handing it to her, he said,
+inquiringly, "You were very anxious to go to Ashlands?"
+
+"I would have liked to go, papa, if you had been willing," she replied
+meekly.
+
+"I am afraid Lucy is not a suitable companion for you, Elsie. I think
+she puts bad notions into your head," he said very gravely.
+
+Elsie flushed and trembled, and was just opening her lips to make her
+confession, when the door opened and her grandfather entered. She could
+not speak before him, and so remained silent.
+
+"Does she not sometimes say naughty things to you?" asked her father,
+speaking so low that her grandfather could not have heard.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the little girl, almost under her breath.
+
+"I thought so," said he, "and therefore I shall keep you apart as
+entirely as possible; and I hope there will be no murmuring on your
+part."
+
+"No, papa, you know best," she answered, very humbly.
+
+Then, putting the money into her hands, he dismissed her. When she had
+gone out he sat for a moment in deep thought. Elsie's list of articles
+bought with her last month's allowance consisted almost entirely of
+gifts for others, generally the servants. There were some beads and
+sewing-silk for making a purse, and a few drawing materials; but with
+the exception of the candy, she had bought nothing else for herself.
+This was what her father was thinking of.
+
+"She is a dear, unselfish, generous little thing," he said to himself.
+"However, I may be mistaken; I must not allow myself to judge from only
+one month. She seems submissive, too,"--he had overheard what passed
+between her and Lucy at parting--"but perhaps that was for effect; she
+probably suspected I could hear her--and she thinks me a tyrant, and
+obeys from fear, not love."
+
+This thought drove away all the tender feeling that had been creeping
+into his heart; and when he next met his little daughter, his manner
+was as cold and distant as ever, and Elsie found it impossible to
+approach him with sufficient freedom to tell him what was in her heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTH
+
+
+   "Man is unjust, but God is just; and finally justice
+    Triumphs."
+                                 --LONGFELLOW'S _Evangeline_.
+
+                      "How disappointment tracks
+    The steps of hope!"
+                                 --MISS LANDON.
+
+
+One afternoon, the next week after the Carringtons had left, the
+younger members of the family, Arthur, Elsie, Walter and Enna, were
+setting out to take a walk, when Elsie, seeing a gold chain depending
+from the pocket of Arthur's jacket, exclaimed:
+
+"O Arthur! how _could_ you take grandpa's watch? _Do_ put it away, for
+you will be almost sure to injure it."
+
+"Hold your tongue, Elsie; I'll do as I please," was the polite
+rejoinder.
+
+"But, Arthur, you _know_ that grandpa would never let you take it. I
+have often heard him say that it was very valuable, for it was seldom
+that so good a one could be had at any price; and I know that he paid a
+great deal for it."
+
+"Well, if he prizes it so, he needn't have left it lying on his table,
+and so I'll just teach him a lesson; it's about time he learnt to be
+careful."
+
+"O Arthur! do put it away," pleaded Elsie, "if anything should happen
+to it, what will grandpa say? I know he will be very angry, and ask us
+all who did it; and you know I cannot tell a lie, and if he asks me if
+it was you, I cannot say no."
+
+"Yes, I'll trust you for telling tales," replied Arthur, sneeringly;
+"but if you do, I'll pay you for it."
+
+He ran down the avenue as he spoke, Walter and Enna following, and
+Elsie slowly bringing up the rear, looking the picture of distress, for
+she knew not what to do, seeing that Arthur would not listen to her
+remonstrances, and, as often happened, all the older members of the
+family were out, and thus there was no authority that could be appealed
+to in time to prevent the mischief which she had every reason to fear
+would be done. Once she thought of turning back, that she might escape
+the necessity of being a witness in the case; but, remembering that her
+father told her she must walk with the others that afternoon, and also
+that, as she had already seen the watch in Arthur's possession, her
+testimony would be sufficient to convict him even if she saw no more,
+she gave up the idea, and hurried on, with the faint hope that she
+might be able to induce Arthur to refrain from indulging in such sports
+as would be likely to endanger the watch; or else to give it into her
+charge. At any other time she would have trembled at the thought of
+touching it; but now she felt so sure it would be safer with her than
+with him, that she would gladly have taken the responsibility.
+
+The walk was far from being a pleasure that afternoon; the boys ran so
+fast that it quite put her out of breath to keep up with them; and then
+every little while Arthur would cut some caper that made her tremble
+for the watch; answering her entreaties that he would either give it
+into her care or walk along quietly, with sneers and taunts, and
+declarations of his determination to do just exactly as he pleased, and
+not be ruled by her.
+
+But at length, while he was in the act of climbing a tree, the watch
+dropped from his pocket and fell to the ground, striking with
+considerable force.
+
+Elsie uttered a scream, and Arthur, now thoroughly frightened himself,
+jumped down and picked it up.
+
+The crystal was broken, the back dented, and how much the works were
+injured they could not tell; but it had ceased to run.
+
+"O Arthur! see what you've done!" exclaimed Walter.
+
+"What will papa say?" said Enna; while Elsie stood pale and trembling,
+not speaking a word.
+
+"You hush!" exclaimed Arthur fiercely. "I'll tell you what, if any of
+you dare to tell of me, I'll make you sorry for it to the last day of
+your life. Do you hear?"
+
+The question was addressed to Elsie in a tone of defiance.
+
+"Arthur," said she, "grandpa will know that _somebody_ did it, and
+surely you would not wish an innocent person to be punished for _your_
+fault."
+
+"I don't care _who_ gets punished, so that papa does not find out that
+I did it," said he furiously; "and if you dare to tell of me, I'll pay
+you for it."
+
+"I shall say nothing, unless it becomes necessary to save the innocent,
+or I am forced to speak; but in that case I shall tell the truth,"
+replied Elsie, firmly.
+
+Arthur doubled up his fist, and made a plunge at her as if he meant to
+knock her down; but Elsie sprang behind the tree, and then ran so
+fleetly toward the house that he was not able to overtake her until his
+passion had had time to cool.
+
+When they reached the house, Arthur replaced the watch on his father's
+table, whence he had taken it, and then they all awaited his return
+with what courage they might.
+
+"I say, Wally," said Arthur, drawing his little brother aside and
+speaking in a low tone, having first sent a cautious glance around to
+assure himself that no one else was within hearing; "I say, what would
+you give me for that new riding whip of mine?"
+
+"O Arthur! anything I've got," exclaimed the little boy eagerly. "But
+you wouldn't give it up, I know, and you're only trying to tease me."
+
+"No, indeed, Wal; I mean to _give_ it to you if you'll only be a good
+fellow and do as I tell you."
+
+"What?" he asked, with intense interest.
+
+"Tell papa that Jim broke the watch."
+
+"But he _didn't_" replied the child, opening his eyes wide with
+astonishment.
+
+"Well, what of that, you little goose?" exclaimed Arthur impatiently;
+"papa doesn't know that."
+
+"But Jim will get punished," said Walter, "and I don't want to tell
+such a big story either."
+
+"Very well, sir, then you'll not get the whip; and, besides, if you
+don't do as I wish, I'm certain you'll see a ghost one of these nights;
+for there's one comes to see me sometimes, and I'll send him right off
+to you."
+
+"Oh! _don't_, Arthur, don't; I'd die of fright," cried the little boy,
+who was very timid, glancing nervously around, as if he expected the
+ghost to appear immediately.
+
+"I tell you I will, though, if you don't do as I say; he'll come this
+very night and carry you off, and never bring you back."
+
+"O Arthur! don't let him come, and I'll say anything you want me to,"
+cried the little fellow in great terror.
+
+"That's a good boy; I knew you would," said Arthur, smiling
+triumphantly. And turning away from Walter, he next sought out Enna,
+and tried his threats and persuasions upon her with even better success.
+
+Elsie had gone directly to her own room, where she sat trembling every
+time a footstep approached her door, lest it should be a messenger from
+her grandfather. No one came, however, and at last the tea-bell rang,
+and on going down she found to her relief that her grandfather and his
+wife had not yet returned.
+
+"You look pale, Elsie," said her father, giving her a scrutinizing
+glance as she took her seat by his side. "Are you well?"
+
+"Yes, papa, quite well," she replied.
+
+He looked at her again a little anxiously, but said no more; and as
+soon as the meal was concluded, Elsie hastened away to her own room
+again.
+
+It was still early in the evening when Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
+returned--for once, bringing no company with them; and he had not been
+many minutes in the house ere he took up his watch, and of course
+instantly discovered the injury it had sustained.
+
+His suspicions at once fell upon Arthur, whose character for mischief
+was well established; and burning with rage, watch in hand, he repaired
+to the drawing-room, which he entered, asking, in tones tremulous with
+passion, "Where is Arthur! Young rascal! this is some of _his_ work,"
+he added, holding up the injured article.
+
+"My dear, how can you say so? have you any proof?" asked his wife,
+deprecatingly adding in her softest tones, "my poor boy seems to get
+the blame of everything that goes wrong."
+
+"He gets no more than he deserves," replied her husband angrily.
+"Arthur! Arthur, I say, where are you?"
+
+"He is in the garden, sir, I think. I saw him walking in the shrubbery
+a moment since," said Mr. Horace Dinsmore.
+
+The father instantly despatched a servant to bring him in; sending a
+second in search of the overseer; while a third was ordered to assemble
+all the house-servants. "I will sift this matter to the bottom, and
+child or servant, the guilty one shall suffer for it," exclaimed the
+old gentleman, pacing angrily up and down the room. "Arthur," said he
+sternly, as the boy made his appearance, looking somewhat pale and
+alarmed, "how dared you meddle with my watch?"
+
+"I didn't, sir; I never touched it," he replied boldly, yet avoiding
+his father's eye as he uttered the deliberate falsehood.
+
+"There, my dear, I told you so," exclaimed his mother, triumphantly.
+
+"I don't believe you," said his father; "and if you are guilty, as I
+strongly suspect, you had better confess it at once, before I find it
+out in some other way."
+
+"I didn't do it, sir. It was Jim, and I can prove it by Walter and
+Enna; we all saw it fall from his pocket when he was up in a tree; and
+he cried like anything when he found it was broken, and said he didn't
+mean to do it any harm; he was only going to wear it a little while,
+and then put it back all safe; but now master would be dreadfully
+angry, and have him flogged."
+
+"That I will, if it is true," exclaimed the old gentleman,
+passionately; "he shall be well whipped and sent out to work on the
+plantation. I'll keep no such meddlers about my house."
+
+He looked at Enna. "What do you know of this?" he asked.
+
+"It is true, papa, I saw him do it," she replied, with a slight blush,
+and sending an uneasy glance around the room.
+
+"Did you see it, too, Walter?" asked his father.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the little fellow, in a low, reluctant tone; "but
+please, papa, don't punish him. I'm sure he didn't mean to break it."
+
+"Hold your tongue! he _shall_ be punished as he deserves," cried the
+old gentleman, furiously. "Here, sir," turning to the overseer, and
+pointing to Jim, "take the fellow out, and give him such a flogging as
+he will remember."
+
+Elsie was sitting in her own room, trying to learn a lesson for the
+next day, but finding great difficulty in fixing her thoughts upon it,
+when she was startled by the sudden entrance of Aunt Chloe, who, with
+her apron to her eyes, was sobbing violently.
+
+"O mammy, mammy! what's the matter? has anything happened to you?"
+inquired the little girl, in a tone of great alarm, starting to her
+feet, and dropping her book in her haste and fright.
+
+"Why," sobbed Chloe, "Jim, he's been an' gone an' broke ole master's
+watch, an' he's gwine be whipped, an' old Aunt Phoebe she's cryin' fit
+to break her ole heart 'bout her boy, kase--"
+
+Elsie waited to hear no more, but darting out into the hall, and
+encountering her father on his way to his room, she rushed up to him,
+pale and agitated, and seizing his hand, looked up eagerly into his
+face, exclaiming with a burst of tears and sobs, "O papa, papa! don't,
+oh! _don't_ let them whip poor Jim."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore's countenance was very grave, almost distressed.
+
+"I am sorry it is necessary, daughter," he said, "but Jim has done very
+wrong, and deserves his punishment, and I cannot interfere."
+
+"Oh! no, papa, he did not, _indeed_ he did not break the watch. I
+_know_ he didn't, for I was by and saw it all."
+
+"Is it _possible?_" said he, in a tone of surprise; "then tell me who
+did do it. It could not have been you, Elsie?" and he looked
+searchingly into her face.
+
+"Oh! no, papa, I would never have dared to touch it. But please don't
+make me tell tales; but I know it wasn't Jim. Oh! _do_ stop them
+quickly, before they begin to whip him."
+
+"Aunt Chloe," said Mr. Dinsmore, "go down to my father, and tell him it
+is my request that the punishment should be delayed a few moments until
+I come down."
+
+Then taking Elsie's hand, he led her into her room again, and seating
+himself, drew her to his side, saying, with grave decision, "Now, my
+daughter, if you want to save Jim, it will be necessary for you to tell
+_all_ you know about this affair."
+
+"I don't like to tell tales, papa," pleaded the little girl; "I think
+it so very mean. Is it not enough for me to tell that I know Jim didn't
+do it?"
+
+"No, Elsie; I have already said that it is _quite necessary_ for you to
+tell _all you know_."
+
+"O papa! don't make me; I don't like to do it," she urged, with tears
+in her eyes.
+
+"I should be very much ashamed of you, and quite unwilling to own you
+as my child, if under any other circumstances you were willing to tell
+tales," he replied, in a tone of kindness that quite surprised Elsie,
+who always trembled at the very thought of opposing the slightest
+resistance to his will; "but," he added, firmly, "it is the only way to
+save Jim; if you do not now make a full disclosure of all you know, he
+will be severely whipped and sent away to work on the plantation, which
+will distress his poor old mother exceedingly. Elsie, I think you would
+be doing very wickedly to allow an innocent person to suffer when you
+can prevent it; and besides, I will add the weight of my authority, and
+say you _must do it at once_; and you well know, my daughter, that
+there can be no question as to the duty of obedience to your father."
+
+He paused, gazing earnestly down into the little tearful, downcast,
+blushing face at his side.
+
+"Have I not said enough to convince you of your duty?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, papa; I will tell you all about it," she answered in a tremulous
+tone.
+
+Her story was told with evident reluctance, but in a simple,
+straightforward manner, that attested its truthfulness.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore listened in silence, but with an expression of indignation
+on his handsome features; and the moment she had finished he rose, and
+again taking her hand, led her from the room, saying, as he did so:
+
+"You must repeat this story to your grandfather."
+
+"O papa! must I? Won't you tell him? please don't make me do it," she
+pleaded tremblingly, and hanging back.
+
+"My daughter, you _must_," he replied, so sternly that she dared not
+make any further resistance, but quietly submitted to be led into her
+grandfather's presence.
+
+He was still in the drawing-room, walking about in a disturbed and
+angry manner, and now and then casting a suspicious glance upon Arthur,
+who sat pale and trembling in a corner, looking the picture of guilt
+and misery; for he had heard Chloe deliver his brother's message, and
+feared that exposure awaited him.
+
+Walter had stolen away to cry over Jim's punishment, and wish that he
+had had the courage to tell the truth at first; but saying to himself
+that it was too late now, his father wouldn't believe him, and he would
+make it up to Jim somehow, even if it took all his pocket-money for a
+month.
+
+None of the other members of the family had left the room, and all wore
+an anxious, expectant look, as Mr. Dinsmore entered, leading Elsie by
+the hand.
+
+"I have brought you another witness, sir," he said, "for it seems Elsie
+was present when the mischief was done."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed the old gentlemen; "then I may hope to get at the
+truth. Elsie, who broke my watch?"
+
+"It was not Jim, grandpa, indeed, _indeed_, it was not; but oh!
+_please_ don't make me say who it was," replied the little girl,
+beseechingly.
+
+"Elsie!" exclaimed her father, in a tone of stern reproof.
+
+"O papa! how can I?" she sobbed, trembling and clinging to his hand as
+she caught a threatening look from Arthur.
+
+"Come, come, child, you must tell us all you know about it," said her
+grandfather, "or else I can't let Jim off."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was looking down at his little girl, and, following the
+direction of her glance, perceived the cause of her terror. "Don't be
+afraid to speak out and tell all you know, daughter, for I will protect
+you," he said, pressing the little trembling hand in his, and at the
+same time giving Arthur a meaning look.
+
+"Yes, yes, speak out, child; speak out at once; no one shall hurt you
+for telling the truth," exclaimed her grandfather, impatiently.
+
+"I will, grandpa," she said, trembling and weeping; "but please don't
+be very angry with Arthur; if you will forgive him this time, I think
+he will never meddle any more; and I am quite sure he did not mean to
+break it."
+
+"So it _was you_, after all, you young rascal! I knew it from the
+first!" cried the old gentleman, striding across the room, seizing the
+boy by the shoulder and shaking him roughly.
+
+"But go on, Elsie, let us have the whole story," he added, turning to
+her again, but still keeping his hold upon Arthur. "You young dog!" he
+added, when she had finished. "Yes, I'll forgive you when you've had a
+good, sound flogging, and a week's solitary confinement on bread and
+water, but not before."
+
+So saying, he was about to lead him from the room, when Elsie suddenly
+sprang forward, and with clasped hands, and flushed, eager face, she
+pleaded earnestly, beseechingly, "O grandpa! don't whip him, don't
+punish him! He will never be so naughty again. Will you, Arthur? Let
+_me pay_ for the watch, grandpa, and don't punish him. I would so like
+to do it."
+
+"It isn't the moneyed value of the watch I care for, child," replied
+the old gentleman, contemptuously; "and besides, where would you get so
+much money?"
+
+"I am rich, grandpa, am I not? Didn't my mamma leave me a great deal of
+money?" asked the little girl, casting down her eyes and blushing
+painfully.
+
+"No, Elsie," said her father, very gently, as he took her hand and led
+her back to the side of his chair again, "you have nothing but what I
+choose to give you, until you come of age, which will not be for a
+great many years yet."
+
+"But you _will_ give me the money to pay for the watch papa, _won't_
+you?" she asked, pleadingly.
+
+"No, I certainly shall not, for I think Arthur should be left to suffer
+the penalty of his own misdeeds," he replied in a very decided tone;
+"and, besides," he added, "your grandfather has already told you that
+it is not the pecuniary loss he cares for."
+
+"No; but I will teach this young rascal to let my property alone," said
+the elder gentleman with almost fierce determination, as he tightened
+his grasp upon the boy's arm and dragged him from the room.
+
+Arthur cast a look of hatred and defiance at Elsie as he went out, that
+made her grow pale with fear and tremble so that she could scarcely
+stand.
+
+Her father saw both the look and its effect, and drawing the little
+trembler closer to him, he put his arm around her, and stroking her
+hair, said in a low, soothing tone: "Don't be frightened, daughter; I
+will protect you."
+
+She answered him with a grateful look and a long sigh of relief, and he
+was just about to take her on his knee when visitors were announced,
+and, changing his mind, he dismissed her to her room, and she saw no
+more of him that evening.
+
+"Oh! if they only _hadn't_ come just now," thought the sorely
+disappointed child, as she went out with slow, reluctant steps. "I'm
+sure they wouldn't, if they had only known. I'm sure, quite sure papa
+was going to take me on his knee, and they prevented him. Oh! will be
+ever think of doing it again! Dear, dear papa, if you could only know
+how I long to sit there!" But Mrs. Dinsmore, who had hastily retired on
+the exit of Arthur and his father from the drawing-room, was now
+sailing majestically down the hall, on her return thither; and Elsie,
+catching sight of her, and being naturally anxious to avoid a meeting
+just then, at once quickened her pace very considerably, almost running
+up the stairs to her own room, where she found old Aunt Phoebe, Jim's
+mother, waiting to speak with her.
+
+The poor old creature was overflowing with gratitude, and her fervent
+outpouring of thanks and blessings almost made Elsie forget her
+disappointment for the time.
+
+Then Jim came to the door, asking to see Miss Elsie, and poured out his
+thanks amid many sobs and tears; for the poor fellow had been terribly
+frightened--indeed, so astounded by the unexpected charge, that he had
+not had a word to say in his own defence, beyond an earnest and
+reiterated assertion of his entire innocence; to which, however, his
+angry master had paid no attention.
+
+But at length Phoebe remembered that she had some baking to do, and
+calling on Jim to come right along and split up some dry wood to heat
+her oven, she went down to the kitchen followed by her son, and Elsie
+was left alone with her nurse.
+
+Chloe sat silently knitting, and the little girl, with her head leaning
+upon her hand and her eyes fixed thoughtfully upon the floor, was
+rehearsing again and again in her own mind all that had just passed
+between her papa and herself; dwelling with lingering delight upon
+everything approaching to a caress, every kind word, every soothing
+tone of his voice; and then picturing to herself all that he might have
+done and said if those unwelcome visitors had not come in and put an
+end to the interview; and half hoping that he would send for her when
+they had gone, she watched the clock and listened intently for every
+sound.
+
+But her bedtime came and she dared not stay up any longer; for his
+orders had been peremptory that she should always retire precisely at
+that hour, unless she had his express permission to remain up longer.
+
+She lay awake for some time, thinking of his unwonted kindness, and
+indulging fond hopes for the future, then fell asleep to dream that she
+was on her father's knee, and felt his arms folded lovingly about her,
+and his kisses warm upon her cheek.
+
+Her heart beat quickly as she entered the breakfast-room the next
+morning.
+
+The family were just taking their places at the table, and her
+half-eager, half-timid "Good morning, papa," was answered by a grave,
+absent "Good morning, Elsie," and turning to his father and entering
+into a conversation with him on some business matter, he took no
+further notice of his little daughter, excepting to see that her plate
+was well supplied with such articles of food as he allowed her to eat.
+
+Elsie was sadly disappointed, and lingered about the room in the vain
+hope of obtaining a smile or caress; but presently her father went out,
+saying to the elder Mr. Dinsmore that he was going to ride over to Ion,
+and would probably not return before night; then, with a sigh, the
+little girl went back to her own room to prepare her morning lessons.
+
+Elsie was now happily free from Arthur's persecutions for a time; for
+even after his release, he was too much afraid of his brother openly to
+offer her any very serious annoyance, though he plotted revenge in
+secret; yet the little girl's situation was far from comfortable, and
+her patience often severely tried, for Mrs. Dinsmore was excessively
+angry with her on Arthur's account, and whenever her father was not
+present, treated her in the most unkind manner; and from the same cause
+the rest of the family, with the exception of her grandpa and Aunt
+Adelaide, were unusually cold and distant; while her father, although
+careful to see that all her wants were attended to, seldom took any
+further notice of her; unless to reprove her for some childish fault
+which, however trifling, never escaped his eye.
+
+"You seem," said Adelaide to him one day, as he sent Elsie from the
+room for some very slight fault, "to expect that child to be a great
+deal more perfect than any grown person I ever saw, and to understand
+all about the rules of etiquette."
+
+"If you please, Adelaide," said he haughtily, "I should like to be
+allowed to manage my own child as I see proper, without any
+interference from others."
+
+"Excuse me," replied his sister; "I had no intention of interfering;
+but really, Horace, I do think you have no idea how eagle-eyed you are
+for faults in her, nor how _very_ stern is the tone in which you always
+reprove her. I have known Elsie a great deal longer than you have, and
+I feel very certain that a gentle reproof would do her quite as much
+good, and not wound her half so much."
+
+"Enough, Adelaide!" exclaimed her brother, impatiently. "If I were ten
+years _younger_ than yourself, instead of that much older, there might
+be some propriety in your advising and directing me thus; as it is, I
+must say I consider it simply impertinent." And he left the room with
+an angry stride, while Adelaide looked after him with the thought, "I
+am glad you have no authority over me."
+
+All that Adelaide had said was true; yet Elsie never complained, never
+blamed her father, even in her heart; but, in her deep humility,
+thought it was all because she was "so very naughty or careless;" and
+she was continually making resolutions to be "oh! _so_ careful always
+to do just right, and please dear papa, so that some day he might learn
+to love her."
+
+But, alas! that hope was daily growing fainter and fainter; his cold
+and distant manner to her and his often repeated reproofs had so
+increased her natural timidity and sensitiveness that she was now very
+constrained in her approaches to him, and seldom ventured to move or
+speak in his presence; and he would not see that this timidity and
+embarrassment were the natural results of his treatment, but attributed
+it all to want of affection. He saw that she feared him, and to that
+feeling alone he gave credit for her uniform obedience to his commands,
+while he had no conception of the intense, but now almost despairing
+love for him that burned in that little heart, and made the young life
+one longing, earnest desire and effort to gain his affection.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTH
+
+   "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
+    death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and
+    thy staff, they comfort me."
+                                 --_Psalm_ xxiii. 4.
+
+   "'Tis but the cruel artifice of fate,
+    Thus to refine and vary on our woes,
+    To raise us from despair and give us hopes,
+    Only to plunge us in the gulf again,
+    And make us doubly wretched."
+                                 --TRAP's _Abramuh_.
+
+
+It was Sabbath morning, and Elsie, ready dressed for church, stood in
+the portico waiting for her father to come down and lift her into the
+carriage, in which Adelaide, Louisa, and Enna were already seated.
+
+The coachman was in his seat, and the horses, a pair of young and fiery
+steeds purchased by Mr. Dinsmore only a few days before, were
+impatiently stamping and tossing their heads, requiring quite an
+exertion of strength to hold them in.
+
+"I don't exactly like the actions of those horses, Ajax," remarked Mr.
+Dinsmore, as he came out putting on his gloves; "I did not intend to
+have them put in harness to-day. Why did you not give us the old bays?"
+
+"Kase, Marster Horace, ole Kate she's got a lame foot, an' ole marster
+he says dese youngsters is got to be used some time or nuther, an' I
+reckoned I mout jis as well use 'em to-day."
+
+"Do you feel quite sure of being able to hold them in?" asked his
+master, glancing uneasily first at the horses and then at Elsie.
+
+"Ki! marster, dis here chile ben able to hold in a'most anything,"
+exclaimed the negro, exhibiting a double row of dazzlingly white teeth;
+"an' besides, I'se drove dese here hosses twice 'fore now, an' dey went
+splendid. Hold 'em in! Yes, sah, easy as nuffin."
+
+"Elsie," said her father, still looking a little uneasy, in spite of
+Ajax's boasting, "I think it would be just as well for you to stay at
+home."
+
+Elsie made no reply in words, but her answering look spoke such intense
+disappointment, such earnest entreaty, that, saying, "Ah! well, I
+suppose there is no real danger; and since you seem so anxious to go, I
+will not compel you to stay at home," he lifted her into the carriage,
+and seating himself beside her, ordered the coachman to drive on as
+carefully as he could.
+
+"Elsie, change seats with me," said Enna; "I want to sit beside Brother
+Horace."
+
+"No," replied Mr. Dinsmore, laying his hand on his little daughter's
+shoulder, "Elsie's place is by me, and she shall sit nowhere else."
+
+"Do you think we are in any danger of being run away with?" asked
+Adelaide, a little anxiously as she observed him glancing once or twice
+out of the window, and was at the same time sensible that their motion
+was unusually rapid.
+
+"The horses are young and fiery, but Ajax is an excellent driver," he
+replied, evasively; adding, "You may be sure that if I had thought the
+danger very great I would have left Elsie at home."
+
+They reached the church without accident, but on their return the
+horses took fright while going down a hill, and rushed along at a
+furious rate, which threatened every instant to upset the carriage.
+
+Elsie thought they were going very fast, but did not know that there
+was real danger until her father suddenly lifted her from her seat, and
+placing her between his knees, held her tightly, as though he feared
+she would be snatched from his grasp.
+
+Elsie looked up into his face. It was deadly pale, and his eyes were
+fixed upon her with an expression of anguish.
+
+"Dear papa," she whispered, "God will take care of us."
+
+"I would give all I am worth to have you safe at home," he answered
+hoarsely, pressing her closer and closer to him.
+
+O! even in that moment of fearful peril, when death seemed just at
+hand, those words, and the affectionate clasp of her father's arm, sent
+a thrill of intense joy to the love-famished heart of the little girl.
+
+But destruction seemed inevitable. Lora was leaning back, half fainting
+with terror; Adelaide scarcely less alarmed, while Enna clung to her,
+sobbing most bitterly.
+
+Elsie alone preserved a cheerful serenity. She had built her house upon
+the rock, and knew that it would stand. Her destiny was in her Heavenly
+Father's hands, and she was content to leave it there. Even death had
+no terrors to the simple, unquestioning faith of the little child who
+had put her trust in Jesus.
+
+But they were not to perish thus; for at that moment a powerful negro,
+who was walking along the road, hearing an unusual sound, turned about,
+caught sight of the vehicle coming toward him at such a rapid rate, and
+instantly comprehending the peril of the travellers, planted himself in
+the middle of the road, and, at the risk of life and limb, caught the
+horses by the bridle--the sudden and unexpected check throwing them
+upon their haunches, and bringing the carriage to an instant
+stand-still.
+
+"Thank God, we are saved! That fellow shall be well rewarded for his
+brave deed," exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, throwing open the carriage door.
+
+Then, leaping to the ground, he lifted Elsie out, set her down, and
+gave his hand to his sisters one after the other.
+
+They were almost at the entrance of the avenue, and all preferred to
+walk the short distance to the house rather than again trust themselves
+to the horses.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore lingered a moment to speak to the man who had done them
+such good service, and to give some directions to the coachman; and
+then, taking the hand of his little girl, who had been waiting for him,
+he walked slowly on, neither of them speaking a word until they reached
+the house, when he stooped and kissed her cheek, asking very kindly if
+she had recovered from her fright.
+
+"Yes, papa," she answered, in a quiet tone, "I knew that God would take
+care of us. Oh! wasn't He good to keep us all from being killed?"
+
+"Yes," he said, very gravely. "Go now and let mammy get you ready for
+dinner."
+
+As Elsie was sitting alone in her room that afternoon she was surprised
+by a visit from Lora; it being very seldom that the elder girls cared
+to enter her apartment.
+
+Lora looked a little pale, and more grave and thoughtful than Elsie had
+ever seen her. For a while she sat in silence, then suddenly burst out,
+"Oh, Elsie! I can't help thinking all the time, what if we had been
+killed! where would we all be now? where would _I_ have been? I believe
+_you_ would have gone straight to heaven, Elsie; but _I_--oh! I should
+have been with the rich man the minister read about this morning,
+lifting up my eyes in torment."
+
+And Lora covered her face with her hands and shuddered.
+
+Presently she went on again. "I was terribly frightened, and so were
+the rest--all but you, Elsie; tell me, _do_--what kept _you_ from being
+afraid?"
+
+"I was thinking," said Elsie gently, turning over the leaves of her
+little Bible as she spoke, "of this sweet verse: 'Yea, though I walk
+through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for
+thou art with me;' and oh, Lora! it made me so happy to think that
+Jesus was there with me, and that if I were killed, I should only fall
+asleep, to wake up again in His arms; then how could I be afraid?"
+
+"Ah! I would give anything to feel as you do," said Lora, sighing. "But
+tell me, Elsie, did you not feel afraid for the rest of us? I'm sure
+you must know that _we_ are not Christians; we don't even pretend to
+be."
+
+Elsie blushed and looked down.
+
+"It all passed so quickly, you know, Lora, almost in a moment," she
+said, "so that I only had time to think of papa and myself; and I have
+prayed so much for him that I felt quite sure God would spare him until
+he should be prepared to die. It was very selfish, I know," she added
+with deep humility; "but it was only for a moment, and I can't tell you
+how thankful I was for _all_ our spared lives."
+
+"Don't look so--as if you had done something very wicked, Elsie,"
+replied Lora, sighing again. "I'm sure we have given you little enough
+reason to care whatever becomes of us; but oh! Elsie, if you can only
+tell me how to be a Christian, I mean now to try very hard; indeed, I
+am determined never to rest until I am one."
+
+"Oh, Lora, how glad I am!" cried Elsie, joyfully, "for I know that if
+you are really in earnest, you will succeed; for no one ever yet failed
+who tried aright. Jesus said, '_Every one_ that asketh, receiveth; and
+he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it _shall_ be
+opened.' Is not _that_ encouraging? And listen to what God says here in
+_this_ verse: 'Ye shall seek me and _find_ me, when ye shall search for
+me with _all your heart_.' So you see, dear Lora, if you will only seek
+the Lord with your _whole heart_, you may be _sure_, _quite_ sure of
+finding Him."
+
+"Yes," said Lora, "but you have not answered my question; _how_ am I to
+seek? that is, what means am I to use to get rid of my sins, and get a
+new heart? how make myself pleasing in the sight of God? what must I
+_do_ to be saved?"
+
+"That is the very question the jailer put to Paul, and he answered,
+'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,'" replied
+Elsie, quickly turning to the chapter and pointing out the text with
+her finger, that Lora might see that she had quoted it correctly. "And
+in answer to your other question, 'How shall I get rid of my sins?' see
+here: 'In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of
+David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for
+uncleanliness.' That is in Zechariah; then John tells us what that
+fountain is when he says, 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth
+us from all sin;' and again, 'Unto Him that loved us, and washed us
+from our sins in His own blood.'"
+
+"Yes, Elsie, but what must I _do_?" asked Lora, eagerly.
+
+"Do, Lora? only _believe_" replied Elsie, in the same earnest tone.
+"Jesus has done and suffered all that is necessary; and now we have
+nothing at all to do but go to Him and be washed in that fountain;
+believe Him when He says, 'I _give_ unto them eternal life;' just
+accept the gift, and trust and love Him; that is the whole of it, and
+it is so simple that even such a little girl as I can understand it."
+
+"But surely, Elsie, I _can_, I _must do something_."
+
+"Yes, God tells us to repent; and He says, 'Give me thine heart;' you
+can do that; you can love Jesus; at least He will enable you to, if you
+ask Him, and He will teach you to be sorry for your sins; the Bible
+says, 'He is exalted to give repentance and remission of sins;' and if
+you ask Him He will give them to you. It is true we cannot do anything
+good of ourselves; without the help of the Holy Spirit we can do
+nothing right, because we are so very wicked; but then we can always
+get that help if we ask for it. Jesus said, 'Your Heavenly Father is
+more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than parents
+are to give good gifts unto their children. Oh, Lora! don't be afraid
+to ask for it; don't be afraid to come to Jesus, for He says, 'Him that
+cometh unto Me, I will in nowise cast out;' and He is such a precious
+Saviour, so kind and loving. But remember that you must come very
+humbly; feeling that you are a great sinner, and not worthy to be
+heard, and only hoping to be forgiven, because Jesus died. The Bible
+says, 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.'"
+
+Lora lingered the greater part of the afternoon in Elsie's room, asking
+her questions, or listening to her while she read the Scriptures, or
+repeated some beautiful hymn, or spoke in her sweet, childish way, of
+her own peace and joy in believing in Jesus.
+
+But at last Lora went to her own room, and Elsie had another quiet
+half-hour to herself before the tea-bell again called the family
+together.
+
+Elsie answered the summons with a light heart--a heart that thrilled
+with a new and strange sense of happiness as she remembered her
+father's evident anxiety for her safety during their perilous ride,
+recalling each word and look, and feeling again, in imagination, the
+clasp of his arm about her waist.
+
+"Ah! surely papa does love me," she murmured to herself over and over
+again; and when he met her at the table with a kind smile, and laying
+his hand caressingly on her head, asked in an affectionate tone, "How
+does my little daughter do this evening?" her cheeks flushed, and her
+eyes grew bright with happiness, and she longed to throw her arms
+around his neck, and tell him how very, very much she loved him.
+
+But that was quite impossible at the table, and before all the family;
+so she merely raised her glad eyes to his face and answered, "I am very
+well, thank you, papa."
+
+But, after all, this occurrence produced but little change in Elsie's
+condition; her father treated her a little more affectionately for a
+day or two, and then gradually returned to his ordinary stern, cold
+manner; indeed, before the week was out, she was again in sad disgrace.
+
+She was walking alone in the garden one afternoon, when her attention
+was attracted by a slight fluttering noise which seemed to proceed from
+an arbor near by, and on hastily turning in to ascertain the cause, she
+found a tiny and beautiful humming-bird confined under a glass vase; in
+its struggles to escape it was fluttering and beating against the walls
+of its prison, thus producing the sound the little girl had heard in
+passing.
+
+Elsie was very tender-hearted, and could never see any living creature
+in distress without feeling a strong desire to relieve its sufferings.
+She knew that Arthur was in the habit of torturing every little insect
+and bird that came in his way, and had often drawn his persecutions
+upon herself by interfering in behalf of the poor victim; and now the
+thought instantly flashed upon her that _this_ was some of his work,
+and that he would return ere long to carry out his cruel purposes. Then
+at once arose the desire to release the little prisoner and save it
+further suffering, and without waiting to reflect a moment she raised
+the glass, and the bird was gone.
+
+Then she began to think with a little tremor, how angry Arthur would
+be; but it was too late to think of that now, and, after all, she did
+not stand in very great dread of the consequences, especially as she
+felt nearly sure of her father's approval of what she had done, having
+several times heard him reprove Arthur for his cruel practices.
+
+Not caring to meet Arthur then, however, she hastily retreated to the
+house, where she seated herself in the veranda with a book. It was a
+very warm afternoon, and that, being on the east side of the house and
+well protected by trees, shrubbery, and vines, was as cool a spot as
+could be found on the place.
+
+Arthur, Walter and Enna sat on the floor playing jack-stones--a
+favorite game with them--and Louise was stretched full length on a
+settee, buried in the latest novel.
+
+"Hush!" she said, as Walter gave a sudden shout at a successful toss
+Enna had just made; "can't you be quiet? Mamma is taking her afternoon
+nap, and you will disturb her; and, besides, I cannot read in such a
+noise."
+
+Elsie wondered why Arthur did not go to see after his bird, but soon
+forgot all about it in the interest with which she was poring over the
+story of the "Swiss Family Robinson."
+
+The jack-stone players were just finishing their game when they were
+all startled by the sudden appearance of Mr. Horace Dinsmore upon the
+scene, asking in a tone of great wrath who had been down in the garden
+and liberated the humming-bird he had been at such pains to catch,
+because it was one of a rare species, and he was anxious to add it to
+his collection of curiosities.
+
+Elsie was terribly frightened, and would have been glad at that moment
+to sink through the floor; she dropped her book in her lap, and
+clasping her hands over her beating heart, grew pale and red by turns,
+while she seemed choking with the vain effort to speak and acknowledge
+herself the culprit, as conscience told her she ought.
+
+But her father was not looking at her; his eye was fixed on Arthur.
+
+"I presume it was you, sir," he said very angrily, "and if so, you may
+prepare yourself for either a flogging or a return to your prison, for
+one or the other I am determined you shall have."
+
+"I didn't _do_ it, any such thing," replied the boy, fiercely.
+
+"Of course you will deny it," said his brother, "but we all know that
+your word is good for nothing."
+
+"Papa," said a trembling little voice, "Arthur did not do it; it was I."
+
+"You," exclaimed her father, in a tone of mingled anger and
+astonishment, as he turned his flashing eye upon her, "_you_, Elsie!
+can it be _possible_ that this is _your_ doing?"
+
+Elsie's book fell on the floor, and, covering her face with both hands,
+she burst into sobs and tears.
+
+"Come here to me this instant," he said, seating himself on the settee,
+from which Louise had risen on his entrance. "Come here and tell me
+what you mean by meddling with my affairs in this way."
+
+"Please, papa, _please_ don't be so very angry with me," sobbed the
+little girl, as she rose and came forward in obedience to his command;
+"I didn't know it was your bird, and I didn't mean to be naughty."
+
+"No, you _never mean_ to be naughty, according to your own account," he
+said; "your badness is all accident; but nevertheless, I find you a
+very troublesome, mischievous child; it was only the other day you
+broke a valuable vase" (he forgot in his anger how little she had
+really been to blame for that), "and now you have caused me the loss of
+a rare specimen which I had spent a great deal of time and effort in
+procuring. Really, Elsie, I am sorely tempted to administer a very
+severe punishment."
+
+Elsie caught at the arm of the settee for support.
+
+"Tell me what you did it for; was it pure love of mischief?" asked her
+father, sternly, taking hold of her arm and holding her up by it.
+
+"No, papa," she answered almost under her breath. "I was sorry for the
+little bird. I thought Arthur had put it there to torture it, and so I
+let it go. I did not mean to do wrong, papa, indeed I did not," and the
+tears fell faster and faster.
+
+"Indeed," said he, "you had no business to meddle with it, let who
+would have put it there. Which hand did it?"
+
+"This one, papa," sobbed the child, indicating her right hand.
+
+He took it in his and held it a moment, while the little girl stood
+tremblingly awaiting what was to come next. He looked at the downcast,
+tearful face, the bosom heaving with sobs, and then at the little
+trembling hand he held, so soft, and white, and tender, and the
+sternness of his countenance relaxed somewhat; it seemed next to
+impossible to inflict pain upon anything so tender and helpless; and
+for a moment he was half inclined to kiss and forgive her. But no, he
+had been very much irritated at his loss, and the remembrance of it
+again aroused his anger, and well-nigh extinguished the little spark of
+love and compassion that had burned for a moment in his heart. She
+should be punished, though he would not inflict physical pain.
+
+"See, Elsie," laughed Louise, maliciously, "he is feeling in his pocket
+for his knife. I suspect he intends to cut your hand off."
+
+Elsie started, and the tearful eyes were raised to her father's face
+with a look half of terrified entreaty, half of confidence that such
+_could not_ be his intention.
+
+"Hush, Louise!" exclaimed her brother, sternly; "you _know_ you are not
+speaking truly, and that I would as soon think of cutting off my own
+hand as my child's. You should never speak anything but truth,
+especially to children."
+
+"I think it is well enough to frighten them a little sometimes, and I
+thought that was what you were going to do," replied Louise, looking
+somewhat mortified at the rebuke.
+
+"No," said her brother, "that is a very bad plan, and one which I shall
+never adopt. Elsie will learn in time, if she does not know it now,
+that I never utter a threat which I do not intend to carry out, and
+never break my word."
+
+He had drawn a handkerchief from his pocket while speaking.
+
+"I shall tie this hand up, Elsie," he said, proceeding to do so; "those
+who do not use their hands aright must be deprived of the use of them.
+There! let me see if that will keep it out of mischief. I shall tie you
+up hand and foot before long, if you continue such mischievous pranks.
+Now go to your room, and stay there until tea-time."
+
+Elsie felt deeply, bitterly disgraced and humiliated as she turned to
+obey; and it needed not Arthur's triumphant chuckle nor the smirk of
+satisfaction on Enna's face to add to the keen suffering of her wounded
+spirit; this slight punishment was more to her than a severe
+chastisement would have been to many another child; for the very
+knowledge of her father's displeasure was enough at any time to cause
+great pain to her sensitive spirit and gentle, loving heart.
+
+Walter, who was far more tender-hearted than either his brother or
+sister, felt touched by the sight of her distress, and ran after her to
+say, "Never mind, Elsie; I am ever so sorry for you, and I don't think
+you were the least bit naughty."
+
+She thanked him with a grateful look, and a faint attempt to smile
+through her tears; then hurried on to her room, where she seated
+herself in a chair by the window, and laying her arms upon the sill,
+rested her head upon them, and while the bitter tears fell fast from
+her eyes she murmured half aloud, "Oh! why am I always so naughty?
+always doing something to displease my dear papa? how I wish I could be
+good, and make him love me! I am afraid he never will if I vex him so
+often."
+
+Then an earnest, importunate prayer for help to do right, and wisdom to
+understand how to gain her father's love, went up from the almost
+despairing little heart to Him whose ear is ever open unto the cry of
+His suffering children. And thus between weeping, mourning, and
+praying, an hour passed slowly away, and the tea-bell rang.
+
+Elsie started up, but sat down again, feeling that she would much
+rather do without her supper than show her tear-swollen eyes and
+tied-up hand at the table.
+
+But she was not to be left to her choice in the matter, for presently
+there came a messenger bringing a peremptory command from her father
+"to come down _immediately_ to her supper."
+
+"Did you not hear the bell?" he asked, in his sternest tone, as she
+tremblingly took her seat at his side.
+
+"Yes, sir," she answered, in a low, tremulous tone.
+
+"Very well, then; remember that you are always to come down the moment
+the bell rings, unless you are directed otherwise, or are sick; and the
+next time you are so late, I shall send you away without your meal."
+
+"I don't want any supper, papa," she said, humbly.
+
+"Hush," he replied, severely; "I will have no pouting or sulking; you
+must just eat your supper and behave yourself. Stop this crying at
+once," he added, in an undertone, as he spread some preserves on a
+piece of bread and laid it on her plate, "or I shall take you away from
+the table, and if I do, you will be very sorry."
+
+He watched her a moment while she made a violent effort to choke back
+her tears.
+
+"What is your hand tied up for, Elsie?" asked her grandfather; "have
+you been hurt?"
+
+Elsie's face flushed painfully, but she made no reply.
+
+"You must speak when you are spoken to," said her father; "answer your
+grandfather's question at once."
+
+"Papa tied it up, because I was naughty," replied the little girl,
+vainly striving to suppress a sob.
+
+Her father made a movement as if about to lead her from the table.
+
+"O papa! _don't_" she cried, in terror; "I will be good."
+
+"Let me have no more crying, then," said he; "this is shameful behavior
+for a girl eight years old; it would be bad enough in a child of Enna's
+age." He took out his handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "Now," said he,
+"begin to eat your supper at once, and don't let me have to reprove you
+again."
+
+Elsie tried to obey, but it seemed very difficult, indeed almost
+impossible, while she knew that her father was watching her closely,
+and _felt_ that everybody else was looking at her and thinking, "What a
+naughty little girl you are!"
+
+"Oh!" thought the poor child, "if papa would only quit looking at me,
+and the rest would forget all about me and eat their suppers, maybe I
+could keep from crying." Then she sent up a silent prayer for help,
+struggling hard to keep back the tears and sobs that were almost
+suffocating her, and taking up her slice of bread, tried to eat.
+
+She was very thankful to her Aunt Adelaide for addressing a question to
+her papa just at that moment, thus taking his attention from her, and
+then adroitly setting them all to talking until the little girl had had
+time to recover her composure, at least in a measure.
+
+"May I go to my room now, papa?" asked the timid little voice as they
+rose from the table.
+
+"No," he said, taking her hand and leading her out to the veranda,
+where he settled himself in an easy-chair and lighted a cigar.
+
+"Bring me that book that lies yonder on the settee," he commanded.
+
+She brought it.
+
+"Now," said he, "bring that stool and set yourself down here close at
+my knee, and let me see if I can keep you out of mischief for an hour
+or two."
+
+"May I get a book to read, papa?" she asked timidly.
+
+"No," said he shortly. "You may just do what I bid you, and nothing
+more nor less."
+
+She sat down as he directed, with her face turned toward him, and tried
+to amuse herself with her own thoughts, and watching the expression of
+his countenance as he read on and on, turning leaf after leaf, too much
+interested in his book to take any further notice of her.
+
+"How handsome my papa is!" thought the little girl, gazing with
+affectionate admiration into his face. And then she sighed, and tears
+trembled in her eyes again. She admired her father, and loved him, "oh!
+_so_ dearly," as she often whispered to herself; but would she ever
+meet with anything like a return of her  fond affection? There was an
+aching void in her heart which nothing else could fill; must it always
+be thus? was her craving for affection never to be satisfied? "O, papa!
+my own papa, will you never love me?" mourned the sad little heart.
+"Ah! if I could only be good always, perhaps he would; but I am so
+often naughty;--whenever he begins to be kind I am sure to do something
+to vex him, and then it is all over. Oh! I _wish_ I _could_ be good! I
+will try very, _very_ hard. Ah! if I might climb on his knee now, and
+lay my head on his breast, and put my arms round his neck, and tell him
+how sorry I am that I have been naughty, and made him lose his bird;
+and how much--oh! _how_ much I love him! But I know I never could tell
+him _that_--I don't know how to express it; no _words could_, I am
+sure. And if he would forgive me, and kiss me, and call me his dear
+little daughter. Oh! will he _ever_ call me _that?_ Or if I, might only
+stand beside him and lay my head on his shoulder, and he would put his
+arm around me, it would make me _so_ happy."
+
+An exclamation from Enna caused Elsie to turn her head, and suddenly
+springing to her feet, she exclaimed in an eager, excited way, "Papa,
+there is a carriage coming up the avenue--it must be visitors; please,
+_please_, papa, let me go to my room."
+
+"Why?" he asked coolly, looking up from his book, "why do you wish to
+go?"
+
+"Because I don't want to see them, papa," she said, hanging her head
+and blushing deeply; "I don't want them to see me."
+
+"You are not usually afraid of visitors," he replied in the same cool
+tone.
+
+"But they will see that my hand is tied up, and they will ask what is
+the matter. O papa! do, _please_ do let me go quickly, before they get
+here," she pleaded in an agony of shame and haste.
+
+"No," said he, "I shall not let you go, if it were only to punish you
+for getting off the seat where I bade you stay, without permission. You
+will have to learn that I am to be obeyed at all times, and under all
+circumstances. Sit down, and don't dare to move again until I give you
+leave."
+
+Elsie sat down without another word, but two bitter, scalding tears
+rolled quickly down her burning cheeks.
+
+"You needn't cry, Elsie," said her father; "it is only an old gentleman
+who comes to see your grandfather on business, and who, as he never
+notices children, will not be at all likely to ask any questions. I
+hope you will learn some day, Elsie, to save your tears until there is
+really some occasion for them."
+
+The old gentleman had alighted while Mr. Dinsmore was speaking; Elsie
+saw that he was alone, and the relief was so great that for once she
+scarcely heeded her father's rebuke.
+
+Another half-hour passed, and Mr. Dinsmore still sat reading, taking no
+notice of Elsie, who, afraid to speak or move, was growing very weary
+and sleepy. She longed to lay her head on her father's knee, but dared
+not venture to take such a liberty; but at length she was so completely
+overpowered by sleep as to do so unconsciously.
+
+The sound of his voice pronouncing her name aroused her.
+
+"You are tired and sleepy," said he; "if you would like to go to bed
+you may do so."
+
+"Thank you, papa," she replied, rising to her feet.
+
+"Well," he said, seeing her hesitate, "speak, if you have anything to
+say."
+
+"I am very sorry I was naughty, papa. Will you please forgive me?" The
+words were spoken very low, and almost with a sob.
+
+"Will you try not to meddle in future, and not to cry at the table, or
+pout and sulk when you are punished?" he asked in a cold, grave tone.
+
+"Yes, sir, I will try to be a good girl always," said the humble little
+voice.
+
+"Then I will forgive you," he replied, taking the handkerchief off her
+hand.
+
+Still Elsie lingered. She felt as if she could not go without some
+little token of forgiveness and love, some slight caress.
+
+He looked at her with an impatient "Well?" Then, in answer to her mute
+request, "No," he said, "I will not kiss you to-night; you have been
+entirely too naughty. Go to your room at once."
+
+Aunt Chloe was absolutely frightened by the violence of her child's
+grief, as she rushed into the room and flung herself into her arms
+weeping and sobbing most vehemently.
+
+"What's de matter, darlin'?" she asked in great alarm.
+
+"O mammy, mammy!" sobbed the child, "papa wouldn't kiss me! he said I
+was too naughty. O mammy! will he ever love me now?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTH
+
+
+   "The smallest worm will turn, being trodden on."
+                               --SHAKESPEARE, _Richard III_.
+
+   "A blossom full of promise is life's joy,
+    That never comes to fruit. Hope, for a time,
+    Suns the young flow'ret in its gladsome light,
+    And it looks flourishing--a little while--
+    'Tis pass'd, we know not whither, but 'tis gone."
+                                 --MISS LANDON.
+
+
+It was Miss Day's custom to present to the parents of her pupils a
+monthly report of their conduct and recitations. The regular time for
+this had occurred once since Mr. Horace Dinsmore's return, when she, of
+course, handed Elsie's to him.
+
+It was very satisfactory, for Elsie was a most diligent scholar,
+carrying her religious principles into that as well as everything else;
+and disposed as Miss Day was to find fault with her, she could seldom
+see any excuse for so doing, in either her conduct or recitations.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore glanced over the report and handed it back, saying, "It is
+all very good; very satisfactory indeed. I am glad to see that she is
+industrious and well behaved, for I wish her to grow up an intelligent
+and amiable woman."
+
+Elsie, who was standing near, heard the words, and they sent a glow of
+pleasure to her cheeks. She looked up eagerly; but her father turned
+and walked away without taking any notice of her, and the glow of
+happiness faded, and the soft eyes filled with tears of wounded feeling.
+
+It was now time for a second report; but alas! the past month had been
+a most unfortunate one for the little girl; the weather was very warm,
+and she had felt languid and weak, and so much were her thoughts
+occupied with the longing desire to gain her father's love, so
+depressed were her spirits by her constant failure to do so, that she
+often found it impossible to give her mind to her lessons.
+
+Arthur, too, during much of the time before and since the week of his
+imprisonment, had been more than usually annoying, shaking her chair
+and jogging her elbow so frequently when she was writing, that her
+copy-book presented by no means so good an appearance as usual; and
+never had Miss Day made out so poor a report for her. She carried it
+with much secret satisfaction to the little girl's father, and entered
+a long complaint of the child's idleness and inattention.
+
+"Send her to me," he said, angrily. "She will find me in my own room."
+
+Miss Day had left Elsie in the school-room putting her desk in order
+after the day's work, and she found her still there on her return.
+
+"Elsie," said she, with a malicious smile, "your father wishes to see
+you immediately. He is in his room."
+
+The child turned red and pale by turns, and trembled so violently that
+for a moment she was quite unable to move; for she guessed from Miss
+Day's countenance what was probably in store for her.
+
+"I advise you to go at once," said that lady, "for no doubt the longer
+you wait the worse it will be for you."
+
+At the same moment Mr. Dinsmore's voice was heard calling in a stern,
+angry tone, "Elsie!"
+
+Making a violent effort to control her feelings, she started up and
+hastened to obey.
+
+The door of his room stood open, and she walked in, asking in a
+trembling voice, "Did you call me, papa?"
+
+"Yes," said he, "I did. Come here to me."
+
+He was sitting with the copy-book and report in his hand, and there was
+much severity in both tone and look as he addressed her.
+
+She obeyed instantly, but trembling violently, and with a face pale as
+death, and eyes filled with tears. She lifted them pleadingly to his
+face; and, touched by her evident terror and distress, he said in a
+tone somewhat less stern, "Can you tell me, Elsie, how it happens that
+your teacher brings me so bad a report of your conduct and lessons
+during the past month? She says you have been very idle; and the report
+tells the same story; and this copy-book presents a shameful
+appearance."
+
+The child answered only by tears and sobs.
+
+They seemed to irritate him.
+
+"Elsie," he said, sternly, "when I ask a question, I require an answer,
+and that instantly."
+
+"O papa!" she answered, pleadingly, "I couldn't study. I'm very
+sorry--I'll try to do better--only don't be very angry with me, dear
+papa."
+
+"I am angry with you; very angry, indeed," said he in the same severe
+tone, "and very strongly inclined to punish you. You _couldn't_ study,
+eh? What reason can you assign, pray? Were you not well?"
+
+"I don't know, sir," sobbed the little girl.
+
+"You don't _know_? Very well, then, I think you could not be very ill
+without knowing it, and so you seem to have no excuse at all to offer?
+However, I will not inflict any punishment upon you _this_ time, as you
+seem to be really sorry, and have promised to do better; but beware how
+you let me see such a report as this, or hear such complaints of
+idleness again, unless you wish to be _severely punished_; and I warn
+you that unless your next copy-book presents a better appearance  than
+this, I certainly shall punish you.
+
+"There are a number of pages here that look quite well," he continued,
+turning over the leaves; "that shows what you _can_ do, if you choose;
+now there is an old saying, 'A bird that _can_ sing, and _won't_ sing,
+must be _made_ to sing.' Hush!" as Elsie seemed about to speak; "not a
+word. You may go now." And throwing himself back in his easy-chair, he
+took up a newspaper and began to read.
+
+Yet Elsie lingered; her heart so yearned for one word or look of
+sympathy and love; she so longed to throw herself into his arms and
+tell him how dearly, how _very_ dearly she loved him; she did so hunger
+and thirst for one fond caress--ah! how could she go away without it
+now, when for the very first time she found herself alone with him in
+his own room, where she had never ventured before, but where she had
+often been in her brightest dreams.
+
+And so she lingered, trembling, hoping, fearing; but presently he
+looked up with a cold "Why do you stand there? I gave you permission to
+go; go at once." And with a sinking heart she turned away and sought
+the solitude of her own room, there to weep, and mourn, and pray that
+she might one day possess the love she so pined for, and bitterly to
+reproach herself for having by the failures of the past month put it
+farther from her.
+
+And soon a thought came to her which added greatly to her distress. If
+Arthur continued his persecutions, how could she make the next
+copy-book more presentable? and in case it were not, her father had
+said positively that he would punish her; and oh! how could she bear
+punishment from him, when a word or look of displeasure almost broke
+her heart?
+
+Miss Day seldom remained in the school-room during the whole of the
+writing hour, and sometimes the older girls were also absent, so that
+Arthur had ample opportunity to indulge his mischievous propensities;
+for Elsie was above the meanness of telling tales, and had she not
+been, Arthur was so great a favorite with his mother that she would
+have brought a great deal of trouble upon herself by so doing.
+
+She therefore saw no escape from the dreaded punishment, unless she
+could persuade the perverse boy to cease his annoyances; and of that
+there was little hope.
+
+But she carried her trouble to her Heavenly Father, and asked Him to
+help her. She was still on her knees, pouring out her sobs and prayers,
+when some one knocked at the door.
+
+She rose and opened it to find her Aunt Adelaide standing there.
+
+"Elsie," she said, "I am writing to Miss Rose; have you any word to
+send? You may write a little note, if you choose, and I will enclose it
+in my letter. But what is the matter, child?" she suddenly exclaimed,
+kindly taking the little girl's hand in hers.
+
+With many tears and sobs Elsie told her the whole story, not omitting
+her papa's threat, and her fear that she could not, on account of
+Arthur's persecutions, avoid incurring the punishment.
+
+Adelaide's sympathies were enlisted, and she drew the sobbing child to
+her side, saying, as she pressed a kiss on her cheek, "Never mind,
+Elsie, I will take my book or needle-work to the school-room every day,
+and sit there during the writing hour. But why don't you tell your papa
+about it?"
+
+"Because I don't like to tell tales, Aunt Adelaide, and it would make
+your mamma so angry with me; and besides, I can't tell papa anything."
+
+"Ah, I understand! and no wonder; he is strangely stern to the poor
+child. I mean to give him a good talking to," murmured Adelaide, more
+as if thinking aloud than talking to Elsie.
+
+Then, kissing the little girl again, she rose hastily and left the
+room, with the intention of seeking her brother; but he had gone out;
+and when he returned he brought several gentlemen with him, and she had
+no opportunity until the desire to interfere in the matter had passed
+from her mind.
+
+"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and
+while they are yet speaking, I will hear." The promise had been
+fulfilled to Elsie, and help had been sent her in her trouble.
+
+When her Aunt Adelaide left her, Elsie--first carefully locking the
+door to guard against a surprise visit from Enna--went to her bureau,
+and unlocking a drawer, took out a purse she was knitting for her
+father, to replace the one she had given to Miss Allison.
+
+She had commenced it before his return, and having spent upon it nearly
+every spare moment since, when she could feel secure from intrusion,
+she now had it nearly completed. Ah! many a silent tear had fallen as
+she worked, and many a sigh over disappointed hopes had been woven into
+its bright meshes of gold and blue.
+
+But now she had been much comforted and encouraged by her aunt's
+sympathy and kind promise of assistance, and, though there were still
+traces of tears upon it, the little face looked quite bright and
+cheerful again as she settled herself in her little sewing chair, and
+began her work.
+
+The small white fingers moved right briskly, the bright shining needles
+glancing in and out, while the thoughts, quite as busy, ran on
+something in this fashion: "Ah! I am so sorry I have done so badly the
+past month; no wonder papa was vexed with me. I don't believe I ever
+had such a bad report before. What has come over me? It seems as if I
+_can't_ study, and must have a holiday. I wonder if it is all laziness?
+I'm afraid it is, and that I ought to be punished. I wish I could shake
+it off, and feel industrious as I used to. I will try _very_ hard to do
+better this month, and perhaps I can. It is only one month, and then
+June will be over, and Miss Day is going North to spend July and
+August, and maybe September, and so we shall have a long holiday.
+Surely I can stand it one month more; it will soon be over, though it
+does seem a long time, and besides, this month we are not to study so
+many hours, because it is so warm; and there's to be no school on
+Saturdays; none to-morrow, so that I can finish this. Ah! I wonder if
+papa will be pleased?" and she sighed deeply. "I'm afraid it will be a
+long, long time before he will be pleased with me again. I have
+displeased him twice this week--first about the bird, and now this bad
+report, and that shameful copy-book. But oh! I will try _so_ hard next
+month, and dear Aunt Adelaide will keep Arthur from troubling me, and
+I'm determined my copy-book shall look neat, and not have a single blot
+in it.
+
+"I wonder how I shall spend the vacation? Last summer I had such a
+delightful visit at Ashlands; and then they were here all the rest of
+the time. It was then poor Herbert had such a dreadful time with his
+hip. Ah! how thankful I ought to be that I am not lame, and have always
+been so healthy. But I'm afraid papa won't let me go there this summer,
+nor ask them to visit me, because he said he thought Lucy was not a
+suitable companion for me. I _was_ very naughty when she was here, and
+I've been naughty a great many times since. Oh! dear, shall I never,
+never learn to be good? It seems to me I am naughty now much oftener
+than I used to be before papa came home. I'm afraid he will soon begin
+to punish me severely, as he threatened to-day. I wonder what he means?"
+
+A crimson tide suddenly swept over the fair face and neck, and dropping
+her work, she covered her face with her hands. "Oh! he couldn't,
+_couldn't_ mean that! how could I ever bear it! and yet if it would
+make me really good, I think I wouldn't mind the pain--but the shame
+and disgrace! oh! it would break my heart. I could never hold up my
+head again! Oh! _can_ he mean that? But I must just try to be so very
+good that I will never deserve punishment, and then it will make no
+difference to me what he means." And with this consolatory reflection
+she took up her work again.
+
+"Mammy, is papa in his room?" asked Elsie, the next afternoon, as she
+put the finishing touches to her work.
+
+"No, darlin', Marster Horace he rode out wid de strange gentlemen more
+than an hour ago."
+
+Elsie laid her needles away in her work-basket, and opening her
+writing-desk, selected a bit of note-paper, on which she wrote in her
+very best hand, "A present for my dear papa, from his little daughter
+Elsie!" This she carefully pinned to the purse, and then carried it to
+her papa's room, intending to leave it on his toilet-table.
+
+Fearing that he might possibly have returned, she knocked gently at the
+door, but receiving no answer, opened it, and went in; but she had not
+gone more than half way across the room when she heard his voice behind
+her, asking, in a tone of mingled surprise and displeasure, "What are
+you doing here in my room, in my absence, Elsie?"
+
+She started, and turned round, pale and trembling, and lifting her eyes
+pleadingly to his face, silently placed the purse in his hand.
+
+He looked first at it, and then at her.
+
+"I made it for you, dear papa," she said, in a low, tremulous tone; "do
+please take it."
+
+"It is really very pretty," he said, examining it; "is it possible it
+is your work? I had no idea you had so much taste and skill. Thank you,
+daughter; I shall take it, and use it with a great deal of pleasure."
+
+He took her hand as he spoke, and sitting down, lifted her to his knee,
+saying, "Elsie, my child, why do you always seem so afraid of me? I
+don't like it."
+
+With a sudden impulse she threw her arms round his neck, and pressed
+her lips to his cheek; then dropping her head on his breast, she
+sobbed: "O papa! _dear_ papa, I _do love_ you so _very_ dearly! will
+you not love me? O papa! love me a _little_. I know I've been naughty
+very often, but I will _try_ to be good."
+
+Then for the first time he folded her in his arms and kissed her
+tenderly, saying, in a moved tone, "I _do_ love you, my darling, my own
+little daughter."
+
+Oh! the words were sweeter to Elsie's ear than the most delicious
+music! her joy was too great for words, for anything but tears.
+
+"Why do you cry so, my darling?" he asked, soothingly, stroking her
+hair, and kissing her again and again.
+
+"O papa! because I am so happy, so _very_ happy," she sobbed.
+
+"Do you indeed care so very much for my love?" he asked; "then, my
+daughter, you must not tremble and turn pale whenever I speak to you,
+as though I were a cruel tyrant."
+
+"O papa! I cannot help it, when you look and speak so sternly. I love
+you so dearly I cannot bear to have you angry with me; but I am not
+afraid of you now."
+
+"That is right," he said, caressing her again. "But there is the
+tea-bell," he added, setting her down. "Go into the dressing-room
+there, and bathe your eyes, and then come to me."
+
+She hastened to do his bidding, and then taking her hand he led her
+down and seated her in her usual place by his side.
+
+There were visitors, and all his conversation was addressed to them and
+the older members of the family, but he now and then bestowed a kind
+look upon his little girl, and attended carefully to all her wants; and
+Elsie was very happy.
+
+Everything now went on very pleasantly with our little friend for some
+days; she did not see a great deal of her father, as he was frequently
+away from home for a day or two, and, when he returned, generally
+brought a number of visitors with him; but whenever he did notice her
+it was very kindly, and she was gradually overcoming her fear of him,
+and constantly hoping that the time would soon come when he would have
+more leisure to bestow upon her. She was happy now, and with a mind at
+ease, was able to learn her lessons well; and as her Aunt Adelaide
+faithfully kept her promise, and thus freed her from Arthur's
+annoyances, she was enabled to do justice to her writing. She took
+great pains, her copy-book showed a marked improvement in her
+penmanship, and its pages had not yet been defaced by a single blot, so
+that she was looking forward with pleasing anticipations to the time
+when her report should again be presented to her father.
+
+But, alas! one unfortunate morning it happened that Miss Day was in a
+very bad humor indeed--peevish, fretful, irritable, and unreasonable to
+the last degree; and, as usual, Elsie was the principal sufferer from
+her ill-humor. She found fault with everything the little girl did;
+scolded her, shook her, refused to explain the manner of working out a
+very difficult example, or to permit her to apply to any one else for
+assistance, and then punished her because it was done wrong; and when
+the child could no longer keep back her tears, called her a baby for
+crying, and a dunce for not understanding her arithmetic better.
+
+All this Elsie bore meekly and patiently, not answering a word; but her
+meekness seemed only to provoke the governess the more; and finally,
+when Elsie came to recite her last lesson, she took pains to put her
+questions in the most perplexing form, and scarcely allowing the child
+an instant to begin her reply, answered them herself; then, throwing
+down the book, scolded her vehemently for her bad lesson, and marked it
+in her report as a complete failure.
+
+Poor Elsie could bear no more, but bursting into tears and sobs, said:
+"Miss Day, I _did_ know my lesson, every word of it, if you had asked
+the questions as usual, or had given me time to answer."
+
+"_I_ say that you did _not_ know it; that it was a complete failure,"
+replied Miss Day, angrily; "and you shall just sit down and learn it,
+every word, over."
+
+"I _do_ know it, if you will hear me right," said Elsie, indignantly,
+"and it is very unjust in you to mark it a failure."
+
+"Impudence!" exclaimed Miss Day, furiously; "how _dare_ you contradict
+me? I shall take you to your father."
+
+And seizing her by the arm, she dragged her across the room, and
+opening the door, pushed her into the passage.
+
+"Oh! don't, Miss Day," pleaded the little girl, turning toward her,
+pale and tearful, "don't tell papa."
+
+"I will! so just walk along with you," was the angry rejoinder, as she
+pushed her before her to Mr. Dinsmore's door. It stood open, and he sat
+at his desk, writing.
+
+"What is the matter?" he asked, looking up as they appeared before the
+door.
+
+"Elsie has been very impertinent, sir," said Miss Day; "she not only
+accused me of injustice, but contradicted me flatly."
+
+"Is it _possible!_" said he, frowning angrily. "Come here to me, Elsie,
+and tell me, is it _true_ that you contradicted your teacher?"
+
+"Yes, papa," sobbed the child.
+
+"Very well, then, I shall certainly punish you, for I will never allow
+anything of the kind."
+
+As he spoke he picked up a small ruler that lay before him, at the same
+time taking Elsie's hand as though he meant to use it on her.
+
+"O papa!" she cried, in a tone of agonized entreaty.
+
+But he laid it down again, saying: "No, I shall punish you by depriving
+you of your play this afternoon, and giving you only bread and water
+for your dinner. Sit down there," he added, pointing to a stool. Then,
+with a wave of his hand to the governess, "I think she will not be
+guilty of the like again, Miss Day."
+
+The governess left the room, and Elsie sat down on her stool, crying
+and sobbing violently, while her father went on with his writing.
+
+"Elsie," he said, presently, "cease that noise; I have had quite enough
+of it."
+
+She struggled to suppress her sobs, but it was almost impossible, and
+she felt it a great relief when a moment later the dinner-bell rang,
+and her father left the room.
+
+In a few moments a servant came in, carrying on a small waiter a
+tumbler of water, and a plate with a slice of bread on it.
+
+"Dis am _drefful_ poor fare, Miss Elsie," he said, setting it down
+beside her, "but Massa Horace he say it all you can hab; but if you say
+so, dis chile tell ole Phoebe to send up somethin' better fore Massa
+Horace gits through his dinner."
+
+"Oh! no, thank you, Pompey; you're very kind, but I would not disobey
+or deceive papa," replied the little girl, earnestly; "and I am not at
+all hungry."
+
+He lingered a moment, seeming loath to leave her to dine upon such fare.
+
+"You had better go now, Pompey," she said gently; "I am afraid you will
+be wanted."
+
+He turned and left the room, muttering something about "disagreeable,
+good-for-nothing Miss Day!"
+
+Elsie felt no disposition to eat; and when her father returned, half an
+hour afterward, the bread and water were still untouched.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he asked in a stern, angry tone; "why
+have you not eaten what I sent you?"
+
+"I am not hungry, papa," she said humbly.
+
+"Don't tell me that," he replied, "it is nothing but stubbornness; and
+I shall not allow you to show such a temper. Take up that bread this
+moment and eat it. You shall eat every crumb of the bread and drink
+every drop of the water."
+
+She obeyed him instantly, breaking off a bit of bread and putting it in
+her mouth, while he stood watching her with an air of stern, cold
+determination; but when she attempted to swallow, it seemed utterly
+impossible.
+
+"I cannot, papa," she said, "it chokes me."
+
+"You _must_," he replied; "I am going to be obeyed. Take a drink of
+water, and that will wash it down."
+
+It was a hard task, but seeing that there was no escape, she struggled
+to obey, and at length every crumb of bread and drop of water had
+disappeared.
+
+"Now, Elsie," said her father, in a tone of great severity, "never
+_dare_ to show me such a temper as this again; you will not escape so
+easily next time; remember I am to be obeyed _always_; and when I send
+you anything to eat, _you are to eat it_."
+
+It had not been temper at all, and his unjust severity almost broke her
+heart; but she could not say one word in her own defence.
+
+He looked at her a moment as she sat there trembling and weeping; then
+saying, "I forbid you to leave this room without my permission; don't
+venture to disobey me, Elsie; sit where you are until I return," he
+turned to go.
+
+"Papa," she asked, pleadingly, "may I have my books, to learn my
+lessons for to-morrow."
+
+"Certainly," he said; "I will send a servant with them."
+
+"And my Bible too, please, papa."
+
+"Yes, yes," he answered impatiently, as he went out and shut the door.
+
+Jim was just bringing up Elsie's horse, as Mr. Dinsmore passed through
+the hall, and he stepped out to order it back to the stable, saying
+that Miss Elsie was not going to ride.
+
+"What is the trouble with Elsie?" asked his sister Adelaide, as he
+returned to the drawing-room and seated himself beside her.
+
+"She has been impertinent to her governess, and I have confined her to
+my room for the rest of the day," he replied, rather shortly.
+
+"Are you _sure_, Horace, that Elsie was so much to blame?" asked his
+sister, speaking in a tone too low to reach any ear but his. "I am
+certain, from what Lora tells me, that Miss Day is often cruelly unjust
+to her; more so than to any other of her pupils."
+
+He looked at her with a good deal of surprise.
+
+"Are you not mistaken?" he asked.
+
+"No! it is a positive fact that she does at times _really abuse_ her."
+
+"Indeed! I shall certainly not allow _that_" he said, coloring with
+anger.
+
+"But in this instance, Adelaide," he added thoughtfully, "I think you
+must be mistaken, for Elsie _acknowledged_ that she had been
+impertinent. I did not condemn her unheard, stern and severe as you
+think me."
+
+"If she _was_, Horace, believe me it must have been only after great
+provocation, and her acknowledgment of it is no proof at all, to my
+mind; for Elsie is so humble, she would think she _must_ have been
+guilty of impertinence if Miss Day accused her of it."
+
+"Surely not, Adelaide; she is by no means wanting in sense," he
+replied, in a tone of incredulity, not unmixed with annoyance.
+
+Then he sat thinking a moment, half inclined to go to his child and
+inquire more particularly into the circumstances, but soon relinquished
+the idea, saying to himself, "No; if she does not choose to be frank
+with me, and say what she can in her own defence, she _deserves_ to
+suffer; and besides, she showed such stubbornness about eating that
+bread."
+
+He was very proud, and did not like to acknowledge even to _himself_
+that he had punished his child unjustly--much less to _her_; and it was
+not until near tea-time that he returned to his room, entering so
+softly that Elsie did not hear him.
+
+She was sitting just where he had left her, bending over her Bible, an
+expression of sadness and deep humility on the sweet little face, so
+young and fair and innocent. She did not seem aware of his presence
+until he was close beside her, when, looking up with a start, she said
+in a voice full of tears, "Dear papa, I am very sorry for all my
+naughtiness; will you please forgive me?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "certainly I will, if you are really sorry;" and
+stooping, he kissed her coldly, saying, "Now go to your room, and let
+Chloe dress you for tea."
+
+She rose at once, gathered up her books, and went out.
+
+The little heart was very sad; for her father's manner was so cold she
+feared he would never love her again. And she was particularly
+distressed by the bad mark given her for recitation that day, because
+she knew the time was now drawing very near when her report must be
+handed in to her papa; and the delight with which she had hitherto
+looked forward to receiving his well-merited approbation, was now
+changed to fear, and dread of his displeasure;  yet she knew she had
+not deserved the bad mark, and again and again she  determined that she
+would tell her father all about it; but his manner had  now become so
+cold and stern that she could not summon up courage to do  so, but put
+it off from day to day, until it was too late.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+
+   "He that pursues an act that is attended
+    With doubtful issues, for the means, had need
+    Of policy and force to make it speed."
+                            --T. NABB's _Unfortunate Mother._
+
+              "Joy never feasts so high,
+    As when the first course is of misery."
+                                 --SUCKLING's _Aglaura._
+
+
+It was Friday, and the next morning was the when the reports were to be
+presented. School had closed, and all but Elsie had already left the
+room; but she was carefully arranging the books, writing and drawing
+materials, etc., in her desk, for she was very neat and orderly in her
+habits.
+
+When she had quite finished her work she took up her report-book, and
+glanced over it. As her eye rested for an instant upon the one bad
+mark, she sighed a little, and murmured to herself, "I am _so_ sorry; I
+wish papa knew how little I really deserved it. I don't know why I
+never can get the courage to tell him."
+
+Then, laying it aside, she opened her copy-book and turned over the
+leaves with unalloyed pleasure, for not one of its pages was defaced by
+a single blot, and from beginning to end it gave evidence of
+painstaking carefulness and decided improvement.
+
+"Ah! surely _this_ will please dear papa!" she exclaimed, half aloud.
+"How good Aunt Adelaide was to sit here with me!"
+
+Then, putting it carefully in its place, she closed and locked the
+desk, and carrying the key to her room, laid it on the mantel, where
+she was in the habit of keeping it.
+
+Now it so happened that afternoon that Arthur, who had made himself
+sick by over-indulgence in sweetmeats, and had in consequence been
+lounging about the house doing nothing for the last day or two,
+remained at home while all the rest of the family were out, walking,
+riding, or visiting.
+
+He was not usually very fond of reading, but while lying on the lounge
+in the nursery, very much in want of some amusement, it suddenly
+occurred to him that he would like to look at a book he had seen Elsie
+reading that morning.
+
+To be sure the book belonged to her, and she was not there to be
+consulted as to her willingness to lend it; but that made no difference
+to Arthur, who had very little respect for the rights of property,
+excepting where his own were concerned.
+
+Elsie, he knew, was out, and Chloe in the kitchen; so, feeling certain
+there would be no one to interfere with him, he went directly to the
+little girl's room to look for the book. He soon found it lying on the
+mantel; but the desk-key lay right beside it, and as he caught sight of
+that he gave a half scream of delight, for he guessed at once to what
+lock it belonged, and felt that he now could accomplish the revenge he
+had plotted ever since the affair of the watch.
+
+He put out his hand to take it, but drew it back again, and stood for a
+moment balancing in his mind the chances of detection.
+
+He could deface Elsie's copy-book, but Adelaide could testify to the
+little girl's carefulness and the neatness of her work up to that very
+day, for she had been in the school-room that morning during the
+writing hour. But then Adelaide had just left home to pay a visit to a
+friend living at some distance, and would not return for several weeks,
+so there was little danger from that quarter. Miss Day, to be sure,
+knew the appearance of Elsie's book quite as well, but there was still
+less danger of her interference, and he was pretty certain no one else
+knew.
+
+So he decided to run the risk, and laying down the book he took the
+key, went to the door, looked carefully up and down the hall to make
+sure of not being seen by any of the servants, and having satisfied
+himself on that point, hurried to the school-room, unlocked Elsie's
+desk, took out her copy-book, and dipping a pen in the ink, proceeded
+deliberately to blot nearly every page in it; on some he made a large
+blot, on others a small one, and on some two or three; and also
+scribbled between the lines and on the margin, so as completely to
+deface poor Elsie's work.
+
+But to do Arthur justice, though he knew his brother would be pretty
+sure to be very angry with Elsie, he did not know of the threatened
+punishment. He stopped once or twice as he thought he heard a footstep,
+and shut down the lid until it had passed, when he raised it again and
+went on with his wicked work. It did not take long, however, and he
+soon replaced the copy-book in the precise spot in which he had found
+it, wiped the pen, and put it carefully back in its place, relocked the
+desk, hurried back to Elsie's room, put the key just where he had found
+it, and taking the book, returned to the nursery without having met any
+one.
+
+He threw himself down on a couch and tried to read, but in vain; he
+could not fix his attention upon the page--could think of nothing but
+the mischief he had done, and its probable consequences; and now, when
+it was too late, he more than half repented; yet as to confessing and
+thus saving Elsie from unmerited blame, he did not for a single moment
+entertain the thought. But at length it suddenly occurred to him that
+if it became known that he had been into Elsie's room to get the book
+he might be suspected; and he started up with the intention of
+replacing it. But he found that it was too late; she had already
+returned, for he heard her voice in the hall; so he lay down again, and
+kept the book until she came in search of it.
+
+He looked very guilty as the little girl came in, but not seeming to
+notice it, she merely said, "I am looking for my book. I thought
+perhaps some one might have brought it in here. Oh! _you_ have it,
+Arthur! well, keep it, if you wish; I can read it just as well another
+time."
+
+"Here, take it," said he roughly, pushing it toward her; "I don't want
+it; 'tisn't a bit pretty."
+
+"I think it is very interesting, and you are quite welcome to read it
+if you wish," she answered mildly; "but if you don't care to, I will
+take it."
+
+"Young ladies and gentlemen," said the governess, as they were about
+closing their exercises the next morning, "this is the regular day for
+the reports, and they are all made out. Miss Elsie, here is yours;
+bring your copy-book, and carry both to your papa."
+
+Elsie obeyed, not without some trembling, yet hoping, as there was but
+_one_ bad mark in the report and the copy-book showed such evident
+marks of care and painstaking, her papa would not be very seriously
+displeased.
+
+It being the last day of the term, the exercises of the morning had
+varied somewhat from the usual routine, and the writing hour had been
+entirely omitted; thus it happened that Elsie had not opened her
+copy-book, and was in consequence still in ignorance of its sadly
+altered appearance.
+
+She found her father in his room. He took the report first from her
+hand, and glancing over it, said with a slight frown, "I see you have
+one _very_ bad mark for recitation; but as there is only one, and the
+others are remarkably good, I will excuse it."
+
+Then taking the copy-book and opening it, much to Elsie's surprise and
+alarm he gave her a glance of great displeasure, turned rapidly over
+the leaves, then laying it down, said in his sternest tones, "I see I
+shall have to keep my promise, Elsie."
+
+"What, papa?" she asked, turning pale with terror.
+
+"_What!_" said he! "do you ask me what? Did I not tell you _positively_
+that I would _punish_ you if your copy-book this month did not present
+a better appearance than it did last?"
+
+"O papa! does it not? I tried so very hard; and there are no blots in
+it."
+
+"No blots?" said he; "what do you call these?" and he turned over the
+leaves again, holding the book so that she could see them, and showing
+that almost every one was blotted in several places.
+
+Elsie gazed at them in unfeigned astonishment; then looking up into his
+face, she said earnestly but fearfully, "Papa, I did not do it."
+
+"Who did, then?" he asked.
+
+"Indeed, papa, I do not know," she replied.
+
+"I must inquire into this business," he said, rising, "and if it is not
+your fault you shall not be punished; but if I find you have been
+telling me a falsehood, Elsie, I shall punish you much more severely
+than if you had not denied your fault."
+
+And taking her by the hand as he spoke, he led her back to the
+school-room.
+
+"Miss Day," said he, showing the book, "Elsie says these blots are not
+her work; can you tell me whose they are?"
+
+"Miss Elsie _generally_ tells the truth, sir," replied Miss Day,
+sarcastically, "but I must say that in this instance I think she has
+failed, as her desk has a good lock, and she herself keeps the key."
