w Zealand. Pupils belonging to other
European races were not received, the object of the college being to
preserve the nationality of girls who must of necessity be educated in a
foreign land, and whose parents did not wish them to attend Italian
schools. The arrangements were of course modified by the climate and by
the customs of the country. Outwardly the Villa Camellia resembled a
convent. Its garden was surrounded by immensely high walls edged with
broken glass, and the only entrance was by the great gate, which was
solemnly unlocked by old Antonio, the porter, who inspected all comers
through a grille before granting them admittance. Small parties in
charge of a teacher were taken at stated times for walks or excursions
in the neighborhood, but no girl might ever go out unless escorted by a
mistress or by her parents. The Villa Camellia was a little world in
itself, and as much retired from the town of Fossato as the great, gray
monastery that crowned the summit of the neighboring mountain.

Fortunately the grounds were very large, so there was room for most of
the activities in which the girls cared to indulge. Tennis and netball
were the principal games. There were several courts, and there was a
gymnasium, where the school assembled for exercise on wet days. From two
flagstaffs on the roof floated the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes
respectively. It was an understood fact that here Britannia and Columbia
marched hand in hand with an _entente cordiale_ that recognized no
distinctions whatsoever.

Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, who respectively represented the
interests of Britain and America, were tremendous friends. Miss Rodgers
was fair and rather plump and rosy-faced and calm, with a manner that
parents described as "motherly," and a leaning towards mathematics as
the basis of a sound education. Miss Morley, on the contrary, was thin
and dark and excitable, and taught the English literature and the
general knowledge classes, and was rumored--though this no doubt was
libel--to dislike mathematics to the extent of not even adequately
keeping her own private accounts. The pair were such opposites that they
worked in absolute harmony, Miss Rodgers being mainly responsible for
the discipline of the establishment, and acting judge and court of
appeal in her study, while Miss Morley supplied the initiative, and kept
the girls interested in a large number of pursuits and hobbies which
could be carried on within