It was long ere consciousness returned; so long that Adelaide, who stood
by, gazing sorrowfully at the little wan face, and reproaching herself
for her cruelty, trembled and grew pale with apprehension.

But at last, with a weary sigh, Elsie opened her eyes, and looked up,
with a sad, bewildered expression, into the dusky face bent so anxiously
over her, and then, with a feeling of intense relief, Adelaide slipped
away to her own room, leaving them alone together.

"What is it, mammy? Oh, I know! I remember! Oh, mammy, mammy! will my
dear, precious papa die?" sobbed the poor little girl, throwing her arms
around her nurse's neck.

"I hope not, darling" replied Chloe, soothingly. "Massa Horace am pretty
sick, I know; but I tinks de good Lord spare him, if we pray."

"Oh, yes, yes, mammy, let us pray for him. Let us both pray very
earnestly, and I am sure God will spare him, because he has _promised_
to grant whatever two shall agree to ask."

They knelt down, and Chloe prayed in her broken way; and when she had
finished, Elsie poured out such a prayer as comes only from a heart ready
to break with its load of sorrow and care.

None but he who has tried it can tell what a blessed relief comes to
those who thus "cast their care on Jesus." Elsie's burden was not less,
but she no longer bore it alone; she had rolled it upon the Lord and he
sustained her. She shed a few quiet tears after she had laid her head
upon her pillow, but soon forgot all her sorrows in a deep, sweet sleep,
that lasted until morning.