“Yes, daughter; for I have not the least doubt that you fully intend to be obedient to me at all times, whether I am present or absent.”
“O papa, thank you! thank you very much!” she said, putting her arms about his neck, while her face grew almost bright. “I thought your prohibition meant doubt that I intended to be good and obedient, but now I don’t want it removed; because—because I—am not sure I could withstand temptation,” she added, humbly, a vivid blush suffusing her face.
That evening Mr. Dinsmore told Elsie of the intended visit to Ion, adding that it was to be made the next week.
“And will you let me go after I have been so naughty, papa?” she asked, in glad surprise.
“Have I ever punished you twice for the same fault?” he inquired.
“No, sir; oh, no!”
“Then why should you expect it in this instance?”
“I don’t know, papa, only that I—I feel that I am so very, very undeserving of such a pleasure,” she murmured, hanging her head and blushing painfully.
“That question is not under consideration,” he said, gently lifting the downcast face that he might kiss the sweet lips again and again; “we all have very many blessings that we do not deserve.”