arcely ever a day passed in which there was not more or less
intercourse between the three families, but at this holiday time there
were special invitations and more than ordinary festivity.

Then, the holidays over, it was a little difficult to settle down again
to work and study; the children, and probably the teachers also, found it
so. However that may have been, there was certainly more than usual
friction in the working of the school machinery: the teachers reproached
the scholars with want of attention and lack of industry, and the latter
grumbled to each other that the professor and Miss Diana snubbed them,
and Mrs. Manton and the French teacher wasted neither patience nor
politeness upon them.

Also those whose turn it was to take a music-lesson reported Signor
Foresti as unbearable, testy, and fault-finding.

Fortunately Lulu was not of the number, but her respite was only for a
day, and her heart sank as she thought of the danger of a collision
between him and herself.

She thoroughly disliked him, but hitherto had been able to control
herself and avoid any clashing of her temper with his; and it had not
always been an easy thing for her to do, he having bestowed upon her many
a sharp word which she felt to be altogether undeserved.

She gave herself great credit for her continued forbearance, and thought
she could not reasonably be expected to exercise it much longer, yet knew
that failure would entail dire consequences.

Evelyn knew all about it, and trembled for her friend.

"Oh, Lu," she said, when they found themselves alone together at home on
the evening of that first day after their return to school duties, "do
let us make up our minds to bear and forbear to-morrow when we take our
music-lessons, and not give Signor Foresti the pleasure of seeing that we
care for his crossness."

"Indeed," cried Lulu, "I've put up with enough of it; and I'll be apt to
tell him so if he's much worse than usual."

"Oh, Lu, don't!" entreated Evelyn; "you have borne so splendidly with
him, and what a pity it would be to spoil it now by giving way to
impatience!"

"Yes; but I can't bear everything. I'm only astonished at myself for
having put up with so much. I don't believe I ever should if it hadn't
been for your help, Eva."

"I'm very glad if I have been of any assistance to you, dear Lulu,"
Evelyn answered, with a look of pleasure; "and oh, I should like to help
you to go on as you have begun."

"Well, i