She seemed thoughtful and absent all the rest of the day, every now and then fixing the same troubled, questioning look on him, and it was quite impossible to interest her in any subject for more than a few moments at a time.
That night, for the first time, he went to his own room, leaving her entirely to Chloe's care.

He had watched by her after she was put in bed for the night, until she had fallen asleep; but he left her, feeling a little anxious, for the same troubled look was on her face, as though even in sleep memory was reasserting her sway.
When he entered her room again in the morning, although it was still early, he found her already dressed for the day, in a pretty, loose wrapper, and laid upon the sofa.
"Good-morning, little daughter; you are quite an early bird to-day, for a sick one," he said gayly.
But as he drew near, he was surprised and pained to see that she was trembling very much, and that her eyes were red with weeping.
"What is it, dearest ?" he asked, bending over her in tender solicitude; "what ails my little one ?" "Oh, papa," she said, bursting into tears, "I remember it all now.

Are you angry with me yet?
and must I go away from you as soon as--" But she was unable to finish her sentence.
He had knelt down by her side, and now raising her gently up, and laying her head against his breast, he kissed her tenderly, saying in a moved tone, in the beautiful words of Ruth, the Moabitess, "The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part me and thee." He paused a moment, as if unable to proceed; then, in tones tremulous with emotion, said: "Elsie, my dear, my _darling_ daughter, I have been a very cruel father to you; I have most shamefully abused my authority; but never again will I require you to do anything contrary to the teachings of God's word.

Will you forgive your father, dearest, for all he has made you suffer ?" "Dear papa, don't! oh, _please_ don't say such words to me!" she said; "I cannot bear to hear them.

You had a right to do whatever you pleased with your own child." "No, daughter; not to force you to disobey God," he answered with deep solemnity.