arly half past four, and I expect everybody is longing for
tea," put in Irene.

"They'll have to wait for it till we've done our stunt. We're not going
to be left out," said Peachy, hurriedly taking her pose.

The allegorical scene in which the girls were grouped presented a pretty
picture as the curtain rose.

In the center Agnes and Delia, dressed as Britannia and Columbia,
supported the Union Jack and the Stars and Strips together with a bunch
of camellias as a delicate compliment to the school; Jess, in plaid and
tam-o'-shanter, stood for her native Scotland; Peachy, with fringed
leather leggings and cowboy's hat, was a ranch-girl; Joan in a somewhat
similar costume represented "the bush" in Australia; Sheila in a white
coat trimmed plentifully with cotton wool made a pretty Canada; Irene
was an Irish colleen; Mary, with bunches of mimosa, typified South
Africa; and Esther, gorgeous in Oriental drapery and numerous necklaces,
was an Indian princess. But perhaps the most successful costume of all
was Lorna's. She had been chosen to take the character of New Zealand,
and was dressed in a pale yellow wrapper decorated with beautiful sprays
of tinted leaves. Round her head was a garland of orange blossoms, and
in her arms she held great branches of oranges and lemons, to typify the
fruits of the country she was impersonating. With Lorna's dark eyes and
hair the effect was most striking. She kept her pose admirably, scarcely
blinking an eyelid, though Mary palpably moved, and even Joan was guilty
of a smile. The audience, immensely surprised and pleased with the
tableau, clapped enthusiastically. It was felt to be a very fitting
finish to the festival.

"You kept your secret well, girls," said Miss Morley, as she
congratulated them afterwards. "I'm sure nobody had the least hint. It
was charmingly thought out and arranged. Come along now and have some
tea. It has really been a most successful afternoon."

Audience and performers, the latter in all the glory of their pretty
costumes, mingled together now for conversation and tea-drinking. Irene
quickly joined her family, and had much to say to them, and many
questions to ask about their doings in Naples.

"I say, Renie," whispered Vincent, suddenly interrupting her, "tell me
who's that lovely girl? She looked the best in the whole of your
tableau."

Irene followed his glance to the yellow-clad figure handing the teacups
which Miss Morley was filling.

"That's Lo