Dear Aunt Adelaide, comfort my poor papa when I am gone." Her father started, and trembled between hope and fear.

Surely she was talking rationally now; but ah! those ominous words! Was she indeed about to leave him, and go to her mother?
But she was speaking again in trembling, tearful tones: "He wouldn't kiss me! he said he never would till I submit; and oh! he never breaks his word.

Oh! papa, papa, will you _never_ love me any more?
I love _you_ so _very_ dearly.

You'll kiss me when I'm dying, papa dear, won't you ?" Mr.Dinsmore could bear no more, but starting up he would have approached the bed, but a warning gesture from the physician prevented him, and he hurried from the room.
He met Travilla in the hall.
Neither spoke, but Edward wrung his friend's hand convulsively, then hastily turned away to hide his emotion, while Mr.Dinsmore hurried to his room, and locked himself in.
He did not come down to dinner, and Adelaide, hearing from the anxious John how long he had been without food, began to feel seriously alarmed on his account, and carried up a biscuit and a cup of coffee with her own hands.
He opened the door at her earnest solicitation, but only shook his head mournfully, saying that he had no desire for food.

She urged him, even with tears in her eyes, but all in vain; he replied that "he could not eat; it was impossible." Adelaide had at first felt inclined to reproach him bitterly for his long delay in returning home, but he looked so very wretched, so utterly crushed by the weight of this great sorrow, that she had not the heart to say one reproachful word, but on the contrary longed to comfort him.
He begged her to sit down and give him a few moments' conversation.