"Elsie, darling, we are all here, and we love you dearly, dearly," said Adelaide in quivering tones, while her scalding tears fell like rain upon the little hand she had taken in hers.
"My papa—I want my papa; but he said he would never kiss me till I submit;" the tone was low and plaintive, and the large mournful eyes were fixed upon Adelaide's face.
Then suddenly her gaze was directed upward, a bright smile overspread her features, and she exclaimed in joyous accents, "Yes, mamma, yes; I am coming! I will go with you!"
Adelaide turned away and went weeping from the room, unable to bear any more.
"Oh, Horace! Horace, what have you done!" she sobbed, as she walked up and down the hall, wringing her hands.
The doctor came out, but she was too much absorbed in her grief to notice him. He went to her, however, and took her hand.
"Miss Adelaide," he said kindly, "it is true your little niece is very ill, but we will not give up all hope yet. It is possible her father's presence may do something, and surely he will be here ere long. But try to calm yourself, my dear young lady, and hope for the best, or I fear I shall have another patient on my hands. I will stay with the little girl myself to-night, and I wish I could prevail upon you to lie down and take some rest, for I see you need it sadly. Have you had your tea?"
Adelaide shook her head. "I could not eat," she said sadly.
"You ought at least to try; it would do you good," he urged.
"No, you will not? well, then, you will lie down; indeed, you must; you will certainly be ill."