+
+"Elsie," he asked, turning to her, "is this so?"
+
+"Yes, papa."
+
+"And have you ever left your desk unlocked, or the key lying about?"
+
+"No, papa. I am quite certain I have not," she answered unhesitatingly,
+though her voice trembled, and she grey very pale.
+
+"Very well, then, _I_ am quite certain you have told me a falsehood,
+since it is evident this _must_ have been your work. Elsie, I can
+forgive anything but falsehood, but that I _never will_ forgive. Come
+with me. I shall teach you to speak the truth to _me_ at least, if to
+no one else," and taking her hand again, he led, or rather dragged, her
+from the room, for he was terribly angry, his face fairly pale with
+passion.
+
+Lora came in while he was speaking and, certain that _Elsie_ would
+never be caught in a falsehood, her eye quickly sought Arthur's desk.
+
+He was sitting there with a very guilty countenance.
+
+She hastily crossed the room, and speaking in a low tone, said,
+"Arthur, _you_ have had a hand in this business I very well know; now
+confess it quickly, or Horace will half kill Elsie."
+
+"You don't know anything about it," said he doggedly.
+
+"Yes, I do," she answered; "and if you do not speak out at once, _I_
+shall save Elsie, and find means to prove your guilt afterwards; so you
+had much better confess."
+
+"Go away," he exclaimed angrily, "I have nothing to confess."
+
+Seeing it was useless to try to move him, Lora turned away and hurried
+to Horace's room, which, in her haste, she entered without knocking, he
+having fortunately neglected to fasten the door. She was just in time;
+he had a small riding whip in his hand, and Elsie stood beside him pale
+as death, too much frightened even to cry, and trembling so that she
+could scarcely stand.
+
+He turned an angry glance on his sister as she entered; but taking no
+notice of it, she exclaimed eagerly, "Horace, don't punish Elsie, for I
+am certain she is innocent."
+
+He laid down the whip asking, "_How_ do you know it? what _proof_ have
+you? I shall be very glad to be convinced," he added, his countenance
+relaxing somewhat in its stern and angry expression.
+
+"In the first place," replied his sister, "there is Elsie's established
+character for truthfulness--in all the time she has been with us, we
+have ever found her perfectly truthful in word and deed. And then,
+Horace, what motive could she have had for spoiling her book, knowing
+as she did that certain punishment would follow? Besides, I am sure
+Arthur is at the bottom of this, for though he will not acknowledge, he
+does not deny it. Ah! yes, and now I recollect, I saw and examined
+Elsie's book only yesterday, and it was then quite free from blots."
+
+A great change had come over her brother's countenance while she was
+speaking.
+
+"Thank you, Lora," he said, cordially, as soon as she had done, "you
+have quite convinced me, and saved me from punishing Elsie as unjustly
+as severely. That last assurance I consider quite sufficient of itself
+to establish her innocence."
+
+Lora turned and went out feeling very happy, and as she closed the
+door, Elsie's papa took her in his arms, saying in loving, tender
+tones, "My poor little daughter! my own darling child! I have been
+cruelly unjust to you, have I not?"
+
+"Dear papa, you thought I deserved it," she said, with a burst of tears
+and sobs, throwing her arms around his neck, and laying her head on his
+breast.
+
+"Do you love me, Elsie, dearest?" he asked, folding her closer to his
+heart.
+
+"Ah! so very, _very_ much! better than all the world beside. O papa! if
+you would only love me." The last word was almost a sob.
+
+"I do, my darling, my own precious child," he said, caressing her again
+and again. "I do love my little girl, although I may at times seem cold
+and stern; and I am more thankful than words can express that I have
+been saved from punishing her unjustly. I could never forgive myself if
+I had done it. I would rather have lost half I am worth; ah! I fear it
+would have turned all her love for me into hatred; and justly, too."
+
+"No, papa, oh! no, _no; nothing_ could ever do that!" and the little
+arms were clasped closer and closer about his neck, and the tears again
+fell like rain, as she timidly pressed her quivering lips to his cheek.
+
+"There, there daughter! don't cry any more; we will try to forget all
+about it, and talk of something else," he said soothingly. "Elsie,
+dear, your Aunt Adelaide thinks perhaps you were not so very much to
+blame the other day; and now I want you to tell me all the
+circumstances; for though I should be very sorry to encourage you to
+find fault with your teacher, I am by no means willing to have you
+abused."
+
+"Please, papa, don't ask me," she begged. "Aunt Lora was there, and she
+will tell you about it."
+
+"No, Elsie," he said, very decidedly; "I want the story from _you_; and
+remember, I want _every word_ that passed between you and Miss Day, as
+far as you can possibly recall it."
+
+Seeing that he was determined, Elsie obeyed him, though with evident
+reluctance, and striving to put Miss Day's conduct in as favorable a
+light as consistent with truth, while she by no means extenuated her
+own; yet her father listened with feelings of strong indignation.
+
+"Elsie," he said when she had done, "if I had known all this at the
+time, I should not have punished you at all. Why did you not tell me,
+my daughter, how you have been ill treated and provoked?"
+
+"O papa! I could not; you know you did not ask me."
+
+"I did ask you if it was true that you contradicted her, did I not?"
+
+"Yes, papa, and it was true."
+
+"You ought to have told me the whole story though; but I see how it
+was--I frightened you by my sternness. Well, daughter," he added,
+kissing her tenderly, "I shall endeavor to be less stern in future, and
+you must try to be less timid and more at your ease with me."
+
+"I will, papa," she replied meekly; "but indeed I cannot help feeling
+frightened when you are angry with me."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore sat there a long time with his little daughter on his
+knee, caressing her more tenderly than ever before; and Elsie was very
+happy, and talked more freely to him than she had ever done, telling
+him of her joys and her sorrows; how dearly she had loved Miss
+Allison--what happy hours they had spent together in studying the Bible
+and in prayer--how grieved she was when her friend went away--and how
+intensely she enjoyed the little letter now and then received from her;
+and he listened to it all, apparently both pleased and interested,
+encouraging her to go on by an occasional question or a word of assent
+or approval.
+
+"What is this, Elsie?" he asked, taking hold of the chain she always
+wore around her neck, and drawing the miniature from her bosom.
+
+But as he touched the spring the case flew open, revealing the sweet,
+girlish face, it needed not Elsie's low murmured "Mamma" to tell him
+who that lovely lady was.
+
+He gazed upon it with emotion, carried back in memory to the time when
+for a few short months she had been his own most cherished treasure.
+Then, looking from it to his child, he murmured, "Yes, she is very
+like--the same features, the same expression, complexion, hair and
+all--will be the very counterpart of her if she lives."
+
+"Dear papa, am I like mamma?" asked Elsie, who had caught a part of his
+words.
+
+"Yes, darling, very much indeed, and I hope you will grow more so."
+
+"You loved mamma?" she said inquiringly.
+
+"Dearly, _very_ dearly."
+
+"O papa! _tell_ me about her! _do_, dear papa," she pleaded eagerly.
+
+"I have not much to tell," he said, sighing. "I knew her only for a few
+short months ere we were torn asunder, never to meet again on earth."
+
+"But we may hope to meet her in heaven, dear papa," said Elsie softly,
+"for she loved Jesus, and if we love Him we shall go there too when we
+die. Do you love Jesus, papa?" she timidly inquired, for she had seen
+him do a number of things which she knew to be wrong--such as riding
+out for pleasure on the Sabbath, reading secular newspapers, and
+engaging in worldly conversation--and she greatly feared he did not.
+
+But instead of answering her question, he asked, "Do you, Elsie?"
+
+"Oh! yes, sir; very _very_ much; even better than I love you, my own
+dear papa."
+
+"How do you know?" he asked, looking keenly into her face.
+
+"Just as I know that I love you, papa, or any one else," she replied,
+lifting her eyes to his face in evident surprise at the strangeness of
+the question.
+
+"Ah, papa," she added in her own sweet, simple way, "I do so love to
+talk of Jesus; to tell Him all my troubles, and ask Him to forgive my
+sins and make me holy; and then it is so sweet to know that He loves
+me, and will _always_ love me, even if no one else does."
+
+He kissed her very gravely, and set her down, saying, "Go now, my
+daughter, and prepare for dinner; it is almost time for the bell."
+
+"You are not displeased, papa?" she inquired, looking up anxiously into
+his face.
+
+"No, darling, not at all," he replied, stroking her hair. "Shall I ride
+with my little girl this afternoon?"
+
+"Oh papa! do you really mean it? I shall be so glad!" she exclaimed
+joyfully.
+
+"Very well, then," he said, "it is settled. But go now; there is the
+bell. No, stay!" he added quickly, as she turned to obey; "think a
+moment and tell me where you put the key of your desk yesterday, for it
+must have been then the mischief was done. Had you it with you when you
+rode out?"
+
+Suddenly Elsie's face flushed, and she exclaimed Eagerly, "Ah! I
+remember now! I left it on the mantelpiece, papa, and--"
+
+But here she paused, as if sorry she had said so much.
+
+"And what?" he asked.
+
+"I think I had better not say it, papa! I'm afraid I _ought_ not, for I
+don't really _know_ anything, and it seems so wrong to suspect people."
+
+"You need not express any suspicions," said her father; "I do not wish
+you to do so; but I must insist upon having all the facts you can
+furnish me with. Was Aunt Chloe in your room all the time you were
+away?"
+
+"No, sir; she told me she went down to the kitchen directly after I
+left, and did not come up again until after I returned."
+
+"Very well; do you know whether any one else entered the room during
+your absence?"
+
+"I do not _know_, papa, but I _think_ Arthur must have been in, because
+when I came home I found him reading a book which I had left lying on
+the mantel-piece," she answered in a low, reluctant tone.
+
+"Ah, ha! that is just it! I see it all now," he exclaimed, with a
+satisfied nod. "There, that will do, Elsie; go now and make haste down
+to your dinner."
+
+But Elsie lingered, and, in answer to a look of kind inquiry from her
+father, said coaxingly, "Please, papa, don't be very angry with him. I
+think he did not know how much I cared about my book."
+
+"You are very forgiving, Elsie; but go, child, I shall not abuse him,"
+Mr. Dinsmore answered, with an imperative gesture, and the little girl
+hurried from the room.
+
+It happened that just at this time the elder Mr. Dinsmore and his wife
+were paying a visit to some friends in the city, and thus Elsie's papa
+had been left head of the house for the time. Arthur, knowing this to
+be the state of affairs, and that though his father was expected to
+return that evening, his mother would be absent for some days, was
+beginning to be a good deal fearful of the consequences of his
+misconduct, and not without reason, for his brother's wrath was now
+fully aroused, and he was determined that the boy should not on this
+occasion escape the penalty of his misdeeds.
+
+Arthur was already in the dining-room when Mr. Dinsmore came down.
+
+"Arthur," said he, "I wish you to step into the library a moment; I
+have something to say to you."
+
+"I don't want to hear it," muttered the boy, with a dogged look, and
+standing perfectly still.
+
+"I dare say not, sir; but that makes no difference," replied his
+brother. "Walk into the library at once."
+
+Arthur returned a scowl of defiance, muttering almost under his breath,
+"I'll do as I please about that;" but cowed by his brother's determined
+look and manner, he slowly and reluctantly obeyed.
+
+"Now, sir," said Mr. Dinsmore, when he had him fairly in the room, and
+had closed the door behind them, "I wish to know how you came to meddle
+with Elsie's copy-book."
+
+"I didn't," was the angry rejoinder.
+
+"Take care, sir; I know all about it," said Mr. Dinsmore, in a warning
+tone; "it is useless for you to deny it. Yesterday, while Elsie was out
+and Aunt Chloe in the kitchen, you went to her room, took the key of
+her desk from the mantel-piece where she had left it, went to the
+school-room and did the mischief, hoping to get her into trouble
+thereby, and then relocking the desk and returning the key to its
+proper place, thought you had escaped detection; and I was very near
+giving my poor, innocent little girl the whipping you so richly
+deserve."
+
+Arthur looked up in astonishment.
+
+"Who told you?" he asked; "nobody saw me;" then, catching himself, said
+hastily, "I tell you I didn't do it. I don't know anything about it."
+
+"Will you dare to tell me such a falsehood as that again?" exclaimed
+Mr. Dinsmore, angrily, taking him by the collar and shaking him roughly.
+
+"Let me alone now," whined the culprit. "I want my dinner, I say."
+
+"You'll get no dinner to-day, I can tell you," replied his brother. "I
+am going to lock you into your bedroom, and keep you there until your
+father comes home; and then if _he_ doesn't give you the flogging you
+deserve, _I_ will; for I intend you shall have your deserts for once in
+your life. I know that all this is in revenge for Elsie's forced
+testimony in the affair of the watch, and I gave you fair warning then
+that I would see to it that any attempt to abuse my child should
+receive its just reward."
+
+He took the boy by the arm as he spoke, to lead him from the room.
+
+At first Arthur seemed disposed to resist; but soon, seeing how useless
+it was to contend against such odds, he resigned himself to his fate,
+saying sullenly, "You wouldn't treat me this way if mamma was at home."
+
+"She is not, however, as it happens, though I can tell you that even
+_she_ could not save you now," replied his brother, as he opened the
+bedroom door, and pushing him in, locked it upon him, and put the key
+in his pocket.
+
+Mr. Horace Dinsmore had almost unbounded influence over his father, who
+was very proud of him; the old gentleman also utterly despised
+everything mean and underhanded, and upon being made acquainted by
+Horace with Arthur's misdemeanors he inflicted upon him as severe a
+punishment as any one could have desired.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINTH
+
+
+   "Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God
+    hath commanded thee."
+                                 --_Deut._ v. 12.
+
+                         "She is mine own;
+    And I as rich in having such a jewel
+    As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl,
+    The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold."
+                    --SHAKESPEARE, _Two Gentlemen of Verona._
+
+
+And now happy days had come to the little Elsie. Her father treated her
+with the tenderest affection, and kept her with him almost constantly,
+seeming scarcely willing to have her out of his sight for an hour. He
+took her with him wherever he went in his rides and walks and visits to
+the neighboring planters.
+
+She was much admired for her beauty and sweetness of disposition, much
+caressed and flattered, but, through it all, lost none of her native
+modesty, but was ever the same meek, gentle little girl. She felt
+grateful for all the kindness she received, and liked to visit with her
+papa; but her happiest days were spent at home on those rare occasions
+when they were free from visitors, and she could sit for hours on his
+knee, or by his side, talking or reading to him, or working at her
+embroidery, or knitting and listening while he read. He helped her with
+all her studies, taught her something of botany and geology in their
+walks, helped her to see and correct the faults of her drawings, sang
+with her when she played, bought her quantities of new music, and
+engaged the best masters to instruct her--in short, took a lively
+interest in all her pursuits and pleasures, gave her every indulgence,
+and lavished upon her the tenderest caresses. He was very proud of her
+beauty, her sweetness, her intelligence, and talent; and nothing
+pleased him better than to hear them spoken of by others in terms of
+praise.
+
+And Elsie was very happy; the soft eyes grew bright with happiness, and
+the little face lost its pensive expression, and became as round, rosy
+and merry as Enna's.
+
+Miss Day went North, expecting to be absent several months, and Elsie's
+papa took her traveling, spending some time at different
+watering-places. It was her first journey since she had been old enough
+to care for such things, and she enjoyed it exceedingly. They left home
+in July, and did not return until September, so that the little girl
+had time to rest and recruit, both mentally and physically, and was
+ready to begin her studies again with zeal and energy; yet it was so
+pleasant to be her papa's constant companion, and she had so enjoyed
+her freedom from the restraints of the school-room, that she was not at
+all sorry to learn, on their arrival at Roselands, that the governess
+would still be absent for some weeks.
+
+"How bright and happy the child looks!" was Adelaide's remark on the
+day of their return, as, from the opposite side of the room, she
+watched the speaking countenance of the little girl, who was giving
+Enna and the boys an animated description of her journey.
+
+"Yes," said Lora, "and how entirely she seems to have overcome her fear
+of her father!" for at that instant Elsie suddenly left the little
+group, and running to him, leaned confidingly on his knee, while
+apparently urging some request, which he answered with a smile and a
+nod of acquiescence; when she left the room, and presently returned
+carrying a richly bound book of engravings.
+
+Yes, Elsie had lost her fear of her father, and could now talk to him,
+and tell him her feelings and wishes, as freely as ever Enna did; and
+no wonder, for in all these weeks he had never given her one harsh word
+or look; but indeed he had had no occasion to do so, for she was always
+docile and obedient.
+
+It was Sabbath afternoon--the first Sabbath after their return--and
+Elsie was in her own room alone with the books she loved best--her
+Bible, hymnbook, and "Pilgrim's Progress."
+
+She had spent a very happy hour in self-examination, reading and
+prayer, and was singing to herself in a low tone her favorite hymn,
+
+    "I lay my sins on Jesus,"
+
+while turning over the leaves of her Bible to find the story of Elijah,
+which she had promised to read to Chloe that afternoon, when a child's
+footsteps were heard coming down the hall, the handle of the door was
+turned hastily, and then, as it refused to yield, Enna's voice called
+out in a fretful, imperious tone, "Open this door, Elsie Dinsmore. I
+want in, I say."
+
+Elsie sighed, as she thought, "There is an end to my nice afternoon,"
+but she rose at once, and quickly crossing the room, opened the door,
+asking pleasantly, "What do you want, Enna?"
+
+"I _told_ you I wanted to come _in_," replied Enna, saucily, "and now
+you've got to tell me a story to amuse me; mamma says so, because you
+know I've got a cold, and she won't let me go out."
+
+"Well, Enna," said Elsie, patiently, "I am going to read a very
+beautiful story to mammy, and you are quite welcome to sit here and
+listen."
+
+"I sha'n't have it read! I said you were to _tell_ it. I don't like to
+hear reading," replied Enna in her imperious way, at the same time
+taking quiet possession of Elsie's little rosewood rocking-chair--a
+late present from her papa, and highly prized by the little girl on
+that account--and beginning to scratch with her thumb nail upon the arm.
+
+"Oh! don't scratch my pretty new chair, Enna!" Elsie entreated; "it is
+papa's present, and I wouldn't have it spoiled for a great deal."
+
+"I will; who cares for your old chair?" was the reply in a scornful
+tone, as she gave another and harder dig with her nail. "You're a
+little old maid--so particular with all your things--that's what mamma
+says you are. Now tell me that story."
+
+"I will tell you a story if you will stop scratching my chair, Enna,"
+said Elsie, almost with tears in her eyes, "I will tell you about
+Elijah on Mount Carmel or Beishazzar's feast, or the children in the
+fiery furnace, or----"
+
+"I sha'n't hear any of those! I don't want any of your old Bible
+stories," interrupted Enna, insolently, "You must tell me that pretty
+fairy tale Herbert Carrington is so fond of."
+
+"No, Enna; I cannot tell you that _to-day_," replied Elsie, speaking
+gently, but very firmly.
+
+"I say you _shall!_" screamed Enna, springing to her feet. "I'll just
+go and tell mamma, and she'll make you do it."
+
+"Stay, Enna," said Elsie, catching her hand to detain her; "I will tell
+you any story I know that is suitable for the Sabbath; but I cannot
+tell the fairy tale to-day, because you know it would be wrong. I will
+tell it to you to-morrow, though, if you will wait."
+
+"You're a _bad_ girl, and I'll just tell mamma of you," exclaimed Enna,
+passionately, jerking her hand away and darting from the room.
+
+"Oh! if papa was only at home," sighed Elsie, sinking into her
+rocking-chair, pale and trembling; but she knew that he had gone out
+riding, and would probably not return for some time; he had invited her
+to accompany him, but she had begged to be allowed to stay at home, and
+he had let her have her wish.
+
+As she feared, she was immediately summoned to Mrs. Dinsmore's presence.
+
+"Elsie," said that lady, severely, "are you not ashamed of yourself, to
+refuse Enna such a small favor especially when the poor child is not
+well. I must say you are the most selfish, disobliging child I ever
+saw."
+
+"I offered to tell her a Bible story, or anything suitable for the
+Sabbath day," replied Elsie, meekly, "but I cannot tell the fairy tale,
+because it would be wrong."
+
+"Nonsense! there's no harm at all in telling fairy tales to-day, any
+more than any other day; that is just an excuse, Elsie," said Mrs.
+Dinsmore, angrily.
+
+"I don't want her old Bible stories. I won't have them. I want that
+pretty fairy tale," sobbed Enna passionately; "_make_ her tell it,
+mamma."
+
+"Come, come, what is all this fuss about?" asked the elder Mr.
+Dinsmore, coming in from an adjoining room.
+
+"Nothing," said his wife, "except that Enna is not well enough to go
+out, and wants a fairy story to pass away the time, which Elsie alone
+is acquainted with, but is too lazy or too self-willed to relate."
+
+He turned angrily to his little granddaughter.
+
+"Ah! indeed, is that it? Well, there is an old saying. 'A bird that
+_can_ sing, and _won't_ sing, must be _made_ to sing.'"
+
+Elsie was opening her lips to speak, but Mrs. Dinsmore bade her be
+silent, and then went on. "She pretends it is all on account of
+conscientious scruples. 'It isn't fit for the Sabbath,' she says. Now
+_I_ say it is a great piece of impertinence for a child of her years to
+set up her opinion against yours and mine; and I know very well it is
+nothing but an excuse, because she doesn't choose to be obliging."
+
+"Of _course_ it is; nothing in the _world_ but an excuse," responded
+Mr. Dinsmore, hotly.
+
+Elsie's face flushed, and she answered a little indignantly,
+
+"No, grandpa, indeed it is _not_ merely an excuse, but--"
+
+"Do you _dare_ to contradict me, you impertinent little hussy?" cried
+the old gentleman, interrupting her in the middle of her sentence; and
+catching her by the arm, he shook her violently; then picking her up
+and setting her down hard upon a chair, he said, "Now, miss, sit you
+there until your father comes home, then we will see what _he_ thinks
+of such impertinence; and if he doesn't give you the complete whipping
+you deserve, I miss my guess."
+
+"Please, grandpa, I--"
+
+"Hold your tongue! don't dare to speak another word until your father
+comes home," said he, threateningly. "If you don't choose to say what
+you're wanted to, you shall not talk at all."
+
+Then, going to the door, he called a servant and bade him tell "Mr.
+Horace," as soon as he returned, that he wished to see him.
+
+For the next half-hour--and a very long one it seemed to her--Elsie sat
+there wishing for, and yet dreading her father's coming. Would he
+inflict upon her the punishment which her grandfather evidently wished
+her to receive, without pausing to inquire into the merits of the case?
+or would he listen patiently to _her_ story? And even if he did, might
+he not still think her deserving of punishment? She could not answer
+these questions to her own satisfaction. A few months ago she would
+have been certain of a very severe chastisement, and even now she
+trembled with fear; for though she knew beyond a doubt that he loved
+her dearly, she knew also that he was a strict and severe
+disciplinarian, and never excused her faults.
+
+At last her ear caught the sound of his step in the hall, and her heart
+beat fast and faster as it drew nearer, until he entered, and
+addressing his father, asked, "Did you wish to see me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, Horace, I want you to attend to this girl," replied the old
+gentleman, with a motion of the head toward Elsie. "She has been very
+impertinent to me."
+
+"What! _Elsie_ impertinent! is it possible? I certainly expected better
+things of her."
+
+His tone expressed great surprise, and turning to his little daughter,
+he regarded her with a grave, sad look that brought the tears to her
+eyes; dearly as she loved him, it seemed almost harder to bear than the
+old expression of stern severity.
+
+"It is hard to believe," he said, "that my little Elsie would be guilty
+of such conduct; but if she has been, of course she must be punished,
+for I cannot allow anything of the kind. Go. Elsie, to my dressing-room
+and remain there until I come to you."
+
+"Papa--" she began, bursting into tears.
+
+"Hush!" he said, with something of the old sternness; "not a word; but
+obey me instantly."
+
+Then, as Elsie went sobbing from the room, he seated himself, and
+turning to his father, said, "Now, sir, if you please, I should like to
+hear the whole story; precisely what Elsie has done and said, and what
+was the provocation; for _that_ must also be taken into the account, in
+order that I may be able to do her justice."
+
+"If you do her _justice_, you will whip her well," remarked his father
+in a tone of asperity.
+
+Horace colored violently, for nothing aroused his ire sooner than any
+interference between him and his child; but controlling himself, he
+replied quite calmly, "If I find her deserving of punishment, I will
+not spare her; but I should be sorry indeed to punish her unjustly.
+Will you be so good as to tell me what she has done?"
+
+Mr. Dinsmore referred him to his wife for the commencement of the
+trouble, and she made out as bad a case against Elsie as possible; but
+even then there seemed to her father to be very little to condemn; and
+when Mrs. Dinsmore was obliged to acknowledge that it was Elsie's
+refusal to humor Enna in her desire for a particular story which Elsie
+thought it not best to relate on the Sabbath, he bit his lip with
+vexation, and told her in a haughty tone, that though he did not
+approve of Elsie's strict notions regarding such matters, yet he wished
+her to understand that _his_ daughter was not to be made a slave to
+Enna's whims. If she _chose_ to tell her a story, or to do anything
+else for her amusement, he had no objection, but she was never to be
+_forced_ to do it against her inclination, and Enna must understand
+that it was done as a favor, and not at all as her right.
+
+"You are right enough there, Horace," remarked his father, "but that
+does not excuse Elsie for her impertinence to me. In the first place, I
+must say I agree with my wife in thinking it quite a piece of
+impertinence for a child of her years to set up her opinion against
+mine; and besides, she contradicted me flatly."
+
+He then went on to repeat what he had said, and Elsie's denial of the
+charge, using her exact words, but quite a different tone, and
+suppressing the fact that he had interrupted her before she had
+finished her sentence.
+
+Elsie's tone, though slightly indignant, had still been respectful, but
+from her grandfather's rehearsal of the scene her father received the
+impression that she had been exceedingly saucy, and he left the room
+with the intention of giving her almost as severe a punishment as her
+grandfather would have prescribed.
+
+On the way up to his room, however, his anger had a little time to
+cool, and it occurred to him that it would be no more than just to hear
+_her_ side of the story ere he condemned her.
+
+Elsie was seated on a couch at the far side of the room, and as he
+entered she turned on him a tearful, pleading look, that went straight
+to his heart.
+
+His face was grave and sad, but there was very little sternness in it,
+as he sat down and took her in his arms.
+
+For a moment he held her without speaking, while she lifted her eyes
+timidly to his face. Then he said, as he gently stroked the hair back
+from her forehead, "I am very sorry, _very sorry indeed_, to hear so
+bad an account of my little daughter. I am afraid I shall have to
+punish her, and I don't like to do it."
+
+She answered not a word, but burst into tears, and hiding her face on
+his breast, sobbed aloud.
+
+"I will not condemn you unheard, Elsie," he said after a moment's
+pause; "tell me how you came to be so impertinent to your grandfather."
+
+"I did not mean to be saucy, papa, indeed I did not," she sobbed.
+
+"Stop crying then, daughter," he said kindly, "and tell me all about
+it. I know there was some trouble between you and Enna, and I want you
+to tell me all that occurred, and every word spoken by either of you,
+as well as all that passed between Mrs. Dinsmore, your grandfather, and
+yourself. I am very glad that I can trust my little girl to speak the
+truth. I am quite sure she would not tell a falsehood even to save
+herself from punishment," he added tenderly.
+
+"Thank you, dear papa, for saying that," said Elsie, raising her head
+and almost smiling through her tears. "I will _try_ to tell it just as
+it happened."
+
+She then told her story simply and truthfully, repeating, as he bade
+her, every word that had passed between Enna and herself, and between
+her and her grandparents. Her words to her grandfather sounded very
+different, repeated in her quiet, respectful tones; and when she added
+that if he would have allowed her, she was going on to explain that it
+was not any unwillingness to oblige Enna, but the fear of doing wrong,
+that led her to refuse her request, her father thought that after all
+she deserved very little blame.
+
+"Do you think I was very saucy, papa?" she asked anxiously, when she
+had finished her story.
+
+"So much depends upon the tone, Elsie," he said, "that I can hardly
+tell; if you used the same tone in speaking to your grandpa that you
+did in repeating your words to me just now, I don't think it was _very_
+impertinent; though the words themselves were not as respectful as they
+ought to have been. You must always treat my father quite as
+respectfully as you do me; and I think with him, too, that there is
+something quite impertinent in a little girl like you setting up her
+opinion against that of her elders. You must never try it with me, my
+daughter."
+
+Elsie hung down her head in silence for a moment, then asked in a
+tremulous tone, "Are you going to punish me, papa?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "but first I am going to take you down-stairs and make
+you beg your grandfather's pardon. I see you don't want to do it," he
+added, looking keenly into her face, "but you _must_, and I hope I
+shall not be obliged to _enforce_ obedience to my commands."
+
+"I will do whatever you bid me, papa," she sobbed, "but I did not mean
+to be saucy. Please, papa, tell me what to say."
+
+"You must say, Grandpa, I did not intend to be impertinent to you, and
+I am very sorry for whatever may have seemed saucy in my words or
+tones; will you please to forgive me, and I will try always to be
+perfectly respectful in future. You can say all that with truth, I
+think?"
+
+"Yes, papa, I _am_ sorry, and I _do_ intend to be respectful to grandpa
+always," she answered, brushing away her tears, and putting her hand in
+his.
+
+He then led her into her grandfather's presence, saying: "Elsie has
+come to beg your pardon, sir."
+
+"That is as it should be," replied the old gentleman, glancing
+triumphantly at his wife; "I told her you would not uphold her in any
+such impertinence."
+
+"No," said his son, with some displeasure in his tone; "I will neither
+uphold her in wrongdoing, nor suffer her to be imposed upon. Speak, my
+daughter, and say what I bade you."
+
+Elsie sobbed out the required words.
+
+"Yes, I must forgive you, of course," replied her grandfather, coldly,
+"but I hope your father is not going to let you off without proper
+punishment."
+
+"I will attend to that; I certainly intend to punish her _as she
+deserves_" said his son, laying a marked emphasis upon the concluding
+words of his sentence.
+
+Elsie wholly misunderstood him, and so trembled with fear as he led her
+from the room, that she could scarcely walk; seeing which, he took her
+in his arms and carried her up-stairs, she sobbing on his shoulder.
+
+He did not speak until he had locked the door, carried her across the
+room, and seated himself upon the couch again, with her upon his knee.
+
+Then he said, in a soothing tone, as he wiped away her tears and kissed
+her kindly, "You need not tremble so, my daughter; I am not going to be
+severe with you."
+
+She looked up in glad surprise.
+
+"I said I would punish you as you _deserve_," he said, with a smile,
+"and I intend to keep you shut up here with me until bed-time, I shall
+not allow you to go down-stairs to tea, and besides, I am going to give
+you a long lesson to learn, which I shall require you to recite to me
+quite perfectly before you can go to bed."
+
+Elsie grew frightened again at the mention of the lesson, for she
+feared it might be something which she could not conscientiously study
+on the Sabbath; but all her fear and trouble vanished as she saw her
+father take up a Bible that lay on the table, and turn over the leaves
+as though selecting a passage.
+
+Presently he put it into her hands, and pointing to the thirteenth and
+fourteenth chapters of John's Gospel, bade her carry the book to a low
+seat by the window, and sit there until she had learned them perfectly.
+
+"O papa! what a nice lesson!" she exclaimed, looking up delightedly
+into his face; "but it won't be any punishment, because I love these
+chapters dearly, and have read them so often that I almost know every
+word already."
+
+"Hush, hush!" he said, pretending to be very stern; "don't tell me that
+my punishments are _no_ punishments, I don't allow you to talk so; just
+take the book and learn what I bid you; and if you know those two
+already, you may learn the next."
+
+Elsie laughed, kissed his hand, and tripped away to her window, while
+he threw himself down on the couch and took up a newspaper, more as a
+screen to his face, however, than for the purpose of reading; for he
+lay there closely watching his little daughter, as she sat in the rich
+glow of the sunset, with her sweet, grave little face bending over the
+holy book.
+
+"The darling!" he murmured to himself; "she is lovely as an angel, and
+she is _mine_, mine only, mine own precious one; and loves me with her
+whole soul. Ah! how can I ever find it in my heart to be stern to her?
+Ah! if _I_ were but _half_ as good and pure as she is, I should be a
+better man than I am." And he heaved a deep sigh.
+
+Half an hour had passed, and still Elsie bent over her book. The
+tea-bell rang, and Mr. Dinsmore started up, and crossing the room, bent
+down and stroked her hair.
+
+"Do you know it, darling?" he asked.
+
+"Almost, papa," and she looked up into his face with a bright, sweet
+smile, full of affection.
+
+With a sudden impulse he caught her in his arms, and kissing her again
+and again, said with emotion, "Elsie, my darling, I love you _too_
+well; I could never bear to lose you."
+
+"You must love Jesus better, my own precious papa," she replied,
+clasping her little arms around his neck, and returning his caresses.
+
+He held her a moment, and then putting her down, said, "I shall send
+you up some supper, and I want you to eat it; don't behave as you did
+about the bread and water once, a good while ago."
+
+"Will it be bread and water this time, papa?" she asked, with a smile.
+
+"You will see," he said, laughingly, and quitted the room.
+
+Elsie turned to her book again, but in a few moments was interrupted by
+the entrance of a servant carrying on a silver waiter a plate of hot,
+buttered muffins, a cup of jelly, another of hot coffee, and a piece of
+broiled chicken. Elsie was all astonishment.
+
+"Why, Pomp," she asked, "did papa send it?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Elsie, 'deed he did," replied the servant, with a grin of
+satisfaction, as he set down his burden. "I reckon you been berry nice
+gal dis day; or else Marster Horace tink you little bit sick."
+
+"Papa is very good; and I am much obliged to you too, Pomp," said the
+little girl, laying aside her book, and seating herself before the
+waiter.
+
+"Jes ring de bell, Miss Elsie, ef you want more, and dis chile fotch
+'em up; Marster Horace say so hisself." And the grinning negro bowed
+himself out, chuckling with delight, for Elsie had always been a great
+favorite with him.
+
+"Dear papa," Elsie said, when he came in again and smilingly asked if
+she had eaten her prison fare, "what a good supper you sent me! But I
+thought you didn't allow me such things!"
+
+"Don't you know," said he playfully, laying his hand upon her head,
+"that I am absolute monarch of this small kingdom, and you are not to
+question my doings or decrees?"
+
+Then in a more serious tone, "No, daughter, I do not allow it as a
+regular thing, because I do not think it for your good; but for once, I
+thought it would not hurt you. I know you are not one to presume upon
+favors, and I wanted to indulge you a little, because I fear my little
+girl has been made to suffer perhaps more than she quite deserved this
+afternoon."
+
+His voice had a very tender tone as he uttered the concluding words,
+and stooping, he pressed his lips to her forehead.
+
+"Don't think, though," he added the next moment, "that I am excusing
+you for impertinence, not at all; but it was what you have had to
+suffer from Enna's insolence. I shall put a stop to that, for I will
+not have it."
+
+"I don't mind it much, papa," said Elsie gently, "I am quite used to
+it, for Enna has always treated me so."
+
+"And why did _I_ never hear of it before?" he asked, half angrily. "It
+is abominable! not to be endured!" he exclaimed, "and I shall see that
+Miss Enna is made to understand that _my_ daughter is fully her equal
+in every respect, and always to be treated as such."
+
+He paused; but, Elsie, half frightened at his vehemence, made no reply;
+and he went on: "I have no  doubt your grandfather and his wife would
+have been better pleased had I forced you to yield to Enna's whim; but
+I had no idea of such a thing; you shall use your own pleasure whenever
+she is concerned; but: if _I_ had bidden you to  tell her that story it
+would have been a very different matter; you need  never set up your
+will, or your opinion of right and wrong, against mine, Elsie, for I
+shall not allow it. I don't altogether like some of those strict
+notions you have got into your head, and I give you fair warning, that
+should  they ever come into collision with _my_ wishes and commands,
+they will have to be given up. But don't look so alarmed, daughter; I
+hope it may never happen; and we will say no more about it to-night,"
+he added, kindly, for she had grown very pale and trembled visibly.
+
+"O papa, dear papa! don't ever bid me do anything wrong; it would break
+my heart," she said, laying her head on his shoulder as he sat down and
+drew her to his side.
+
+"I never intend to bid you do wrong, but, on the contrary, wish you
+always to do right. But then, daughter, _I_ must be the judge of what
+is wrong or right for you; you must remember that you are only a very
+little girl, and not yet capable of judging for yourself, and all you
+have to do is to obey your father without murmuring or hesitation, and
+then there will be no trouble."
+
+His tone, though mild, and not unkind, was very firm and decided, and
+Elsie's heart sank; she seemed to feel herself in the shadow of some
+great trouble laid up in store for her in the future. But she strove,
+and ere long with success, to banish the foreboding of evil which
+oppressed her, and give herself up to the enjoyment of present
+blessings. Her father loved her dearly--she knew that--and he was not
+_now_ requiring her to do aught against her conscience, and perhaps he
+never might; he had said so himself, and God could incline his heart to
+respect her scruples; or if, in His infinite wisdom, He saw that the
+dreaded trial was needed, He would give her strength to bear it; for
+had He not promised, "As thy day, so shall thy strength be"?
+
+Her father's arm was around her, and she had been standing silently,
+with her face hidden on his shoulder, while these thoughts were passing
+through her mind, and the little heart going up in prayer to God for
+him and for herself.
+
+"What is my little girl thinking of?" he asked presently.
+
+"A good many things, papa," she said, raising her face, now quite
+peaceful and happy again. "I was thinking of what you had just been
+saying to me, and that I am so glad I know that you love me dearly; and
+I was asking God to help us both to do His will, and that I might
+always be able to do what you bid me, without disobeying Him," she
+added simply; and then asked, "May I say my lesson now, papa? I think I
+know it quite perfectly."
+
+"Yes," he said, in an absent way; "bring me the book."
+
+Elsie brought it, and putting it into his hands, drew up a stool and
+sat down at his feet, resting her arm on his knee, and looking up into
+his face; then in her sweet, low voice, she repeated slowly and
+feelingly, with true and beautiful emphasis, the chapters he had given
+her to learn; that most touching description of the Last Supper, and
+our Saviour's farewell address to His sorrowing disciples.
+
+"Ah! papa, is it not beautiful?" she exclaimed, laying her head upon
+his knee, while the tears trembled in her eyes. "Is not that a sweet
+verse, 'Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them
+unto the end'? It seems so strange that He could be so thoughtful for
+them, so kind and loving, when all the time He knew what a dreadful
+death He was just going to die; and knew besides that they were all
+going to run away and leave Him alone with His cruel enemies. Oh! it is
+so sweet to know that Jesus is so loving, and that He loves me, and
+will always love me, even to the end, _forever_."
+
+"How do you know that, Elsie?" he asked.
+
+"I know that He loves me, papa, because I love Him, and He has said, 'I
+love them that love me;' and I know that He will love me always,
+because He has said, 'I have loved thee with an _everlasting_ love,'
+and in another place, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'"
+
+"But do you think you are good enough, daughter, for Jesus to love you?"
+
+"Ah! papa, I know I am not at all good. I have a very wicked heart, and
+often my thoughts and feelings are all wrong, and Jesus knows all about
+it, but it does not keep Him from loving me, for you know it was
+_sinners_ He died to save. Ah! papa, how _good_ and _kind_ He was! Who
+could help loving Him? I used to feel _so_ lonely and sad sometimes,
+papa, that I think my heart would have broken quite, and I should have
+died, if I had not had Jesus to love me."
+
+"When were you so sad and lonely, darling?" he asked in a moved tone,
+as he laid his hand gently on her head, and stroked her hair
+caressingly.
+
+"Sometimes when you were away, papa, and I had never seen you; but then
+I used to think of you, and my heart would long and _ache_ so to see
+you, and hear you call me daughter, and to lay my head against your
+breast and feel your arms folding me close to your heart, as you do so
+often now."
+
+She paused a moment, and struggled hard to keep down the rising sobs,
+as she added, "But when you came, papa, and I saw you did not love me,
+oh! papa, that was the worst. I thought I could never, _never_ bear it.
+I thought my heart would break, and I wanted to die and go to Jesus,
+and to mamma."
+
+The little frame shook with sobs.
+
+"My poor darling! my poor little pet!" he said, taking her in his arms
+again, and caressing her with the greatest tenderness, "it was very
+hard, very cruel. I don't know how I could steel my heart so against my
+own little child; but I had been very much prejudiced, and led to
+suppose that you looked upon me with fear and dislike, as a hated
+tyrant."
+
+Elsie lifted her eyes to his face with a look of extreme surprise.
+
+"O papa!" she exclaimed, "how _could_ you think that? I have always
+loved you, ever since I can remember."
+
+When Elsie went to her room that evening she thought very seriously of
+all that had occurred during the afternoon, and all that her papa had
+said to her; and to her usual petitions was added a very fervent one
+that he might never bid her break any command of God; or if he did,
+that she might have strength given her according to her day.
+
+A shadow had fallen on her pathway, faint, but perceptible; a light,
+fleecy cloud obscured the brightness of her sun; yet it was not for
+some weeks that even the most distant mutterings of the coming storm
+could be heard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TENTH
+
+
+    "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing
+    thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a Delight,
+    the Holy of the Lord, Honorable, and shalt honor him, not
+    doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor
+    speaking thine own words."
+                                 --_Isaiah_ Iviii. 13.
+
+    "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto
+    you, more than unto God, judge ye."
+                                 --_Acts_ iv. 19.
+
+
+Quite a number of guests had dined at Roselands. They were nearly all
+gentlemen, and were now collected in the drawing-room, laughing,
+jesting, talking politics, and conversing with each other and the
+ladies upon various worldly topics, apparently quite forgetful that it
+was the Lord's day, which He has commanded to be kept holy in thought
+and word, as well as deed.
+
+"May I ask what you are in search of, Mr. Eversham?" inquired Adelaide,
+as she noticed one of the guests glance around the room with a rather
+disappointed air.
+
+"Yes, Miss Adelaide; I was looking for little Miss Elsie. Travilla has
+given me so very glowing an account of her precocious musical talent,
+that I have conceived a great desire to hear her play and sing."
+
+"Do you hear that, Horace?" asked Adelaide, turning to her brother.
+
+"Yes, and I shall be most happy to gratify you, Eversham," replied the
+young father, with a proud smile.
+
+He crossed the room to summon a servant, but as he placed his hand upon
+the bell-rope, Mrs. Dinsmore arrested his movement.
+
+"Stay, Horace," she said; "you had better not send for her."
+
+"May I be permitted to ask _why_, madam?" he inquired in a tone of
+mingled surprise and annoyance.
+
+"Because she will not sing," answered the lady, coolly.
+
+"Pardon me, madam, but I think she will, if _I bid_ her to do it," he
+said with flashing eyes.
+
+"No, she will not," persisted Mrs. Dinsmore, in the same cold, quiet
+tone; "she will tell you she is wiser than her father, and that it
+would be a sin to obey him in this. Believe me, she will most assuredly
+defy your authority; so you had better take my advice and let her
+alone--thus sparing yourself the mortification of exhibiting before
+your guests your inability to govern your child."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore bit his lip with vexation.
+
+"Thank you," he said, haughtily, "but I prefer convincing you that that
+inability lies wholly in your own imagination; and I am quite at a loss
+to understand upon what you found your opinion, as Elsie has never yet
+made the very slightest resistance to my authority."
+
+He had given the bell-rope a vigorous pull while speaking, and a
+servant now appearing in answer to the summons, he sent him with a
+message to Elsie, requiring her presence in the drawing-room.
+
+Then turning away from his step-mother, who looked after him with a
+gleam of triumph in her eye, he joined the group of gentlemen already
+gathered about the piano, where Adelaide had just taken her seat and
+begun a brilliant overture.
+
+Yet, outwardly calm and self-satisfied as his demeanor may have been,
+Horace Dinsmore was even now regretting the step he had just taken; for
+remembering Elsie's conscientious scruples regarding the observance of
+the Sabbath--which he had for the moment forgotten--he foresaw that
+there would be a struggle, probably a severe one; and though, having
+always found her docile and yielding, he felt no doubt of the final
+result, he would willingly have avoided the contest, could he have done
+so without a sacrifice of pride; but, as he said to himself, with a
+slight sigh, he had now gone too far to retreat; and then he had all
+along felt that this struggle must come _some_ time, and perhaps it was
+as well now as at any other.
+
+Elsie was alone in her own room, spending the Sabbath afternoon in her
+usual manner, when the servant came to say that her papa wished to see
+her in the drawing-room. The little girl was a good deal alarmed at the
+summons, for the thought instantly flashed upon her, "He is going to
+bid me play and sing, or do something else which it is not right to do
+on the Sabbath day."
+
+But remembering that he never had done so, she hoped he might not now;
+yet ere she obeyed the call she knelt down for a moment, and prayed
+earnestly for strength to do right, however difficult it might be.
+
+"Come here, daughter," her father said as she entered the room. He
+spoke in his usual pleasant, affectionate tone, yet Elsie started,
+trembled, and turned pale; for catching sight of the group at the
+piano, and her Aunt Adelaide just vacating the music-stool, she at once
+perceived what was in store for her.
+
+"Here, Elsie," said her father, selecting a song which she had learned
+during their absence, and sang remarkably well, "I wish you to sing
+this for my friends; they are anxious to hear it."
+
+"Will not to-morrow do, papa?" she asked in a low, tremulous tone.
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore, who had drawn near to listen, now looked at Horace with
+a meaning smile, which he affected not to see.
+
+"Certainly not, Elsie," he said; "we want it now. You know it quite
+well enough without any more practice."
+
+"I did not want to wait for _that_ reason, papa," she replied in the
+same low, trembling tones, "but you know this is the holy Sabbath day."
+
+"Well, my daughter, and what of that? _I_ consider this song perfectly
+proper to be sung to-day, and that ought to satisfy you that you will
+not be doing wrong to sing it; remember what I said to you some weeks
+ago; and now sit down and sing it at once, without any more ado."
+
+"O papa! I _cannot_ sing it to-day; _please_ let me wait until
+to-morrow."
+
+"Elsie," he said in his sternest tones, "sit down to the piano
+instantly, and do as I bid you, and let me hear no more of this
+nonsense."
+
+She sat down, but raising her pleading eyes, brimful of tears to his
+face, she repeated her refusal. "Dear papa, I _cannot_ sing it to-day.
+I _cannot_ break the Sabbath."
+
+"Elsie, you _must_ sing it," said he, placing the music before her. "I
+have told you that it will not be breaking the Sabbath, and that is
+sufficient; you must let me judge for you in these matters."
+
+"Let her wait until to-morrow, Dinsmore; tomorrow will suit us quite as
+well," urged several of the gentlemen, while Adelaide good-naturedly
+said, "Let me play it, Horace; I have no such scruples, and presume I
+can do it nearly as well as Elsie."
+
+"No," he replied, "when I give my child a command, it is to be obeyed;
+I have _said_ she should play it, and play it she _must_; she is not to
+suppose that she may set up her opinion of right and wrong against
+mine."
+
+Elsie sat with her little hands folded in her lap, the tears streaming
+from her downcast eyes over her pale cheeks. She was trembling, but
+though there was no stubbornness in her countenance, the expression
+meek and humble, she made no movement toward obeying her father's order.
+
+There was a moment of silent waiting; then he said in his severest
+tone, "Elsie, you shall sit there till you obey me, though it should be
+until to-morrow morning."
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied in a scarcely audible voice, and they all
+turned away and left her.
+
+"You see now that you had better have taken my advice, Horace,"
+remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, in a triumphant aside; "I knew very well how it
+would end."
+
+"Excuse me," said he, "but it has _not_ ended; and ere it does, I think
+she will learn that she has a stronger will than her own to deal with."
+
+Elsie's position was a most uncomfortable one; her seat high and
+uneasy, and seeming to grow more and more so as the weary moments
+passed slowly away. No one came near her or seemed to notice her, yet
+she could hear them conversing in other parts of the room, and knew
+that they were sometimes looking at her, and, timid and bashful as she
+was, it seemed hard to bear. Then, too, her little heart was very sad
+as she thought of her father's displeasure, and feared that he would
+withdraw from her the affection which had been for the last few months
+the very sunshine of her life. Besides all this, the excitement of her
+feelings, and the close and sultry air--for it was a very warm day--had
+brought on a nervous headache. She leaned forward and rested her head
+against the instrument, feeling in momentary danger of falling from her
+seat.
+
+Thus two long hours had passed when Mr. Travilla came to her side, and
+said in a compassionate tone, "I am really very sorry for you, my
+little friend; but I advise you to submit to your papa. I see you are
+getting very weary sitting there, and I warn you not to hope to conquer
+him. I have known him for years, and a more determined person I never
+saw. Had you not better sing the song? it will not take five minutes,
+and then your trouble will be all over."
+
+Elsie raised her head, and answered gently, "Thank you for your
+sympathy, Mr. Travilla, you are very kind; but I could not do it,
+because Jesus says, 'He that loveth father or mother more than me, is
+not worthy of me;' and I cannot disobey Him, even to please my own dear
+papa."
+
+"But, Miss Elsie, why do you think it would be disobeying Him? Is there
+any verse in the Bible which says you must not sing songs on Sunday?"
+
+"Mr. Travilla, it says the Sabbath is to be kept holy unto the Lord;
+that we are not to think our own thoughts, nor speak our own words, nor
+do our own actions; but all the day must be spent in studying God's
+word, or worshipping and praising Him; and there is no praise in that
+song; not one word about God or heaven."
+
+"That is very true, Elsie, but still it is such a _very little_ thing,
+that I cannot think there would be much harm in it, or that God would
+be very angry with you for doing it."
+
+"O Mr. Travilla!" she said, looking up at him in great surprise,
+"surely you know that there is no such thing as a _little sin_; and
+don't you remember about the man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath
+day?"
+
+"No; what was it?"
+
+"God commanded that he should be stoned to death, and it was done.
+Would you not have thought _that_ a very little thing, Mr. Travilla?"
+
+"Yes, I believe I should," said he, turning away with a very grave face.
+
+"Dinsmore," he said, going up to his friend; "I am sure that child is
+conscientious; had you not better give up to her in this instance?"
+
+"_Never_, Travilla," he answered, with stern decision. "This is the
+first time she has rebelled against my authority, and if I let her
+conquer now, she will think she is always to have her own way. No; cost
+what it may, I _must_ subdue her; she will have to learn that my will
+is law."
+
+"Right, Horace," said the elder Mr. Dinsmore, approvingly, "let her
+understand from the first that you are to be master; it is always the
+best plan."
+
+"Excuse me, Dinsmore," said Travilla; "but I must say that I think a
+parent has no right to coerce a child into doing violence to its
+conscience."
+
+"Nonsense!" replied his friend, a little angrily. "Elsie is entirely
+too young to set up her opinion against mine; she must allow me to
+judge for her in these matters for some years to come."
+
+Eversham, who had been casting uneasy glances at Elsie all the
+afternoon, now drawing his chair near to Adelaide, said to her in an
+undertone, "Miss Adelaide, I am deeply sorry for the mischief I have
+unwittingly caused, and if you can tell me how to repair it you will
+lay me under lasting obligations."
+
+Adelaide shook her head. "There is no moving Horace when he has once
+set his foot down," she said; "and as to Elsie, I doubt whether any
+power on earth can make her do what she considers wrong."
+
+"Poor little thing!" said Eversham, sighing; "where in the world did
+she get such odd notions?"
+
+"Partly from a pious Scotch woman, who had a good deal to do with her
+in her infancy, and partly from studying the Bible, I believe. She is
+always at it."
+
+"Indeed!" and he relapsed into thoughtful silence.
+
+Another hour passed slowly away, and then the tea-bell rang.
+
+"Elsie," asked her father, coming to her side, "are you ready to obey
+me now? if so, we will wait a moment to hear the song, and then you can
+go to your tea with us."
+
+"Dear papa, I cannot break the Sabbath," she replied, in a low, gentle
+tone, without lifting her head.
+
+"Very well then, I cannot break my word; you must sit there until you
+will submit; and until then you must fast. You are not only making
+yourself miserable by your disobedience and obstinacy, Elsie, but are
+mortifying and grieving _me_ very much," he added in a subdued tone,
+that sent a sharp pang to the loving little heart, and caused some very
+bitter tears to fall, as he turned away and left her.
+
+The evening passed wearily away to the little girl; the drawing-room
+was but dimly lighted, for the company had all deserted it to wander
+about the grounds, or sit in the portico enjoying the moonlight and the
+pleasant evening breeze, and the air indoors seemed insupportably close
+and sultry. At times Elsie could scarcely breathe, and she longed
+intensely to get out into the open air; every moment her seat grew more
+uncomfortable and the pain in her head more severe: her thoughts began
+to wander, she forgot where she was, everything became confused, and at
+length she lost all consciousness.
+
+Several gentlemen, among whom were Mr. Horace Dinsmore and Mr.
+Travilla, were conversing together on the portico, when they were
+suddenly startled by a sound as of something falling.
+
+Travilla, who was nearest the door, rushed into the drawing-room,
+followed by the others.
+
+"A light! quick, quick, a light!" he cried, raising Elsie's insensible
+form in his arms; "the child has fainted."
+
+One of the others, instantly snatching a lamp from a distant table,
+brought it near, and the increased light showed Elsie's little face,
+ghastly as that of a corpse, while a stream of blood was flowing from a
+wound in the temple, made by striking against some sharp corner of the
+furniture as she fell.
+
+She was a pitiable sight indeed, with her fair face, her curls, and her
+white dress all dabbled in blood.
+
+"Dinsmore, you're a brute!" exclaimed Travilla indignantly, as he
+placed her gently on a sofa.
+
+Horace made no reply, but, with a face almost as pale as her own, bent
+over his little daughter in speechless alarm, while one of the guests,
+who happened to be a physician, hastily dressed the wound, and then
+applied restoratives.
+
+It was some time ere consciousness returned, and the father trembled
+with the agonizing fear that the gentle spirit had taken its flight.
+
+But at length the soft eyes unclosed, and gazing with a troubled look
+into his face, bent so anxiously over her, she asked, "Dear papa, are
+you angry with me?"
+
+"No, darling," he replied in tones made tremulous with emotion, "not at
+all."
+
+"What was it?" she asked in a bewildered way; "what did I do? what has
+happened?"
+
+"Never mind, daughter," he said, "you have been ill; but you are better
+now, so don't think any more about it."
+
+"She had better be put to bed at once," said the physician.
+
+"There is blood on my dress," cried Elsie, in a startled tone; "where
+did it come from?"
+
+"You fell and hurt your head," replied her father, raising her gently
+in his arms; "but don't talk any more now."
+
+"Oh! I remember," she moaned, an expression of keen distress coming
+over her face; "papa--"
+
+"Hush! hush! not a word more; we will let the past go," he said,
+kissing her lips. "I shall carry you to your room now, and see you put
+to bed."
+
+He held her on his knee, her head resting on his shoulder, while Chloe
+prepared her for rest.
+
+"Are you hungry, daughter?" he asked.
+
+"No, papa; I only want to go to sleep."
+
+"There, Aunt Chloe, that will do," he said, as the old nurse tied on
+the child's night-cap; and raising her again in his arms, he carried
+her to the bed and was about to place her on it.
+
+"Oh papa! my prayers first, you know," she cried eagerly.
+
+"Never mind them to-night," said he, "you are not able."
+
+"Please let me, dear papa," she pleaded; "I cannot go to sleep without."
+
+Yielding to her entreaties, he placed her on her knees, and stood
+beside her, listening to her murmured petitions, in which he more than
+once heard his own name coupled with a request that he might be made to
+love Jesus.
+
+When she had finished, he again raised her in his arms, kissed her
+tenderly several times, and then laid her carefully on the bed, saying,
+as he did so, "Why did you ask, Elsie, that I might love Jesus?"
+
+"Because, papa, I do so want you to love Him; it would make you so
+happy; and besides, you cannot go to heaven without it; the Bible says
+so."
+
+"Does it? and what makes you think I don't love Him?"
+
+"Dear papa, please don't be angry," she pleaded, tearfully, "but you
+know Jesus says, 'He that keepeth my commandments, he it is that loveth
+me.'"
+
+He stooped over her. "Good night, daughter," he said.
+
+"Dear, _dear_ papa," she cried, throwing her arm round his neck, and
+drawing down his face close to hers, "I do love you so very, _very_
+much!"
+
+"Better than anybody else?" he asked
+
+"No, papa, I love Jesus best; you next."
+
+He kissed her again, and with a half sigh turned away and left the
+room. He was not entirely pleased; not quite willing that she should
+love even her Saviour better than himself.
+
+Elsie was very weary, and was soon asleep. She waked the next morning
+feeling nearly as well as usual, and after she had had her bath and
+been dressed by Chloe's careful hands, the curls being arranged to
+conceal the plaster that covered the wound on her temple, there was
+nothing in her appearance, except a slight paleness, to remind her
+friends of the last night's accident.
+
+She was sitting reading her morning chapter when her father came in,
+and taking a seat by her side, lifted her to his knee, saying, as he
+caressed her tenderly, "My little daughter is looking pretty well this
+morning; how does she feel?"
+
+"Quite well, thank you, papa," she replied, looking up into his face
+with a sweet, loving smile.
+
+He raised the curls to look at the wounded temple; then, as he dropped
+them again, he said, with a shudder, "Elsie, do you know that you were
+very near being killed last night?"
+
+"No, papa, was I?" she asked with an awe-struck countenance.
+
+"Yes, the doctor says if that wound had been made half an inch nearer
+your eye--I should have been childless."
+
+His voice trembled almost too much for utterance as he finished his
+sentence, and he strained her to his heart with a deep sigh of
+thankfulness for her escape.
+
+Elsie was very quiet for some moments, and the little face was almost
+sad in its deep thoughtfulness.
+
+"What are you thinking of, darling?" he asked.
+
+She raised her eyes to his face and he saw that they were brimful of
+tears.
+
+"O papa!" she said, dropping her head on his breast while the bright
+drops fell like rain down her cheeks, "would you have been so very
+sorry?"
+
+"Sorry, darling! do you not know that you are more precious to me than
+all my wealth, all my friends and relatives put together? Yes, I would
+rather part with everything else than lose this one little girl," he
+said, kissing her again and again.
+
+"Dear, _dear_ papa! how glad I am that you love me so much!" she
+replied; and then relapsed into silence.
+
+He watched her changing countenance for some time, then asked, "What is
+it, darling?"
+
+"I was just thinking," she said, "whether I was ready to go to heaven,
+and I believe I was; for I know that I love Jesus; and then I was
+thinking how glad mamma would have been to see me; don't you think she
+would, papa?"
+
+"I can't spare you to her yet," he replied with emotion, "and I think
+she loves me too well to wish it."
+
+As Miss Day had not yet returned, Elsie's time was still pretty much at
+her own disposal, excepting when her papa gave her something to do; so,
+after breakfast, finding that he was engaged with some one in the
+library, she took her Bible, and seeking out a shady retreat in the
+garden, sat down to read.
+
+The Bible was ever the book of books to her, and this morning the
+solemn, tender feelings naturally caused by the discovery of her recent
+narrow escape from sudden death made it even more than usually touching
+and beautiful in her eyes. She had been alone in the arbor for some
+time, when, hearing a step at her side, she looked up, showing a face
+all wet with tears.
+
+It was Mr. Travilla who stood beside her.
+
+"In tears, little Elsie! Pray, what may the book be that effects you
+so?" he asked, sitting down by her side and taking it from her hand.
+"The Bible, I declare!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What can there be in
+it that you find so affecting?"
+
+"O Mr. Travilla!" said the little girl, "does it not make your heart
+ache to read how the Jews abused our dear, dear Saviour? and then to
+think that it was all because of our sins," she sobbed.
+
+He looked half distressed, half puzzled; it seemed a new idea to him.
+
+"Really, my little Elsie," he said, "you are quite original in your
+ideas, I suppose I _ought_ to feel unhappy about these things, but
+indeed the truth is, I have never thought much about them."
+
+"Then you don't love Jesus," she answered, mournfully. "Ah! Mr.
+Travilla, how sorry I am."
+
+"Why, Elsie, what difference can it make to you whether I love Him or
+not?"
+
+"Because, Mr. Travilla, the Bible says, 'If any man love not the Lord
+Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha,' accursed from God. Oh!
+sir, think how dreadful! You cannot be _saved_ unless you love Jesus,
+and believe on Him. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
+be saved.' That is what God says in his word."
+
+She spoke with deep solemnity, the tears trembling in her eyes. He was
+touched, but for a while sat perfectly silent.
+
+Then he said, with an effort to speak lightly. "Ah, well, my little
+friend, I certainly intend to repent and believe before I die, but
+there is time enough yet."
+
+"Mr. Travilla," she said, laying her hand on his arm and looking
+earnestly into his face, "how do you know that there is time enough
+yet? _don't_ put it off, I beg of you."
+
+She paused a moment; then asked, "Do you know, Mr. Travilla, how near I
+came to being killed last night?"
+
+He nodded.
+
+"Well, suppose I had been killed, and had not loved Jesus; where would
+I be now?"
+
+He put his arm round her, and giving her a kiss, said, "I don't think
+you would have been in any very bad place, Elsie; a sweet, amiable
+little girl, who has never harmed any one, would surely not fare very
+badly in another world."
+
+She shook her head very gravely.
+
+"Ah! Mr. Travilla, you forget the anathema, maranatha; if I had not
+loved Jesus, and had my sins washed away in His blood, I could not have
+been saved."
+
+Just at this moment a servant came to tell Elsie that her papa wanted
+her in the drawing-room, and Mr. Travilla, taking her hand, led her
+into the house.
+
+They found the company again grouped about the piano, listening to
+Adelaide's music.
+
+Elsie went directly to her father and stood by his side, putting her
+hand in his with a gesture of confiding affection.
+
+He smiled down at her, and kept fast hold of it until his sister had
+risen from the instrument, when putting Elsie in her place, he said,
+"Now, my daughter, let us have that song."
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied, beginning the prelude at once, "I will do my
+very best."
+
+And so she did. The song was both well played and well sung, and her
+father looked proud and happy as the gentlemen expressed their pleasure
+and asked for another and another.
+
+Thus the clouds which had so suddenly obscured little Elsie's sky,
+seemed to have vanished as speedily as they had arisen.
+
+Her father again treated her with all his wonted affection, and there
+even seemed to be a depth of tenderness in his love which it had not
+known before, for he could not forget how nearly he had lost her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVENTH
+
+
+   "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank
+    thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid
+    these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
+    them unto babes; even so, Father; for so it seemed good in
+    thy sight."
+                                 --_Luke_ x. 21.
+
+
+Says the Apostle Paul, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my
+conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great
+heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, for I could wish that
+myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren, my kinsmen according
+to the flesh.... Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for
+Israel is, that they might be saved."
+
+And such, dear reader, is, in greater or less degree, the feeling of
+every renewed heart; loving Jesus, it would fain have others love Him
+too; it desires the salvation of all; but for that of its own dear ones
+it longs and labors and prays; it is like Jacob wrestling with the
+angel, when he said, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me."
+
+And thus it was with Elsie. She knew now that her father was not a
+Christian; that he had no real love for Jesus, none of the true fear of
+God before his eyes. She saw that if he permitted her to read to him
+from God's word, as he sometimes did, it was not that he felt any
+pleasure in listening, but only to please her; she had no reason to
+suppose he ever prayed, and though he went regularly to church, it was
+because he considered it proper and respectable to do so, and not that
+he cared to worship God, or to learn His will.
+
+This conviction, which had gradually dawned upon Elsie, until now it
+amounted to certainty, caused her great grief; she shed many tears over
+it in secret, and very many and very earnest were the prayers she
+offered up for her dear father's conversion.
+
+She was sitting on his knee one evening in the drawing-room, while he
+and several other gentlemen were conversing on the subject of religion.
+They were discussing the question whether or no a change of heart were
+necessary to salvation.
+
+The general opinion seemed to be that it was not, and Elsie listened
+with pain while her father expressed his decided conviction that all
+who led an honest, upright, moral life, and attended to the outward
+observances of religion, were quite safe.
+
+"He could see no necessity for a change of heart; he did not believe in
+the doctrine of total depravity, not he; no indeed, he thought the
+world much better than many people would have us believe."
+
+Elsie fixed her eyes on his face with a very mournful gaze while he was
+speaking, but he was busy with his argument and did not notice her.
+
+But one of the guests was just expressing his approval of Mr.
+Dinsmore's sentiments, when catching sight of Elsie's face, he stopped,
+remarking, "Your little girl looks as if she had something to say on
+the subject; what is it, my dear?"
+
+Elsie blushed, hesitated, and looked at her father.
+
+"Yes, speak, my daughter, if you have anything to say," he said
+encouragingly.
+
+Elsie lifted her eyes timidly to the gentleman's face as she replied,
+"I was just thinking, sir, of what our Saviour said to Nicodemus:
+'Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot
+see the kingdom of God.' 'Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
+born again.'"
+
+She repeated these words of inspiration with a deep, earnest solemnity
+that seemed to impress every hearer.
+
+For a moment there was a deep hush in the room.
+
+Then the gentleman asked, "Well, my little lady, and what is meant by
+being born again?"
+
+"O sir!" she replied, "surely you know that it means to have the image
+of God, lost in Adam's fall, restored to us; it means what David asked
+for when he prayed, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
+right spirit within me.'"
+
+"Where did you learn all this?" he asked, looking at her with mingled
+surprise and admiration.
+
+"In the Bible, sir," she modestly replied.
+
+"You seem to have read it to some purpose," said he; "and now since you
+consider that change so necessary, can you tell me how it is to be
+brought about?"
+
+"God's Holy Spirit, alone, can change a sinner's heart, sir."
+
+"And how am I to secure His aid?" he asked.
+
+Elsie answered with a text: "God is more willing to give His Holy
+Spirit to them that ask Him, than parents are to give good gifts unto
+their children."
+
+He paused a moment; then asked, "Have you obtained this new heart, Miss
+Elsie?"
+
+"I hope I have, sir," she replied, the sweet little face all suffused
+with blushes, and the soft, downcast eyes filling with tears.
+
+"Why do you think so?" he asked again, "I think there is a text that
+says you must be able always to give a reason for the hope that is in
+you, or something to that effect, is there not?"
+
+"Yes, sir: 'Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
+you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.'" Then
+raising her eyes to his face with a touching mixture of deep humility
+and holy boldness, she continued, "And this, sir is my answer: Jesus
+says, 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out;' and I
+believe Him. I did go to Him, and He did not cast me out, but forgave
+my sins, and taught me to love Him and desire to serve Him all my life."
+
+This conversation between the gentleman and the little girl had drawn
+the attention of all present; and now Mrs. Dinsmore, who had more than
+once shown signs of impatience, said, "Well, Elsie, I think you have
+now talked quite enough for a child of your age." Then, pulling out her
+watch, "It is high time for little folks to be in bed."
+
+Elsie, blushing deeply, would have retired immediately, but her father
+held her fast, saying, as he gave his stepmother an angry glance, "You
+need not go, Elsie, unless you choose; I am quite capable of judging
+when it is time to send you to bed."
+
+"I would rather go, if you please, papa," whispered Elsie, who had a
+great dread of Mrs. Dinsmore's anger.
+
+"Very well, then, you may do as you like," he replied, giving her a
+good-night kiss. And with a graceful good-night to the company, the
+little girl left the room.
+
+Her questioner followed her with an admiring glance, then turning to
+her father, exclaimed warmly, "She is a _remarkably_ intelligent child,
+Dinsmore! one that any father might be proud of. I was astonished at
+her answers."
+
+"Yes," remarked Travilla, "a text has been running in my head ever
+since you commenced your conversation; something about these things
+being hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes. And," he
+added, "I am sure if ever I saw one who possessed that new nature of
+which she spoke, it is she herself. Has she any faults, Dinsmore?"
+
+"Very few, _I_ think; though she would tell you a different story,"
+replied her father with a gratified smile.
+
+The next morning Elsie was sitting reading her Bible, when she suddenly
+felt a hand laid on her head, and her father's voice said, "Good
+morning, little daughter."
+
+"Ah! papa, is that you?" she asked, raising her head to give him a
+smile of joyful welcome. "I did not know you were there."
+
+"Ah! I have been watching you for several minutes," he said; "always
+poring over the same book, Elsie; do you never tire of it?"
+
+"No, indeed, papa; it is always new, and I do love it so; it is so very
+sweet. May I read a little to you?" she added coaxingly.
+
+"Yes, I love to listen to anything read by my darling," he said,
+sitting down and taking her on his knee.
+
+She opened at the third chapter of John's Gospel and read it through.
+At the sixteenth verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His
+only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
+but have everlasting life," she paused, and asked, "Was not that a
+wonderful gift, papa? and wonderful love that prompted it?"
+
+"Yes," he said, absently stroking her hair.
+
+She finished the chapter, and closing the book, laid her head on his
+breast, asking, "Dear papa, don't you believe the Bible?"
+
+"Certainly, daughter; I am not an infidel," he replied in a careless
+tone.
+
+"Well, then, papa," she continued, half hesitatingly, "does not this
+chapter teach very plainly that we must love Jesus, and have new
+hearts, if we want to go to heaven?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "I dare say it does."
+
+Then taking the book from her, he laid it aside, and giving her a kiss,
+said, "I was much pleased with your intelligent answers to Mr. Lee,
+last evening."
+
+Elsie sighed, and her eyes filled with tears. It was not what she
+wanted.
+
+"What an odd child you are!" he said, laughing. "You really look as
+though I had been scolding, instead of praising you."
+
+She dropped her head on his breast, and burst into tears and sobs.
+
+"Why, Elsie, my own darling, what ails you?" he asked in great surprise.
+
+"O papa!" she sobbed, "I want you to love Jesus."
+
+"Oh! is _that_ all?" he said.
+
+And setting her on her feet, he took her by the hand and led her out
+into the garden, where they met Mr. Travilla and another gentleman, who
+immediately entered into conversation with Mr. Dinsmore, while Elsie
+wandered about amongst the flowers and shrubs, gathering a nosegay for
+her Aunt Adelaide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELFTH
+
+
+   "She had waited for their coming,
+      She had kiss'd them o'er and o'er--
+    And they were so fondly treasured
+      For the words of love they bore,
+    Words that whispered in the silence,
+      She had listened till his tone
+    Seemed to linger in the echo
+      'Darling, thou art all mine own!'"
+                                 --MRS. J. C. NEAL.
+
+
+"Pray, what weighty matter is troubling your young brain, birdie?"
+asked Adelaide, laughingly laying her hand on Elsie's shoulder.
+"Judging from the exceeding gravity of your countenance, one might
+imagine that the affairs of the nation had been committed to your care."
+
+"O auntie! can't you help me? won't you?" answered the little girl,
+looking up coaxingly into the bright, cheerful face bent over her.
+
+"Help you in what? reading with your book upside down, eh?" asked
+Adelaide, pointing with a quizzical look at the volume of fairy tales
+in her little niece's lap.
+
+"Oh!" cried Elsie, coloring and laughing in her turn, "I was not
+reading, and did not know that my book was wrong side up. But, Aunt
+Adelaide, you know Christmas is coming soon, and I want to give papa
+something, and I am quite puzzled about it. I thought of slippers, but
+he has a very handsome pair, and besides there would hardly be time to
+work them, as I have so many lessons; a purse won't do either, because
+I have given him one already, and I would like it to be something worth
+more than either slippers or purse. But you are so much wiser than I,
+can't you help me think?"
+
+"So _this_ is what has kept you so quiet and demure all day that I have
+scarcely once heard you laugh or sing; quite an unusual state of things
+of late," and Adelaide playfully pinched the round, rosy cheek. "Ahem!
+let me put on my thinking cap," assuming an air of comic gravity. "Ah!
+yes, I have it! your miniature, little one, of course; what could
+please him better?"
+
+"Oh! yes," cried Elsie, clapping her hands, "that will do nicely; why
+didn't I think of it? Thank you, auntie. But then," she added, her
+countenance falling, "how can I get it taken without his knowledge? you
+know the surprise is half the fun."
+
+"Never mind, my dear, I'll find a way to manage that," replied
+Adelaide, confidently; "so just run away with you now, and see how much
+money you can scrape together to spend on it."
+
+"It won't take long to count it," Elsie said with a merry laugh. "But
+here is papa just coming in at the door; I hope he won't suspect what
+we have been talking about," and she bounded away to meet him and claim
+the kiss he never refused her now.
+
+Once Adelaide would not have been surprised at Elsie's quietness.
+Patient and sweet tempered the little girl had always been, but more
+especially after her father's return from Europe--very quiet and timid,
+seeming to shrink from observation, with a constant dread of incurring
+reproof or punishment; but the last few happy months, during which her
+father had continued to lavish upon her every proof of the tenderest
+affection, had wrought a great change in her; her manner had lost its
+timidity, she moved about the house with a light and joyous step, and
+it was no unusual thing to hear her merry, silvery laugh ring out, or
+her sweet voice carolling like some wild bird of the wood--the natural
+outgushings of her joy and thankfulness; for the little heart that had
+so long been famishing for love, that had often grown so weary and sick
+in its hungering and thirsting for it, was now fully satisfied, and
+revelled in its new-found happiness.
+
+"I have got it all arranged nicely, Elsie," Adelaide said, coming into
+the room with a very pleased face as the little girl was preparing for
+bed that evening. "Your papa is going away in a day or two to attend to
+some business matters connected with your property, and will be absent
+at least two weeks; so, unless he should take it into his head to carry
+you along, we can easily manage about the picture."
+
+Elsie looked up with a countenance of blank dismay.
+
+"Why," said Adelaide, laughing, "I thought you'd be delighted with my
+news, and instead of that, you look as if I had read you your
+death-warrant."
+
+"O Aunt Adelaide! two whole weeks without seeing papa! just think how
+long."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense, child! it will be gone before you know it. But now
+tell me, how much money have you?"
+
+"I have saved my allowance for two months; that makes twenty dollars,
+you know, auntie, and I have a little change besides; do you think it
+will be enough?"
+
+"Hardly, I'm afraid; but I can lend you some, if necessary."
+
+"Thank you, auntie," Elsie answered gratefully, "you are very kind; but
+I couldn't take it, because papa has told me expressly that I must
+never borrow money, nor run into debt in any way."
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Adelaide, a little impatiently; "Horace certainly
+is the most absurdly strict person I ever met with. But never mind, I
+think we can manage it somehow," she added, in a livelier tone, as she
+stooped to kiss her little niece good-night.
+
+Elsie's gentle rap was heard very early at her papa's door the next
+morning.
+
+He opened it immediately, and springing into his arms, she asked,
+almost tearfully, "Are you going away, papa?"
+
+"Yes, darling," he said, caressing her fondly. "I must leave home for a
+few weeks; and though I at first thought of taking you with me, upon
+further consideration I have decided that it will be better to leave
+you here; yet, if you desire it very much, my pet, I will take you
+along. Shall I?"
+
+"You know I would always rather be with you than anywhere else, papa,"
+she answered, laying her head on his shoulder; "but you know best, and
+I am quite willing to do whatever you say."
+
+"That is right, daughter; my little Elsie is a good, obedient child,"
+he said, pressing her closer to him.
+
+"When are you going papa?" she asked, her voice trembling a little.
+
+"To-morrow, directly after dinner, daughter."
+
+"So soon," she sighed.
+
+"The sooner I leave you the sooner I shall return, you know, darling,"
+he said, patting her cheek, and smiling kindly on her.
+
+"Yes, papa; but two weeks seems such a long, long time."
+
+He smiled. "At your age I suppose it does, but when you are as old as I
+am, you will think it very short. But to make it pass more quickly, you
+may write me a little letter every day, and I will send you one just as
+often."
+
+"Oh! thank you, papa; that will be so pleasant," she answered, with a
+brightening countenance. "I do so love to get letters, and I would
+rather have one from you than from anybody else."
+
+"Ah? then I think you ought to be willing to spare me for two weeks. I
+have been thinking my little girl might perhaps be glad of a little
+extra pocket-money for buying Christmas gifts," he said, taking out his
+purse. "Would you?"
+
+"Yes, papa; oh! _very_ much, indeed."
+
+He laughed at her eager tone, and putting a fifty-dollar note into her
+hand, asked, "Will that be enough?"
+
+Elsie's eyes opened wide with astonishment.
+
+"I never before had half so much as this," she exclaimed. "May I spend
+it _all_, papa?"
+
+"Provided you don't throw it away," he answered gravely; "but don't
+forget that I require a strict account of all your expenditure."
+
+"Must I tell you _every_ thing I buy?" she asked, her countenance
+falling considerably.
+
+"Yes, my child, you must; not until after Christmas, however, if you
+would rather not."
+
+"I will not mind it so much then," she answered, looking quite
+relieved; "but indeed, papa, it is a great deal of trouble."
+
+"Ah! my little girl must not be lazy," he said, shaking his head
+gravely.
+
+This was Elsie's first parting from her father since they had learned
+to know and love each other; and when the time came to say good-by, she
+clung to him, and seemed so loath to let him go, that he quite repented
+of his determination to leave her at home.
+
+"O papa, papa! I cannot bear to have you go, and leave me behind," she
+sobbed. "I feel as if you were never coming back."
+
+"Why, my own darling," he said, kissing her again and again, "why do
+you talk so? I shall certainly be at home again in a fortnight; but if
+I had thought you would feel so badly, I would have made arrangements
+to take you with me. It is too late now, however, and you must let me
+go, dearest. Be a good girl while I am gone, and when I return I will
+bring you some handsome presents."
+
+So saying, he embraced her once more, then putting her gently from him,
+sprang into the carriage and was driven rapidly away.
+
+Elsie stood watching until it was out of sight, and then ran away to
+her own room to put her arms round her nurse's neck and hide her tears
+on her bosom.
+
+"Dere, dere, darlin'! dat will do now. Massa Horace he be back 'fore
+long, and ole Chloe don' like for to see her chile 'stressin' herself
+so," and the large, dusky hand was passed lovingly over the bright
+curls, and tenderly wiped away the falling tears.
+
+"But, O mammy! I'm afraid he will never come back. I'm afraid the
+steamboat boiler will burst, or the cars will run off the track, or----"
+
+"Hush, hush, darlin'! dat's wicked; you must jes' trust de Lord to take
+care of Massa Horace; He's jes' as able to do it one place as in
+tudder; an ef you an' your ole mammy keep prayin' for Massa, I'se
+_sure_ he'll come back safe, kase don't you remember what de good book
+says, 'If any two of you agree----'"
+
+"Oh! yes, dear mammy, thank you for remembering it," exclaimed the
+little girl, lifting her head and smiling through her tears. "I won't
+cry any more now, but will just try to keep thinking how glad I will be
+when papa comes home again."
+
+"A very sensible resolution, my dear," said Adelaide, putting her head
+in at the door; "so come, dry your eyes, and let mammy put on your
+bonnet and cloak as fast as possible, for I have begged a holiday for
+you, and am going to carry you off to the city to do some shopping, et
+cetera."
+
+"Ah! I think I know what that et cetera means, auntie, don't I?"
+laughed Elsie, as she hastened to obey.
+
+"Dear me! how very wise some people are," said her aunt, smiling and
+nodding good-naturedly. "But make haste, my dear, for the carriage is
+at the door."
+
+When Elsie laid her head upon her pillow that night she acknowledged to
+herself, that in spite of her father's absence--and she had, at times,
+missed him sadly--the day had been a very short and pleasant one to
+her, owing to her Aunt Adelaide's thoughtful kindness in taking her out
+into new scenes, and giving agreeable occupation to her thoughts.
+
+She rose at her usual early hour the next morning, and though feeling
+lonely, comforted herself with the hope of receiving the promised
+letter; and her face was full of eager expectation, as her grandfather,
+in his usual leisurely manner, opened the bag and distributed its
+contents.
+
+"Two letters for Elsie!" he said, in a tone of surprise, just as she
+was beginning to despair of her turn coming at all. "Ah; one is from
+Horace, I see; and the other from Miss Allison, no doubt."
+
+Elsie could hardly restrain her eagerness while he held them in his
+hand, examining and commenting upon the address, postmark, etc.
+
+But at length he tossed them to her, remarking, "There! if you are done
+your breakfast, you had better run away and read them."
+
+"Oh! thank you, grandpa," she said, gladly availing herself of his
+permission.
+
+"Elsie is fortunate to-day," observed Lora looking after her. "I wonder
+which she will read first."
+
+"Her father's, of course," replied Adelaide. "He is more to her than
+all the rest of the world put together."
+
+"A matter of small concern to the rest of the world, I opine," remarked
+Mrs. Dinsmore, dryly.
+
+"Perhaps so, mamma," said Adelaide, quietly; "yet I think there are
+_some_ who prize Elsie's affection."
+
+Yes, Adelaide was right. Miss Rose's letter was neglected and almost
+forgotten, while Elsie read and reread her papa's with the greatest
+delight.
+
+It gave an amusing account of the day's journey; but what constituted
+its chief charm for the little girl was that it was filled with
+expressions of the tenderest affection for her.
+
+Then came the pleasant task of answering, which occupied almost all her
+spare time, for letter-writing was still, to her, a rather new and
+difficult business, Miss Allison having hitherto been her only
+correspondent. And this was a pleasure which was renewed every day, for
+her papa faithfully kept his promise, each morning bringing her a
+letter, until at length one came announcing the speedy return of the
+writer.
+
+Elsie was almost wild with delight.
+
+"Aunt Adelaide," she cried, running to her to communicate the glad
+tidings, "papa says he will be here this very afternoon."
+
+"Well, my dear, as we have already attended to all the business that
+needed to be kept secret from him, I am very glad to hear it,
+especially for _your_ sake," replied Adelaide, looking up for a moment
+from the book she was reading, and then returning to it again, while
+her little niece danced out of the room, with her papa's letter still
+in her hand, and a face beaming with happiness.
