Janetta was struck by the fact that Nora looked at the matter entirely from her own point of view—that very little affection for her mother was mingled with the shame and the disgrace that she felt. Mrs. Colwyn had never gained her children's respect; and when the days of babyhood were over she had not retained their love. Nora was hurt, indignant, ashamed; but she shrank from her mother more than she pitied her.
"What do you mean by 'under a ban?'" Janetta asked, after a little silence.
Nora colored hotly.
"I mean," she said, looking down and fingering her dress nervously; "I mean—that—if any of us wanted to get married——"
Janetta laughed a little. "Hadn't we better wait until the opportunity arises" she said, half-satirically, half affectionately.
"Oh, you don't know!" exclaimed Nora, giving her shoulders a little impatient twist. "I may have had the opportunity already, for all you know!"
Janetta's tone changed instantly. "Nora, dear, have you anything of that sort to tell me? Won't you trust me?"
"Oh, there's nothing to tell. It's only—Cuthbert."
"Cuthbert Brand! Nora! what do you know of him?"
"Didn't you know?" said Nora, demurely. "He teaches drawing at Mrs. Smith's school."