, lovely home; nor how happy I could be there, or _anywhere_ with
you, if you would only let me make God's law the rule of my life; but, my
own dear father, if I have found your frown so dreadful, so _hard_ to
bear, how much more terrible would my Heavenly Father's be! Oh, papa,
_that_ would make me wretched indeed! But oh, I cannot _bear_ to think of
being sent away from you amongst strangers! Dear, _dear_ papa, will you
not spare your little daughter this trial? I will try to be so very good
and obedient in everything that my conscience will allow. I am so sad,
papa, so very sad, as if something terrible was coming, and my head feels
strangely. I fear I am going to be ill, perhaps to die! Oh, papa, will I
never see you again? I want to ask you to forgive me for all the naughty
thoughts and feelings I have ever had towards you. I think I have never
disobeyed you in _deed_, papa--except the few times you have known of,
when I forgot, or thought you bade me break God's law--but twice I have
rebelled in my heart. Once when you took Miss Rose's letter from me, and
again when mammy told me you had said she must go away. It was only for a
little while each time, papa, but it was very wicked, and I am very,
_very_ sorry; will you please forgive me? and I will try never to indulge
such wicked feelings again."

The paper was blistered with Elsie's tears, and _other_ tears were
falling thick and fast upon it now.

"_She_ to ask forgiveness of me, for a momentary feeling of indignation
when I so abused my authority," he groaned. "Oh, my darling! I would give
all I am worth to bring you back for one hour, that I might ask _your_
forgiveness, on my knees."

But there was more of the letter, and he read on:

"Dear papa," she continued, "should I die, and never see you again in
this world, don't ever feel vexed with yourself, and think that you have
been too severe with me. I know you have only done what you had a right
to do--for am I not your own? Oh, I _love_ to belong to you, papa! and
you meant it all to make me good; and I needed it, for I was loving you
_too_ dearly. I was getting away from my Saviour. But when you put me
away from your arms and separated me from my nurse, I had no one to go
to but Jesus, and he drew me closer to him, and I found his love very
sweet and precious; it has been all my comfort in my great sorrow. Dear
papa, when I am gone, and you feel sad and lonely, will not _you_ go to
Jesus, too? I will lea