finish that is very different from the hoydenish ways they learn at
_some_ of our colleges."

"If you ask me, I have no opinion at all of foreign schools," said Mrs.
Northby, the doctor's wife. "My husband says the sanitary arrangements
are generally most defective, and that English children, accustomed to
plenty of fresh air and ventilation, would be very liable to contract
typhoid. I think, too, that the French 'jeune fille' is brought up in an
atmosphere of falsehood and deceit, and without any idea of rational
enjoyment, and I prefer to send my little girl to a day-school, where
she can get a sound education, while I can keep her under my own eye. I
do not like the plan of sending children away to boarding-schools just
at the time when their health needs most attention, and they are forming
their strongest opinions."

"I'm afraid I don't agree with you," said Mrs. Montgomery. "I consider a
boarding-school is the world in miniature, and it helps a girl to find
her own level. She will learn many other things besides her lessons, and
will no doubt make some pleasant friendships; but the school must be a
good one, for inferior companions are worse than none."

"It is no question of terms," said Aunt Agatha. "My brother-in-law is
anxious for her to have every advantage. It's simply a matter of
choosing the best, and I feel the responsibility of my position."

"If you will take my advice, you will send her to The Hollies," said
Mrs. (Archdeacon) Carrington, who had listened silently so far to the
conversation. "Mrs. Marshall only receives forty pupils, but I consider
she turns out the best-informed and best-mannered girls of my
acquaintance. She has so many applications, that it is sometimes
difficult to secure a vacancy, but I think on _my_ recommendation it
might be arranged."

The Archdeacon's lady was the leader of society among Aunt Agatha's
friends, and her opinion carried weight.

"We all know how particular she is," said Mrs. Buchanan Smith
afterwards. "And any school which _she_ recommends must be _most_
select, both as regards education, and the girls who are there. Indeed,
if Stella had not already returned to Paris, I think I should have
seriously considered the possibility of sending her to The Hollies."

My aunt was inclined to take the same view, and when on further
inquiries it was found that Mrs. Marshall was equally highly thought of
in other quarters, and that Mrs. Winstanley's only daughter Cat