"Oh, yes, Aunt Adelaide; is he here?" she inquired, beginning to tremble with agitation.
"I am afraid you are not strong enough yet," said Adelaide doubtfully; "you are trembling very much."
"Dear Aunt Adelaide, I will try to be very calm; do let me see him," she urged beseechingly; "it won't hurt me half so much as to be kept waiting."
"Yes, Adelaide, she is right. My precious, precious child! they shall keep us apart no longer." And Elsie was gently raised in her father's arms, and folded to his beating heart.
She looked up eagerly into his face.
It was full of the tenderest love and pity.
"Papa, papa, my own papa," she murmured, dropping her head upon his breast.
He held her for some moments, caressing her silently; then laid her gently down upon her pillow, and sat by her side with one little hand held fast in his.
She raised her large, soft eyes, all dim with tears, to his face.
"Do you love me, my own papa?" she asked in a voice so low and weak he could scarcely catch the words.