Miss Day treated her with all her former severity and injustice, and no one else but the servants ever addressed her.
She went out every day for an hour or two, in obedience to her father's command, but her walks and rides were sad and lonely; and during the rest of the day she felt like a prisoner, for she dared not venture even into the garden, where she had always been in the habit of passing the greater part of her leisure hours, in the summer season.
But debarred from all other pleasures, Elsie read her Bible more and more constantly, and with ever increasing delight; it was more than meat and drink to her; she there found consolation under every affliction, a solace for every sorrow.

Her trial was a heavy one; her little heart often ached sadly with its intense longing for an earthly father's love and favor; yet in the midst of it all, she was conscious of a deep, abiding peace, flowing from a sweet sense of pardoned sin, and a consciousness of a Saviour's love.
At first Elsie greatly feared that she would not be allowed to attend church, as usual, on the Sabbath.

But Mr.Dinsmore did not care to excite too much remark, and so, as Elsie had always been very regular in her attendance, to her great joy she was still permitted to go.
No one spoke to her, however, or seemed to take the least notice of her; but she sat by her father's side, as usual, both in the carriage and in the pew, and there was some pleasure even in that, though she scarcely dared even to lift her eyes to his face.

Once during the sermon, on the third Sabbath after their last interview, she ventured to do so, and was so overcome by the sight of his pale, haggard looks, that utterly unable to control her emotion, she burst into tears, and almost sobbed aloud.
"Elsie," he said, bending down, and speaking in a stern whisper, "you _must control_ yourself." And with a mighty effort she swallowed down her tears and sobs.
He took no further notice of her until they were again at their own door, when, lifting her from the carriage, he took her by the hand and led her to his own room.

Shutting the door, he said sternly, "Elsie, what did you mean by behaving so in church?
I was ashamed of you." "I could not help it, papa; indeed I could not," replied the little girl, again bursting into tears.
"What were you crying about?
tell me at once," he said, sitting down and taking off her bonnet, while she stood trembling before him.
"Oh, papa! dear, _dear_ papa!" she cried, suddenly throwing her arms round his neck, and laying her cheek to his; "I love you so much, that when I looked at you, and saw how pale and thin you were, I couldn't help crying." "I do not understand, nor want such love, Elsie," he said gravely, putting her from him; "it is not the right kind, or it would lead you to be docile and obedient.