Well, she was quite willing to do that; but oh! not to be left all alone.
The poor child was so wholly absorbed in these painful thoughts, as they passed again and again through her mind, that she lost all sense of time, till at last she was aroused, by the clock on the neighboring tower striking so many times that she was frightened.

She raised her head.

It was perfectly dark.

Her little candle had burned out, and not a glimmer of light came from the street.

But the stars; yes, there were the five stars above still shining so joyfully, that it seemed to Dora as if her father were looking down upon her with loving eyes, and saying cheeringly, "God holds us in his hand God knows the best to send." The sparkling starlight sank deep into her heart, and made it lighter.