of a
burden on her heart; and every now and then her eyes were turned
wistfully in the direction from which she expected him to come. But
the clock struck eight, and there were no signs of his approach, and
soon it was half-past, and she found she must go to bed without seeing
him. She sighed several times while Chloe was undressing her, and just
as she was about leaving her, said, "If papa comes home before I go to
sleep, mammy, please ask him to let me come to him for one minute."

"I will, darlin'; but don't you try for to stay awake; kase maybe massa
ain't gwine be home till berry late, an' den he might be vexed wid you."

It was nearly ten o'clock when Mr. Dinsmore returned, and he was
talking on the piazza with Mr. and Miss Allison for nearly half an
hour afterwards; but Chloe was patiently waiting for him, and meeting
him in the hall on the way to his room, presented Elsie's request.

"Yes," he said, "see if she is awake, but don't disturb her if she is
not."

Chloe softly opened the door, and the little girl started up, asking in
an eager whisper, "Did he say I might come, mammy?"

"Yes, darlin'," said Chloe, lifting her in her arms and setting her
down on the floor. And then the little fairy-like figure in its white
night-dress stole softly out into the hall, and ran with swift, noiseless
steps across it, and into the open door of Mr. Dinsmore's room.

He caught her in his arms and kissed her several times with passionate
fondness. Then sitting down with her on his knee, he asked tenderly,
"What does my darling want with papa to-night?"

"I wanted to tell you that I was very naughty this afternoon, and didn't
get home until just as the tea-bell rang."

"And you were very glad to find that papa was not here to make you sup
upon bread and water, eh?"

"No, papa, I didn't eat anything else," she said in a hurt tone; "I
wouldn't take such a mean advantage of your absence."

"No, dearest, I know you would not. I know my little girl is the soul
of honor," he said, soothingly, pressing another kiss on her cheek;
"and besides, I have just heard the whole story from Miss Rose and her
mother."

"And you _wouldn't_ have let me have anything but bread, papa, would
you?" she asked, raising her head to look up in his face.

"No, dear, nothing else, for you know I must keep my word, however trying
it may be to my feelings."

"Yes, papa; and I am so glad you do, because then I always know just what
to expect. Y