"Verona, why did you leave England? Why did you come here?" "Because," replied Verona, and her pale lip quivered, "I wanted so much to see my own mother." Mrs. Lopez gave vent to her queer, wheezy laugh. "Then you were wrong to come," she declared. "It is as if one had put their head in the oil press and cried: 'The favour of Vishnu, be on me.'" "I don't understand you, Nani. What do you mean?" "It is always dark under the lamp." "But still _I_ am in the dark," she murmured. "Well then, lovey, you are a stupid girl! you will guess my meaning when I say an English proverb: 'Put not your head in the lion's mouth.' You have heard that, surely?" "Yes, but where is the lion, Nani?" "My child, may you never find out!" and with this somewhat solemn aspiration Mrs. Lopez left the room in order to restore her other invalid to its mother. It must not be supposed that Verona was entirely neglected by her family--for such was far from being the case. Her father daily came and gazed at her through the door, and brought her a few flowers. Pussy was demonstratively affectionate, and remained with her sister as long as her grandmother would tolerate. Mrs. Lepell sent dainty little dishes and picture papers; otherwise, as far as the outer world was concerned, the arrival of "the new Miss Chandos" appeared to have been almost forgotten, and when Dom and Blanche mixed in the little local gaieties and were asked about Verona, they invariably replied that "she was arl-right!" One day Mrs. Lepell paid a visit, and had an interview with the invalid and her mother. "She wants a change," declared the benevolent lady. "Miss Verona, will you come over and spend a week or two at my house?" "Thank you," faltered Verona; "you are very kind," and she looked interrogatively at her parent. "Oh no, no," she rejoined, with energy; "I could not think of it. Mrs. Lepell, I cannot have one girl more favoured than another; you recollect when Dominga was ill you never invited her--and you have known her almost since she was a baby. If I allow Verona to visit you, 'and she a stranger,' Dominga would be so awfully hurt; she has such a feeling heart, and she is so fond of _you_." "Well, I suppose she will not object if I take her sister for a drive?" said Mrs. Lepell, rather sharply. To this project Mrs. Chandos accorded an unwilling assent, and presently the Trotters were greatly edified by beholding poor whitefaced Verona stagger out to Mrs. Lepell's luxurious victoria, Pussy following her with pillows and propping her up with care. It was a lovely soft evening, and Mrs. Lepell allowed the girl time to enjoy her surroundings before she commenced to talk. She glanced at her as she lay back among the cushions; what a fine, high-bred face it was! although so wan and languorous.