I _will_ not, I _cannot_ be a nun! Oh, papa, save me! save me!" she shrieked.
"Dear child, you are safe at home, with none but friends around you." It was Mrs.Travilla's gentle voice again, and for a moment the child seemed calmed; but only for a moment; another wild fancy possessed her brain, and she cried out wildly, "Don't! don't!--take it away! I will not bow down to images! No, no, I will not." Then, with a bitter, wailing cry, that went to the heart of every one who heard it: "Oh, papa, don't be angry! I will be good! Oh, I am all alone, nobody to love me." "Elsie, darling, we are all here, and we love you dearly, _dearly_," said Adelaide in quivering tones, while her scalding tears fell like rain upon the little hand she had taken in hers.
"My papa--I want my papa; but he said he would never kiss me till I submit;" the tone was low and plaintive, and the large mournful eyes were fixed upon Adelaide's face.
Then suddenly her gaze was directed upward, a bright smile overspread her features, and she exclaimed in joyous accents, "Yes, mamma, yes; I am coming! I will go with you!" Adelaide turned away and went weeping from the room, unable to bear any more.
"Oh, Horace! Horace, what have you done!" she sobbed, as she walked up and down the hall, wringing her hands.
The doctor came out, but she was too much absorbed in her grief to notice him.

He went to her, however, and took her hand.
"Miss Adelaide," he said kindly, "it is true your little niece is very ill, but we will not give up all hope yet.

It is possible her father's presence may do something, and surely he will be here ere long.

But try to calm yourself, my dear young lady, and hope for the best, or I fear I shall have another patient on my hands.

I will stay with the little girl myself to-night, and I wish I could prevail upon you to lie down and take some rest, for I see you need it sadly.