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 fire in the parlour, she was preparing tea in the kitchen.

"Hortense," said Moore, as his sister bustled up to help him off with his cloak, "I am pleased to come home."

Hortense did not feel the peculiar novelty of this expression coming from her brother, who had never before called the cottage his home, and to whom its narrow limits had always heretofore seemed rather restrictive than protective: still, whatever contributed to his happiness pleased her; and she expressed herself to that effect.

He sat down, but soon rose again: he went to the window; he came back to the fire.

"Hortense!"

"Mon frère?"

"This little parlour looks very clean and pleasant: unusually bright, somehow."

"It is true, brother: I have had the whole house thoroughly and scrupulously cleaned in your absence."

"Sister, I think on this first day of your return home, you ought to have a friend or so to tea; if it were only to see how fresh and spruce you have made the little place."

"True, brother: if it were not late, I might send for Miss Mann."

"So you might; but it really is too late to disturb that good lady; and the evening is much too cold for her to come out."

"How thoughtful in you, dear Gérard! We must put it off till another day."