Mrs.Stanhope's heart smote her, as she learned how Elsli had suffered from fear of her displeasure, and from the concealment into which this had led her, a concealment so foreign to her nature.

She went to the child's bedside, and, embracing her more fondly than she had ever done before, she said tenderly:-- "I can't tell you, darling child, how sorry I am that you should have been afraid of me.

I never meant it should be so, but I am naturally reserved, and when my Nora died, I felt as if all my power of loving had died with her.

I liked you, and I meant to take good care of you, but I see now that I have seemed cold to you, and haven't shown you the love that has really been growing up for you in my heart.

Forgive me, dear, and believe that I do love you, and that I will be a real loving mother to Fani, as I would be to you--" She stopped, overcome by her own emotion.
Elsli's face beamed with a radiant smile.