Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/215

Rh "You should have come a little sooner, and I would have had one lighted for you; but it is not worth while now—you won't stay many minutes you say, and Arthur is gone to bed."

"But I have a fancy for a fire, nevertheless. Will you order one, if I ring?"

"Why Gilbert, you don't look cold!" said she, smilingly regarding my face, which no doubt seemed warm enough.

"No," replied I, "but I want to see you comfortable before I go."

"Me comfortable!" repeated she, with a bitter laugh, as if there were something amusingly absurd in the idea. "It suits me better as it is," she added in a tone of mournful resignation.

But determined to have my own way I pulled the bell.

"There now, Helen!" I said, as the approaching steps of Rachel were heard in answer to the summons. There was nothing for it but to turn round and desire the maid to light the fire.