e such a very bad child."

"If she does, she will only have a just opinion of you," replied her
father coldly; "and _all_ your friends will soon cease to love you, if
you continue to show such a wilful temper; my patience is almost worn
out, Elsie, and I shall try some very severe measures before long, unless
you see proper to submit. Go now to your own room; I do not wish to see
you again to-night."

"Good-night, papa," sobbed the little girl, as she turned to obey him.

"Elsie, my daughter," he said, suddenly seizing her hand, and drawing her
to his side, "why will you not give up this strange wilfulness, and let
your papa have his own darling again? I love you dearly, my child, and it
pains me more than I can express to see you so unhappy," he added, gently
pushing back the curls from the little tear-stained face upturned to his.

His tone had all the old fondness, and Elsie's heart thrilled at the very
sound; his look, too, was tender and affectionate, and throwing down his
paper he lifted her to his knee, and passed his arm around her waist.

Elsie laid her head against his breast, as was her wont before their
unhappy estrangement, while he passed his hand caressingly over her
curls.

"Speak, my daughter," he said in a low tone, full of tenderness; "speak,
and tell papa that he has his own dutiful little daughter again. His
heart aches to receive her; must he do without her still?"

The temptation to yield was very strong. She loved him, oh, how dearly!
Could she bear to go on making him unhappy? And it was such _rest_--such
_joy_--thus once more to feel herself folded to his heart, and hear his
dear voice speaking to her in loving, tender tones. Can it be wondered at
that for a moment Elsie wavered? On the one hand she saw her father's
fond affection, indulgent kindness, and loving caresses; on the other,
banishment from his love, perhaps from home, cold, stern, harsh words
and looks; and what more might be meant by the very severe measures
threatened, she trembled to think.

For a moment she was silent, for a mighty struggle was going on in her
heart. It was hard, _very_ hard, to give up her father's love. But the
love of Jesus!--ah, that was more precious still!

The struggle was past.

"Papa," she said, raising an earnest, tearful little face to his, and
speaking in tones tremulous with emotion, "dear, _dear_ papa, I do love
you so very, _very_ much, and I do want to be to you a good, obedient
child;