+
+She met Mrs. Dinsmore in the hall.
+
+"Why are you skipping about in that mad fashion, Elsie?" she asked,
+severely; "I believe you will never learn to move and act like a lady."
+
+"I will try, madam, indeed," Elsie answered, subsiding into a slow and
+steady gait which would not have disgraced a woman of any age; "but I
+was so glad that papa is coming home to-day, that I could not help
+skipping."
+
+"Indeed!" and with a scornful toss of the head, Mrs. Dinsmore sailed
+past her and entered the drawing-room.
+
+Elsie had once, on her first arrival at Roselands, addressed Mrs.
+Dinsmore, in the innocence of her heart, as "grandma," but that lady's
+horrified look, and indignant repudiation of the ancient title, had
+made a deep impression on the little girl's memory, and effectually
+prevented any repetition of the offence.
+
+As the hour drew near when her father might reasonably be expected,
+Elsie took her station at one of the drawing-room windows overlooking
+the avenue, and the moment the carriage appeared in sight, she ran out
+and stood waiting for him on the steps of the portico.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore put out his head as they drove up the avenue, and the
+first object that caught his eye was the fairy-like form of his little
+daughter, in her blue merino dress, and the golden brown curls waving
+in the wind. He sprang out and caught her in his arms the instant the
+carriage stopped.
+
+"My darling, darling child," he cried, kissing her over and over again,
+and pressing her fondly to his heart, "how glad I am to have you in my
+arms again!"
+
+"Papa, papa, my own dear, dear papa!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms
+around his neck, "I'm _so_ happy, now that you have come home safe and
+well."
+
+"Are you, darling? but I must not keep you out in this wind, for it is
+quite chilly."
+
+He set her down, and leaving the servant to attend lo his baggage, led
+her into the hall.
+
+"Will you come into the drawing-room, papa?" she said; "there is a
+bright, warm fire there."
+
+"Is there not one in my dressing-room?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, papa, a very good one."
+
+"Then we will go there. I dare say the rest of the family are in no
+great hurry to see me, and I want my little girl to myself for half an
+hour," he said, leading the way up-stairs as he spoke.
+
+They found, as Elsie had reported, a very bright fire in the
+dressing-room. A large easy chair was drawn up near it, and a handsome
+dressing-gown and slippers were placed ready for use; all the work of
+Elsie's loving little hands.
+
+He saw it all at a glance, and with a pleased smile, stooped and kissed
+her again, saying, "My dear little daughter is very thoughtful for her
+papa's comfort."
+
+Then exchanging his warm out-door apparel and heavy boots for the
+dressing-gown and slippers, he seated himself in the chair and took her
+on his knee.
+
+"Well, daughter," he said, passing his hand caressingly over her curls,
+"papa has brought you a present; will you have it now, or shall it be
+kept for Christmas?"
+
+"Keep it for Christmas, papa," she answered gayly. "Christmas is almost
+here, and besides, I don't want to look at anything but you to-night."
+
+"Very well, look at me as much as you like," was his laughing
+rejoinder. "And now tell me, have you been a good girl in my absence?"
+
+"As good as I ever am, I believe, papa. I tried very hard; but you can
+ask Miss Day."
+
+"No, I am entirely satisfied with your report, for I know my little
+daughter is quite truthful."
+
+Elsie colored with pleasure, then calling to mind the time when he had
+for a moment suspected her of falsehood, she heaved a deep sigh,
+dropping her head upon his breast.
+
+He seemed to understand her thoughts, for, pressing his lips to her
+forehead, he said gently and kindly, "I think I shall never again doubt
+my little daughter's truth."
+
+She looked up with a grateful smile.
+
+"Miss Day has gone away to stay until after New Year's day, papa," she
+said, "and so our holidays have begun."
+
+"Ah! I am very well satisfied," said he. "I think you have earned a
+holiday, and I hope you will enjoy it. But I don't know that I shall
+let _you_ play _all_ the time," he added with a smile; "I have some
+notion of giving you a lesson now and then, myself."
+
+"Dear papa, how pleasant!" she exclaimed delightedly; "I do so love to
+say lessons to you."
+
+"Well, then, we will spend an hour together every morning. But are you
+not to have some company?"
+
+"Oh! yes, papa, quite a house full," she said with a slight sigh. "The
+Percys, and the Howards, and all the Carringtons, and some others too,
+I believe."
+
+"Why do you sigh, daughter?" he asked; "do you not expect to enjoy
+their company?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I hope so," she answered, rather dubiously; "but when there
+are so many, and they stay so long, they are apt to disagree, and that,
+you know, is not pleasant. I am sure I shall enjoy the hour with you
+better than anything else; it is so sweet to be quite alone with my own
+darling papa," and the little arm stole softly round his neck again,
+and the rosy lips touched his cheek.
+
+"Well, when are the little plagues coming?" he asked, returning her
+caress.
+
+"Some of them to-morrow, papa; no, Monday--to-morrow is Sabbath day."
+
+"Shall I bring in de trunks now, massa?" asked Mr. Dinsmore's servant,
+putting his head in at the door.
+
+"Yes, John, certainly."
+
+"Why, you brought back a new one, papa, didn't you?" asked Elsie, as
+John carried in one she was sure she had never seen before, and in
+obedience to a motion of her father's hand, set it down quite near them.
+
+"Yes, my dear, it is yours. There, John, unlock it," tossing him the
+key. "And now, daughter, get down and see what you can find in it worth
+having."
+
+Elsie needed no second bidding, but in an instant was on her knees
+beside the trunk, eager to examine its contents.
+
+"Take the lid off the band-box first, and see what is there," said her
+father.
+
+"O papa, how _very_ pretty!" she cried, as she lifted out a beautiful
+little velvet hat adorned with a couple of ostrich feathers.
+
+"I am very glad it pleases you, my darling," he said, putting it on her
+head, and gazing at her with proud delight in her rare beauty. "There!
+it fits exactly, and is very becoming."
+
+Then taking it off, he returned it to the box, and bade her look
+further.
+
+"I am reserving the present for Christmas," he said, in answer to her
+inquiring look.
+
+Elsie turned to the trunk again.
+
+"Dear papa, how good you are to me!" she said, looking up at him almost
+with tears of pleasure in her eyes, as she lifted out, one after
+another, a number of costly toys, which she examined with exclamations
+of delight, and then several handsome dresses, some of the finest,
+softest merino, and others of thick rich silk, all ready made in
+fashionable style, and doing credit to his taste and judgment; and
+lastly a beautiful velvet pelisse, trimmed with costly fur, just the
+thing to wear with her pretty new hat.
+
+He laughed and patted her cheek.
+
+"We must have these dresses tried on," he said, "at least one of them;
+for as they were all cut by the same pattern--one of your old dresses
+which I took with me--I presume they will all fit alike. There, take
+this one to mammy, and tell her to put it on you, and then come back to
+me."
+
+"Oh! I wondered how you could get them the right size, papa," Elsie
+answered, as she skipped gayly out of the room.
+
+She was back again in a very few moments, arrayed in the pretty silk he
+had selected.
+
+"Ah! it seems to be a perfect fit," said he, turning her round and
+round, with a very gratified look.
+
+"Mammy must dress you to-morrow in one of these new frocks, and your
+pretty hat and pelisse."
+
+Elsie looked troubled.
+
+"Well, what is it?" he asked.
+
+"I am afraid I shall be thinking of them in church, papa, if I wear
+them then for the first time."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! what harm if you do? This squeamishness, Elsie, is the
+one thing about you that displeases me very much. But there! don't look
+so distressed, my pet. I dare say you will get over it by-and-by, and
+be all I wish; indeed I sometimes think you have improved a little
+already, in that respect."
+
+Oh! what a pang these words sent to her heart! was it indeed true that
+she was losing her tenderness of conscience? that she was becoming less
+afraid of displeasing and dishonoring her Saviour than in former days?
+The very thought was anguish.
+
+Her head drooped upon her bosom, and the small white hands were clasped
+convulsively together, while a bitter, repenting cry, a silent earnest
+prayer for pardon and help went up to Him whose ear is ever open to the
+cry of His children.
+
+Her father looked at her in astonishment.
+
+"What is it, darling?" he asked, drawing her tenderly toward him, and
+pushing back the curls from her face; "why do you look so pained? what
+did I say that could have hurt you so? I did not mean to be harsh and
+severe, for it was a very trifling fault."
+
+She hid her face on his shoulder and burst into an agony of tears.
+
+"It was not that, papa, but--but----"
+
+"But what, my darling? don't be afraid to tell me," he answered,
+soothingly.
+
+"O papa! I--I am afraid I don't--love Jesus--as much as I did," she
+faltered out between her sobs.
+
+"Ah! _that_ is it, eh? Well, well, you needn't cry any more. _I_ think
+you are a very good little girl, though rather a silly one, I am
+afraid, and quite too morbidly conscientious."
+
+He took her on his knee as he spoke, wiped away her tears, and then
+began talking in a lively strain of something else.
+
+Elsie listened, and answered him cheerfully, but all the evening he
+noticed that whenever she was quiet, an unusual expression of sadness
+would steal over her face.
+
+"What a strange child she is!" he said to himself, as he sat musing
+over the fire, after sending her to bed. "I cannot understand her; it
+is very odd how often I wound, when I intend to please her."
+
+As for Elsie, she scarcely thought of her new finery, so troubled was
+her tender conscience, so pained her little heart to think that she had
+been wandering from her dear Saviour.
+
+But Elsie had learned that "if any man sin, we have an advocate with
+the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," and to Him she went with her
+sin and sorrow; she applied anew to the pardoning, peace-speaking blood
+of Christ--that "blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than
+that of Abel;" and thus the sting of conscience was taken away and her
+peace restored, and she was soon resting quietly on her pillow, for,
+"so He giveth His beloved sleep."
+
+Even her father's keen, searching glance, when she came to him in the
+morning, could discover no trace of sadness in her face; very quiet and
+sober it was, but entirely peaceful and happy, and so it remained all
+through the day. Her new clothes did not trouble her; she was hardly
+conscious of wearing them, and quite able to give her usual solemn and
+fixed attention to the services of the sanctuary.
+
+"Where are you going, daughter?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, as Elsie gently
+withdrew her hand from his on leaving the dining-room.
+
+"To my room, papa," she replied.
+
+"Come with me," he said; "I want you."
+
+"What do you want me for, papa?" she asked, as he sat down and took her
+on his knee.
+
+"What for? why to keep, to love, and to look at," he said laughing. "I
+have been away from my little girl so long, that now I want her close
+by my side, or on my knee, all the time. Do you not like to be with me?"
+
+"_Dearly_ well, my own darling papa," she answered, flinging her little
+arms around his neck, and laying her head on his breast.
+
+He fondled her, and chatted with her for some time, then, still keeping
+her on his knee, took up a book and began to read.
+
+Elsie saw with pain that it was a novel and longed to beg him to put it
+away, and spend the precious hours of the holy Sabbath in the study of
+God's word, or some of the lesser helps to Zion's pilgrims which the
+saints of our own or other ages have prepared. But she knew that it
+would be quite out of place for a little child like her to attempt to
+counsel or reprove her father; and that, tenderly as he loved and
+cherished her, he would never for one moment allow her to forget their
+relative positions.
+
+At length she ventured to ask softly, "Papa, may I go to my own room
+now?"
+
+"What for?" he asked; "are you tired of my company?"
+
+"No, sir, _oh! no;_ but I want--" she hesitated and hung her head for
+an instant, while the rich color mounted to cheek and brow; then
+raising it again, she said fearlessly, "I always want to spend a little
+while with my best Friend on Sabbath afternoon, papa."
+
+He looked puzzled, and also somewhat displeased.
+
+"I don't understand you, Elsie," he said; "you surely can have no
+better friend than your own father; and can it be _possible_ that you
+love any one else better than you love me?"
+
+Again the little arms were round his neck, and hugging him close and
+closer, she whispered, "It was Jesus I meant, papa; you know He loves
+me even better than you do, and I must love Him best of all; but there
+is no one else that I love half so much as I love you, my own dear,
+dear precious father."
+
+"Well, you may go; but only for a little while, mind," he answered,
+giving her a kiss, and setting her down. "Nay," he added hastily, "stay
+as long as you like; if you feel it a punishment to be kept here with
+me, I would rather do without you."
+
+"Oh! no, no, papa," she said beseechingly, and with tears in her eyes;
+"I do so love to be with you. Please don't be angry; please let me come
+back soon."
+
+"No, darling, I am not angry," he answered, smoothing her hair and
+smiling kindly on her; "come back just when you like, and the sooner
+the better."
+
+Elsie did not stay away very long; in less than an hour she returned,
+bringing her Bible and "Pilgrim's Progress" with her.
+
+Her father welcomed her with a smile, and then turned to his novel
+again, while she drew a stool to his side, and, sitting down, leaned
+her head against his knee, and read until the short winter day began to
+close in, and Mr. Dinsmore, whose hand had been every now and then laid
+caressingly upon her curls, said, "Put away your book now, daughter; it
+is growing too dark for you to read without straining your eyes."
+
+"Please, papa, let me finish the paragraph first; may I?" she asked.
+
+"No; you must always obey the instant I speak to you."
+
+Elsie rose at once, and without another word laid her books upon the
+table; then coming back, claimed her accustomed place upon his knee,
+with her head resting on his shoulder.
+
+He put his arm around her, and they sat silently thus for some moments.
+At length Elsie asked, "Papa, did you ever read 'Pilgrim's Progress!'"
+
+"Yes; a good while ago, when I was quite a boy."
+
+"And you did not like it, papa?"
+
+"Yes, very much, though I have nearly forgotten the story now. Do _you_
+like it?"
+
+"Very much, indeed, papa; I think it comes next to the Bible."
+
+"Next to the Bible, eh? well, I believe you are the only little girl of
+my acquaintance who thinks _that_ the most beautiful and interesting
+book in the world. But, let me see, what is this 'Pilgrim's Progress'
+about? some foolish story of a man with a great load on his back; is it
+not?"
+
+"Foolish! papa; oh! I am sure you don't mean it; you couldn't think it
+foolish. Ah! I know by your smile that you are only saying it to tease
+me. It is a beautiful story, papa, about Christian: how he lived in the
+City of Destruction, and had a great burden on his back, which he tried
+in every way to get rid of, but all in vain, until he came to the
+Cross; but then it seemed suddenly to loosen of itself, and dropped
+from his back, and rolled away, and fell into the sepulchre, where it
+could not be seen any more."
+
+"Well, and is not _that_ a foolish story? can you see any sense or
+meaning in it?" he asked, with a slight smile, and a keen glance into
+the eager little face upturned to his.
+
+"Ah! papa, I know what it means," she answered, in a half-sorrowful
+tone. "Christian, with the load on his back, is a person who has been
+convinced of sin by God's Holy Spirit, and feels his sins a heavy
+burden--too heavy for him to bear; and then he tries to get rid of them
+by leaving off his wicked ways, and by doing good deeds; but he soon
+finds he can't get rid of his load that way, for it only grows heavier
+and heavier, until at last he gives up trying to save himself, and just
+goes to the cross of Jesus Christ; and the moment he looks to Jesus and
+trusts in Him, his load of sin is all gone."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was surprised; as indeed he had often been at Elsie's
+knowledge of spiritual things.
+
+"Who told you all that?" he asked.
+
+"I read it in the Bible, papa; and besides, I know, because I have felt
+it."
+
+He did not speak again for some moments; and then he said very gravely,
+"I am afraid you read too many of those dull books. I don't want you to
+read things that fill you with sad and gloomy thoughts, and make you
+unhappy. I want my little girl to be merry and happy as the day is
+long."
+
+"Please don't forbid me to read them, papa," she pleaded with a look of
+apprehension, "for indeed they don't make me unhappy, and I love them
+so dearly."
+
+"You need not be alarmed. I shall not do so unless I see that they do
+affect your spirits," he answered in a reassuring tone, and she thanked
+him with her own bright, sweet smile.
+
+She was silent for a moment, then asked suddenly, "Papa, may I say some
+verses to you?"
+
+"Some time," he said, "but not now, for there is the tea-bell;" and
+taking her hand, he led her down to the dining-room.
+
+They went to the drawing-room after tea, but did not stay long. There
+were no visitors, and it was very dull and quiet there, no one seeming
+inclined for conversation. Old Mr. Dinsmore sat nodding in his chair,
+Louise was drumming on the piano, and the rest were reading or sitting
+listlessly, saying nothing, and Elsie and her papa soon slipped away to
+their old seat by his dressing-room fire.
+
+"Sing something for me, my pet, some of those little hymns I often hear
+you singing to yourself," he said, as he took her on his knee; and
+Elsie gladly obeyed.
+
+Some of the pieces she sang alone, but in others which were familiar to
+him, her father joined his deep bass notes to her sweet treble, at
+which she was greatly delighted. Then they read several chapters of the
+Bible together, and thus the evening passed so quickly and pleasantly
+that she was very much surprised when her papa, taking out his watch,
+told her it was her bed-time.
+
+"O papa! it has been such a nice, _nice_ evening!" she said, as she
+bade him good-night; "so like the dear old times I used to have with
+Miss Rose, only--"
+
+She paused and colored deeply.
+
+"Only what, darling?" he asked, drawing her caressingly to him.
+
+"Only, papa, if you would pray with me, like she did," she whispered,
+winding her arms about his neck, and hiding her face on his shoulder.
+
+"That I cannot do, my pet, I have never learned how; and so I fear you
+will have to do all the praying for yourself and me too," he said, with
+a vain effort to speak lightly, for both heart and conscience were
+touched.
+
+The only reply was a tightening of the clasp of the little arms about
+his neck, and a half-suppressed sob; then two trembling lips touched
+his, a warm tear fell on his cheek, and she turned away and ran quickly
+from the room.
+
+Oh! how earnest and importunate were Elsie's pleadings at a throne of
+grace that night, that her "dear, _dear_ papa might soon be taught to
+love Jesus, and how to pray to Him." Tears fell fast while she prayed,
+but she rose from her knees feeling a joyful assurance that her
+petitions had been heard, and would be granted in God's own good time.
+
+She had hardly laid her head upon her pillow, when her father came in,
+and saying, "I have come to sit beside my little girl till she falls
+asleep," placed himself in a chair close by her side, taking her hand
+in his and holding it, as she loved so to have him do.
+
+"I am _so_ glad you have come, papa," she said, her whole face lighting
+up with pleased surprise.
+
+"Are you?" he answered with a smile. "I'm afraid I am spoiling you; but
+I can't help it to-night. I think you forget your wish to repeat some
+verses to me?"
+
+"Oh! yes, papa!" she said, "but may I say them now?"
+
+He nodded assent, and she went on. "They are some Miss Rose sent me in
+one of her letters. She cut them out of a newspaper, she said, and sent
+them to me because she liked them so much; and I too think they are
+very sweet. The piece is headed:
+
+             "'THE PILGRIM'S WANTS.'
+
+    "'I want a sweet sense of Thy pardoning love,
+      That my manifold sins are forgiven;
+    That Christ, as my Advocate, pleadeth above,
+      That my name is recorded in heaven.
+
+    "'I want every moment to feel
+      That thy Spirit resides in my heart--
+    That his power is present to cleanse and to heal,
+      And newness of life to impart.
+
+    "'I want--oh! I want to attain
+       Some likeness, my Saviour, to thee!
+    That longed for resemblance once more to regain,
+      Thy comeliness put upon me.
+
+    "'I want to be marked for thine own--
+      Thy seal on my forehead to wear;
+    To receive that new name on the mystic white stone
+      Which none but thyself can declare.
+
+    "'I want so in thee to abide
+      As to bring forth some fruit to thy praise;
+    The branch which thou prunest, though feeble and dried,
+      May languish, but never decays.
+
+    "'I want thine own hand to unbind
+      Each tie to terrestrial things,
+    Too tenderly cherished, too closely entwined,
+      Where my heart so tenaciously clings.
+
+    "'I want, by my aspect serene,
+      My actions and words, to declare
+    That my treasure is placed in a country unseen,
+      That my heart's best affections are there.
+
+    "'I want as a trav'ller to haste
+      Straight onward, nor pause on my way;
+    Nor forethought in anxious contrivance to waste
+      On the tent only pitched for a day.
+
+    "'I want--and this sums up my prayer--
+      To glorify thee till I die;
+    Then calmly to yield up my soul to thy care,
+      And breathe out in faith my last sigh.'"
+
+[Footnote: These beautiful words are not mine, nor do I know either the
+name of the author or where they were originally published.]
+
+He was silent for a moment after she had repeated the last verse, then
+laying his hand softly on her head, and looking searchingly into her
+eyes, he asked, "And does my little one really wish all that those
+words express?"
+
+"Yes, papa, for myself and for you too," she answered. "O papa! I do
+want to be all that Jesus would have me! just like Him; so like Him
+that everybody who knows me will see the likeness and know that I
+belong to Him."
+
+"Nay, you belong to me," he said, leaning over her and patting her
+cheek. "Hush! not a syllable from your lips. I will have no gainsaying
+of my words," he added, with a mixture of authority and playfulness, as
+she seemed about to reply. "Now shut your eyes and go to sleep; I will
+have no more talking to-night."
+
+She obeyed at once; the white lids gently closed over the sweet eyes,
+the long, dark lashes rested quietly on the fair, round cheek, and soon
+her soft regular breathing told that she had passed into the land of
+dreams.
+
+Her father sat, still holding the little hand, and still gazing
+tenderly upon the sweet young face, till, something in its expression
+reminding him of words she had just repeated,
+
+    "I want to be marked for thine own--
+     Thy seal on my forehead to wear,"
+
+he laid it gently down, rose, and bent over her with a troubled look.
+
+"Ah, my darling, _that_ prayer is granted already!" he murmured; "for,
+ah me! you seem almost too good and pure for earth. But oh, God forbid
+that you should be taken from me to that place where I can see that
+your heart is even now. How desolate should I be!" and he turned away
+with a shiver and a heavy sigh, and hastily quitted the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEENTH
+
+
+   "An angel face! its sunny wealth of hair,
+    In radiant ripples bathed the graceful throat
+    And dimpled shoulders."
+                                 --MRS. OSGOOD.
+
+
+The cold gray light of a winter morning was stealing in through the
+half-closed blinds as Elsie awoke, and started up in bed, with the
+thought that this was the day on which several of her young guests were
+expected, and that her papa had promised her a walk with him before
+breakfast, if she were ready in time.
+
+Aunt Chloe had already risen, and a bright fire was blazing and
+crackling on the hearth, which she was carefully sweeping up.
+
+"Good morning, mammy," said the little girl. "Are you ready to dress me
+now?"
+
+"What, you 'wake, darlin'?" cried the fond old creature, turning
+quickly round at the sound of her nursling's voice. "Better lie still,
+honey, till de room gets warm."
+
+"I'll wait a little while, mammy," Elsie said, lying down again, "but I
+must get up soon; for I wouldn't miss my walk with papa for a great
+deal. Please throw the shutters wide open, and let the daylight in. I'm
+so glad it has come."
+
+"Why, my bressed lamb, you didn't lie awake lookin' for de mornin', did
+you? You ain't sick, nor sufferin' any way?" exclaimed Chloe, in a tone
+of mingled concern and inquiry, as she hastily set down her broom, and
+came toward the bed, with a look of loving anxiety on her dark face.
+
+"Oh, no, mammy! I slept nicely, and feel as well as can be," replied
+the little girl; "but I am glad to see this new day, because I hope it
+is going to be a very happy one. Carry Howard, and a good many of my
+little friends are coming, you know, and I think we will have a very
+pleasant time together."
+
+"Your ole mammy hopes you will, darlin'," replied Chloe, heartily; "an'
+I'se glad 'nough to see you lookin' so bright an' well; but jes you lie
+still till it gets warm here. I'll open de shutters, an' fotch some
+more wood for de fire, an' clar up de room, an' by dat time I reckon
+you can get up."
+
+Elsie waited patiently till Chloe pronounced the room warm enough, then
+sprang up with an eager haste, asking to be dressed as quickly as
+possible, that she might go to her papa.
+
+"Don't you go for to worry yourself, darlin'; dere's plenty ob time,"
+said Chloe, beginning her work with all speed, however; "de mistress
+had ordered de breakfast at nine, dese holiday times, to let de ladies
+an' gen'lemen take a mornin' nap if dey likes it."
+
+"Oh, yes, mammy! and that reminds me that papa said I must eat a
+cracker or something before I take my walk, because he thinks it isn't
+good for people to exercise much on an entirely empty stomach," said
+Elsie. "Will you get me one when you have done my curls?"
+
+"Yes, honey, dere's a paper full in de drawer yonder," replied Chloe,
+"an' I reckon you better eat two or three, or you'll be mighty hungry
+'fore you gits your breakfast."
+
+It still wanted a few minutes of eight o'clock when Elsie's gentle rap
+was heard at her papa's dressing-room door. He opened it, and stooping
+to give her a good-morning kiss, said, with a pleased smile, "How
+bright and well my darling looks! Had you a good night's rest?"
+
+"Oh, yes, papa! I never waked once till it began to be light," she
+replied; "and now I'm all ready for our walk."
+
+"In good season, too," he said. "Well, we will start presently; but
+take off your hat and come and sit on my knee a little while first;
+breakfast will be late this morning, and we need not hurry. Did you get
+something to eat?" he asked, as he seated himself by the fire and drew
+her to his side.
+
+"Yes, papa, I ate a cracker, and I think I will not get very hungry
+before nine o'clock; and I'm very glad we have so much time for our
+walk," she replied, as she took her place on his knee. "Shall we not
+start soon?"
+
+"Presently," he said, stroking her hair; "but it will not hurt you to
+get well warmed first, for it is a sharp morning."
+
+"You are very careful of me, dear papa," she said, laying her head on
+his breast, "and oh! it is so nice to have a papa to love me and take
+care of me."
+
+"And it is so nice to have a dear little daughter to love and to take
+care of," he answered, pressing her closer to him.
+
+The house was still very quiet, no one seeming to be astir but the
+servants, as Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie went down the stairs and passed out
+through the hall.
+
+"O papa! it is going to be such a nice day, and I feel so happy!" Elsie
+gayly exclaimed, as they started down the avenue.
+
+"Do you, daughter?" he said, regarding her with an expression of
+intense yearning affection; "I wish I could make you always as gay and
+happy as you are at this moment. But alas! it cannot be, my darling,"
+he added with a sigh.
+
+"I know that, papa," she said with sudden gravity, "'for man that is
+born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble,' the Bible says; but
+I don't feel frightened at that, because it tells me, besides, that
+Jesus loves me, _oh, so dearly!_ and will never leave nor forsake me;
+and that He has all power in heaven and in earth, and will _never_ let
+anything happen to me but what shall do me good. O papa, it is such a
+_happy_ thing to have the dear Lord Jesus for your friend!"
+
+"It is strange how everything seems to lead your thoughts to Him," he
+said, giving her a wondering look.
+
+"Yes, papa, it is because I love Him so," she answered, simply; and the
+father sighed as the thought arose, "Better than she loves me, even as
+she told me herself. Ah! I would I could be _all_--_everything_ to her,
+as she is fast becoming to me. I cannot feel satisfied, and yet I
+believe few daughters love their fathers as well as she loves me;" and
+fondly pressing the little hand he held, he looked down upon her with
+beaming eyes.
+
+She raised hers to his face with an expression of confiding affection;
+and, as though she had read his thoughts: "Yes, papa," she said, "I
+love _you_ dearly, dearly, too; better than all the world besides."
+
+Breakfast--always a plentiful and inviting meal at Roselands--was
+already upon the table when they returned, and they brought to it
+appetites sufficiently keen to make it very enjoyable.
+
+Elsie spent the first hour after breakfast at the piano, practising,
+and the second in her papa's dressing-room, studying and reciting to
+him; then they took a long ride on horseback, and when they returned
+she found that quite a number of the expected guests had already
+arrived.
+
+Among them was Caroline Howard, a favorite friend of Elsie's; a pretty,
+sweet-tempered little girl, about a year older than herself.
+
+Caroline had been away paying a long visit to some friends in the
+North, and so the two little girls had not met for nearly a year, and
+of course they had a great deal to say to each other.
+
+They chatted a few moments in the drawing-room, and then Elsie carried
+her friend off with her to her own room, that they might go on with
+their talk while she was getting dressed for dinner. Caroline had much
+to tell of her Northern relatives, and of all she had seen and heard,
+and Elsie of her new-found parent, and her happiness in being so loved
+and cared for; and so the little tongues ran very fast, neither of them
+feeling Chloe's presence any restraint. But she soon completed her
+task, and went out, leaving the two sitting on the sofa together,
+laughing and talking merrily while awaiting the summons to dinner,
+which they were to take that day along with their elders.
+
+"How pretty your hair is, Elsie," said Caroline, winding the glossy
+ringlets around her finger. "I wish you'd give me one of these curls. I
+want to get a bracelet made for mamma, and she thinks so much of you,
+and your hair is such a lovely color, that I am sure she would be
+delighted with one made of it."
+
+"A Christmas gift is it to be?" asked Elsie; "but how will you get it
+done in time? for you know day after to-morrow is Christmas."
+
+"Yes, I know; but if I could get into the city this afternoon, I think
+I might get them to promise it by to-morrow night."
+
+"Well, you shall have the curl, at any rate, if you will just take the
+scissors and help yourself, and poor mammy will have the fewer to curl
+the next time," Elsie answered, laughingly. "But mind," she added, as
+Caroline prepared to avail herself of the permission, "that you take it
+where it will not be missed."
+
+"Of course I will; I don't want to spoil your beauty, though you are so
+much prettier than I," was Caroline's laughing rejoinder. "There," she
+cried, holding up the severed ringlet, "isn't it a beauty? but don't
+look scared, it will never be missed among so many; I don't even miss
+it myself, although I know it is gone."
+
+"Well," Elsie said, shaking back her curls, "suppose we go down to the
+drawing-room now, and I will ask papa to take us to the city this
+afternoon; or, if he is too busy to go himself, to let Pomp or Ajax
+drive us in."
+
+"I think it would be better fun to go alone, Elsie--don't you?" asked
+Caroline, with some hesitation; adding quickly: "Don't be vexed, but I
+must confess I am more than half afraid of your father."
+
+"Oh! you wouldn't be, Carry, if you knew him," Elsie answered, in her
+eager way; "I was a little myself, at first, but now I love him so
+dearly, I never want to go anywhere without him."
+
+They found Mr. Dinsmore in the drawing-room, where most of the guests
+and the older members of the family were assembled. He was conversing
+with a strange gentleman, and his little girl stood quietly at his
+side, patiently waiting until he should be ready to give her his
+attention. She had to wait some moments, for the gentlemen were
+discussing some political question, and were too much engaged to notice
+her.
+
+But at length her father put his arm around her, and with a kind smile
+asked, "What is it, daughter?"
+
+"Carry and I want to go to the city, this afternoon; won't you take us,
+papa?"
+
+"I wish I could, my dear, but I have an engagement, which makes it
+quite impossible."
+
+"Ah, I'm so sorry! but then, papa, we may have one of the carriages,
+and Pomp or Ajax to drive us, may we not?"
+
+"No, daughter; I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am afraid you are
+too young to be trusted on such an expedition with only a servant. You
+must wait until to-morrow, when I can take you myself."
+
+"But, papa, we want to go to-day. Oh! please do say yes; we want to go
+so very much, and I'm sure we could do very nicely by ourselves."
+
+Her arm was around his neck, and both tone and look were very coaxing.
+
+"My little daughter forgets that when papa says no, she is never to ask
+again."
+
+Elsie blushed and hung her head. His manner was quite too grave and
+decided for her to venture another word.
+
+"What is the matter? what does Elsie want?" asked Adelaide, who was
+standing near, and had overheard enough to have some idea of the
+trouble.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore explained, and Adelaide at once offered to take charge of
+the little girls, saying that she intended shopping a little in the
+city herself that very afternoon.
+
+"Thank you," said her brother, looking very much pleased; "that
+obviates the difficulty entirely. Elsie, you may go, if Mrs. Howard
+gives Caroline permission."
+
+"Thank you, dear papa, thank you so very much," she answered
+gratefully, and then ran away to tell Carry of her success, and secure
+Mrs. Howard's permission, which was easily obtained.
+
+Elsie had intended buying some little present for each of the
+house-servants, and had taken a great deal of pleasure in making out a
+list of such articles as she thought would be suitable; but, on
+examining her purse, she found to her dismay that she had already spent
+so much on the miniature, and various gifts intended for other members
+of the family, that there was very little left; and it was with a very
+sober, almost sorrowful face, that she came down to take her place in
+the carriage; it brightened instantly, though, as she caught sight of
+her father waiting to see her off.
+
+"All ready, my darling?" he said, holding out his hand; "I think you
+will have a pleasant ride."
+
+"Ah! yes, if you were only going too, papa," she answered regretfully.
+
+"Quite impossible, my pet; but here is something to help you in your
+shopping; use it wisely;" and he put a twenty-dollar gold piece in her
+hand.
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa! how good and kind you are to me!" she exclaimed,
+her whole face lighting up with pleasure; "now I can buy some things I
+wanted to get for mammy and the rest. But how could you know I wanted
+more money?"
+
+He only smiled, lifted her up in his arms, and kissed her fondly; then,
+placing her in the carriage, said to the coachman, "Drive carefully,
+Ajax; you are carrying my greatest treasure."
+
+"Nebber fear, marster; dese ole horses nebber tink ob running away,"
+replied the negro, with a bow and a grin, as he touched his horses with
+the whip, and drove off.
+
+It was growing quite dark when the carriage again drove up the avenue;
+and Mr. Horace Dinsmore, who was beginning to feel a little anxious,
+came out to receive them, and ask what had detained them so long.
+
+"Long!" said Adelaide, in a tone of surprise, "you gentlemen really
+have no idea what an undertaking it is to shop. Why, I thought we got
+through in a wonderfully short time."
+
+"O papa, I have bought such quantities of nice things," cried Elsie,
+springing into his arms.
+
+"Such as tobacco pipes, red flannel, et cetera," remarked Adelaide,
+laughing.
+
+"Indeed, Miss Adelaide!" exclaimed Carry, somewhat indignantly, "you
+forget the----"
+
+But Elsie's little hand was suddenly placed over her mouth, and Carry
+laughed pleasantly, saying, "Ah! I forgot, I mustn't tell."
+
+"Papa, papa," cried Elsie, catching hold of his hand, "do come with me
+to my room, and let me show you my purchases."
+
+"I will, darling," he answered, pinching her cheek, "Here, Bill"--to a
+servant--"carry these bundles to Miss Elsie's room."
+
+Then, picking her up, he tossed her over his shoulder, and carried her
+up-stairs as easily as though she had been a baby, she clinging to him
+and laughing merrily.
+
+"Why, papa, how strong you are," she said, as he set her down. "I
+believe you can carry me as easily as I can my doll."
+
+"To be sure; you are my doll," said he, "and a very light burden for a
+man of my size and strength. But here come the bundles! what a number!
+no wonder you were late in getting home."
+
+"Oh! yes, papa see! I want to show you!" and catching up one of them,
+she hastily tore it open, displaying a very gay handkerchief. "This is
+a turban for Aunt Phillis; and this is a pound of tobacco for old Uncle
+Jack, and a nice pipe, too. Look, mammy! won't he be pleased? And
+here's some flannel for poor old Aunt Dinah, who has the rheumatism;
+and that--oh! no, no, mammy! don't you open that! It's a nice shawl for
+her, papa," she whispered in his ear.
+
+"Ah!" he said, smiling; "and which is my present? You had better point
+it out, lest I should stumble upon it and learn the secret too soon."
+
+"There is none here for you, sir," she replied, looking up into his
+face with an arch smile. "I would give you the bundle you carried
+up-stairs, just now, but I'm afraid you would say that was not mine to
+give, because it belongs to you already."
+
+"Indeed it does, and I feel richer in that possession than all the gold
+of California could make me," he said, pressing her to his heart.
+
+She looked surpassingly lovely at that moment, her cheeks burning, and
+her eyes sparkling with excitement; the dark, fur-trimmed pelisse, and
+the velvet hat and plumes, setting off to advantage the whiteness of
+her pure complexion and the glossy ringlets falling in rich masses on
+her shoulders.
+
+"My own papa! I'm so glad I do belong to you," she said, throwing her
+arms around his neck, and laying her cheek to his for an instant. Then
+springing away, she added: "But I must show you the rest of the things;
+there are a good many more."
+
+And she went on opening bundle after bundle, displaying their contents,
+and telling him for whom she intended them, until at last they had all
+been examined, and then she said, a little wearily, "Now, mammy, please
+put them all away until to-morrow. But first take off my things and get
+me ready to go downstairs."
+
+"No, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said in a gentle but firm tone; "you are
+not ready to have them put away until the price of each has been set
+down in your book."
+
+"Oh! papa," she pleaded, "won't to-morrow do? I'm tired now, and isn't
+it almost tea-time?"
+
+"No; never put off till to-morrow what may as well be done to-day.
+There is nearly an hour yet before tea, and I do not think it need
+fatigue you much."
+
+Elsie's face clouded, and the slightest approach to a pout might have
+been perceived.
+
+"I hope my little girl is not going to be naughty," he said, very
+gravely.
+
+Her face brightened in an instant. "No, papa," she answered cheerfully,
+"I will be good, and do whatever you bid me."
+
+"That is my own darling," said he, "and I will help you, and it will
+not take long."
+
+He opened her writing-desk as he spoke, and took out her account-book.
+
+"Oh! papa," she cried in a startled tone, springing forward and taking
+hold of his hand, "please, please don't look! you know you said I need
+not show you until after Christmas."
+
+"No, I will not," he replied, smiling at her eagerness; "you shall put
+down the items in the book, while I write the labels, and Aunt Chloe
+pins them on. Will that do?"
+
+"Oh! that's a nice plan, papa," she said gayly, as she threw off her
+hat and pelisse, and seating herself before the desk, took out her pen
+and ink.
+
+Chloe put the hat and pelisse carefully away, brought a comb and brush,
+and smoothed her nursling's hair, and then began her share of the
+business on hand.
+
+Half an hour's work finished it all, and Elsie wiped her pen, and laid
+it away, saying joyously, "Oh! I'm so glad it is all done."
+
+"Papa knew best, after all, did he not?" asked her father, drawing her
+to him, and patting her cheek.
+
+"Yes, papa," she said softly; "you always know best, and I am very
+sorry I was naughty."
+
+He answered with a kiss, and, taking her hand, led her down to the
+drawing-room.
+
+After tea the young people adjourned to the nursery, where they amused
+themselves with a variety of innocent games. Quite early in the
+evening, and greatly to Elsie's delight, her father joined them; and,
+though some of the young strangers were at first rather shy of him,
+they soon found that he could enter heartily into their sports, and
+before the time came to separate for the night, he had made himself
+very popular with nearly all.
+
+Time flew fast, and Elsie was very much surprised when the clock struck
+eight. Half-past was her bedtime; and, as she now and then glanced up
+at the dial-plate, she thought the hands had never moved so fast. As it
+struck the half hour she drew near her father's side.
+
+"Papa," she asked, "is the clock right?"
+
+"Yes, my dear, it is," he replied, comparing it with his watch.
+
+"And must I go to bed now?" she asked, half hoping for permission to
+stay up a little longer.
+
+"Yes, daughter; keep to rules."
+
+Elsie looked disappointed, and several little voices urged, "Oh, do let
+her stay up another hour, or at least till nine o'clock."
+
+"No; I cannot often allow a departure from rules," he said kindly, but
+firmly; "and to-morrow night Elsie will find it harder to go to bed in
+season than to-night. Bid your little friends good-night, my dear, and
+go at once."
+
+Elsie obeyed, readily and cheerfully. "You, too, papa," she said,
+coming to him last.
+
+"No, darling," he answered, laying his hand caressingly on her head,
+and smiling approvingly on her; "I will come for my good-night kiss
+before you are asleep."
+
+Elsie looked very glad, and went away feeling herself the happiest
+little girl in the land, in spite of the annoyance of being forced to
+leave the merry group in the nursery. She was just ready for bed when
+her papa came in, and, taking her in his arms, folded her to his heart,
+saying, "My own darling! my good, obedient little daughter!"
+
+"Dear papa, I love you so much!" she replied, twining her arms around
+his neck, "I love you all the better for never letting me have my own
+way, but always making me obey and keep to rules."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter," he said, "for I have often noticed that
+spoiled, petted children, usually have very little love for their
+parents, or indeed for any one but themselves. But I must put you in
+your bed, or you will be in danger of taking cold."
+
+He laid her down, tucked the clothes snugly about her, and pressing one
+more kiss on the round, rosy cheek, left her to her slumbers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEENTH
+
+
+                  "You play the spaniel,
+    And think with wagging of your tongue to win me."
+                           --SHAKESPEARE's _Henry Eighth_.
+
+   "These delights, if thou canst give,
+    Mirth, with thee I mean to live."
+                                 --MILTON's _L'Allegro_.
+
+
+The young party at Roselands had now grown so large--several additions
+having been made to it on Monday afternoon and evening--that a separate
+table was ordered to be spread for them in the nursery, where they took
+their meals together; Mrs. Brown, the housekeeper, taking the head of
+the table, for the double purpose of keeping them in order, and seeing
+that their wants were well supplied.
+
+Elsie came in to breakfast, from a brisk walk with her papa, looking
+fresh and rosy, and bright as the morning; quite different from some of
+the little guests, who had been up far beyond their usual hours the
+night before, and, having just left their beds, had come down pale and
+languid in looks, and in some instances showing peevish and fretful
+tempers, very trying to the patience of their attendants.
+
+"O Elsie!" exclaimed Carry Howard, as the little girl took her place at
+the table, "we were all so sorry that you had to leave us so soon last
+night; we had lots of fun after you left. I think your papa might have
+let you stay up a little longer; but he has promised that tonight--as
+we are to have the Christmas-tree, and ever so much will be going
+on--you shall stay up till half-past nine, if you like. Aren't you
+glad? I'm sure I am."
+
+"Yes, papa is very kind, and I know I feel much better for going to bed
+early last night," said Elsie, cheerfully.
+
+"Yes, indeed," remarked Mrs. Brown, "late hours and rich food are very
+bad for little folks, and I notice that Miss Elsie has grown a deal
+stronger and healthier-looking since her papa came home; he takes such
+good care of her."
+
+"Indeed he does," said Elsie heartily, thanking Mrs. Brown with one of
+her sweetest smiles.
+
+"What are we going to do to-day, Elsie?" asked Caroline.
+
+"Whatever you all prefer," said Elsie. "If you like I will practice
+that duet with you the first hour after breakfast, or do anything else
+you wish; but the second hour I must spend with papa, and after that I
+have nothing to do but entertain my company all day."
+
+"Do you do lessons in holidays?" asked Mary Leslie, a merry, fun-loving
+child, about Elsie's own age, who considered lessons an intolerable
+bore, and had some vague idea that they must have been invented for the
+sole purpose of tormenting children. Her blue eyes opened wide with
+astonishment when Elsie quietly replied that her papa had kindly
+arranged to give her an hour every morning, because he knew it would be
+so much pleasanter for her than spending the whole day in play.
+
+Elsie did keenly enjoy that quiet hour spent in studying and reciting
+to her father, sitting on a low stool at his feet, or perhaps oftener
+on his knee, with his arm around her waist.
+
+She had an eager and growing thirst for knowledge, and was an apt
+scholar, whom any one with the least love for the profession might have
+delighted in teaching; and Mr. Dinsmore, a thorough scholar himself,
+and loving knowledge for its own sake--loving also his little pupil
+with all a father's fond, yearning affection--delighted in his task.
+
+When Elsie left her father she found that the Carringtons had just
+arrived. She and Lucy had not seen each other since the week the latter
+had spent at Roselands early in the summer, and both felt pleased to
+meet.
+
+Mrs. Carrington gave Elsie a warm embrace, remarking that she had
+grown, and was looking extremely well; better than she had ever seen
+her. But no one was more delighted to meet Elsie than Herbert, and she
+was very glad to learn that his health was gradually improving. He was
+not, however, at all strong, even yet, and his mother thought it best
+for him to lie down and rest a little after his ride. She promised to
+sit by him, and the two little girls went in search of the rest of the
+young folks.
+
+Several of the older boys had gone out walking or riding, but the
+younger ones, and all the little girls, were gathered in a little back
+parlor, where, by Adelaide's care and forethought, a variety of
+story-books, toys, and games, had been provided for their amusement.
+Elsie's entrance was hailed with delight, for she was a general
+favorite.
+
+"Oh! Elsie, can't you tell us what to play?" cried Mary Leslie; "I'm so
+tired," and she yawned wearily.
+
+"Here are some dissected maps, Mary," replied Elsie, opening a drawer;
+"would you not like them?"
+
+"No, indeed, thank you; they are too much like lessons."
+
+"Here are blocks; will you build houses?"
+
+"Oh! I am too big for that; they are very nice for little children."
+
+"Will you play jack-stones? here are some smooth pebbles."
+
+"Yes, if you and Carry, and Lucy, will play with me."
+
+"Agreed!" said the others, "let's have a game."
+
+So, Elsie having first set the little ones to building block-houses,
+supplied Harry Carrington--an older brother of Lucy's--with a book, and
+two younger boys with dissected maps to arrange, the four girls sat
+down in a circle on the carpet and began their game.
+
+For a few moments all went on smoothly; but soon angry and complaining
+words were heard coming from the corner where the house-building was
+going on. Elsie left her game to try to make peace.
+
+"What is the matter, Flora, dear?" she asked soothingly of a little
+curly-headed girl, who was sobbing, and wiping her eyes with the corner
+of her apron.
+
+"Enna took my blocks," sobbed the child.
+
+"Oh! Enna, won't you give them back?" said Elsie, coaxingly; "you know
+Flora is a visitor, and we must be very polite to her."
+
+"No, I won't," returned Enna, flatly; "she's got enough now."
+
+"No, I haven't; I can't build a house with those," Flora said, with
+another sob.
+
+Elsie stood a moment looking much perplexed; then, with a brightening
+face, exclaimed in her cheerful, pleasant way, "Well, never mind,
+Flora, dear, I will get you my doll. Will not that do quite as
+well?"--"Oh! yes, I'd rather have the doll, Elsie," the little weeper
+answered eagerly, smiling through her tears.
+
+Elsie ran out of the room and was back again almost in a moment, with
+the doll in her arms.
+
+"There, dear little Flora," she said, laying it gently on the child's
+lap, "please be careful of it for I have had it a long while, and prize
+it very much, because my guardian gave it to me when I was a very
+little girl, and he is dead now."
+
+"I won't break it, Elsie, indeed I won't," replied Flora, confidently;
+and Elsie sat down to her game again.
+
+A few moments afterward Mr. Horace Dinsmore passed through the room.
+
+"Elsie," he said, as he caught sight of his little daughter, "go up to
+my dressing-room."
+
+There was evidently displeasure and reproof in his tone, and, entirely
+unconscious of wrongdoing, Elsie looked up in surprise, asking, "Why,
+papa?"
+
+"Because _I bid_ you," he replied; and she silently obeyed, wondering
+greatly what she had done to displease her father.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore passed out of one door while Elsie left by the other.
+
+The three little girls looked inquiringly into each other's faces.
+
+"What is the matter? what has Elsie done?" asked Carry in a whisper.
+
+"I don't know; nothing I guess," replied Lucy, indignantly. "I do
+believe he's just the crossest man alive! When I was here last summer
+he was all the time scolding and punishing poor Elsie for just nothing
+at all."
+
+"I think he must be very strict," said Carry; "but Elsie seems to love
+him very much."
+
+"Strict! I guess he is!" exclaimed Mary; "why, only think, girls, he
+makes her do her lessons in the holidays!"
+
+"I suspect she did not know her lesson, and has to learn it over," said
+Carry, shaking her head wisely; and that was the conclusion they all
+came to.
+
+In the meantime, Elsie sat down alone in her banishment, and tried to
+think what she could have done to deserve it.
+
+It was some time before she could form any idea of its cause; but at
+length it suddenly came to her recollection that once, several months
+before this, her father had found her sitting on the carpet, and had
+bade her get up immediately and sit on a chair or stool, saying, "Never
+let me see you sitting on the floor, Elsie, when there are plenty of
+seats at hand. I consider it a very unladylike and slovenly trick."
+
+She covered her face with her hands, and sat thus for some moments,
+feeling very sorry for her forgetfulness and disobedience; very
+penitent on account of it; and then, kneeling down, she asked
+forgiveness of God.
+
+A full hour she had been there alone, and the time had seemed very
+long, when at last the door opened and her father came in.
+
+Elsie rose and came forward to meet him with the air of one who had
+offended and knew she was in disgrace; but putting one of her little
+hands in his, she looked up pleadingly into his face, asking, in a
+slightly tremulous tone, "Dear papa, are you angry with me?"
+
+"I am always displeased when you disobey me, Elsie," he replied, very
+gravely, laying his other hand on her head.
+
+"I am very sorry I was naughty, papa," she said, humbly, and casting
+down her eyes, "but I had quite forgotten that you had told me not to
+sit on the floor, and I could not think for a good while what it was
+that I had done wrong."
+
+"Is _that_ an excuse for disobedience, Elsie?" he asked in a tone of
+grave displeasure.
+
+"No, sir; I did not mean it so, and I am very, very sorry; dear papa,
+please forgive me, and I will try never to forget again."
+
+"I think you disobeyed in another matter," he said.
+
+"Yes, sir, I know it was very naughty to ask why, but I think I will
+remember not to do it again. Dear papa, won't you forgive me?"
+
+He sat down and took her on his knee.
+
+"Yes, daughter, I will," he said, in his usual kind, affectionate tone;
+"I am always ready to forgive my little girl when I see that she is
+sorry for a fault."
+
+She held up her face for a kiss, which he gave.
+
+"I wish I could always be good, papa," she said, "but I am naughty so
+often."
+
+"No," said he, "I think you have been a very good girl for quite a long
+time. If you were as naughty as Arthur and Enna, I don't know what I
+should do with you; whip you every day, I suspect, until I made a
+better girl of you. Now you may go down to your mates; but _remember_,
+you are not to play jack-stones again."
+
+It was now lunch-time, and Elsie found the children in the nursery
+engaged in eating.
+
+Flora turned to her as she entered.
+
+"Please, Elsie, don't be cross," she said coaxingly: "I am real sorry
+your doll's broken, but it wasn't my fault Enna would try to snatch it,
+and that made it fall and break its head."
+
+Poor Elsie! this was quite a trial, and she could scarcely keep back
+the tears as, following Flora's glance, she saw her valued doll lying
+on the window-seat with its head broken entirely off. She said not a
+word, but, hastily crossing the room, took it up and gazed mournfully
+at it.
+
+Kind Mrs. Brown, who had just finished helping her young charge all
+round, followed her to the window, "Never mind, dear," she said in her
+pleasant, cheery tone, patting Elsie's cheek and smoothing her hair
+"I've got some excellent glue, and I think I can stick it on again and
+make it almost as good as ever. So come, sit down and eat your lunch,
+and don't fret any more."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am, you are very kind," Elsie said, trying to smile, as
+the kind-hearted old lady led her to the table and filled her plate
+with fruit and cakes.
+
+"These cakes are very simple, not at all rich, my dear, but quite what
+your papa would approve of," she said, seeing the little girl look
+doubtfully at them.
+
+"Doesn't your papa let you eat anything good, Elsie?" asked Mary Leslie
+across the table. "He must be cross."
+
+"No, indeed, he is not, Mary, and he lets me eat everything that he
+thinks is good for me," Elsie answered with some warmth.
+
+She was seated between Caroline Howard and Lucy Carrington.
+
+"What _did_ your papa send you away for, Elsie?" whispered the latter.
+
+"Please don't ask me, Lucy," replied the little girl, blushing deeply.
+"Papa always has a good reason for what he does, and he is just the
+dearest, kindest, and best father that ever anybody had."
+
+Elsie spoke in an eager, excited, almost angry manner, quite unusual
+with her, while the hot tears came into her eyes, for she knew very
+well what was Lucy's opinion of her father, and more than half
+suspected that she had been making some unkind remark about him to the
+others, and she was eager to remove any unfavorable impression they
+might have received.
+
+"I am sure he must love you very dearly, Elsie," remarked Caroline,
+soothingly; "no one could help seeing that just by the way he looks at
+you."
+
+Elsie answered her with a pleased and grateful look; and then changed
+the subject by proposing that they should all take a walk as soon as
+they had finished eating, as the day was fine, and there would be
+plenty of time before dinner.
+
+The motion was carried without a dissenting voice, and in a few moments
+they all set out, a very merry party, full of fun and frolic. They had
+a very pleasant time, and returned barely in season to be dressed for
+dinner.
+
+They dined by themselves in the nursery, but were afterward taken down
+to the drawing-room. Here Elsie found herself immediately seized upon
+by a young lady, dressed in very gay and fashionable style, whom she
+did not remember ever to have seen before, but who insisted on seating
+the little girl on the sofa by her side, and keeping her there a long
+while, loading her with caresses and flattery.
+
+"My dear child," she said, "what lovely hair you have! so fine, and
+soft, and glossy; such a beautiful color, too, and curls so
+_splendidly! Natural_ ringlets, I'm sure, are they not?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," Elsie answered, simply, wishing from the bottom of her
+heart that the lady would release her, and talk to some one else.
+
+But the lady had no such intention.
+
+"You are a very sweet little girl, I am sure, and I shall love you
+dearly," she said, kissing her several times. "Ah! I would give
+_anything_ if I had such a clear fair complexion and such rosy cheeks.
+That makes you blush. Well, I like to see it; blushes are very
+becoming. Oh! you needn't pretend you don't know you're handsome;
+you're a perfect little beauty. Do tell me, where did you get such
+splendid eyes! But I needn't ask, for I have only to look at your
+father to see where they came from. Mr. Dinsmore"--to Elsie's papa, who
+just then came toward them--"you ought to be very proud of this child;
+she is the very image of yourself, and a perfect little beauty, too."
+
+"Miss Stevens is pleased to flatter me," he said, bowing low; "but
+flattery is not good for either grown-up children or younger ones, and
+I must beg leave to decline the compliment, as I cannot see that Elsie
+bears the slightest resemblance to me or any of my family. She is very
+like her mother, though," he added, with a half sigh and a tender,
+loving glance at his little girl, "and that is just what I would have
+her. But I am forgetting my errand, Miss Stevens; I came to ask if you
+will ride this afternoon, as we are getting up a small party."
+
+"Yes, thank you, I should like it dearly, it is such a lovely day. But
+how soon do you start?"
+
+"As soon as the ladies can be ready. The horses will be at the door in
+a very few moments."
+
+"Ah! then I must go and prepare," she said, rising and sailing out of
+the room.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore took the seat she had vacated, and, passing his arm round
+his little girl, said to her in an undertone, "My little daughter must
+not be so foolish as to believe that people mean all they say to her;
+for some persons talk in a very thoughtless way, and, without perhaps
+intending to be exactly untruthful, say a great deal that they really
+do not mean. And I should be sorry, indeed, to see my little girl so
+spoiled by all this silly flattery as to grow up conceited and vain."
+
+She looked at him with her own sweet innocent smile, free from the
+slightest touch of vanity.
+
+"No, papa," she said, "I do not mind, when people say such things,
+because I know the Bible says, 'Favor is deceitful, and beauty is
+vain;' and in another place, 'He that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth
+a net for his feet.' So I will try to keep away from that lady; shall I
+not, papa?"
+
+"Whenever you can do so without rudeness, daughter;" and he moved away,
+thinking to himself, "How strangely the teachings of that book seem to
+preserve my child from every evil influence."
+
+A sigh escaped him. There was lurking within his breast a vague
+consciousness that her father needed such a safeguard, but had it not.
+
+Lucy, who was standing at the window, turned quickly round.
+
+"Come, girls," she said, "let us run out and see them off; they're
+bringing up the horses. And see, there's Miss Adelaide in her
+riding-dress and cap; how pretty she looks! And there's that Miss
+Stevens coming out now; hateful thing! I can't bear her! Come, Elsie
+and Carry!"
+
+And she ran out, Caroline and Elsie following. Elsie, however, went no
+further than the hall, where she stood still at the foot of the stairs.
+
+"Come, Elsie," called the other two from the portico, "come out here."
+
+"No," replied the little girl, "I cannot come without something round
+me. Papa says it is too cold for me to be out in the wind to-day with
+my neck and arms bare."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense!" said Lucy, "'tain't a bit cold; _do_ come now."
+
+"No, Lucy, I must obey my father," Elsie answered in a very pleasant
+but no less decided tone.
+
+Some one caught her round the waist and lifted her up.
+
+"Oh! papa," she exclaimed, "I did not know you were there! I wish I was
+going too; I don't like to have _you_ go without me."
+
+"I wish you were, my pet; I always love to have you with me; but you
+know it wouldn't do; you have your little guests to entertain. Good-by,
+darling. Don't go out in the cold."
+
+He kissed her, as he always did now, when leaving her even for an hour
+or two, and set her down.
+
+The little girls watched until the last of the party had disappeared
+down the avenue, and then ran gayly up-stairs to Elsie's room, where
+they busied themselves until tea-time in various little preparations
+for the evening, such as dressing dolls, and tying up bundles of
+confectionery, etc., to be hung upon the Christmas-tree.
+
+The children had all noticed that the doors of a parlor opening into
+the drawing-room had been closed since morning to all but a favored
+few, who passed in and out, with an air of mystery and importance, and
+generally laden with some odd-looking bundle when going in, which they
+invariably left behind on coming out again, and many a whispered
+consultation had been held as to what was probably going on in there.
+Elsie and Carry seemed to be in the secret, but only smiled and shook
+their heads wisely when questioned.
+
+But at length tea being over, and all, both old and young, assembled as
+if by common consent in the drawing-room, it began to be whispered
+about that their curiosity was now on the point of being gratified.
+
+All were immediately on the _qui vive_, and every face brightened with
+mirth and expectation; and when, a moment after, the doors were thrown
+open, there was a universal burst of applause.
+
+A large Christmas-tree had been set up at the further end of the room,
+and, with its myriad of lighted tapers, and its load of toys and
+bonbons, interspersed with many a richer and more costly gift, made
+quite a display.
+
+"Beautiful! beautiful!" cried the children, clapping their hands and
+dancing about with delight, while their elders, perhaps equally
+pleased, expressed their admiration after a more staid and sober
+fashion. When they thought their handiwork had been sufficiently
+admired, Mrs. Dinsmore and Adelaide approached the tree and began the
+pleasant task of distributing the gifts.
+
+Everything was labelled, and each, as his or her name was called out,
+stepped forward to receive the present.
+
+No one had been forgotten; each had something, and almost every one had
+several pretty presents. Mary Leslie and little Flora Arnott were made
+perfectly happy with wax dolls that could open and shut their eyes;
+Caroline Howard received a gold chain from her mamma, and a pretty pin
+from Elsie; Lucy, a set of coral ornaments, besides several smaller
+presents; and others were equally fortunate. All was mirth and
+hilarity; only one clouded face to be seen, and that belonged to Enna,
+who was pouting in a corner because Mary Leslie's doll was a little
+larger than hers.
+
+Elsie had already received a pretty bracelet from her Aunt Adelaide, a
+needle-case from Lora, and several little gifts from her young guests,
+and was just beginning to wonder what had become of her papa's promised
+present, when she heard her name again, and Adelaide, turning to her
+with a pleased look, slipped a most beautiful diamond ring on her
+finger.
+
+"From your papa," she said. "Go and thank him: it is well worth it."
+
+Elsie sought him out where he stood alone in a corner, an amused
+spectator of the merry scene.
+
+"See, papa," she said, holding up her hand. "I think it very beautiful;
+thank you, dear papa, thank you very much."
+
+"Does it please you, my darling?" he asked, stooping to press a kiss on
+the little upturned face, so bright and happy.
+
+"Yes, papa, I think it is lovely! the very prettiest ring I ever saw."
+
+"Yet I think there is something else you would have liked better; is
+there not?" he asked, looking searchingly into her face.
+
+"Dear papa, I like it _very_ much; I would rather have it than anything
+else on the tree."
+
+"Still you have not answered my question," he said, with a smile, as he
+sat down and drew her to his side, adding in a playful tone, "Come, I
+am not going to put up with any evasion; tell me truly if you would
+have preferred something else, and if so, what it is."
+
+Elsie blushed and looked down; then raising her eyes, and seeing with
+what a tender, loving glance he was regarding her, she took courage to
+say, "Yes papa, there is _one_ thing I would have liked better, and
+that is your miniature."
+
+To her surprise he looked highly pleased at her reply, and giving her
+another kiss, said, "Well, darling, some day you shall have it."
+
+"Mr. Horace Dinsmore," called Adelaide, taking some small, glittering
+object from the tree.
+
+"Another present for me?" he asked, as Walter came running with it.
+
+He had already received several, from his father and sisters, but none
+had seemed to give him half the pleasure that this did when he saw that
+it was labelled, "From his little daughter."
+
+It was only a gold pencil. The miniature--with which the artist had
+succeeded so well that nothing could have been prettier except the
+original herself--she had reserved to be given in another way.
+
+"Do you like it, papa?" she asked, her face glowing with delight to see
+how pleased he was.
+
+"Yes, darling, very much; and I shall always think of my little girl
+when I use it."
+
+"Keep it in your pocket, and use it every day, won't you, papa?"
+
+"Yes, my pet, I will; but I thought you said you had no present for me?"
+
+"Oh! no, no, papa; I said there was none for you amongst those bundles.
+I had bought this, but had given it to Aunt Adelaide to take care of,
+for fear you might happen to see it."
+
+"Ah! that was it, eh?" and he laughed and stroked her hair.
+
+"Here, Elsie, here is your bundle of candy," said Walter, running up to
+them again. "Everybody has one, and that is yours, Adelaide says."
+
+He put it in her hand, and ran away again. Elsie looked up in her
+father's face inquiringly.
+
+"No, darling," he said, taking the paper from her hand and examining
+its contents, "not to-night; to-morrow, after breakfast, you may eat
+the cream-candy and the rock, but none of the others; they are colored,
+and very unwholesome."
+
+"Won't _you_ eat some, papa?" she asked with winning sweetness.
+
+"No, dearest," he said; "for though I, too, am fond of sweet things, I
+will not eat them while I refuse them to you."
+
+"Do, papa," she urged, "it would give me pleasure to see you enjoying
+it."
+
+"No, darling, _I_ will wait until to-morrow, too."
+
+"Then please keep it for me until to-morrow, papa, will you?"
+
+"Yes," he said, putting it in his pocket; and then, as the gifts had
+all been distributed, and the little folks were in high glee, a variety
+of sports were commenced by them, in which some of their elders also
+took a part; and thus the hours sped away so rapidly that Elsie was
+very much surprised when her father called her to go to bed.
+
+"Is it half-past nine already, papa?" she asked.
+
+"It is ten, my dear child, and high time you were in bed," he said,
+smiling at her look of astonishment. "I hope you have enjoyed yourself."
+
+"Oh! _so_ much, papa. Good-night, and thank you for letting me stay up
+so long."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEENTH
+
+
+   "Ask me not why I should love her;--
+      Look upon those soulful eyes!
+    Look while mirth or feeling move her,
+      And see there how sweetly rise
+    Thoughts gay and gentle from a breast
+    Which is of innocence the nest--
+    Which, though each joy were from it shred,
+    By truth would still be tenanted!"
+                                 --HOFFMAN'S _Poems_.
+
+
+It was yet dark when Elsie awoke, but, hearing the clock strike five,
+she knew it was morning. She lay still a little while, and then,
+slipping softly out of bed, put her feet into her slippers, threw her
+warm dressing-gown around her, and feeling for a little package she had
+left on her toilet-table, she secured it and stole noiselessly from the
+room.
+
+All was darkness and silence in the house, but she had no thought of
+fear; and, gliding gently down the hall to her papa's door, she turned
+the handle very cautiously, when, to her great delight, she found it
+had been left unfastened, and yielded readily to her touch.
+
+She entered as quietly as a little mouse, listened a moment until
+satisfied from his breathing that her father was still sound asleep,
+then, stepping softly across the room, she laid her package down where
+he could not fail to see it as soon as daylight came and his eyes were
+opened. This accomplished, she stole back again as noiselessly as she
+had come.
+
+"Who dat?" demanded Chloe, starting up in bed as Elsie reentered her
+own apartment.
+
+"It is only I; did I frighten you, mammy?" answered the little girl
+with a merry laugh.
+
+"Ki? chile, dat _you?_ what you doin' runnin' 'bout de house all in de
+dark, cold night?"
+
+"It isn't night, mammy; I heard it strike five some time ago."
+
+"Well, den, dis chile gwine get right up an' make de fire. But jes you
+creep back into de bed, darlin', 'fore you cotch your death ob cold."
+
+"I will, mammy," Elsie said, doing as she was desired; "but please
+dress me as soon as the room is warm enough, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, darlin', kase ob course I knows you want to be up early o'
+Christmas mornin'. Ki! Miss Elsie, dat's a beautiful shawl you gave
+your ole mammy. I sha'n't feel de cold at all dis winter."
+
+"I hope not, mammy; and were Aunt Phillis, and Uncle Jack, and all the
+rest pleased with their presents?"
+
+"I reckon dey was, darlin', mos' ready to go off de handle, 'tirely."
+
+Chloe had soon built up her fire and coaxed it into a bright blaze, and
+in a few moments more she pronounced the room sufficiently warm for her
+nursling to get up and be dressed.
+
+Elsie was impatient to go to her father; but, even after she had been
+carefully dressed and all her morning duties attended to, it was still
+so early that Chloe advised her to wait a little longer, assuring her
+that it was only a very short time since John had gone in to make his
+master's fire and supply him with hot water for shaving.
+
+So the little girl sat down and tried to drown her impatience in the
+pages of a new book--one of her Christmas presents. But Chloe presently
+stole softly behind her chair, and, holding up high above her head some
+glittering object attached to a pretty gold chain, let it gradually
+descend until it rested upon the open book.
+
+Elsie started and jumped up with an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Wonder if you knows dat gen'leman, darlin'?" laughed Chloe.
+
+"Oh! it is papa," cried the little girl, catching it in her hand, "my
+own dear, darling papa! oh! how good of him to give it to me!" and she
+danced about the room in her delight. "It is just himself, so exactly
+like him! _Isn't_ it a good likeness, mammy?" she asked, drawing near
+the light to examine it more closely. "Dear, dear, _darling_ papa!" and
+she kissed it again and again.
+
+Then gently drawing her mother's miniature from her bosom, she laid
+them side by side.
+
+"My papa and mamma; are they not beautiful, mammy? both of them?" she
+asked, raising her swimming eyes to the dusky face leaning over her,
+and gazing with such mournful fondness at the sweet girlish
+countenance, so life-like and beautiful, yet calling up thoughts of
+sorrow and bereavement.
+
+"My darling young missus!" murmured the old nurse, "my own precious
+chile dat dese arms hab carried so many years, dis ole heart like to
+break when-eber I tinks ob you, an' 'members how your bright young face
+done gone away foreber."
+
+The big tears were rolling fast down the sable cheeks, and dropping
+like rain on Elsie's curls, while the broad bosom heaved with sobs.
+"But your ole mammy's been good to your little chile dat you lef'
+behind, darlin','deed she has," she went on.
+
+"Yes, mammy, indeed, indeed you have," Elsie said, twining her arms
+lovingly around her. "But don't let us cry any more, for we know that
+dear mamma is very happy in heaven, and does not wish us to grieve for
+her now. I shall not show you the picture any more if it makes you cry
+like that," she added half playfully.
+
+"Not always, chile," Chloe said, wiping away her tears, "but jes dis
+here mornin'--Christmas mornin', when she was always so bright and
+merry. It seems only yesterday she went dancin' about jes like you."
+
+"Yes, mammy dear, but she is with the angels now--my sweet, pretty
+mamma!" Elsie whispered softly, with another tender, loving look at the
+picture ere she returned it to its accustomed resting-place in her
+bosom.
+
+"And now I must go to papa," she said more cheerfully, "for it is
+almost breakfast time."
+
+"Is my darling satisfied _now?_" he asked, as she ran into his arms and
+was folded in a close embrace.
+
+"Yes, papa, indeed I am; thank you a thousand times; it is all I
+wanted."
+
+"And you have given me the most acceptable present you could have
+found. It is a most excellent likeness, and I am delighted with it."
+
+"I am so glad, papa, but it was Aunt Adelaide who thought of it."
+
+"Ah! that was very kind of her. But how does my little girl feel this
+morning, after all her dissipation?"
+
+"Oh! very well, thank you, papa."
+
+"You will not want to say any lesson to-day, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh! yes, if you please, papa, and it does not give you too much
+trouble," she said. "It is the very pleasantest hour in the day,
+except--"
+
+"Well, except what? Ah, yes, I understand. Well, my pet, it shall be as
+you wish; but come to me directly after breakfast, as I am going out
+early."
+
+Elsie had had her hour with her father, but, though he had left her and
+gone out, she still lingered in his dressing-room, looking over the
+next day's lesson. At length, however, she closed the book and left the
+room, intending to seek her young guests, who were in the lower part of
+the house.
+
+Miss Stevens' door was open as she passed, and that lady called to her,
+"Elsie, dear, you sweet little creature, come here, and see what I have
+for you."
+
+Elsie obeyed, though rather reluctantly, and Miss Stevens bidding her
+sit down, went to a drawer, and took out a large paper of mixed candy,
+all of the best and most expensive kinds, which she put into the little
+girl's hands with one of her sweetest smiles.
+
+It was a strong temptation to a child who had a great fondness for such
+things, but Elsie had prayed from her heart that morning for strength
+to resist temptation, and it was given her.
+
+"Thank you, ma'am, you are very kind," she said gratefully, "but I
+cannot take it, because papa does not approve of my eating such things.
+He gave me a little this morning, but said I must not have any more for
+a long time."
+
+"Now, that is quite too bad," exclaimed Miss Stevens, "but at least
+take one or two, child; that much couldn't possibly hurt you, and your
+papa need never know."
+
+Elsie gave her a look of grieved surprise.
+
+"Oh! could you think I would do that?" she said. "But _God_ would know,
+Miss Stevens; and I should know it myself, and how could I ever look my
+papa in the face again after deceiving him so?"
+
+"Really, my dear, you are making a very serious matter of a mere
+trifle," laughed the lady; "why, I have deceived my father more than
+fifty times, and never thought it any harm. But here is something I am
+sure you can take, and indeed you must, for I bought both it and the
+candy expressly for you."
+
+She replaced the candy in the drawer as she spoke, and took from
+another a splendidly-bound book which she laid in Elsie's lap, saying,
+with a triumphant air, "There, my dear, what do you think of that? is
+it not handsome?"
+
+Elsie's eyes sparkled; books were her greatest treasures; but feeling
+an instinctive repugnance to taking a gift from one whom she could
+neither respect nor love, she made an effort to decline it, though at
+the same time thanking the lady warmly for her kind intentions.
+
+But Miss Stevens would hear of no refusal, and fairly forced it upon
+her acceptance, declaring that, as she had bought it expressly for her,
+she should feel extremely hurt if she did not take it.
+
+"Then I will, Miss Stevens," said the little girl, "and I am sure you
+are very kind. I love books and pictures, too, and these are lovely
+engravings," she added turning over the leaves with undisguised
+pleasure.
+
+"Yes, and the stories are right pretty, too," remarked Miss Stevens.
+
+"Yes, ma'am, they look as if they were, and I should like dearly to
+read them."
+
+"Well, dear, just sit down and read; there's nothing to hinder. I'm
+sure your little friends can do without you for an hour or two. Or, if
+you prefer it, take the book and enjoy it with them; it is your own,
+you know, to use as you like."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am; but, though I can look at the pictures, I must not
+read the stories until I have asked papa, because he does not allow me
+to read anything now without first showing it to him."
+
+"Dear me! how very strict he is!" exclaimed Miss Stevens.
+
+"I wonder," she thought to herself, "if he would expect to domineer
+over his wife in that style?"
+
+Elsie was slowly turning over the leaves of the book, enjoying the
+pictures very much, studying them intently, but resolutely refraining
+from even glancing over the printed pages. But at length she closed it,
+and, looking out of the window, said, with a slight sigh, "Oh! I wish
+papa would come; but I'm afraid he won't for a long while, and I do so
+want to read these stories."
+
+"Suppose you let me read one to you," suggested Miss Stevens; "that
+would not be _your_ reading it, you know."
+
+Elsie looked shocked at the proposal. "Oh! no, ma'am, thank you, I know
+you mean to be kind; but I could not do it; it would be so very wrong;
+quite the same, I am sure, as if I read it with my own eyes," she
+answered hurriedly; and then, fearing to be tempted further, she
+excused herself and went in search of her young companions.
+
+She found them in the drawing-room.
+
+"Wasn't it too provoking, Elsie, that those people didn't send home my
+bracelet last night?" exclaimed Caroline Howard. "I have just been
+telling Lucy about it. I think that it was such a shame for them to
+disappoint me, for I wanted to have it on the tree."
+
+"I am sorry you were disappointed, Carry, but perhaps it will come
+to-day," Elsie answered in a sympathizing tone. And then she showed the
+new book, which she still held in her hand.
+
+They spent some time in examining it, talking about and admiring the
+pictures, and then went out for a walk.
+
+"Has papa come in yet, mammy?" was Elsie's first question on returning.
+
+"Yes, darlin', I tink he's in the drawin'-room dis berry minute," Chloe
+answered, as she took off the little girl's hat, and carefully smoothed
+her hair.
+
+"There, there! mammy, won't that do now? I'm in a little bit of a
+hurry," Elsie said with a merry little laugh, as she slipped playfully
+from under her nurse's hand, and ran down-stairs.
+
+But she was doomed to disappointment for the present, for her papa was
+seated on the sofa, beside Miss Stevens, talking to her; and so she
+must wait a little longer. At last, however, he rose, went to the other
+side of the room, and stood a moment looking out of the window.
+
+Then Elsie hastened to take her book from a table, where she had laid
+it, and going up to him, said, "Papa!"
+
+He turned round instantly, asking in a pleasant tone, "Well, daughter,
+what is it?"
+
+She put the book into his hand, saying eagerly, "It is a Christmas gift
+from Miss Stevens, papa; will you let me read it?"
+
+He did not answer immediately, but turned over the leaves, glancing
+rapidly over page after page, but not too rapidly to be able to form a
+pretty correct idea of the contents.
+
+"No, daughter," he said, handing it back to her, "you must content
+yourself with looking at the pictures; they are by far the best part;
+the stories are very unsuitable for a little girl of your age, and
+would, indeed, be unprofitable reading for any one."
+
+She looked a little disappointed.
+
+"I am glad I can _trust_ my little daughter, and feel certain that she
+will not disobey me," he said, smiling kindly on her, and patting her
+cheek.
+
+She answered him with a bright, happy look, full of confiding
+affection, laid the book away without a murmur, and left the room--her
+father's eyes following her with a fond, loving glance.
+
+Miss Stevens, who had watched them both closely during this little
+scene, bit her lips with vexation at the result of her manoeuvre.
+
+She had come to Roselands with the fixed determination to lay siege to
+Mr. Horace Dinsmore's heart, and flattering and petting his little
+daughter was one of her modes of attack; but his decided disapproval of
+her present, she perceived, did not augur well for the success of her
+schemes. She was by no means in despair, however, for she had great
+confidence in the power of her own personal attractions, being really
+tolerably pretty, and considering herself a great beauty, as well as
+very highly accomplished.
+
+As Elsie ran out into the hall, she found herself suddenly caught in
+Mr. Travilla's arms.
+
+"'A merry Christmas and a happy New Year!' little Elsie," he said,
+kissing her on both cheeks. "Now I have caught you figuratively and
+literally, my little lady, so what are you going to give me, eh?"
+
+"Indeed, sir, I think you've helped yourself to the only thing I have
+to give at present," she answered with a merry silvery laugh.
+
+"Nay, _give_ me one, little lady," said he, "one such hug and kiss as I
+dare say your father gets half-a-dozen times in a day."
+
+She gave it very heartily.
+
+"Ah! I wish you were ten years older," he said as he set her down.
+
+"If I had been, you wouldn't have got the kiss," she replied, smiling
+archly.
+
+"Now, it's my turn," he said, taking something from his pocket.
+
+"I expected you'd catch _me_, and so thought it best to come prepared."
+
+He took her hand, as he spoke, and placed a beautiful little gold
+thimble on her finger. "There, that's to encourage you in industry."
+
+"Thank you, sir; oh! it's a little beauty! I must run and show it to
+papa. But I must not forget my politeness," she added, hastily throwing
+open the drawing-room door. "Come in, Mr. Travilla."
+
+She waited quietly until the usual greetings were exchanged, then went
+up to her father and showed her new gift.
+
+He quite entered into her pleasure, and remarked, with a glance at Miss
+Stevens, "that her friends were very kind."
+
+The lady's hopes rose. He was then pleased with her attention to his
+child, even though he did not altogether approve her choice of a gift.
+
+There was a large party to dinner that day, and the children came down
+to the dessert. Miss Stevens, who had contrived to be seated next to
+Mr. Dinsmore, made an effort, on the entrance of the juveniles, to have
+Elsie placed on her other side; but Mr. Travilla was too quick for her,
+and had his young favorite on his knee before she could gain her
+attention.
+
+The lady was disappointed, and Elsie herself only half satisfied; but
+the two gentlemen, who thoroughly understood Miss Stevens and saw
+through all her manoeuvres, exchanged glances of amusement and
+satisfaction.
+
+After dinner Mr. Travilla invited Elsie, Carry, Lucy, and Mary, to take
+a ride in his carriage, which invitation was joyfully accepted by
+all--Mr. Dinsmore giving a ready consent to Elsie's request to be
+permitted to go.
+
+They had a very merry time, for Mr. Travilla quite laid himself out for
+their entertainment, and no one knew better than he how to amuse ladies
+of their age.
+
+It was nearly dark when they returned, and Elsie went at once to her
+room to be dressed for the evening. But she found it unoccupied--Aunt
+Chloe, as it afterward appeared, having gone down to the quarter to
+carry some of the little girl's gifts to one or two who were too old
+and feeble to come up to the house to receive them.
+
+Elsie rang the bell, waited a little, and then, feeling impatient to be
+dressed, ran down to the kitchen to see what had become of her nurse.
+
+A very animated discussion was going on there, just at that moment,
+between the cook and two or three of her sable companions, and the
+first words that reached the child's ears, as she stood on the
+threshold, were, "I tell you, you ole darkie, you dunno nuffin' 'bout
+it! Massa Horace gwine marry _dat_ bit ob paint an' finery! no such
+ting! Massa's got more sense."
+
+The words were spoken in a most scornful tone, and Elsie, into whose
+childish mind the possibility of her father's marrying again had never
+entered, stood spellbound with astonishment.
+
+But the conversation went on, the speakers quite unconscious of her
+vicinity.
+
+It was Pompey's voice that replied.
+
+"Ef Marse Horace don't like her, what for they been gwine ridin' ebery
+afternoon? will you tell me dat, darkies? an' don't dis niggah see him
+sit beside her mornin', noon, an' night, laughin' an' talkin' at de
+table an' in de parlor? an' don't she keep a kissin' little Miss Elsie,
+an' callin' her pretty critter, sweet critter, an' de like?"
+
+"_She_ ma to our sweet little Miss Elsie! Bah! I tell you, Pomp, Marse
+Horace got more sense," returned the cook, indignantly.
+
+"Aunt Chloe don't b'lieve no such stuff," put in another voice; "she
+says Marse Horace _couldn't_ put such trash in her sweet young mistis's
+place."
+
+"Aunt Chloe's a berry fine woman, no doubt," observed Pomp
+disdainfully, "but I reckon Marse Horace ain't gwine to infide his
+matermonical intentions to her; and I consider it quite consequential
+on Marster's being young and handsome that he will take another wife."
+
+The next speaker said something about his having lived a good while
+without, and though Miss Stevens _was_ setting her cap, maybe he
+wouldn't be caught. But Elsie only gathered the sense of it, hardly
+heard the words, and, bounding away like a frightened deer to her own
+room, her little heart beating wildly with a confused sense of
+suffering, she threw herself on the bed. She shed no tears, but there
+was, oh! such a weight on her heart, such a terrible though vague sense
+of the instability of all earthly happiness.
+
+There Chloe found her, and wondered much what ailed her darling, what
+made her so silent, and yet so restless, and caused such a deep flush
+on her cheek. She feared she was feverish, her little hand was so hot
+and dry; but Elsie insisted that she was quite well, and so Chloe tried
+to think it was only fatigue.
+
+She would fain have persuaded the little girl to lie still upon her bed
+and rest, and let her tea be brought to her there; but Elsie answered
+that she would much rather be dressed, and join her young companions in
+the nursery. They, too, wondered what ailed her, she was so very quiet
+and ate almost nothing at all. They asked if she was sick. She only
+shook her head. "Was she tired, then?" "Yes, she believed she was," and
+she leaned her head wearily on her hand.
+
+But, indeed, most of the party seemed dull; they had gone through such
+a round of pleasure and excitement, for the last two or three days,
+that now a reaction was beginning, and they wanted rest, especially the
+very little ones, who all retired quite early, when Elsie and her mates
+joined their parents in the drawing-room.
+
+Elsie looked eagerly around for her father, the moment she entered the
+room. He was beside Miss Stevens, who was at the piano, performing a
+very difficult piece of music. He was leaning over her, turning the
+leaves, and apparently listening with a great deal of pleasure, for she
+was really a fine musician.
+
+Elsie felt sick at heart at the sight--although a few hours before it
+would have given her no concern--and found it very difficult to listen
+to and answer the remarks Mrs. Carrington was making to her about her
+Christmas presents, and the nice ride they had had that afternoon.
+
+Mr. Travilla was watching her; he had noticed, as soon as she came in,
+the sad and troubled look which had come over her face, and, following
+the glance of her eyes, he guessed at the cause.
