she hastened to her own room and locked herself in. Then
drawing it from the envelope, she kissed the well-known characters again
and again, dashing away the blinding tears ere she could see to read.

It was short; merely a letter of condolence to Adelaide, expressing a
brother's sympathy in her sorrow; but the postscript sent one ray of joy
to the little sad heart of his daughter.

"Is Elsie well? I cannot altogether banish a feeling of anxiety regarding
her health, for she was looking pale and thin when I left home. I trust
to _you_, my dear sister, to send _immediately_ for a physician, and also
to write at once should she show any symptoms of disease. Remember she is
my _only_ and darling child--very near and dear to me still, in spite of
the sad estrangement between us."

"Ah! then papa has not forgotten me! he does love me still--he calls me
his darling child," murmured the little girl, dropping her tears upon the
paper. "Oh, how glad, how glad I am! surely he will come back to me some
day;" and she felt that she would be very willing to be sick if that
would hasten his return.

CHAPTER X.

"In this wild world the fondest and the best
Are the most tried, most troubled, and distress'd."

CRABBE.

It was about a week after this that Elsie's grandfather handed her a
letter directed to her in her father's handwriting, and the little girl
rushed away to her room with it, her heart beating wildly between hope
and fear. Her hand trembled so that she could scarcely tear it open, and
her eyes were so dimmed with tears that it was some moments before she
could read a line.

It was kind, yes, even affectionate, and in some parts tender. But ah! it
has brought no comfort to the little girl! else why does she finish with
a burst of tears and sobs, and sinking upon her knees, hide her face in
her hands, crying with a bitter, wailing cry, "Oh, papa! papa! papa!"

He told her of the estate he had purchased, and the improvements he had
been making; of a suite of rooms he had had prepared and furnished
expressly for her, close to his own apartments--and of the pleasant home
he hoped they would have there together, promising to dispense with a
governess and teach her himself, for that he knew she would greatly
prefer.

He drew a bright picture of the peaceful, happy life they might lead;
but finished by telling her that the condition was entire, unconditional
submission on her part, and the alternative a boarding