ubmit to all your father
requires. I cannot do that now, but I will return some of your lessons to
me. It is God, my poor darling, who sends you this trial, and he will
give you strength according to your day. _He_ will be with you, wherever
you are, even should it be in a convent; for you know he says: '_I_ will
_never_ leave thee, nor forsake thee;' and 'not a hair of your head shall
fall to the ground without your Father.'"

"Yes, I know! I know!" Elsie answered, again pressing her hands to her
head; "but I cannot think, and everything seems so dreadful."

Adelaide was much alarmed, for Elsie looked quite wild for a moment; but
after staying with her for a considerable time, saying all she could to
soothe and comfort her--reminding her that it would be some weeks ere the
plan could be carried out, and that in that time something might occur to
change her father's mind, she left her, though still in deep distress,
apparently calm and composed.

CHAPTER XI.

"In vain she seeks to close her weary eyes,
Those eyes still swim incessantly in tears--
Hope in her cheerless bosom fading dies,
Distracted by a thousand cruel fears,
While banish'd from his love forever she appears."

MRS. TIGHE'S PSYCHE.

When thus alone the little Elsie fell upon her knees, weeping and
sobbing. "Oh!" she groaned, "I cannot, _cannot_ bear it!"

Then she thought of the agony in the garden, and that bitter cry,
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me!" followed by the
submissive prayer, "If this cup may not pass from me except I drink it,
thy will, not mine be done."

She opened her Bible and read of his sufferings, so meekly and patiently
borne, without a single murmur or complaint; borne by One who was free
from all stain of sin; born not for himself, but for others; sufferings
to which her own were not for a moment to be compared; and then she
prayed that she might bear the image of Jesus; that like him she might be
enabled to yield a perfect submission to her heavenly Father's will, and
to endure with patience and meekness whatever trial he might see fit to
appoint her.

Elsie was far from well, and for many long hours after she had sought
her pillow she lay tossing restlessly from side to side in mental and
physical pain, her temples throbbing, and her heart aching with its
intense longing for the love that now seemed farther from her than ever.
And thought--troubled, anxious, distracting thought--was busy in