+
+He knew there was no danger of the trial that she feared, and would
+have been glad to tell her so; but he felt that it was too delicate a
+subject for him to venture on; it might seem too much like meddling in
+Mr. Dinsmore's affairs. But he did the next best thing--got the four
+little girls into a corner, and tried to entertain them with stories
+and charades.
+
+Elsie seemed interested for a time, but every now and then her eyes
+would wander to the other side of the room, where her father still
+stood listening to Miss Stevens' music.
+
+At length Mr. Travilla was called away to give his opinion about some
+tableaux the young ladies were arranging; and Elsie, knowing it was her
+usual time for retiring, and not caring to avail herself of her
+father's permission to stay up until nine o'clock, stole quietly away
+to her room unobserved by any one, and feeling as if Miss Stevens had
+already robbed her of her father.
+
+She wiped away a few quiet tears, as she went, and was very silent and
+sad, while her mammy was preparing her for bed. She hardly knew how to
+do without her good-night kiss, but feeling as she did, it had seemed
+quite impossible to ask for it while Miss Stevens was so near him.
+
+When she knelt down to pray, she became painfully conscious that a
+feeling of positive dislike to that lady had been creeping into her
+heart, and she asked earnestly to be enabled to put it away. But she
+prayed, also, that she might be spared the trial that she feared, if
+God's will were so; and she thought surely it was because she had found
+out that Miss Stevens was not good, not truthful, or sincere.
+
+"Perhaps dear papa will come to say good-night before I am asleep," she
+murmured to herself as, calmed and soothed by thus casting her burden
+on the Lord, she laid her head upon her pillow.
+
+He, however, had become interested in the subject of the tableaux, and
+did not miss his little girl until the sound of the clock striking ten
+reminded him of her, and he looked around expecting to see her still in
+the room; but, not seeing her, he asked Lucy Carrington where she was.
+
+"Oh!" said Lucy, "she's been gone these two hours, I should think! I
+guess she must have gone to bed."
+
+"Strange that she did not come to bid me goodnight," he exclaimed in a
+low tone, more as if thinking aloud than speaking to Lucy.
+
+He hastily left the room.
+
+Mr. Travilla followed.
+
+"Dinsmore," said he.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore stopped, and Travilla, drawing him to one side, said in an
+undertone, "I think my little friend is in trouble to-night."
+
+"Ah!" he exclaimed, with a startled look, "what can it be? I did not
+hear of any accident--she has not been hurt? is not sick? tell me,
+Travilla, quickly, if anything ails my child."
+
+"Nothing, nothing, Dinsmore, only you know servants will talk, and
+children have ears, and eyes, too, sometimes, and I saw her watching
+you to-night with a very sad expression."
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, growing very red and looking
+extremely vexed; "I wouldn't have had such thoughts put into the
+child's head for any money. Are you sure of it, Travilla?"
+
+"I am sure she was watching you very closely tonight, and looking very
+miserable."
+
+"Poor darling!" murmured the father. "Thank you, Travilla," shaking his
+friend heartily by the hand. "Good-night; I shall not be down again if
+you will be so good as to excuse me to the others."
+
+And he went up the stairs almost at a bound, and the next moment was
+standing beside his sleeping child, looking anxiously down at the
+little flushed cheeks and tear-swollen eyes, for, disappointed that he
+did not come to bid her good-night, she had cried herself to sleep.
+
+"Poor darling!" he murmured again, as he stooped over her and kissed
+away a tear that still trembled on her eyelash.
+
+He longed to tell her that all her fears were groundless, that none
+other could ever fill her place in his heart, but he did not like to
+wake her, and so, pressing another light kiss on her cheek, he left her
+to dream on unconscious of his visit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE DINSMORE ***
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
+copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing
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+Title: Elsie Dinsmore
+
+Author: Martha Finley
+
+Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6440]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on December 14, 2002]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE DINSMORE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Vital Debroey, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ELSIE DINSMORE
+
+BY
+
+MARTHA FINLEY
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIRST
+
+
+   "I never saw an eye so bright,
+     And yet so soft as hers;
+   It sometimes swam in liquid light,
+     And sometimes swam in tears;
+   It seemed a beauty set apart
+     For softness and for sighs."
+                                 --MRS. WELBY.
+
+
+The school-room at Roselands was a very pleasant apartment; the
+ceiling, it is true, was somewhat lower than in the more modern
+portion of the building, for the wing in which it was situated
+dated back to the old-fashioned days prior to the Revolution,
+while the larger part of the mansion had not stood more than
+twenty or thirty years; but the effect was relieved by windows
+reaching from floor to ceiling, and opening on a veranda which
+overlooked a lovely flower-garden, beyond which were fields and
+woods and hills. The view from the veranda was very beautiful, and
+the room itself looked most inviting, with its neat matting, its
+windows draped with snow-white muslin, its comfortable chairs, and
+pretty rosewood desks.
+
+Within this pleasant apartment sat Miss Day with her pupils, six
+in number. She was giving a lesson to Enna, the youngest, the
+spoiled darling of the family, the pet and plaything of both
+father and mother. It was always a trying task to both teacher and
+scholar, for Enna was very wilful, and her teacher's patience by
+no means inexhaustible.
+
+"There!" exclaimed Miss Day, shutting the book and giving it an
+impatient toss on to the desk; "go, for I might as well try to
+teach old Bruno. I presume he would learn about as fast."
+
+And Enna walked away with a pout on her pretty face, muttering
+that she would "tell mamma."
+
+"Young ladies and gentlemen," said Miss Day, looking at her watch,
+"I shall leave you to your studies for an hour; at the end of
+which time I shall return to hear your recitations, when those who
+have attended properly to their duties will be permitted to ride
+out with me to visit the fair."
+
+"Oh! that will be jolly!" exclaimed Arthur, a bright-eyed,
+mischief-loving boy of ten.
+
+"Hush!" said Miss Day sternly; "let me hear no more such
+exclamations; and remember that you will not go unless your
+lessons are thoroughly learned. Louise and Lora," addressing two
+young girls of the respective ages of twelve and fourteen, "that
+French exercise must be perfect, and your English lessons as well.
+Elsie," to a little girl of eight, sitting alone at a desk near
+one of the windows, and bending over a slate with an appearance of
+great industry, "every figure of that example must be correct,
+your geography lesson recited perfectly, and a page in your
+copybook written without a blot."
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the child meekly, raising a pair of large soft
+eyes of the darkest hazel for an instant to her teacher's face,
+and then dropping them again upon her slate.
+
+"And see that none of you leave the room until I return,"
+continued the governess. "Walter, if you miss one word of that
+spelling, you will have to stay at home and learn it over."
+
+"Unless mamma interferes, as she will be pretty sure to do,"
+muttered Arthur, as the door closed on Miss Day, and her
+retreating footsteps were heard passing down the hall.
+
+For about ten minutes after her departure, all was quiet in the
+school-room, each seemingly completely absorbed in study. But at
+the end of that time Arthur sprang up, and flinging his book
+across the room, exclaimed, "There! I know my lesson; and if I
+didn't, I shouldn't study another bit for old Day, or Night
+either."
+
+"Do be quiet, Arthur," said his sister Louise; "I can't study in
+such a racket."
+
+Arthur stole on tiptoe across the room, and coming up behind
+Elsie, tickled the back of her neck with a feather.
+
+She started, saying in a pleading tone, "Please, Arthur, don't."
+
+"It pleases me to do," he said, repeating the experiment.
+
+Elsie changed her position, saying in the same gentle, persuasive
+tone, "O Arthur! _please_ let me alone, or I never shall be
+able to do this example."
+
+"What! all this time on one example! you ought to be ashamed. Why,
+I could have done it half a dozen times over."
+
+"I have been over and over it," replied the little girl in a tone
+of despondency, "and still there are two figures that will not
+come right."
+
+"How do you know they are not right, little puss?" shaking her
+curls as he spoke.
+
+"Oh! please, Arthur, don't pull my hair. I have the answer--that's
+the way I know."
+
+"Well, then, why don't you just set the figures down. I would."
+
+"Oh! no, indeed; that would not be honest."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! nobody would be the wiser, nor the poorer."
+
+"No, but it would be just like telling a lie. But I can never get
+it right while you are bothering me so," said Elsie, laying her
+slate aside in despair. Then taking out her geography, she began
+studying most diligently. But Arthur continued his persecutions--
+tickling her, pulling her hair, twitching the book out of her
+hand, and talking almost incessantly, making remarks, and asking
+questions; till at last Elsie said, as if just ready to cry,
+"Indeed, Arthur, if you don't let me alone, I shall never be able
+to get my lessons."
+
+"Go away then; take your book out on the veranda, and learn your
+lessons there," said Louise. "I'll call you when Miss Day comes."
+
+"Oh! no, Louise, I cannot do that, because it would be
+disobedience," replied Elsie, taking out her writing materials.
+
+Arthur stood over her criticising every letter she made, and
+finally jogged her elbow in such a way as to cause her to drop all
+the ink in her pen upon the paper, making quite a large blot.
+
+"Oh!" cried the little girl, bursting into tears, "now I shall
+lose my ride, for Miss Day will not let me go; and I was so
+anxious to see all those beautiful flowers."
+
+Arthur, who was really not very vicious, felt some compunction
+when he saw the mischief he had done. "Never mind, Elsie," said
+he. "I can fix it yet. Just let me tear out this page, and you can
+begin again on the next, and I'll not bother you. I'll make these
+two figures come right too," he added, taking up her slate.
+
+"Thank you, Arthur," said the little girl, smiling through her
+tears; "you are very kind, but it would not be honest to do
+either, and I had rather stay at home than be deceitful."
+
+"Very well, miss," said he, tossing his head, and walking away,
+"since you won't let me help you, it is all your own fault if you
+have to stay at home."
+
+"Elsie," exclaimed Louise, "I have no patience with you! such
+ridiculous scruples as you are always raising. I shall not pity
+you one bit, if you are obliged to stay at home."
+
+Elsie made no reply, but, brushing away a tear, bent over her
+writing, taking great pains with every letter, though saying sadly
+to herself all the time, "It's of no use, for that great ugly blot
+will spoil it all."
+
+She finished her page, and, excepting the unfortunate blot, it all
+looked very neat indeed, showing plainly that it had been written
+with great care. She then took up her slate and patiently went
+over and over every figure of the troublesome example, trying to
+discover where her mistake had been. But much time had been lost
+through Arthur's teasing, and her mind was so disturbed by the
+accident to her writing that she tried in vain to fix it upon the
+business in hand; and before the two troublesome figures had been
+made right, the hour was past and Miss Day returned.
+
+"Oh!" thought Elsie, "if she will only hear the others first, I
+may be able to get this and the geography ready yet; and perhaps,
+if Arthur will be generous enough to tell her about the blot, she
+may excuse me for it."
+
+But it was a vain hope. Miss Day had no sooner seated herself at
+her desk, than she called, "Elsie, come here and say that lesson;
+and bring your copybook and slate, that I may examine your work."
+
+Elsie tremblingly obeyed.
+
+The lesson, though a difficult one, was very tolerably recited;
+for Elsie, knowing Arthur's propensity for teasing, had studied it
+in her own room before school hours. But Miss Day handed back the
+book with a frown, saying, "I told you the recitation must be
+perfect, and it was not."
+
+She was always more severe with Elsie than with any other of her
+pupils. The reason the reader will probably be able to divine ere
+long.
+
+"There are two incorrect figures in this example," said she,
+laying down the slate, after glancing over its contents. Then
+taking up the copy-book, she exclaimed, "Careless, disobedient
+child! did I not caution you to be careful not to blot your book!
+There will be no ride for you this morning. You have failed in
+everything. Go to your seat. Make that example right, and do the
+next; learn your geography lesson over, and write another page in
+your copy-book; and, mind, if there is a blot on it, you will get
+no dinner."
+
+Weeping and sobbing, Elsie took up her books and obeyed.
+
+During this scene Arthur stood at his desk pretending to study,
+but glancing every now and then at Elsie, with a conscience
+evidently ill at ease. She cast an imploring glance at him, as she
+returned to her seat; but he turned away his head, muttering,
+"It's all her own fault, for she wouldn't let me help her."
+
+As he looked up again, he caught his sister Lora's eyes fixed on
+him with an expression of scorn and contempt. He colored
+violently, and dropped his eyes upon his book.
+
+"Miss Day," said Lora, indignantly, "I see Arthur does not mean to
+speak, and as I cannot bear to see such injustice, I must tell you
+that it is all his fault that Elsie has failed in her lessons; for
+she tried her very best, but he teased her incessantly, and also
+jogged her elbow and made her spill the ink on her book; and to
+her credit she was too honorable to tear out the leaf from her
+copy-book, or to let him make her example right; both which he
+very generously proposed doing after causing all the mischief."
+
+"Is this so, Arthur?" asked Miss Day, angrily.
+
+The boy hung his head, but made no reply.
+
+"Very well, then," said Miss Day, "you too must stay at home."
+
+"Surely," said Lora, in surprise, "you will not keep Elsie, since
+I have shown you that she was not to blame."
+
+"Miss Lora," replied her teacher, haughtily, "I wish you to
+understand that I am not to be dictated to by my pupils."
+
+Lora bit her lip, but said nothing, and Miss Day went on hearing
+the lessons without further remark.
+
+In the meantime the little Elsie sat at her desk, striving to
+conquer the feelings of anger and indignation that were swelling
+in her breast; for Elsie, though she possessed much of "the
+ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," was not yet perfect, and
+often had a fierce contest with her naturally quick temper. Yet it
+was seldom, very seldom that word or tone or look betrayed the
+existence of such feelings; and it was a common remark in the
+family that Elsie had no spirit.
+
+The recitations were scarcely finished when the door opened and a
+lady entered dressed for a ride.
+
+"Not through yet, Miss Day?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, madam, we are just done," replied the teacher, closing the
+French grammar and handing it to Louise.
+
+"Well, I hope your pupils have all done their duty this morning,
+and are ready to accompany us to the fair," said Mrs. Dinsmore.
+"But what is the matter with Elsie?"
+
+"She has failed in all her exercises, and therefore has been told
+that she must remain at home," replied Miss Day with heightened
+color and in a tone of anger; "and as Miss Lora tells me that
+Master Arthur was partly the cause, I have forbidden him also to
+accompany us."
+
+"Excuse me, Miss Day, for correcting you," said Lora, a little
+indignantly; "but I did not say _partly,_ for I am sure it
+was _entirely_ his fault."
+
+"Hush, hush, Lora," said her mother, a little impatiently; "how
+can you be sure of any such thing; Miss Day, I must beg of you to
+excuse Arthur this once, for I have quite set my heart on taking
+him along. He is fond of mischief, I know, but he is only a child,
+and you must not be too hard upon him."
+
+"Very well, madam," replied the governess stiffly, "you have of
+course the best right to control your own children."
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore turned to leave the room.
+
+"Mamma," asked Lora, "is not Elsie to be allowed to go too?"
+
+"Elsie is not my child, and I have nothing to say about it. Miss
+Day, who knows all the circumstances, is much better able than I
+to judge whether or no she is deserving of punishment," replied
+Mrs. Dinsmore, sailing out of the room.
+
+"You will let her go, Miss Day?" said Lora, inquiringly.
+
+"Miss Lora," replied Miss Day, angrily, "I have already told you I
+was not to be dictated to. I have said Elsie must remain at home,
+and I shall not break my word."
+
+"Such injustice!" muttered Lora, turning away.
+
+"Lora," said Louise, impatiently, "why need you concern yourself
+with Elsie's affairs? for my part, I have no pity for her, so full
+as she is of nonsensical scruples."
+
+Miss Day crossed the room to where Elsie was sitting leaning her
+head upon the desk, struggling hard to keep down the feelings of
+anger and indignation aroused by the unjust treatment she had
+received.
+
+"Did I not order you to learn that lesson over?" said the
+governess, "and why are you sitting here idling?"
+
+Elsie dared not speak lest her anger should show itself in words;
+so merely raised her head, and hastily brushing away her tears,
+opened the book. But Miss Day, who was irritated by Mrs.
+Dinsmore's interference, and also by the consciousness that she
+was acting unjustly, seemed determined to vent her displeasure
+upon her innocent victim.
+
+"Why do you not speak?" she exclaimed, seizing Elsie by the arm
+and shaking her violently. "Answer me this instant. Why have you
+been idling all the morning?"
+
+"I have _not_," replied the child hastily, stung to the quick
+by her unjust violence. "I have tried hard to do my duty, and you
+are punishing me when I don't deserve it at all."
+
+"How dare you? there! take that for your impertinence," said Miss
+Day, giving her a box on the ear.
+
+Elsie was about to make a still more angry reply; but she
+restrained herself, and turning to her book, tried to study,
+though the hot, blinding tears came so thick and fast that she
+could not see a letter.
+
+"De carriage am waiting, ladies, an' missus in a hurry," said a
+servant, opening the door; and Miss Day hastily quitted the room,
+followed by Louise and Lora; and Elsie was left alone.
+
+She laid down the geography, and opening her desk, took out a
+small pocket Bible, which bore the marks of frequent use. She
+turned over the leaves as though seeking for some particular
+passage; at length she found it, and wiping away the blinding
+tears, she read these words in a low, murmuring tone:
+
+"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God
+endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it if, when
+ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if
+when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is
+acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called; because
+Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should
+follow His steps."
+
+"Oh! I have not done it. I did not take it patiently. I am afraid
+I am not following in His steps," she cried, bursting into an
+agony of tears and sobs.
+
+"My dear little girl, what is the matter?" asked a kind voice, and
+a soft hand was gently laid on her shoulder.
+
+The child looked up hastily. "O Miss Allison!" she said, "is it
+you? I thought I was quite alone."
+
+"And so you were, my dear, until this moment" replied the lady,
+drawing up a chair, and sitting down close beside her. "I was on
+the veranda, and hearing sobs, came in to see if I could be of any
+assistance. You look very much distressed; will you not tell me
+the cause of your sorrow?"
+
+Elsie answered only by a fresh burst of tears.
+
+"They have all gone to the fair and left you at home alone;
+perhaps to learn a lesson you have failed in reciting?" said the
+lady, inquiringly.
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the child; "but that is not the worst;" and her
+tears fell faster, as she laid the little Bible on the desk, and
+pointed with her finger to the words she had been reading. "Oh!"
+she sobbed, "I--I did not do it; I did not bear it patiently. I
+was treated unjustly, and punished when I was not to blame, and I
+grew angry. Oh! I'm afraid I shall never be like Jesus! never,
+never."
+
+The child's distress seemed very great, and Miss Allison was
+extremely surprised. She was a visitor who had been in the house
+only a few days, and, herself a devoted Christian, had been
+greatly pained by the utter disregard of the family in which she
+was sojourning for the teachings of God's word. Rose Allison was
+from the North, and Mr. Dinsmore, the proprietor of Roselands, was
+an old friend of her father, to whom he had been paying a visit,
+and finding Rose in delicate health, he had prevailed upon her
+parents to allow her to spend the winter months with his family in
+the more congenial clime of their Southern home.
+
+"My poor child," she said, passing her arm around the little one's
+waist, "my poor little Elsie! that is your name, is it not?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; Elsie Dinsmore," replied the little girl.
+
+"Well, Elsie, let me read you another verse from this blessed
+book. Here it is: 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us
+from _all_ sin.' And here again: 'If any man sin, we have an
+advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous.' Dear Elsie,
+'if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
+sins.'"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," said the child; "I have asked Him to forgive me, and
+I know He has; but I am so sorry, oh! _so_ sorry that I have
+grieved and displeased Him; for, O Miss Allison! I _do_ love
+Jesus, and want to be like Him always."
+
+"Yes, dear child, we must grieve for our sins when we remember
+that they helped to slay the Lord. But I am very, very glad to
+learn that you love Jesus, and are striving to do His will. I love
+Him too, and we will love one another; for you know He says, 'By
+this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
+to another,'" said Miss Allison, stroking the little girl's hair,
+and kissing her tenderly.
+
+"Will you love me? Oh! how glad I am," exclaimed the child
+joyfully; "I have nobody to love me but poor old mammy."
+
+"And who is mammy?" asked the lady.
+
+"My dear old nurse, who has always taken care of me. Have you not
+seen her, ma'am?"
+
+"Perhaps I may. I have seen a number of nice old colored women
+about here since I came. But, Elsie, will you tell me who taught
+you about Jesus, and how long you have loved Him?"
+
+"Ever since I can remember," replied the little girl earnestly;
+"and it was dear old mammy who first told me how He suffered and
+died on the cross for us." Her eyes filled with tears and her
+voice quivered with emotion. "She used to talk to me about it just
+as soon as I could understand anything," she continued; "and then
+she would tell me that my own dear mamma loved Jesus, and had gone
+to be with Him in heaven; and how, when she was dying, she put me
+--a little, wee baby, I was then not quite a week old--into her
+arms, and said, 'Mammy, take my dear little baby and love her, and
+take care of her just as you did of me; and O mammy! be sure that
+you teach her to love God.' Would you like to see my mamma, Miss
+Allison?"
+
+And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a miniature set in gold
+and diamonds, which she wore suspended by a gold chain around her
+neck, and put it in Rose's hand.
+
+It was the likeness of a young and blooming girl, not more than
+fifteen or sixteen years of age. She was very beautiful, with a
+sweet, gentle, winning countenance, the same soft hazel eyes and
+golden brown curls that the little Elsie possessed; the same
+regular features, pure complexion, and sweet smile.
+
+Miss Allison gazed at it a moment in silent admiration; then
+turning from it to the child with a puzzled expression, she said,
+"But, Elsie, I do not understand; are you not sister to Enna and
+the rest, and is not Mrs. Dinsmore own mother to them all?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am, to all of them, but not to me nor my papa. Their
+brother Horace is my papa, and so they are all my aunts and
+uncles."
+
+"Indeed," said the lady, musingly; "I thought you looked very
+unlike the rest. And your papa is away, is he not, Elsie?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; he is in Europe. He has been away almost ever since I
+was born, and I have never seen him. Oh! how I do wish he would
+come home! how I long to see him! Do you think he would love me,
+Miss Allison? Do you think he would take me on his knee and pet
+me, as grandpa does Enna?"
+
+"I should think he would, dear; I don't know how he could help
+loving his own dear little girl," said the lady, again kissing the
+little rosy cheek. "But now," she added, rising, "I must go away
+and let you learn your lesson."
+
+Then taking up the little Bible, and turning over the leaves, she
+asked, "Would you like to come to my room sometimes in the
+mornings and evenings, and read this book with me, Elsie?"
+
+"Oh! yes, ma'am, dearly!" exclaimed the child, her eyes sparkling
+with pleasure.
+
+"Come then this evening, if you like; and now goodbye for the
+present." And pressing another kiss on the child's cheek, she left
+her and went back to her own room, where she found her friend
+Adelaide Dinsmore, a young lady near her own age, and the eldest
+daughter of the family. Adelaide was seated on a sofa, busily
+employed with some fancy work.
+
+"You see I am making myself quite at home," she said, looking up
+as Rose entered. "I cannot imagine where you have been all this
+time."
+
+"Can you not? In the school-room, talking with little Elsie. Do
+you know, Adelaide, I thought she was your sister; but she tells
+me not."
+
+"No, she is Horace's child. I supposed you knew; but if you do
+not, I may just as well tell you the whole story. Horace was a
+very wild boy, petted and spoiled, and always used to having his
+own way; and when he was about seventeen--quite a forward youth he
+was too--he must needs go to New Orleans to spend some months with
+a schoolmate; and there he met, and fell desperately in love with,
+a very beautiful girl a year or two younger than himself, an
+orphan and very wealthy. Fearing that objections would be made on
+the score of their youth, etc., etc., he persuaded her to consent
+to a private marriage, and they had been man and wife for some
+months before either her friends or his suspected it.
+
+"Well, when it came at last to papa's ears, he was very angry,
+both on account of their extreme youth, and because, as Elsie
+Grayson's father had made all his money by trade, he did not
+consider her quite my brother's equal; so he called Horace home
+and sent him North to college. Then he studied law, and since that
+he has been traveling in foreign lands. But to return to his wife;
+it seems that her guardian was quite as much opposed to the match
+as papa; and the poor girl was made to believe that she should
+never see her husband again. All their letters were intercepted,
+and finally she was told that he was dead; so, as Aunt Chloe says,
+'she grew thin and pale, and weak and melancholy,' and while the
+little Elsie was yet not quite a week old, she died. We never saw
+her; she died in her guardian's house, and there the little Elsie
+stayed in charge of Aunt Chloe, who was an old servant in the
+family, and had nursed her mother before her, and of the
+housekeeper, Mrs. Murray, a pious old Scotch woman, until about
+four years ago, when her guardian's death broke up the family, and
+then they came to us. Horace never comes home, and does not seem
+to care for his child, for he never mentions her in his letters,
+except when it is necessary in the way of business."
+
+"She is a dear little thing," said Rose. "I am sure he could not
+help loving her, if he could only see her."
+
+"Oh! yes, she is well enough, and I often feel sorry for the
+lonely little thing, but the truth is, I believe we are a little
+jealous of her; she is so extremely beautiful, and heiress to such
+an immense fortune. Mamma often frets, and says that one of these
+days she will quite eclipse her younger daughters."
+
+"But then," said Rose, "she is almost as near; her own grand-
+daughter."
+
+"No, she is not so very near," replied Adelaide, "for Horace is
+not mamma's son. He was seven or eight years old when she married
+papa, and I think she was never particularly fond of him."
+
+"Ah! yes," thought Rose, "that explains it. Poor little Elsie! No
+wonder you pine for your father's love, and grieve over the loss
+of the mother you never knew!"
+
+"She is an odd child," said Adelaide; "I don't understand her; she
+is so meek and patient she will fairly let you trample upon her.
+It provokes papa. He says she is no Dinsmore, or she would know
+how to stand up for her own rights; and yet she has a temper, I
+know, for once in a great while it shows itself for an instant--
+only an instant, though, and at very long intervals--and then she
+grieves over it for days, as though she had committed some great
+crime; while the rest of us think nothing of getting angry half a
+dozen times in a day. And then she is forever poring over that
+little Bible of hers; what she sees so attractive in it I'm sure I
+cannot tell, for I must say I find it the dullest of dull books."
+
+"Do you," said Rose; "how strange! I had rather give up all other
+books than that one. 'Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage
+forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart,' 'How sweet are
+thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.'"
+
+"Do you _really_ love it so, Rose?" asked Adelaide, lifting
+her eyes to her friend's face with an expression of astonishment;
+"do tell me why?"
+
+"For its exceeding great and precious promises Adelaide; for its
+holy teachings; for its offers of peace and pardon and eternal
+life. I am a sinner, Adelaide, lost, ruined, helpless, hopeless,
+and the Bible brings me the glad news of salvation offered as a
+free, unmerited gift; it tells me that Jesus died to save sinners
+--just such sinners as I. I find that I have a heart deceitful
+above all things and desperately wicked, and the blessed Bible
+tells me how that heart can be renewed, and where I can obtain
+that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. I find
+myself utterly unable to keep God's holy law, and it tells me of
+One who has kept it for me. I find that I deserve the wrath and
+curse of a justly offended God, and it tells me of Him who was
+made a curse for me. I find that all my righteousnesses are as
+filthy rags, and it offers me the beautiful, spotless robe of
+Christ's perfect righteousness. Yes, it tells me that God can be
+just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus."
+
+Rose spoke these words with deep emotion, then suddenly clasping
+her hands and raising her eyes, she exclaimed, "'Thanks be unto
+God for His unspeakable gift!'"
+
+For a moment there was silence. Then Adelaide spoke:
+
+"Rose," said she, "you talk as if you were a great sinner; but I
+don't believe it; it is only your humility that makes you think
+so. Why, what have you ever done? Had you been a thief, a
+murderer, or guilty of any other great crime, I could see the
+propriety of your using such language with regard to yourself; but
+for a refined, intelligent, amiable young lady, excuse me for
+saying it, dear Rose, but such language seems to me simply
+absurd."
+
+"Man looketh upon the outward appearance, but the Lord pondereth
+the heart," said Rose, gently. "No, dear Adelaide, you are
+mistaken; for I can truly say 'mine iniquities have gone over my
+head as a cloud, and my transgressions as a thick cloud.' Every
+duty has been stained with sin, every motive impure, every thought
+unholy. From my earliest existence, God has required the undivided
+love of my whole heart, soul, strength, and mind; and so far from
+yielding it, I live at enmity with Him, and rebellion against His
+government, until within the last two years. For seventeen years
+He has showered blessings upon me, giving me life, health,
+strength, friends, and all that was necessary for happiness; and
+for fifteen of those years I returned Him nothing but ingratitude
+and rebellion. For fifteen years I rejected His offers of pardon
+and reconciliation, turned my back upon the Saviour of sinners,
+and resisted all the strivings of God's Holy Spirit, and will you
+say that I am not a great sinner?" Her voice quivered, and her
+eyes were full of tears.
+
+"Dear Rose," said Adelaide, putting her arm around her friend and
+kissing her cheek affectionately, "don't think of these things;
+religion is too gloomy for one so young as you."
+
+"Gloomy, dear Adelaide!" replied Rose, returning the embrace; "I
+never knew what true happiness was until I found Jesus. My sins
+often make me sad, but religion, never.
+
+   "'Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
+    Dark as midnight's gloomy shroud;
+    But when fear is at the height,
+    Jesus comes, and all is light.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SECOND
+
+
+   "Thy injuries would teach patience to blaspheme,
+    Yet still thou art a dove."
+                             --BEAUMONT'S _Double Marriage._
+
+
+   "When forced to part from those we love,
+      Though sure to meet to-morrow;
+    We yet a kind of anguish prove
+      And feel a touch of sorrow.
+    But oh! what words can paint the fears
+      When from these friends we sever,
+    Perhaps to part for months--for years--
+      Perhaps to part forever."
+                                 --ANON.
+
+
+When Miss Allison had gone, and Elsie found herself once more
+quite alone, she rose from her chair, and kneeling down with the
+open Bible before her, she poured out her story of sins and
+sorrows, in simple, child-like words, into the ears of the dear
+Saviour whom she loved so well; confessing that when she had done
+well and suffered for it, she had not taken it patiently, and
+earnestly pleading that she might be made like unto the meek and
+lowly Jesus. Low sobs burst from her burdened heart, and the tears
+of penitence fell upon the pages of the holy book. But when she
+rose from her knees, her load of sin and sorrow was all gone, and
+her heart made light and happy with a sweet sense of peace and
+pardon. Once again, as often before, the little Elsie was made to
+experience the blessedness of "the man whose transgression is
+forgiven, whose sin is covered."
+
+She now set to work diligently at her studies, and ere the party
+returned was quite prepared to meet Miss Day, having attended
+faithfully to all she had required of her. The lesson was recited
+without the smallest mistake, every figure of the examples worked
+out correctly, and the page of the copy-book neatly and carefully
+written.
+
+Miss Day had been in a very captious mood all day, and seemed
+really provoked that Elsie had not given her the smallest excuse
+for fault-finding. Handing the book back to her, she said, very
+coldly, "I see you can do your duties well enough when you
+choose."
+
+Elsie felt keenly the injustice of the remark, and longed to say
+that she had tried quite as earnestly in the morning; but she
+resolutely crushed down the indignant feeling, and calling to
+mind the rash words that had cost her so many repentant tears, she
+replied meekly, "I am sorry I did not succeed better this morning,
+Miss Day, though I did really try; and I am still more sorry for
+the saucy answer I gave you; and I ask your pardon for it."
+
+"You _ought_ to be sorry," replied Miss Day, severely, "and I
+hope you are; for it was a very impertinent speech indeed, and
+deserving of a much more severe punishment than you received. Now
+go, and never let me hear anything of the kind from you again."
+
+Poor little Elsie's eyes filled with tears at these ungracious
+words, accompanied by a still more ungracious manner; but she
+turned away without a word, and placing her books and slate
+carefully in her desk, left the room.
+
+Rose Allison was sitting alone in her room that evening, thinking
+of her far-distant home, when hearing a gentle rap at her door,
+she rose and opened it to find Elsie standing there with her
+little Bible in her hand.
+
+"Come in, darling," she said, stooping to give the little one a
+kiss; "I am very glad to see you."
+
+"I may stay with you for half an hour, Miss Allison, if you like,"
+said the child, seating herself on the low ottoman pointed out by
+Rose, "and then mammy is coming to put me to bed."
+
+"It will be a very pleasant half-hour to both of us, I hope,"
+replied Rose, opening her Bible.
+
+They read a chapter together--Rose now and then pausing to make a
+few explanations--and then kneeling down, she offered up a prayer
+for the teachings of the Spirit, and for God's blessing on
+themselves and all their dear ones.
+
+"Dear little Elsie," she said, folding the child in her arms, when
+they had risen from their knees, "how I love you already, and how
+very glad I am to find that there is one in this house beside
+myself who loves Jesus, and loves to study His word, and to call
+upon His name."
+
+"Yes, dear Miss Allison; and there is _more_ than one, for
+mammy loves Him, too, very dearly," replied the little girl,
+earnestly.
+
+"Does she, darling? Then I must love her, too, for I cannot help
+loving all who love my Saviour."
+
+Then Rose sat down, and drawing the little girl to a seat on her
+knee, they talked sweetly together of the race they were running,
+and the prize they hoped to obtain at the end of it; of the battle
+they were fighting, and the invisible foes with whom they were
+called to struggle--the armor that had been provided, and of Him
+who had promised to be the Captain of their salvation, and to
+bring them off more than conquerors. They were pilgrims in the
+same straight and narrow way, and it was very pleasant thus to
+walk a little while together. "Then they that feared the Lord
+spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it;
+and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that
+feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be
+mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my
+jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that
+serveth him."
+
+"That is mammy coming for me," said Elsie, as a low knock was
+heard at the door.
+
+"Come in," said Rose, and the door opened, and a very nice colored
+woman of middle age, looking beautifully neat in her snow-white
+apron and turban, entered with a low courtesy, asking, "Is my
+little missus ready for bed now?"
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, jumping off Rose's lap; "but come here, mammy;
+I want to introduce you to Miss Allison."
+
+"How do you do, Aunt Chloe? I am very glad to know you, since
+Elsie tells me you are a servant of the same blessed Master whom I
+love and try to serve," said Rose, putting her small white hand
+cordially into Chloe's dusky one.
+
+"'Deed I hope I is, missus," replied Chloe, pressing it fervently
+in both of hers. "I's only a poor old black sinner, but de good
+Lord Jesus, He loves me jes de same as if I was white, an' I love
+Him an' all His chillen with all my heart."
+
+"Yes, Aunt Chloe," said Rose, "He is our peace, and hath made both
+one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
+so that we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-
+citizens with the saints and of the household of God; and are
+built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
+Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."
+
+"Yes, missus, dat's it for sure; ole Chloe knows dat's in de
+Bible; an' if we be built on dat bressed corner-stone, we's safe
+ebery one; I'se heard it many's de time, an' it fills dis ole
+heart with joy an' peace in believing," she exclaimed, raising her
+tearful eyes and clasping her hands. "But good night, missus; I
+must put my chile to bed," she added, taking Elsie's hand.
+
+"Good-night, Aunt Chloe; come in again," said Rose. "And good-
+night to you, too, dear little Elsie," folding the little girl
+again in her arms.
+
+"Ain't dat a bressed young lady, darlin'!" exclaimed Chloe,
+earnestly, as she began the business of preparing her young charge
+for bed.
+
+"O mammy, I love her so much! she's so good and kind," replied the
+child, "and she loves Jesus, and loves to talk about Him."
+
+"She reminds me of your dear mamma, Miss Elsie, but she's not so
+handsome," replied the nurse, with a tear in her eye; "ole Chloe
+tinks dere's nebber any lady so beautiful as her dear young missus
+was."
+
+Elsie drew out the miniature and kissed it, murmuring, "Dear,
+darling mamma," then put it back in her bosom again, for she
+always wore it day and night. She was standing in her white night-
+dress, the tiny white feet just peeping from under it, while Chloe
+brushed back her curls and put on her night-cap.
+
+"Dere now, darlin', you's ready for bed," she exclaimed, giving
+the child a hug and a kiss.
+
+"No, mammy, not quite," replied the little girl, and gliding away
+to the side of the bed, she knelt down and offered up her evening
+prayer. Then, coming back to the toilet table, she opened her
+little Bible, saying, "Now, mammy, I will read you a chapter while
+you are getting ready for bed."
+
+The room was large and airy, and Aunt Chloe, who was never willing
+to leave her nursling, but watched over her night and day with the
+most devoted affection, slept in a cot bed in one corner.
+
+"Tank you, my dear young missus, you's berry good," she said,
+beginning the preparations for the night by taking off her turban
+and replacing it by a thick night-cap.
+
+When the chapter was finished Elsie got into bed, saying, "Now,
+mammy, you may put out the light as soon as you please; and be
+sure to call me early in the morning, for I have a lesson to learn
+before breakfast."
+
+"That I will, darlin'," replied the old woman, spreading the cover
+carefully over her. "Good-night, my pet, your ole mammy hopes her
+chile will have pleasant dreams."
+
+Rose Allison was an early riser, and as the breakfast hour at
+Roselands was eight o'clock, she always had an hour or two for
+reading before it was time to join the family circle. She had
+asked Elsie to come to her at half-past seven, and punctually at
+the hour the little girl's gentle rap was heard at her door.
+
+"Come in," said Rose, and Elsie entered, looking as bright and
+fresh and rosy as the morning. She had her little Bible under her
+arm, and a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hand. "Good-morning,
+dear Miss Allison," she said, dropping a graceful courtesy as she
+presented it. "I have come to read, and I have just been out to
+gather these for you, because I know you love flowers."
+
+"Thank you, darling, they are very lovely," said Rose, accepting
+the gift and bestowing a caress upon the giver. "You are quite
+punctual," she added, "and now we can have our half-hour together
+before breakfast."
+
+The time was spent profitably and pleasantly, and passed so
+quickly that both were surprised when the breakfast bell rang.
+
+Miss Allison spent the whole fall and winter at Roselands; and it
+was very seldom during all that time that she and Elsie failed to
+have their morning and evening reading and prayer together. Rose
+was often made to wonder at the depth of the little girl's piety
+and the knowledge of divine things she possessed. But Elsie had
+had the best of teaching. Chloe, though entirely uneducated, was a
+simple-minded, earnest Christian, and with a heart full of love to
+Jesus, had, as we have seen, early endeavored to lead the little
+one to Him, and Mrs. Murray--the housekeeper whom Adelaide had
+mentioned, and who had assisted Chloe in the care of the child
+from the time of her birth until a few months before Rose's
+coming, when she had suddenly been summoned home to Scotland--had
+proved a very faithful friend. She was an intelligent woman and
+devotedly pious, and had carefully instructed this lonely little
+one, for whom she felt almost a parent's affection, and her
+efforts to bring her to a saving knowledge of Christ had been
+signally owned and blessed of God; and in answer to her earnest
+prayers, the Holy Spirit had vouchsafed His teachings, without
+which all human instruction must ever be in vain. And young as
+Elsie was, she had already a very lovely and well-developed
+Christian character. Though not a remarkably precocious child in
+other respects, she seemed to have very clear and correct views on
+almost every subject connected with her duty to God and her
+neighbor; was very truthful both in word and deed, very strict in
+her observance of the Sabbath--though the rest of the family were
+by no means particular in that respect--very diligent in her
+studies, respectful to superiors, and kind to inferiors and
+equals; and she was gentle, sweet-tempered, patient, and forgiving
+to a remarkable degree. Rose became strongly attached to her, and
+the little girl fully returned her affection.
+
+Elsie was very sensitive and affectionate, and felt keenly the
+want of sympathy and love, for which, at the time of Rose's
+coming, she had no one to look to but poor old Chloe, who loved
+her with all her heart.
+
+It is true, Adelaide sometimes treated her almost affectionately,
+and Lora, who had a very strong sense of justice, occasionally
+interfered and took her part when she was very unjustly accused,
+but no one seemed really to care for her, and she often felt sad
+and lonely. Mr. Dinsmore, though her own grandfather, treated her
+with entire neglect, seemed to have not the slightest affection
+for her, and usually spoke of her as "old Crayson's grandchild."
+Mrs. Dinsmore really disliked her, because she looked upon her as
+the child of a stepson for whom she had never felt any affection,
+and also as the future rival of her own children; while the
+governess and the younger members of the family, following the
+example of their elders, treated her with neglect, and occasionally
+even with abuse. Miss Day, knowing that she was in no danger of
+incurring the displeasure of her superiors by so doing, vented upon her
+all the spite she dared not show to her other pupils; and continually
+she was made to give up her toys and pleasures to Enna, and even
+sometimes to Arthur and Walter. It often cost her a struggle, and
+had she possessed less of the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
+her life had been wretched indeed.
+
+But in spite of all her trials and vexations, little Elsie was the
+happiest person in the family; for she had in her heart that peace
+which the world can neither give nor take away; that joy which the
+Saviour gives to His own, and no man taketh from them. She
+constantly carried all her sorrows and troubles to Him, and the
+coldness and neglect of others seemed but to drive her nearer to
+that Heavenly Friend, until she felt that while possessed of His
+love, she could not be unhappy, though treated with scorn and
+abuse by all the world.
+
+   "The good are better made by ill,
+    As odors crushed are sweeter still;"
+
+And even so it seemed to be with little Elsie; her trials seemed
+to have only the effect of purifying and making more lovely her
+naturally amiable character.
+
+Elsie talked much and thought more of her absent and unknown
+father, and longed with an intensity of desire for his return
+home. It was her dream, by day and by night, that he had come,
+that he had taken her to his heart, calling her "his own darling
+child, his precious little Elsie;" for such were the loving
+epithets she often heard lavished upon Enna, and which she longed
+to hear addressed to herself. But from month to month, and year to
+year, that longed-for return had been delayed until the little
+heart had grown sick with hope deferred, and was often weary with
+its almost hopeless waiting. But to return.
+
+"Elsie," said Adelaide, as Miss Allison and the little girl
+entered the breakfast-room on the morning after Elsie's
+disappointment, "the fair is not over yet, and Miss Allison and I
+are going to ride out there this afternoon; so, if you are a good
+girl in school, you may go with us."
+
+"Oh! thank you, dear Aunt Adelaide," exclaimed the little girl,
+clapping her hands with delight; "how kind you are! and I shall be
+so glad."
+
+Miss Day frowned, and looked as if she wanted to reprove her for
+her noisy demonstrations of delight, but, standing somewhat in awe
+of Adelaide, said nothing.
+
+But Elsie suddenly relapsed into silence, for at that moment Mrs.
+Dinsmore entered the room, and it was seldom that she could utter
+a word in her presence without being reproved and told that
+"children should be seen and not heard," though her own were
+allowed to talk as much as they pleased.
+
+Miss Day seemed cross, Mrs. Dinsmore was moody and taciturn,
+complaining of headache, and Mr. Dinsmore occupied with the
+morning paper; and so the meal passed off in almost unbroken
+silence. Elsie was glad when it was over, and hastening to the
+school-room, she began her tasks without waiting for the arrival
+of the regular hour for study.
+
+She had the room entirely to herself, and had been busily engaged
+for half an hour in working out her examples, when the opening of
+the door caused her to look up, and, to her dismay, Arthur
+entered. He did not, however, as she feared, begin his customary
+course of teasing and tormenting, but seated himself at his desk,
+leaning his head upon his hand in an attitude of dejection.
+
+Elsie wondered what ailed him, his conduct was so unusual, and she
+could not help every now and then sending an inquiring glance
+toward him, and at length she asked, "What is the matter, Arthur?"
+
+"Nothing much," said he, gruffly, turning his back to her.
+
+Thus repulsed, she said no more, but gave her undivided attention
+to her employment; and so diligent was she, that Miss Day had no
+excuse whatever for fault-finding this morning. Her tasks were all
+completed within the required time, and she enjoyed her promised
+ride with her aunt and Miss Allison, and her visit to the fair,
+very much indeed.
+
+It was still early when they returned; and finding that she had
+nearly an hour to dispose of before tea-time, Elsie thought she
+would finish a drawing which she had left in her desk in the
+school-room. While searching for it and her pencil, she heard
+Lora's and Arthur's voices on the veranda.
+
+She did not notice what they were saying, until her own name
+struck her ear.
+
+"Elsie is the only person," Lora was saying, "who can, and
+probably will, help you; for she has plenty of money, and she is
+so kind and generous; but, if I were you, I should be ashamed to
+ask her, after the way you acted toward her."
+
+"I wish I hadn't teased her so yesterday," replied Arthur,
+disconsolately, "but it's such fun, I can't help it sometimes."
+
+"Well, I know I wouldn't ask a favor of anybody I had treated so,"
+said Lora, walking away.
+
+Elsie sat still a few moments, working at her drawing and
+wondering all the time what it was Arthur wanted, and thinking how
+glad she would be of an opportunity of returning him good for
+evil. She did not like, though, to seek his confidence, but
+presently hearing him heave a deep sigh, she rose and went out on
+the veranda.
+
+He was leaning on the railing in an attitude of dejection, his
+head bent down and his eyes fixed on the floor. She went up to
+him, and laying her hand softly on his shoulder, said, in the
+sweet, gentle tones natural to her. "What ails you, Arthur? Can I
+do anything for you? I will be very glad if I can."
+
+"No--yes--" he answered hesitatingly; "I wouldn't like to ask you
+after--after--"
+
+"Oh! never mind," said Elsie, quickly; "I do not care anything
+about that now. I had the ride to-day, and that was better still,
+because I went with Aunt Adelaide and Miss Allison. Tell me what
+you want."
+
+Thus encouraged, Arthur replied, "I saw a beautiful little ship
+yesterday when I was in the city; it was only five dollars, and
+I've set my heart on having it, but my pocket money's all gone,
+and papa won't give me a cent until next month's allowance is due;
+and by that time the ship will be gone, for it's such a beauty
+somebody'll be sure to buy it."
+
+"Won't your mamma buy it for you?" asked Elsie.
+
+"No, she says she hasn't the money to spare just now. You know
+it's near the end of the month, and they've all spent their
+allowances except Louise, and she says she'll not lend her money
+to such a spendthrift as I am."
+
+Elsie drew out her purse, and seemed just about to put it into his
+hand; but, apparently changing her mind, she hesitated a moment,
+and then returning it to her pocket, said, with a half smile, "I
+don't know, Arthur; five dollars is a good deal for a little girl
+like me to lay out at once. I must think about it a little."
+
+"I don't ask you to _give_ it," he replied scornfully; "I'll
+pay it back in two weeks."
+
+"Well, I will see by to-morrow morning," she said, darting away,
+while he sent an angry glance after her, muttering the word
+"stingy" between his teeth.
+
+Elsie ran down to the kitchen, asking of one and another of the
+servants as she passed, "Where's Pompey?" The last time she put
+the question to Phoebe, the cook, but was answered by Pompey
+himself. "Here am Pomp, Miss Elsie; what does little missy want
+wid dis chile?"
+
+"Are you going to the city to-night, Pompey?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Elsie, I'se got some arrants to do for missus an' de
+family in ginral, an' I ben gwine start in 'bout ten minutes.
+Little missy wants sumpin', eh?"
+
+Elsie motioned to him to come close to her, and then putting her
+purse into his hands, she told him in a whisper of Arthur's wish,
+and directed him to purchase the coveted toy, and bring it to her,
+if possible, without letting any one else know anything about it.
+"And keep half a dollar for yourself, Pompey, to pay you for your
+trouble," she added in conclusion.
+
+"Tank you, little missy," he replied, with a broad grin of
+satisfaction; "dat be berry good pay, and Pomp am de man to do dis
+business up for you 'bout right."
+
+The tea-bell rang, and Elsie hastened away to answer the summons.
+She looked across the table at Arthur with a pleasant smile on her
+countenance, but he averted his eyes with an angry scowl; and with
+a slight sigh she turned away her head, and did not look at him
+again during the meal.
+
+Pompey executed his commission faithfully; and when Elsie returned
+to her own room after her evening hour with Miss Rose, Chloe
+pointed out the little ship standing on the mantel.
+
+"Oh! it's a little beauty," cried Elsie, clapping her hands and
+dancing up and down with delight; "how Arthur will be pleased!
+Now, mammy, can you take it to the school-room, and put it on
+Master Arthur's desk, without anybody seeing you?"
+
+"Ole Chloe'll try, darlin," she said, taking it in her hands.
+
+"Oh! wait one moment," exclaimed Elsie, and taking a card, she
+wrote on it, "A present to Arthur, from his niece Elsie." Then
+laying it on the deck of the little vessel. "There, mammy," she
+said, "I think that will do; but please look out first to see
+whether any one is in the hall."
+
+"Coast all clear, darlin'," replied Chloe, after a careful survey;
+"all de chillens am in bed before dis time, I spec." And taking a
+candle in one hand and the little ship in the other, she started
+for the school-room. She soon returned with a broad grin of
+satisfaction on her black face, saying, "All right, darlin', I put
+him on Massa Arthur's desk, an' nobody de wiser."
+
+So Elsie went to bed very happy in the thought of the pleasure
+Arthur would have in receiving her present.
+
+She was hurrying down to the breakfast-room the next morning, a
+little in advance of Miss Rose, who had stopped to speak to
+Adelaide, when Arthur came running up behind her, having just come
+in by a side door from the garden, and seizing her round the
+waist, he said, "Thank you, Elsie; you're a real good girl! She
+sails beautifully. I've been trying her on the pond. But it
+mustn't be a _present;_ you must let me pay you back when I
+get my allowance."
+
+"Oh! no, Arthur, that would spoil it all," she answered quickly;
+"you are entirely welcome, and you know my allowance is so large
+that half the time I have more money than I know how to spend."
+
+"I should like to see the time that would be the case with me,"
+said he, laughing. Then in a lower tone, "Elsie, I'm sorry I
+teased you so. I'll not do it again soon."
+
+Elsie answered him with a grateful look, as she stepped past him
+and quietly took her place at the table.
+
+Arthur kept his word, and for many weeks entirely refrained from
+teasing Elsie, and while freed from that annoyance she was always
+able to have her tasks thoroughly prepared; and though her
+governess was often unreasonable and exacting, and there was
+scarcely a day in which she was not called upon to yield her own
+wishes or pleasures, or in some way to inconvenience herself to
+please Walter or Enna, or occasionally the older members of the
+family, yet it was an unusually happy winter to her, for Rose
+Allison's love and uniform kindness shed sunshine on her path. She
+had learned to yield readily to others, and when fretted or
+saddened by unjust or unkind treatment, a few moments alone with
+her precious Bible and her loved Saviour made all right again, and
+she would come from those sweet communings looking as serenely
+happy as if she had never known an annoyance. She was a wonder to
+all the family. Her grandfather would sometimes look at her as,
+without a frown or a pout, she would give up her own wishes to
+Enna, and shaking his head, say, "She's no Dinsmore, or she would
+know how to stand up for her own rights better than that. _I_
+don't like such tame-spirited people. She's not Horace's child; it
+never was an easy matter to impose upon or conquer him. He was a
+boy of spirit."
+
+"What a strange child Elsie is?" Adelaide remarked to her friend
+one day. "I am often surprised to see how sweetly she gives up to
+all of us; really she has a lovely temper. I quite envy her; it
+was always hard for me to give up my own way."
+
+"I do not believe it was easy for her at first," said Rose. "I
+think her sweet disposition is the fruit of a work of grace in her
+heart. It is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which God
+alone can bestow."
+
+"I wish I had it, then," said Adelaide, sighing.
+
+"You have only to go to the right source to obtain it, dear
+Adelaide," replied her friend, gently.
+
+"And yet," said Adelaide, "I must say I sometimes think that, as
+papa says, there is something mean-spirited and cowardly in always
+giving up to other people."
+
+"It would indeed be cowardly and wrong to give up
+_principle_," replied Rose, "but surely it is noble and
+generous to give up our own wishes to another, where no principle
+is involved."
+
+"Certainly, you are right," said Adelaide, musingly. "And now I
+recollect that, readily as Elsie gives up her own wishes to others
+on ordinary occasions, I have never known her to sacrifice
+principle; but, on the contrary, she has several times made mamma
+excessively angry by refusing to romp and play with Enna on the
+Sabbath, or to deceive papa when questioned with regard to some of
+Arthur's misdeeds; yet she has often borne the blame of his
+faults, when she might have escaped by telling of him. Elsie is
+certainly very different from any of the rest of us, and if it is
+piety that makes her what she is, I think piety is a very lovely
+thing."
+
+Elsie's mornings were spent in the school-room; in the afternoon
+she walked, or rode out, sometimes in company with her young
+uncles and aunts, and sometimes alone, a negro boy following at a
+respectful distance, as a protector. In the evening there was
+almost always company in the parlor, and she found it pleasanter
+to sit beside the bright wood-fire in her own room, with her fond
+old nurse for a companion, than to stay there, or with the younger
+ones in the sitting-room or nursery. If she had no lesson to
+learn, she usually read aloud to Chloe, as she sat knitting by the
+fire, and the Bible was the book generally preferred by both; and
+then when she grew weary of reading, she would often take a stool,
+and sitting down close to Chloe, put her head in her lap, saying,
+"Now, mammy, tell me about mamma."
+
+And then for the hundredth time or more the old woman would go
+over the story of the life and death of her "dear young missus,"
+as she always called her; telling of her beauty, her goodness, and
+of her sorrows and sufferings during the last year of her short
+life.
+
+It was a story which never lost its charm for Elsie; a story which
+the one never wearied of telling, nor the other of hearing. Elsie
+would sit listening, with her mother's miniature in her hand,
+gazing at it with tearful eyes, then press it to her lips,
+murmuring, "My own mamma; poor, dear mamma." And when Chloe had
+finished that story she would usually say, "Now, mammy, tell me
+all about papa."
+
+But upon this subject Chloe had very little information to give.
+She knew him only as a gay, handsome young stranger, whom she had
+seen occasionally during a few months, and who had stolen all the
+sunshine from her beloved young mistress' life, and left her to
+die alone; yet she did not blame him when speaking to his child,
+for the young wife had told her that he had not forsaken her of
+his own free choice; and though she could not quite banish from
+her own mind the idea that he had not been altogether innocent in
+the matter, she breathed no hint of it to Elsie; for Chloe was a
+sensible woman, and knew that to lead the little one to think ill
+of her only remaining parent would but tend to make her unhappy.
+
+Sometimes Elsie would ask very earnestly, "Do you thing papa loves
+Jesus, mammy?" And Chloe would reply with a doubtful shake of the
+head, "Dunno, darlin'; but ole Chloe prays for him ebery day."
+
+"And so do I," Elsie would answer; "dear, dear papa, how I wish he
+would come home!"
+
+And so the winter glided away, and spring came, and Miss Allison
+must soon return home. It was now the last day of March, and her
+departure had been fixed for the second of April. For a number of
+weeks Elsie had been engaged, during all her spare moments, in
+knitting a purse for Rose, wishing to give her something which was
+the work of her own hands, knowing that as such it would be more
+prized by her friend than a costlier gift. She had just returned
+from her afternoon ride, and taking out her work she sat down to
+finish it. She was in her own room, with no companion but Chloe,
+who sat beside her knitting as usual.
+
+Elsie worked on silently for some time, then suddenly holding up
+her purse, she exclaimed, "See, mammy, it is all done but putting
+on the tassel! Isn't it pretty? and won't dear Miss Allison be
+pleased with it?"
+
+It really was very pretty indeed, of crimson and gold, and
+beautifully knit, and Chloe, looking at it with admiring eyes,
+said, "I spec she will, darlin'. I tink it's berry handsome."
+
+At this moment Enna opened the door and came in.
+
+Elsie hastily attempted to conceal the purse by thrusting it into
+her pocket, but it was too late, for Enna had seen it, and running
+toward her, cried out, "Now, Elsie, just give that to me!"
+
+"No, Enna," replied Elsie, mildly, "I cannot let you have it,
+because it is for Miss Rose."
+
+"I will have it," exclaimed the child, resolutely, "and if you
+don't give it to me at once I shall just go and tell mamma."
+
+"I will let you take it in your hand a few moments to look at it,
+if you will be careful not to soil it, Enna," said Elsie, in the
+same gentle tone; "and if you wish, I will get some more silk and
+beads, and make you one just like it; but I cannot give you this,
+because I would not have time to make another for Miss Rose."
+
+"No, I shall just have that one; and I shall have it to keep,"
+said Enna, attempting to snatch it out of Elsie's hand.
+
+But Elsie held it up out of her reach, and after trying several
+times in vain to get it, Enna left the room, crying and screaming
+with passion.
+
+Chloe locked the door, saying, "Great pity, darlin', we forgot to
+do dat 'fore Miss Enna came. I'se 'fraid she gwine bring missus
+for make you gib um up."
+
+Elsie sat down to her work again, but she was very pale, and her
+little hands trembled with agitation, and her soft eyes were full
+of tears.
+
+Chloe's fears were but too well founded; for the next moment hasty
+steps were heard in the passage, and the handle of the door was
+laid hold of with no very gentle grasp; and then, as it refused to
+yield to her touch, Mrs. Dinsmore's voice was heard in an angry
+tone giving the command, "Open this door instantly."
+
+Chloe looked at her young mistress.
+
+"You will have to," said Elsie, tearfully, slipping her work into
+her pocket again, and lifting up her heart in prayer for patience
+and meekness, for she well knew she would have need of both.
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore entered, leading the sobbing Enna by the hand; her
+face was flushed with passion, and addressing Elsie in tones of
+violent anger, she asked, "What is the meaning of all this, you
+good-for-nothing hussy? Why are you always tormenting this poor
+child? Where is that paltry trifle that all this fuss is about?
+let me see it this instant."
+
+Elsie drew the purse from her pocket, saying in tearful, trembling
+tones, "It is a purse I was making for Miss Rose, ma'am; and I
+offered to make another just like it for Enna; but I cannot give
+her this one, because there would not be time to make another
+before Miss Rose goes away."
+
+"You _can_ not give it to her, indeed! You _will_ not,
+you mean; but I say you _shall;_ and I'll see if I'm not
+mistress in my own house. Give it to the child this instant; I'll
+not have her crying her eyes out that you may be humored in all
+your whims. There are plenty of handsomer ones to be had in the
+city, and if you are too mean to make her a present of it, I'll
+buy you another to-morrow."
+
+"But that would not be my work, and this is," replied Elsie, still
+retaining the purse, loath to let it go.
+
+"Nonsense! what difference will that make to Miss Rose?" said Mrs.
+Dinsmore; and snatching it out of her hand, she gave it to Enna,
+saying, "There, my pet, you shall have it. Elsie is a naughty,
+mean, stingy girl, but she shan't plague you while your mamma's
+about."
+
+Enna cast a look of triumph at Elsie, and ran off with her prize,
+followed by her mother, while poor Elsie hid her face in Chloe's
+lap and cried bitterly.
+
+It required all Chloe's religion to keep down her anger and
+indignation at this unjust and cruel treatment of her darling, and
+for a few moments she allowed her to sob and cry without a word,
+only soothing her with mute caresses, not daring to trust her
+voice, lest her anger should find vent in words. But at length,
+when her feelings had grown somewhat calmer, she said soothingly,
+"Nebber mind it, my poor darlin' chile. Just go to de city and buy
+de prettiest purse you can find, for Miss Rose."
+
+But Elsie shook her head sadly. "I wanted it to be my own work,"
+she sobbed, "and now there is no time."
+
+"Oh! I'll tell you what, my pet," exclaimed Chloe suddenly,
+"dere's de purse you was aknittin' for your papa, an' dey wouldn't
+send it for you; you can get dat done for de lady, and knit
+another for your papa, 'fore he comes home."
+
+Elsie raised her head with a look of relief, but her face clouded
+again, as she replied, "But it is not quite done, and I haven't
+the beads to finish it with, and Miss Rose goes day after to-
+morrow."
+
+"Nebber mind dat, darlin'," said Chloe, jumping up; "Pomp he been
+gwine to de city dis berry afternoon, an' we'll tell him to buy de
+beads, an' den you can get de purse finished 'fore to-morrow
+night, an' de lady don't go till de next day, an' so it gwine all
+come right yet."
+
+"Oh! yes, that will do; dear old mammy, I'm so glad you thought of
+it," said Elsie, joyfully. And rising, she went to her bureau, and
+unlocking a drawer, took from it a bead purse of blue and gold,
+quite as handsome as the one of which she had been so ruthlessly
+despoiled, and rolling it up in a piece of paper, she handed it to
+Chloe, saying: "There, mammy, please give it to Pomp, and tell him
+to match the beads and the silk exactly."
+
+Chloe hastened in search of Pomp, but when she found him, he
+insisted that he should not have time to attend to Miss Elsie's
+commission and do his other errands; and Chloe, knowing that he,
+in common with all the other servants, was very fond of the little
+girl, felt satisfied that it was not merely an excuse, therefore
+did not urge her request. She stood a moment in great perplexity,
+then suddenly exclaimed, "I'll go myself. Miss Elsie will spare
+me, an' I'll go right long wid you, Pomp."
+
+Chloe was entirely Elsie's servant, having no other business than
+to wait upon her and take care of her clothing and her room; and
+the little girl, of course, readily gave her permission to
+accompany Pomp and do the errand.
+
+But it was quite late ere Chloe returned, and the little girl spent the
+evening alone in her own room. She was sadly disappointed that she
+could not even have her hour with Miss Rose, who was detained in
+the parlor with company whom she could not leave, and so the evening
+seemed very long and wore away very slowly.
+
+But at last Chloe came, and in answer to her eager inquiries
+displayed her purchases with great satisfaction, saying, "Yes,
+darlin', I'se got de berry t'ings you wanted."
+
+"Oh! yes," said Elsie, examining them with delight; "they are just
+right; and now I can finish it in a couple of hours."
+
+"Time to get ready for bed now, ain't it, pet?" asked Chloe; but
+before the little girl had time to answer, a servant knocked at
+the door, and handed in a note for her. It was from Miss Allison,
+and, hastily tearing it open, she read:
+
+"DEAR ELSIE--I am very sorry that we cannot have our reading
+together this evening; but be sure, darling, to come to me early
+in the morning; it will be our last opportunity, for, dear child,
+I have another disappointment for you. I had not expected to leave
+before day after to-morrow, but I have learned this evening that
+the vessel sails a day sooner than I had supposed, and therefore I
+shall be obliged to start on my journey to-morrow.
+
+"Your friend,                                              ROSE."
+
+Elsie dropped the note on the floor and burst into tears.
+
+"What de matter, darlin'?" asked Chloe, anxiously.
+
+"Oh! Miss Rose, dear, _dear_ Miss Rose is going tomorrow,"
+she sobbed. Then hastily drying her eyes, she said: "But I have no
+time for crying. I must sit up and finish the purse to-night,
+because there will not be time to-morrow."
+
+It was long past her usual hour for retiring when at last her
+task, or rather her labor of love, was completed. Yet she was up
+betimes, and at the usual hour her gentle rap was heard at Miss
+Allison's door.
+
+Rose clasped her in her arms and kissed her tenderly.
+
+"O Miss Rose! _dear, dear_ Miss Rose, what shall I do without
+you?" sobbed the little girl. "I shall have nobody to love me now
+but mammy."
+
+"You have another and a better friend, dear Elsie, who has said,
+'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,'" whispered Rose, with
+another tender caress.
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, wiping away her tears; "and He is your Friend,
+too; and don't you think, Miss Rose, He will bring us together
+again some day?"
+
+"I hope so indeed, darling. We must keep very close to Him, dear
+Elsie; we must often commune with Him in secret; often study His
+word, and try always to do His will. Ah! dear child, if we can
+only have the assurance that that dear Friend is with us--that we
+have His presence and His love, we shall be supremely happy,
+though separated from all earthly friends. I know, dear little
+one, that you have peculiar trials, and that you often feel the
+want of sympathy and love; but you may always find them in Jesus.
+And now we will have our reading and prayer as usual."
+
+She took the little girl in her lap, and opening the Bible, read
+aloud the fourteenth chapter of John, a part of that touching
+farewell of our Saviour to His sorrowing disciples; and then they
+knelt to pray. Elsie was only a listener, for her little heart was
+too full to allow her to be anything more.
+
+"My poor darling!" Rose said, again taking her in her arms, "we
+will hope to meet again before very long. Who knows but your papa
+may come home, and some day bring you to see me. It seems not
+unlikely, as he is so fond of traveling."
+
+Elsie looked up, smiling through her tears, "Oh! how delightful
+that would be," she said. "But it seems as though my papa would
+never come," she added, with a deep-drawn sigh.
+
+"Well, darling, we can hope," Rose answered cheerfully. "And, dear
+child, though we must be separated in body for a time, we can
+still meet in spirit at the mercy-seat. Shall we not do so at this
+hour every morning?"
+
+Elsie gave a joyful assent.
+
+"And I shall write to you, darling," Rose said; "I will write on
+my journey, if I can, so that you will get the letter in a week
+from the time I leave; and then you must write to me; will you?"
+
+"If you won't care for the mistakes, Miss Rose. But you know I am
+a very little girl, and I wouldn't like to let Miss Day read my
+letter to you, to correct it. But I shall be so very glad to get
+yours. I never had a letter in my life."
+
+"I sha'n't care for mistakes at all, dear, and no one shall see
+your letters but myself," said Rose, kissing her. "I should be as
+sorry as you to have Miss Day look at them."
+
+Elsie drew out the purse and put it in her friend's hand, saying:
+"It is all my own work, dear Miss Rose; I thought you would value
+it more for that."
+
+"And indeed I shall, darling," replied Rose, with tears of
+pleasure in her eyes. "It is beautiful in itself, but I shall
+value it ten times more because it is your gift, and the work of
+your own dear little hands."
+
+But the breakfast-bell now summoned them to join the rest of the
+family, and, in a few moments after they left the table, the
+carriage which was to take Rose to the city was at the door. Rose
+had endeared herself to all, old and young, and they were loath to
+part with her. One after another bade her an affectionate
+farewell. Elsie was the last. Rose pressed her tenderly to her
+bosom, and kissed her again and again, saying, in a voice half
+choked with grief, "God bless and keep you, my poor little
+darling; my dear, dear little Elsie!"
+
+Elsie could not speak; and the moment the carriage had rolled away
+with her friend, she went to her own room, and locking herself in,
+cried long and bitterly. She had learned to love Rose very dearly,
+and to lean upon her very much; and now the parting from her, with
+no certainty of ever meeting her again in this world, was the
+severest trial the poor child had ever known.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRD
+
+
+   "The morning blush was lighted up by hope--
+    The hope of meeting him."
+                                 --Miss LANDON.
+
+   "Unkindness, do thy office; poor heart, break."
+
+
+A week had now passed away since Miss Allison's departure, and
+Elsie, to whom it had been a sad and lonely one, was beginning to
+look eagerly for her first letter.
+
+"It is just a week to-day since Rose left," remarked Adelaide at
+the breakfast table, "and I think we ought to hear from her soon.
+She promised to write on her journey. Ah! here comes Pomp with the
+letters now," she added, as the servant man entered the room
+bearing in his hand the bag in which he always brought the letters
+of the family from the office in the neighboring city, whither he
+was sent every morning.
+
+"Pomp, you are late this morning," said Mrs. Dinsmore.
+
+"Yes, missus," replied the negro, scratching his head, "de horses
+am berry lazy; spec dey's got de spring fever."
+
+"Do make haste, papa, and see if there is not one from Rose," said
+Adelaide coaxingly, as her father took the bag, and very
+deliberately adjusted his spectacles before opening it.
+
+"Have patience, young lady," said he. "Yes, here is a letter for
+you, and one for Elsie," tossing them across the table as he
+spoke.
+
+Elsie eagerly seized hers and ran away to her own room to read it.
+It was a feast to her, this first letter, and from such a dear
+friend, too. It gave her almost as much pleasure for the moment as
+Miss Rose's presence could have afforded.
+
+She had just finished its perusal and was beginning it again, when
+she heard Adelaide's voice calling her by name, and the next
+moment she entered the room, saying: "Well, Elsie, I suppose you
+have read your letter; and now I have another piece of news for
+you. Can you guess what it is?" she asked, looking at her with a
+strange smile.
+
+"Oh! no, Aunt Adelaide; please tell me. Is dear Miss Rose coming
+back?"
+
+"O! nonsense; what a guess!" said Adelaide. "No, stranger than
+that. My brother Horace--your papa--has actually sailed for
+America, and is coming directly home."
+
+Elsie sprang up, her cheeks flushed, and her little heart beating
+wildly.
+
+"O Aunt Adelaide!" she cried, "is it really true? is he coming?
+and will he be here soon?"
+
+"He has really started at last; but how soon he will be here I
+don't know," replied her aunt, turning to leave the room. "I have
+told you all I know about it."
+
+Elsie clasped her hands together, and sank down upon a sofa, Miss
+Rose's letter, prized so highly a moment before, lying unheeded at
+her feet; for her thoughts were far away, following that unknown
+parent as he crossed the ocean; trying to imagine how he would
+look, how he would speak, what would be his feelings toward her.
+
+"Oh!" she asked, with a beating heart, "_will_ he _love_
+me? My own papa! will he let me love him? will he take me in his
+arms and call me his own darling child?"
+
+But who could answer the anxious inquiry? She must just wait until
+the slow wheels of time should bring the much longed-for, yet
+sometimes half-dreaded arrival.
+
+Elsie's lessons were but indifferently recited that morning, and
+Miss Day frowned, and said in a tone of severity that it did not
+agree with her to receive letters; and that, unless she wished her
+papa to be much displeased with her on his expected arrival, she
+must do a great deal better than that.
+
+She had touched the right chord then; for Elsie, intensely anxious
+to please that unknown father, and, if possible, gain his
+approbation and affection, gave her whole mind to her studies with
+such a determined purpose that the governess could find no more
+cause for complaint.
+
+But while the child is looking forward to the expected meeting
+with such longing affection for him, how is it with the father?
+
+Horace Dinsmore was, like his father, an upright, moral man, who
+paid an outward respect to the forms of religion, but cared
+nothing for the vital power of godliness; trusted entirely to his
+morality, and looked upon Christians as hypocrites and deceivers.
+He had been told that his little Elsie was one of these, and,
+though he would not have acknowledged it even to himself, it had
+prejudiced him against her. Then, too, in common with all the
+Dinsmores, he had a great deal of family pride; and, though old
+Mr. Grayson had been a man of sterling worth, intelligent, honest,
+and pious, and had died very wealthy, yet because he was known to
+have begun life as a poor boy, the whole family were accustomed to
+speak as though Horace had stooped very much in marrying his
+heiress.
+
+And Horace himself had come to look upon his early marriage as a
+piece of boyish folly, of which he was rather ashamed; and so
+constantly had Mr. Dinsmore spoken in his letters of Elsie as "old
+Grayson's grandchild," that he had got into the habit of looking
+upon her as a kind of disgrace to him; especially as she had
+always been described to him as a disagreeable, troublesome child.
+
+He had loved his wife with all the warmth of his passionate
+nature, and had mourned bitterly over her untimely death; but
+years of study, travel and worldly pleasures had almost banished
+her image from his mind, and he seldom thought of her except in
+connection with the child for whom he felt a secret dislike.
+
+Scarcely anything but the expected arrival was now spoken or
+thought of at Roselands, and Elsie was not the only one to whom
+old Time seemed to move with an unusually laggard pace.
+
+But at length a letter came telling them that they might look upon
+it as being but one day in advance of its writer; and now all was
+bustle and preparation.
+
+"O mammy, mammy!" exclaimed Elsie, jumping up and down, and
+clapping her hands for joy, as she came in from her afternoon
+ride, "just think! papa, dear papa, will be here to-morrow
+morning."
+
+She seemed wild with delight; but suddenly sobered down, and a
+look of care stole over the little face, as the torturing question
+recurred to her mind, "_Will he love me?_"
+
+She stood quite still, with her eyes fixed thoughtfully, and
+almost sadly, upon the floor, while Chloe took off her riding
+dress and cap and smoothed her hair. As she finished arranging her
+dress she clasped the little form in her arms, and pressed a fond
+kiss on the fair brow, thinking to herself that was the sweetest
+and loveliest little face she had ever looked upon.
+
+Just at that moment an unusual bustle was heard in the house.
+
+Elsie started, changed color, and stood listening with a throbbing
+heart.
+
+Presently little feet were heard running rapidly down the hall,
+and Walter, throwing open the door, called out, "Elsie, he's
+come!" and catching her hand, hurried her along to the parlor
+door.
+
+"Stop, stop, Walter," she gasped as they reached it; and she
+leaned against the wall, her heart throbbing so wildly she could
+scarcely breathe.
+
+"What is the matter?" said he, "are you ill? come along;" and
+pushing the door open, he rushed in, dragging her after him.
+
+So over-wrought were the child's feelings that she nearly fainted;
+everything in the room seemed to be turning round, and for an
+instant she scarcely knew where she was.
+
+But a strange voice asked, "And who is this?" and looking up as
+her grandfather pronounced her name, she saw a stranger standing
+before her--very handsome, and very youthful-looking, in spite of
+a heavy dark beard and mustache--who exclaimed hastily, "What!
+this great girl _my_ child? really it is enough to make a man
+feel old."
+
+Then, taking her hand, he stooped and coldly kissed her lips.
+
+She was trembling violently, and the very depth of her feelings
+kept her silent and still; her hand lay still in his, cold and
+clammy.
+
+He held it an instant, at the same time gazing searchingly into
+her face; then dropped it, saying in a tone of displeasure, "I am
+not an ogre, that you need be so afraid of me; but there, you may
+go; I will not keep you in terror any longer."
+
+She rushed away to her own room, and there, throwing herself upon
+the bed, wept long and wildly. It was the disappointment of a
+lifelong hope. Since her earliest recollection she had looked and
+longed for this hour; and it seemed as though the little heart
+would break with its weight of bitter anguish.
+
+She was all alone, for Chloe had gone down to the kitchen to talk
+over the arrival, not doubting that her darling was supremely
+happy in the possession of her long looked-for parent.
+
+And so the little girl lay there with her crushed and bleeding
+heart, sobbing, mourning, weeping as though she would weep her
+very life away, without an earthly friend to speak one word of
+comfort.
+
+"O papa, papa!" she sobbed, "my own papa, you do not love me; me,
+your own little girl. Oh! my heart will break. O mamma, mamma! if
+I could only go to you; for there is no one here to love me, and I
+am so lonely, oh! _so_ lonely and desolate."
+
+And thus Chloe found her, when she came in an hour later, weeping
+and sobbing out such broken exclamations of grief and anguish.
+
+She was much surprised, but comprehending at once how her child
+was suffering, she raised her up in her strong arms, and laying
+the little head lovingly against her bosom, she smoothed the
+tangled hair, kissed the tear-swollen eyes, and bathed the
+throbbing temples, saying, "My precious pet, my darlin' chile,
+your ole mammy loves you better dan life; an' did my darlin'
+forget de almighty Friend dat says, _I_ have loved thee with
+an everlasting love,' an' 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake
+thee'? He sticks closer dan a brudder, precious chile, and
+says,'though a woman forget her sucking child, He will not forget
+_His_ chillen.' Mothers love dere chillens better dan fathers,
+darlin', and so you see Jesus' love is better dan all other love; and I
+_knows_ you hes got dat."
+
+"O mammy! ask Him to take me to Himself, and to mamma--for oh! I
+am very lonely, and I want to die!"
+
+"Hush, hush, darlin'; old Chloe nebber could ask dat; dis ole
+heart would break for sure. Yous all de world to your old mammy,
+darlin'; and you know we must all wait de Lord's time."
+
+"Then ask Him to help me to be patient," she said, in a weary
+tone. "And O mammy!" she added, with a burst of bitter tears, "ask
+Him to make my father love me."
+
+"I will, darlin', I will," sobbed Chloe, pressing the little form
+closer to her heart; "an' don't you go for to be discouraged right
+away; for I'se sure Massa Horace must love you, fore long."
+
+The tea-bell rang, and the family gathered about the table; but
+one chair remained unoccupied.
+
+"Where is Miss Elsie?" asked Adelaide of one of the servants.
+
+"Dunno, missus," was the reply.
+
+"Well, then, go and see," said Adelaide; "perhaps she did not hear
+the bell."
+
+The servant returned in a moment, saying that Miss Elsie had a bad
+headache and did not want any supper. Mr. Horace Dinsmore paused
+in the conversation he was carrying on with his father, to listen
+to the servant's announcement. "I hope she is not a sickly child,"
+said he, addressing Adelaide; "is she subject to such attacks?"
+
+"Not very," replied his sister dryly, for she had seen the
+meeting, and felt really sorry for Elsie's evident disappointment;
+"I imagine crying has brought this on."
+
+He colored violently, and said in a tone of great displeasure,
+"Truly, the return of a parent _is_ a cause for grief; yet I
+hardly expected my presence to be quite so distressing to my only
+child. I had no idea that she had already learned to dislike me so
+thoroughly."
+
+"She doesn't," said Adelaide, "she has been looking and longing
+for your return ever since I have known her."
+
+"Then she has certainly been disappointed in me; her grief is not
+at all complimentary, explain it as you will."
+
+Adelaide made no reply, for she saw that he was determined to put
+an unfavorable construction upon Elsie's conduct, and feared that
+any defence she could offer would only increase his displeasure.
+
+It was a weary, aching head the little girl laid upon her pillow
+that night, and the little heart was sad and sore; yet she was not
+altogether comfortless, for she had turned in her sorrow to Him
+who has said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and
+forbid them not," and she had the sweet assurance of _His_
+love and favor.
+
+It was with a trembling heart, hoping yet fearing, longing and yet
+dreading to see her father, that Elsie descended to the breakfast-
+room the next morning. She glanced timidly around, but he was not
+there.
+
+"Where is papa, Aunt Adelaide?" she asked.
+
+"He is not coming down to breakfast, as he feels quite fatigued
+with his journey," replied her aunt; "so you will not see him this
+morning, and perhaps not at all to-day, for there will be a good
+deal of company here this afternoon and evening."
+
+Elsie sighed, and looked sadly disapponted. She found it very
+difficult to attend to her lessons that morning, and every time
+the door opened she started and looked up, half hoping it might be
+her papa.
+
+But he did not come; and when the dinner hour arrived, the
+children were told that they were to dine in the nursery, on
+account of the large number of guests to be entertained in the
+dining-room. The company remained until bedtime; she was not
+called down to the parlor; and so saw nothing of her father that
+day.
+
+But the next morning Chloe told her the children were to breakfast
+with the family, as all the visitors had left excepting one or two
+gentlemen. So Elsie went down to the breakfast-room, where, to her
+surprise, she found her papa sitting alone, reading the morning
+paper.
+
+He looked up as she entered.
+
+"Good-morning, papa," she said, in half-trembling tones.
+
+He started a little--for it was the first time he had ever been
+addressed by that title, and it sounded strange to his ears--gave
+her a glance of mingled curiosity and interest, half held out his
+hand, but drawing it back again, simply said, "Good-morning,
+Elsie," and returned to his paper.
+
+Elsie stood irresolutely in the middle of the floor, wanting, yet
+not daring to go to him.
+
+But just at that instant the door opened, and Enna, looking rosy
+and happy, came running in, and rushing up to her brother, climbed
+upon his knee, and put her arms around his neck, saying, "Good-
+morning, brother Horace. I want a kiss."
+
+"You shall have it, little pet," said he, throwing down his paper.
+
+Then, kissing her several times and hugging her in his arms, he
+said, "_You_ are not afraid of me, are you? nor sorry that I
+have come home?"
+
+"No, indeed," said Enna.
+
+He glanced at Elsie as she stood looking at them, her large soft
+eyes full of tears. She could not help feeling that Enna had her
+place, and was receiving the caresses that should have been
+lavished upon herself.
+
+"Jealous," thought her father; "I cannot bear jealous people;" and
+he gave her a look of displeasure that cut her to the heart, and
+she turned quickly away and left the room to hide the tears she
+could no longer keep back.
+
+"I am envious," she thought, "jealous of Enna. Oh! how wicked!"
+And she prayed silently, "Dear Saviour, help me! take away these
+sinful feelings."
+
+Young as she was, she was learning to have some control over her
+feelings, and in a few moments she had so far recovered her
+composure as to be able to return to the breakfast-room and take
+her place at the table, where the rest were already seated, her
+sweet little face sad indeed and bearing the traces of tears, but
+quite calm and peaceful.
+
+Her father took no further notice of her, and she did not dare
+trust herself to look at him. The servants filled her plate, and
+she ate in silence, feeling it a great relief that all were too
+busily engaged in talking and eating to pay any attention to her.
+She scarcely raised her eyes from her plate, and did not know how
+often a strange gentleman, who sat nearly opposite, fixed his upon
+her.
+
+As she left the room at the conclusion of the meal, he asked,
+while following her with his eyes, "Is that one of your sisters,
+Dinsmore?"
+
+"No," said he, coloring slightly; "she is my daughter."
+
+"Ah, indeed!" said his friend. "I remember to have heard that you
+had a child, but had forgotten it. Well, you have no reason to be
+ashamed of her; she is lovely, perfectly lovely! has the sweetest
+little face I ever saw."
+
+"Will you ride, Travilla?" asked Mr. Dinsmore hastily, as though
+anxious to change the subject.
+
+"I don't care if I do," was the reply, and they went out together.
+
+Some hours later in the day Elsie was at the piano in the music-
+room practising, when a sudden feeling that some one was in the
+room caused her to turn and look behind her.
+
+Mr. Travilla was standing there.
+
+"Excuse me," said he, bowing politely, "but I heard the sound of
+the instrument, and, being very fond of music, I ventured to walk
+in."
+
+Elsie was very modest, and rather timid, too, but also very
+polite; so she said, "No excuse is necessary; but will you not
+take a seat, sir? though I fear my music will not afford you any
+pleasure, for you know I am only a little girl, and cannot play
+very well yet."
+
+"Thank you," said he, taking a seat by her side. "And now will you
+do me the favor to repeat the song I heard you singing a few
+moments since?"
