rjorie
Anderson and her friends are stopping at the hotel, just down below.
We're having the most glorious times all together. Here's Vincent! Vin,
you remember meeting Lorna at school? She's actually staying in Capri!
No, don't go, Lorna! Sit down and talk! Now I've found you I mean to
keep you. We're not generally up so early, but Dad wants to catch the
first steamer. He has to get back to Naples this morning."

"My father has gone already by a sailing vessel."

"Then you are alone? Oh, I say! You must spend most of your time with
us. It's a lucky chance that has blown you our way, isn't it? We seem
quite a cluster of Camellia Buds in Capri."

So Lorna, who had expected a very quiet, not to say dull, visit at the
Casa Verdi during her father's absence, found herself instead in the
midst of hospitable friends who extended cordial invitations to her for
every occasion.

"By all means let your friend join us," agreed Mrs. Beverley, in answer
to her daughter's urgent request. "We've heard so much about Lorna in
your letters. She seems a nice girl. I remember I was quite struck with
her when I saw her at your school carnival. One more or less makes no
difference for picnics. It must certainly be slow for her up there with
only an Italian landlady to talk to, poor child."

Capri was an idyllic place for holiday-making. The beautiful climate,
perfect at this season of the year, made living out of doors a delight.
Every day the various friends met together, and either went for
excursions or passed happy hours in each other's gardens. The Camerons
had several young people staying with them as well as Peachy, and the
party at the hotel proved a great acquisition. This consisted of Captain
Hilton Preston and his sister Joyce, their married sister Kathleen and
her husband, Mr. Frank Roper, and Marjorie Anderson, who was traveling
under their chaperonage. They were fond of the sea, and had at once made
arrangements to hire a boat and a boatman for their visit, so that they
might have as much pleasure as possible on the water during their short
stay.

"We shan't be able to paddle about on the Mediterranean when we get
home," said Captain Preston with mock tragedy. "My leave will soon be up
and I shall be off to India again. It's a case of 'Let's enjoy while the
season invites us.' These rocks and bays and coves are simply
magnificent. We've decided to go to the Blue Grotto to-day. Who cares to
join us?"

This was an expedi