Not even a boy could
enter under ten.

People of influence were consulted, and in vain. If the Directors of the
Conservatory would not take the child it was no affair of theirs. They
could do nothing about it. It did seem as if everything was against her
and she began to realize what a very unhappy thing it is to be a girl.
Still, she would not despair nor relax one effort to obtain her darling
wish. She would keep on studying just the same and all through the weary
weeks of waiting she practiced and studied as best she could under her
father's instruction.

The Winter passed away and the Spring came. It brought very little hope
with it. Camilla could not enter the Conservatory. There were only nine
places and there were seventy-six applicants and every one of them boys.
When they grew up they could play in the theatres. That was the aim of
their lives. The Conservatory was opened to teach them, to prepare them
for this very work. Camilla would not play in an orchestra and, of
course, she would be of no use to the country and it was idle to admit
her to the classes.

Persistence finally carried the day. M. Urso fairly worried the learned
officers of the Conservatory into a consent. The irritable little
Director, Auber, lost his temper and said "Well, bring the girl. She is
sure to fail. We will hear her play, but she cannot enter."

The Ursos were greatly pleased with this concession. If they would hear
Camilla just once it would be enough. They could hardly refuse to take a
child of her great talents even if she did have the misfortune to be a
girl.

At last the eventful day arrived. The seventy-six boys and the one girl
were to be examined. Her case was quite hopeless, they said. She might
play like an angel and it would avail nothing. The boys would have the
places.

She never lost her courage, but with that quiet, serious manner that
only served to hide her sturdy character, she took her father's hand and
soberly trotted through the streets without a fear. She knew what she
could do, she had her piece by heart; she meant to break into that
Conservatory, it was her only hope and she would try hard to do her
very, very best.

M. Urso was excited and nervous. How would it all end? Would Camilla be
admitted. It was doubtful, still, her genius might win the day in spite
of the determined opposition that was raised against her. As for Camilla
she clung to her violin in stubborn silence, and patiently waited for