"
The reconciliation was complete; and, to add to Zoe's happiness, she made
a little discovery. Rosa came in to see if she wanted anything. That, you
must know, was Rosa's way of saying, "It is very late. _I_'m tired; so
the sooner _you_ go to bed, the better." And Zoe was by nature so
considerate that she often went to bed more for Rosa's convenience than
her own inclination.
But this time she said, sharply, "Yes, I do. I want to know who had my
fire lighted for me in the middle of summer."
"Why, squire, to be sure," said Rosa.
"What--_my_ brother!"
"Yes, miss; and seen to it all hisself: leastways, I found the things
properly muddled. 'Twas to be seen a man had been at 'em."
Rosa retired, leaving Zoe's face a picture.
Just then Vizard put his head cautiously in at the window, and said, in a
comic whisper, "Is she gone?"
"Yes, she is gone," cried Zoe, "and you are wanted in her place." She ran
to meet him. "Who ordered a fire in my room, and muddled all my things?"
said she, severely.
"I did. What of that?"
"Oh, nothing. Only now I know who is my friend. Young people, here's a
lesson for you. When a lady is out in the rain, don't prepare a lecture
for her, like Aunt Maitland, but light her fire, like this dear old duck
of a woman-hating impostor.
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