Fanny was in waiting to arrange her dress again, and when that was done, went down to bring up her supper.  It was more tempting than usual, but Elsie turned from it with loathing.

“Do, Miss Elsie, please do try to eat a little,” urged Fanny, with tears in her eyes.  “What will Massa Horace say if he axes me ’bout your eatin’ an’ I’m ’bliged to tell him you didn’t eat never a mouthful of dinner, an’ likewise not the first crumb of your supper?”

That, as Fanny well knew, was a powerful argument with Elsie, who, dreading nothing so much as her father’s displeasure, which was sure to be excited by such a report of her conduct, sat down at once and did her best to make a substantial meal.

Fanny was not more than half satisfied with the result of her efforts; but seeing it was useless to press her any further, silently cleared away the tea-things and carried them down-stairs, and Elsie was left alone.

Alone!  She looked around upon the familiar furniture with a strange feeling of desolation; an over-powering sense of loneliness came over her; she missed the dear face that had been familiar to her from her earliest infancy, and had ever looked so lovingly upon her; the kind arms wont to fold her in a fond embrace to that heart ever beating with such true, unalterable affection for her; that breast, where she might ever lean her aching head, and pour out all her sorrows, sure of sympathy and comfort.

She could not stay there, but passing quickly out on to the balcony upon which the windows of her room opened, she stood leaning against the railing, her head resting upon the top of it, and the silent tears dropping one by one upon the floor.

“Oh, mammy, mammy!” she murmured half aloud, “why did you leave your poor heart-broken child?  How can I live without you—­without any one to love me?”

“Elsie,” said Mr. Dinsmore’s voice, close at her side, “I suppose you think me a very cruel father thus to separate you from your nurse.  Is it not so?”

“Papa, dear papa, don’t say that,” she cried with a burst of sobs and tears, as she turned hastily round, and taking his hand in both of hers, looked up pleadingly into his face.  “I know you have a right to do it, papa; I know I belong to you, and you have a right to do as you will with me, and I will try to submit without murmuring, but I cannot help feeling sad, and shedding some tears.”

“I am not blaming you for crying now; it is quite excusable under the circumstances,” he replied in a slightly softened tone, adding, “I take no pleasure in causing you sorrow, Elsie; and though I have sent away your nurse, I have provided you with another servant, who will, I think, be respectful and kind, and attentive to all your wishes.  If she is not, you have only to complain to me, and she shall be at once removed, and her place supplied by another.  And I have good reasons for what I am doing.  You have resisted my authority for a long time now, and I must try the effect of placing you under new influences.  I fear Chloe has, at least tacitly, encouraged you in your rebellion, and therefore I intend to keep you apart until you have learned to be submissive and obedient.”