It was beating very fast.
Suddenly she seemed to comprehend.
"Was it because you were afraid I was going to die, papa ?" she asked.
"Yes, dearest, and because I had reason, to think that my own cruelty had killed you." The words were almost inaudible, but she heard them.
"Dear _dear_ papa, how I love you!" she said, putting her arms around his neck again; "and I am so glad, for your sake, that I did not die." 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..