He pressed her closer and closer, caressing her silently with a heart too full for words.

They sat thus for some time, but were at length interrupted by the entrance of Chloe, who had been left behind at Roselands to attend to the packing and removal of Elsie’s clothes, and all her little possessions.  She had finished her work, and her entrance was immediately followed by that of the men-servants bearing several large trunks and boxes, the contents of which she proceeded at once to unpack and rearrange in the new apartments.

Elsie watched this operation with a good deal of interest, occasionally directing where this or that article should be put; but in the midst of it all was carried off by her father to the tea-table.

Soon after tea the servants were all called together, and Mr. Dinsmore, after addressing a few words to them on the importance of calling upon God—­the blessings promised to those who did, and the curses pronounced upon those individuals and families who did not—­read a chapter from the Bible and offered up a prayer.

All were solemn and attentive, and all seemed pleased with the arrangement—­for Mr. Dinsmore had told them it was to be the regular custom of the house, morning and evening—­but Elsie, Mrs. Murray, and Chloe fairly wept for joy and thankfulness.

Elsie begged for another chapter and 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.