The marriage and departure of Dominga was a signal for the general break-up of the Chandos household. The bungalow belonged to the factory--and they must all seek another home. Pussy was now betrothed to her Alonzo, who through Lepell interest had been promised a fine post at Tundla Junction. Nani Lopez was to accompany her daughter into the "Doon," for Mrs. Chandos had still ample means, and was enabled (though shorn of her ill-gotten spoils) to give Pussy a fortune, and to personally live at her ease. It may here be mentioned that she and her parent spent the hot seasons in Mussouri, where, as the mother of Lady Highstreet, she receives in certain circles a considerable amount of agreeable attention. The news of Verona's existence came as a delightful shock to the Bourne and Hargreaves families. Her new relatives were all eagerness to welcome poor Vera's girl with open arms, not to speak of the invitation she received from her friends, the Melvilles. It was arranged that she was to return home with Mrs. Lepell in November, and when it came to her very last hours in the Chandos Kothi, the grief of Pussy and Nani was profound. Poor Pussy wept incessantly as she hung about her adored Verona. "Only Alonzo has promised to take me _home_ some day," she sobbed; "I would not marry him--and I would die--never to see you again--to think of it! I could not live--No!" "And why do you cry so?" remonstrated Nani. "Behold me!" her old face looked sharpened and blanched; two unshed tears glittered in her eyes. "I love Verona more than you do, and yet I shall never see her again. For me there is no hope; yet I do not weep. Verona has done good here, now she goes elsewhere--what says the proverb? 'Great rivers, medicinal plants, and virtuous people, are born, not for themselves, but for the good of others.' She goes to do good elsewhere, and I shall come and stay with you at Tundla, and we," stroking Verona's cheek, "will often talk of _her_." "I will never forget you, dear, dear Nani," whispered the girl. "Be sure of that, and I will write to you often--and send you such pretty wools." "Ah, core of my soul, no wool will make up for thee! And what of Johnny?" "I would like to take him, but it would be selfish--here he has his freedom and all his friends." At the moment he was executing gymnastic feats among the lattice work; there was a rustle, a pair of watchful eyes, a swift patter, and Johnny, with a new blue ribbon round his neck, joined the party, and fearlessly climbed into his lady's lap. "Aré, see, I have half a mind to take him to the Doon," announced Nani. "No, no, Nani, let him stay here," pleaded Verona, "where he was first found. As long as he lives, he will be a happy little monument to you, and me--you saved his life, and I won his heart." * * * * *