more harm than good. He is very jealous of anything
that looks like interference, especially between him and his child, and
I fear it would only irritate him, and make him, if possible, still more
determined. Were I asked to describe his character in a few words, I
should say he is a man of indomitable will."

"Well, my son, perhaps you are right," said his mother, heaving a deep
sigh; "and if so, I can see nothing more we can do but pray for the
little girl."

Mrs. Travilla was right in thinking that her visit had done Elsie good;
it had roused her out of the torpor of grief into which she had sunk; it
had raised her from the depths of despair, and shown her the beacon light
of hope still shining in the distance.

This last blow had come with such crushing weight that there had seemed
to be no room left in her heart for a thought of comfort; but now her
kind friend had reminded her of the precious promises, and the tender
love that were still hers; love far exceeding that of any earthly
parent--love that was able even to bring light out of all this thick
darkness; love which was guiding and controlling all the events of her
life, and would never allow her to suffer one unnecessary pang, but
would remove the trial as soon as its needed work was done; and she was
now no longer altogether comfortless.

When Mrs. Travilla had left, she took up her Bible--that precious little
volume, her never-failing comforter--and in turning over its leaves her
eye fell upon these words: "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."

They sent a thrill of joy to her heart; for was not _she_ suffering for
_his_ sake? was it not because she loved him too well to disobey his
commands, even to please her dearly beloved earthly father, that she
was thus deprived of one privilege, and one comfort after another, and
subjected to trials that wrung her very heart?

Yes, it was because she loved Jesus. She was bearing suffering for his
dear sake, and here she was taught that even to be permitted to _suffer_
for him, was a privilege. And she remembered, too, that in another place
it is written: "If we _suffer_, we shall also reign with him."

Ah! those are tears of joy and thankfulness that are falling now. She has
grown calm and peaceful, even happy, for the time, in the midst of all
her sorrow.

CHAPTER IX.

"Heaven oft in mercy smites, e'en when the blow
Severest is.