+
+Elsie immediately complied, though her cheeks burned, and her
+voice trembled at first from embarrassment; but it grew stronger
+as she proceeded and in the last verse was quite steady and full.
+She had a very fine voice for a child of her age; its sweetness
+was remarkable both in singing and speaking; and she had also a
+good deal of musical talent, which had been well cultivated, for
+she had had good teachers, and had practised with great patience
+and perseverance. Her music was simple, as suited her years, but
+her performance of it was very good indeed.
+
+Mr. Travilla thanked her very heartily, and complimented her
+singing; then asked for another and another song, another and
+another piece, chatting with her about each, until they grew quite
+familiar, and Elsie lost all feeling of embarrassment.
+
+"Elsie, I think, is your name, is it not?" he asked after a
+little.
+
+"Yes, sir," said she, "Elsie Dinsmore."
+
+"And you are the daughter of my friend, Mr. Horace Dinsmore?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Your papa has been absent a long time, and I suppose you must
+have quite forgotten him."
+
+"No, sir, not _forgotten_, for I never had seen him."
+
+"Indeed!" said he, in a tone of surprise; "then, since he is an
+entire stranger to you, I suppose you cannot have much affection
+for him?"
+
+Elsie raised her large, dark eyes to his face, with an expression
+of astonishment. "Not love papa, my own dear papa, who has no
+child but me? Oh! sir, how could you think that?"
+
+"Ah! I see I was mistaken," said he, smiling; "I thought you could
+hardly care for him at all; but do you think that he loves you?"
+
+Elsie dropped her face into her hands, and burst into an agony of
+tears.
+
+The young gentleman looked extremely vexed with himself.
+
+"My poor little girl, my poor, dear little girl," he said,
+stroking her hair, "forgive me. I am very, _very_ sorry for
+my thoughtless question. Do be comforted, my poor child, for
+whether your papa loves you now or not, I am quite sure he soon
+will."
+
+Elsie now dried her tears, rose and closed the instrument. He
+assisted her, and then asked if she would not take a little walk
+with him in the garden. She complied, and, feeling really very
+sorry for the wound he had so thoughtlessly inflicted, as well as
+interested in his little companion, he exerted all his powers to
+entertain her--talked with her about the plants and flowers,
+described those he had seen in foreign lands, and related
+incidents of travel, usually choosing those in which her father
+had borne a part, because he perceived that they were doubly
+interesting to her.
+
+Elsie, having been thrown very much upon her own resources for
+amusement, and having a natural love for books, and constant
+access to her grandfather's well-stocked library, had read many
+more, and with much more thought, than most children of her age,
+so that Mr. Travilla found her a not uninteresting companion, and
+was often surprised at the intelligence shown by her questions and
+replies.
+
+When the dinner-bell rang he led her in, and seated her by
+himself, and never was any lady more carefully waited upon than
+little Elsie at this meal. Two or three other gentlemen guests
+were present, giving their attention to the older ladies of the
+company, and thus Mr. Travilla seemed to feel quite at liberty to
+devote himself entirely to her, attending to all her wants,
+talking with her, and making her talk.
+
+Elsie now and then stole a glance at Mrs. Dinsmore, fearing her
+displeasure; but to her great relief, the lady seemed too much
+occupied to notice her. Once she looked timidly at her father, and
+her eyes met his. He was looking at her with an expression half
+curious, half amused. She was at a loss to understand the look,
+but, satisfied that there was no displeasure in it, her heart grew
+light, and her cheeks flushed with happiness.
+
+"Really, Dinsmore," said Mr. Travilla, as they stood together near
+one of the windows of the drawing-room soon after dinner, "your
+little girl is remarkably intelligent, as well as remarkably
+pretty; and I have discovered that she has quite a good deal of
+musical talent."
+
+"Indeed! I think it is quite a pity that she does not belong to
+you, Travilla, instead of me, since you seem to appreciate her so
+much more highly," replied the father, laughing.
+
+"I wish she did," said his friend. "But, seriously, Dinsmore, you
+ought to love that child, for she certainly loves you devotedly."
+
+He looked surprised. "How do you know?" he asked.
+
+"It was evident enough from what I saw and heard this morning.
+Dinsmore, she would value a caress from you more than the richest
+jewel."
+
+"Doubtful," replied Horace, hastily quitting the room, for Elsie
+had come out on to the portico in her riding suit, and Jim, her
+usual attendant, was bringing up her horse.
+
+"Are you going to ride, Elsie?" asked her father, coming up to
+her.
+
+"Yes, papa," she said, raising her eyes to his face.
+
+He lifted her in his arms and placed her on the horse, saying to
+the servant as he did so, "Now, Jim, you must take good care of my
+little girl."
+
+Tears of happiness rose in Elsie's eyes as she turned her horse's
+head and rode down the avenue. "He called me _his_ little
+girl," she murmured to herself, "and bade Jim take good care of
+me. Oh! he _will_ love me soon, as good, kind Mr. Travilla
+said he would."
+
+Her father was still standing on the portico, looking after her.
+
+"How well she sits her horse!" remarked Travilla, who had stepped
+out and stood close by his side.
+
+"Yes, I think she does," was the reply, in an absent tone. He was
+thinking of a time, some eight or nine years before, when he had
+assisted another Elsie to mount her horse, and had ridden for
+hours at her side.
+
+All the afternoon memories of the past came crowding thickly on
+his mind, and an emotion of tenderness began to spring up in his
+heart toward the child of her who had once been so dear to him;
+and as he saw the little girl ride up to the house on her return,
+he again went out, and lifting her from her horse, asked kindly,
+"Had you a pleasant ride, my dear?"
+
+"Oh! yes, papa, very pleasant," she said, looking up at him with a
+face beaming with delight. He stooped and kissed her, saying, "I
+think I shall ride with you one of these days; should you like
+it?"
+
+"Oh! so very, _very_ much, papa," she answered, eagerly.
+
+He smiled at her earnestness, and she hastened away to her room to
+change her dress and tell Chloe of her happiness.
+
+Alas! it was but a transient gleam of sunshine that darted across
+her path, to be lost again almost instantly behind the gathering
+clouds.
+
+More company came, so that the drawing-room was quite full in the
+evening; and, though Elsie was there, her father seemed too much
+occupied with the guests to give her even a glance. She sat alone
+and unnoticed in a corner, her eyes following him wherever he
+moved, and her ear strained to catch every tone of his voice;
+until Mr. Travilla, disengaging himself from a group of ladies and
+gentlemen on the opposite side of the room, came up to her, and
+taking her by the hand, led her to a pleasant-looking elderly
+lady, who sat at a centre-table examining some choice engravings
+which Mr. Dinsmore had brought with him from Europe.
+
+"Mother," said Mr. Travilla, "This is my little friend Elsie."
+
+"Ah!" said she, giving the little girl a kiss, "I am glad to see
+you, my dear."
+
+Mr. Travilla set a chair for her close to his mother and then sat
+down on her other side, and taking up the engravings one after
+another, he explained them to her in a most entertaining manner,
+generally having some anecdote to tell in connection with each.
+
+Elsie was so much amused and delighted with what he was saying
+that she at last quite forgot her father, and did not notice where
+he was.
+
+Suddenly Mr. Travilla laid down the engraving he had in his hand,
+saying: "Come, Miss Elsie, I want my mother to hear you play and
+sing; will you not do me the favor to repeat that song I admired
+so much this morning?"
+
+"Oh! Mr. Travilla!" exclaimed the little girl, blushing and
+trembling, "I could not play or sing before so many people. Please
+excuse me."
+
+"Elsie," said her father's voice just at her side, "go
+_immediately,_ and do as the gentleman requests."
+
+His tone was very stern, and as she lifted her eyes to his face,
+she saw that his look was still more so; and tremblingly and
+tearfully she rose to obey.
+
+"Stay," said Mr. Travilla kindly, pitying her distress, "I
+withdraw my request."
+
+"But I do _not_ withdraw my command," said her father in the
+same stern tone; "go at once, Elsie, and do as I bid you."
+
+She obeyed instantly, struggling hard to overcome her emotion.
+
+Mr. Travilla, scolding himself inwardly all the time for having
+brought her into such trouble, selected her music, and placing it
+before her as she took her seat at the instrument, whispered
+encouragingly, "Now, Miss Elsie, only have confidence in yourself;
+that is all that is necessary to your success."
+
+But Elsie was not only embarrassed, but her heart was well-nigh
+broken by her father's sternness, and the tears _would_ fill
+her eyes so that she could see neither notes nor words. She
+attempted to play the prelude, but blundered sadly, her
+embarrassment increasing every moment.
+
+"Never mind," said Mr. Travilla, "never mind the prelude, but just
+begin the song."
+
+She made the attempt, but fairly broke down, and burst into tears
+before she had got through the first verse. Her father had come up
+behind her, and was standing there, looking much mortified.
+
+"Elsie," he said, leaning down and speaking in a low, stern tone,
+close to her ear, "I am ashamed of you; go to your room and to
+your bed immediately."
+
+With a heart almost bursting with grief and mortification she
+obeyed him, and her pillow was wet with many bitter tears ere the
+weary eyes closed in slumber.
+
+When she came down the next morning she learned to her great grief
+that Mr. Travilla and his mother had returned to their own home;
+she was very sorry she had not been permitted to say good-bye to
+her friend, and for several days she felt very sad and lonely, for
+all her father's coldness of manner had returned, and he scarcely
+ever spoke to her; while the younger members of the family
+ridiculed her for her failure in attempting to play for company;
+and Miss Day, who seemed unusually cross and exacting, often
+taunted her with it also.
+
+These were sad, dark days for the little girl; she tried most
+earnestly to attend to all her duties, but so depressed were her
+spirits, so troubled was her mind, that she failed repeatedly in
+her lessons, and so was in continual disgrace with Miss Day, who
+threatened more than once to tell her papa.
+
+It was a threat which Elsie dreaded extremely to have put in
+execution, and Miss Day, seeing that it distressed her, used it
+the more frequently, and thus kept the poor child in constant
+terror.
+
+How to gain her father's love was the constant subject of her
+thoughts, and she tried in many ways to win his affection. She
+always yielded a ready and cheerful obedience to his commands, and
+strove to anticipate and fulfil all his wishes. But he seldom
+noticed her, unless to give a command or administer a rebuke,
+while he lavished many a caress upon his little sister, Enna.
+Often Elsie would watch him fondling her, until, unable any longer
+to control her feelings, she would rush away to her own room to
+weep and mourn in secret, and pray that her father might some day
+learn to love her. She never complained even to poor old Aunt
+Chloe, but the anxious nurse watched all these things with the
+jealous eye of affection; she saw that her child--as she delighted
+to call her--was very unhappy, and was growing pale and
+melancholy; and her heart ached for her, and many were the tears
+the shed in secret over the sorrows of her nursling.
+
+"Don't 'pear so sorrowful, darlin'," she sometimes said to her;
+"try to be merry, like Miss Enna, and run and jump on Massa
+Horace's knee, and den I tink he will like you better."
+
+"O mammy! I _can't_," Elsie would say; "I don't dare to do
+it."
+
+And Chloe would sigh and shake her head sorrowfully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTH
+
+
+   "With more capacity for love than earth
+    Bestows on most of mortal mould and birth."
+                                 --BYRON.
+
+
+                          "What are our hopes?
+   Like garlands, on afflictions's forehead worn,
+   Kissed in the morning, and at evening torn."
+                   --DAVENPORT'S _King John and Matilda._
+
+
+Such had been the state of affairs for about a week, when one
+morning Elsie and her father met at the breakfast-room door.
+
+"Good morning, papa," she said timidly.
+
+"Good morning, Elsie," he replied in an unusually pleasant tone.
+
+Then, taking her by the hand, he led her in and seated her beside
+himself at the table.
+
+Elsie's cheek glowed and her eyes sparkled with pleasure.
+
+There were several guests present, and she waited patiently while
+they and the older members of the family were being helped. At
+length it was her turn.
+
+"Elsie, will you have some meat?" asked her grandfather.
+
+ "No," said her father, answering for her; "once a day is as often
+as a child of her age ought to eat meat; she may have it at
+dinner, but never for breakfast or tea."
+
+The elder Mr. Dinsmore laughed, saying, "Really, Horace, I had no
+idea you were so notionate. I always allowed you to eat whatever
+you pleased, and I never saw that it hurt you. But, of course, you
+must manage your own child in your own way."
+
+"If you please, papa, I had rather have some of those hot cakes,"
+said Elsie, timidly, as her father laid a slice of bread upon her
+plate.
+
+"No," said he decidedly; "I don't approve of hot bread for
+children; you must eat the cold." Then to a servant who was
+setting down a cup of coffee beside the little girl's plate, "Take
+that away, Pomp, and bring Miss Elsie a tumbler of milk. Or would
+you prefer water, Elsie?"
+
+"Milk, if you please, papa," she replied with a little sigh; for
+she was extremely fond of coffee, and it was something of a trial
+to give it up.
+
+Her father put a spoonful of stewed fruit upon her plate, and as
+Pompey set down a tumbler of rich milk beside it, said, "Now you
+have your breakfast before you, Elsie. Children in England are not
+allowed to eat butter until they are ten or eleven years of age,
+and I think it an excellent plan, to make them grow up rosy and
+healthy. I have neglected my little girl too long, but I intend to
+begin to take good care of her now," he added, with a smile, and
+laying his hand for an instant upon her head.
+
+The slight caress and the few kind words were quite enough to
+reconcile Elsie to the rather meagre fare, and she ate it with a
+happy heart. But the meagre fare became a constant thing, while
+the caresses and kind words were not; and though she submitted
+without a murmur, she could not help sometimes looking with
+longing eyes at the coffee and hot buttered rolls, of which she
+was very fond. But she tried to be contented, saying to herself,
+"Papa knows best, and I ought to be satisfied with whatever he
+gives me."
+
+"Isn't it delightful to have your papa at home, Elsie?" Mr.
+Dinsmore one morning overheard Arthur saying to his little girl in
+a mocking tone. "It's very pleasant to live on bread and water,
+isn't it, eh?"
+
+"I _don't_ live on bread and water," Elsie replied, a little
+indignantly. "Papa always allows me to have as much good, rich
+milk, and cream, and fruit as I want, or I can have eggs, or
+cheese, or honey, or anything else, except meat and hot cakes, and
+butter, and coffee; and who wouldn't rather do without such things
+all their lives than not have a papa to love them? And besides,
+you know, Arthur, that I can have all the meat I want at dinner."
+
+"Pooh! that's nothing; and _I_wouldn't give much for all the
+love _you_ get from him," said Arthur, scornfully.
+
+There was something like a sob from Elsie; and as her father rose
+and went to the window, he just caught a glimpse of her white
+dress disappearing down the garden walk.
+
+"What do you mean, sir, by teasing Elsie in that manner?" he
+exclaimed angrily to Arthur, who still stood where the little girl
+had left him, leaning against one of the pillars of the portico.
+
+"I only wanted to have a little fun," returned the boy doggedly.
+
+"Well, sir, I don't approve of such fun, and you will please to
+let the child alone in future," replied his brother as he returned
+to his newspaper again.
+
+But somehow the paper had lost its interest. He seemed constantly
+to hear that little sob, and to see a little face all wet with
+tears of wounded feeling.
+
+Just then the school-bell rang, and suddenly throwing down his
+paper, he took a card from his pocket, wrote a few words upon it,
+and calling a servant, said, "Take this to Miss Day."
+
+Elsie was seated at her desk, beginning her morning's work, when
+the servant entered and handed the card to the governess.
+
+Miss Day glanced at it and said:
+
+"Elsie, your father wants you. You may go."
+
+Elsie rose in some trepidation and left the room, wondering what
+her papa could want with her.
+
+"Where is papa, Fanny?" she asked of the servant.
+
+"In de drawin'-room, Miss Elsie," was the reply; and she hastened
+to seek him there.
+
+He held out his hand as she entered, saying with a smile, "Come
+here, daughter."
+
+It was the first time he had called her that, and it sent a thrill
+of joy to her heart.
+
+She sprang to his side, and, taking her hand in one of his, and
+laying the other gently on her head, and bending it back a little,
+he looked keenly into her face. It was bright enough now, yet the
+traces of tears were very evident.
+
+"You have been crying," he said, in a slightly reproving tone. "I
+am afraid you do a great deal more of that than is good for you.
+It is a very babyish habit, and you must try to break yourself of
+it."
+
+The little face flushed painfully, and the eyes filled again.
+
+"There," he said, stroking her hair, "don't begin it again. I am
+going to drive over to Ion, where your friend Mr. Travilla lives,
+to spend the day; would my little daughter like to go with me?"
+
+"Oh! so _very_ much, papa!" she answered eagerly.
+
+"There are no little folks there," he said smiling, "nobody to see
+but Mr. Travilla and his mother. But I see you want to go; so run
+and ask Aunt Chloe to get you ready. Tell her I want you nicely
+dressed, and the carriage will be at the door in half an hour."
+
+Elsie bounded away to do his bidding, her face radiant with
+happiness; and at the specified time came down again, looking so
+very lovely that her father gazed at her with proud delight, and
+could not refrain from giving her a kiss as he lifted her up to
+place her in the carriage.
+
+Then, seating himself beside her, he took her hand in his; and,
+closing the door with the other, bade the coachman drive on.
+
+"I suppose you have never been to Ion, Elsie?" he said,
+inquiringly.
+
+"No, sir; but I have heard Aunt Adelaide say she thought it a very
+pretty place," replied the little girl.
+
+"So it is--almost as pretty as Roselands," said her father.
+"Travilla and I have known each other from boyhood, and I spent
+many a happy day at Ion, and we had many a boyish frolic together,
+before I ever thought of you."
+
+He smiled, and patted her cheek as he spoke.
+
+Elsie's eyes sparkled. "O papa!" she said eagerly; "won't you tell
+me about those times? It seems so strange that you were ever a
+little boy and I was nowhere."
+
+He laughed. Then said, musingly, "It seems but a very little while
+to me, Elsie, since I was no older than you are now."
+
+He heaved a sigh, and relapsed into silence.
+
+Elsie wished very much that he would grant her request, but did
+not dare to disturb him by speaking a word; and they rode on
+quietly for some time, until a squirrel darting up a tree caught
+her eye, and she uttered an exclamation. "O papa! did you see that
+squirrel? look at him now, perched up on that branch. There, we
+have passed the tree, and now he is out of sight."
+
+This reminded Mr. Dinsmore of a day he had spent in those woods
+hunting squirrels, when quite a boy, and he gave Elsie an animated
+account of it. One of the incidents of the day had been the
+accidental discharge of the fowling-piece of one of his young
+companions, close at Horace Dinsmore's side, missing him by but a
+hair's breadth.
+
+"I felt faint and sick when I knew how near I had been to death,"
+he said, as he finished his narrative.
+
+Elsie had been listening with breathless interest.
+
+"Dear papa," she murmured, laying her little cheek against his
+hand, "how good God was to spare your life! If you had been killed
+I could never have had you for my papa."
+
+"Perhaps you might have had a much better one, Elsie," he said
+gravely.
+
+"Oh! no, papa, I wouldn't want any other," she replied earnestly,
+pressing his hand to her lips.
+
+"Ah! here we are," exclaimed her father, as at that instant the
+carriage turned into a broad avenue, up which they drove quite
+rapidly, and the next moment they had stopped, the coachman had
+thrown open the carriage door, and Mr. Dinsmore, springing out,
+lifted his little girl in his arms and set her down on the steps
+of the veranda.
+
+"Ah! Dinsmore, how do you do? Glad to see you, and my little
+friend Elsie, too. Why this is really kind," cried Mr. Travilla,
+in his cheerful, hearty way, as, hurrying out to welcome them, he
+shook Mr. Dinsmore cordially by the hand, and kissed Elsie's
+cheek.
+
+"Walk in, walk in," he continued, leading the way into the house,
+"my mother will be delighted to see you both; Miss Elsie
+especially, for she seems to have taken a very great fancy to
+her."
+
+If Mrs. Travilla's greeting was less boisterous, it certainly was
+not lacking in cordiality, and she made Elsie feel at home at
+once; taking off her bonnet, smoothing her hair, and kissing her
+affectionately.
+
+The gentlemen soon went out together, and Elsie spent the morning
+in Mrs. Travilla's room, chatting with her and assisting her with
+some coarse garments she was making for her servants.
+
+Mrs. Travilla was an earnest Christian, and the lady and the
+little girl were not long in discovering the tie which existed
+between them.
+
+Mrs. Travilla, being also a woman of great discernment, and having
+known Horace Dinsmore nearly all his life, had conceived a very
+correct idea of the trials and difficulties of Elsie's situation,
+and without alluding to them at all, gave her some most excellent
+advice, which the little girl received very thankfully.
+
+They were still chatting together when Mr. Travilla came in,
+saying, "Come, Elsie, I want to take you out to see my garden,
+hot-house, etc. We will just have time before dinner. Will you go
+along, mother?"
+
+"No; I have some little matters to attend to before dinner, and
+will leave you to do the honors," replied the lady; and taking the
+little girl's hand he led her out.
+
+"Where is papa?" asked Elsie.
+
+"Oh! he's in the library, looking over some new books," replied
+Mr. Travilla. "He always cared more for books than anything else.
+But what do you think of my flowers?"
+
+"Oh! they are lovely! What a variety you have! what a splendid
+cape-jessamine that is, and there is a variety of cactus I never
+saw before! Oh! you have a great many more, and handsomer, I
+think, than we have at Roselands," exclaimed Elsie, as she passed
+admiringly from one to another.
+
+Mr. Travilla was much pleased with the admiration she expressed,
+for he was very fond of his flowers, and took great pride in
+showing them.
+
+But they were soon called in to dinner, where Elsie was seated by
+her father.
+
+"I hope this little girl has not given you any trouble, Mrs.
+Travilla," said he, looking gravely at her.
+
+"Oh! no," the lady hastened to say, "I have enjoyed her company
+very much indeed, and hope you will bring her to see me again very
+soon."
+
+After dinner, as the day was very warm, they adjourned to the
+veranda, which was the coolest place to be found; it being on the
+shady side of the house, and also protected by thick trees,
+underneath which a beautiful fountain was playing.
+
+But the conversation was upon some subject which did not interest
+Elsie, and she presently stole away to the library, and seating
+herself in a corner of the sofa, was soon lost to everything
+around her in the intense interest with which she was reading a
+book she had taken from the table.
+
+"Ah! that is what you are about, Miss Elsie! a bookworm, just like
+your father, I see. I had been wondering what had become of you
+for the last two hours," exclaimed Mr. Travilla's pleasant voice;
+and sitting down beside her, he took the book from her hand, and
+putting it behind him, said, "Put it away now; you will have time
+enough to finish it, and I want you to talk to me."
+
+"Oh! please let me have it," she pleaded. "I shall not have much
+time, for papa will soon be calling me to go home."
+
+"No, no, he is not to take you away; I have made a bargain with
+him to let me keep you," said Mr. Travilla, very gravely. "We both
+think that there are children enough at Roselands without you; and
+so your papa has given you to me; and you are to be _my_ little
+girl, and call _me_ papa in future."
+
+Elsie gazed earnestly in his face for an instant, saying in a
+half-frightened tone, "You are only joking, Mr. Travilla."
+
+"Not a bit of it," said he; "can't you see that I'm in earnest?"
+
+His tone and look were both so serious that for an instant Elsie
+believed he meant all that he was saying, and springing to her
+feet with a little cry of alarm, she hastily withdrew her hand
+which he had taken, and rushing out to the veranda, where her
+father still sat conversing with Mrs. Travilla, she flung herself
+into his arms, and clinging to him, hid her face on his breast,
+sobbing, "O papa, _dear_ papa! _don't_ give me away; please
+don't--I will be so good--I will do everything you bid me--I--"
+
+"Why, Elsie, what does all this mean!" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore in
+great surprise and perplexity; while Mr. Travilla stood in the
+doorway looking half amused, half sorry for what he had done.
+
+"O papa!" sobbed the little girl, still clinging to him as though
+fearing she should be torn from his arms, "Mr. Travilla says you
+have given me to him. O papa! _don't_ give me away."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense, Elsie! I am ashamed of you! how can you be so
+very silly as to believe for one moment anything so perfectly
+absurd as that I should think of giving you away? Why, I would as
+soon think of parting with my eyes."
+
+Elsie raised her head and gazed searchingly into his face; then
+with a deep-drawn sigh of relief, dropped it again, saying, "Oh! I
+am _so_ glad."
+
+"Really, Miss Elsie," said Travilla, coming up and patting her on
+the shoulder, "I can't say that I feel much complimented; and,
+indeed, I don't see why you need have been so very much distressed
+at the prospect before you; for I must say I have vanity enough to
+imagine that I should make the better--or at least the more
+indulgent--father of the two. Come, now, wouldn't you be willing
+to try me for a month, if your papa will give consent?"
+
+Elsie shook her head.
+
+"I will let you have your own way in everything," urged Travilla,
+coaxingly; "and I know that is more than he does."
+
+"I don't want my own way, Mr. Travilla; I know it wouldn't always
+be a good way," replied Elsie, decidedly.
+
+Her father laughed and passed his hand caressingly over her curls.
+
+"I thought you liked me, little Elsie," said Travilla, in a tone
+of disappointment.
+
+"So I do, Mr. Travilla; I like you very much," she replied.
+
+"Well, don't you think I would make a good father?"
+
+"I am sure you would be very kind, and that I should love you very
+much; but not so much as I love my own papa; because, you know,
+you are _not_ my papa, and never can be, even if he _should_
+give me to you."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore laughed heartily, saying, "I think you may as well
+give it up, Travilla; it seems I'll have to keep her whether or
+no, for she clings to me like a leech."
+
+"Well, Elsie, you will at least come to the piano and play a
+little for me, will you not?" asked Travilla, smiling.
+
+But Elsie still clung to her father, seeming loath to leave him,
+until he said, in his grave, decided way, "Go, Elsie; go at once,
+and do as you are requested."
+
+Then she rose instantly to obey.
+
+Travilla looked somewhat vexed. "I wish," he afterward remarked to
+his mother, "that Dinsmore was not quite so ready to second my
+requests with his commands. I want Elsie's compliance to be
+voluntary; else I think it worth very little."
+
+Elsie played and sang until they were called to tea; after which
+she sat quietly by her father's side, listening to the conversation
+of her elders until the carriage was announced.
+
+"Well, my daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, when they were fairly upon
+their way to Roselands, "have you had a pleasant day?"
+
+"Oh! _very pleasant_, papa, excepting--" She paused, looking
+a little embarrassed.
+
+"Well, excepting what?" he asked, smiling down at her.
+
+"Excepting when Mr. Travilla frightened me so, papa," she replied,
+moving closer to his side, blushing and casting down her eyes.
+
+"And you do love your own papa best, and don't want to exchange
+him for another?" he said, inquiringly, as he passed his arm
+affectionately around her waist.
+
+"Oh! no, dear papa, not for anybody else in all the world," she
+said earnestly.
+
+He made no reply in words, but, looking highly gratified, bent
+down and kissed her cheek.
+
+He did not speak again during their ride, but when the carriage
+stopped he lifted her out, and setting her gently down, bade her a
+kind good-night, saying it was time for mammy to put her to bed.
+
+She ran lightly up-stairs, and springing into her nurse's arms,
+exclaimed, "O mammy, mammy! what a pleasant, _pleasant_ day I
+have had! Papa has been so kind, and so were Mr. Travilla and his
+mother."
+
+"I'se _berry_ glad, darlin', an' I hope you gwine hab many
+more such days," replied Chloe, embracing her fondly and then
+proceeding to take off her bonnet and prepare her for bed, while
+Elsie gave her a minute account of all the occurrences of the day,
+not omitting the fright Mr. Travilla had given her, and how
+happily her fears had been relieved.
+
+"You look berry happy, my darlin' pet," said Chloe, clasping her
+nursling again in her arms when her task was finished.
+
+"Yes, mammy, I am happy, oh! _so_ happy, because I do believe
+that papa is beginning to love me a little, and I hope that
+perhaps, after a while, he will love me very much."
+
+The tears gathered in her eyes as she spoke.
+
+The next afternoon, as Elsie was returning from her walk, she met
+her father.
+
+"Elsie," said he, in a reproving tone, "I have forbidden you to
+walk out alone; are you disobeying me?"
+
+"No, papa," she replied meekly, raising her eyes to his face, "I
+was not alone until about five minutes ago, when Aunt Adelaide and
+Louise left me. They said it did not matter, as I was so near
+home; and they were going to make a call, and did not want me
+along."
+
+"Very well," he said, taking hold of her hand and making her walk
+by his side. "How far have you been?"
+
+"We went down the river bank to the big spring, papa. I believe it
+is a little more than a mile that way; but when we came home, we
+made it shorter by coming across some of the fields and through
+the meadow."
+
+"Through the meadow?" said Mr. Dinsmore; "don't you go there
+again, Elsie, unless I give you express permission."
+
+"Why, papa?" she asked, looking up at him in some surprise.
+
+"Because I forbid it," he replied sternly; "that is quite enough
+for you to know; all you have to do is to obey, and you need never
+ask me why, when I give you an order."
+
+Elsie's eyes filled, and a big tear rolled quickly down her cheek.
+
+"I did not mean to be naughty, papa," she said, struggling to keep
+down a sob, "and I will try never to ask why again."
+
+"There is another thing," said he. "You cry quite too easily; it
+is entirely too babyish for a girl of your age; you must quit it."
+
+"I will try, papa," said the little girl, wiping her eyes, and
+making a great effort to control her feelings.
+
+They had entered the avenue while this conversation was going on,
+and were now drawing near the house; and just at this moment a
+little girl about Elsie's age came running to meet them,
+exclaiming, "O Elsie! I'm glad you've come at last. We've been
+here a whole hour--mamma, and Herbert, and I--and I've been
+looking for you all this time."
+
+"How do you do, Miss Lucy Carrington? I see you can talk as fast
+as ever," said Mr. Dinsmore, laughing, and holding out his hand.
+
+Lucy took it, saying with a little pout, "To be sure, Mr.
+Dinsmore, it isn't more than two or three weeks since you were at
+our house, and I wouldn't forget how to talk in that time." Then,
+looking at Elsie, she went on, "We've come to stay a week; won't
+we have a fine time?" and, catching her friend round the waist,
+she gave her a hearty squeeze.
+
+"I hope so," said Elsie, returning the embrace. "I am glad you
+have come."
+
+"Is your papa here, Miss Lucy?" asked Mr. Dinsmore.
+
+"Yes, sir; but he's going home again to-night, and then he'll come
+back for us next week."
+
+"I must go in and speak to him," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Elsie, do you
+entertain Lucy."
+
+"Yes, sir, I will," said Elsie. "Come with me to my room, won't
+you, Lucy?"
+
+"Yes; but won't you speak to mamma first? and Herbert, too; you
+are such a favorite with both of them; and they still are in the
+dressing-room, for mamma is not very well, and was quite fatigued
+with her ride."
+
+Lucy led the way to her mamma's room, as she spoke, Elsie
+following.
+
+"Ah! Elsie dear, how do you do? I'm delighted to see you," said
+Mrs. Carrington, rising from the sofa as they entered.
+
+Then, drawing the little girl closer to her, she passed her arm
+affectionately around her waist, and kissed her several times.
+
+"I suppose you are very happy now that your papa has come home at
+last?" she said, looking searchingly into Elsie's face. "I
+remember you used to be looking forward so to his return;
+constantly talking of it and longing for it."
+
+Poor Elsie, conscious that her father's presence had not brought
+with it the happiness she had anticipated, and yet unwilling
+either to acknowledge that fact or tell an untruth, was at a loss
+what to say.
+
+But she was relieved from the necessity of replying by Herbert,
+Lucy's twin brother, a pale, sickly-looking boy, who had for
+several years been a sufferer from hip complaint.
+
+"O Elsie!" he exclaimed, catching hold of her hand and squeezing
+it between both of his, "I'm ever so glad to see you again."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Carrington, "Herbert always says nobody can tell
+him such beautiful stories as Elsie; and nobody but his mother and
+his old mammy was half so kind to run and wait on him when he was
+laid on his back for so many weeks. He missed you very much when
+we went home, and often wished he was at Roselands again."
+
+"How is your hip now, Herbert?" asked Elsie, looking pityingly at
+the boy's pale face.
+
+"Oh! a great deal better, thank you. I can take quite long walks
+sometimes now, though I still limp, and cannot run and leap like
+other boys."
+
+They chatted a few moments longer, and then Elsie went to her room
+to have her hat taken off, and her hair made smooth before the
+tea-bell should ring.
+
+The two little girls were seated together at the table, Elsie's
+papa being on her other side.
+
+"How nice these muffins are! Don't you like them, Elsie?" asked
+Lucy, as she helped herself to a third or fourth.
+
+"Yes, very much," said Elsie, cheerfully.
+
+"Then what are you eating that cold bread for? and you haven't got
+any butter, either. Pompey, why don't hand Miss Elsie the butter?"
+
+"No, Lucy, I mustn't have it. Papa does not allow me to eat hot
+cakes or butter," said Elsie, in the same cheerful tone in which
+she had spoken before.
+
+Lucy opened her eyes very wide, and drew in her breath.
+
+"Well," she exclaimed, "I guess if _my_ papa should try that
+on me, I'd make such a fuss he'd _have_ to let me eat just
+whatever I wanted."
+
+"Elsie knows better than to do that," said Mr. Dinsmore, who had
+overheard the conversation; "she would only get sent away from the
+table and punished for her naughtiness."
+
+"I wouldn't do it anyhow, papa," said Elsie, raising her eyes
+beseechingly to his face.
+
+"No, daughter, I don't believe you would," he replied in an
+unsually kind tone, and Elsie's face flushed with pleasure.
+
+Several days passed away very pleasantly, Lucy sharing Elsie's
+studies in the mornings, while Herbert remained with his mamma;
+and then in the afternoon all walking or riding out together,
+unless the weather was too warm, when they spent the afternoon
+playing in the veranda, on the shady side of the house, and took
+their ride or walk after the sun was down.
+
+Arthur and Walter paid but little attention to Herbert, as his
+lameness prevented him from sharing in the active sports which
+they preferred; for they had never been taught to yield their
+wishes to others, and were consequently extremely selfish and
+overbearing; but Elsie was very kind, and did all in her power to
+interest and amuse him.
+
+One afternoon they all walked out together, attended by Jim; but
+Arthur and Walter, unwilling to accommodate their pace to
+Herbert's slow movements, were soon far in advance, Jim following
+close at their heels.
+
+"They're quite out of sight," said Herbert presently. "and I'm
+very tired. Let's sit down on this bank, girls; I want to try my
+new bow, and you may run and pick up my arrows for me."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Lucy, laughing; "Elsie may do it if she
+likes, but as for me, _I_ mean to take a nap; this nice, soft
+grass will make an elegant couch;" and throwing herself down, she
+soon was, or pretended to be, in a sound slumber; while Herbert,
+seating himself with his back against a tree, amused himself with
+shooting his arrows here and there, Elsie running for them and
+bringing them to him, until she was quite heated and out of
+breath.
+
+"Now I must rest a little, Herbert," she said at length, sitting
+down beside him. "Shall I tell you a story?"
+
+"Oh! yes, do; I like your stories, and I don't mind leaving off
+shooting till you're done," said he, laying down his bow.
+
+Elsie's story lasted about ten minutes, and when she had finished,
+Herbert took up his bow again, saying, "I guess you're rested now,
+Elsie," and sent an arrow over into the meadow.
+
+"There! just see how far I sent that! do run and bring it to me,
+Elsie!" he cried, "and let me see if I can't hit that tree next
+time; I've but just missed it."
+
+"I'm tired, Herbert; but I'll run and bring it to you this once,"
+replied Elsie, forgetting entirely her father's prohibition; "but
+then you must try to wait until Jim comes back before you shoot
+any more."
+
+So saying, she darted away, and came back in a moment with the
+arrow in her hand. But a sudden recollection had come over her
+just as she left the meadow, and throwing down the arrow at the
+boy's feet, she exclaimed in an agitated tone, "O Herbert! I must
+go home just as quickly as I can; I had forgotten--oh! how
+_could_ I forget! oh! what will papa say!"
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" asked Herbert in alarm.
+
+"Never mind," said Elsie, sobbing. "There are the boys coming;
+they will take care of you, and I must go home. Good-bye."
+
+And she ran quickly up the road, Herbert following her retreating
+form with wondering eyes.
+
+Elsie sped onward, crying bitterly as she went.
+
+"Where is papa!" she inquired of a servant whom she met in the
+avenue.
+
+"Dunno, Miss Elsie, but I reckon Massa Horace am in de house, kase
+his horse am in de stable."
+
+Elsie hardly waited for the answer, but hurrying into the house,
+went from room to room, looking and asking in vain for her father.
+He was not in the drawing-room, or the library, or his own
+apartments. She had just come out of this, and meeting a chamber-
+maid in the hall, she exclaimed, "O Fanny! where _is_ papa?
+can't you tell me? for I must see him."
+
+"Here I am, Elsie; what do you want with me?" called out her
+father's voice from the veranda, where she had neglected to look.
+
+"What do you want?" he repeated, as his little girl appeared
+before him with her flushed and tearful face. Elsie moved slowly
+toward him, with a timid air and downcast eyes.
+
+"I wanted to tell you something, papa," she said in a low,
+tremulous tone.
+
+"Well, I am listening," said he, taking hold of her hand and
+drawing her to his side. "What is it? are you sick or hurt?"
+
+"No, papa, not either; but--but, O papa! I have been a very
+naughty girl," she exclaimed, bursting into tears, and sobbing
+violently. "I disobeyed you, papa. I--I have been in the meadow."
+
+"Is it possible! Would you _dare_ to do so when I so
+positively forbade it only the other day?" he said in his sternest
+tone, while a dark frown gathered on his brow. "Elsie, I shall
+have to punish you."
+
+"I did not intend to disobey you, papa," she sobbed; "I quite
+forgot that you had forbidden me to go there."
+
+"That is no excuse, no excuse at all," said he severely; "You must
+_remember_ my commands; and if your memory is so poor I shall
+find means to strengthen it."
+
+He paused a moment, still looking sternly at the little,
+trembling, sobbing girl at his side; then asked, "What were you
+doing in the meadow? tell me the whole story, that I may
+understand just how severely I ought to punish you."
+
+Elsie gave him all the particulars; and when, upon questioning her
+closely, he perceived how entirely voluntary her confession had
+been, his tone and manner became less stern, and he said quite
+mildly, "Well, Elsie, I shall not be very severe with you this
+time, as you seem to be very penitent, and have made so full and
+frank a confession; but beware how you disobey me again, for you
+will not escape so easily another time; and remember I will not
+take forgetfulness as any excuse. Go now to Aunt Chloe, and tell
+her from me that she is to put you immediately to bed."
+
+"It is only the middle of the afternoon, papa," said Elsie,
+deprecatingly.
+
+"If it were much _earlier_, Elsie, it would make no
+difference; you must go at once to your bed, and stay there until
+to-morrow morning."
+
+"What will Lucy and Herbert think when they come in and can't find
+me, papa?" she said, weeping afresh,
+
+"You should have thought of that before you disobeyed me," he
+answered very gravely. "If you are hungry," he added, "you may ask
+Chloe to get you a slice of bread or a cracker for your supper,
+but you can have nothing else."
+
+Elsie lingered, looking timidly up into his face as though wanting
+to say something, but afraid to venture.
+
+"Speak, Elsie, if you have anything more to say," he said
+encouragingly.
+
+"Dear papa, I am _so_ sorry I have been so naughty," she
+murmured, leaning her head against the arm of his chair, while the
+tears rolled fast down her cheeks; "won't you please forgive me,
+papa? it seems to me I can't go to sleep to-night if you are angry
+with me."
+
+He seemed quite touched by her penitence. "Yes, Elsie," he said,
+"I do forgive you. I am not at all angry with you now, and you may
+go to sleep in peace. Good night, my little daughter," and he bent
+down and pressed his lips to her brow.
+
+Elsie held up her face for another, and he kissed her lips.
+
+"Good night, dear papa," she said, "I hope I shall never be such a
+naughty girl again." And she went to her room, made almost happy
+by that kiss of forgiveness.
+
+Elsie was up quite early the next morning and had learned all her
+lessons before breakfast. As she came down the stairs she saw,
+through the open door, her papa standing with some of the men-
+servants, apparently gazing at some object lying on the ground.
+She ran out and stood on the steps of the portico, looking at them
+and wondering what they were doing.
+
+Presently her father turned round, and seeing her, held out his
+hand, calling, "Come here, Elsie."
+
+She sprang quickly down the steps, and running to him, put her
+hand in his, saying, "Good morning, papa."
+
+"Good morning, daughter," said he, "I have something to show you."
+
+And leading her forward a few paces, he pointed to a large
+rattlesnake lying there.
+
+"O papa!" she cried, starting back and clinging to him.
+
+"It will not hurt you _now_" he said; "it is dead; the men
+killed it this morning _in the meadow_. Do you see _now_ why
+I forbade you to go there?"
+
+"O papa!" she murmured, in a low tone of deep feeling, laying her
+cheek affectionately against his hand, "I might have lost my life
+by my disobedience. How good God was to take care of me! Oh! I
+hope I shall never be so naughty again."
+
+"I hope not," said he gravely, but not unkindly; "and I hope that
+you will always, after this, believe that your father has some
+good reason for his commands, even although he may not choose to
+explain it to you."
+
+"Yes, papa, I think I will," she answered, humbly.
+
+The breakfast-bell had rung, and he now led her in and seated her
+at the table.
+
+Lucy Carrington looked curiously at her, and soon took an
+opportunity to whisper, "Where were you last night, Elsie? I
+couldn't find you, and your papa wouldn't say what had become of
+you, though I am quite sure he knew."
+
+"I'll tell you after breakfast," replied Elsie, blushing deeply.
+
+Lucy waited rather impatiently until all had risen from the table,
+and then, putting her arm round Elsie's waist, she drew her out on
+to the veranda, saying, "now, Elsie, tell me; you know you
+promised."
+
+"I was in bed," replied Elsie, dropping her eyes, while the color
+mounted to her very hair.
+
+"In bed! before five o'clock!" exclaimed Lucy in a tone of
+astonishment. "Why, what was that for?"
+
+"Papa sent me," replied Elsie, with an effort. "I had been
+naughty, and disobeyed him."
+
+"Why, how strange! Do tell me what you had done!" exclaimed Lucy,
+with a face full of curiosity.
+
+"Papa had forbidden me to go into the meadow, I forgot all about
+it, and ran in there to get Herbert's arrow for him," replied
+Elsie, looking very much ashamed.
+
+"Was _that all?_ why _my_ papa wouldn't have punished me
+for that," said Lucy. "He might have scolded me a little if I had
+done it on purpose, but if I had told him I had forgotten, he
+would only have said, 'You must remember better next time.'"
+
+"Papa says that forgetfulness is no excuse; that I am to remember
+his commands, and if I forget, he will have to punish me, to make
+me remember better next time," said Elsie.
+
+"He must be very strict indeed; I'm glad he is not _my_
+papa," replied Lucy, in a tone of great satisfaction.
+
+"Come, little girls, make haste and get ready; we are to start in
+half an hour," said Adelaide Dinsmore, calling to them from the
+hall door.
+
+The whole family, old and young, including visitors, were on that
+day to go on a picnic up the river, taking their dinner along, and
+spending the day in the woods. They had been planning this
+excursion for several days, and the children especially had been
+looking forward to it with a great deal of pleasure.
+
+"Am I to go, Aunt Adelaide? did papa say so?" asked Elsie
+anxiously, as she and Lucy hastened to obey the summons.
+
+"I presume you are to go of course, Elsie; we have been discussing
+the matter for the last three days, always taking it for granted
+that you were to make one of the party, and he has never said you
+should not," replied Adelaide, good-naturedly; "so make haste, or
+you will be too late. But here comes your papa now." she added, as
+the library door opened, and Mr. Dinsmore stepped out into the
+hall where they were standing.
+
+"Horace, Elsie is to go of course?"
+
+"I do not see the _of course_, Adelaide," said he dryly. "No;
+Elsie is _not_ to go; she must stay at home and attend to her
+lessons as usual."
+
+A look of keen disappointment came over Elsie's face, but she
+turned away without a word and went upstairs; while Lucy, casting
+a look of wrathful indignation at Mr. Dinsmore, ran after her, and
+following her into her room, she put her arm round her neck,
+saying, "Never mind, Elsie; it's too bad, and I wouldn't bear it.
+I'd go in spite of him."
+
+"No, no, Lucy, I must obey my father; God says so; and besides, I
+couldn't do that if I wanted to, for papa is stronger than I am,
+and would punish me severely if I were to attempt such a thing,"
+replied Elsie hastily, brushing away a tear that _would_ come
+into her eye.
+
+"Then I'd coax him," said Lucy. "Come, I'll go with you, and we
+will both try."
+
+"No," replied Elsie, with a hopeless shake of the head, "I have
+found out already that my papa never breaks his word; and nothing
+could induce him to let me go, now that he has once said I should
+not. But you will have to leave me, Lucy, or you will be too
+late."
+
+"Good-bye, then," said Lucy, turning to go; "but I think it is a
+great shame, and I shan't half enjoy myself without you."
+
+"Well now, Horace, I think you might let the child go," was
+Adelaide's somewhat indignant rejoinder to her brother, as the two
+little girls disappeared; "I can't conceive what reason you can
+have for keeping her at home, and she looks so terribly
+disappointed. Indeed, Horace, I am sometimes half inclined to
+think you take pleasure in thwarting that child."
+
+"You had better call me a tyrant at once, Adelaide," said he
+angrily, and turning very red; "but I must beg to be permitted to
+manage my own child in my own way; and I cannot see that I am
+under any obligation to give my reasons either to you or to any
+one else."
+
+"Well, if you did not intend to let her go, I think you might have
+said so at first, and not left the poor child to build her hopes
+upon it, only to be disappointed. I must say I think it was
+cruel."
+
+"Until this morning, Adelaide," he replied, "I did intend to let
+her go, for I expected to go myself; but I find I shall not be
+able to do so, as I must meet a gentleman on business; and as I
+know that accidents frequently occur to such pleasure parties, I
+don't feel willing to let Elsie go, unless I could be there myself
+to take care of her. Whether you believe it or not, it is really
+regard for my child's safety, and _not_ cruelty, that leads
+me to refuse her this gratification."
+
+"You are full of notions about that child, Horace," said Adelaide,
+a little impatiently. "I'm sure some of the rest of us could take
+care of her."
+
+"No; in case of accident you would all have enough to do to take
+care of yourselves, and I shall not think of trusting Elsie in the
+company, since I cannot be there myself," he answered decidedly;
+and Adelaide, seeing he was not to be moved from his determination,
+gave up the attempt, and left the room to prepare for her ride.
+
+It was a great disappointment to Elsie, and for a few moments her
+heart rose up in rebellion against her father. She tried to put
+away the feeling, but it would come back; for she could not
+imagine any reason for his refusal to let her go, excepting the
+disobedience of the day before, and it seemed hard and unjust to
+punish her twice for the same fault, especially as he would have
+known nothing about it but for her own frank and voluntary
+confession. It was a great pity she had not heard the reasons he
+gave her Aunt Adelaide, for then she would have been quite
+submissive and content. It is indeed true that she ought to have
+been as it was; but our little Elsie, though sincerely desirous to
+do right, was not yet perfect, and had already strangely forgotten
+the lesson of the morning.
+
+She watched from the veranda the departure of the pleasure-
+seekers, all apparently in the gayest spirits. She was surprised
+to see that her father was not with them, and it half reconciled
+her to staying at home, although she hardly expected to see much
+of him; but there was something pleasant in the thought that he
+wanted her at home because he was to be there himself; it looked
+as though he really had some affection for her, and even a selfish
+love was better than none. I do not mean that these were Elsie's
+thoughts; no, she never would have dreamed of calling her father
+selfish; but the undefined feeling was there, as she watched him
+hand the ladies into the carriage, and then turn and reenter the
+house as they drove off.
+
+But Miss Day's bell rang, and Elsie gathered up her books and
+hastened to the school-room. Her patience and endurance were
+sorely tried that morning, for Miss Day was in an exceedingly bad
+humor, being greatly mortified and also highly indignant that she
+had not been invited to make one of the picnic party; and Elsie
+had never found her more unreasonable and difficult to please; and
+her incessant fault-finding and scolding were almost more than the
+little girl could bear in addition to her own sad disappointment.
+But at last the morning, which had seldom seemed so long, was
+over, and Elsie dismissed from the school-room for the day.
+
+At dinner, instead of the usual large party, there were only her
+father and the gentleman with whom he was transacting business,
+Miss Day, and herself.
+
+The gentleman was not one of those who care to notice children,
+but continued to discuss business and politics with Mr. Dinsmore,
+without seeming to be in the least aware of the presence of the
+little girl, who sat in perfect silence, eating whatever her
+father saw fit to put upon her plate; and Elsie was very glad
+indeed when at length Miss Day rose to leave the table, and her
+papa told her she might go too.
+
+He called her back though, before she had gone across the room, to
+say that he had intended to ride with her that afternoon, but
+found he should not be able to do so, and she must take Jim for a
+protector, as he did not wish her either to miss her ride or to go
+entirely alone.
+
+He spoke very kindly; Elsie thought with remorse of the rebellious
+feelings of the morning, and, had she been alone with her father,
+would certainly have confessed them, expressing her sorrow and
+asking forgiveness; but she could not do so before a third person,
+more especially a stranger; and merely saying, "Yes, papa, I
+will," she turned away and left the room. Jim was bringing up her
+horse as she passed the open door; and she hastened up-stairs to
+prepare for her ride.
+
+"O mammy!" she suddenly exclaimed, as Chloe was trying on her hat,
+"is Pomp going to the city to-day?"
+
+"Yes, darlin', he gwine start directly," said Chloe, arranging her
+nursling's curls to better advantage, and finishing her work with
+a fond caress.
+
+"Oh! then, mammy, take some money out of my purse, and tell him to
+buy me a pound of the very nicest candy he can find," said the
+little girl, eagerly. "I haven't had any for a long time, and I
+feel hungry for it to-day. What they had bought for the picnic
+looked so good, but you know I didn't get any of it."
+
+The picnic party returned just before tea-time, and Lucy
+Carrington rushed into Elsie's room eager to tell her what a
+delightful day they had had. She gave a very glowing account of
+their sports and entertainment, interrupting herself every now and
+then to lament over Elsie's absence, assuring her again and again
+that it had been the only drawback upon her own pleasure, and that
+she thought that Elsie's papa was very unkind indeed to refuse her
+permission to go. As Elsie listened the morning's feelings of
+vexation and disappointment returned in full force; and though she
+said nothing, she allowed her friend to accuse her father of
+cruelty and injustice without offering any remonstrance.
+
+In the midst of their talk the tea-bell rang, and they hurried
+down to take their places at the table, where Lucy went on with
+her narrative, though in a rather subdued tone, Elsie now and then
+asking a question, until Mr. Dinsmore turned to his daughter,
+saying, in his stern way, "Be quiet, Elsie; you are talking
+entirely too much for a child of your age; don't let me hear you
+speak again until you have left the table."
+
+Elsie's face flushed, and her eyes fell, under the rebuke; and
+during the rest of the meal not a sound escaped her lips.
+
+"Come, Elsie, let us go into the garden and finish our talk," said
+Lucy, putting her arm affectionately around her friend's waist as
+they left the table; "your papa can't hear us there, and we'll
+have a good time."
+
+"Papa only stopped us because we were talking too much at the
+table," said Elsie, apologetically; "I'm sure he is willing you
+should tell me all about what a nice time you all had. But, Lucy,"
+she added, lowering her voice, "please don't say again that you
+think papa was unkind to keep me at home to-day. I'm sure he knows
+best, and I ought not to have listened to a word of that kind
+about him."
+
+"O! well, never mind, I won't talk so any more," said Lucy, good-
+naturedly, as they skipped down the walk together; "but I do think
+he's cross, and I wish you were my sister, that you might have my
+kind, good papa for yours too," she added, drawing her arm more
+closely about her friend's waist.
+
+"Thank you, Lucy," said Elsie, with a little sigh, "I would like
+to be your sister, but indeed I would not like to give up my own
+dear papa, for I love him, oh! _so_ much."
+
+"Why, how funny, when he's so cross to you!" exclaimed Lucy,
+laughing.
+
+Elsie put her hand over her friend's mouth, and Lucy pushed it
+away, saying, "Excuse me; I forgot; but I'll try not to say it
+again."
+
+While the little girls were enjoying their talk in the garden, a
+servant with a small bundle in her hand came out on the veranda,
+where Mr. Horace Dinsmore was sitting smoking a cigar, and,
+casting an inquiring glance around, asked if he knew where Miss
+Elsie was?
+
+"What do you want with her?" he asked.
+
+"Only to give her dis bundle, massa, dat Pomp jus brought from de
+city."
+
+"Give it to me," he said, extending his hand to receive it.
+
+A few moments afterward Elsie and her friend returned to the
+house, and meeting Pomp, she asked him if he had brought her
+candy.
+
+He replied that he had got some that was very nice indeed, and he
+thought that Fanny had carried it to her; and seeing Fanny near,
+he called to her to know what she had done with it.
+
+"Why, Pomp, Massa Horace he told me to give it to him," said the
+girl.
+
+Elsie turned away with a very disappointed look.
+
+"You'll go and ask him for it, won't you?" asked Lucy, who was
+anxious to enjoy a share of the candy as well as to see Elsie
+gratified.
+
+"No," said Elsie, sighing, "I had rather do without it."
+
+Lucy coaxed for a little while, but finding it impossible to
+persuade Elsie to approach her father on the subject, finally
+volunteered to do the errand herself.
+
+Elsie readily consented, and Lucy, trembling a little in spite of
+her boast that she was not afraid of him, walked out on to the
+veranda where Mr. Dinsmore was still sitting, and putting on an
+air of great confidence, said:
+
+"Mr. Dinsmore, will you please to give me Elsie's candy? she wants
+it."
+
+"Did Elsie send you?" he asked in a cold, grave tone.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Lucy, somewhat frightened.
+
+"Then, if you please, Miss Lucy, you may tell Elsie to come
+directly to me."
+
+Lucy ran back to her friend, and Elsie received the message in
+some trepidation, but as no choice was now left her, she went
+immediately to her father.
+
+"Did you want me, papa?" she asked timidly.
+
+"Yes, Elsie; I wish to know why you send another person to me for
+what you want, instead of coming yourself. It displeases me very
+much, and you may rest assured that you will never get anything
+that you ask for in that way."
+
+Elsie hung her head in silence.
+
+"Are you going to answer me?" he asked, in his severe tone. "Why
+did you send Lucy instead of coming yourself?"
+
+"I was afraid, papa," she whispered, almost under her breath.
+
+"Afraid! afraid of what?" he asked, with increasing displeasure.
+
+"Of you, papa," she replied, in a tone so low that he could
+scarcely catch the words, although he bent down his ear to receive
+her reply.
+
+"If I were a drunken brute, in the habit of knocking you about,
+beating and abusing you, there might be some reason for your fear,
+Elsie," he said, coloring with anger; "but, as it is, I see no
+excuse for it at all and I am both hurt and displeased by it."
+
+"I am very sorry, papa; I won't do so again," she said,
+tremblingly.
+
+There was a moment's pause, and then she asked in a timid
+hesitating way, "Papa, may I have my candy, if you please?"
+
+"No, you may not," he said decidedly; "and understand and remember
+that I positively forbid you either to buy or eat anything of the
+kind again without my express permission."
+
+Elsie's eyes filled, and she had a hard struggle to keep down a
+rising sob as she turned away and went slowly back to the place
+where she had left her friend.
+
+"Have you got it?" asked Lucy, eagerly.
+
+Elsie shook her head.
+
+"What a shame!" exclaimed Lucy, indignantly. "he's just as cross
+as he can be. He's a tyrant, so he is! just a hateful old tyrant,
+and I wouldn't care a cent for him, if I were you, Elsie. I'm glad
+he is not my father, so I am."
+
+"I'm afraid he doesn't love me much," sighed Elsie in low, tearful
+tones, "for he hardly ever lets me have anything, or go anywhere
+that I want to."
+
+"Well, never mind, _I'll_ send and buy a good lot tomorrow,
+and we'll have a regular feast," said Lucy, soothingly, as she
+passed her arm around her friend's waist and drew her down to a
+seat on the portico step.
+
+"Thank you, Lucy; you can buy for yourself if you like, but not
+for me, for papa has forbidden me to eat anything of the sort."
+
+"Oh! of course we'll not let him know anything about it," said
+Lucy.
+
+But Elsie shook her head sadly, saying with a little sigh, "No,
+Lucy, you are very kind, but I cannot disobey papa, even if he
+should never know it, because that would be disobeying God, and He
+would know it."
+
+"Dear me, how particular you are!" exclaimed Lucy a little
+pettishly.
+
+"Elsie," said Mr. Dinsmore, speaking from the door, "what are you
+doing there? Did I not forbid you to be out in the evening air?"
+
+"I did not know you meant the doorstep, papa. I thought I was only
+not to go down into the garden," replied the little girl, rising
+to go in.
+
+"I see you intend to make as near an approach to disobedience as
+you dare," said her father. "Go immediately to your room, and tell
+mammy to put you to bed."
+
+Elsie silently obeyed, and Lucy, casting an indignant glance at
+Mr. Dinsmore, was about to follow her, when he said, "I wish her
+to go alone, if you please, Miss Lucy;" and with a frown and a
+pout the little girl walked into the drawing-room and seated
+herself on the sofa beside her mamma.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore walked out on to the portico, and stood there
+watching the moon which was just rising over the treetops.
+
+"Horace," said Arthur, emerging from the shadow of a tree near by
+and approaching his brother, "Elsie thinks you're a tyrant. She
+says you never let her have anything, or go anywhere, and you're
+always punishing her. She and Lucy have had a fine time out here
+talking over your bad treatment of her, and planning to have some
+candy in spite of you."
+
+"Arthur, I do not believe that Elsie would deliberately plan to
+disobey me; and whatever faults she may have, I am very sure she
+is above the meanness of telling tales," replied Mr. Dinsmore, in
+a tone of severity, as he turned and went into the house, while
+Arthur, looking sadly crestfallen, crept away out of sight.
+
+When Elsie reached her room, she found that Chloe was not there;
+for, not expecting that her services would be required at so early
+an hour, she had gone down to the kitchen to have a little chat
+with her fellow-servants. Elsie rang for her, and then walking to
+the window, stood looking down into the garden in an attitude of
+thoughtfulness and dejection. She was mentally taking a review of
+the manner in which she had spent the day, as was her custom
+before retiring. The retrospect had seldom been so painful to the
+little girl. She had a very tender conscience, and it told her now
+that she had more than once during the day indulged in wrong
+feelings toward her father; that she had also allowed another to
+speak disrespectfully of him, giving by her silence a tacit
+approval of the sentiments uttered, and, more than that, had
+spoken complainingly of him herself.
+
+"Oh!" she murmured half aloud as she covered her face with her
+hands, and the tears trickled through her fingers, "how soon I
+have forgotten the lesson papa taught me this morning, and my
+promise to trust him without knowing his reasons. I don't deserve
+that he should love me or be kind and indulgent, when I am so
+rebellious."
+
+"What's de matter, darlin'?" asked Chloe's voice in pitiful tones,
+as she took her nursling in her arms and laid her little head
+against her bosom, passing her hand caressingly over the soft
+bright curls; "your ole mammy can't bear to see her pet cryin'
+like dat."
+
+"O mammy, mammy! I've been such a wicked girl to-day! Oh! I'm
+afraid I shall never be good, never be like Jesus. I'm afraid He
+is angry with me, for I have disobeyed Him to-day," sobbed the
+child.
+
+"Darlin'," said Chloe, earnestly, "didn't you read to your ole
+mammy dis very morning dese bressed words: 'If any man sin, we
+have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,' an'
+de other: 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
+forgive us our sins.' Go to de dear, bressed Lord Jesus, darlin',
+an' ax Him to forgive you, an' I _knows_ He will."
+
+"Yes, He will," replied the little girl, raising her head and
+dashing away her tears, "He will forgive my sins, and take away my
+wicked heart, and give me right thoughts and feelings. How glad I
+am you remembered those sweet texts, you dear old mammy," she
+added, twining her arms lovingly around her nurse's neck. And then
+she delivered her papa's message, and Chloe began at once to
+prepare her for bed.
+
+Elsie's tears had ceased to flow, but they were still trembling in
+her eyes, and the little face wore a very sad and troubled
+expression as she stood patiently passive in her nurse's hands.
+Chloe had soon finished her labors, and then the little girl
+opened her Bible, and, as usual, read a few verses aloud, though
+her voice trembled, and once or twice a tear fell on the page;
+then closing the book she stole away to the side of the bed and
+knelt down.
+
+She was a good while on her knees, and several times, as the sound
+of a low sob fell upon Chloe's ear, she sighed and murmured to
+herself: "Poor, darlin'! dear, bressed lamb, your ole mammy don't
+like to hear dat."
+
+Then as the child rose from her kneeling posture she went to her,
+and taking her in her arms, folded her in a fond embrace, calling
+her by the most tender and endearing epithets, and telling her
+that her old mammy loved her better than life--better than
+anything in the wide world.
+
+Elsie flung her arms around her nurse's neck, and laid her head
+upon her bosom, saying, "Yes, my dear old mammy, I know you love
+me, and I love you, too. But put me in bed now, or papa will be
+displeased."
+
+"What makes you so onrestless, darlin'?" asked Chloe, half an hour
+afterward; "can't you go to sleep no how?"
+
+"O mammy! if I could only see papa just for one moment to tell him
+something. Do you think he would come to me?" sighed the little
+girl. "Please, mammy, go down and see if he is busy. Don't say a
+word if he is; but if not, ask him to come to me for just one
+minute."
+
+Chloe left the room immediately, but returned the next moment,
+saying, "I jes looked into de parlor, darlin', an' Mass Horace he
+mighty busy playin' chess wid Miss Lucy's mamma, an' I didn't say
+nuffin' to him. Jes you go sleep, my pet, an' tell Mass Horace all
+'bout it in de mornin'."
+
+Elsie sighed deeply, and turning over on her pillow, cried herself
+to sleep.
+
+Chloe was just putting the finishing touches to the little girl's
+dress the next morning, when Lucy Carrington rapped at the door.
+
+"Good morning, Elsie," she said; "I was in a hurry to come to you,
+because it is my last day, you know. Wasn't it too bad of your
+father to send you off to bed so early last night?"
+
+"No, Lucy, papa has a right to send me to bed whenever he pleases;
+and besides, I was naughty and deserved to be punished; and it was
+not much more than half an hour earlier than my usual bedtime."
+
+"You naughty!" exclaimed Lucy, opening her eyes very wide. "Mamma
+often says she wishes I was half as good."
+
+Elsie sighed, but made no answer. Her thoughts seemed far away.
+She was thinking of what she had been so anxious, the night
+before, to say to her father, and trying to gain courage to do it
+this morning. "If I could only get close to him when nobody was
+by, and he would look and speak kindly to me, I could do it then,"
+she murmured to herself.
+
+"Come, Aunt Chloe, aren't you done? I want to have a run in the
+garden before breakfast," said Lucy, somewhat impatiently, as
+Chloe tied and untied Elsie's sash several times.
+
+"Well, Miss Lucy, I'se done now," she answered, passing her hand
+once more over her nursling's curls: "but Mass Horace he mighty
+pertickler 'bout Miss Elsie."
+
+"Yes," said Elsie, "papa wants me always to look very nice and
+neat; and when I go down in the morning he just gives me one
+glance from head to foot, and if anything is wrong he is sure to
+see it and send me back immediately to have it made right. Now,
+mammy, please give me my hat and let us go."
+
+"You's got plenty ob time, chillens; de bell won't go for to ring
+dis hour," remarked the old nurse, tying on Elsie's hat.
+
+"My chile looks sweet an' fresh as a moss rosebud dis mornin',"
+she added, talking to herself, as she watched the two little girls
+tripping down-stairs hand in hand.
+
+They skipped up and down the avenue several times, and ran all
+round the garden before it was time to go in. Then Elsie went up
+to Chloe to have her hair made smooth again. She was just
+descending for the second time to the hall, where she had left
+Lucy, when they saw a carriage drive up to the front door.
+
+"There's papa!" cried Lucy, joyfully, as it stopped and a
+gentleman sprang out and came up the steps into the portico; and
+in an instant she was in his arms, receiving such kisses and
+caresses as Elsie had vainly longed for all her life.
+
+Lucy had several brothers, but was an only daughter, and a very
+great pet, especially with her father.
+
+Elsie watched them with a wistful look and a strange aching at her
+heart.
+
+But presently Mr. Carrington set Lucy down and turning to her,
+gave her a shake of the hand, and then a kiss, saying, "How do you
+do this morning, my dear? I'm afraid you are hardly glad to see
+me, as I come to take Lucy away, for I suppose you have been
+having fine times together."
+
+"Yes, sir, indeed we have; and I hope you will let her come
+again."
+
+"Oh! yes, certainly; but the visits must not be all on one side. I
+shall talk to your papa about it, and perhaps persuade him to let
+us take you along this afternoon to spend a week at Ashlands."
+
+"Oh! how delightful!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands. "Elsie, do
+you think he will let you go?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm afraid not," replied the little girl
+doubtfully.
+
+"You must coax him, as I do my papa," said Lucy.
+
+But at this Elsie only shook her head, and just then the
+breakfast-bell rang.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was already in the breakfast-room, and Elsie, going
+up to him, said, "Good morning, papa."
+
+"Good morning, Elsie," he replied, but his tone was so cold that
+even if no one else had been by, she could not have said another
+word.
+
+He had not intended to be influenced by the information Arthur had
+so maliciously given him the night before; yet unconsciously he
+was, and his manner to his little daughter was many degrees colder
+than it had been for some time.
+
+After breakfast Lucy reminded Elsie of a promise she had made to
+show her some beautiful shells which her father had collected in
+his travels, and Elsie led the way to the cabinet, a small room
+opening into the library, and filled with curiosities.
+
+They had gone in alone, but were soon followed by Arthur, Walter
+and Enna.
+
+Almost everything in the room belonged to Mr. Horace Dinsmore; and
+Elsie, knowing that many of the articles were rare and costly, and
+that he was very careful of them, begged Enna and the boys to go
+out, lest they should accidentally do some mischief.
+
+"I won't," replied Arthur. "I've just as good a right to be here
+as you."
+
+As he spoke he gave her a push, which almost knocked her over, and
+in catching at a table to save herself from falling, she threw
+down a beautiful vase of rare old china, which Mr. Dinsmore prized
+very highly. It fell with a loud crash, and lay scattered in
+fragments at their feet.
+
+"There, see what you've done!" exclaimed Arthur, as the little
+group stood aghast at the mischief.
+
+It happened that Mr. Dinsmore was just then in the library, and
+the noise soon brought him upon the scene of action.
+
+"Who did this?" he asked, in a wrathful tone, looking from one to
+the other.
+
+"Elsie," said Arthur; "she threw it down and broke it."
+
+"Troublesome, careless child! I would not have taken a hundred
+dollars for that vase," he exclaimed. "Go to your room! go this
+instant, and stay there until I send for you; and remember, if you
+ever come in here again without permission I shall punish you."
+
+He opened the door as he spoke, and Elsie flew across the hall, up
+the stairs, and into her own room, without once pausing or looking
+back.
+
+"Now go out, every one of you, and don't come in here again; this
+is no place for children," said Mr. Dinsmore, turning the others
+into the hall, and shutting and locking the door upon them.
+
+"You ought to be ashamed, Arthur Dinsmore," exclaimed Lucy
+indignantly; "it was all your own fault, and Elsie was not to
+blame at all, and you know it."
+
+"I didn't touch the old vase, and I'm not going to take the blame
+of it, either, I can tell you, miss," replied Arthur, moving off,
+followed by Walter and Enna, while Lucy walked to the other end of
+the hall, and stood looking out of the window, debating in her own
+mind whether she had sufficient courage to face Mr. Dinsmore, and
+make him understand where the blame of the accident ought to lie.
+
+At length she seemed to have solved the question; for turning
+about and moving noiselessly down the passage to the library door,
+she gave a timid little rap, which was immediately answered by Mr.
+Dinsmore's voice saying, "Come in."
+
+Lucy opened the door and walked in, closing it after her.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore sat at a table writing, and he looked up with an
+expression of mingled surprise and impatience.
+
+"What do you want, Miss Lucy?" he said, "speak quickly, for I am
+very busy."
+
+"I just wanted to tell you, sir," replied Lucy, speaking up quite
+boldly, "that Elsie was not at all to blame about the vase; for it
+was Arthur who pushed her and made her fall against the table, and
+that was the way the vase came to fall and break."
+
+"What made him push her?" he asked.
+
+"Just because Elsie asked him, and Walter, and Enna to go out, for
+fear they might do some mischief."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore's pen was suspended over the paper for a moment,
+while he sat thinking with a somewhat clouded brow; but presently
+turning to the little girl, he said quite pleasantly, "Very well,
+Miss Lucy, I am much obliged to you for your information, for I
+should be very sorry to punish Elsie unjustly. And now will you do
+me the favor to go to her and tell her that her papa says she need
+not stay in her room any longer?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I will," replied Lucy, her face sparkling with delight
+as she hurried off with great alacrity to do his bidding.
+
+She found Elsie in her room crying violently, and throwing her
+arms around her neck she delivered Mr. Dinsmore's message,
+concluding with, "So now, Elsie, you see you needn't cry, nor feel
+sorry any more; but just dry your eyes and let us go down into the
+garden and have a good time."
+
+Elsie was very thankful to Lucy, and very glad that her papa now
+knew that she was not to blame; but she was still sorry for his
+loss, and his words had wounded her too deeply to be immediately
+forgotten; indeed it was some time before the sore spot they had
+made in her heart was entirely healed. But she tried to forget it
+all and enter heartily into the sports proposed by Lucy.
+
+The Carringtons were not to leave until the afternoon, and the
+little girls spent nearly the whole morning in the garden, coming
+into the drawing-room a few moments before the dinner-bell rang.
+
+Mrs. Carrington sat on a sofa engaged with some fancy work, while
+Herbert, who had not felt well enough to join the other children,
+had stretched himself out beside her, putting his head in her lap.
+
+Mr. Carrington and Mr. Horace Dinsmore were conversing near by.
+
+Lucy ran up to her papa and seated herself upon his knee with her
+arm around his neck; while Elsie stopped a moment to speak to
+Herbert, and then timidly approaching her father, with her eyes
+upon the floor, said in a low, half-frightened tone, that reached
+no ear but his, "I am very sorry about the vase, papa."
+
+He took her hand, and drawing her close to him, pushed back the
+hair from her forehead with his other hand, and bending down to
+her, said almost in a whisper, "Never mind, daughter, we will
+forget all about it. I am sorry I spoke so harshly to you, since
+Lucy tells me you were not so much to blame."
+
+Elsie's face flushed with pleasure, and she looked up gratefully;
+but before she had time to reply, Mrs. Carrington said, "Elsie, we
+want to take you home with us to spend a week; will you go?"
+
+"I should like to, very much, indeed, ma'am, if papa will let me,"
+replied the little girl, looking wistfully up into his face.
+
+"Well, Mr. Dinsmore, what do you say? I hope you can have no
+objection," said Mrs. Carrington, looking inquiringly at him;
+while her husband added, "Oh! yes, Dinsmore, you must let her go
+by all means; you can certainly spare her for a week, and it need
+be no interruption to her lessons, as she can share with Lucy in
+the instructions of our governess, who is really a superior
+teacher."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was looking very grave, and Elsie knew from the
+expression of his countenance what his answer would be, before he
+spoke. He had noticed the indignant glance Lucy had once or twice
+bestowed upon him, and remembering Arthur's report of the
+conversation between the two little girls the night before, had
+decided in his own mind that the less Elsie saw of Lucy the
+better.
+
+"I thank you both for your kind attention to my little girl," he
+replied courteously, "but while fully appreciating your kindness
+in extending the invitation, I must beg leave to decline it, as I
+am satisfied that home is the best place for her at present."
+
+"Ah! no, I suppose we ought hardly to have expected you to spare
+her so soon after your return," said Mrs. Carrington; "but,
+really, I am very sorry to be refused, for Elsie is such a good
+child that I am always delighted to have Lucy and Herbert with
+her."
+
+"Perhaps you think better of her than she deserves, Mrs.
+Carrington. I find that Elsie is sometimes naughty and in need of
+correction, as well as other children, and therefore, I think it
+best to keep her as much as possible under my own eye," replied
+Mr. Dinsmore, looking very gravely at his little daughter as he
+spoke.
+
+Elsie's face flushed painfully, and she had hard work to keep from
+bursting into tears. It was a great relief to her that just at
+that moment the dinner-bell rang, and there was a general movement
+in the direction of the dining-room. Her look was touchingly
+humble as her father led her in and seated her at the table.
+
+She was thinking, "Papa says I am naughty sometimes, but oh! how
+_very_ naughty he would think me if he knew all the wicked
+feelings I had yesterday."
+
+As soon as they had risen from the table, Mrs. Carrington bade
+Lucy go up to her maid to have her bonnet put on, as the carriage
+was already at the door.
+
+Elsie would have gone with her, but her father had taken her hand
+again, and he held it fast.
+
+She looked up inquiringly into his face.
+
+"Stay here," he said. "Lucy will be down again in a moment."
+
+And Elsie stood quietly at his side until Lucy returned.
+
+But even then her father did not relinquish his hold of her hand,
+and all the talking the little girls could do must be done close
+at his side.
+
+Yet, as he was engaged in earnest conversation with Mr.
+Carrington, and did not seem to be listening to them, Lucy
+ventured to whisper to Elsie, "I think it's real mean of him; he
+might let you go."
+
+"No," replied Elsie, in the same low tone, "I'm sure papa knows
+best; and besides, I _have_ been naughty, and don't deserve
+to go, though I should like to, dearly."
+
+"Well, good-bye," said Lucy, giving her a kiss.
+
+It was not until Mr. Carrington's carriage was fairly on its way
+down the avenue, that Mr. Dinsmore dropped his little girl's hand;
+and then he said, "I want you in the library, Elsie; come to me in
+half an hour."
+
+"Yes, papa, I will," she replied, looking a little frightened.
+
+"You need not be afraid," he said, in a tone of displeasure; "I am
+not going to hurt you."
+
+Elsie blushed and hung her head, but made no reply, and he turned
+away and left her. She could not help wondering what he wanted
+with her, and though she tried not to feel afraid, it was
+impossible to keep from trembling a little as she knocked at the
+library door.
+
+Her father's voice said, "Come in," and entering, she found him
+alone, seated at a table covered with papers and writing
+materials, while beside the account book in which he was writing
+lay a pile of money, in bank notes, and gold and silver.
+
+"Here, Elsie," he said, laying down his pen, "I want to give you
+your month's allowance. Your grandfather has paid it to you
+heretofore, but of course, now that I am at home, I attend to
+everything that concerns you. You have been receiving eight
+dollars--I shall give you ten," and he counted out the money and
+laid it before her as he spoke; "but I shall require a strict
+account of all that you spend. I want you to learn to keep
+accounts, for if you live, you will some day have a great deal of
+money to take care of; and here is a blank book that I have
+prepared, so that you can do so very easily. Every time that you
+lay out or give away any money, you must set it down here as soon
+as you come home; be particular about that, lest you should forget
+something, because you must bring your book to me at the end of
+every month, and let me see how much you have spent, and what is
+the balance in hand; and if you are not able to make it come out
+square, and tell me what you have done with every penny, you will
+lose either the whole or a part of your allowance for the next
+month, according to the extent of your delinquency. Do you
+understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Very well. Let me see now how much you can remember of your last
+month's expenditures. Take the book and set down everything you
+can think of."
+
+Elsie had a good memory, and was able to remember how she had
+spent almost every cent during the time specified; and she set
+down one item after another, and then added up the column without
+any mistake.
+
+"That was very well done," said her father approvingly. And then
+running over the items half aloud, "Candy, half a dollar;
+remember, Elsie, there is to be no more money disposed of in that
+way; not as a matter of economy, by any means, but because I
+consider is very injurious. I am very anxious that you should grow
+up strong and healthy. I would not for anything have you a
+miserable dyspeptic."
+
+Then suddenly closing the book and handing it to her, he said,
+inquiringly, "You were very anxious to go to Ashlands?"
+
+"I would have liked to go, papa, if you had been willing," she
+replied meekly.
+
+"I am afraid Lucy is not a suitable companion for you, Elsie. I
+think she puts bad notions into your head," he said very gravely.
+
+Elsie flushed and trembled, and was just opening her lips to make
+her confession, when the door opened and her grandfather entered.
+She could not speak before him, and so remained silent.
+
+"Does she not sometimes say naughty things to you?" asked her
+father, speaking so low that her grandfather could not have heard.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the little girl, almost under her breath.
+
+"I thought so," said he, "and therefore I shall keep you apart as
+entirely as possible; and I hope there will be no murmuring on
+your part."
+
+"No, papa, you know best," she answered, very humbly.
+
+Then, putting the money into her hands, he dismissed her. When she
+had gone out he sat for a moment in deep thought. Elsie's list of
+articles bought with her last month's allowance consisted almost
+entirely of gifts for others, generally the servants. There were
+some beads and sewing-silk for making a purse, and a few drawing
+materials; but with the exception of the candy, she had bought
+nothing else for herself. This was what her father was thinking
+of.
+
+"She is a dear, unselfish, generous little thing," he said to
+himself. "However, I may be mistaken; I must not allow myself to
+judge from only one month. She seems submissive, too,"--he had
+overheard what passed between her and Lucy at parting--"but
+perhaps that was for effect; she probably suspected I could hear
+her--and she thinks me a tyrant, and obeys from fear, not love."
+
+This thought drove away all the tender feeling that had been
+creeping into his heart; and when he next met his little daughter,
+his manner was as cold and distant as ever, and Elsie found it
+impossible to approach him with sufficient freedom to tell him
+what was in her heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTH
+
+
+   "Man is unjust, but God is just; and finally justice
+    Triumphs."
+                                 --LONGFELLOW'S _Evangeline_.
+
+                      "How disappointment tracks
+    The steps of hope!"
+                                 --MISS LANDON.
+
+
+One afternoon, the next week after the Carringtons had left, the
+younger members of the family, Arthur, Elsie, Walter and Enna,
+were setting out to take a walk, when Elsie, seeing a gold chain
+depending from the pocket of Arthur's jacket, exclaimed:
+
+"O Arthur! how _could_ you take grandpa's watch? _Do_
+put it away, for you will be almost sure to injure it."
+
+"Hold your tongue, Elsie; I'll do as I please," was the polite
+rejoinder.
+
+"But, Arthur, you _know_ that grandpa would never let you
+take it. I have often heard him say that it was very valuable, for
+it was seldom that so good a one could be had at any price; and I
+know that he paid a great deal for it."
+
+"Well, if he prizes it so, he needn't have left it lying on his
+table, and so I'll just teach him a lesson; it's about time he
+learnt to be careful."
+
+"O Arthur! do put it away," pleaded Elsie, "if anything should
+happen to it, what will grandpa say? I know he will be very angry,
+and ask us all who did it; and you know I cannot tell a lie, and
+if he asks me if it was you, I cannot say no."
+
+"Yes, I'll trust you for telling tales," replied Arthur,
+sneeringly; "but if you do, I'll pay you for it."
+
+He ran down the avenue as he spoke, Walter and Enna following, and
+Elsie slowly bringing up the rear, looking the picture of
+distress, for she knew not what to do, seeing that Arthur would
+not listen to her remonstrances, and, as often happened, all the
+older members of the family were out, and thus there was no
+authority that could be appealed to in time to prevent the
+mischief which she had every reason to fear would be done. Once
+she thought of turning back, that she might escape the necessity
+of being a witness in the case; but, remembering that her father
+told her she must walk with the others that afternoon, and also
+that, as she had already seen the watch in Arthur's possession,
+her testimony would be sufficient to convict him even if she saw
+no more, she gave up the idea, and hurried on, with the faint hope
+that she might be able to induce Arthur to refrain from indulging
+in such sports as would be likely to endanger the watch; or else
+to give it into her charge. At any other time she would have
+trembled at the thought of touching it; but now she felt so sure
+it would be safer with her than with him, that she would gladly
+have taken the responsibility.
+
+The walk was far from being a pleasure that afternoon; the boys
+ran so fast that it quite put her out of breath to keep up with
+them; and then every little while Arthur would cut some caper that
+made her tremble for the watch; answering her entreaties that he
+would either give it into her care or walk along quietly, with
+sneers and taunts, and declarations of his determination to do
+just exactly as he pleased, and not be ruled by her.
+
+But at length, while he was in the act of climbing a tree, the
+watch dropped from his pocket and fell to the ground, striking
+with considerable force.
+
+Elsie uttered a scream, and Arthur, now thoroughly frightened
+himself, jumped down and picked it up.
+
+The crystal was broken, the back dented, and how much the works
+were injured they could not tell; but it had ceased to run.
+
+"O Arthur! see what you've done!" exclaimed Walter.
+
+"What will papa say?" said Enna; while Elsie stood pale and
+trembling, not speaking a word.
+
+"You hush!" exclaimed Arthur fiercely. "I'll tell you what, if any
+of you dare to tell of me, I'll make you sorry for it to the last
+day of your life. Do you hear?"
+
+The question was addressed to Elsie in a tone of defiance.
+
+"Arthur," said she, "grandpa will know that _somebody_ did
+it, and surely you would not wish an innocent person to be
+punished for _your_ fault."
+
+"I don't care _who_ gets punished, so that papa does not find
+out that I did it," said he furiously; "and if you dare to tell of
+me, I'll pay you for it."
+
+"I shall say nothing, unless it becomes necessary to save the
+innocent, or I am forced to speak; but in that case I shall tell
+the truth," replied Elsie, firmly.
