The warm-hearted, innocent girl believed every word, and rushing into
her friend's room on their return, threw her arms about her, and
hugging her close, told her she knew all, was so, so sorry for her,
and for poor Egerton; and begged her not to allow anything to make her
give him up and break his heart.

Elsie returned the embrace, shed a few tears, but answered not a word.

"You do believe in him? and won't give him up; will you?" persisted
Lottie.

"I do believe in him, and will not give him up unless--unless papa
commands it," Elsie answered in a choking voice.

"I wouldn't for that!" cried Lottie.

"'Children, obey your parents,'" repeated her friend, tears filling
the soft brown eyes, and glistening on the drooping lashes. "It is
God's command."

"But you are not a child any longer."

"I am papa's child; I always shall be. Oh, it would break my heart if
ever he should disown me and say, 'You are no longer my child!'"

"How you do love him!"

"Better than my life!"

Mr. Travilla was already established at Miss Stanhope's, and very glad