"Why, of course. I remember as yesterday when I saw him. Oh, so handsome and straight, and fair--who would think it now? And Rosa, she was dying for him. Oh, she _would_ have him! What she wills ever comes to pass. It were better she had never seen him. It is not always lucky to have one's wishes granted--and the omens were bad. His cousin's debts chained him here, but his heart was in Europe. All his thoughts are there still--he changeth not. You know the proverb--'Bury a dog's tail for twenty years, it will still be crooked.'" "Why is he always so sad--and silent, Nani?" "I know not the very truth, but often have I said to him: 'Gaiety is the support of the body, But sadness makes it to grow old.' You too are sad, always, child. Why is it so? Come, now tell your old Nani?" Verona made no reply, but hid her face in her hands, and shuddered convulsively from time to time. Johnny, vaguely alarmed, ran down her sleeve, peeped out and fled; but not a moment too soon--for the second time in his short life he had escaped a deluge! On this occasion--of tears. Bodily weakness, weariness, misery caused this sudden outbreak, to the amazement and alarm of Nani; and despite her expostulations and ejaculations, Verona wept till she sank into a sort of stupor, and so passed into the land of dreams. CHAPTER XXI We have seen how Verona was affected by her relations, it now remains to exhibit the other side of the shield and to describe her relations, and how they were affected by Verona.