"Oh, Aunt Adelaide," cried the child in a hoarse whisper, catching her by
the dress, "dear Aunt Adelaide, _do_ tell me, is papa worse?"

"Yes, Elsie," she replied coldly, attempting to pass on; "he is much
worse."

The little girl burst into an agony of tears.

"You may well cry, Elsie," remarked her aunt severely, "for it is all
your fault, and if you are left an orphan, you may thank your own
perverseness and obstinacy for it."

Putting both hands over her face, with a low cry of anguish, Elsie fell
forward in a deep swoon.

Adelaide caught her ere she had quite reached the floor, and hastily
loosening her dress, looked anxiously around for help; but none was at
hand, and she dared not call aloud lest she should alarm her brother. So
laying her gently down on the carpet, she went in search of Chloe, whom
she found, as she had expected, in Elsie's room. In a few hurried words
Adelaide made her understand what had occurred, and that Elsie must be
removed without the slightest noise or disturbance.

Another moment and Chloe was at her darling's side, and raising her
gently in her strong arms, she bore her quickly to her room, and laying
her on a couch, proceeded to apply restoratives, murmuring the while,
in low, pitiful tones, "De dear, precious lamb! it mos' breaks your ole
mammy's heart to see you dis way."