+
+Arthur doubled up his fist, and made a plunge at her as if he
+meant to knock her down; but Elsie sprang behind the tree, and
+then ran so fleetly toward the house that he was not able to
+overtake her until his passion had had time to cool.
+
+When they reached the house, Arthur replaced the watch on his
+father's table, whence he had taken it, and then they all awaited
+his return with what courage they might.
+
+"I say, Wally," said Arthur, drawing his little brother aside and
+speaking in a low tone, having first sent a cautious glance around
+to assure himself that no one else was within hearing; "I say,
+what would you give me for that new riding whip of mine?"
+
+"O Arthur! anything I've got," exclaimed the little boy eagerly.
+"But you wouldn't give it up, I know, and you're only trying to
+tease me."
+
+"No, indeed, Wal; I mean to _give_ it to you if you'll only
+be a good fellow and do as I tell you."
+
+"What?" he asked, with intense interest.
+
+"Tell papa that Jim broke the watch."
+
+"But he _didn't_" replied the child, opening his eyes wide
+with astonishment.
+
+"Well, what of that, you little goose?" exclaimed Arthur
+impatiently; "papa doesn't know that."
+
+"But Jim will get punished," said Walter, "and I don't want to
+tell such a big story either."
+
+"Very well, sir, then you'll not get the whip; and, besides, if
+you don't do as I wish, I'm certain you'll see a ghost one of
+these nights; for there's one comes to see me sometimes, and I'll
+send him right off to you."
+
+"Oh! _don't_, Arthur, don't; I'd die of fright," cried the
+little boy, who was very timid, glancing nervously around, as if
+he expected the ghost to appear immediately.
+
+"I tell you I will, though, if you don't do as I say; he'll come
+this very night and carry you off, and never bring you back."
+
+"O Arthur! don't let him come, and I'll say anything you want me
+to," cried the little fellow in great terror.
+
+"That's a good boy; I knew you would," said Arthur, smiling
+triumphantly. And turning away from Walter, he next sought out
+Enna, and tried his threats and persuasions upon her with even
+better success.
+
+Elsie had gone directly to her own room, where she sat trembling
+every time a footstep approached her door, lest it should be a
+messenger from her grandfather. No one came, however, and at last
+the tea-bell rang, and on going down she found to her relief that
+her grandfather and his wife had not yet returned.
+
+"You look pale, Elsie," said her father, giving her a scrutinizing
+glance as she took her seat by his side. "Are you well?"
+
+"Yes, papa, quite well," she replied.
+
+He looked at her again a little anxiously, but said no more; and
+as soon as the meal was concluded, Elsie hastened away to her own
+room again.
+
+It was still early in the evening when Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
+returned--for once, bringing no company with them; and he had not
+been many minutes in the house ere he took up his watch, and of
+course instantly discovered the injury it had sustained.
+
+His suspicions at once fell upon Arthur, whose character for
+mischief was well established; and burning with rage, watch in
+hand, he repaired to the drawing-room, which he entered, asking,
+in tones tremulous with passion, "Where is Arthur! Young rascal!
+this is some of _his_ work," he added, holding up the injured
+article.
+
+"My dear, how can you say so? have you any proof?" asked his wife,
+deprecatingly adding in her softest tones, "my poor boy seems to
+get the blame of everything that goes wrong."
+
+"He gets no more than he deserves," replied her husband angrily.
+"Arthur! Arthur, I say, where are you?"
+
+"He is in the garden, sir, I think. I saw him walking in the
+shrubbery a moment since," said Mr. Horace Dinsmore.
+
+The father instantly despatched a servant to bring him in; sending
+a second in search of the overseer; while a third was ordered to
+assemble all the house-servants. "I will sift this matter to the
+bottom, and child or servant, the guilty one shall suffer for it,"
+exclaimed the old gentleman, pacing angrily up and down the room.
+"Arthur," said he sternly, as the boy made his appearance, looking
+somewhat pale and alarmed, "how dared you meddle with my watch?"
+
+"I didn't, sir; I never touched it," he replied boldly, yet
+avoiding his father's eye as he uttered the deliberate falsehood.
+
+"There, my dear, I told you so," exclaimed his mother,
+triumphantly.
+
+"I don't believe you," said his father; "and if you are guilty, as
+I strongly suspect, you had better confess it at once, before I
+find it out in some other way."
+
+"I didn't do it, sir. It was Jim, and I can prove it by Walter and
+Enna; we all saw it fall from his pocket when he was up in a tree;
+and he cried like anything when he found it was broken, and said
+he didn't mean to do it any harm; he was only going to wear it a
+little while, and then put it back all safe; but now master would
+be dreadfully angry, and have him flogged."
+
+"That I will, if it is true," exclaimed the old gentleman,
+passionately; "he shall be well whipped and sent out to work on
+the plantation. I'll keep no such meddlers about my house."
+
+He looked at Enna. "What do you know of this?" he asked.
+
+"It is true, papa, I saw him do it," she replied, with a slight
+blush, and sending an uneasy glance around the room.
+
+"Did you see it, too, Walter?" asked his father.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the little fellow, in a low, reluctant tone;
+"but please, papa, don't punish him. I'm sure he didn't mean to
+break it."
+
+"Hold your tongue! he _shall_ be punished as he deserves,"
+cried the old gentleman, furiously. "Here, sir," turning to the
+overseer, and pointing to Jim, "take the fellow out, and give him
+such a flogging as he will remember."
+
+Elsie was sitting in her own room, trying to learn a lesson for
+the next day, but finding great difficulty in fixing her thoughts
+upon it, when she was startled by the sudden entrance of Aunt
+Chloe, who, with her apron to her eyes, was sobbing violently.
+
+"O mammy, mammy! what's the matter? has anything happened to you?"
+inquired the little girl, in a tone of great alarm, starting to
+her feet, and dropping her book in her haste and fright.
+
+"Why," sobbed Chloe, "Jim, he's been an' gone an' broke ole
+master's watch, an' he's gwine be whipped, an' old Aunt Phoebe
+she's cryin' fit to break her ole heart 'bout her boy, kase--"
+
+Elsie waited to hear no more, but darting out into the hall, and
+encountering her father on his way to his room, she rushed up to
+him, pale and agitated, and seizing his hand, looked up eagerly
+into his face, exclaiming with a burst of tears and sobs, "O papa,
+papa! don't, oh! _don't_ let them whip poor Jim."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore's countenance was very grave, almost distressed.
+
+"I am sorry it is necessary, daughter," he said, "but Jim has done
+very wrong, and deserves his punishment, and I cannot interfere."
+
+"Oh! no, papa, he did not, _indeed_ he did not break the
+watch. I _know_ he didn't, for I was by and saw it all."
+
+"Is it _possible?_" said he, in a tone of surprise; "then
+tell me who did do it. It could not have been you, Elsie?" and he
+looked searchingly into her face.
+
+"Oh! no, papa, I would never have dared to touch it. But please
+don't make me tell tales; but I know it wasn't Jim. Oh! _do_
+stop them quickly, before they begin to whip him."
+
+"Aunt Chloe," said Mr. Dinsmore, "go down to my father, and tell
+him it is my request that the punishment should be delayed a few
+moments until I come down."
+
+Then taking Elsie's hand, he led her into her room again, and
+seating himself, drew her to his side, saying, with grave
+decision, "Now, my daughter, if you want to save Jim, it will be
+necessary for you to tell _all_ you know about this affair."
+
+"I don't like to tell tales, papa," pleaded the little girl; "I
+think it so very mean. Is it not enough for me to tell that I know
+Jim didn't do it?"
+
+"No, Elsie; I have already said that it is _quite necessary_
+for you to tell _all you know_."
+
+"O papa! don't make me; I don't like to do it," she urged, with
+tears in her eyes.
+
+"I should be very much ashamed of you, and quite unwilling to own
+you as my child, if under any other circumstances you were willing
+to tell tales," he replied, in a tone of kindness that quite
+surprised Elsie, who always trembled at the very thought of
+opposing the slightest resistance to his will; "but," he added,
+firmly, "it is the only way to save Jim; if you do not now make a
+full disclosure of all you know, he will be severely whipped and
+sent away to work on the plantation, which will distress his poor
+old mother exceedingly. Elsie, I think you would be doing very
+wickedly to allow an innocent person to suffer when you can
+prevent it; and besides, I will add the weight of my authority, and
+say you _must do it at once_; and you well know, my daughter,
+that there can be no question as to the duty of obedience to your father."
+
+He paused, gazing earnestly down into the little tearful,
+downcast, blushing face at his side.
+
+"Have I not said enough to convince you of your duty?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, papa; I will tell you all about it," she answered in a
+tremulous tone.
+
+Her story was told with evident reluctance, but in a simple,
+straightforward manner, that attested its truthfulness.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore listened in silence, but with an expression of
+indignation on his handsome features; and the moment she had
+finished he rose, and again taking her hand, led her from the
+room, saying, as he did so:
+
+"You must repeat this story to your grandfather."
+
+"O papa! must I? Won't you tell him? please don't make me do it,"
+she pleaded tremblingly, and hanging back.
+
+"My daughter, you _must_," he replied, so sternly that she
+dared not make any further resistance, but quietly submitted to be
+led into her grandfather's presence.
+
+He was still in the drawing-room, walking about in a disturbed and
+angry manner, and now and then casting a suspicious glance upon
+Arthur, who sat pale and trembling in a corner, looking the
+picture of guilt and misery; for he had heard Chloe deliver his
+brother's message, and feared that exposure awaited him.
+
+Walter had stolen away to cry over Jim's punishment, and wish that
+he had had the courage to tell the truth at first; but saying to
+himself that it was too late now, his father wouldn't believe him,
+and he would make it up to Jim somehow, even if it took all his
+pocket-money for a month.
+
+None of the other members of the family had left the room, and all
+wore an anxious, expectant look, as Mr. Dinsmore entered, leading
+Elsie by the hand.
+
+"I have brought you another witness, sir," he said, "for it seems
+Elsie was present when the mischief was done."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed the old gentlemen; "then I may hope to get at the
+truth. Elsie, who broke my watch?"
+
+"It was not Jim, grandpa, indeed, _indeed_, it was not; but
+oh! _please_ don't make me say who it was," replied the little
+girl, beseechingly.
+
+"Elsie!" exclaimed her father, in a tone of stern reproof.
+
+"O papa! how can I?" she sobbed, trembling and clinging to his
+hand as she caught a threatening look from Arthur.
+
+"Come, come, child, you must tell us all you know about it," said
+her grandfather, "or else I can't let Jim off."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was looking down at his little girl, and, following
+the direction of her glance, perceived the cause of her terror.
+"Don't be afraid to speak out and tell all you know, daughter, for
+I will protect you," he said, pressing the little trembling hand
+in his, and at the same time giving Arthur a meaning look.
+
+"Yes, yes, speak out, child; speak out at once; no one shall hurt
+you for telling the truth," exclaimed her grandfather, impatiently.
+
+"I will, grandpa," she said, trembling and weeping; "but please
+don't be very angry with Arthur; if you will forgive him this
+time, I think he will never meddle any more; and I am quite sure
+he did not mean to break it."
+
+"So it _was you_, after all, you young rascal! I knew it from
+the first!" cried the old gentleman, striding across the room,
+seizing the boy by the shoulder and shaking him roughly.
+
+"But go on, Elsie, let us have the whole story," he added, turning
+to her again, but still keeping his hold upon Arthur. "You young
+dog!" he added, when she had finished. "Yes, I'll forgive you when
+you've had a good, sound flogging, and a week's solitary
+confinement on bread and water, but not before."
+
+So saying, he was about to lead him from the room, when Elsie
+suddenly sprang forward, and with clasped hands, and flushed,
+eager face, she pleaded earnestly, beseechingly, "O grandpa! don't
+whip him, don't punish him! He will never be so naughty again.
+Will you, Arthur? Let _me pay_ for the watch, grandpa, and
+don't punish him. I would so like to do it."
+
+"It isn't the moneyed value of the watch I care for, child,"
+replied the old gentleman, contemptuously; "and besides, where
+would you get so much money?"
+
+"I am rich, grandpa, am I not? Didn't my mamma leave me a great
+deal of money?" asked the little girl, casting down her eyes and
+blushing painfully.
+
+"No, Elsie," said her father, very gently, as he took her hand and
+led her back to the side of his chair again, "you have nothing but
+what I choose to give you, until you come of age, which will not
+be for a great many years yet."
+
+"But you _will_ give me the money to pay for the watch papa,
+_won't_ you?" she asked, pleadingly.
+
+"No, I certainly shall not, for I think Arthur should be left to
+suffer the penalty of his own misdeeds," he replied in a very
+decided tone; "and, besides," he added, "your grandfather has
+already told you that it is not the pecuniary loss he cares for."
+
+"No; but I will teach this young rascal to let my property alone,"
+said the elder gentleman with almost fierce determination, as he
+tightened his grasp upon the boy's arm and dragged him from the
+room.
+
+Arthur cast a look of hatred and defiance at Elsie as he went out,
+that made her grow pale with fear and tremble so that she could
+scarcely stand.
+
+Her father saw both the look and its effect, and drawing the
+little trembler closer to him, he put his arm around her, and
+stroking her hair, said in a low, soothing tone: "Don't be
+frightened, daughter; I will protect you."
+
+She answered him with a grateful look and a long sigh of relief,
+and he was just about to take her on his knee when visitors were
+announced, and, changing his mind, he dismissed her to her room,
+and she saw no more of him that evening.
+
+"Oh! if they only _hadn't_ come just now," thought the sorely
+disappointed child, as she went out with slow, reluctant steps.
+"I'm sure they wouldn't, if they had only known. I'm sure, quite
+sure papa was going to take me on his knee, and they prevented
+him. Oh! will be ever think of doing it again! Dear, dear papa, if
+you could only know how I long to sit there!" But Mrs. Dinsmore,
+who had hastily retired on the exit of Arthur and his father from
+the drawing-room, was now sailing majestically down the hall, on
+her return thither; and Elsie, catching sight of her, and being
+naturally anxious to avoid a meeting just then, at once quickened
+her pace very considerably, almost running up the stairs to her
+own room, where she found old Aunt Phoebe, Jim's mother, waiting
+to speak with her.
+
+The poor old creature was overflowing with gratitude, and her
+fervent outpouring of thanks and blessings almost made Elsie
+forget her disappointment for the time.
+
+Then Jim came to the door, asking to see Miss Elsie, and poured
+out his thanks amid many sobs and tears; for the poor fellow had
+been terribly frightened--indeed, so astounded by the unexpected
+charge, that he had not had a word to say in his own defence,
+beyond an earnest and reiterated assertion of his entire
+innocence; to which, however, his angry master had paid no
+attention.
+
+But at length Phoebe remembered that she had some baking to do,
+and calling on Jim to come right along and split up some dry wood
+to heat her oven, she went down to the kitchen followed by her
+son, and Elsie was left alone with her nurse.
+
+Chloe sat silently knitting, and the little girl, with her head
+leaning upon her hand and her eyes fixed thoughtfully upon the
+floor, was rehearsing again and again in her own mind all that had
+just passed between her papa and herself; dwelling with lingering
+delight upon everything approaching to a caress, every kind word,
+every soothing tone of his voice; and then picturing to herself
+all that he might have done and said if those unwelcome visitors
+had not come in and put an end to the interview; and half hoping
+that he would send for her when they had gone, she watched the
+clock and listened intently for every sound.
+
+But her bedtime came and she dared not stay up any longer; for his
+orders had been peremptory that she should always retire precisely
+at that hour, unless she had his express permission to remain up
+longer.
+
+She lay awake for some time, thinking of his unwonted kindness,
+and indulging fond hopes for the future, then fell asleep to dream
+that she was on her father's knee, and felt his arms folded
+lovingly about her, and his kisses warm upon her cheek.
+
+Her heart beat quickly as she entered the breakfast-room the next
+morning.
+
+The family were just taking their places at the table, and her
+half-eager, half-timid "Good morning, papa," was answered by a
+grave, absent "Good morning, Elsie," and turning to his father and
+entering into a conversation with him on some business matter, he
+took no further notice of his little daughter, excepting to see
+that her plate was well supplied with such articles of food as he
+allowed her to eat.
+
+Elsie was sadly disappointed, and lingered about the room in the
+vain hope of obtaining a smile or caress; but presently her father
+went out, saying to the elder Mr. Dinsmore that he was going to
+ride over to Ion, and would probably not return before night;
+then, with a sigh, the little girl went back to her own room to
+prepare her morning lessons.
+
+Elsie was now happily free from Arthur's persecutions for a time;
+for even after his release, he was too much afraid of his brother
+openly to offer her any very serious annoyance, though he plotted
+revenge in secret; yet the little girl's situation was far from
+comfortable, and her patience often severely tried, for Mrs.
+Dinsmore was excessively angry with her on Arthur's account, and
+whenever her father was not present, treated her in the most
+unkind manner; and from the same cause the rest of the family,
+with the exception of her grandpa and Aunt Adelaide, were
+unusually cold and distant; while her father, although careful to
+see that all her wants were attended to, seldom took any further
+notice of her; unless to reprove her for some childish fault
+which, however trifling, never escaped his eye.
+
+"You seem," said Adelaide to him one day, as he sent Elsie from
+the room for some very slight fault, "to expect that child to be a
+great deal more perfect than any grown person I ever saw, and to
+understand all about the rules of etiquette."
+
+"If you please, Adelaide," said he haughtily, "I should like to be
+allowed to manage my own child as I see proper, without any
+interference from others."
+
+"Excuse me," replied his sister; "I had no intention of
+interfering; but really, Horace, I do think you have no idea how
+eagle-eyed you are for faults in her, nor how _very_ stern is
+the tone in which you always reprove her. I have known Elsie a
+great deal longer than you have, and I feel very certain that a
+gentle reproof would do her quite as much good, and not wound her
+half so much."
+
+"Enough, Adelaide!" exclaimed her brother, impatiently. "If I were
+ten years _younger_ than yourself, instead of that much older,
+there might be some propriety in your advising and directing me thus;
+as it is, I must say I consider it simply impertinent." And he left the
+room with an angry stride, while Adelaide looked after him with the
+thought, "I am glad you have no authority over me."
+
+All that Adelaide had said was true; yet Elsie never complained,
+never blamed her father, even in her heart; but, in her deep
+humility, thought it was all because she was "so very naughty or
+careless;" and she was continually making resolutions to be "oh!
+_so_ careful always to do just right, and please dear papa,
+so that some day he might learn to love her."
+
+But, alas! that hope was daily growing fainter and fainter; his
+cold and distant manner to her and his often repeated reproofs had
+so increased her natural timidity and sensitiveness that she was
+now very constrained in her approaches to him, and seldom ventured
+to move or speak in his presence; and he would not see that this
+timidity and embarrassment were the natural results of his
+treatment, but attributed it all to want of affection. He saw that
+she feared him, and to that feeling alone he gave credit for her
+uniform obedience to his commands, while he had no conception of
+the intense, but now almost despairing love for him that burned in
+that little heart, and made the young life one longing, earnest
+desire and effort to gain his affection.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTH
+
+   "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
+    death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and
+    thy staff, they comfort me."
+                                 --_Psalm_ xxiii. 4.
+
+   "'Tis but the cruel artifice of fate,
+    Thus to refine and vary on our woes,
+    To raise us from despair and give us hopes,
+    Only to plunge us in the gulf again,
+    And make us doubly wretched."
+                                 --TRAP's _Abramuh_.
+
+
+It was Sabbath morning, and Elsie, ready dressed for church, stood
+in the portico waiting for her father to come down and lift her
+into the carriage, in which Adelaide, Louisa, and Enna were
+already seated.
+
+The coachman was in his seat, and the horses, a pair of young and
+fiery steeds purchased by Mr. Dinsmore only a few days before,
+were impatiently stamping and tossing their heads, requiring quite
+an exertion of strength to hold them in.
+
+"I don't exactly like the actions of those horses, Ajax," remarked
+Mr. Dinsmore, as he came out putting on his gloves; "I did not
+intend to have them put in harness to-day. Why did you not give us
+the old bays?"
+
+"Kase, Marster Horace, ole Kate she's got a lame foot, an' ole
+marster he says dese youngsters is got to be used some time or
+nuther, an' I reckoned I mout jis as well use 'em to-day."
+
+"Do you feel quite sure of being able to hold them in?" asked his
+master, glancing uneasily first at the horses and then at Elsie.
+
+"Ki! marster, dis here chile ben able to hold in a'most anything,"
+exclaimed the negro, exhibiting a double row of dazzlingly white
+teeth; "an' besides, I'se drove dese here hosses twice 'fore now,
+an' dey went splendid. Hold 'em in! Yes, sah, easy as nuffin."
+
+"Elsie," said her father, still looking a little uneasy, in spite
+of Ajax's boasting, "I think it would be just as well for you to
+stay at home."
+
+Elsie made no reply in words, but her answering look spoke such
+intense disappointment, such earnest entreaty, that, saying, "Ah!
+well, I suppose there is no real danger; and since you seem so
+anxious to go, I will not compel you to stay at home," he lifted
+her into the carriage, and seating himself beside her, ordered the
+coachman to drive on as carefully as he could.
+
+"Elsie, change seats with me," said Enna; "I want to sit beside
+Brother Horace."
+
+"No," replied Mr. Dinsmore, laying his hand on his little
+daughter's shoulder, "Elsie's place is by me, and she shall sit
+nowhere else."
+
+"Do you think we are in any danger of being run away with?" asked
+Adelaide, a little anxiously as she observed him glancing once or
+twice out of the window, and was at the same time sensible that
+their motion was unusually rapid.
+
+"The horses are young and fiery, but Ajax is an excellent driver,"
+he replied, evasively; adding, "You may be sure that if I had
+thought the danger very great I would have left Elsie at home."
+
+They reached the church without accident, but on their return the
+horses took fright while going down a hill, and rushed along at a
+furious rate, which threatened every instant to upset the
+carriage.
+
+Elsie thought they were going very fast, but did not know that
+there was real danger until her father suddenly lifted her from
+her seat, and placing her between his knees, held her tightly, as
+though he feared she would be snatched from his grasp.
+
+Elsie looked up into his face. It was deadly pale, and his eyes
+were fixed upon her with an expression of anguish.
+
+"Dear papa," she whispered, "God will take care of us."
+
+"I would give all I am worth to have you safe at home," he
+answered hoarsely, pressing her closer and closer to him.
+
+O! even in that moment of fearful peril, when death seemed just at
+hand, those words, and the affectionate clasp of her father's arm,
+sent a thrill of intense joy to the love-famished heart of the
+little girl.
+
+But destruction seemed inevitable. Lora was leaning back, half
+fainting with terror; Adelaide scarcely less alarmed, while Enna
+clung to her, sobbing most bitterly.
+
+Elsie alone preserved a cheerful serenity. She had built her house
+upon the rock, and knew that it would stand. Her destiny was in
+her Heavenly Father's hands, and she was content to leave it
+there. Even death had no terrors to the simple, unquestioning
+faith of the little child who had put her trust in Jesus.
+
+But they were not to perish thus; for at that moment a powerful
+negro, who was walking along the road, hearing an unusual sound,
+turned about, caught sight of the vehicle coming toward him at
+such a rapid rate, and instantly comprehending the peril of the
+travellers, planted himself in the middle of the road, and, at the
+risk of life and limb, caught the horses by the bridle--the sudden
+and unexpected check throwing them upon their haunches, and
+bringing the carriage to an instant stand-still.
+
+"Thank God, we are saved! That fellow shall be well rewarded for
+his brave deed," exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, throwing open the
+carriage door.
+
+Then, leaping to the ground, he lifted Elsie out, set her down,
+and gave his hand to his sisters one after the other.
+
+They were almost at the entrance of the avenue, and all preferred
+to walk the short distance to the house rather than again trust
+themselves to the horses.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore lingered a moment to speak to the man who had done
+them such good service, and to give some directions to the
+coachman; and then, taking the hand of his little girl, who had
+been waiting for him, he walked slowly on, neither of them
+speaking a word until they reached the house, when he stooped and
+kissed her cheek, asking very kindly if she had recovered from her
+fright.
+
+"Yes, papa," she answered, in a quiet tone, "I knew that God would
+take care of us. Oh! wasn't He good to keep us all from being
+killed?"
+
+"Yes," he said, very gravely. "Go now and let mammy get you ready
+for dinner."
+
+As Elsie was sitting alone in her room that afternoon she was
+surprised by a visit from Lora; it being very seldom that the
+elder girls cared to enter her apartment.
+
+Lora looked a little pale, and more grave and thoughtful than
+Elsie had ever seen her. For a while she sat in silence, then
+suddenly burst out, "Oh, Elsie! I can't help thinking all the
+time, what if we had been killed! where would we all be now? where
+would _I_ have been? I believe _you_ would have gone straight
+to heaven, Elsie; but _I_--oh! I should have been with the rich man
+the minister read about this morning, lifting up my eyes in torment."
+
+And Lora covered her face with her hands and shuddered.
+
+Presently she went on again. "I was terribly frightened, and so
+were the rest--all but you, Elsie; tell me, _do_--what kept
+_you_ from being afraid?"
+
+"I was thinking," said Elsie gently, turning over the leaves of
+her little Bible as she spoke, "of this sweet verse: 'Yea, though
+I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
+evil; for thou art with me;' and oh, Lora! it made me so happy to
+think that Jesus was there with me, and that if I were killed, I
+should only fall asleep, to wake up again in His arms; then how
+could I be afraid?"
+
+"Ah! I would give anything to feel as you do," said Lora, sighing.
+"But tell me, Elsie, did you not feel afraid for the rest of us?
+I'm sure you must know that _we_ are not Christians; we don't
+even pretend to be."
+
+Elsie blushed and looked down.
+
+"It all passed so quickly, you know, Lora, almost in a moment,"
+she said, "so that I only had time to think of papa and myself;
+and I have prayed so much for him that I felt quite sure God would
+spare him until he should be prepared to die. It was very selfish,
+I know," she added with deep humility; "but it was only for a
+moment, and I can't tell you how thankful I was for _all_ our
+spared lives."
+
+"Don't look so--as if you had done something very wicked, Elsie,"
+replied Lora, sighing again. "I'm sure we have given you little
+enough reason to care whatever becomes of us; but oh! Elsie, if
+you can only tell me how to be a Christian, I mean now to try very
+hard; indeed, I am determined never to rest until I am one."
+
+"Oh, Lora, how glad I am!" cried Elsie, joyfully, "for I know that
+if you are really in earnest, you will succeed; for no one ever
+yet failed who tried aright. Jesus said, '_Every one_ that
+asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that
+knocketh, it _shall_ be opened.' Is not _that_ encouraging?
+And listen to what God says here in _this_ verse: 'Ye shall seek
+me and _find_ me, when ye shall search for me with _all your
+heart_.' So you see, dear Lora, if you will only seek the Lord with
+your _whole heart_, you may be _sure_, _quite_ sure
+of finding Him."
+
+"Yes," said Lora, "but you have not answered my question;
+_how_ am I to seek? that is, what means am I to use to get
+rid of my sins, and get a new heart? how make myself pleasing in
+the sight of God? what must I _do_ to be saved?"
+
+"That is the very question the jailer put to Paul, and he
+answered, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
+saved,'" replied Elsie, quickly turning to the chapter and
+pointing out the text with her finger, that Lora might see that
+she had quoted it correctly. "And in answer to your other
+question, 'How shall I get rid of my sins?' see here: 'In that day
+there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the
+inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanliness.' That is
+in Zechariah; then John tells us what that fountain is when he
+says, 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all
+sin;' and again, 'Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our
+sins in His own blood.'"
+
+"Yes, Elsie, but what must I _do_?" asked Lora, eagerly.
+
+"Do, Lora? only _believe_" replied Elsie, in the same earnest
+tone. "Jesus has done and suffered all that is necessary; and now
+we have nothing at all to do but go to Him and be washed in that
+fountain; believe Him when He says, 'I _give_ unto them eternal
+life;' just accept the gift, and trust and love Him; that is the whole
+of it, and it is so simple that even such a little girl as I can
+understand it."
+
+"But surely, Elsie, I _can_, I _must do something_."
+
+"Yes, God tells us to repent; and He says, 'Give me thine heart;'
+you can do that; you can love Jesus; at least He will enable you
+to, if you ask Him, and He will teach you to be sorry for your
+sins; the Bible says, 'He is exalted to give repentance and
+remission of sins;' and if you ask Him He will give them to you.
+It is true we cannot do anything good of ourselves; without the
+help of the Holy Spirit we can do nothing right, because we are so
+very wicked; but then we can always get that help if we ask for
+it. Jesus said, 'Your Heavenly Father is more willing to give His
+Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than parents are to give good
+gifts unto their children. Oh, Lora! don't be afraid to ask for
+it; don't be afraid to come to Jesus, for He says, 'Him that
+cometh unto Me, I will in nowise cast out;' and He is such a
+precious Saviour, so kind and loving. But remember that you must
+come very humbly; feeling that you are a great sinner, and not
+worthy to be heard, and only hoping to be forgiven, because Jesus
+died. The Bible says, 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
+unto the humble.'"
+
+Lora lingered the greater part of the afternoon in Elsie's room,
+asking her questions, or listening to her while she read the
+Scriptures, or repeated some beautiful hymn, or spoke in her
+sweet, childish way, of her own peace and joy in believing in
+Jesus.
+
+But at last Lora went to her own room, and Elsie had another quiet
+half-hour to herself before the tea-bell again called the family
+together.
+
+Elsie answered the summons with a light heart--a heart that
+thrilled with a new and strange sense of happiness as she
+remembered her father's evident anxiety for her safety during
+their perilous ride, recalling each word and look, and feeling
+again, in imagination, the clasp of his arm about her waist.
+
+"Ah! surely papa does love me," she murmured to herself over and
+over again; and when he met her at the table with a kind smile,
+and laying his hand caressingly on her head, asked in an
+affectionate tone, "How does my little daughter do this evening?"
+her cheeks flushed, and her eyes grew bright with happiness, and
+she longed to throw her arms around his neck, and tell him how
+very, very much she loved him.
+
+But that was quite impossible at the table, and before all the
+family; so she merely raised her glad eyes to his face and
+answered, "I am very well, thank you, papa."
+
+But, after all, this occurrence produced but little change in
+Elsie's condition; her father treated her a little more
+affectionately for a day or two, and then gradually returned to
+his ordinary stern, cold manner; indeed, before the week was out,
+she was again in sad disgrace.
+
+She was walking alone in the garden one afternoon, when her
+attention was attracted by a slight fluttering noise which seemed
+to proceed from an arbor near by, and on hastily turning in to
+ascertain the cause, she found a tiny and beautiful humming-bird
+confined under a glass vase; in its struggles to escape it was
+fluttering and beating against the walls of its prison, thus
+producing the sound the little girl had heard in passing.
+
+Elsie was very tender-hearted, and could never see any living
+creature in distress without feeling a strong desire to relieve
+its sufferings. She knew that Arthur was in the habit of torturing
+every little insect and bird that came in his way, and had often
+drawn his persecutions upon herself by interfering in behalf of
+the poor victim; and now the thought instantly flashed upon her
+that _this_ was some of his work, and that he would return
+ere long to carry out his cruel purposes. Then at once arose the
+desire to release the little prisoner and save it further
+suffering, and without waiting to reflect a moment she raised the
+glass, and the bird was gone.
+
+Then she began to think with a little tremor, how angry Arthur
+would be; but it was too late to think of that now, and, after
+all, she did not stand in very great dread of the consequences,
+especially as she felt nearly sure of her father's approval of
+what she had done, having several times heard him reprove Arthur
+for his cruel practices.
+
+Not caring to meet Arthur then, however, she hastily retreated to
+the house, where she seated herself in the veranda with a book. It
+was a very warm afternoon, and that, being on the east side of the
+house and well protected by trees, shrubbery, and vines, was as
+cool a spot as could be found on the place.
+
+Arthur, Walter and Enna sat on the floor playing jack-stones--a
+favorite game with them--and Louise was stretched full length on a
+settee, buried in the latest novel.
+
+"Hush!" she said, as Walter gave a sudden shout at a successful
+toss Enna had just made; "can't you be quiet? Mamma is taking her
+afternoon nap, and you will disturb her; and, besides, I cannot
+read in such a noise."
+
+Elsie wondered why Arthur did not go to see after his bird, but
+soon forgot all about it in the interest with which she was poring
+over the story of the "Swiss Family Robinson."
+
+The jack-stone players were just finishing their game when they
+were all startled by the sudden appearance of Mr. Horace Dinsmore
+upon the scene, asking in a tone of great wrath who had been down
+in the garden and liberated the humming-bird he had been at such
+pains to catch, because it was one of a rare species, and he was
+anxious to add it to his collection of curiosities.
+
+Elsie was terribly frightened, and would have been glad at that
+moment to sink through the floor; she dropped her book in her lap,
+and clasping her hands over her beating heart, grew pale and red
+by turns, while she seemed choking with the vain effort to speak
+and acknowledge herself the culprit, as conscience told her she
+ought.
+
+But her father was not looking at her; his eye was fixed on
+Arthur.
+
+"I presume it was you, sir," he said very angrily, "and if so, you
+may prepare yourself for either a flogging or a return to your
+prison, for one or the other I am determined you shall have."
+
+"I didn't _do_ it, any such thing," replied the boy,
+fiercely.
+
+"Of course you will deny it," said his brother, "but we all know
+that your word is good for nothing."
+
+"Papa," said a trembling little voice, "Arthur did not do it; it
+was I."
+
+"You," exclaimed her father, in a tone of mingled anger and
+astonishment, as he turned his flashing eye upon her, "_you_,
+Elsie! can it be _possible_ that this is _your_ doing?"
+
+Elsie's book fell on the floor, and, covering her face with both
+hands, she burst into sobs and tears.
+
+"Come here to me this instant," he said, seating himself on the
+settee, from which Louise had risen on his entrance. "Come here
+and tell me what you mean by meddling with my affairs in this
+way."
+
+"Please, papa, _please_ don't be so very angry with me,"
+sobbed the little girl, as she rose and came forward in obedience
+to his command; "I didn't know it was your bird, and I didn't mean
+to be naughty."
+
+"No, you _never mean_ to be naughty, according to your own
+account," he said; "your badness is all accident; but nevertheless,
+I find you a very troublesome, mischievous child; it was only the
+other day you broke a valuable vase" (he forgot in his anger how little
+she had really been to blame for that), "and now you have caused me
+the loss of a rare specimen which I had spent a great deal of time
+and effort in procuring. Really, Elsie, I am sorely tempted to administer
+a very severe punishment"
+
+Elsie caught at the arm of the settee for support.
+
+"Tell me what you did it for; was it pure love of mischief?" asked
+her father, sternly, taking hold of her arm and holding her up by
+it.
+
+"No, papa," she answered almost under her breath. "I was sorry for
+the little bird. I thought Arthur had put it there to torture it,
+and so I let it go. I did not mean to do wrong, papa, indeed I did
+not," and the tears fell faster and faster.
+
+"Indeed," said he, "you had no business to meddle with it, let who
+would have put it there. Which hand did it?"
+
+"This one, papa," sobbed the child, indicating her right hand.
+
+He took it in his and held it a moment, while the little girl
+stood tremblingly awaiting what was to come next. He looked at the
+downcast, tearful face, the bosom heaving with sobs, and then at
+the little trembling hand he held, so soft, and white, and tender,
+and the sternness of his countenance relaxed somewhat; it seemed
+next to impossible to inflict pain upon anything so tender and
+helpless; and for a moment he was half inclined to kiss and
+forgive her. But no, he had been very much irritated at his loss,
+and the remembrance of it again aroused his anger, and well-nigh
+extinguished the little spark of love and compassion that had
+burned for a moment in his heart. She should be punished, though
+he would not inflict physical pain.
+
+"See, Elsie," laughed Louise, maliciously, "he is feeling in his
+pocket for his knife. I suspect he intends to cut your hand off."
+
+Elsie started, and the tearful eyes were raised to her father's
+face with a look half of terrified entreaty, half of confidence
+that such _could not_ be his intention.
+
+"Hush, Louise!" exclaimed her brother, sternly; "you _know_
+you are not speaking truly, and that I would as soon think of
+cutting off my own hand as my child's. You should never speak
+anything but truth, especially to children."
+
+"I think it is well enough to frighten them a little sometimes,
+and I thought that was what you were going to do," replied Louise,
+looking somewhat mortified at the rebuke.
+
+"No," said her brother, "that is a very bad plan, and one which I
+shall never adopt. Elsie will learn in time, if she does not know
+it now, that I never utter a threat which I do not intend to carry
+out, and never break my word."
+
+He had drawn a handkerchief from his pocket while speaking.
+
+"I shall tie this hand up, Elsie," he said, proceeding to do so;
+"those who do not use their hands aright must be deprived of the
+use of them. There! let me see if that will keep it out of
+mischief. I shall tie you up hand and foot before long, if you
+continue such mischievous pranks. Now go to your room, and stay
+there until tea-time."
+
+Elsie felt deeply, bitterly disgraced and humiliated as she turned
+to obey; and it needed not Arthur's triumphant chuckle nor the
+smirk of satisfaction on Enna's face to add to the keen suffering
+of her wounded spirit; this slight punishment was more to her than
+a severe chastisement would have been to many another child; for
+the very knowledge of her father's displeasure was enough at any
+time to cause great pain to her sensitive spirit and gentle,
+loving heart.
+
+Walter, who was far more tender-hearted than either his brother or
+sister, felt touched by the sight of her distress, and ran after
+her to say, "Never mind, Elsie; I am ever so sorry for you, and I
+don't think you were the least bit naughty."
+
+She thanked him with a grateful look, and a faint attempt to smile
+through her tears; then hurried on to her room, where she seated
+herself in a chair by the window, and laying her arms upon the
+sill, rested her head upon them, and while the bitter tears fell
+fast from her eyes she murmured half aloud, "Oh! why am I always
+so naughty? always doing something to displease my dear papa? how
+I wish I could be good, and make him love me! I am afraid he never
+will if I vex him so often."
+
+Then an earnest, importunate prayer for help to do right, and
+wisdom to understand how to gain her father's love, went up from
+the almost despairing little heart to Him whose ear is ever open
+unto the cry of His suffering children. And thus between weeping,
+mourning, and praying, an hour passed slowly away, and the tea-
+bell rang.
+
+Elsie started up, but sat down again, feeling that she would much
+rather do without her supper than show her tear-swollen eyes and
+tied-up hand at the table.
+
+But she was not to be left to her choice in the matter, for
+presently there came a messenger bringing a peremptory command
+from her father "to come down _immediately_ to her supper."
+
+"Did you not hear the bell?" he asked, in his sternest tone, as
+she tremblingly took her seat at his side.
+
+"Yes, sir," she answered, in a low, tremulous tone.
+
+"Very well, then; remember that you are always to come down the
+moment the bell rings, unless you are directed otherwise, or are
+sick; and the next time you are so late, I shall send you away
+without your meal."
+
+"I don't want any supper, papa," she said, humbly.
+
+"Hush," he replied, severely; "I will have no pouting or sulking;
+you must just eat your supper and behave yourself. Stop this
+crying at once," he added, in an undertone, as he spread some
+preserves on a piece of bread and laid it on her plate, "or I
+shall take you away from the table, and if I do, you will be very
+sorry."
+
+He watched her a moment while she made a violent effort to choke
+back her tears.
+
+"What is your hand tied up for, Elsie?" asked her grandfather;
+"have you been hurt?"
+
+Elsie's face flushed painfully, but she made no reply.
+
+"You must speak when you are spoken to," said her father; "answer
+your grandfather's question at once."
+
+"Papa tied it up, because I was naughty," replied the little girl,
+vainly striving to suppress a sob.
+
+Her father made a movement as if about to lead her from the table.
+
+"O papa! _don't_" she cried, in terror; "I will be good."
+
+"Let me have no more crying, then," said he; "this is shameful
+behavior for a girl eight years old; it would be bad enough in a
+child of Enna's age." He took out his handkerchief and wiped her
+eyes. "Now," said he, "begin to eat your supper at once, and don't
+let me have to reprove you again."
+
+Elsie tried to obey, but it seemed very difficult, indeed almost
+impossible, while she knew that her father was watching her
+closely, and _felt_ that everybody else was looking at her
+and thinking, "What a naughty little girl you are!"
+
+"Oh!" thought the poor child, "if papa would only quit looking at
+me, and the rest would forget all about me and eat their suppers,
+maybe I could keep from crying." Then she sent up a silent prayer
+for help, struggling hard to keep back the tears and sobs that
+were almost suffocating her, and taking up her slice of bread,
+tried to eat.
+
+She was very thankful to her Aunt Adelaide for addressing a
+question to her papa just at that moment, thus taking his
+attention from her, and then adroitly setting them all to talking
+until the little girl had had time to recover her composure, at
+least in a measure.
+
+"May I go to my room now, papa?" asked the timid little voice as
+they rose from the table.
+
+"No," he said, taking her hand and leading her out to the veranda,
+where he settled himself in an easy-chair and lighted a cigar.
+
+"Bring me that book that lies yonder on the settee," he commanded.
+
+She brought it.
+
+"Now," said he, "bring that stool and set yourself down here close
+at my knee, and let me see if I can keep you out of mischief for
+an hour or two."
+
+"May I get a book to read, papa?" she asked timidly.
+
+"No," said he shortly. "You may just do what I bid you, and
+nothing more nor less."
+
+She sat down as he directed, with her face turned toward him, and
+tried to amuse herself with her own thoughts, and watching the
+expression of his countenance as he read on and on, turning leaf
+after leaf, too much interested in his book to take any further
+notice of her.
+
+"How handsome my papa is!" thought the little girl, gazing with
+affectionate admiration into his face. And then she sighed, and
+tears trembled in her eyes again. She admired her father, and loved
+him, "oh! _so_ dearly," as she often whispered to herself; but
+would she ever meet with anything like a return of her  fond affection?
+There was an aching void in her heart which nothing else could fill;
+must it always be thus? was her craving for affection never to be
+satisfied? "O, papa! my own papa, will you never love me?" mourned
+the sad little heart. "Ah! if I could only be good always, perhaps
+he would; but I am so often naughty; --whenever he begins to be kind
+I am sure to do something to vex him, and then it is all over. Oh! I
+_wish_ I _could_ be good! I will try very, _very_ hard.
+Ah! if I might climb on his knee now, and lay my head on his breast,
+and put my arms round his neck, and tell him how sorry I am that I
+have been naughty, and made him lose his bird; and how much--oh!
+_how_ much I love him! But I know I never could tell him _that_
+--I don't know how to express it; no _words could_, I am sure.
+And if he would forgive me, and kiss me, and call me his dear little
+daughter. Oh! will he _ever_ call me _that?_ Or if I, might
+only stand beside him and lay my head on his shoulder, and
+he would put his arm around me, it would make me _so_ happy."
+
+An exclamation from Enna caused Elsie to turn her head, and
+suddenly springing to her feet, she exclaimed in an eager, excited
+way, "Papa, there is a carriage coming up the avenue--it must be
+visitors; please, _please_, papa, let me go to my room."
+
+"Why?" he asked coolly, looking up from his book, "why do you wish
+to go?"
+
+"Because I don't want to see them, papa," she said, hanging her
+head and blushing deeply; "I don't want them to see me."
+
+"You are not usually afraid of visitors," he replied in the same
+cool tone.
+
+"But they will see that my hand is tied up, and they will ask what
+is the matter. O papa! do, _please_ do let me go quickly,
+before they get here," she pleaded in an agony of shame and haste.
+
+"No," said he, "I shall not let you go, if it were only to punish
+you for getting off the seat where I bade you stay, without
+permission. You will have to learn that I am to be obeyed at all
+times, and under all circumstances. Sit down, and don't dare to
+move again until I give you leave."
+
+Elsie sat down without another word, but two bitter, scalding
+tears rolled quickly down her burning cheeks.
+
+"You needn't cry, Elsie," said her father; "it is only an old
+gentleman who comes to see your grandfather on business, and who,
+as he never notices children, will not be at all likely to ask any
+questions. I hope you will learn some day, Elsie, to save your
+tears until there is really some occasion for them."
+
+The old gentleman had alighted while Mr. Dinsmore was speaking;
+Elsie saw that he was alone, and the relief was so great that for
+once she scarcely heeded her father's rebuke.
+
+Another half-hour passed, and Mr. Dinsmore still sat reading,
+taking no notice of Elsie, who, afraid to speak or move, was
+growing very weary and sleepy. She longed to lay her head on her
+father's knee, but dared not venture to take such a liberty; but
+at length she was so completely overpowered by sleep as to do so
+unconsciously.
+
+The sound of his voice pronouncing her name aroused her.
+
+"You are tired and sleepy," said he; "if you would like to go to
+bed you may do so."
+
+"Thank you, papa," she replied, rising to her feet.
+
+"Well," he said, seeing her hesitate, "speak, if you have anything
+to say."
+
+"I am very sorry I was naughty, papa. Will you please forgive me?"
+The words were spoken very low, and almost with a sob.
+
+"Will you try not to meddle in future, and not to cry at the
+table, or pout and sulk when you are punished?" he asked in a
+cold, grave tone.
+
+"Yes, sir, I will try to be a good girl always," said the humble
+little voice.
+
+"Then I will forgive you," he replied, taking the handkerchief off
+her hand.
+
+Still Elsie lingered. She felt as if she could not go without some
+little token of forgiveness and love, some slight caress.
+
+He looked at her with an impatient "Well?" Then, in answer to her
+mute request, "No," he said, "I will not kiss you to-night; you
+have been entirely too naughty. Go to your room at once."
+
+Aunt Chloe was absolutely frightened by the violence of her
+child's grief, as she rushed into the room and flung herself into
+her arms weeping and sobbing most vehemently.
+
+"What's de matter, darlin'?" she asked in great alarm.
+
+"O mammy, mammy!" sobbed the child, "papa wouldn't kiss me! he
+said I was too naughty. O mammy! will he ever love me now?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTH
+
+
+   "The smallest worm will turn, being trodden on."
+                               --SHAKESPEARE, _Richard III_.
+
+   "A blossom full of promise is life's joy,
+    That never comes to fruit. Hope, for a time,
+    Suns the young flow'ret in its gladsome light,
+    And it looks flourishing--a little while--
+    'Tis pass'd, we know not whither, but 'tis gone."
+                                 --MISS LANDON.
+
+
+It was Miss Day's custom to present to the parents of her pupils a
+monthly report of their conduct and recitations. The regular time
+for this had occurred once since Mr. Horace Dinsmore's return,
+when she, of course, handed Elsie's to him.
+
+It was very satisfactory, for Elsie was a most diligent scholar,
+carrying her religious principles into that as well as everything
+else; and disposed as Miss Day was to find fault with her, she
+could seldom see any excuse for so doing, in either her conduct or
+recitations.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore glanced over the report and handed it back, saying,
+"It is all very good; very satisfactory indeed. I am glad to see
+that she is industrious and well behaved, for I wish her to grow
+up an intelligent and amiable woman."
+
+Elsie, who was standing near, heard the words, and they sent a
+glow of pleasure to her cheeks. She looked up eagerly; but her
+father turned and walked away without taking any notice of her,
+and the glow of happiness faded, and the soft eyes filled with
+tears of wounded feeling.
+
+It was now time for a second report; but alas! the past month had
+been a most unfortunate one for the little girl; the weather was
+very warm, and she had felt languid and weak, and so much were her
+thoughts occupied with the longing desire to gain her father's
+love, so depressed were her spirits by her constant failure to do
+so, that she often found it impossible to give her mind to her
+lessons.
+
+Arthur, too, during much of the time before and since the week of
+his imprisonment, had been more than usually annoying, shaking her
+chair and jogging her elbow so frequently when she was writing,
+that her copy-book presented by no means so good an appearance as
+usual; and never had Miss Day made out so poor a report for her.
+She carried it with much secret satisfaction to the little girl's
+father, and entered a long complaint of the child's idleness and
+inattention.
+
+"Send her to me," he said, angrily. "She will find me in my own
+room."
+
+Miss Day had left Elsie in the school-room putting her desk in
+order after the day's work, and she found her still there on her
+return.
+
+"Elsie," said she, with a malicious smile, "your father wishes to
+see you immediately. He is in his room."
+
+The child turned red and pale by turns, and trembled so violently
+that for a moment she was quite unable to move; for she guessed
+from Miss Day's countenance what was probably in store for her.
+
+"I advise you to go at once," said that lady, "for no doubt the
+longer you wait the worse it will be for you."
+
+At the same moment Mr. Dinsmore's voice was heard calling in a
+stern, angry tone, "Elsie!"
+
+Making a violent effort to control her feelings, she started up
+and hastened to obey.
+
+The door of his room stood open, and she walked in, asking in a
+trembling voice, "Did you call me, papa?"
+
+"Yes," said he, "I did. Come here to me."
+
+He was sitting with the copy-book and report in his hand, and
+there was much severity in both tone and look as he addressed her.
+
+She obeyed instantly, but trembling violently, and with a face
+pale as death, and eyes filled with tears. She lifted them
+pleadingly to his face; and, touched by her evident terror and
+distress, he said in a tone somewhat less stern, "Can you tell me,
+Elsie, how it happens that your teacher brings me so bad a report
+of your conduct and lessons during the past month? She says you
+have been very idle; and the report tells the same story; and this
+copy-book presents a shameful appearance."
+
+The child answered only by tears and sobs.
+
+They seemed to irritate him.
+
+"Elsie," he said, sternly, "when I ask a question, I require an
+answer, and that instantly."
+
+"O papa!" she answered, pleadingly, "I couldn't study. I'm very
+sorry--I'll try to do better--only don't be very angry with me,
+dear papa."
+
+"I am angry with you; very angry, indeed," said he in the same
+severe tone, "and very strongly inclined to punish you. You
+_couldn't_ study, eh? What reason can you assign, pray? Were
+you not well?"
+
+"I don't know, sir," sobbed the little girl.
+
+"You don't _know_? Very well, then, I think you could not be
+very ill without knowing it, and so you seem to have no excuse at
+all to offer? However, I will not inflict any punishment upon you
+_this_ time, as you seem to be really sorry, and have promised to do
+better; but beware how you let me see such a report as this, or hear such
+complaints of idleness again, unless you wish to be _severely punished_;
+and I warn you that unless your next copy-book presents a better
+appearance  than this, I certainly shall punish you.
+
+"There are a number of pages here that look quite well," he
+continued, turning over the leaves; "that shows what you
+_can_ do, if you choose; now there is an old saying, 'A bird
+that _can_ sing, and _won't_ sing, must be _made_ to sing.'
+Hush!" as Elsie seemed about to speak; "not a word. You
+may go now." And throwing himself back in his easy-chair, he took up a
+newspaper and began to read.
+
+Yet Elsie lingered; her heart so yearned for one word or look of
+sympathy and love; she so longed to throw herself into his arms
+and tell him how dearly, how _very_ dearly she loved him; she
+did so hunger and thirst for one fond caress--ah! how could she go
+away without it now, when for the very first time she found
+herself alone with him in his own room, where she had never
+ventured before, but where she had often been in her brightest
+dreams.
+
+And so she lingered, trembling, hoping, fearing; but presently he
+looked up with a cold "Why do you stand there? I gave you
+permission to go; go at once." And with a sinking heart she turned
+away and sought the solitude of her own room, there to weep, and
+mourn, and pray that she might one day possess the love she so
+pined for, and bitterly to reproach herself for having by the
+failures of the past month put it farther from her.
+
+And soon a thought came to her which added greatly to her
+distress. If Arthur continued his persecutions, how could she make
+the next copy-book more presentable? and in case it were not, her
+father had said positively that he would punish her; and oh! how
+could she bear punishment from him, when a word or look of
+displeasure almost broke her heart?
+
+Miss Day seldom remained in the school-room during the whole of
+the writing hour, and sometimes the older girls were also absent,
+so that Arthur had ample opportunity to indulge his mischievous
+propensities; for Elsie was above the meanness of telling tales,
+and had she not been, Arthur was so great a favorite with his
+mother that she would have brought a great deal of trouble upon
+herself by so doing.
+
+She therefore saw no escape from the dreaded punishment, unless
+she could persuade the perverse boy to cease his annoyances; and
+of that there was little hope.
+
+But she carried her trouble to her Heavenly Father, and asked Him
+to help her. She was still on her knees, pouring out her sobs and
+prayers, when some one knocked at the door.
+
+She rose and opened it to find her Aunt Adelaide standing there.
+
+"Elsie," she said, "I am writing to Miss Rose; have you any word
+to send? You may write a little note, if you choose, and I will
+enclose it in my letter. But what is the matter, child?" she
+suddenly exclaimed, kindly taking the little girl's hand in hers.
+
+With many tears and sobs Elsie told her the whole story, not
+omitting her papa's threat, and her fear that she could not, on
+account of Arthur's persecutions, avoid incurring the punishment.
+
+Adelaide's sympathies were enlisted, and she drew the sobbing
+child to her side, saying, as she pressed a kiss on her cheek,
+"Never mind, Elsie, I will take my book or needle-work to the
+school-room every day, and sit there during the writing hour. But
+why don't you tell your papa about it?"
+
+"Because I don't like to tell tales, Aunt Adelaide, and it would
+make your mamma so angry with me; and besides, I can't tell papa
+anything."
+
+"Ah, I understand! and no wonder; he is strangely stern to the
+poor child. I mean to give him a good talking to," murmured
+Adelaide, more as if thinking aloud than talking to Elsie.
+
+Then, kissing the little girl again, she rose hastily and left the
+room, with the intention of seeking her brother; but he had gone
+out; and when he returned he brought several gentlemen with him,
+and she had no opportunity until the desire to interfere in the
+matter had passed from her mind.
+
+"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer,
+and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." The promise had
+been fulfilled to Elsie, and help had been sent her in her
+trouble.
+
+When her Aunt Adelaide left her, Elsie--first carefully locking
+the door to guard against a surprise visit from Enna--went to her
+bureau, and unlocking a drawer, took out a purse she was knitting
+for her father, to replace the one she had given to Miss Allison.
+
+She had commenced it before his return, and having spent upon it
+nearly every spare moment since, when she could feel secure from
+intrusion, she now had it nearly completed. Ah! many a silent tear
+had fallen as she worked, and many a sigh over disappointed hopes
+had been woven into its bright meshes of gold and blue.
+
+But now she had been much comforted and encouraged by her aunt's
+sympathy and kind promise of assistance, and, though there were
+still traces of tears upon it, the little face looked quite bright
+and cheerful again as she settled herself in her little sewing
+chair, and began her work.
+
+The small white fingers moved right briskly, the bright shining
+needles glancing in and out, while the thoughts, quite as busy,
+ran on something in this fashion: "Ah! I am so sorry I have done
+so badly the past month; no wonder papa was vexed with me. I don't
+believe I ever had such a bad report before. What has come over
+me? It seems as if I _can't_ study, and must have a holiday.
+I wonder if it is all laziness? I'm afraid it is, and that I ought
+to be punished. I wish I could shake it off, and feel industrious
+as I used to. I will try _very_ hard to do better this month,
+and perhaps I can. It is only one month, and then June will be
+over, and Miss Day is going North to spend July and August, and
+maybe September, and so we shall have a long holiday. Surely I can
+stand it one month more; it will soon be over, though it does seem
+a long time, and besides, this month we are not to study so many
+hours, because it is so warm; and there's to be no school on
+Saturdays; none to-morrow, so that I can finish this. Ah! I wonder
+if papa will be pleased?" and she sighed deeply. "I'm afraid it
+will be a long, long time before he will be pleased with me again.
+I have displeased him twice this week--first about the bird, and
+now this bad report, and that shameful copy-book. But oh! I will
+try _so_ hard next month, and dear Aunt Adelaide will keep
+Arthur from troubling me, and I'm determined my copy-book shall
+look neat, and not have a single blot in it.
+
+"I wonder how I shall spend the vacation? Last summer I had such a
+delightful visit at Ashlands; and then they were here all the rest
+of the time. It was then poor Herbert had such a dreadful time
+with his hip. Ah! how thankful I ought to be that I am not lame,
+and have always been so healthy. But I'm afraid papa won't let me
+go there this summer, nor ask them to visit me, because he said he
+thought Lucy was not a suitable companion for me. I _was_
+very naughty when she was here, and I've been naughty a great many
+times since. Oh! dear, shall I never, never learn to be good? It
+seems to me I am naughty now much oftener than I used to be before
+papa came home. I'm afraid he will soon begin to punish me
+severely, as he threatened to-day. I wonder what he means?"
+
+A crimson tide suddenly swept over the fair face and neck, and
+dropping her work, she covered her face with her hands. "Oh! he
+couldn't, _couldn't_ mean that! how could I ever bear it! and
+yet if it would make me really good, I think I wouldn't mind the
+pain--but the shame and disgrace! oh! it would break my heart. I
+could never hold up my head again! Oh! _can_ he mean that?
+But I must just try to be so very good that I will never deserve
+punishment, and then it will make no difference to me what he
+means." And with this consolatory reflection she took up her work
+again.
+
+"Mammy, is papa in his room?" asked Elsie, the next afternoon, as
+she put the finishing touches to her work.
+
+"No, darlin', Marster Horace he rode out wid de strange gentlemen
+more than an hour ago."
+
+Elsie laid her needles away in her work-basket, and opening her
+writing-desk, selected a bit of note-paper, on which she wrote in
+her very best hand, "A present for my dear papa, from his little
+daughter Elsie!" This she carefully pinned to the purse, and then
+carried it to her papa's room, intending to leave it on his
+toilet-table.
+
+Fearing that he might possibly have returned, she knocked gently
+at the door, but receiving no answer, opened it, and went in; but
+she had not gone more than half way across the room when she heard
+his voice behind her, asking, in a tone of mingled surprise and
+displeasure, "What are you doing here in my room, in my absence,
+Elsie?"
+
+She started, and turned round, pale and trembling, and lifting her
+eyes pleadingly to his face, silently placed the purse in his
+hand.
+
+He looked first at it, and then at her.
+
+"I made it for you, dear papa," she said, in a low, tremulous
+tone; "do please take it."
+
+"It is really very pretty," he said, examining it; "is it possible
+it is your work? I had no idea you had so much taste and skill.
+Thank you, daughter; I shall take it, and use it with a great deal
+of pleasure."
+
+He took her hand as he spoke, and sitting down, lifted her to his
+knee, saying, "Elsie, my child, why do you always seem so afraid
+of me? I don't like it."
+
+With a sudden impulse she threw her arms round his neck, and
+pressed her lips to his cheek; then dropping her head on his
+breast, she sobbed: "O papa! _dear_ papa, I _do love_ you so
+_very_ dearly! will you not love me? O papa! love me a _little_.
+I know I've been naughty very often, but I will _try_ to be good."
+
+Then for the first time he folded her in his arms and kissed her
+tenderly, saying, in a moved tone, "I _do_ love you, my darling, my
+own little daughter."
+
+Oh! the words were sweeter to Elsie's ear than the most delicious
+music! her joy was too great for words, for anything but tears.
+
+"Why do you cry so, my darling?" he asked, soothingly, stroking
+her hair, and kissing her again and again.
+
+"O papa! because I am so happy, so _very_ happy," she sobbed.
+
+"Do you indeed care so very much for my love?" he asked; "then, my
+daughter, you must not tremble and turn pale whenever I speak to
+you, as though I were a cruel tyrant."
+
+"O papa! I cannot help it, when you look and speak so sternly. I
+love you so dearly I cannot bear to have you angry with me; but I
+am not afraid of you now."
+
+"That is right," he said, caressing her again. "But there is the
+tea-bell," he added, setting her down. "Go into the dressing-room
+there, and bathe your eyes, and then come to me."
+
+She hastened to do his bidding, and then taking her hand he led
+her down and seated her in her usual place by his side.
+
+There were visitors, and all his conversation was addressed to
+them and the older members of the family, but he now and then
+bestowed a kind look upon his little girl, and attended carefully
+to all her wants; and Elsie was very happy.
+
+Everything now went on very pleasantly with our little friend for
+some days; she did not see a great deal of her father, as he was
+frequently away from home for a day or two, and, when he returned,
+generally brought a number of visitors with him; but whenever he
+did notice her it was very kindly, and she was gradually
+overcoming her fear of him, and constantly hoping that the time
+would soon come when he would have more leisure to bestow upon
+her. She was happy now, and with a mind at ease, was able to learn
+her lessons well; and as her Aunt Adelaide faithfully kept her
+promise, and thus freed her from Arthur's annoyances, she was
+enabled to do justice to her writing. She took great pains, her
+copy-book showed a marked improvement in her penmanship, and its
+pages had not yet been defaced by a single blot, so that she was
+looking forward with pleasing anticipations to the time when her
+report should again be presented to her father.
+
+But, alas! one unfortunate morning it happened that Miss Day was
+in a very bad humor indeed--peevish, fretful, irritable, and
+unreasonable to the last degree; and, as usual, Elsie was the
+principal sufferer from her ill-humor. She found fault with
+everything the little girl did; scolded her, shook her, refused to
+explain the manner of working out a very difficult example, or to
+permit her to apply to any one else for assistance, and then
+punished her because it was done wrong; and when the child could
+no longer keep back her tears, called her a baby for crying, and a
+dunce for not understanding her arithmetic better.
+
+All this Elsie bore meekly and patiently, not answering a word;
+but her meekness seemed only to provoke the governess the more;
+and finally, when Elsie came to recite her last lesson, she took
+pains to put her questions in the most perplexing form, and
+scarcely allowing the child an instant to begin her reply,
+answered them herself; then, throwing down the book, scolded her
+vehemently for her bad lesson, and marked it in her report as a
+complete failure.
+
+Poor Elsie could bear no more, but bursting into tears and sobs,
+said: "Miss Day, I _did_ know my lesson, every word of it, if
+you had asked the questions as usual, or had given me time to
+answer."
+
+"_I_ say that you did _not_ know it; that it was a
+complete failure," replied Miss Day, angrily; "and you shall just
+sit down and learn it, every word, over."
+
+"I _do_ know it, if you will hear me right," said Elsie,
+indignantly, "and it is very unjust in you to mark it a failure."
+
+"Impudence!" exclaimed Miss Day, furiously; "how _dare_ you
+contradict me? I shall take you to your father."
+
+And seizing her by the arm, she dragged her across the room, and
+opening the door, pushed her into the passage.
+
+"Oh! don't, Miss Day," pleaded the little girl, turning toward
+her, pale and tearful, "don't tell papa."
+
+"I will! so just walk along with you," was the angry rejoinder, as
+she pushed her before her to Mr. Dinsmore's door. It stood open,
+and he sat at his desk, writing.
+
+"What is the matter?" he asked, looking up as they appeared before
+the door.
+
+"Elsie has been very impertinent, sir," said Miss Day; "she not
+only accused me of injustice, but contradicted me flatly."
+
+"Is it _possible!_" said he, frowning angrily. "Come here to
+me, Elsie, and tell me, is it _true_ that you contradicted
+your teacher?"
+
+"Yes, papa," sobbed the child.
+
+"Very well, then, I shall certainly punish you, for I will never
+allow anything of the kind."
+
+As he spoke he picked up a small ruler that lay before him, at the
+same time taking Elsie's hand as though he meant to use it on her.
+
+"O papa!" she cried, in a tone of agonized entreaty.
+
+But he laid it down again, saying: "No, I shall punish you by
+depriving you of your play this afternoon, and giving you only
+bread and water for your dinner. Sit down there," he added,
+pointing to a stool. Then, with a wave of his hand to the
+governess, "I think she will not be guilty of the like again, Miss
+Day."
+
+The governess left the room, and Elsie sat down on her stool,
+crying and sobbing violently, while her father went on with his
+writing.
+
+"Elsie," he said, presently, "cease that noise; I have had quite
+enough of it."
+
+She struggled to suppress her sobs, but it was almost impossible,
+and she felt it a great relief when a moment later the dinner-bell
+rang, and her father left the room.
+
+In a few moments a servant came in, carrying on a small waiter a
+tumbler of water, and a plate with a slice of bread on it.
+
+"Dis am _drefful_ poor fare, Miss Elsie," he said, setting it
+down beside her, "but Massa Horace he say it all you can hab; but
+if you say so, dis chile tell ole Phoebe to send up somethin'
+better fore Massa Horace gits through his dinner."
+
+"Oh! no, thank you, Pompey; you're very kind, but I would not
+disobey or deceive papa," replied the little girl, earnestly; "and
+I am not at all hungry."
+
+He lingered a moment, seeming loath to leave her to dine upon such
+fare.
+
+"You had better go now, Pompey," she said gently; "I am afraid you
+will be wanted."
+
+He turned and left the room, muttering something about
+"disagreeable, good-for-nothing Miss Day!"
+
+Elsie felt no disposition to eat; and when her father returned,
+half an hour afterward, the bread and water were still untouched.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he asked in a stern, angry tone;
+"why have you not eaten what I sent you?"
+
+"I am not hungry, papa," she said humbly.
+
+"Don't tell me that," he replied, "it is nothing but stubbornness;
+and I shall not allow you to show such a temper. Take up that
+bread this moment and eat it. You shall eat every crumb of the
+bread and drink every drop of the water."
+
+She obeyed him instantly, breaking off a bit of bread and putting
+it in her mouth, while he stood watching her with an air of stern,
+cold determination; but when she attempted to swallow, it seemed
+utterly impossible.
+
+"I cannot, papa," she said, "it chokes me."
+
+"You _must_," he replied; "I am going to be obeyed. Take a
+drink of water, and that will wash it down."
+
+It was a hard task, but seeing that there was no escape, she
+struggled to obey, and at length every crumb of bread and drop of
+water had disappeared.
+
+"Now, Elsie," said her father, in a tone of great severity, "never
+_dare_ to show me such a temper as this again; you will not
+escape so easily next time; remember I am to be obeyed _always_;
+and when I send you anything to eat, _you are to eat it_."
+
+It had not been temper at all, and his unjust severity almost
+broke her heart; but she could not say one word in her own
+defence.
+
+He looked at her a moment as she sat there trembling and weeping;
+then saying, "I forbid you to leave this room without my
+permission; don't venture to disobey me, Elsie; sit where you are
+until I return," he turned to go.
+
+"Papa," she asked, pleadingly, "may I have my books, to learn my
+lessons for to-morrow."
+
+"Certainly," he said; "I will send a servant with them."
+
+"And my Bible too, please, papa."
+
+"Yes, yes," he answered impatiently, as he went out and shut the
+door.
+
+Jim was just bringing up Elsie's horse, as Mr. Dinsmore passed
+through the hall, and he stepped out to order it back to the
+stable, saying that Miss Elsie was not going to ride.
+
+"What is the trouble with Elsie?" asked his sister Adelaide, as he
+returned to the drawing-room and seated himself beside her.
+
+"She has been impertinent to her governess, and I have confined
+her to my room for the rest of the day," he replied, rather
+shortly.
+
+"Are you _sure_, Horace, that Elsie was so much to blame?"
+asked his sister, speaking in a tone too low to reach any ear but
+his. "I am certain, from what Lora tells me, that Miss Day is
+often cruelly unjust to her; more so than to any other of her
+pupils."
+
+He looked at her with a good deal of surprise.
+
+"Are you not mistaken?" he asked.
+
+"No! it is a positive fact that she does at times _really
+abuse_ her."
+
+"Indeed! I shall certainly not allow _that_" he said,
+coloring with anger.
+
+"But in this instance, Adelaide," he added thoughtfully, "I think
+you must be mistaken, for Elsie _acknowledged_ that she had
+been impertinent. I did not condemn her unheard, stern and severe
+as you think me."
+
+"If she _was_, Horace, believe me it must have been only
+after great provocation, and her acknowledgment of it is no proof
+at all, to my mind; for Elsie is so humble, she would think she
+_must_ have been guilty of impertinence if Miss Day accused
+her of it."
+
+"Surely not, Adelaide; she is by no means wanting in sense," he
+replied, in a tone of incredulity, not unmixed with annoyance.
+
+Then he sat thinking a moment, half inclined to go to his child
+and inquire more particularly into the circumstances, but soon
+relinquished the idea, saying to himself, "No; if she does not
+choose to be frank with me, and say what she can in her own
+defence, she _deserves_ to suffer; and besides, she showed
+such stubbornness about eating that bread."
+
+He was very proud, and did not like to acknowledge even to
+_himself_ that he had punished his child unjustly--much less
+to _her_; and it was not until near tea-time that he returned
+to his room, entering so softly that Elsie did not hear him.
+
+She was sitting just where he had left her, bending over her
+Bible, an expression of sadness and deep humility on the sweet
+little face, so young and fair and innocent. She did not seem
+aware of his presence until he was close beside her, when, looking
+up with a start, she said in a voice full of tears, "Dear papa, I
+am very sorry for all my naughtiness; will you please forgive me?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "certainly I will, if you are really sorry;" and
+stooping, he kissed her coldly, saying, "Now go to your room, and
+let Chloe dress you for tea."
+
+She rose at once, gathered up her books, and went out.
+
+The little heart was very sad; for her father's manner was so cold
+she feared he would never love her again. And she was particularly
+distressed by the bad mark given her for recitation that day, because
+she knew the time was now drawing very near when her report must
+be handed in to her papa; and the delight with which she had hitherto
+looked forward to receiving his well-merited approbation, was now changed
+to fear, and dread of his displeasure;  yet she knew she had not deserved
+the bad mark, and again and again she  determined that she would tell her
+father all about it; but his manner had  now become so cold and stern that
+she could not summon up courage to do  so, but put it off from day to day,
+until it was too late.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+
+   "He that pursues an act that is attended
+    With doubtful issues, for the means, had need
+    Of policy and force to make it speed."
+                            --T. NABB's _Unfortunate Mother._
+
+              "Joy never feasts so high,
+    As when the first course is of misery."
+                                 --SUCKLING's _Aglaura._
+
+
+It was Friday, and the next morning was the when the reports were
+to be presented. School had closed, and all but Elsie had already
+left the room; but she was carefully arranging the books, writing
+and drawing materials, etc., in her desk, for she was very neat
+and orderly in her habits.
+
+When she had quite finished her work she took up her report-book,
+and glanced over it. As her eye rested for an instant upon the one
+bad mark, she sighed a little, and murmured to herself, "I am
+_so_ sorry; I wish papa knew how little I really deserved it.
+I don't know why I never can get the courage to tell him."
+
+Then, laying it aside, she opened her copy-book and turned over
+the leaves with unalloyed pleasure, for not one of its pages was
+defaced by a single blot, and from beginning to end it gave
+evidence of painstaking carefulness and decided improvement.
+
+"Ah! surely _this_ will please dear papa!" she exclaimed,
+half aloud. "How good Aunt Adelaide was to sit here with me!"
+
+Then, putting it carefully in its place, she closed and locked the
+desk, and carrying the key to her room, laid it on the mantel,
+where she was in the habit of keeping it.
+
+Now it so happened that afternoon that Arthur, who had made
+himself sick by over-indulgence in sweetmeats, and had in
+consequence been lounging about the house doing nothing for the
+last day or two, remained at home while all the rest of the family
+were out, walking, riding, or visiting.
+
+He was not usually very fond of reading, but while lying on the
+lounge in the nursery, very much in want of some amusement, it
+suddenly occurred to him that he would like to look at a book he
+had seen Elsie reading that morning.
+
+To be sure the book belonged to her, and she was not there to be
+consulted as to her willingness to lend it; but that made no
+difference to Arthur, who had very little respect for the rights
+of property, excepting where his own were concerned.
+
+Elsie, he knew, was out, and Chloe in the kitchen; so, feeling
+certain there would be no one to interfere with him, he went
+directly to the little girl's room to look for the book. He soon
+found it lying on the mantel; but the desk-key lay right beside
+it, and as he caught sight of that he gave a half scream of
+delight, for he guessed at once to what lock it belonged, and felt
+that he now could accomplish the revenge he had plotted ever since
+the affair of the watch.
+
+He put out his hand to take it, but drew it back again, and stood
+for a moment balancing in his mind the chances of detection.
+
+He could deface Elsie's copy-book, but Adelaide could testify to
+the little girl's carefulness and the neatness of her work up to
+that very day, for she had been in the school-room that morning
+during the writing hour. But then Adelaide had just left home to
+pay a visit to a friend living at some distance, and would not
+return for several weeks, so there was little danger from that
+quarter. Miss Day, to be sure, knew the appearance of Elsie's book
+quite as well, but there was still less danger of her interference,
+and he was pretty certain no one else knew.
+
+So he decided to run the risk, and laying down the book he took
+the key, went to the door, looked carefully up and down the hall
+to make sure of not being seen by any of the servants, and having
+satisfied himself on that point, hurried to the school-room,
+unlocked Elsie's desk, took out her copy-book, and dipping a pen
+in the ink, proceeded deliberately to blot nearly every page in
+it; on some he made a large blot, on others a small one, and on
+some two or three; and also scribbled between the lines and on the
+margin, so as completely to deface poor Elsie's work.
+
+But to do Arthur justice, though he knew his brother would be
+pretty sure to be very angry with Elsie, he did not know of the
+threatened punishment. He stopped once or twice as he thought he
+heard a footstep, and shut down the lid until it had passed, when
+he raised it again and went on with his wicked work. It did not
+take long, however, and he soon replaced the copy-book in the
+precise spot in which he had found it, wiped the pen, and put it
+carefully back in its place, relocked the desk, hurried back to
+Elsie's room, put the key just where he had found it, and taking
+the book, returned to the nursery without having met any one.
+
+He threw himself down on a couch and tried to read, but in vain;
+he could not fix his attention upon the page--could think of
+nothing but the mischief he had done, and its probable consequences;
+and now, when it was too late, he more than half repented; yet as to
+confessing and thus saving Elsie from unmerited blame, he did not for a
+single moment entertain the thought. But at length it suddenly occurred
+to him that if it became known that he had been into Elsie's room to get
+the book he might be suspected; and he started up with the intention of
+replacing it. But he found that it was too late; she had already
+returned, for he heard her voice in the hall; so he lay down
+again, and kept the book until she came in search of it.
+
+He looked very guilty as the little girl came in, but not seeming
+to notice it, she merely said, "I am looking for my book. I
+thought perhaps some one might have brought it in here. Oh!
+_you_ have it, Arthur! well, keep it, if you wish; I can read
+it just as well another time."
+
+"Here, take it," said he roughly, pushing it toward her; "I don't
+want it; 'tisn't a bit pretty."
+
+"I think it is very interesting, and you are quite welcome to read
+it if you wish," she answered mildly; "but if you don't care to, I
+will take it."
+
+"Young ladies and gentlemen," said the governess, as they were
+about closing their exercises the next morning, "this is the
+regular day for the reports, and they are all made out. Miss
+Elsie, here is yours; bring your copy-book, and carry both to your
+papa."
+
+Elsie obeyed, not without some trembling, yet hoping, as there was
+but _one_ bad mark in the report and the copy-book showed
+such evident marks of care and painstaking, her papa would not be
+very seriously displeased.
+
+It being the last day of the term, the exercises of the morning
+had varied somewhat from the usual routine, and the writing hour
+had been entirely omitted; thus it happened that Elsie had not
+opened her copy-book, and was in consequence still in ignorance of
+its sadly altered appearance.
+
+She found her father in his room. He took the report first from
+her hand, and glancing over it, said with a slight frown, "I see
+you have one _very_ bad mark for recitation; but as there is
+only one, and the others are remarkably good, I will excuse it."
+
+Then taking the copy-book and opening it, much to Elsie's surprise
+and alarm he gave her a glance of great displeasure, turned
+rapidly over the leaves, then laying it down, said in his sternest
+tones, "I see I shall have to keep my promise, Elsie."
+
+"What, papa?" she asked, turning pale with terror.
+
+"_What!_" said he! "do you ask me what? Did I not tell you _positively_
+that I would _punish_ you if your copy-book this month did not present
+a better appearance than it did last?"
+
+"O papa! does it not? I tried so very hard; and there are no blots
+in it."
+
+"No blots?" said he; "what do you call these?" and he turned over
+the leaves again, holding the book so that she could see them, and
+showing that almost every one was blotted in several places.
+
+Elsie gazed at them in unfeigned astonishment; then looking up
+into his face, she said earnestly but fearfully, "Papa, I did not
+do it."
+
+"Who did, then?" he asked.
+
+"Indeed, papa, I do not know," she replied.
+
+"I must inquire into this business," he said, rising, "and if it
+is not your fault you shall not be punished; but if I find you
+have been telling me a falsehood, Elsie, I shall punish you much
+more severely than if you had not denied your fault."
+
+And taking her by the hand as he spoke, he led her back to the
+school-room.
+
+"Miss Day," said he, showing the book, "Elsie says these blots are
+not her work; can you tell me whose they are?"
+
+"Miss Elsie _generally_ tells the truth, sir," replied Miss
+Day, sarcastically, "but I must say that in this instance I think
+she has failed, as her desk has a good lock, and she herself keeps
+the key."
+
+"Elsie," he asked, turning to her, "is this so?"
+
+"Yes, papa."
+
+"And have you ever left your desk unlocked, or the key lying
+about?"
+
+"No, papa. I am quite certain I have not," she answered
+unhesitatingly, though her voice trembled, and she grey very pale.
+
+"Very well, then, _I_ am quite certain you have told me a
+falsehood, since it is evident this _must_ have been your
+work. Elsie, I can forgive anything but falsehood, but that I
+_never will_ forgive. Come with me. I shall teach you to speak
+the truth to _me_ at least, if to no one else," and taking her hand
+again, he led, or rather dragged, her from the room, for he was terribly
+angry, his face fairly pale with passion.
+
+Lora came in while he was speaking and, certain that _Elsie_
+would never be caught in a falsehood, her eye quickly sought
+Arthur's desk.
+
+He was sitting there with a very guilty countenance.
+
+She hastily crossed the room, and speaking in a low tone, said,
+"Arthur, _you_ have had a hand in this business I very well
+know; now confess it quickly, or Horace will half kill Elsie."
+
+"You don't know anything about it," said he doggedly.
+
+"Yes, I do," she answered; "and if you do not speak out at once, _I_
+shall save Elsie, and find means to prove your guilt afterwards; so you
+had much better confess."
+
+"Go away," he exclaimed angrily, "I have nothing to confess."
+
+Seeing it was useless to try to move him, Lora turned away and
+hurried to Horace's room, which, in her haste, she entered without
+knocking, he having fortunately neglected to fasten the door. She
+was just in time; he had a small riding whip in his hand, and
+Elsie stood beside him pale as death, too much frightened even to
+cry, and trembling so that she could scarcely stand.
+
+He turned an angry glance on his sister as she entered; but taking
+no notice of it, she exclaimed eagerly, "Horace, don't punish
+Elsie, for I am certain she is innocent."
+
+He laid down the whip asking, "_How_ do you know it? what
+_proof_ have you? I shall be very glad to be convinced," he
+added, his countenance relaxing somewhat in its stern and angry
+expression.
+
+"In the first place," replied his sister, "there is Elsie's
+established character for truthfulness--in all the time she has
+been with us, we have ever found her perfectly truthful in word
+and deed. And then, Horace, what motive could she have had for
+spoiling her book, knowing as she did that certain punishment
+would follow? Besides, I am sure Arthur is at the bottom of this,
+for though he will not acknowledge, he does not deny it. Ah! yes,
+and now I recollect, I saw and examined Elsie's book only
+yesterday, and it was then quite free from blots."
+
+A great change had come over her brother's countenance while she
+was speaking.
+
+"Thank you, Lora," he said, cordially, as soon as she had done,
+"you have quite convinced me, and saved me from punishing Elsie as
+unjustly as severely. That last assurance I consider quite
+sufficient of itself to establish her innocence."
+
+Lora turned and went out feeling very happy, and as she closed the
+door, Elsie's papa took her in his arms, saying in loving, tender
+tones, "My poor little daughter! my own darling child! I have been
+cruelly unjust to you, have I not?"
+
+"Dear papa, you thought I deserved it," she said, with a burst of
+tears and sobs, throwing her arms around his neck, and laying her
+head on his breast.
+
+"Do you love me, Elsie, dearest?" he asked, folding her closer to
+his heart.
+
+"Ah! so very, _very_ much! better than all the world beside.
+O papa! if you would only love me." The last word was almost a
+sob.
+
+"I do, my darling, my own precious child," he said, caressing her
+again and again. "I do love my little girl, although I may at
+times seem cold and stern; and I am more thankful than words can
+express that I have been saved from punishing her unjustly. I
+could never forgive myself if I had done it. I would rather have
+lost half I am worth; ah! I fear it would have turned all her love
+for me into hatred; and justly, too."
+
+"No, papa, oh! no, _no; nothing_ could ever do that!" and the
+little arms were clasped closer and closer about his neck, and the
+tears again fell like rain, as she timidly pressed her quivering
+lips to his cheek.
+
+"There, there daughter! don't cry any more; we will try to forget
+all about it, and talk of something else," he said soothingly.
+"Elsie, dear, your Aunt Adelaide thinks perhaps you were not so
+very much to blame the other day; and now I want you to tell me
+all the circumstances; for though I should be very sorry to
+encourage you to find fault with your teacher, I am by no means
+willing to have you abused."
+
+"Please, papa, don't ask me," she begged. "Aunt Lora was there,
+and she will tell you about it."
+
+"No, Elsie," he said, very decidedly; "I want the story from _you_;
+and remember, I want _every word_ that passed between you and
+Miss Day, as far as you can possibly recall it."
+
+Seeing that he was determined, Elsie obeyed him, though with
+evident reluctance, and striving to put Miss Day's conduct in as
+favorable a light as consistent with truth, while she by no means
+extenuated her own; yet her father listened with feelings of
+strong indignation.
+
+"Elsie," he said when she had done, "if I had known all this at
+the time, I should not have punished you at all. Why did you not
+tell me, my daughter, how you have been ill treated and provoked?"
+
+"O papa! I could not; you know you did not ask me."
