Edward, Horace Dinsmore does not know what he is doing; that child's heart is breaking." He gave an assenting nod, and turned away to hide his emotion.
"Can you not write to him, Edward, and describe the state she is in, and beg him, if he will not come home, at least to permit us to take her to Ion for a few weeks ?" she asked, laying her hand on his arm.
"I will do so, mother, if you think it best," Mr.Travilla replied; "but I think I know Horace Dinsmore better than you do, and that such a proceeding would do more harm than good.

He is very jealous of anything that looks like interference, especially between him and his child, and I fear it would only irritate him, and make him, if possible, still more determined.

Were I asked to describe his character in a few words, I should say he is a man of indomitable will." "Well, my son, perhaps you are right," said his mother, heaving a deep sigh; "and if so, I can see nothing more we can do but pray for the little girl." Mrs.Travilla was right in thinking that her visit had done Elsie good; it had roused her out of the torpor of grief into which she had sunk; it had raised her from the depths of despair, and shown her the beacon light of hope still shining in the distance.
This last blow had come with such crushing weight that there had seemed to be no room left in her heart for a thought of comfort; but now her kind friend had reminded her of the precious promises, and the tender love that were still hers; love far exceeding that of any earthly parent--love that was able even to bring light out of all this thick darkness; love which was guiding and controlling all the events of her life, and would never allow her to suffer one unnecessary pang, but would remove the trial as soon as its needed work was done; and she was now no longer altogether comfortless.
When Mrs.Travilla had left, she took up her Bible--that precious little volume, her never-failing comforter--and in turning over its leaves her eye fell upon these words: "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." They sent a thrill of joy to her heart; for was not _she_ suffering for _his_ sake?
was it not because she loved him too well to disobey his commands, even to please her dearly beloved earthly father, that she was thus deprived of one privilege, and one comfort after another, and subjected to trials that wrung her very heart?
Yes, it was because she loved Jesus.

She was bearing suffering for his dear sake, and here she was taught that even to be permitted to _suffer_ for him, was a privilege.

And she remembered, too, that in another place it is written: "If we _suffer_, we shall also reign with him." Ah! those are tears of joy and thankfulness that are falling now.