penitent and submissive?"

"I love my papa very, _very_ dearly," replied Elsie, weeping, "and I do
want to obey him; but he does not love Jesus, and sometimes he bids me
break God's commandments, and then I cannot obey him."

"Is that it, my poor child?" said her friend pityingly. "Then you are
right in not obeying; but be _very sure_ that your father's commands
_are_ opposed to those of God, before you refuse obedience; and be very
careful to obey him in all things in which you can conscientiously do
so."

"I do try, sir," replied Elsie meekly.

"Then be comforted, my dear little girl. God has surely sent you this
trial for some wise and kind purpose, and in his own good time he will
remove it. Only be patient and submissive. He can change your father's
heart, and for that you and I will both pray."

Elsie looked her thanks as they rose to return to the house, but her
heart was too full for speech, and she walked silently along beside her
new friend, who continued to speak words of comfort and encouragement
to her, until they reached the door, where he bade her good-by, saying
that he was sorry he was not likely to see her again, as he must leave
Roselands that afternoon, but promising not to forget her in his prayers.

When Elsie reached her room, Chloe told her her father had sent word that
she was to come to him as soon as she returned from her walk, and that
she would find him in his dressing-room.

Chloe had taken off the little girl's hat and smoothed her hair ere
she delivered the message, and with a beating heart Elsie proceeded
immediately to obey it.

In answer to her timid knock, her father himself opened the door.

"Mammy told me that you wanted me, papa," she said in a tremulous voice,
and looking up timidly into his face.

"Yes, I sent for you; come in," he replied; and taking her by the hand
he led her forward to the arm-chair from which he had just risen, where
he again seated himself, making her stand before him very much like a
culprit in the presence of her judge.

There was a moment's pause, in which Elsie stood with her head bent
down and her eyes upon the carpet, trembling with apprehension, and not
knowing what new trial might be in store for her. Then she ventured to
look at her father.

His face was sad and distressed, but very stern.

"Elsie," he began at length, speaking in slow, measured tones, "I told
you last evening that should you still persist in your resistance to my
au