+
+"I did ask you if it was true that you contradicted her, did I
+not?"
+
+"Yes, papa, and it was true."
+
+"You ought to have told me the whole story though; but I see how
+it was--I frightened you by my sternness. Well, daughter," he
+added, kissing her tenderly, "I shall endeavor to be less stern in
+future, and you must try to be less timid and more at your ease
+with me."
+
+"I will, papa," she replied meekly; "but indeed I cannot help
+feeling frightened when you are angry with me."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore sat there a long time with his little daughter on his
+knee, caressing her more tenderly than ever before; and Elsie was
+very happy, and talked more freely to him than she had ever done,
+telling him of her joys and her sorrows; how dearly she had loved
+Miss Allison--what happy hours they had spent together in studying
+the Bible and in prayer--how grieved she was when her friend went
+away--and how intensely she enjoyed the little letter now and then
+received from her; and he listened to it all, apparently both
+pleased and interested, encouraging her to go on by an occasional
+question or a word of assent or approval.
+
+"What is this, Elsie?" he asked, taking hold of the chain she
+always wore around her neck, and drawing the miniature from her
+bosom.
+
+But as he touched the spring the case flew open, revealing the
+sweet, girlish face, it needed not Elsie's low murmured "Mamma" to
+tell him who that lovely lady was.
+
+He gazed upon it with emotion, carried back in memory to the time
+when for a few short months she had been his own most cherished
+treasure. Then, looking from it to his child, he murmured, "Yes,
+she is very like--the same features, the same expression,
+complexion, hair and all--will be the very counterpart of her if
+she lives."
+
+"Dear papa, am I like mamma?" asked Elsie, who had caught a part
+of his words.
+
+"Yes, darling, very much indeed, and I hope you will grow more
+so."
+
+"You loved mamma?" she said inquiringly.
+
+"Dearly, _very_ dearly."
+
+"O papa! _tell_ me about her! _do_, dear papa," she
+pleaded eagerly.
+
+"I have not much to tell," he said, sighing. "I knew her only for
+a few short months ere we were torn asunder, never to meet again
+on earth."
+
+"But we may hope to meet her in heaven, dear papa," said Elsie
+softly, "for she loved Jesus, and if we love Him we shall go there
+too when we die. Do you love Jesus, papa?" she timidly inquired,
+for she had seen him do a number of things which she knew to be
+wrong--such as riding out for pleasure on the Sabbath, reading
+secular newspapers, and engaging in worldly conversation--and she
+greatly feared he did not.
+
+But instead of answering her question, he asked, "Do you, Elsie?"
+
+"Oh! yes, sir; very _very_ much; even better than I love you,
+my own dear papa."
+
+"How do you know?" he asked, looking keenly into her face.
+
+"Just as I know that I love you, papa, or any one else," she
+replied, lifting her eyes to his face in evident surprise at the
+strangeness of the question.
+
+"Ah, papa," she added in her own sweet, simple way, "I do so love
+to talk of Jesus; to tell Him all my troubles, and ask Him to
+forgive my sins and make me holy; and then it is so sweet to know
+that He loves me, and will _always_ love me, even if no one
+else does."
+
+He kissed her very gravely, and set her down, saying, "Go now, my
+daughter, and prepare for dinner; it is almost time for the bell."
+
+"You are not displeased, papa?" she inquired, looking up anxiously
+into his face.
+
+"No, darling, not at all," he replied, stroking her hair. "Shall I
+ride with my little girl this afternoon?"
+
+"Oh papa! do you really mean it? I shall be so glad!" she
+exclaimed joyfully.
+
+"Very well, then," he said, "it is settled. But go now; there is
+the bell. No, stay!" he added quickly, as she turned to obey;
+"think a moment and tell me where you put the key of your desk
+yesterday, for it must have been then the mischief was done. Had
+you it with you when you rode out?"
+
+Suddenly Elsie's face flushed, and she exclaimed Eagerly, "Ah! I
+remember now! I left it on the mantelpiece, papa, and--"
+
+But here she paused, as if sorry she had said so much.
+
+"And what?" he asked.
+
+"I think I had better not say it, papa! I'm afraid I _ought_
+not, for I don't really _know_ anything, and it seems so wrong
+to suspect people."
+
+"You need not express any suspicions," said her father; "I do not
+wish you to do so; but I must insist upon having all the facts you
+can furnish me with. Was Aunt Chloe in your room all the time you
+were away?"
+
+"No, sir; she told me she went down to the kitchen directly after
+I left, and did not come up again until after I returned."
+
+"Very well; do you know whether any one else entered the room
+during your absence?"
+
+"I do not _know_, papa, but I _think_ Arthur must have
+been in, because when I came home I found him reading a book which
+I had left lying on the mantel-piece," she answered in a low,
+reluctant tone.
+
+"Ah, ha! that is just it! I see it all now," he exclaimed, with a
+satisfied nod. "There, that will do, Elsie; go now and make haste
+down to your dinner."
+
+But Elsie lingered, and, in answer to a look of kind inquiry from
+her father, said coaxingly, "Please, papa, don't be very angry
+with him. I think he did not know how much I cared about my book."
+
+"You are very forgiving, Elsie; but go, child, I shall not abuse
+him," Mr. Dinsmore answered, with an imperative gesture, and the
+little girl hurried from the room.
+
+It happened that just at this time the elder Mr. Dinsmore and his
+wife were paying a visit to some friends in the city, and thus
+Elsie's papa had been left head of the house for the time. Arthur,
+knowing this to be the state of affairs, and that though his
+father was expected to return that evening, his mother would be
+absent for some days, was beginning to be a good deal fearful of
+the consequences of his misconduct, and not without reason, for
+his brother's wrath was now fully aroused, and he was determined
+that the boy should not on this occasion escape the penalty of his
+misdeeds.
+
+Arthur was already in the dining-room when Mr. Dinsmore came down.
+
+"Arthur," said he, "I wish you to step into the library a moment;
+I have something to say to you."
+
+"I don't want to hear it," muttered the boy, with a dogged look,
+and standing perfectly still.
+
+"I dare say not, sir; but that makes no difference," replied his
+brother. "Walk into the library at once."
+
+Arthur returned a scowl of defiance, muttering almost under his
+breath, "I'll do as I please about that;" but cowed by his
+brother's determined look and manner, he slowly and reluctantly
+obeyed.
+
+"Now, sir," said Mr. Dinsmore, when he had him fairly in the room,
+and had closed the door behind them, "I wish to know how you came
+to meddle with Elsie's copy-book."
+
+"I didn't," was the angry rejoinder.
+
+"Take care, sir; I know all about it," said Mr. Dinsmore, in a
+warning tone; "it is useless for you to deny it. Yesterday, while
+Elsie was out and Aunt Chloe in the kitchen, you went to her room,
+took the key of her desk from the mantel-piece where she had left
+it, went to the school-room and did the mischief, hoping to get
+her into trouble thereby, and then relocking the desk and
+returning the key to its proper place, thought you had escaped
+detection; and I was very near giving my poor, innocent little
+girl the whipping you so richly deserve."
+
+Arthur looked up in astonishment.
+
+"Who told you?" he asked; "nobody saw me;" then, catching himself,
+said hastily, "I tell you I didn't do it. I don't know anything
+about it."
+
+"Will you dare to tell me such a falsehood as that again?"
+exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, angrily, taking him by the collar and
+shaking him roughly.
+
+"Let me alone now," whined the culprit. "I want my dinner, I say."
+
+"You'll get no dinner to-day, I can tell you," replied his
+brother. "I am going to lock you into your bedroom, and keep you
+there until your father comes home; and then if _he_ doesn't
+give you the flogging you deserve, _I_ will; for I intend you
+shall have your deserts for once in your life. I know that all
+this is in revenge for Elsie's forced testimony in the affair of
+the watch, and I gave you fair warning then that I would see to it
+that any attempt to abuse my child should receive its just
+reward."
+
+He took the boy by the arm as he spoke, to lead him from the room.
+
+At first Arthur seemed disposed to resist; but soon, seeing how
+useless it was to contend against such odds, he resigned himself
+to his fate, saying sullenly, "You wouldn't treat me this way if
+mamma was at home."
+
+"She is not, however, as it happens, though I can tell you that
+even _she_ could not save you now," replied his brother, as
+he opened the bedroom door, and pushing him in, locked it upon
+him, and put the key in his pocket.
+
+Mr. Horace Dinsmore had almost unbounded influence over his
+father, who was very proud of him; the old gentleman also utterly
+despised everything mean and underhanded, and upon being made
+acquainted by Horace with Arthur's misdemeanors he inflicted upon
+him as severe a punishment as any one could have desired.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINTH
+
+
+   "Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God
+    hath commanded thee."
+                                 --_Deut._ v. 12.
+
+                         "She is mine own;
+    And I as rich in having such a jewel
+    As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl,
+    The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold."
+                    --SHAKESPEARE, _Two Gentlemen of Verona._
+
+
+And now happy days had come to the little Elsie. Her father
+treated her with the tenderest affection, and kept her with him
+almost constantly, seeming scarcely willing to have her out of his
+sight for an hour. He took her with him wherever he went in his
+rides and walks and visits to the neighboring planters.
+
+She was much admired for her beauty and sweetness of disposition,
+much caressed and flattered, but, through it all, lost none of her
+native modesty, but was ever the same meek, gentle little girl.
+She felt grateful for all the kindness she received, and liked to
+visit with her papa; but her happiest days were spent at home on
+those rare occasions when they were free from visitors, and she
+could sit for hours on his knee, or by his side, talking or
+reading to him, or working at her embroidery, or knitting and
+listening while he read. He helped her with all her studies,
+taught her something of botany and geology in their walks, helped
+her to see and correct the faults of her drawings, sang with her
+when she played, bought her quantities of new music, and engaged
+the best masters to instruct her--in short, took a lively interest
+in all her pursuits and pleasures, gave her every indulgence, and
+lavished upon her the tenderest caresses. He was very proud of her
+beauty, her sweetness, her intelligence, and talent; and nothing
+pleased him better than to hear them spoken of by others in terms
+of praise.
+
+And Elsie was very happy; the soft eyes grew bright with
+happiness, and the little face lost its pensive expression, and
+became as round, rosy and merry as Enna's.
+
+Miss Day went North, expecting to be absent several months, and
+Elsie's papa took her traveling, spending some time at different
+watering-places. It was her first journey since she had been old
+enough to care for such things, and she enjoyed it exceedingly.
+They left home in July, and did not return until September, so
+that the little girl had time to rest and recruit, both mentally
+and physically, and was ready to begin her studies again with zeal
+and energy; yet it was so pleasant to be her papa's constant
+companion, and she had so enjoyed her freedom from the restraints
+of the school-room, that she was not at all sorry to learn, on
+their arrival at Roselands, that the governess would still be
+absent for some weeks.
+
+"How bright and happy the child looks!" was Adelaide's remark on
+the day of their return, as, from the opposite side of the room,
+she watched the speaking countenance of the little girl, who was
+giving Enna and the boys an animated description of her journey.
+
+"Yes," said Lora, "and how entirely she seems to have overcome her
+fear of her father!" for at that instant Elsie suddenly left the
+little group, and running to him, leaned confidingly on his knee,
+while apparently urging some request, which he answered with a
+smile and a nod of acquiescence; when she left the room, and
+presently returned carrying a richly bound book of engravings.
+
+Yes, Elsie had lost her fear of her father, and could now talk to
+him, and tell him her feelings and wishes, as freely as ever Enna
+did; and no wonder, for in all these weeks he had never given her
+one harsh word or look; but indeed he had had no occasion to do
+so, for she was always docile and obedient.
+
+It was Sabbath afternoon--the first Sabbath after their return--
+and Elsie was in her own room alone with the books she loved best
+--her Bible, hymnbook, and "Pilgrim's Progress."
+
+She had spent a very happy hour in self-examination, reading and
+prayer, and was singing to herself in a low tone her favorite
+hymn,
+
+    "I lay my sins on Jesus,"
+
+while turning over the leaves of her Bible to find the story of
+Elijah, which she had promised to read to Chloe that afternoon,
+when a child's footsteps were heard coming down the hall, the
+handle of the door was turned hastily, and then, as it refused to
+yield, Enna's voice called out in a fretful, imperious tone, "Open
+this door, Elsie Dinsmore. I want in, I say."
+
+Elsie sighed, as she thought, "There is an end to my nice
+afternoon," but she rose at once, and quickly crossing the room,
+opened the door, asking pleasantly, "What do you want, Enna?"
+
+"I _told_ you I wanted to come _in_," replied Enna,
+saucily, "and now you've got to tell me a story to amuse me; mamma
+says so, because you know I've got a cold, and she won't let me go
+out."
+
+"Well, Enna," said Elsie, patiently, "I am going to read a very
+beautiful story to mammy, and you are quite welcome to sit here
+and listen."
+
+"I sha'n't have it read! I said you were to _tell_ it. I
+don't like to hear reading," replied Enna in her imperious way, at
+the same time taking quiet possession of Elsie's little rosewood
+rocking-chair--a late present from her papa, and highly prized by
+the little girl on that account--and beginning to scratch with her
+thumb nail upon the arm.
+
+"Oh! don't scratch my pretty new chair, Enna!" Elsie entreated;
+"it is papa's present, and I wouldn't have it spoiled for a great
+deal."
+
+"I will; who cares for your old chair?" was the reply in a
+scornful tone, as she gave another and harder dig with her nail.
+"You're a little old maid--so particular with all your things--
+that's what mamma says you are. Now tell me that story."
+
+"I will tell you a story if you will stop scratching my chair,
+Enna," said Elsie, almost with tears in her eyes, "I will tell you
+about Elijah on Mount Carmel or Beishazzar's feast, or the
+children in the fiery furnace, or----"
+
+"I sha'n't hear any of those! I don't want any of your old Bible
+stories," interrupted Enna, insolently, "You must tell me that
+pretty fairy tale Herbert Carrington is so fond of."
+
+"No, Enna; I cannot tell you that _to-day_," replied Elsie,
+speaking gently, but very firmly.
+
+"I say you _shall!_" screamed Enna, springing to her feet.
+"I'll just go and tell mamma, and she'll make you do it."
+
+"Stay, Enna," said Elsie, catching her hand to detain her; "I will
+tell you any story I know that is suitable for the Sabbath; but I
+cannot tell the fairy tale to-day, because you know it would be
+wrong. I will tell it to you to-morrow, though, if you will wait."
+
+"You're a _bad_ girl, and I'll just tell mamma of you,"
+exclaimed Enna, passionately, jerking her hand away and darting
+from the room.
+
+"Oh! if papa was only at home," sighed Elsie, sinking into her
+rocking-chair, pale and trembling; but she knew that he had gone
+out riding, and would probably not return for some time; he had
+invited her to accompany him, but she had begged to be allowed to
+stay at home, and he had let her have her wish.
+
+As she feared, she was immediately summoned to Mrs. Dinsmore's
+presence.
+
+"Elsie," said that lady, severely, "are you not ashamed of
+yourself, to refuse Enna such a small favor especially when the
+poor child is not well. I must say you are the most selfish,
+disobliging child I ever saw."
+
+"I offered to tell her a Bible story, or anything suitable for the
+Sabbath day," replied Elsie, meekly, "but I cannot tell the fairy
+tale, because it would be wrong."
+
+"Nonsense! there's no harm at all in telling fairy tales to-day,
+any more than any other day; that is just an excuse, Elsie," said
+Mrs. Dinsmore, angrily.
+
+"I don't want her old Bible stories. I won't have them. I want
+that pretty fairy tale," sobbed Enna passionately; "_make_
+her tell it, mamma."
+
+"Come, come, what is all this fuss about?" asked the elder Mr.
+Dinsmore, coming in from an adjoining room.
+
+"Nothing," said his wife, "except that Enna is not well enough to
+go out, and wants a fairy story to pass away the time, which Elsie
+alone is acquainted with, but is too lazy or too self-willed to
+relate."
+
+He turned angrily to his little granddaughter.
+
+"Ah! indeed, is that it? Well, there is an old saying. 'A bird
+that _can_ sing, and _won't_ sing, must be _made_ to sing.'"
+
+Elsie was opening her lips to speak, but Mrs. Dinsmore bade her be
+silent, and then went on. "She pretends it is all on account of
+conscientious scruples. 'It isn't fit for the Sabbath,' she says.
+Now _I_ say it is a great piece of impertinence for a child
+of her years to set up her opinion against yours and mine; and I
+know very well it is nothing but an excuse, because she doesn't
+choose to be obliging."
+
+"Of _course_ it is; nothing in the _world_ but an
+excuse," responded Mr. Dinsmore, hotly.
+
+Elsie's face flushed, and she answered a little indignantly,
+
+"No, grandpa, indeed it is _not_ merely an excuse, but--"
+
+"Do you _dare_ to contradict me, you impertinent little
+hussy?" cried the old gentleman, interrupting her in the middle of
+her sentence; and catching her by the arm, he shook her violently;
+then picking her up and setting her down hard upon a chair, he
+said, "Now, miss, sit you there until your father comes home, then
+we will see what _he_ thinks of such impertinence; and if he
+doesn't give you the complete whipping you deserve, I miss my
+guess."
+
+"Please, grandpa, I--"
+
+"Hold your tongue! don't dare to speak another word until your
+father comes home," said he, threateningly. "If you don't choose
+to say what you're wanted to, you shall not talk at all."
+
+Then, going to the door, he called a servant and bade him tell
+"Mr. Horace," as soon as he returned, that he wished to see him.
+
+For the next half-hour--and a very long one it seemed to her--
+Elsie sat there wishing for, and yet dreading her father's coming.
+Would he inflict upon her the punishment which her grandfather
+evidently wished her to receive, without pausing to inquire into
+the merits of the case? or would he listen patiently to _her_
+story? And even if he did, might he not still think her deserving
+of punishment? She could not answer these questions to her own
+satisfaction. A few months ago she would have been certain of a
+very severe chastisement, and even now she trembled with fear; for
+though she knew beyond a doubt that he loved her dearly, she knew
+also that he was a strict and severe disciplinarian, and never
+excused her faults.
+
+At last her ear caught the sound of his step in the hall, and her
+heart beat fast and faster as it drew nearer, until he entered,
+and addressing his father, asked, "Did you wish to see me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, Horace, I want you to attend to this girl," replied the old
+gentleman, with a motion of the head toward Elsie. "She has been
+very impertinent to me."
+
+"What! _Elsie_ impertinent! is it possible? I certainly
+expected better things of her."
+
+His tone expressed great surprise, and turning to his little
+daughter, he regarded her with a grave, sad look that brought the
+tears to her eyes; dearly as she loved him, it seemed almost
+harder to bear than the old expression of stern severity.
+
+"It is hard to believe," he said, "that my little Elsie would be
+guilty of such conduct; but if she has been, of course she must be
+punished, for I cannot allow anything of the kind. Go. Elsie, to
+my dressing-room and remain there until I come to you."
+
+"Papa--" she began, bursting into tears.
+
+"Hush!" he said, with something of the old sternness; "not a word;
+but obey me instantly."
+
+Then, as Elsie went sobbing from the room, he seated himself, and
+turning to his father, said, "Now, sir, if you please, I should
+like to hear the whole story; precisely what Elsie has done and
+said, and what was the provocation; for _that_ must also be
+taken into the account, in order that I may be able to do her
+justice."
+
+"If you do her _justice_, you will whip her well," remarked
+his father in a tone of asperity.
+
+Horace colored violently, for nothing aroused his ire sooner than
+any interference between him and his child; but controlling
+himself, he replied quite calmly, "If I find her deserving of
+punishment, I will not spare her; but I should be sorry indeed to
+punish her unjustly. Will you be so good as to tell me what she
+has done?"
+
+Mr. Dinsmore referred him to his wife for the commencement of the
+trouble, and she made out as bad a case against Elsie as possible;
+but even then there seemed to her father to be very little to
+condemn; and when Mrs. Dinsmore was obliged to acknowledge that it
+was Elsie's refusal to humor Enna in her desire for a particular
+story which Elsie thought it not best to relate on the Sabbath, he
+bit his lip with vexation, and told her in a haughty tone, that
+though he did not approve of Elsie's strict notions regarding such
+matters, yet he wished her to understand that _his_ daughter
+was not to be made a slave to Enna's whims. If she _chose_ to
+tell her a story, or to do anything else for her amusement, he had
+no objection, but she was never to be _forced_ to do it against
+her inclination, and Enna must understand that it was done as a favor,
+and not at all as her right.
+
+"You are right enough there, Horace," remarked his father, "but
+that does not excuse Elsie for her impertinence to me. In the
+first place, I must say I agree with my wife in thinking it quite
+a piece of impertinence for a child of her years to set up her
+opinion against mine; and besides, she contradicted me flatly."
+
+He then went on to repeat what he had said, and Elsie's denial of
+the charge, using her exact words, but quite a different tone, and
+suppressing the fact that he had interrupted her before she had
+finished her sentence.
+
+Elsie's tone, though slightly indignant, had still been
+respectful, but from her grandfather's rehearsal of the scene her
+father received the impression that she had been exceedingly
+saucy, and he left the room with the intention of giving her
+almost as severe a punishment as her grandfather would have
+prescribed.
+
+On the way up to his room, however, his anger had a little time to
+cool, and it occurred to him that it would be no more than just to
+hear _her_ side of the story ere he condemned her.
+
+Elsie was seated on a couch at the far side of the room, and as he
+entered she turned on him a tearful, pleading look, that went
+straight to his heart.
+
+His face was grave and sad, but there was very little sternness in
+it, as he sat down and took her in his arms.
+
+For a moment he held her without speaking, while she lifted her
+eyes timidly to his face. Then he said, as he gently stroked the
+hair back from her forehead, "I am very sorry, _very sorry
+indeed_, to hear so bad an account of my little daughter. I am
+afraid I shall have to punish her, and I don't like to do it."
+
+She answered not a word, but burst into tears, and hiding her face
+on his breast, sobbed aloud.
+
+"I will not condemn you unheard, Elsie," he said after a moment's
+pause; "tell me how you came to be so impertinent to your
+grandfather."
+
+"I did not mean to be saucy, papa, indeed I did not," she sobbed.
+
+"Stop crying then, daughter," he said kindly, "and tell me all
+about it. I know there was some trouble between you and Enna, and
+I want you to tell me all that occurred, and every word spoken by
+either of you, as well as all that passed between Mrs. Dinsmore,
+your grandfather, and yourself. I am very glad that I can trust my
+little girl to speak the truth. I am quite sure she would not tell
+a falsehood even to save herself from punishment," he added
+tenderly.
+
+"Thank you, dear papa, for saying that," said Elsie, raising her
+head and almost smiling through her tears. "I will _try_ to
+tell it just as it happened."
+
+She then told her story simply and truthfully, repeating, as he
+bade her, every word that had passed between Enna and herself, and
+between her and her grandparents. Her words to her grandfather
+sounded very different, repeated in her quiet, respectful tones;
+and when she added that if he would have allowed her, she was
+going on to explain that it was not any unwillingness to oblige
+Enna, but the fear of doing wrong, that led her to refuse her
+request, her father thought that after all she deserved very
+little blame.
+
+"Do you think I was very saucy, papa?" she asked anxiously, when
+she had finished her story.
+
+"So much depends upon the tone, Elsie," he said, "that I can
+hardly tell; if you used the same tone in speaking to your grandpa
+that you did in repeating your words to me just now, I don't think
+it was _very_ impertinent; though the words themselves were
+not as respectful as they ought to have been. You must always
+treat my father quite as respectfully as you do me; and I think
+with him, too, that there is something quite impertinent in a
+little girl like you setting up her opinion against that of her
+elders. You must never try it with me, my daughter."
+
+Elsie hung down her head in silence for a moment, then asked in a
+tremulous tone, "Are you going to punish me, papa?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "but first I am going to take you down-stairs and
+make you beg your grandfather's pardon. I see you don't want to do
+it," he added, looking keenly into her face, "but you _must_,
+and I hope I shall not be obliged to _enforce_ obedience to
+my commands."
+
+"I will do whatever you bid me, papa," she sobbed, "but I did not
+mean to be saucy. Please, papa, tell me what to say."
+
+"You must say, Grandpa, I did not intend to be impertinent to you,
+and I am very sorry for whatever may have seemed saucy in my words
+or tones; will you please to forgive me, and I will try always to
+be perfectly respectful in future. You can say all that with
+truth, I think?"
+
+"Yes, papa, I _am_ sorry, and I _do_ intend to be
+respectful to grandpa always," she answered, brushing away her
+tears, and putting her hand in his.
+
+He then led her into her grandfather's presence, saying: "Elsie
+has come to beg your pardon, sir."
+
+"That is as it should be," replied the old gentleman, glancing
+triumphantly at his wife; "I told her you would not uphold her in
+any such impertinence."
+
+"No," said his son, with some displeasure in his tone; "I will
+neither uphold her in wrongdoing, nor suffer her to be imposed
+upon. Speak, my daughter, and say what I bade you."
+
+Elsie sobbed out the required words.
+
+"Yes, I must forgive you, of course," replied her grandfather,
+coldly, "but I hope your father is not going to let you off
+without proper punishment."
+
+"I will attend to that; I certainly intend to punish her _as she
+deserves_" said his son, laying a marked emphasis upon the
+concluding words of his sentence.
+
+Elsie wholly misunderstood him, and so trembled with fear as he
+led her from the room, that she could scarcely walk; seeing which,
+he took her in his arms and carried her up-stairs, she sobbing on
+his shoulder.
+
+He did not speak until he had locked the door, carried her across
+the room, and seated himself upon the couch again, with her upon
+his knee.
+
+Then he said, in a soothing tone, as he wiped away her tears and
+kissed her kindly, "You need not tremble so, my daughter; I am not
+going to be severe with you."
+
+She looked up in glad surprise.
+
+"I said I would punish you as you _deserve_," he said, with a
+smile, "and I intend to keep you shut up here with me until bed-
+time, I shall not allow you to go down-stairs to tea, and besides,
+I am going to give you a long lesson to learn, which I shall
+require you to recite to me quite perfectly before you can go to
+bed."
+
+Elsie grew frightened again at the mention of the lesson, for she
+feared it might be something which she could not conscientiously
+study on the Sabbath; but all her fear and trouble vanished as she
+saw her father take up a Bible that lay on the table, and turn
+over the leaves as though selecting a passage.
+
+Presently he put it into her hands, and pointing to the thirteenth
+and fourteenth chapters of John's Gospel, bade her carry the book
+to a low seat by the window, and sit there until she had learned
+them perfectly.
+
+"O papa! what a nice lesson!" she exclaimed, looking up
+delightedly into his face; "but it won't be any punishment,
+because I love these chapters dearly, and have read them so often
+that I almost know every word already."
+
+"Hush, hush!" he said, pretending to be very stern; "don't tell me
+that my punishments are _no_ punishments, I don't allow you
+to talk so; just take the book and learn what I bid you; and if
+you know those two already, you may learn the next."
+
+Elsie laughed, kissed his hand, and tripped away to her window,
+while he threw himself down on the couch and took up a newspaper,
+more as a screen to his face, however, than for the purpose of
+reading; for he lay there closely watching his little daughter, as
+she sat in the rich glow of the sunset, with her sweet, grave
+little face bending over the holy book.
+
+"The darling!" he murmured to himself; "she is lovely as an angel, and
+she is _mine_, mine only, mine own precious one; and loves me with
+her whole soul. Ah! how can I ever find it in my heart to be stern to her?
+Ah! if _I_ were but _half_ as good and pure as she is, I should be
+a better man than I am." And he heaved a deep sigh.
+
+Half an hour had passed, and still Elsie bent over her book. The
+tea-bell rang, and Mr. Dinsmore started up, and crossing the room,
+bent down and stroked her hair.
+
+"Do you know it, darling?" he asked.
+
+"Almost, papa," and she looked up into his face with a bright,
+sweet smile, full of affection.
+
+With a sudden impulse he caught her in his arms, and kissing her
+again and again, said with emotion, "Elsie, my darling, I love you
+_too_ well; I could never bear to lose you."
+
+"You must love Jesus better, my own precious papa," she replied,
+clasping her little arms around his neck, and returning his
+caresses.
+
+He held her a moment, and then putting her down, said, "I shall
+send you up some supper, and I want you to eat it; don't behave as
+you did about the bread and water once, a good while ago."
+
+"Will it be bread and water this time, papa?" she asked, with a
+smile.
+
+"You will see," he said, laughingly, and quitted the room.
+
+Elsie turned to her book again, but in a few moments was
+interrupted by the entrance of a servant carrying on a silver
+waiter a plate of hot, buttered muffins, a cup of jelly, another
+of hot coffee, and a piece of broiled chicken. Elsie was all
+astonishment.
+
+"Why, Pomp," she asked, "did papa send it?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Elsie, 'deed he did," replied the servant, with a grin
+of satisfaction, as he set down his burden. "I reckon you been
+berry nice gal dis day; or else Marster Horace tink you little bit
+sick."
+
+"Papa is very good; and I am much obliged to you too, Pomp," said
+the little girl, laying aside her book, and seating herself before
+the waiter.
+
+"Jes ring de bell, Miss Elsie, ef you want more, and dis chile
+fotch 'em up; Marster Horace say so hisself." And the grinning
+negro bowed himself out, chuckling with delight, for Elsie had
+always been a great favorite with him.
+
+"Dear papa," Elsie said, when he came in again and smilingly asked
+if she had eaten her prison fare, "what a good supper you sent me!
+But I thought you didn't allow me such things!"
+
+"Don't you know," said he playfully, laying his hand upon her
+head, "that I am absolute monarch of this small kingdom, and you
+are not to question my doings or decrees?"
+
+Then in a more serious tone, "No, daughter, I do not allow it as a
+regular thing, because I do not think it for your good; but for
+once, I thought it would not hurt you. I know you are not one to
+presume upon favors, and I wanted to indulge you a little, because
+I fear my little girl has been made to suffer perhaps more than
+she quite deserved this afternoon."
+
+His voice had a very tender tone as he uttered the concluding
+words, and stooping, he pressed his lips to her forehead.
+
+"Don't think, though," he added the next moment, "that I am
+excusing you for impertinence, not at all; but it was what you
+have had to suffer from Enna's insolence. I shall put a stop to
+that, for I will not have it."
+
+"I don't mind it much, papa," said Elsie gently, "I am quite used
+to it, for Enna has always treated me so."
+
+"And why did _I_ never hear of it before?" he asked, half
+angrily. "It is abominable! not to be endured!" he exclaimed, "and
+I shall see that Miss Enna is made to understand that _my_
+daughter is fully her equal in every respect, and always to be
+treated as such."
+
+He paused; but, Elsie, half frightened at his vehemence, made no reply;
+and he went on: "I have no  doubt your grandfather and his wife would have
+been better pleased had I forced you to yield to Enna's whim; but I had
+no idea of such a thing; you shall use your own pleasure whenever she
+is concerned; but: if _I_ had bidden you to  tell her that
+story it would have been a very different matter; you need  never
+set up your will, or your opinion of right and wrong, against mine,
+Elsie, for I shall not allow it. I don't altogether like some of those
+strict  notions you have got into your head, and I give you fair warning,
+that should  they ever come into collision with _my_ wishes and
+commands, they will have to be given up. But don't look so alarmed,
+daughter; I hope it may never happen; and we will say no more about
+it to-night," he added, kindly, for she had grown very pale and
+trembled visibly.
+
+"O papa, dear papa! don't ever bid me do anything wrong; it would
+break my heart," she said, laying her head on his shoulder as he
+sat down and drew her to his side.
+
+"I never intend to bid you do wrong, but, on the contrary, wish
+you always to do right. But then, daughter, _I_ must be the
+judge of what is wrong or right for you; you must remember that
+you are only a very little girl, and not yet capable of judging
+for yourself, and all you have to do is to obey your father
+without murmuring or hesitation, and then there will be no
+trouble."
+
+His tone, though mild, and not unkind, was very firm and decided,
+and Elsie's heart sank; she seemed to feel herself in the shadow
+of some great trouble laid up in store for her in the future. But
+she strove, and ere long with success, to banish the foreboding of
+evil which oppressed her, and give herself up to the enjoyment of
+present blessings. Her father loved her dearly--she knew that--and
+he was not _now_ requiring her to do aught against her conscience,
+and perhaps he never might; he had said so himself, and God could incline
+his heart to respect her scruples; or if, in His infinite wisdom, He saw
+that the dreaded trial was needed, He would give her strength to bear it;
+for had He not promised, "As thy day, so shall thy strength be"?
+
+Her father's arm was around her, and she had been standing
+silently, with her face hidden on his shoulder, while these
+thoughts were passing through her mind, and the little heart going
+up in prayer to God for him and for herself.
+
+"What is my little girl thinking of?" he asked presently.
+
+"A good many things, papa," she said, raising her face, now quite
+peaceful and happy again. "I was thinking of what you had just
+been saying to me, and that I am so glad I know that you love me
+dearly; and I was asking God to help us both to do His will, and
+that I might always be able to do what you bid me, without
+disobeying Him," she added simply; and then asked, "May I say my
+lesson now, papa? I think I know it quite perfectly."
+
+"Yes," he said, in an absent way; "bring me the book."
+
+Elsie brought it, and putting it into his hands, drew up a stool
+and sat down at his feet, resting her arm on his knee, and looking
+up into his face; then in her sweet, low voice, she repeated
+slowly and feelingly, with true and beautiful emphasis, the
+chapters he had given her to learn; that most touching description
+of the Last Supper, and our Saviour's farewell address to His
+sorrowing disciples.
+
+"Ah! papa, is it not beautiful?" she exclaimed, laying her head
+upon his knee, while the tears trembled in her eyes. "Is not that
+a sweet verse, 'Having loved His own which were in the world, He
+loved them unto the end'? It seems so strange that He could be so
+thoughtful for them, so kind and loving, when all the time He knew
+what a dreadful death He was just going to die; and knew besides
+that they were all going to run away and leave Him alone with His
+cruel enemies. Oh! it is so sweet to know that Jesus is so loving,
+and that He loves me, and will always love me, even to the end,
+_forever_."
+
+"How do you know that, Elsie?" he asked.
+
+"I know that He loves me, papa, because I love Him, and He has
+said, 'I love them that love me;' and I know that He will love me
+always, because He has said, 'I have loved thee with an
+_everlasting_ love,' and in another place, 'I will never
+leave thee, nor forsake thee.'"
+
+"But do you think you are good enough, daughter, for Jesus to love
+you?"
+
+"Ah! papa, I know I am not at all good. I have a very wicked
+heart, and often my thoughts and feelings are all wrong, and Jesus
+knows all about it, but it does not keep Him from loving me, for
+you know it was _sinners_ He died to save. Ah! papa, how _good_
+and _kind_ He was! Who could help loving Him? I used to feel
+_so_ lonely and sad sometimes, papa, that I think my heart would
+have broken quite, and I should have died, if I had not had Jesus to love
+me."
+
+"When were you so sad and lonely, darling?" he asked in a moved
+tone, as he laid his hand gently on her head, and stroked her hair
+caressingly.
+
+"Sometimes when you were away, papa, and I had never seen you; but
+then I used to think of you, and my heart would long and
+_ache_ so to see you, and hear you call me daughter, and to
+lay my head against your breast and feel your arms folding me
+close to your heart, as you do so often now."
+
+She paused a moment, and struggled hard to keep down the rising
+sobs, as she added, "But when you came, papa, and I saw you did
+not love me, oh! papa, that was the worst. I thought I could
+never, _never_ bear it. I thought my heart would break, and I
+wanted to die and go to Jesus, and to mamma."
+
+The little frame shook with sobs.
+
+"My poor darling! my poor little pet!" he said, taking her in his
+arms again, and caressing her with the greatest tenderness, "it
+was very hard, very cruel. I don't know how I could steel my heart
+so against my own little child; but I had been very much
+prejudiced, and led to suppose that you looked upon me with fear
+and dislike, as a hated tyrant."
+
+Elsie lifted her eyes to his face with a look of extreme surprise.
+
+"O papa!" she exclaimed, "how _could_ you think that? I have
+always loved you, ever since I can remember."
+
+When Elsie went to her room that evening she thought very
+seriously of all that had occurred during the afternoon, and all
+that her papa had said to her; and to her usual petitions was
+added a very fervent one that he might never bid her break any
+command of God; or if he did, that she might have strength given
+her according to her day.
+
+A shadow had fallen on her pathway, faint, but perceptible; a
+light, fleecy cloud obscured the brightness of her sun; yet it was
+not for some weeks that even the most distant mutterings of the
+coming storm could be heard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TENTH
+
+
+    "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing
+    thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a Delight,
+    the Holy of the Lord, Honorable, and shalt honor him, not
+    doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor
+    speaking thine own words."
+                                 --_Isaiah_ Iviii. 13.
+
+    "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto
+    you, more than unto God, judge ye."
+                                 --_Acts_ iv. 19.
+
+
+Quite a number of guests had dined at Roselands. They were nearly
+all gentlemen, and were now collected in the drawing-room,
+laughing, jesting, talking politics, and conversing with each
+other and the ladies upon various worldly topics, apparently quite
+forgetful that it was the Lord's day, which He has commanded to be
+kept holy in thought and word, as well as deed.
+
+"May I ask what you are in search of, Mr. Eversham?" inquired
+Adelaide, as she noticed one of the guests glance around the room
+with a rather disappointed air.
+
+"Yes, Miss Adelaide; I was looking for little Miss Elsie. Travilla
+has given me so very glowing an account of her precocious musical
+talent, that I have conceived a great desire to hear her play and
+sing."
+
+"Do you hear that, Horace?" asked Adelaide, turning to her
+brother.
+
+"Yes, and I shall be most happy to gratify you, Eversham," replied
+the young father, with a proud smile.
+
+He crossed the room to summon a servant, but as he placed his hand
+upon the bell-rope, Mrs. Dinsmore arrested his movement.
+
+"Stay, Horace," she said; "you had better not send for her."
+
+"May I be permitted to ask _why_, madam?" he inquired in a
+tone of mingled surprise and annoyance.
+
+"Because she will not sing," answered the lady, coolly.
+
+"Pardon me, madam, but I think she will, if _I bid_ her to do
+it," he said with flashing eyes.
+
+"No, she will not," persisted Mrs. Dinsmore, in the same cold,
+quiet tone; "she will tell you she is wiser than her father, and
+that it would be a sin to obey him in this. Believe me, she will
+most assuredly defy your authority; so you had better take my
+advice and let her alone--thus sparing yourself the mortification
+of exhibiting before your guests your inability to govern your
+child."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore bit his lip with vexation.
+
+"Thank you," he said, haughtily, "but I prefer convincing you that
+that inability lies wholly in your own imagination; and I am quite
+at a loss to understand upon what you found your opinion, as Elsie
+has never yet made the very slightest resistance to my authority."
+
+He had given the bell-rope a vigorous pull while speaking, and a
+servant now appearing in answer to the summons, he sent him with a
+message to Elsie, requiring her presence in the drawing-room.
+
+Then turning away from his step-mother, who looked after him with
+a gleam of triumph in her eye, he joined the group of gentlemen
+already gathered about the piano, where Adelaide had just taken
+her seat and begun a brilliant overture.
+
+Yet, outwardly calm and self-satisfied as his demeanor may have
+been, Horace Dinsmore was even now regretting the step he had just
+taken; for remembering Elsie's conscientious scruples regarding
+the observance of the Sabbath--which he had for the moment
+forgotten--he foresaw that there would be a struggle, probably a
+severe one; and though, having always found her docile and
+yielding, he felt no doubt of the final result, he would willingly
+have avoided the contest, could he have done so without a
+sacrifice of pride; but, as he said to himself, with a slight
+sigh, he had now gone too far to retreat; and then he had all
+along felt that this struggle must come _some_ time, and perhaps it
+was as well now as at any other.
+
+Elsie was alone in her own room, spending the Sabbath afternoon in
+her usual manner, when the servant came to say that her papa
+wished to see her in the drawing-room. The little girl was a good
+deal alarmed at the summons, for the thought instantly flashed
+upon her, "He is going to bid me play and sing, or do something
+else which it is not right to do on the Sabbath day."
+
+But remembering that he never had done so, she hoped he might not
+now; yet ere she obeyed the call she knelt down for a moment, and
+prayed earnestly for strength to do right, however difficult it
+might be.
+
+"Come here, daughter," her father said as she entered the room. He
+spoke in his usual pleasant, affectionate tone, yet Elsie started,
+trembled, and turned pale; for catching sight of the group at the
+piano, and her Aunt Adelaide just vacating the music-stool, she at
+once perceived what was in store for her.
+
+"Here, Elsie," said her father, selecting a song which she had
+learned during their absence, and sang remarkably well, "I wish
+you to sing this for my friends; they are anxious to hear it."
+
+"Will not to-morrow do, papa?" she asked in a low, tremulous tone.
+
+Mrs. Dinsmore, who had drawn near to listen, now looked at Horace
+with a meaning smile, which he affected not to see.
+
+"Certainly not, Elsie," he said; "we want it now. You know it
+quite well enough without any more practice."
+
+"I did not want to wait for _that_ reason, papa," she replied
+in the same low, trembling tones, "but you know this is the holy
+Sabbath day."
+
+"Well, my daughter, and what of that? _I_ consider this song
+perfectly proper to be sung to-day, and that ought to satisfy you
+that you will not be doing wrong to sing it; remember what I said
+to you some weeks ago; and now sit down and sing it at once,
+without any more ado."
+
+"O papa! I _cannot_ sing it to-day; _please_ let me wait
+until to-morrow."
+
+"Elsie," he said in his sternest tones, "sit down to the piano
+instantly, and do as I bid you, and let me hear no more of this
+nonsense."
+
+She sat down, but raising her pleading eyes, brimful of tears to
+his face, she repeated her refusal. "Dear papa, I _cannot_
+sing it to-day. I _cannot_ break the Sabbath."
+
+"Elsie, you _must_ sing it," said he, placing the music
+before her. "I have told you that it will not be breaking the
+Sabbath, and that is sufficient; you must let me judge for you in
+these matters."
+
+"Let her wait until to-morrow, Dinsmore; tomorrow will suit us
+quite as well," urged several of the gentlemen, while Adelaide
+good-naturedly said, "Let me play it, Horace; I have no such
+scruples, and presume I can do it nearly as well as Elsie."
+
+"No," he replied, "when I give my child a command, it is to be
+obeyed; I have _said_ she should play it, and play it she
+_must_; she is not to suppose that she may set up her opinion
+of right and wrong against mine."
+
+Elsie sat with her little hands folded in her lap, the tears
+streaming from her downcast eyes over her pale cheeks. She was
+trembling, but though there was no stubbornness in her countenance,
+the expression meek and humble, she made no movement toward obeying
+her father's order.
+
+There was a moment of silent waiting; then he said in his severest
+tone, "Elsie, you shall sit there till you obey me, though it
+should be until to-morrow morning."
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied in a scarcely audible voice, and they all
+turned away and left her.
+
+"You see now that you had better have taken my advice, Horace,"
+remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, in a triumphant aside; "I knew very well
+how it would end."
+
+"Excuse me," said he, "but it has _not_ ended; and ere it
+does, I think she will learn that she has a stronger will than her
+own to deal with."
+
+Elsie's position was a most uncomfortable one; her seat high and
+uneasy, and seeming to grow more and more so as the weary moments
+passed slowly away. No one came near her or seemed to notice her,
+yet she could hear them conversing in other parts of the room, and
+knew that they were sometimes looking at her, and, timid and
+bashful as she was, it seemed hard to bear. Then, too, her little
+heart was very sad as she thought of her father's displeasure, and
+feared that he would withdraw from her the affection which had
+been for the last few months the very sunshine of her life.
+Besides all this, the excitement of her feelings, and the close
+and sultry air--for it was a very warm day--had brought on a
+nervous headache. She leaned forward and rested her head against
+the instrument, feeling in momentary danger of falling from her
+seat.
+
+Thus two long hours had passed when Mr. Travilla came to her side,
+and said in a compassionate tone, "I am really very sorry for you,
+my little friend; but I advise you to submit to your papa. I see
+you are getting very weary sitting there, and I warn you not to
+hope to conquer him. I have known him for years, and a more
+determined person I never saw. Had you not better sing the song?
+it will not take five minutes, and then your trouble will be all
+over."
+
+Elsie raised her head, and answered gently, "Thank you for your
+sympathy, Mr. Travilla, you are very kind; but I could not do it,
+because Jesus says, 'He that loveth father or mother more than me,
+is not worthy of me;' and I cannot disobey Him, even to please my
+own dear papa."
+
+"But, Miss Elsie, why do you think it would be disobeying Him? Is
+there any verse in the Bible which says you must not sing songs on
+Sunday?"
+
+"Mr. Travilla, it says the Sabbath is to be kept holy unto the
+Lord; that we are not to think our own thoughts, nor speak our own
+words, nor do our own actions; but all the day must be spent in
+studying God's word, or worshipping and praising Him; and there is
+no praise in that song; not one word about God or heaven."
+
+"That is very true, Elsie, but still it is such a _very
+little_ thing, that I cannot think there would be much harm in
+it, or that God would be very angry with you for doing it."
+
+"O Mr. Travilla!" she said, looking up at him in great surprise,
+"surely you know that there is no such thing as a _little
+sin_; and don't you remember about the man who picked up sticks
+on the Sabbath day?"
+
+"No; what was it?"
+
+"God commanded that he should be stoned to death, and it was done.
+Would you not have thought _that_ a very little thing, Mr.
+Travilla?"
+
+"Yes, I believe I should," said he, turning away with a very grave
+face.
+
+"Dinsmore," he said, going up to his friend; "I am sure that child
+is conscientious; had you not better give up to her in this
+instance?"
+
+"_Never_, Travilla," he answered, with stern decision. "This
+is the first time she has rebelled against my authority, and if I
+let her conquer now, she will think she is always to have her own
+way. No; cost what it may, I _must_ subdue her; she will have
+to learn that my will is law."
+
+"Right, Horace," said the elder Mr. Dinsmore, approvingly, "let
+her understand from the first that you are to be master; it is
+always the best plan."
+
+"Excuse me, Dinsmore," said Travilla; "but I must say that I think
+a parent has no right to coerce a child into doing violence to its
+conscience."
+
+"Nonsense!" replied his friend, a little angrily. "Elsie is
+entirely too young to set up her opinion against mine; she must
+allow me to judge for her in these matters for some years to
+come."
+
+Eversham, who had been casting uneasy glances at Elsie all the
+afternoon, now drawing his chair near to Adelaide, said to her in
+an undertone, "Miss Adelaide, I am deeply sorry for the mischief I
+have unwittingly caused, and if you can tell me how to repair it
+you will lay me under lasting obligations."
+
+Adelaide shook her head. "There is no moving Horace when he has
+once set his foot down," she said; "and as to Elsie, I doubt
+whether any power on earth can make her do what she considers
+wrong."
+
+"Poor little thing!" said Eversham, sighing; "where in the world
+did she get such odd notions?"
+
+"Partly from a pious Scotch woman, who had a good deal to do with
+her in her infancy, and partly from studying the Bible, I believe.
+She is always at it."
+
+"Indeed!" and he relapsed into thoughtful silence.
+
+Another hour passed slowly away, and then the tea-bell rang.
+
+"Elsie," asked her father, coming to her side, "are you ready to
+obey me now? if so, we will wait a moment to hear the song, and
+then you can go to your tea with us."
+
+"Dear papa, I cannot break the Sabbath," she replied, in a low,
+gentle tone, without lifting her head.
+
+"Very well then, I cannot break my word; you must sit there until
+you will submit; and until then you must fast. You are not only
+making yourself miserable by your disobedience and obstinacy,
+Elsie, but are mortifying and grieving _me_ very much," he
+added in a subdued tone, that sent a sharp pang to the loving
+little heart, and caused some very bitter tears to fall, as he
+turned away and left her.
+
+The evening passed wearily away to the little girl; the drawing-
+room was but dimly lighted, for the company had all deserted it to
+wander about the grounds, or sit in the portico enjoying the
+moonlight and the pleasant evening breeze, and the air indoors
+seemed insupportably close and sultry. At times Elsie could
+scarcely breathe, and she longed intensely to get out into the
+open air; every moment her seat grew more uncomfortable and the
+pain in her head more severe: her thoughts began to wander, she
+forgot where she was, everything became confused, and at length
+she lost all consciousness.
+
+Several gentlemen, among whom were Mr. Horace Dinsmore and Mr.
+Travilla, were conversing together on the portico, when they were
+suddenly startled by a sound as of something falling.
+
+Travilla, who was nearest the door, rushed into the drawing-room,
+followed by the others.
+
+"A light! quick, quick, a light!" he cried, raising Elsie's
+insensible form in his arms; "the child has fainted."
+
+One of the others, instantly snatching a lamp from a distant
+table, brought it near, and the increased light showed Elsie's
+little face, ghastly as that of a corpse, while a stream of blood
+was flowing from a wound in the temple, made by striking against
+some sharp corner of the furniture as she fell.
+
+She was a pitiable sight indeed, with her fair face, her curls,
+and her white dress all dabbled in blood.
+
+"Dinsmore, you're a brute!" exclaimed Travilla indignantly, as he
+placed her gently on a sofa.
+
+Horace made no reply, but, with a face almost as pale as her own,
+bent over his little daughter in speechless alarm, while one of
+the guests, who happened to be a physician, hastily dressed the
+wound, and then applied restoratives.
+
+It was some time ere consciousness returned, and the father
+trembled with the agonizing fear that the gentle spirit had taken
+its flight.
+
+But at length the soft eyes unclosed, and gazing with a troubled
+look into his face, bent so anxiously over her, she asked, "Dear
+papa, are you angry with me?"
+
+"No, darling," he replied in tones made tremulous with emotion,
+"not at all."
+
+"What was it?" she asked in a bewildered way; "what did I do? what
+has happened?"
+
+"Never mind, daughter," he said, "you have been ill; but you are
+better now, so don't think any more about it."
+
+"She had better be put to bed at once," said the physician.
+
+"There is blood on my dress," cried Elsie, in a startled tone;
+"where did it come from?"
+
+"You fell and hurt your head," replied her father, raising her
+gently in his arms; "but don't talk any more now."
+
+"Oh! I remember," she moaned, an expression of keen distress
+coming over her face; "papa--"
+
+"Hush! hush! not a word more; we will let the past go," he said,
+kissing her lips. "I shall carry you to your room now, and see you
+put to bed."
+
+He held her on his knee, her head resting on his shoulder, while
+Chloe prepared her for rest.
+
+"Are you hungry, daughter?" he asked.
+
+"No, papa; I only want to go to sleep."
+
+"There, Aunt Chloe, that will do," he said, as the old nurse tied
+on the child's night-cap; and raising her again in his arms, he
+carried her to the bed and was about to place her on it.
+
+"Oh papa! my prayers first, you know," she cried eagerly.
+
+"Never mind them to-night," said he, "you are not able."
+
+"Please let me, dear papa," she pleaded; "I cannot go to sleep
+without"
+
+Yielding to her entreaties, he placed her on her knees, and stood
+beside her, listening to her murmured petitions, in which he more
+than once heard his own name coupled with a request that he might
+be made to love Jesus.
+
+When she had finished, he again raised her in his arms, kissed her
+tenderly several times, and then laid her carefully on the bed,
+saying, as he did so, "Why did you ask, Elsie, that I might love
+Jesus?"
+
+"Because, papa, I do so want you to love Him; it would make you so
+happy; and besides, you cannot go to heaven without it; the Bible
+says so."
+
+"Does it? and what makes you think I don't love Him?"
+
+"Dear papa, please don't be angry," she pleaded, tearfully, "but
+you know Jesus says, 'He that keepeth my commandments, he it is
+that loveth me.'"
+
+He stooped over her. "Good night, daughter," he said.
+
+"Dear, _dear_ papa," she cried, throwing her arm round his
+neck, and drawing down his face close to hers, "I do love you so
+very, _very_ much!"
+
+"Better than anybody else?" he asked
+
+"No, papa, I love Jesus best; you next."
+
+He kissed her again, and with a half sigh turned away and left the
+room. He was not entirely pleased; not quite willing that she
+should love even her Saviour better than himself.
+
+Elsie was very weary, and was soon asleep. She waked the next
+morning feeling nearly as well as usual, and after she had had her
+bath and been dressed by Chloe's careful hands, the curls being
+arranged to conceal the plaster that covered the wound on her
+temple, there was nothing in her appearance, except a slight
+paleness, to remind her friends of the last night's accident.
+
+She was sitting reading her morning chapter when her father came
+in, and taking a seat by her side, lifted her to his knee, saying,
+as he caressed her tenderly, "My little daughter is looking pretty
+well this morning; how does she feel?"
+
+"Quite well, thank you, papa," she replied, looking up into his
+face with a sweet, loving smile.
+
+He raised the curls to look at the wounded temple; then, as he
+dropped them again, he said, with a shudder, "Elsie, do you know
+that you were very near being killed last night?"
+
+"No, papa, was I?" she asked with an awe-struck countenance.
+
+"Yes, the doctor says if that wound had been made half an inch
+nearer your eye--I should have been childless."
+
+His voice trembled almost too much for utterance as he finished
+his sentence, and he strained her to his heart with a deep sigh of
+thankfulness for her escape.
+
+Elsie was very quiet for some moments, and the little face was
+almost sad in its deep thoughtfulness.
+
+"What are you thinking of, darling?" he asked.
+
+She raised her eyes to his face and he saw that they were brimful
+of tears.
+
+"O papa!" she said, dropping her head on his breast while the
+bright drops fell like rain down her cheeks, "would you have been
+so very sorry?"
+
+"Sorry, darling! do you not know that you are more precious to me
+than all my wealth, all my friends and relatives put together?
+Yes, I would rather part with everything else than lose this one
+little girl," he said, kissing her again and again.
+
+"Dear, _dear_ papa! how glad I am that you love me so much!"
+she replied; and then relapsed into silence.
+
+He watched her changing countenance for some time, then asked,
+"What is it, darling?"
+
+"I was just thinking," she said, "whether I was ready to go to
+heaven, and I believe I was; for I know that I love Jesus; and
+then I was thinking how glad mamma would have been to see me;
+don't you think she would, papa?"
+
+"I can't spare you to her yet," he replied with emotion, "and I
+think she loves me too well to wish it."
+
+As Miss Day had not yet returned, Elsie's time was still pretty
+much at her own disposal, excepting when her papa gave her
+something to do; so, after breakfast, finding that he was engaged
+with some one in the library, she took her Bible, and seeking out
+a shady retreat in the garden, sat down to read.
+
+The Bible was ever the book of books to her, and this morning the
+solemn, tender feelings naturally caused by the discovery of her
+recent narrow escape from sudden death made it even more than
+usually touching and beautiful in her eyes. She had been alone in
+the arbor for some time, when, hearing a step at her side, she
+looked up, showing a face all wet with tears.
+
+It was Mr. Travilla who stood beside her.
+
+"In tears, little Elsie! Pray, what may the book be that effects
+you so?" he asked, sitting down by her side and taking it from her
+hand. "The Bible, I declare!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What can
+there be in it that you find so affecting?"
+
+"O Mr. Travilla!" said the little girl, "does it not make your
+heart ache to read how the Jews abused our dear, dear Saviour? and
+then to think that it was all because of our sins," she sobbed.
+
+He looked half distressed, half puzzled; it seemed a new idea to
+him.
+
+"Really, my little Elsie," he said, "you are quite original in
+your ideas, I suppose I _ought_ to feel unhappy about these
+things, but indeed the truth is, I have never thought much about
+them."
+
+"Then you don't love Jesus," she answered, mournfully. "Ah! Mr.
+Travilla, how sorry I am."
+
+"Why, Elsie, what difference can it make to you whether I love Him
+or not?"
+
+"Because, Mr. Travilla, the Bible says, 'If any man love not the
+Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha,' accursed from
+God. Oh! sir, think how dreadful! You cannot be _saved_ unless you
+love Jesus, and believe on Him. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
+thou shalt be saved.' That is what God says in his word."
+
+She spoke with deep solemnity, the tears trembling in her eyes. He
+was touched, but for a while sat perfectly silent.
+
+Then he said, with an effort to speak lightly. "Ah, well, my
+little friend, I certainly intend to repent and believe before I
+die, but there is time enough yet."
+
+"Mr. Travilla," she said, laying her hand on his arm and looking
+earnestly into his face, "how do you know that there is time
+enough yet? _don't_ put it off, I beg of you."
+
+She paused a moment; then asked, "Do you know, Mr. Travilla, how
+near I came to being killed last night?"
+
+He nodded.
+
+"Well, suppose I had been killed, and had not loved Jesus; where
+would I be now?"
+
+He put his arm round her, and giving her a kiss, said, "I don't
+think you would have been in any very bad place, Elsie; a sweet,
+amiable little girl, who has never harmed any one, would surely
+not fare very badly in another world."
+
+She shook her head very gravely.
+
+"Ah! Mr. Travilla, you forget the anathema, maranatha; if I had
+not loved Jesus, and had my sins washed away in His blood, I could
+not have been saved."
+
+Just at this moment a servant came to tell Elsie that her papa
+wanted her in the drawing-room, and Mr. Travilla, taking her hand,
+led her into the house.
+
+They found the company again grouped about the piano, listening to
+Adelaide's music.
+
+Elsie went directly to her father and stood by his side, putting
+her hand in his with a gesture of confiding affection.
+
+He smiled down at her, and kept fast hold of it until his sister
+had risen from the instrument, when putting Elsie in her place, he
+said, "Now, my daughter, let us have that song."
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied, beginning the prelude at once, "I will
+do my very best."
+
+And so she did. The song was both well played and well sung, and
+her father looked proud and happy as the gentlemen expressed their
+pleasure and asked for another and another.
+
+Thus the clouds which had so suddenly obscured little Elsie's sky,
+seemed to have vanished as speedily as they had arisen.
+
+Her father again treated her with all his wonted affection, and
+there even seemed to be a depth of tenderness in his love which it
+had not known before, for he could not forget how nearly he had
+lost her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVENTH
+
+
+   "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank
+    thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid
+    these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
+    them unto babes; even so, Father; for so it seemed good in
+    thy sight."
+                                 --_Luke_ x. 21.
+
+
+Says the Apostle Paul, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my
+conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have
+great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, for I could wish
+that myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren, my kinsmen
+according to the flesh.... Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer
+to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."
+
+And such, dear reader, is, in greater or less degree, the feeling
+of every renewed heart; loving Jesus, it would fain have others
+love Him too; it desires the salvation of all; but for that of its
+own dear ones it longs and labors and prays; it is like Jacob
+wrestling with the angel, when he said, "I will not let thee go
+except thou bless me."
+
+And thus it was with Elsie. She knew now that her father was not a
+Christian; that he had no real love for Jesus, none of the true
+fear of God before his eyes. She saw that if he permitted her to
+read to him from God's word, as he sometimes did, it was not that
+he felt any pleasure in listening, but only to please her; she had
+no reason to suppose he ever prayed, and though he went regularly
+to church, it was because he considered it proper and respectable
+to do so, and not that he cared to worship God, or to learn His
+will.
+
+This conviction, which had gradually dawned upon Elsie, until now
+it amounted to certainty, caused her great grief; she shed many
+tears over it in secret, and very many and very earnest were the
+prayers she offered up for her dear father's conversion.
+
+She was sitting on his knee one evening in the drawing-room, while
+he and several other gentlemen were conversing on the subject of
+religion. They were discussing the question whether or no a change
+of heart were necessary to salvation.
+
+The general opinion seemed to be that it was not, and Elsie
+listened with pain while her father expressed his decided
+conviction that all who led an honest, upright, moral life, and
+attended to the outward observances of religion, were quite safe.
+
+"He could see no necessity for a change of heart; he did not
+believe in the doctrine of total depravity, not he; no indeed, he
+thought the world much better than many people would have us
+believe."
+
+Elsie fixed her eyes on his face with a very mournful gaze while
+he was speaking, but he was busy with his argument and did not
+notice her.
+
+But one of the guests was just expressing his approval of Mr.
+Dinsmore's sentiments, when catching sight of Elsie's face, he
+stopped, remarking, "Your little girl looks as if she had
+something to say on the subject; what is it, my dear?"
+
+Elsie blushed, hesitated, and looked at her father.
+
+"Yes, speak, my daughter, if you have anything to say," he said
+encouragingly.
+
+Elsie lifted her eyes timidly to the gentleman's face as she
+replied, "I was just thinking, sir, of what our Saviour said to
+Nicodemus: 'Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born
+again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' 'Marvel not that I said
+unto thee, Ye must be born again.'"
+
+She repeated these words of inspiration with a deep, earnest
+solemnity that seemed to impress every hearer.
+
+For a moment there was a deep hush in the room.
+
+Then the gentleman asked, "Well, my little lady, and what is meant
+by being born again?"
+
+"O sir!" she replied, "surely you know that it means to have the
+image of God, lost in Adam's fall, restored to us; it means what
+David asked for when he prayed, 'Create in me a clean heart, O
+God, and renew a right spirit within me.'"
+
+"Where did you learn all this?" he asked, looking at her with
+mingled surprise and admiration.
+
+"In the Bible, sir," she modestly replied.
+
+"You seem to have read it to some purpose," said he; "and now
+since you consider that change so necessary, can you tell me how
+it is to be brought about?"
+
+"God's Holy Spirit, alone, can change a sinner's heart, sir."
+
+"And how am I to secure His aid?" he asked.
+
+Elsie answered with a text: "God is more willing to give His Holy
+Spirit to them that ask Him, than parents are to give good gifts
+unto their children."
+
+He paused a moment; then asked, "Have you obtained this new heart,
+Miss Elsie?"
+
+"I hope I have, sir," she replied, the sweet little face all
+suffused with blushes, and the soft, downcast eyes filling with
+tears.
+
+"Why do you think so?" he asked again, "I think there is a text
+that says you must be able always to give a reason for the hope
+that is in you, or something to that effect, is there not?"
+
+"Yes, sir: 'Be ready always to give an answer to every man that
+asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and
+fear.'" Then raising her eyes to his face with a touching mixture
+of deep humility and holy boldness, she continued, "And this, sir
+is my answer: Jesus says, 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no
+wise cast out;' and I believe Him. I did go to Him, and He did not
+cast me out, but forgave my sins, and taught me to love Him and
+desire to serve Him all my life."
+
+This conversation between the gentleman and the little girl had
+drawn the attention of all present; and now Mrs. Dinsmore, who had
+more than once shown signs of impatience, said, "Well, Elsie, I
+think you have now talked quite enough for a child of your age."
+Then, pulling out her watch, "It is high time for little folks to
+be in bed."
+
+Elsie, blushing deeply, would have retired immediately, but her
+father held her fast, saying, as he gave his stepmother an angry
+glance, "You need not go, Elsie, unless you choose; I am quite
+capable of judging when it is time to send you to bed."
+
+"I would rather go, if you please, papa," whispered Elsie, who had
+a great dread of Mrs. Dinsmore's anger.
+
+"Very well, then, you may do as you like," he replied, giving her
+a good-night kiss. And with a graceful good-night to the company,
+the little girl left the room.
+
+Her questioner followed her with an admiring glance, then turning
+to her father, exclaimed warmly, "She is a _remarkably_ intelligent
+child, Dinsmore! one that any father might be proud of. I was astonished
+at her answers."
+
+"Yes," remarked Travilla, "a text has been running in my head ever
+since you commenced your conversation; something about these
+things being hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto
+babes. And," he added, "I am sure if ever I saw one who possessed
+that new nature of which she spoke, it is she herself. Has she any
+faults, Dinsmore?"
+
+"Very few, _I_ think; though she would tell you a different
+story," replied her father with a gratified smile.
+
+The next morning Elsie was sitting reading her Bible, when she
+suddenly felt a hand laid on her head, and her father's voice
+said, "Good morning, little daughter."
+
+"Ah! papa, is that you?" she asked, raising her head to give him a
+smile of joyful welcome. "I did not know you were there."
+
+"Ah! I have been watching you for several minutes," he said;
+"always poring over the same book, Elsie; do you never tire of
+it?"
+
+"No, indeed, papa; it is always new, and I do love it so; it is so
+very sweet. May I read a little to you?" she added coaxingly.
+
+"Yes, I love to listen to anything read by my darling," he said,
+sitting down and taking her on his knee.
+
+She opened at the third chapter of John's Gospel and read it
+through. At the sixteenth verse, "For God so loved the world, that
+He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
+should not perish, but have everlasting life," she paused, and
+asked, "Was not that a wonderful gift, papa? and wonderful love
+that prompted it?"
+
+"Yes," he said, absently stroking her hair.
+
+She finished the chapter, and closing the book, laid her head on
+his breast, asking, "Dear papa, don't you believe the Bible?"
+
+"Certainly, daughter; I am not an infidel," he replied in a
+careless tone.
+
+"Well, then, papa," she continued, half hesitatingly, "does not
+this chapter teach very plainly that we must love Jesus, and have
+new hearts, if we want to go to heaven?"
+
+"Yes," he said, "I dare say it does."
+
+Then taking the book from her, he laid it aside, and giving her a
+kiss, said, "I was much pleased with your intelligent answers to
+Mr. Lee, last evening."
+
+Elsie sighed, and her eyes filled with tears. It was not what she
+wanted.
+
+"What an odd child you are!" he said, laughing. "You really look
+as though I had been scolding, instead of praising you."
+
+She dropped her head on his breast, and burst into tears and sobs.
+
+"Why, Elsie, my own darling, what ails you?" he asked in great
+surprise.
+
+"O papa!" she sobbed, "I want you to love Jesus."
+
+"Oh! is _that_ all?" he said.
+
+And setting her on her feet, he took her by the hand and led her
+out into the garden, where they met Mr. Travilla and another
+gentleman, who immediately entered into conversation with Mr.
+Dinsmore, while Elsie wandered about amongst the flowers and
+shrubs, gathering a nosegay for her Aunt Adelaide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELFTH
+
+
+   "She had waited for their coming,
+      She had kiss'd them o'er and o'er--
+    And they were so fondly treasured
+      For the words of love they bore,
+    Words that whispered in the silence,
+      She had listened till his tone
+    Seemed to linger in the echo
+      'Darling, thou art all mine own!'"
+                                 --MRS. J. C. NEAL.
+
+
+"Pray, what weighty matter is troubling your young brain, birdie?"
+asked Adelaide, laughingly laying her hand on Elsie's shoulder.
+"Judging from the exceeding gravity of your countenance, one might
+imagine that the affairs of the nation had been committed to your
+care."
+
+"O auntie! can't you help me? won't you?" answered the little
+girl, looking up coaxingly into the bright, cheerful face bent
+over her.
+
+"Help you in what? reading with your book upside down, eh?" asked
+Adelaide, pointing with a quizzical look at the volume of fairy
+tales in her little niece's lap.
+
+"Oh!" cried Elsie, coloring and laughing in her turn, "I was not
+reading, and did not know that my book was wrong side up. But,
+Aunt Adelaide, you know Christmas is coming soon, and I want to
+give papa something, and I am quite puzzled about it. I thought of
+slippers, but he has a very handsome pair, and besides there would
+hardly be time to work them, as I have so many lessons; a purse
+won't do either, because I have given him one already, and I would
+like it to be something worth more than either slippers or purse.
+But you are so much wiser than I, can't you help me think?"
+
+"So _this_ is what has kept you so quiet and demure all day
+that I have scarcely once heard you laugh or sing; quite an
+unusual state of things of late," and Adelaide playfully pinched
+the round, rosy cheek. "Ahem! let me put on my thinking cap,"
+assuming an air of comic gravity. "Ah! yes, I have it! your
+miniature, little one, of course; what could please him better?"
+
+"Oh! yes," cried Elsie, clapping her hands, "that will do nicely;
+why didn't I think of it? Thank you, auntie. But then," she added,
+her countenance falling, "how can I get it taken without his
+knowledge? you know the surprise is half the fun."
+
+"Never mind, my dear, I'll find a way to manage that," replied
+Adelaide, confidently; "so just run away with you now, and see how
+much money you can scrape together to spend on it."
+
+"It won't take long to count it," Elsie said with a merry laugh.
+"But here is papa just coming in at the door; I hope he won't
+suspect what we have been talking about," and she bounded away to
+meet him and claim the kiss he never refused her now.
+
+Once Adelaide would not have been surprised at Elsie's quietness.
+Patient and sweet tempered the little girl had always been, but
+more especially after her father's return from Europe--very quiet
+and timid, seeming to shrink from observation, with a constant
+dread of incurring reproof or punishment; but the last few happy
+months, during which her father had continued to lavish upon her
+every proof of the tenderest affection, had wrought a great change
+in her; her manner had lost its timidity, she moved about the
+house with a light and joyous step, and it was no unusual thing to
+hear her merry, silvery laugh ring out, or her sweet voice
+carolling like some wild bird of the wood--the natural outgushings
+of her joy and thankfulness; for the little heart that had so long
+been famishing for love, that had often grown so weary and sick in
+its hungering and thirsting for it, was now fully satisfied, and
+revelled in its new-found happiness.
+
+"I have got it all arranged nicely, Elsie," Adelaide said, coming
+into the room with a very pleased face as the little girl was
+preparing for bed that evening. "Your papa is going away in a day
+or two to attend to some business matters connected with your
+property, and will be absent at least two weeks; so, unless he
+should take it into his head to carry you along, we can easily
+manage about the picture."
+
+Elsie looked up with a countenance of blank dismay.
+
+"Why," said Adelaide, laughing, "I thought you'd be delighted with
+my news, and instead of that, you look as if I had read you your
+death-warrant."
+
+"O Aunt Adelaide! two whole weeks without seeing papa! just think
+how long."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense, child! it will be gone before you know it. But
+now tell me, how much money have you?"
+
+"I have saved my allowance for two months; that makes twenty
+dollars, you know, auntie, and I have a little change besides; do
+you think it will be enough?"
+
+"Hardly, I'm afraid; but I can lend you some, if necessary."
+
+"Thank you, auntie," Elsie answered gratefully, "you are very
+kind; but I couldn't take it, because papa has told me expressly
+that I must never borrow money, nor run into debt in any way."
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Adelaide, a little impatiently; "Horace
+certainly is the most absurdly strict person I ever met with. But
+never mind, I think we can manage it somehow," she added, in a
+livelier tone, as she stooped to kiss her little niece good-night.
+
+Elsie's gentle rap was heard very early at her papa's door the
+next morning.
+
+He opened it immediately, and springing into his arms, she asked,
+almost tearfully, "Are you going away, papa?"
+
+"Yes, darling," he said, caressing her fondly. "I must leave home
+for a few weeks; and though I at first thought of taking you with
+me, upon further consideration I have decided that it will be
+better to leave you here; yet, if you desire it very much, my pet,
+I will take you along. Shall I?"
+
+"You know I would always rather be with you than anywhere else,
+papa," she answered, laying her head on his shoulder; "but you
+know best, and I am quite willing to do whatever you say."
+
+"That is right, daughter; my little Elsie is a good, obedient
+child," he said, pressing her closer to him.
+
+"When are you going papa?" she asked, her voice trembling a
+little.
+
+"To-morrow, directly after dinner, daughter."
+
+"So soon," she sighed.
+
+"The sooner I leave you the sooner I shall return, you know,
+darling," he said, patting her cheek, and smiling kindly on her.
+
+"Yes, papa; but two weeks seems such a long, long time."
+
+He smiled. "At your age I suppose it does, but when you are as old
+as I am, you will think it very short. But to make it pass more
+quickly, you may write me a little letter every day, and I will
+send you one just as often."
+
+"Oh! thank you, papa; that will be so pleasant," she answered,
+with a brightening countenance. "I do so love to get letters, and
+I would rather have one from you than from anybody else."
+
+"Ah? then I think you ought to be willing to spare me for two
+weeks. I have been thinking my little girl might perhaps be glad
+of a little extra pocket-money for buying Christmas gifts," he
+said, taking out his purse. "Would you?"
+
+"Yes, papa; oh! _very_ much, indeed."
+
+He laughed at her eager tone, and putting a fifty-dollar note into
+her hand, asked, "Will that be enough?"
+
+Elsie's eyes opened wide with astonishment.
+
+"I never before had half so much as this," she exclaimed. "May I
+spend it _all_, papa?"
+
+"Provided you don't throw it away," he answered gravely; "but
+don't forget that I require a strict account of all your
+expenditure."
+
+"Must I tell you _every_ thing I buy?" she asked, her
+countenance falling considerably.
+
+"Yes, my child, you must; not until after Christmas, however, if
+you would rather not."
+
+"I will not mind it so much then," she answered, looking quite
+relieved; "but indeed, papa, it is a great deal of trouble."
+
+"Ah! my little girl must not be lazy," he said, shaking his head
+gravely.
+
+This was Elsie's first parting from her father since they had
+learned to know and love each other; and when the time came to say
+good-by, she clung to him, and seemed so loath to let him go, that
+he quite repented of his determination to leave her at home.
+
+"O papa, papa! I cannot bear to have you go, and leave me behind,"
+she sobbed. "I feel as if you were never coming back."
+
+"Why, my own darling," he said, kissing her again and again, "why
+do you talk so? I shall certainly be at home again in a fortnight;
+but if I had thought you would feel so badly, I would have made
+arrangements to take you with me. It is too late now, however, and
+you must let me go, dearest. Be a good girl while I am gone, and
+when I return I will bring you some handsome presents."
+
+So saying, he embraced her once more, then putting her gently from
+him, sprang into the carriage and was driven rapidly away.
+
+Elsie stood watching until it was out of sight, and then ran away
+to her own room to put her arms round her nurse's neck and hide
+her tears on her bosom.
+
+"Dere, dere, darlin'! dat will do now. Massa Horace he be back
+'fore long, and ole Chloe don' like for to see her chile
+'stressin' herself so," and the large, dusky hand was passed
+lovingly over the bright curls, and tenderly wiped away the
+falling tears.
+
+"But, O mammy! I'm afraid he will never come back. I'm afraid the
+steamboat boiler will burst, or the cars will run off the track,
+or----"
+
+"Hush, hush, darlin'! dat's wicked; you must jes' trust de Lord to
+take care of Massa Horace; He's jes' as able to do it one place as
+in tudder; an ef you an' your ole mammy keep prayin' for Massa,
+I'se _sure_ he'll come back safe, kase don't you remember
+what de good book says, 'If any two of you agree----'"
+
+"Oh! yes, dear mammy, thank you for remembering it," exclaimed the
+little girl, lifting her head and smiling through her tears. "I
+won't cry any more now, but will just try to keep thinking how
+glad I will be when papa comes home again."
+
+"A very sensible resolution, my dear," said Adelaide, putting her
+head in at the door; "so come, dry your eyes, and let mammy put on
+your bonnet and cloak as fast as possible, for I have begged a
+holiday for you, and am going to carry you off to the city to do
+some shopping, et cetera."
+
+"Ah! I think I know what that et cetera means, auntie, don't I?"
+laughed Elsie, as she hastened to obey.
+
+"Dear me! how very wise some people are," said her aunt, smiling
+and nodding good-naturedly. "But make haste, my dear, for the
+carriage is at the door."
+
+When Elsie laid her head upon her pillow that night she
+acknowledged to herself, that in spite of her father's absence--
+and she had, at times, missed him sadly--the day had been a very
+short and pleasant one to her, owing to her Aunt Adelaide's
+thoughtful kindness in taking her out into new scenes, and giving
+agreeable occupation to her thoughts.
+
+She rose at her usual early hour the next morning, and though
+feeling lonely, comforted herself with the hope of receiving the
+promised letter; and her face was full of eager expectation, as
+her grandfather, in his usual leisurely manner, opened the bag and
+distributed its contents.
+
+"Two letters for Elsie!" he said, in a tone of surprise, just as
+she was beginning to despair of her turn coming at all. "Ah; one
+is from Horace, I see; and the other from Miss Allison, no doubt."
+
+Elsie could hardly restrain her eagerness while he held them in
+his hand, examining and commenting upon the address, postmark,
+etc.
+
+But at length he tossed them to her, remarking, "There! if you are
+done your breakfast, you had better run away and read them."
+
+"Oh! thank you, grandpa," she said, gladly availing herself of his
+permission.
+
+"Elsie is fortunate to-day," observed Lora looking after her. "I
+wonder which she will read first."
+
+"Her father's, of course," replied Adelaide. "He is more to her
+than all the rest of the world put together."
+
+"A matter of small concern to the rest of the world, I opine,"
+remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, dryly.
+
+"Perhaps so, mamma," said Adelaide, quietly; "yet I think there
+are _some_ who prize Elsie's affection."
+
+Yes, Adelaide was right. Miss Rose's letter was neglected and
+almost forgotten, while Elsie read and reread her papa's with the
+greatest delight.
+
+It gave an amusing account of the day's journey; but what
+constituted its chief charm for the little girl was that it was
+filled with expressions of the tenderest affection for her.
+
+Then came the pleasant task of answering, which occupied almost
+all her spare time, for letter-writing was still, to her, a rather
+new and difficult business, Miss Allison having hitherto been her
+only correspondent. And this was a pleasure which was renewed
+every day, for her papa faithfully kept his promise, each morning
+bringing her a letter, until at length one came announcing the
+speedy return of the writer.
+
+Elsie was almost wild with delight.
+
+"Aunt Adelaide," she cried, running to her to communicate the glad
+tidings, "papa says he will be here this very afternoon."
+
+"Well, my dear, as we have already attended to all the business
+that needed to be kept secret from him, I am very glad to hear it,
+especially for _your_ sake," replied Adelaide, looking up for
+a moment from the book she was reading, and then returning to it
+again, while her little niece danced out of the room, with her
+papa's letter still in her hand, and a face beaming with
+happiness.
+
+She met Mrs. Dinsmore in the hall.
+
+"Why are you skipping about in that mad fashion, Elsie?" she
+asked, severely; "I believe you will never learn to move and act
+like a lady."
+
+"I will try, madam, indeed," Elsie answered, subsiding into a slow
+and steady gait which would not have disgraced a woman of any age;
+"but I was so glad that papa is coming home to-day, that I could
+not help skipping."
+
+"Indeed!" and with a scornful toss of the head, Mrs. Dinsmore
+sailed past her and entered the drawing-room.
+
+Elsie had once, on her first arrival at Roselands, addressed Mrs.
+Dinsmore, in the innocence of her heart, as "grandma," but that
+lady's horrified look, and indignant repudiation of the ancient
+title, had made a deep impression on the little girl's memory, and
+effectually prevented any repetition of the offence.
+
+As the hour drew near when her father might reasonably be
+expected, Elsie took her station at one of the drawing-room
+windows overlooking the avenue, and the moment the carriage
+appeared in sight, she ran out and stood waiting for him on the
+steps of the portico.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore put out his head as they drove up the avenue, and the
+first object that caught his eye was the fairy-like form of his
+little daughter, in her blue merino dress, and the golden brown
+curls waving in the wind. He sprang out and caught her in his arms
+the instant the carriage stopped.
+
+"My darling, darling child," he cried, kissing her over and over
+again, and pressing her fondly to his heart, "how glad I am to
+have you in my arms again!"
+
+"Papa, papa, my own dear, dear papa!" she exclaimed, throwing her
+arms around his neck, "I'm _so_ happy, now that you have come
+home safe and well."
+
+"Are you, darling? but I must not keep you out in this wind, for
+it is quite chilly."
+
+He set her down, and leaving the servant to attend lo his baggage,
+led her into the hall.
+
+"Will you come into the drawing-room, papa?" she said; "there is a
+bright, warm fire there."
+
+"Is there not one in my dressing-room?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, papa, a very good one."
+
+"Then we will go there. I dare say the rest of the family are in
+no great hurry to see me, and I want my little girl to myself for
+half an hour," he said, leading the way up-stairs as he spoke.
+
+They found, as Elsie had reported, a very bright fire in the
+dressing-room. A large easy chair was drawn up near it, and a
+handsome dressing-gown and slippers were placed ready for use; all
+the work of Elsie's loving little hands.
+
+He saw it all at a glance, and with a pleased smile, stooped and
+kissed her again, saying, "My dear little daughter is very
+thoughtful for her papa's comfort."
+
+Then exchanging his warm out-door apparel and heavy boots for the
+dressing-gown and slippers, he seated himself in the chair and
+took her on his knee.
+
+"Well, daughter," he said, passing his hand caressingly over her
+curls, "papa has brought you a present; will you have it now, or
+shall it be kept for Christmas?"
+
+"Keep it for Christmas, papa," she answered gayly. "Christmas is
+almost here, and besides, I don't want to look at anything but you
+to-night."
+
+"Very well, look at me as much as you like," was his laughing
+rejoinder. "And now tell me, have you been a good girl in my
+absence?"
+
+"As good as I ever am, I believe, papa. I tried very hard; but you
+can ask Miss Day."
+
+"No, I am entirely satisfied with your report, for I know my
+little daughter is quite truthful."
+
+Elsie colored with pleasure, then calling to mind the time when he
+had for a moment suspected her of falsehood, she heaved a deep
+sigh, dropping her head upon his breast.
+
+He seemed to understand her thoughts, for, pressing his lips to
+her forehead, he said gently and kindly, "I think I shall never
+again doubt my little daughter's truth."
+
+She looked up with a grateful smile.
+
+"Miss Day has gone away to stay until after New Year's day, papa,"
+she said, "and so our holidays have begun."
+
+"Ah! I am very well satisfied," said he. "I think you have earned
+a holiday, and I hope you will enjoy it. But I don't know that I
+shall let _you_ play _all_ the time," he added with a smile;
+"I have some notion of giving you a lesson now and then, myself."
+
+"Dear papa, how pleasant!" she exclaimed delightedly; "I do so
+love to say lessons to you."
+
+"Well, then, we will spend an hour together every morning. But are
+you not to have some company?"
+
+"Oh! yes, papa, quite a house full," she said with a slight sigh.
+"The Percys, and the Howards, and all the Carringtons, and some
+others too, I believe."
