prayer in the privacy of her own
rooms, and then Chloe undressed her, and her father carried her to her
bed and placed her in it with a loving good-night kiss. And thus ended
the first happy day in her own dear home.

CHAPTER XIV.

"Her world was ever joyous;
She thought of grief and pain
As giants in the olden time,
That ne'er would come again."

MRS. HALE'S ALICE RAY.

"Then all was jollity,
Feasting, and mirth."

ROWE'S JANE SHORE.

It was with a start, and a momentary feeling of perplexity as to her
whereabouts, followed almost instantly by the glad remembrance that she
was indeed at _home_, that the little Elsie awoke the next morning. She
sat up in the bed and gazed about her. Everything had a new, fresh look,
and an air of simple elegance, that struck her as very charming.

A door on her right, communicating with her father's sleeping apartment,
was slightly ajar, and she could hear him moving about.

"Papa!" she called, in her sweet, silvery tones.

"Good-morning, daughter," he said, appearing in answer to her summons.
"Why, how bright my little girl is looking this morning!"

"Yes, papa, I feel so well and strong I do believe I can walk to the
dining-room. Please, may I get up now?"

"Yes; Aunt Chloe may dress you, and call me when you are ready," he
replied, bending down to give her a kiss.

Chloe was just coming in from a small adjoining room which had been
appropriated to her use, and exclaimed with delight at her darling's
bright looks.

"Dress her very nicely, Aunt Chloe," said Mr. Dinsmore, "for I think it
is quite possible we may have visitors to-day; and besides, I want her to
look her best for my own enjoyment," he added, with a loving look and
smile directed toward his little girl.

Chloe promised to do her best; and he seemed entirely satisfied with the
result of her labors, as well he might, for Elsie looked very lovely in
her simple white dress, and little embroidered pink sacque, which seemed
to lend a faint tinge of color to her pale cheeks. She was tired, though,
with the dressing, and quite willing to give up her plan of walking to
the dining-room, and let her father carry her.

After breakfast he sat with her on his knee for a little while, and then,
laying her on the sofa and giving her a kiss, he told her he must leave
her with Chloe for an hour or two, as he had some business matters to
arrange with her grandfather, after which he would take her to r