rteously, but quite
firmly, insisted upon temporarily confiscating the prohibited article.
Miss Morley, who hurried up at the sound of the altercation, took the
side of the authorities.

"Who brought a camera? _Irene!_ You knew it was not allowed. Yes, you
must let the guide have it. He'll give it back to you at the gate. I
hope there won't be any trouble about it. I believe you can be fined. It
was very naughty of you to do such a thing."

Much crestfallen Irene retired into the rear of the party, and bewailed
the fate of her snap-shots.

"It was hard luck the guide should pop round the corner that exact
minute," she groaned.

"Mabel fetched him," squeaked Desiree. "I could see over the railing,
and I watched her go. She was mad that you wouldn't put her in the
photo."

"What a sneaking trick to play. She's the _meanest_ girl. I wouldn't
have told about _her_. I hope No. 24 won't take the spool out of the
camera, because there are three undeveloped snaps of the Villa Camellia
on it, and I shall be wild if I lose them. He couldn't be so heartless.
If I only knew Italian better I'd try and coax him."

The guide had obligingly waited while the girls ate lunch, but he now
waxed impatient, and hurried his party on to the House of Pansa. This
must have been quite a palatial residence, and showed such perfect
examples of the arrangement of the various rooms in a Roman mansion that
they lingered a long time looking at the _atrium_, the _tablinum_, the
peristyle, and the kitchen with its curious mosaics of snakes. Now,
though it was all very interesting, it was certainly tiring, and some of
the girls grew weary of listening to the guide's descriptions in Italian
or Miss Morley's explanations.

"I'm bored stiff," confessed Delia, in a whisper, linking on to Irene's
arm. "If I have any more information crammed into my head it will burst.
I know quite enough about ancient customs already. All I can say is I'm
thankful I'm living now instead of then. Renie, if you love me, take me
out of ear-shot of Miss Morley and let me chatter and frivol."

"Poor old sport!" laughed Irene. "Let's slip away and take another turn
round the garden while the guide finishes haranguing. I'm out of friends
with him since he stole my camera. He doesn't deserve anybody to listen
to him. I've a few chocs left in this package. You shall have some to
cheer you up. They're modern at any rate."

"You mascot!" murmured Delia. "Stella says I'm a Goth