"Oh Truth,
Thou art, whilst tenant in a noble breast,
A crown of crystal in an iv'ry chest."


Elsie felt in better spirits in the morning; her sleep had refreshed her,
and she arose with a stronger confidence in the love of both her earthly
and her heavenly Father.

She found her papa ready, and waiting for her. He took her in his arms
and kissed her tenderly. "My precious little daughter," he said, "papa is
very glad to see you looking so bright and cheerful this morning. I think
something was wrong with my little girl last night. Why did she not come
to papa with her trouble?"

"_Why_ did you think I was in trouble, papa?" she asked, hiding her face
on his breast.

"How could I think otherwise, when my little girl did not come to bid me
good night, though she had not seen me since dinner; and when I went to
give her a good-night kiss I found her pillow wet, and a tear on her
cheek?"

"_Did_ you come, papa?" she asked, looking up in glad surprise.

"I did. Now tell me what troubled you, my own one?"

"I am afraid you will be angry with me, papa," she said, almost under her
breath.