+
+"Why do you sigh, daughter?" he asked; "do you not expect to enjoy
+their company?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I hope so," she answered, rather dubiously; "but when
+there are so many, and they stay so long, they are apt to
+disagree, and that, you know, is not pleasant. I am sure I shall
+enjoy the hour with you better than anything else; it is so sweet
+to be quite alone with my own darling papa," and the little arm
+stole softly round his neck again, and the rosy lips touched his
+cheek.
+
+"Well, when are the little plagues coming?" he asked, returning
+her caress.
+
+"Some of them to-morrow, papa; no, Monday--to-morrow is Sabbath
+day."
+
+"Shall I bring in de trunks now, massa?" asked Mr. Dinsmore's
+servant, putting his head in at the door.
+
+"Yes, John, certainly."
+
+"Why, you brought back a new one, papa, didn't you?" asked Elsie,
+as John carried in one she was sure she had never seen before, and
+in obedience to a motion of her father's hand, set it down quite
+near them.
+
+"Yes, my dear, it is yours. There, John, unlock it," tossing him
+the key. "And now, daughter, get down and see what you can find in
+it worth having."
+
+Elsie needed no second bidding, but in an instant was on her knees
+beside the trunk, eager to examine its contents.
+
+"Take the lid off the band-box first, and see what is there," said
+her father.
+
+"O papa, how _very_ pretty!" she cried, as she lifted out a
+beautiful little velvet hat adorned with a couple of ostrich
+feathers.
+
+"I am very glad it pleases you, my darling," he said, putting it
+on her head, and gazing at her with proud delight in her rare
+beauty. "There! it fits exactly, and is very becoming."
+
+Then taking it off, he returned it to the box, and bade her look
+further.
+
+"I am reserving the present for Christmas," he said, in answer to
+her inquiring look.
+
+Elsie turned to the trunk again.
+
+"Dear papa, how good you are to me!" she said, looking up at him
+almost with tears of pleasure in her eyes, as she lifted out, one
+after another, a number of costly toys, which she examined with
+exclamations of delight, and then several handsome dresses, some
+of the finest, softest merino, and others of thick rich silk, all
+ready made in fashionable style, and doing credit to his taste and
+judgment; and lastly a beautiful velvet pelisse, trimmed with
+costly fur, just the thing to wear with her pretty new hat.
+
+He laughed and patted her cheek.
+
+"We must have these dresses tried on," he said, "at least one of
+them; for as they were all cut by the same pattern--one of your
+old dresses which I took with me--I presume they will all fit
+alike. There, take this one to mammy, and tell her to put it on
+you, and then come back to me."
+
+"Oh! I wondered how you could get them the right size, papa,"
+Elsie answered, as she skipped gayly out of the room.
+
+She was back again in a very few moments, arrayed in the pretty
+silk he had selected.
+
+"Ah! it seems to be a perfect fit," said he, turning her round and
+round, with a very gratified look.
+
+"Mammy must dress you to-morrow in one of these new frocks, and
+your pretty hat and pelisse."
+
+Elsie looked troubled.
+
+"Well, what is it?" he asked.
+
+"I am afraid I shall be thinking of them in church, papa, if I
+wear them then for the first time."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! what harm if you do? This squeamishness, Elsie,
+is the one thing about you that displeases me very much. But
+there! don't look so distressed, my pet. I dare say you will get
+over it by-and-by, and be all I wish; indeed I sometimes think you
+have improved a little already, in that respect."
+
+Oh! what a pang these words sent to her heart! was it indeed true
+that she was losing her tenderness of conscience? that she was
+becoming less afraid of displeasing and dishonoring her Saviour
+than in former days? The very thought was anguish.
+
+Her head drooped upon her bosom, and the small white hands were
+clasped convulsively together, while a bitter, repenting cry, a
+silent earnest prayer for pardon and help went up to Him whose ear
+is ever open to the cry of His children.
+
+Her father looked at her in astonishment.
+
+"What is it, darling?" he asked, drawing her tenderly toward him,
+and pushing back the curls from her face; "why do you look so
+pained? what did I say that could have hurt you so? I did not mean
+to be harsh and severe, for it was a very trifling fault."
+
+She hid her face on his shoulder and burst into an agony of tears.
+
+"It was not that, papa, but--but----"
+
+"But what, my darling? don't be afraid to tell me," he answered,
+soothingly.
+
+"O papa! I--I am afraid I don't--love Jesus--as much as I did,"
+she faltered out between her sobs.
+
+"Ah! _that_ is it, eh? Well, well, you needn't cry any more.
+_I_ think you are a very good little girl, though rather a
+silly one, I am afraid, and quite too morbidly conscientious."
+
+He took her on his knee as he spoke, wiped away her tears, and
+then began talking in a lively strain of something else.
+
+Elsie listened, and answered him cheerfully, but all the evening
+he noticed that whenever she was quiet, an unusual expression of
+sadness would steal over her face.
+
+"What a strange child she is!" he said to himself, as he sat
+musing over the fire, after sending her to bed. "I cannot
+understand her; it is very odd how often I wound, when I intend to
+please her."
+
+As for Elsie, she scarcely thought of her new finery, so troubled
+was her tender conscience, so pained her little heart to think
+that she had been wandering from her dear Saviour.
+
+But Elsie had learned that "if any man sin, we have an advocate
+with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," and to Him she went
+with her sin and sorrow; she applied anew to the pardoning, peace-
+speaking blood of Christ--that "blood of sprinkling that speaketh
+better things than that of Abel;" and thus the sting of conscience
+was taken away and her peace restored, and she was soon resting
+quietly on her pillow, for, "so He giveth His beloved sleep."
+
+Even her father's keen, searching glance, when she came to him in
+the morning, could discover no trace of sadness in her face; very
+quiet and sober it was, but entirely peaceful and happy, and so it
+remained all through the day. Her new clothes did not trouble her;
+she was hardly conscious of wearing them, and quite able to give
+her usual solemn and fixed attention to the services of the
+sanctuary.
+
+"Where are you going, daughter?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, as Elsie
+gently withdrew her hand from his on leaving the dining-room.
+
+"To my room, papa," she replied.
+
+"Come with me," he said; "I want you."
+
+"What do you want me for, papa?" she asked, as he sat down and
+took her on his knee.
+
+"What for? why to keep, to love, and to look at," he said
+laughing. "I have been away from my little girl so long, that now
+I want her close by my side, or on my knee, all the time. Do you
+not like to be with me?"
+
+"_Dearly_ well, my own darling papa," she answered, flinging
+her little arms around his neck, and laying her head on his
+breast.
+
+He fondled her, and chatted with her for some time, then, still
+keeping her on his knee, took up a book and began to read.
+
+Elsie saw with pain that it was a novel and longed to beg him to
+put it away, and spend the precious hours of the holy Sabbath in
+the study of God's word, or some of the lesser helps to Zion's
+pilgrims which the saints of our own or other ages have prepared.
+But she knew that it would be quite out of place for a little
+child like her to attempt to counsel or reprove her father; and
+that, tenderly as he loved and cherished her, he would never for
+one moment allow her to forget their relative positions.
+
+At length she ventured to ask softly, "Papa, may I go to my own
+room now?"
+
+"What for?" he asked; "are you tired of my company?"
+
+"No, sir, _oh! no;_ but I want--" she hesitated and hung her
+head for an instant, while the rich color mounted to cheek and
+brow; then raising it again, she said fearlessly, "I always want
+to spend a little while with my best Friend on Sabbath afternoon,
+papa."
+
+He looked puzzled, and also somewhat displeased.
+
+"I don't understand you, Elsie," he said; "you surely can have no
+better friend than your own father; and can it be _possible_
+that you love any one else better than you love me?"
+
+Again the little arms were round his neck, and hugging him close
+and closer, she whispered, "It was Jesus I meant, papa; you know
+He loves me even better than you do, and I must love Him best of
+all; but there is no one else that I love half so much as I love
+you, my own dear, dear precious father."
+
+"Well, you may go; but only for a little while, mind," he
+answered, giving her a kiss, and setting her down. "Nay," he added
+hastily, "stay as long as you like; if you feel it a punishment to
+be kept here with me, I would rather do without you."
+
+"Oh! no, no, papa," she said beseechingly, and with tears in her
+eyes; "I do so love to be with you. Please don't be angry; please
+let me come back soon."
+
+"No, darling, I am not angry," he answered, smoothing her hair and
+smiling kindly on her; "come back just when you like, and the
+sooner the better."
+
+Elsie did not stay away very long; in less than an hour she
+returned, bringing her Bible and "Pilgrim's Progress" with her.
+
+Her father welcomed her with a smile, and then turned to his novel
+again, while she drew a stool to his side, and, sitting down,
+leaned her head against his knee, and read until the short winter
+day began to close in, and Mr. Dinsmore, whose hand had been every
+now and then laid caressingly upon her curls, said, "Put away your
+book now, daughter; it is growing too dark for you to read without
+straining your eyes."
+
+"Please, papa, let me finish the paragraph first; may I?" she
+asked.
+
+"No; you must always obey the instant I speak to you."
+
+Elsie rose at once, and without another word laid her books upon
+the table; then coming back, claimed her accustomed place upon his
+knee, with her head resting on his shoulder.
+
+He put his arm around her, and they sat silently thus for some
+moments. At length Elsie asked, "Papa, did you ever read
+'Pilgrim's Progress!'"
+
+"Yes; a good while ago, when I was quite a boy."
+
+"And you did not like it, papa?"
+
+"Yes, very much, though I have nearly forgotten the story now. Do
+_you_ like it?"
+
+"Very much, indeed, papa; I think it comes next to the Bible."
+
+"Next to the Bible, eh? well, I believe you are the only little
+girl of my acquaintance who thinks _that_ the most beautiful
+and interesting book in the world. But, let me see, what is this
+'Pilgrim's Progress' about? some foolish story of a man with a
+great load on his back; is it not?"
+
+"Foolish! papa; oh! I am sure you don't mean it; you couldn't
+think it foolish. Ah! I know by your smile that you are only
+saying it to tease me. It is a beautiful story, papa, about
+Christian: how he lived in the City of Destruction, and had a
+great burden on his back, which he tried in every way to get rid
+of, but all in vain, until he came to the Cross; but then it
+seemed suddenly to loosen of itself, and dropped from his back,
+and rolled away, and fell into the sepulchre, where it could not
+be seen any more."
+
+"Well, and is not _that_ a foolish story? can you see any
+sense or meaning in it?" he asked, with a slight smile, and a keen
+glance into the eager little face upturned to his.
+
+"Ah! papa, I know what it means," she answered, in a half-
+sorrowful tone. "Christian, with the load on his back, is a person
+who has been convinced of sin by God's Holy Spirit, and feels his
+sins a heavy burden--too heavy for him to bear; and then he tries
+to get rid of them by leaving off his wicked ways, and by doing
+good deeds; but he soon finds he can't get rid of his load that
+way, for it only grows heavier and heavier, until at last he gives
+up trying to save himself, and just goes to the cross of Jesus
+Christ; and the moment he looks to Jesus and trusts in Him, his
+load of sin is all gone."
+
+Mr. Dinsmore was surprised; as indeed he had often been at Elsie's
+knowledge of spiritual things.
+
+"Who told you all that?" he asked.
+
+"I read it in the Bible, papa; and besides, I know, because I have
+felt it."
+
+He did not speak again for some moments; and then he said very
+gravely, "I am afraid you read too many of those dull books. I
+don't want you to read things that fill you with sad and gloomy
+thoughts, and make you unhappy. I want my little girl to be merry
+and happy as the day is long."
+
+"Please don't forbid me to read them, papa," she pleaded with a
+look of apprehension, "for indeed they don't make me unhappy, and
+I love them so dearly."
+
+"You need not be alarmed. I shall not do so unless I see that they
+do affect your spirits," he answered in a reassuring tone, and she
+thanked him with her own bright, sweet smile.
+
+She was silent for a moment, then asked suddenly, "Papa, may I say
+some verses to you?"
+
+"Some time," he said, "but not now, for there is the tea-bell;"
+and taking her hand, he led her down to the dining-room.
+
+They went to the drawing-room after tea, but did not stay long.
+There were no visitors, and it was very dull and quiet there, no
+one seeming inclined for conversation. Old Mr. Dinsmore sat
+nodding in his chair, Louise was drumming on the piano, and the
+rest were reading or sitting listlessly, saying nothing, and Elsie
+and her papa soon slipped away to their old seat by his dressing-
+room fire.
+
+"Sing something for me, my pet, some of those little hymns I often
+hear you singing to yourself," he said, as he took her on his
+knee; and Elsie gladly obeyed.
+
+Some of the pieces she sang alone, but in others which were
+familiar to him, her father joined his deep bass notes to her
+sweet treble, at which she was greatly delighted. Then they read
+several chapters of the Bible together, and thus the evening
+passed so quickly and pleasantly that she was very much surprised
+when her papa, taking out his watch, told her it was her bed-time.
+
+"O papa! it has been such a nice, _nice_ evening!" she said,
+as she bade him good-night; "so like the dear old times I used to
+have with Miss Rose, only--"
+
+She paused and colored deeply.
+
+"Only what, darling?" he asked, drawing her caressingly to him.
+
+"Only, papa, if you would pray with me, like she did," she
+whispered, winding her arms about his neck, and hiding her face on
+his shoulder.
+
+"That I cannot do, my pet, I have never learned how; and so I fear
+you will have to do all the praying for yourself and me too," he
+said, with a vain effort to speak lightly, for both heart and
+conscience were touched.
+
+The only reply was a tightening of the clasp of the little arms
+about his neck, and a half-suppressed sob; then two trembling lips
+touched his, a warm tear fell on his cheek, and she turned away
+and ran quickly from the room.
+
+Oh! how earnest and importunate were Elsie's pleadings at a throne
+of grace that night, that her "dear, _dear_ papa might soon
+be taught to love Jesus, and how to pray to Him." Tears fell fast
+while she prayed, but she rose from her knees feeling a joyful
+assurance that her petitions had been heard, and would be granted
+in God's own good time.
+
+She had hardly laid her head upon her pillow, when her father came
+in, and saying, "I have come to sit beside my little girl till she
+falls asleep," placed himself in a chair close by her side, taking
+her hand in his and holding it, as she loved so to have him do.
+
+"I am _so_ glad you have come, papa," she said, her whole
+face lighting up with pleased surprise.
+
+"Are you?" he answered with a smile. "I'm afraid I am spoiling
+you; but I can't help it to-night. I think you forget your wish to
+repeat some verses to me?"
+
+"Oh! yes, papa!" she said, "but may I say them now?"
+
+He nodded assent, and she went on. "They are some Miss Rose sent
+me in one of her letters. She cut them out of a newspaper, she
+said, and sent them to me because she liked them so much; and I
+too think they are very sweet. The piece is headed:
+
+             "'THE PILGRIM'S WANTS.'
+
+    "'I want a sweet sense of Thy pardoning love,
+      That my manifold sins are forgiven;
+    That Christ, as my Advocate, pleadeth above,
+      That my name is recorded in heaven.
+
+    "'I want every moment to feel
+      That thy Spirit resides in my heart--
+    That his power is present to cleanse and to heal,
+      And newness of life to impart.
+
+    "'I want--oh! I want to attain
+       Some likeness, my Saviour, to thee!
+    That longed for resemblance once more to regain,
+      Thy comeliness put upon me.
+
+    "'I want to be marked for thine own--
+      Thy seal on my forehead to wear;
+    To receive that new name on the mystic white stone
+      Which none but thyself can declare.
+
+    "'I want so in thee to abide
+      As to bring forth some fruit to thy praise;
+    The branch which thou prunest, though feeble and dried,
+      May languish, but never decays.
+
+    "'I want thine own hand to unbind
+      Each tie to terrestrial things,
+    Too tenderly cherished, too closely entwined,
+      Where my heart so tenaciously clings.
+
+    "'I want, by my aspect serene,
+      My actions and words, to declare
+    That my treasure is placed in a country unseen,
+      That my heart's best affections are there.
+
+    "'I want as a trav'ller to haste
+      Straight onward, nor pause on my way;
+    Nor forethought in anxious contrivance to waste
+      On the tent only pitched for a day.
+
+    "'I want--and this sums up my prayer--
+      To glorify thee till I die;
+    Then calmly to yield up my soul to thy care,
+      And breathe out in faith my last sigh.'"
+
+[Footnote: These beautiful words are not mine, nor do I know
+either the name of the author or where they were originally
+published.]
+
+He was silent for a moment after she had repeated the last verse,
+then laying his hand softly on her head, and looking searchingly
+into her eyes, he asked, "And does my little one really wish all
+that those words express?"
+
+"Yes, papa, for myself and for you too," she answered. "O papa! I
+do want to be all that Jesus would have me! just like Him; so like
+Him that everybody who knows me will see the likeness and know
+that I belong to Him."
+
+"Nay, you belong to me," he said, leaning over her and patting her
+cheek. "Hush! not a syllable from your lips. I will have no
+gainsaying of my words," he added, with a mixture of authority and
+playfulness, as she seemed about to reply. "Now shut your eyes and
+go to sleep; I will have no more talking to-night."
+
+She obeyed at once; the white lids gently closed over the sweet
+eyes, the long, dark lashes rested quietly on the fair, round
+cheek, and soon her soft regular breathing told that she had
+passed into the land of dreams.
+
+Her father sat, still holding the little hand, and still gazing
+tenderly upon the sweet young face, till, something in its
+expression reminding him of words she had just repeated,
+
+    "I want to be marked for thine own--
+     Thy seal on my forehead to wear,"
+
+he laid it gently down, rose, and bent over her with a troubled
+look.
+
+"Ah, my darling, _that_ prayer is granted already!" he
+murmured; "for, ah me! you seem almost too good and pure for
+earth. But oh, God forbid that you should be taken from me to that
+place where I can see that your heart is even now. How desolate
+should I be!" and he turned away with a shiver and a heavy sigh,
+and hastily quitted the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEENTH
+
+
+   "An angel face! its sunny wealth of hair,
+    In radiant ripples bathed the graceful throat
+    And dimpled shoulders."
+                                 --MRS. OSGOOD.
+
+
+The cold gray light of a winter morning was stealing in through
+the half-closed blinds as Elsie awoke, and started up in bed, with
+the thought that this was the day on which several of her young
+guests were expected, and that her papa had promised her a walk
+with him before breakfast, if she were ready in time.
+
+Aunt Chloe had already risen, and a bright fire was blazing and
+crackling on the hearth, which she was carefully sweeping up.
+
+"Good morning, mammy," said the little girl. "Are you ready to
+dress me now?"
+
+"What, you 'wake, darlin'?" cried the fond old creature, turning
+quickly round at the sound of her nursling's voice. "Better lie
+still, honey, till de room gets warm."
+
+"I'll wait a little while, mammy," Elsie said, lying down again,
+"but I must get up soon; for I wouldn't miss my walk with papa for
+a great deal. Please throw the shutters wide open, and let the
+daylight in. I'm so glad it has come."
+
+"Why, my bressed lamb, you didn't lie awake lookin' for de
+mornin', did you? You ain't sick, nor sufferin' any way?"
+exclaimed Chloe, in a tone of mingled concern and inquiry, as she
+hastily set down her broom, and came toward the bed, with a look
+of loving anxiety on her dark face.
+
+"Oh, no, mammy! I slept nicely, and feel as well as can be,"
+replied the little girl; "but I am glad to see this new day,
+because I hope it is going to be a very happy one. Carry Howard,
+and a good many of my little friends are coming, you know, and I
+think we will have a very pleasant time together."
+
+"Your ole mammy hopes you will, darlin'," replied Chloe, heartily;
+"an' I'se glad 'nough to see you lookin' so bright an' well; but
+jes you lie still till it gets warm here. I'll open de shutters,
+an' fotch some more wood for de fire, an' clar up de room, an' by
+dat time I reckon you can get up."
+
+Elsie waited patiently till Chloe pronounced the room warm enough,
+then sprang up with an eager haste, asking to be dressed as
+quickly as possible, that she might go to her papa.
+
+"Don't you go for to worry yourself, darlin'; dere's plenty ob
+time," said Chloe, beginning her work with all speed, however; "de
+mistress had ordered de breakfast at nine, dese holiday times, to
+let de ladies an' gen'lemen take a mornin' nap if dey likes it."
+
+"Oh, yes, mammy! and that reminds me that papa said I must eat a
+cracker or something before I take my walk, because he thinks it
+isn't good for people to exercise much on an entirely empty
+stomach," said Elsie. "Will you get me one when you have done my
+curls?"
+
+"Yes, honey, dere's a paper full in de drawer yonder," replied
+Chloe, "an' I reckon you better eat two or three, or you'll be
+mighty hungry 'fore you gits your breakfast."
+
+It still wanted a few minutes of eight o'clock when Elsie's gentle
+rap was heard at her papa's dressing-room door. He opened it, and
+stooping to give her a good-morning kiss, said, with a pleased
+smile, "How bright and well my darling looks! Had you a good
+night's rest?"
+
+"Oh, yes, papa! I never waked once till it began to be light," she
+replied; "and now I'm all ready for our walk."
+
+"In good season, too," he said. "Well, we will start presently;
+but take off your hat and come and sit on my knee a little while
+first; breakfast will be late this morning, and we need not hurry.
+Did you get something to eat?" he asked, as he seated himself by
+the fire and drew her to his side.
+
+"Yes, papa, I ate a cracker, and I think I will not get very
+hungry before nine o'clock; and I'm very glad we have so much time
+for our walk," she replied, as she took her place on his knee.
+"Shall we not start soon?"
+
+"Presently," he said, stroking her hair; "but it will not hurt you
+to get well warmed first, for it is a sharp morning."
+
+"You are very careful of me, dear papa," she said, laying her head
+on his breast, "and oh! it is so nice to have a papa to love me
+and take care of me."
+
+"And it is so nice to have a dear little daughter to love and to
+take care of," he answered, pressing her closer to him.
+
+The house was still very quiet, no one seeming to be astir but the
+servants, as Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie went down the stairs and
+passed out through the hall.
+
+"O papa! it is going to be such a nice day, and I feel so happy!"
+Elsie gayly exclaimed, as they started down the avenue.
+
+"Do you, daughter?" he said, regarding her with an expression of
+intense yearning affection; "I wish I could make you always as gay
+and happy as you are at this moment. But alas! it cannot be, my
+darling," he added with a sigh.
+
+"I know that, papa," she said with sudden gravity, "'for man that
+is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble,' the Bible
+says; but I don't feel frightened at that, because it tells me,
+besides, that Jesus loves me, _oh, so dearly!_ and will never
+leave nor forsake me; and that He has all power in heaven and in
+earth, and will _never_ let anything happen to me but what
+shall do me good. O papa, it is such a _happy_ thing to have
+the dear Lord Jesus for your friend!"
+
+"It is strange how everything seems to lead your thoughts to Him,"
+he said, giving her a wondering look.
+
+"Yes, papa, it is because I love Him so," she answered, simply;
+and the father sighed as the thought arose, "Better than she loves
+me, even as she told me herself. Ah! I would I could be
+_all_--_everything_ to her, as she is fast becoming to
+me. I cannot feel satisfied, and yet I believe few daughters love
+their fathers as well as she loves me;" and fondly pressing the
+little hand he held, he looked down upon her with beaming eyes.
+
+She raised hers to his face with an expression of confiding
+affection; and, as though she had read his thoughts: "Yes, papa,"
+she said, "I love _you_ dearly, dearly, too; better than all
+the world besides."
+
+Breakfast--always a plentiful and inviting meal at Roselands--was
+already upon the table when they returned, and they brought to it
+appetites sufficiently keen to make it very enjoyable.
+
+Elsie spent the first hour after breakfast at the piano,
+practising, and the second in her papa's dressing-room, studying
+and reciting to him; then they took a long ride on horseback, and
+when they returned she found that quite a number of the expected
+guests had already arrived.
+
+Among them was Caroline Howard, a favorite friend of Elsie's; a
+pretty, sweet-tempered little girl, about a year older than
+herself.
+
+Caroline had been away paying a long visit to some friends in the
+North, and so the two little girls had not met for nearly a year,
+and of course they had a great deal to say to each other.
+
+They chatted a few moments in the drawing-room, and then Elsie
+carried her friend off with her to her own room, that they might
+go on with their talk while she was getting dressed for dinner.
+Caroline had much to tell of her Northern relatives, and of all
+she had seen and heard, and Elsie of her new-found parent, and her
+happiness in being so loved and cared for; and so the little
+tongues ran very fast, neither of them feeling Chloe's presence
+any restraint. But she soon completed her task, and went out,
+leaving the two sitting on the sofa together, laughing and talking
+merrily while awaiting the summons to dinner, which they were to
+take that day along with their elders.
+
+"How pretty your hair is, Elsie," said Caroline, winding the
+glossy ringlets around her finger. "I wish you'd give me one of
+these curls. I want to get a bracelet made for mamma, and she
+thinks so much of you, and your hair is such a lovely color, that
+I am sure she would be delighted with one made of it."
+
+"A Christmas gift is it to be?" asked Elsie; "but how will you get
+it done in time? for you know day after to-morrow is Christmas."
+
+"Yes, I know; but if I could get into the city this afternoon, I
+think I might get them to promise it by to-morrow night."
+
+"Well, you shall have the curl, at any rate, if you will just take
+the scissors and help yourself, and poor mammy will have the fewer
+to curl the next time," Elsie answered, laughingly. "But mind,"
+she added, as Caroline prepared to avail herself of the
+permission, "that you take it where it will not be missed."
+
+"Of course I will; I don't want to spoil your beauty, though you
+are so much prettier than I," was Caroline's laughing rejoinder.
+"There," she cried, holding up the severed ringlet, "isn't it a
+beauty? but don't look scared, it will never be missed among so
+many; I don't even miss it myself, although I know it is gone."
+
+"Well," Elsie said, shaking back her curls, "suppose we go down to
+the drawing-room now, and I will ask papa to take us to the city
+this afternoon; or, if he is too busy to go himself, to let Pomp
+or Ajax drive us in."
+
+"I think it would be better fun to go alone, Elsie--don't you?"
+asked Caroline, with some hesitation; adding quickly: "Don't be
+vexed, but I must confess I am more than half afraid of your
+father."
+
+"Oh! you wouldn't be, Carry, if you knew him," Elsie answered, in
+her eager way; "I was a little myself, at first, but now I love
+him so dearly, I never want to go anywhere without him."
+
+They found Mr. Dinsmore in the drawing-room, where most of the
+guests and the older members of the family were assembled. He was
+conversing with a strange gentleman, and his little girl stood
+quietly at his side, patiently waiting until he should be ready to
+give her his attention. She had to wait some moments, for the
+gentlemen were discussing some political question, and were too
+much engaged to notice her.
+
+But at length her father put his arm around her, and with a kind
+smile asked, "What is it, daughter?"
+
+"Carry and I want to go to the city, this afternoon; won't you
+take us, papa?"
+
+"I wish I could, my dear, but I have an engagement, which makes it
+quite impossible."
+
+"Ah, I'm so sorry! but then, papa, we may have one of the
+carriages, and Pomp or Ajax to drive us, may we not?"
+
+"No, daughter; I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am afraid you
+are too young to be trusted on such an expedition with only a
+servant. You must wait until to-morrow, when I can take you
+myself."
+
+"But, papa, we want to go to-day. Oh! please do say yes; we want
+to go so very much, and I'm sure we could do very nicely by
+ourselves."
+
+Her arm was around his neck, and both tone and look were very
+coaxing.
+
+"My little daughter forgets that when papa says no, she is never
+to ask again."
+
+Elsie blushed and hung her head. His manner was quite too grave
+and decided for her to venture another word.
+
+"What is the matter? what does Elsie want?" asked Adelaide, who
+was standing near, and had overheard enough to have some idea of
+the trouble.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore explained, and Adelaide at once offered to take
+charge of the little girls, saying that she intended shopping a
+little in the city herself that very afternoon.
+
+"Thank you," said her brother, looking very much pleased; "that
+obviates the difficulty entirely. Elsie, you may go, if Mrs.
+Howard gives Caroline permission."
+
+"Thank you, dear papa, thank you so very much," she answered
+gratefully, and then ran away to tell Carry of her success, and
+secure Mrs. Howard's permission, which was easily obtained.
+
+Elsie had intended buying some little present for each of the
+house-servants, and had taken a great deal of pleasure in making
+out a list of such articles as she thought would be suitable; but,
+on examining her purse, she found to her dismay that she had
+already spent so much on the miniature, and various gifts intended
+for other members of the family, that there was very little left;
+and it was with a very sober, almost sorrowful face, that she came
+down to take her place in the carriage; it brightened instantly,
+though, as she caught sight of her father waiting to see her off.
+
+"All ready, my darling?" he said, holding out his hand; "I think
+you will have a pleasant ride."
+
+"Ah! yes, if you were only going too, papa," she answered
+regretfully.
+
+"Quite impossible, my pet; but here is something to help you in
+your shopping; use it wisely;" and he put a twenty-dollar gold
+piece in her hand.
+
+"Oh, thank you, papa! how good and kind you are to me!" she
+exclaimed, her whole face lighting up with pleasure; "now I can
+buy some things I wanted to get for mammy and the rest. But how
+could you know I wanted more money?"
+
+He only smiled, lifted her up in his arms, and kissed her fondly;
+then, placing her in the carriage, said to the coachman, "Drive
+carefully, Ajax; you are carrying my greatest treasure."
+
+"Nebber fear, marster; dese ole horses nebber tink ob running
+away," replied the negro, with a bow and a grin, as he touched his
+horses with the whip, and drove off.
+
+It was growing quite dark when the carriage again drove up the
+avenue; and Mr. Horace Dinsmore, who was beginning to feel a
+little anxious, came out to receive them, and ask what had
+detained them so long.
+
+"Long!" said Adelaide, in a tone of surprise, "you gentlemen
+really have no idea what an undertaking it is to shop. Why, I
+thought we got through in a wonderfully short time."
+
+"O papa, I have bought such quantities of nice things," cried
+Elsie, springing into his arms.
+
+"Such as tobacco pipes, red flannel, et cetera," remarked
+Adelaide, laughing.
+
+"Indeed, Miss Adelaide!" exclaimed Carry, somewhat indignantly,
+"you forget the----"
+
+But Elsie's little hand was suddenly placed over her mouth, and
+Carry laughed pleasantly, saying, "Ah! I forgot, I mustn't tell."
+
+"Papa, papa," cried Elsie, catching hold of his hand, "do come
+with me to my room, and let me show you my purchases."
+
+"I will, darling," he answered, pinching her cheek, "Here, Bill"--
+to a servant--"carry these bundles to Miss Elsie's room."
+
+Then, picking her up, he tossed her over his shoulder, and carried
+her up-stairs as easily as though she had been a baby, she
+clinging to him and laughing merrily.
+
+"Why, papa, how strong you are," she said, as he set her down. "I
+believe you can carry me as easily as I can my doll."
+
+"To be sure; you are my doll," said he, "and a very light burden
+for a man of my size and strength. But here come the bundles! what
+a number! no wonder you were late in getting home."
+
+"Oh! yes, papa see! I want to show you!" and catching up one of
+them, she hastily tore it open, displaying a very gay handkerchief.
+"This is a turban for Aunt Phillis; and this is a pound of tobacco for
+old Uncle Jack, and a nice pipe, too. Look, mammy! won't he be pleased?
+And here's some flannel for poor old Aunt Dinah, who has the rheumatism;
+and that--oh! no, no, mammy! don't you open that! It's a nice shawl for
+her, papa," she whispered in his ear.
+
+"Ah!" he said, smiling; "and which is my present? You had better
+point it out, lest I should stumble upon it and learn the secret
+too soon."
+
+"There is none here for you, sir," she replied, looking up into
+his face with an arch smile. "I would give you the bundle you
+carried up-stairs, just now, but I'm afraid you would say that was
+not mine to give, because it belongs to you already."
+
+"Indeed it does, and I feel richer in that possession than all the
+gold of California could make me," he said, pressing her to his
+heart.
+
+She looked surpassingly lovely at that moment, her cheeks burning,
+and her eyes sparkling with excitement; the dark, fur-trimmed
+pelisse, and the velvet hat and plumes, setting off to advantage
+the whiteness of her pure complexion and the glossy ringlets
+falling in rich masses on her shoulders.
+
+"My own papa! I'm so glad I do belong to you," she said, throwing
+her arms around his neck, and laying her cheek to his for an
+instant. Then springing away, she added: "But I must show you the
+rest of the things; there are a good many more."
+
+And she went on opening bundle after bundle, displaying their
+contents, and telling him for whom she intended them, until at
+last they had all been examined, and then she said, a little
+wearily, "Now, mammy, please put them all away until to-morrow.
+But first take off my things and get me ready to go downstairs."
+
+"No, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said in a gentle but firm tone; "you
+are not ready to have them put away until the price of each has
+been set down in your book."
+
+"Oh! papa," she pleaded, "won't to-morrow do? I'm tired now, and
+isn't it almost tea-time?"
+
+"No; never put off till to-morrow what may as well be done to-day.
+There is nearly an hour yet before tea, and I do not think it need
+fatigue you much."
+
+Elsie's face clouded, and the slightest approach to a pout might
+have been perceived.
+
+"I hope my little girl is not going to be naughty," he said, very
+gravely.
+
+Her face brightened in an instant. "No, papa," she answered
+cheerfully, "I will be good, and do whatever you bid me."
+
+"That is my own darling," said he, "and I will help you, and it
+will not take long."
+
+He opened her writing-desk as he spoke, and took out her account-
+book.
+
+"Oh! papa," she cried in a startled tone, springing forward and
+taking hold of his hand, "please, please don't look! you know you
+said I need not show you until after Christmas."
+
+"No, I will not," he replied, smiling at her eagerness; "you shall
+put down the items in the book, while I write the labels, and Aunt
+Chloe pins them on. Will that do?"
+
+"Oh! that's a nice plan, papa," she said gayly, as she threw off
+her hat and pelisse, and seating herself before the desk, took out
+her pen and ink.
+
+Chloe put the hat and pelisse carefully away, brought a comb and
+brush, and smoothed her nursling's hair, and then began her share
+of the business on hand.
+
+Half an hour's work finished it all, and Elsie wiped her pen, and
+laid it away, saying joyously, "Oh! I'm so glad it is all done."
+
+"Papa knew best, after all, did he not?" asked her father, drawing
+her to him, and patting her cheek.
+
+"Yes, papa," she said softly; "you always know best, and I am very
+sorry I was naughty."
+
+He answered with a kiss, and, taking her hand, led her down to the
+drawing-room.
+
+After tea the young people adjourned to the nursery, where they
+amused themselves with a variety of innocent games. Quite early in
+the evening, and greatly to Elsie's delight, her father joined
+them; and, though some of the young strangers were at first rather
+shy of him, they soon found that he could enter heartily into
+their sports, and before the time came to separate for the night,
+he had made himself very popular with nearly all.
+
+Time flew fast, and Elsie was very much surprised when the clock
+struck eight. Half-past was her bedtime; and, as she now and then
+glanced up at the dial-plate, she thought the hands had never
+moved so fast. As it struck the half hour she drew near her
+father's side.
+
+"Papa," she asked, "is the clock right?"
+
+"Yes, my dear, it is," he replied, comparing it with his watch.
+
+"And must I go to bed now?" she asked, half hoping for permission
+to stay up a little longer.
+
+"Yes, daughter; keep to rules."
+
+Elsie looked disappointed, and several little voices urged, "Oh,
+do let her stay up another hour, or at least till nine o'clock."
+
+"No; I cannot often allow a departure from rules," he said kindly,
+but firmly; "and to-morrow night Elsie will find it harder to go
+to bed in season than to-night. Bid your little friends good-
+night, my dear, and go at once."
+
+Elsie obeyed, readily and cheerfully. "You, too, papa," she said,
+coming to him last.
+
+"No, darling," he answered, laying his hand caressingly on her
+head, and smiling approvingly on her; "I will come for my good-
+night kiss before you are asleep."
+
+Elsie looked very glad, and went away feeling herself the happiest
+little girl in the land, in spite of the annoyance of being forced
+to leave the merry group in the nursery. She was just ready for
+bed when her papa came in, and, taking her in his arms, folded her
+to his heart, saying, "My own darling! my good, obedient little
+daughter!"
+
+"Dear papa, I love you so much!" she replied, twining her arms
+around his neck, "I love you all the better for never letting me
+have my own way, but always making me obey and keep to rules."
+
+"I don't doubt it, daughter," he said, "for I have often noticed
+that spoiled, petted children, usually have very little love for
+their parents, or indeed for any one but themselves. But I must
+put you in your bed, or you will be in danger of taking cold."
+
+He laid her down, tucked the clothes snugly about her, and
+pressing one more kiss on the round, rosy cheek, left her to her
+slumbers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEENTH
+
+
+                  "You play the spaniel,
+    And think with wagging of your tongue to win me."
+                           --SHAKESPEARE's _Henry Eighth_.
+
+   "These delights, if thou canst give,
+    Mirth, with thee I mean to live."
+                                 --MILTON's _L'Allegro_.
+
+
+The young party at Roselands had now grown so large--several
+additions having been made to it on Monday afternoon and evening--
+that a separate table was ordered to be spread for them in the
+nursery, where they took their meals together; Mrs. Brown, the
+housekeeper, taking the head of the table, for the double purpose
+of keeping them in order, and seeing that their wants were well
+supplied.
+
+Elsie came in to breakfast, from a brisk walk with her papa,
+looking fresh and rosy, and bright as the morning; quite different
+from some of the little guests, who had been up far beyond their
+usual hours the night before, and, having just left their beds,
+had come down pale and languid in looks, and in some instances
+showing peevish and fretful tempers, very trying to the patience
+of their attendants.
+
+"O Elsie!" exclaimed Carry Howard, as the little girl took her
+place at the table, "we were all so sorry that you had to leave us
+so soon last night; we had lots of fun after you left. I think
+your papa might have let you stay up a little longer; but he has
+promised that tonight--as we are to have the Christmas-tree, and
+ever so much will be going on--you shall stay up till half-past
+nine, if you like. Aren't you glad? I'm sure I am."
+
+"Yes, papa is very kind, and I know I feel much better for going
+to bed early last night," said Elsie, cheerfully.
+
+"Yes, indeed," remarked Mrs. Brown, "late hours and rich food are
+very bad for little folks, and I notice that Miss Elsie has grown
+a deal stronger and healthier-looking since her papa came home; he
+takes such good care of her."
+
+"Indeed he does," said Elsie heartily, thanking Mrs. Brown with
+one of her sweetest smiles.
+
+"What are we going to do to-day, Elsie?" asked Caroline.
+
+"Whatever you all prefer," said Elsie. "If you like I will
+practice that duet with you the first hour after breakfast, or do
+anything else you wish; but the second hour I must spend with
+papa, and after that I have nothing to do but entertain my company
+all day."
+
+"Do you do lessons in holidays?" asked Mary Leslie, a merry, fun-
+loving child, about Elsie's own age, who considered lessons an
+intolerable bore, and had some vague idea that they must have been
+invented for the sole purpose of tormenting children. Her blue
+eyes opened wide with astonishment when Elsie quietly replied that
+her papa had kindly arranged to give her an hour every morning,
+because he knew it would be so much pleasanter for her than
+spending the whole day in play.
+
+Elsie did keenly enjoy that quiet hour spent in studying and
+reciting to her father, sitting on a low stool at his feet, or
+perhaps oftener on his knee, with his arm around her waist.
+
+She had an eager and growing thirst for knowledge, and was an apt
+scholar, whom any one with the least love for the profession might
+have delighted in teaching; and Mr. Dinsmore, a thorough scholar
+himself, and loving knowledge for its own sake--loving also his
+little pupil with all a father's fond, yearning affection--
+delighted in his task.
+
+When Elsie left her father she found that the Carringtons had just
+arrived. She and Lucy had not seen each other since the week the
+latter had spent at Roselands early in the summer, and both felt
+pleased to meet.
+
+Mrs. Carrington gave Elsie a warm embrace, remarking that she had
+grown, and was looking extremely well; better than she had ever
+seen her. But no one was more delighted to meet Elsie than
+Herbert, and she was very glad to learn that his health was
+gradually improving. He was not, however, at all strong, even yet,
+and his mother thought it best for him to lie down and rest a
+little after his ride. She promised to sit by him, and the two
+little girls went in search of the rest of the young folks.
+
+Several of the older boys had gone out walking or riding, but the
+younger ones, and all the little girls, were gathered in a little
+back parlor, where, by Adelaide's care and forethought, a variety
+of story-books, toys, and games, had been provided for their
+amusement. Elsie's entrance was hailed with delight, for she was a
+general favorite.
+
+"Oh! Elsie, can't you tell us what to play?" cried Mary Leslie;
+"I'm so tired," and she yawned wearily.
+
+"Here are some dissected maps, Mary," replied Elsie, opening a
+drawer; "would you not like them?"
+
+"No, indeed, thank you; they are too much like lessons."
+
+"Here are blocks; will you build houses?"
+
+"Oh! I am too big for that; they are very nice for little
+children."
+
+"Will you play jack-stones? here are some smooth pebbles."
+
+"Yes, if you and Carry, and Lucy, will play with me."
+
+"Agreed!" said the others, "let's have a game."
+
+So, Elsie having first set the little ones to building block-
+houses, supplied Harry Carrington--an older brother of Lucy's--
+with a book, and two younger boys with dissected maps to arrange,
+the four girls sat down in a circle on the carpet and began their
+game.
+
+For a few moments all went on smoothly; but soon angry and
+complaining words were heard coming from the corner where the
+house-building was going on. Elsie left her game to try to make
+peace.
+
+"What is the matter, Flora, dear?" she asked soothingly of a
+little curly-headed girl, who was sobbing, and wiping her eyes
+with the corner of her apron.
+
+"Enna took my blocks," sobbed the child.
+
+"Oh! Enna, won't you give them back?" said Elsie, coaxingly; "you
+know Flora is a visitor, and we must be very polite to her."
+
+"No, I won't," returned Enna, flatly; "she's got enough now."
+
+"No, I haven't; I can't build a house with those," Flora said,
+with another sob.
+
+Elsie stood a moment looking much perplexed; then, with a
+brightening face, exclaimed in her cheerful, pleasant way, "Well,
+never mind, Flora, dear, I will get you my doll. Will not that do
+quite as well?"--"Oh! yes, I'd rather have the doll, Elsie," the
+little weeper answered eagerly, smiling through her tears.
+
+Elsie ran out of the room and was back again almost in a moment,
+with the doll in her arms.
+
+"There, dear little Flora," she said, laying it gently on the
+child's lap, "please be careful of it for I have had it a long
+while, and prize it very much, because my guardian gave it to me
+when I was a very little girl, and he is dead now."
+
+"I won't break it, Elsie, indeed I won't," replied Flora,
+confidently; and Elsie sat down to her game again.
+
+A few moments afterward Mr. Horace Dinsmore passed through the
+room.
+
+"Elsie," he said, as he caught sight of his little daughter, "go
+up to my dressing-room."
+
+There was evidently displeasure and reproof in his tone, and,
+entirely unconscious of wrongdoing, Elsie looked up in surprise,
+asking, "Why, papa?"
+
+"Because _I bid_ you," he replied; and she silently obeyed,
+wondering greatly what she had done to displease her father.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore passed out of one door while Elsie left by the other.
+
+The three little girls looked inquiringly into each other's faces.
+
+"What is the matter? what has Elsie done?" asked Carry in a
+whisper.
+
+"I don't know; nothing I guess," replied Lucy, indignantly. "I do
+believe he's just the crossest man alive! When I was here last
+summer he was all the time scolding and punishing poor Elsie for
+just nothing at all."
+
+"I think he must be very strict," said Carry; "but Elsie seems to
+love him very much."
+
+"Strict! I guess he is!" exclaimed Mary; "why, only think, girls,
+he makes her do her lessons in the holidays!"
+
+"I suspect she did not know her lesson, and has to learn it over,"
+said Carry, shaking her head wisely; and that was the conclusion
+they all came to.
+
+In the meantime, Elsie sat down alone in her banishment, and tried
+to think what she could have done to deserve it.
+
+It was some time before she could form any idea of its cause; but
+at length it suddenly came to her recollection that once, several
+months before this, her father had found her sitting on the
+carpet, and had bade her get up immediately and sit on a chair or
+stool, saying, "Never let me see you sitting on the floor, Elsie,
+when there are plenty of seats at hand. I consider it a very
+unladylike and slovenly trick."
+
+She covered her face with her hands, and sat thus for some
+moments, feeling very sorry for her forgetfulness and disobedience;
+very penitent on account of it; and then, kneeling down, she asked
+forgiveness of God.
+
+A full hour she had been there alone, and the time had seemed very
+long, when at last the door opened and her father came in.
+
+Elsie rose and came forward to meet him with the air of one who
+had offended and knew she was in disgrace; but putting one of her
+little hands in his, she looked up pleadingly into his face,
+asking, in a slightly tremulous tone, "Dear papa, are you angry
+with me?"
+
+"I am always displeased when you disobey me, Elsie," he replied,
+very gravely, laying his other hand on her head.
+
+"I am very sorry I was naughty, papa," she said, humbly, and
+casting down her eyes, "but I had quite forgotten that you had
+told me not to sit on the floor, and I could not think for a good
+while what it was that I had done wrong."
+
+"Is _that_ an excuse for disobedience, Elsie?" he asked in a
+tone of grave displeasure.
+
+"No, sir; I did not mean it so, and I am very, very sorry; dear
+papa, please forgive me, and I will try never to forget again."
+
+"I think you disobeyed in another matter," he said.
+
+"Yes, sir, I know it was very naughty to ask why, but I think I
+will remember not to do it again. Dear papa, won't you forgive
+me?"
+
+He sat down and took her on his knee.
+
+"Yes, daughter, I will," he said, in his usual kind, affectionate
+tone; "I am always ready to forgive my little girl when I see that
+she is sorry for a fault."
+
+She held up her face for a kiss, which he gave.
+
+"I wish I could always be good, papa," she said, "but I am naughty
+so often."
+
+"No," said he, "I think you have been a very good girl for quite a
+long time. If you were as naughty as Arthur and Enna, I don't know
+what I should do with you; whip you every day, I suspect, until I
+made a better girl of you. Now you may go down to your mates; but
+_remember_, you are not to play jack-stones again."
+
+It was now lunch-time, and Elsie found the children in the nursery
+engaged in eating.
+
+Flora turned to her as she entered.
+
+"Please, Elsie, don't be cross," she said coaxingly: "I am real
+sorry your doll's broken, but it wasn't my fault Enna would try to
+snatch it, and that made it fall and break its head."
+
+Poor Elsie! this was quite a trial, and she could scarcely keep
+back the tears as, following Flora's glance, she saw her valued
+doll lying on the window-seat with its head broken entirely off.
+She said not a word, but, hastily crossing the room, took it up
+and gazed mournfully at it.
+
+Kind Mrs. Brown, who had just finished helping her young charge
+all round, followed her to the window, "Never mind, dear," she
+said in her pleasant, cheery tone, patting Elsie's cheek and
+smoothing her hair "I've got some excellent glue, and I think I
+can stick it on again and make it almost as good as ever. So come,
+sit down and eat your lunch, and don't fret any more."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am, you are very kind," Elsie said, trying to
+smile, as the kind-hearted old lady led her to the table and
+filled her plate with fruit and cakes.
+
+"These cakes are very simple, not at all rich, my dear, but quite
+what your papa would approve of," she said, seeing the little girl
+look doubtfully at them.
+
+"Doesn't your papa let you eat anything good, Elsie?" asked Mary
+Leslie across the table. "He must be cross."
+
+"No, indeed, he is not, Mary, and he lets me eat everything that
+he thinks is good for me," Elsie answered with some warmth.
+
+She was seated between Caroline Howard and Lucy Carrington.
+
+"What _did_ your papa send you away for, Elsie?" whispered
+the latter,
+
+"Please don't ask me, Lucy," replied the little girl, blushing
+deeply. "Papa always has a good reason for what he does, and he is
+just the dearest, kindest, and best father that ever anybody had."
+
+Elsie spoke in an eager, excited, almost angry manner, quite
+unusual with her, while the hot tears came into her eyes, for she
+knew very well what was Lucy's opinion of her father, and more
+than half suspected that she had been making some unkind remark
+about him to the others, and she was eager to remove any
+unfavorable impression they might have received.
+
+"I am sure he must love you very dearly, Elsie," remarked
+Caroline, soothingly; "no one could help seeing that just by the
+way he looks at you."
+
+Elsie answered her with a pleased and grateful look; and then
+changed the subject by proposing that they should all take a walk
+as soon as they had finished eating, as the day was fine, and
+there would be plenty of time before dinner.
+
+The motion was carried without a dissenting voice, and in a few
+moments they all set out, a very merry party, full of fun and
+frolic. They had a very pleasant time, and returned barely in
+season to be dressed for dinner.
+
+They dined by themselves in the nursery, but were afterward taken
+down to the drawing-room. Here Elsie found herself immediately
+seized upon by a young lady, dressed in very gay and fashionable
+style, whom she did not remember ever to have seen before, but who
+insisted on seating the little girl on the sofa by her side, and
+keeping her there a long while, loading her with caresses and
+flattery.
+
+"My dear child," she said, "what lovely hair you have! so fine,
+and soft, and glossy; such a beautiful color, too, and curls so
+_splendidly! Natural_ ringlets, I'm sure, are they not?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," Elsie answered, simply, wishing from the bottom of
+her heart that the lady would release her, and talk to some one
+else.
+
+But the lady had no such intention.
+
+"You are a very sweet little girl, I am sure, and I shall love you
+dearly," she said, kissing her several times. "Ah! I would give
+_anything_ if I had such a clear fair complexion and such
+rosy cheeks. That makes you blush. Well, I like to see it; blushes
+are very becoming. Oh! you needn't pretend you don't know you're
+handsome; you're a perfect little beauty. Do tell me, where did
+you get such splendid eyes! But I needn't ask, for I have only to
+look at your father to see where they came from. Mr. Dinsmore"--to
+Elsie's papa, who just then came toward them--"you ought to be
+very proud of this child; she is the very image of yourself, and a
+perfect little beauty, too."
+
+"Miss Stevens is pleased to flatter me," he said, bowing low; "but
+flattery is not good for either grown-up children or younger ones,
+and I must beg leave to decline the compliment, as I cannot see
+that Elsie bears the slightest resemblance to me or any of my
+family. She is very like her mother, though," he added, with a
+half sigh and a tender, loving glance at his little girl, "and
+that is just what I would have her. But I am forgetting my errand,
+Miss Stevens; I came to ask if you will ride this afternoon, as we
+are getting up a small party."
+
+"Yes, thank you, I should like it dearly, it is such a lovely day.
+But how soon do you start?"
+
+"As soon as the ladies can be ready. The horses will be at the
+door in a very few moments."
+
+"Ah! then I must go and prepare," she said, rising and sailing out
+of the room.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore took the seat she had vacated, and, passing his arm
+round his little girl, said to her in an undertone, "My little
+daughter must not be so foolish as to believe that people mean all
+they say to her; for some persons talk in a very thoughtless way,
+and, without perhaps intending to be exactly untruthful, say a
+great deal that they really do not mean. And I should be sorry,
+indeed, to see my little girl so spoiled by all this silly
+flattery as to grow up conceited and vain."
+
+She looked at him with her own sweet innocent smile, free from the
+slightest touch of vanity.
+
+"No, papa," she said, "I do not mind, when people say such things,
+because I know the Bible says, 'Favor is deceitful, and beauty is
+vain;' and in another place, 'He that flattereth his neighbor
+spreadeth a net for his feet.' So I will try to keep away from
+that lady; shall I not, papa?"
+
+"Whenever you can do so without rudeness, daughter;" and he moved
+away, thinking to himself, "How strangely the teachings of that
+book seem to preserve my child from every evil influence."
+
+A sigh escaped him. There was lurking within his breast a vague
+consciousness that her father needed such a safeguard, but had it
+not.
+
+Lucy, who was standing at the window, turned quickly round.
+
+"Come, girls," she said, "let us run out and see them off; they're
+bringing up the horses. And see, there's Miss Adelaide in her
+riding-dress and cap; how pretty she looks! And there's that Miss
+Stevens coming out now; hateful thing! I can't bear her! Come,
+Elsie and Carry!"
+
+And she ran out, Caroline and Elsie following. Elsie, however,
+went no further than the hall, where she stood still at the foot
+of the stairs.
+
+"Come, Elsie," called the other two from the portico, "come out
+here."
+
+"No," replied the little girl, "I cannot come without something
+round me. Papa says it is too cold for me to be out in the wind
+to-day with my neck and arms bare."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense!" said Lucy, "'tain't a bit cold; _do_ come
+now."
+
+"No, Lucy, I must obey my father," Elsie answered in a very
+pleasant but no less decided tone.
+
+Some one caught her round the waist and lifted her up.
+
+"Oh! papa," she exclaimed, "I did not know you were there! I wish
+I was going too; I don't like to have _you_ go without me."
+
+"I wish you were, my pet; I always love to have you with me; but
+you know it wouldn't do; you have your little guests to entertain.
+Good-by, darling. Don't go out in the cold."
+
+He kissed her, as he always did now, when leaving her even for an
+hour or two, and set her down.
+
+The little girls watched until the last of the party had
+disappeared down the avenue, and then ran gayly up-stairs to
+Elsie's room, where they busied themselves until tea-time in
+various little preparations for the evening, such as dressing
+dolls, and tying up bundles of confectionery, etc., to be hung
+upon the Christmas-tree.
+
+The children had all noticed that the doors of a parlor opening
+into the drawing-room had been closed since morning to all but a
+favored few, who passed in and out, with an air of mystery and
+importance, and generally laden with some odd-looking bundle when
+going in, which they invariably left behind on coming out again,
+and many a whispered consultation had been held as to what was
+probably going on in there. Elsie and Carry seemed to be in the
+secret, but only smiled and shook their heads wisely when
+questioned.
+
+But at length tea being over, and all, both old and young,
+assembled as if by common consent in the drawing-room, it began to
+be whispered about that their curiosity was now on the point of
+being gratified.
+
+All were immediately on the _qui vive_, and every face
+brightened with mirth and expectation; and when, a moment after,
+the doors were thrown open, there was a universal burst of
+applause.
+
+A large Christmas-tree had been set up at the further end of the
+room, and, with its myriad of lighted tapers, and its load of toys
+and bonbons, interspersed with many a richer and more costly gift,
+made quite a display.
+
+"Beautiful! beautiful!" cried the children, clapping their hands
+and dancing about with delight, while their elders, perhaps
+equally pleased, expressed their admiration after a more staid and
+sober fashion. When they thought their handiwork had been
+sufficiently admired, Mrs. Dinsmore and Adelaide approached the
+tree and began the pleasant task of distributing the gifts.
+
+Everything was labelled, and each, as his or her name was called
+out, stepped forward to receive the present.
+
+No one had been forgotten; each had something, and almost every
+one had several pretty presents. Mary Leslie and little Flora
+Arnott were made perfectly happy with wax dolls that could open
+and shut their eyes; Caroline Howard received a gold chain from
+her mamma, and a pretty pin from Elsie; Lucy, a set of coral
+ornaments, besides several smaller presents; and others were
+equally fortunate. All was mirth and hilarity; only one clouded
+face to be seen, and that belonged to Enna, who was pouting in a
+corner because Mary Leslie's doll was a little larger than hers.
+
+Elsie had already received a pretty bracelet from her Aunt
+Adelaide, a needle-case from Lora, and several little gifts from
+her young guests, and was just beginning to wonder what had become
+of her papa's promised present, when she heard her name again, and
+Adelaide, turning to her with a pleased look, slipped a most
+beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
+
+"From your papa," she said. "Go and thank him: it is well worth
+it."
+
+Elsie sought him out where he stood alone in a corner, an amused
+spectator of the merry scene.
+
+"See, papa," she said, holding up her hand. "I think it very
+beautiful; thank you, dear papa, thank you very much."
+
+"Does it please you, my darling?" he asked, stooping to press a
+kiss on the little upturned face, so bright and happy.
+
+"Yes, papa, I think it is lovely! the very prettiest ring I ever
+saw."
+
+"Yet I think there is something else you would have liked better;
+is there not?" he asked, looking searchingly into her face.
+
+"Dear papa, I like it _very_ much; I would rather have it
+than anything else on the tree."
+
+"Still you have not answered my question," he said, with a smile,
+as he sat down and drew her to his side, adding in a playful tone,
+"Come, I am not going to put up with any evasion; tell me truly if
+you would have preferred something else, and if so, what it is."
+
+Elsie blushed and looked down; then raising her eyes, and seeing
+with what a tender, loving glance he was regarding her, she took
+courage to say, "Yes papa, there is _one_ thing I would have
+liked better, and that is your miniature."
+
+To her surprise he looked highly pleased at her reply, and giving
+her another kiss, said, "Well, darling, some day you shall have
+it."
+
+"Mr. Horace Dinsmore," called Adelaide, taking some small,
+glittering object from the tree.
+
+"Another present for me?" he asked, as Walter came running with
+it.
+
+He had already received several, from his father and sisters, but
+none had seemed to give him half the pleasure that this did when
+he saw that it was labelled, "From his little daughter."
+
+It was only a gold pencil. The miniature--with which the artist
+had succeeded so well that nothing could have been prettier except
+the original herself--she had reserved to be given in another way.
+
+"Do you like it, papa?" she asked, her face glowing with delight
+to see how pleased he was.
+
+"Yes, darling, very much; and I shall always think of my little
+girl when I use it."
+
+"Keep it in your pocket, and use it every day, won't you, papa?"
+
+"Yes, my pet, I will; but I thought you said you had no present
+for me?"
+
+"Oh! no, no, papa; I said there was none for you amongst those
+bundles. I had bought this, but had given it to Aunt Adelaide to
+take care of, for fear you might happen to see it."
+
+"Ah! that was it, eh?" and he laughed and stroked her hair.
+
+"Here, Elsie, here is your bundle of candy," said Walter, running
+up to them again. "Everybody has one, and that is yours, Adelaide
+says."
+
+He put it in her hand, and ran away again. Elsie looked up in her
+father's face inquiringly.
+
+"No, darling," he said, taking the paper from her hand and
+examining its contents, "not to-night; to-morrow, after breakfast,
+you may eat the cream-candy and the rock, but none of the others;
+they are colored, and very unwholesome."
+
+"Won't _you_ eat some, papa?" she asked with winning
+sweetness.
+
+"No, dearest," he said; "for though I, too, am fond of sweet
+things, I will not eat them while I refuse them to you."
+
+"Do, papa," she urged, "it would give me pleasure to see you
+enjoying it."
+
+"No, darling, _I_ will wait until to-morrow, too."
+
+"Then please keep it for me until to-morrow, papa, will you?"
+
+"Yes," he said, putting it in his pocket; and then, as the gifts
+had all been distributed, and the little folks were in high glee,
+a variety of sports were commenced by them, in which some of their
+elders also took a part; and thus the hours sped away so rapidly
+that Elsie was very much surprised when her father called her to
+go to bed.
+
+"Is it half-past nine already, papa?" she asked.
+
+"It is ten, my dear child, and high time you were in bed," he
+said, smiling at her look of astonishment. "I hope you have
+enjoyed yourself."
+
+"Oh! _so_ much, papa. Good-night, and thank you for letting
+me stay up so long."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEENTH
+
+
+   "Ask me not why I should love her;--
+      Look upon those soulful eyes!
+    Look while mirth or feeling move her,
+      And see there how sweetly rise
+    Thoughts gay and gentle from a breast
+    Which is of innocence the nest--
+    Which, though each joy were from it shred,
+    By truth would still be tenanted!"
+                                 --HOFFMAN'S _Poems_.
+
+
+It was yet dark when Elsie awoke, but, hearing the clock strike
+five, she knew it was morning. She lay still a little while, and
+then, slipping softly out of bed, put her feet into her slippers,
+threw her warm dressing-gown around her, and feeling for a little
+package she had left on her toilet-table, she secured it and stole
+noiselessly from the room.
+
+All was darkness and silence in the house, but she had no thought
+of fear; and, gliding gently down the hall to her papa's door, she
+turned the handle very cautiously, when, to her great delight, she
+found it had been left unfastened, and yielded readily to her
+touch.
+
+She entered as quietly as a little mouse, listened a moment until
+satisfied from his breathing that her father was still sound
+asleep, then, stepping softly across the room, she laid her
+package down where he could not fail to see it as soon as daylight
+came and his eyes were opened. This accomplished, she stole back
+again as noiselessly as she had come.
+
+"Who dat?" demanded Chloe, starting up in bed as Elsie reentered
+her own apartment.
+
+"It is only I; did I frighten you, mammy?" answered the little
+girl with a merry laugh.
+
+"Ki? chile, dat _you?_ what you doin' runnin' 'bout de house
+all in de dark, cold night?"
+
+"It isn't night, mammy; I heard it strike five some time ago."
+
+"Well, den, dis chile gwine get right up an' make de fire. But jes
+you creep back into de bed, darlin', 'fore you cotch your death ob
+cold."
+
+"I will, mammy," Elsie said, doing as she was desired; "but please
+dress me as soon as the room is warm enough, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, darlin', kase ob course I knows you want to be up early o'
+Christmas mornin'. Ki! Miss Elsie, dat's a beautiful shawl you
+gave your ole mammy. I sha'n't feel de cold at all dis winter."
+
+"I hope not, mammy; and were Aunt Phillis, and Uncle Jack, and all
+the rest pleased with their presents?"
+
+"I reckon dey was, darlin', mos' ready to go off de handle,
+'tirely."
+
+Chloe had soon built up her fire and coaxed it into a bright
+blaze, and in a few moments more she pronounced the room
+sufficiently warm for her nursling to get up and be dressed.
+
+Elsie was impatient to go to her father; but, even after she had
+been carefully dressed and all her morning duties attended to, it
+was still so early that Chloe advised her to wait a little longer,
+assuring her that it was only a very short time since John had
+gone in to make his master's fire and supply him with hot water
+for shaving.
+
+So the little girl sat down and tried to drown her impatience in
+the pages of a new book--one of her Christmas presents. But Chloe
+presently stole softly behind her chair, and, holding up high
+above her head some glittering object attached to a pretty gold
+chain, let it gradually descend until it rested upon the open
+book.
+
+Elsie started and jumped up with an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Wonder if you knows dat gen'leman, darlin'?" laughed Chloe.
+
+"Oh! it is papa," cried the little girl, catching it in her hand,
+"my own dear, darling papa! oh! how good of him to give it to me!"
+and she danced about the room in her delight. "It is just himself,
+so exactly like him! _Isn't_ it a good likeness, mammy?" she
+asked, drawing near the light to examine it more closely. "Dear,
+dear, _darling_ papa!" and she kissed it again and again.
+
+Then gently drawing her mother's miniature from her bosom, she
+laid them side by side.
+
+"My papa and mamma; are they not beautiful, mammy? both of them?"
+she asked, raising her swimming eyes to the dusky face leaning
+over her, and gazing with such mournful fondness at the sweet
+girlish countenance, so life-like and beautiful, yet calling up
+thoughts of sorrow and bereavement.
+
+"My darling young missus!" murmured the old nurse, "my own
+precious chile dat dese arms hab carried so many years, dis ole
+heart like to break when-eber I tinks ob you, an' 'members how
+your bright young face done gone away foreber."
+
+The big tears were rolling fast down the sable cheeks, and
+dropping like rain on Elsie's curls, while the broad bosom heaved
+with sobs. "But your ole mammy's been good to your little chile
+dat you lef' behind, darlin','deed she has," she went on.
+
+"Yes, mammy, indeed, indeed you have," Elsie said, twining her
+arms lovingly around her. "But don't let us cry any more, for we
+know that dear mamma is very happy in heaven, and does not wish us
+to grieve for her now. I shall not show you the picture any more
+if it makes you cry like that," she added half playfully.
+
+"Not always, chile," Chloe said, wiping away her tears, "but jes
+dis here mornin'--Christmas mornin', when she was always so bright
+and merry. It seems only yesterday she went dancin' about jes like
+you."
+
+"Yes, mammy dear, but she is with the angels now--my sweet, pretty
+mamma!" Elsie whispered softly, with another tender, loving look
+at the picture ere she returned it to its accustomed resting-place
+in her bosom.
+
+"And now I must go to papa," she said more cheerfully, "for it is
+almost breakfast time."
+
+"Is my darling satisfied _now?_" he asked, as she ran into
+his arms and was folded in a close embrace.
+
+"Yes, papa, indeed I am; thank you a thousand times; it is all I
+wanted."
+
+"And you have given me the most acceptable present you could have
+found. It is a most excellent likeness, and I am delighted with
+it."
+
+"I am so glad, papa, but it was Aunt Adelaide who thought of it."
+
+"Ah! that was very kind of her. But how does my little girl feel
+this morning, after all her dissipation?"
+
+"Oh! very well, thank you, papa."
+
+"You will not want to say any lesson to-day, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh! yes, if you please, papa, and it does not give you too much
+trouble," she said. "It is the very pleasantest hour in the day,
+except--"
+
+"Well, except what? Ah, yes, I understand. Well, my pet, it shall
+be as you wish; but come to me directly after breakfast, as I am
+going out early."
+
+Elsie had had her hour with her father, but, though he had left
+her and gone out, she still lingered in his dressing-room, looking
+over the next day's lesson. At length, however, she closed the
+book and left the room, intending to seek her young guests, who
+were in the lower part of the house.
+
+Miss Stevens' door was open as she passed, and that lady called to
+her, "Elsie, dear, you sweet little creature, come here, and see
+what I have for you."
+
+Elsie obeyed, though rather reluctantly, and Miss Stevens bidding
+her sit down, went to a drawer, and took out a large paper of
+mixed candy, all of the best and most expensive kinds, which she
+put into the little girl's hands with one of her sweetest smiles.
+
+It was a strong temptation to a child who had a great fondness for
+such things, but Elsie had prayed from her heart that morning for
+strength to resist temptation, and it was given her.
+
+"Thank you, ma'am, you are very kind," she said gratefully, "but I
+cannot take it, because papa does not approve of my eating such
+things. He gave me a little this morning, but said I must not have
+any more for a long time."
+
+"Now, that is quite too bad," exclaimed Miss Stevens, "but at
+least take one or two, child; that much couldn't possibly hurt
+you, and your papa need never know."
+
+Elsie gave her a look of grieved surprise.
+
+"Oh! could you think I would do that?" she said. "But _God_
+would know, Miss Stevens; and I should know it myself, and how
+could I ever look my papa in the face again after deceiving him
+so?"
+
+"Really, my dear, you are making a very serious matter of a mere
+trifle," laughed the lady; "why, I have deceived my father more
+than fifty times, and never thought it any harm. But here is
+something I am sure you can take, and indeed you must, for I
+bought both it and the candy expressly for you."
+
+She replaced the candy in the drawer as she spoke, and took from
+another a splendidly-bound book which she laid in Elsie's lap,
+saying, with a triumphant air, "There, my dear, what do you think
+of that? is it not handsome?"
+
+Elsie's eyes sparkled; books were her greatest treasures; but
+feeling an instinctive repugnance to taking a gift from one whom
+she could neither respect nor love, she made an effort to decline
+it, though at the same time thanking the lady warmly for her kind
+intentions.
+
+But Miss Stevens would hear of no refusal, and fairly forced it
+upon her acceptance, declaring that, as she had bought it
+expressly for her, she should feel extremely hurt if she did not
+take it.
+
+"Then I will, Miss Stevens," said the little girl, "and I am sure
+you are very kind. I love books and pictures, too, and these are
+lovely engravings," she added turning over the leaves with
+undisguised pleasure.
+
+"Yes, and the stories are right pretty, too," remarked Miss
+Stevens.
+
+"Yes, ma'am, they look as if they were, and I should like dearly
+to read them."
+
+"Well, dear, just sit down and read; there's nothing to hinder.
+I'm sure your little friends can do without you for an hour or
+two. Or, if you prefer it, take the book and enjoy it with them;
+it is your own, you know, to use as you like."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am; but, though I can look at the pictures, I must
+not read the stories until I have asked papa, because he does not
+allow me to read anything now without first showing it to him."
+
+"Dear me! how very strict he is!" exclaimed Miss Stevens.
+
+"I wonder," she thought to herself, "if he would expect to
+domineer over his wife in that style?"
+
+Elsie was slowly turning over the leaves of the book, enjoying the
+pictures very much, studying them intently, but resolutely
+refraining from even glancing over the printed pages. But at
+length she closed it, and, looking out of the window, said, with a
+slight sigh, "Oh! I wish papa would come; but I'm afraid he won't
+for a long while, and I do so want to read these stories."
+
+"Suppose you let me read one to you," suggested Miss Stevens;
+"that would not be _your_ reading it, you know."
+
+Elsie looked shocked at the proposal. "Oh! no, ma'am, thank you, I
+know you mean to be kind; but I could not do it; it would be so
+very wrong; quite the same, I am sure, as if I read it with my own
+eyes," she answered hurriedly; and then, fearing to be tempted
+further, she excused herself and went in search of her young
+companions.
+
+She found them in the drawing-room.
+
+"Wasn't it too provoking, Elsie, that those people didn't send
+home my bracelet last night?" exclaimed Caroline Howard. "I have
+just been telling Lucy about it. I think that it was such a shame
+for them to disappoint me, for I wanted to have it on the tree."
+
+"I am sorry you were disappointed, Carry, but perhaps it will come
+to-day," Elsie answered in a sympathizing tone. And then she
+showed the new book, which she still held in her hand.
+
+They spent some time in examining it, talking about and admiring
+the pictures, and then went out for a walk.
+
+"Has papa come in yet, mammy?" was Elsie's first question on
+returning.
+
+"Yes, darlin', I tink he's in the drawin'-room dis berry minute,"
+Chloe answered, as she took off the little girl's hat, and
+carefully smoothed her hair.
+
+"There, there! mammy, won't that do now? I'm in a little bit of a
+hurry," Elsie said with a merry little laugh, as she slipped
+playfully from under her nurse's hand, and ran down-stairs.
+
+But she was doomed to disappointment for the present, for her papa
+was seated on the sofa, beside Miss Stevens, talking to her; and
+so she must wait a little longer. At last, however, he rose, went
+to the other side of the room, and stood a moment looking out of
+the window.
+
+Then Elsie hastened to take her book from a table, where she had
+laid it, and going up to him, said, "Papa!"
+
+He turned round instantly, asking in a pleasant tone, "Well,
+daughter, what is it?"
+
+She put the book into his hand, saying eagerly, "It is a Christmas
+gift from Miss Stevens, papa; will you let me read it?"
+
+He did not answer immediately, but turned over the leaves,
+glancing rapidly over page after page, but not too rapidly to be
+able to form a pretty correct idea of the contents.
+
+"No, daughter," he said, handing it back to her, "you must content
+yourself with looking at the pictures; they are by far the best
+part; the stories are very unsuitable for a little girl of your
+age, and would, indeed, be unprofitable reading for any one."
+
+She looked a little disappointed.
+
+"I am glad I can _trust_ my little daughter, and feel certain
+that she will not disobey me," he said, smiling kindly on her, and
+patting her cheek.
+
+She answered him with a bright, happy look, full of confiding
+affection, laid the book await without a murmur, and left the
+room--her father's eyes following her with a fond, loving glance.
+
+Miss Stevens, who had watched them both closely during this little
+scene, bit her lips with vexation at the result of her manoeuvre.
+
+She had come to Roselands with the fixed determination to lay
+siege to Mr. Horace Dinsmore's heart, and flattering and petting
+his little daughter was one of her modes of attack; but his
+decided disapproval of her present, she perceived, did not augur
+well for the success of her schemes. She was by no means in
+despair, however, for she had great confidence in the power of her
+own personal attractions, being really tolerably pretty, and
+considering herself a great beauty, as well as very highly
+accomplished.
+
+As Elsie ran out into the hall, she found herself suddenly caught
+in Mr. Travilla's arms.
+
+"'A merry Christmas and a happy New Year!' little Elsie," he said,
+kissing her on both cheeks. "Now I have caught you figuratively
+and literally, my little lady, so what are you going to give me,
+eh?"
+
+"Indeed, sir, I think you've helped yourself to the only thing I
+have to give at present," she answered with a merry silvery laugh.
+
+"Nay, _give_ me one, little lady," said he, "one such hug and
+kiss as I dare say your father gets half-a-dozen times in a day."
+
+She gave it very heartily.
+
+"Ah! I wish you were ten years older," he said as he set her down.
+
+"If I had been, you wouldn't have got the kiss," she replied,
+smiling archly.
+
+"Now, it's my turn," he said, taking something from his pocket.
+
+"I expected you'd catch _me_, and so thought it best to come
+prepared."
+
+He took her hand, as he spoke, and placed a beautiful little gold
+thimble on her finger. "There, that's to encourage you in
+industry."
+
+"Thank you, sir; oh! it's a little beauty! I must run and show it
+to papa. But I must not forget my politeness," she added, hastily
+throwing open the drawing-room door. "Come in, Mr. Travilla."
+
+She waited quietly until the usual greetings were exchanged, then
+went up to her father and showed her new gift.
+
+He quite entered into her pleasure, and remarked, with a glance at
+Miss Stevens, "that her friends were very kind."
+
+The lady's hopes rose. He was then pleased with her attention to
+his child, even though he did not altogether approve her choice of
+a gift.
+
+There was a large party to dinner that day, and the children came
+down to the dessert. Miss Stevens, who had contrived to be seated
+next to Mr. Dinsmore, made an effort, on the entrance of the
+juveniles, to have Elsie placed on her other side; but Mr.
+Travilla was too quick for her, and had his young favorite on his
+knee before she could gain her attention.
+
+The lady was disappointed, and Elsie herself only half satisfied;
+but the two gentlemen, who thoroughly understood Miss Stevens and
+saw through all her manoeuvres, exchanged glances of amusement and
+satisfaction.
+
+After dinner Mr. Travilla invited Elsie, Carry, Lucy, and Mary, to
+take a ride in his carriage, which invitation was joyfully
+accepted by all--Mr. Dinsmore giving a ready consent to Elsie's
+request to be permitted to go.
+
+They had a very merry time, for Mr. Travilla quite laid himself
+out for their entertainment, and no one knew better than he how to
+amuse ladies of their age.
+
+It was nearly dark when they returned, and Elsie went at once to
+her room to be dressed for the evening. But she found it
+unoccupied--Aunt Chloe, as it afterward appeared, having gone down
+to the quarter to carry some of the little girl's gifts to one or
+two who were too old and feeble to come up to the house to receive
+them.
+
+Elsie rang the bell, waited a little, and then, feeling impatient
+to be dressed, ran down to the kitchen to see what had become of
+her nurse.
+
+A very animated discussion was going on there, just at that
+moment, between the cook and two or three of her sable companions,
+and the first words that reached the child's ears, as she stood on
+the threshold, were, "I tell you, you ole darkie, you dunno
+nuffin' 'bout it! Massa Horace gwine marry _dat_ bit ob paint
+an' finery! no such ting! Massa's got more sense."
+
+The words were spoken in a most scornful tone, and Elsie, into
+whose childish mind the possibility of her father's marrying again
+had never entered, stood spellbound with astonishment.
+
+But the conversation went on, the speakers quite unconscious of
+her vicinity.
+
+It was Pompey's voice that replied.
+
+"Ef Marse Horace don't like her, what for they been gwine ridin'
+ebery afternoon? will you tell me dat, darkies? an' don't dis
+niggah see him sit beside her mornin', noon, an' night, laughin'
+an' talkin' at de table an' in de parlor? an' don't she keep a
+kissin' little Miss Elsie, an' callin' her pretty critter, sweet
+critter, an'de like?"
+
+"_She_ ma to our sweet little Miss Elsie! Bah! I tell you,
+Pomp, Marse Horace got more sense," returned the cook, indignantly.
+
+"Aunt Chloe don't b'lieve no such stuff," put in another voice;
+"she says Marse Horace _couldn't_ put such trash in her sweet
+young mistis's place."
+
+"Aunt Chloe's a berry fine woman, no doubt," observed Pomp
+disdainfully, "but I reckon Marse Horace ain't gwine to infide his
+matermonical intentions to her; and I consider it quite
+consequential on Marster's being young and handsome that he will
+take another wife."
+
+The next speaker said something about his having lived a good
+while without, and though Miss Stevens _was_ setting her cap,
+maybe he wouldn't be caught. But Elsie only gathered the sense of
+it, hardly heard the words, and, bounding away like a frightened
+deer to her own room, her little heart beating wildly with a
+confused sense of suffering, she threw herself on the bed. She
+shed no tears, but there was, oh! such a weight on her heart, such
+a terrible though vague sense of the instability of all earthly
+happiness.
+
+There Chloe found her, and wondered much what ailed her darling,
+what made her so silent, and yet so restless, and caused such a
+deep flush on her cheek. She feared she was feverish, her little
+hand was so hot and dry; but Elsie insisted that she was quite
+well, and so Chloe tried to think it was only fatigue.
+
+She would fain have persuaded the little girl to lie still upon
+her bed and rest, and let her tea be brought to her there; but
+Elsie answered that she would much rather be dressed, and join her
+young companions in the nursery. They, too, wondered what ailed
+her, she was so very quiet and ate almost nothing at all. They
+asked if she was sick. She only shook her head. "Was she tired,
+then?" "Yes, she believed she was," and she leaned her head
+wearily on her hand.
+
+But, indeed, most of the party seemed dull; they had gone through
+such a round of pleasure and excitement, for the last two or three
+days, that now a reaction was beginning, and they wanted rest,
+especially the very little ones, who all retired quite early, when
+Elsie and her mates joined their parents in the drawing-room.
+
+Elsie looked eagerly around for her father, the moment she entered
+the room. He was beside Miss Stevens, who was at the piano,
+performing a very difficult piece of music. He was leaning over
+her, turning the leaves, and apparently listening with a great
+deal of pleasure, for she was really a fine musician.
+
+Elsie felt sick at heart at the sight--although a few hours before
+it would have given her no concern--and found it very difficult to
+listen to and answer the remarks Mrs. Carrington was making to her
+about her Christmas presents, and the nice ride they had had that
+afternoon.
+
+Mr. Travilla was watching her; he had noticed, as soon as she came
+in, the sad and troubled look which had come over her face, and,
+following the glance of her eyes, he guessed at the cause.
+
+He knew there was no danger of the trial that she feared, and
+would have been glad to tell her so; but he felt that it was too
+delicate a subject for him to venture on; it might seem too much
+like meddling in Mr. Dinsmore's affairs. But he did the next best
+thing--got the four little girls into a corner, and tried to
+entertain them with stories and charades.
+
+Elsie seemed interested for a time, but every now and then her
+eyes would wander to the other side of the room, where her father
+still stood listening to Miss Stevens' music.
+
+At length Mr. Travilla was called away to give his opinion about
+some tableaux the young ladies were arranging; and Elsie, knowing
+it was her usual time for retiring, and not caring to avail
+herself of her father's permission to stay up until nine o'clock,
+stole quietly away to her room unobserved by any one, and feeling
+as if Miss Stevens had already robbed her of her father.
+
+She wiped away a few quiet tears, as she went, and was very silent
+and sad, while her mammy was preparing her for bed. She hardly
+knew how to do without her good-night kiss, but feeling as she
+did, it had seemed quite impossible to ask for it while Miss
+Stevens was so near him.
+
+When she knelt down to pray, she became painfully conscious that a
+feeling of positive dislike to that lady had been creeping into
+her heart, and she asked earnestly to be enabled to put it away.
+But she prayed, also, that she might be spared the trial that she
+feared, if God's will were so; and she thought surely it was
+because she had found out that Miss Stevens was not good, not
+truthful, or sincere.
+
+"Perhaps dear papa will come to say good-night before I am
+asleep," she murmured to herself as, calmed and soothed by thus
+casting her burden on the Lord, she laid her head upon her pillow.
+
+He, however, had become interested in the subject of the tableaux,
+and did not miss his little girl until the sound of the clock
+striking ten reminded him of her, and he looked around expecting
+to see her still in the room; but, not seeing her, he asked Lucy
+Carrington where she was.
+
+"Oh!" said Lucy, "she's been gone these two hours, I should think!
+I guess she must have gone to bed."
+
+"Strange that she did not come to bid me goodnight," he exclaimed
+in a low tone, more as if thinking aloud than speaking to Lucy.
+
+He hastily left the room.
+
+Mr. Travilla followed.
+
+"Dinsmore," said he.
+
+Mr. Dinsmore stopped, and Travilla, drawing him to one side, said
+in an undertone, "I think my little friend is in trouble to-
+night."
+
+"Ah!" he exclaimed, with a startled look, "what can it be? I did
+not hear of any accident--she has not been hurt? is not sick? tell
+me, Travilla, quickly, if anything ails my child."
+
+"Nothing, nothing, Dinsmore, only you know servants will talk, and
+children have ears, and eyes, too, sometimes, and I saw her
+watching you to-night with a very sad expression."
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, growing very red and looking
+extremely vexed; "I wouldn't have had such thoughts put into the
+child's head for any money. Are you sure of it, Travilla?"
+
+"I am sure she was watching you very closely tonight, and looking
+very miserable."
+
+"Poor darling!" murmured the father. "Thank you, Travilla,"
+shaking his friend heartily by the hand. "Good-night; I shall not
+be down again if you will be so good as to excuse me to the
+others."
+
+And he went up the stairs almost at a bound, and the next moment
+was standing beside his sleeping child, looking anxiously down at
+the little flushed cheeks and tear-swollen eyes, for, disappointed
+that he did not come to bid her good-night, she had cried herself
+to sleep.
+
+"Poor darling!" he murmured again, as he stooped over her and
+kissed away a tear that still trembled on her eyelash.
+
+He longed to tell her that all her fears were groundless, that
+none other could ever fill her place in his heart, but he did not
+like to wake her, and so, pressing another light kiss on her
+cheek, he left her to dream on unconscious of his visit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE DINSMORE ***
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