having to teach Maud, so ill-used at being shut up in the country, that
I had no time to be sorry for anyone but myself. I made things _worse_
for mother by moping and looking cross and dull, and I was a Tartar to
Maud. Poor old Maud! She was far more patient with me than I was with
her; and after all, Dreda, it was here, in the place I hated, living the
life I dreaded, that I met Guy, the big, big prize of my life! I feel
so much older since I was engaged. One seems to _understand_ everything
so differently. And I have thought of you so often, dear, and hoped
that you may never lose your chance as I have done mine. Your _home_
chance, I mean--the chance of being a real good daughter to father and
mother. Then you can never reproach yourself as I do now."

Dreda stared with big, surprised eyes. Well might Rowena say that she
was changed! It might have been mother herself who was speaking. Such
gravity, such penitence, such humility, were new indeed from the lips of
the erstwhile proud and complacent young beauty! Dreda lay awake that
night pondering over the great news of the day, with all its
consequences to Rowena and herself.

Meanwhile Norah lay helpless in her bedroom at the other side of the
house, and though the agonising pain of the first few days was
mercifully a thing of the past, the doctor did not disguise the fact
that a long and weary convalescence lay ahead before anything like
walking could be possible. In a week or two she might be able to be
lifted from bed, with the splints still firmly in position; in a week or
two more she might get about on crutches, but for how long the crutches
would be necessary it was impossible to say. Only one thing was
certain: there was no chance of returning to school!

Norah took the verdict very quietly. Once relieved from pain, she was a
patient, uncomplaining invalid, and gave little trouble to her nurses.
That she was depressed in spirits seemed only natural under the
circumstances. Her brother's illness made it impossible for her own
mother to be near her; her constrained position made it difficult to
read; and her own thoughts were not too cheerful companions for the
long, dragging hours. Everyone rejoiced when at last Dreda was well
enough to be wrapped in a dressing-gown and escorted across the landing
to have tea in Norah's room. A bright fire burned on the hearth; a
little table, spread with tempting fare, stood by the bed; and Dreda,
proppe