Mr.Hammond took her into a snug little parlour where there was a cheerful fire, and saw her comfortably seated in an arm chair by the hearth, before he went to look after a carriage.
There was no such thing as a conveyance to be had, but the Windermere coach would pass in about half an hour, and for this they must wait.

It would take them back to Grasmere sooner than they could get there on foot, in Mary's exhausted condition.
The tea-tray was brought in presently, and Hammond poured out the tea and waited upon Lady Mary.

It was a reversal of the usual formula but it was very pleasant to Mary to sit with her feet on the low brass fender and be waited upon by her lover.

That fog on the brow of Helvellyn--that piercing wind--had chilled her to the bone, and there was unspeakable comfort in the glow and warmth of the fire, in the refreshment of a good cup of tea.
'Mary, you are my own property now, remember,' said Hammond, watching her tenderly as she sipped her tea.
She glanced up at him shyly, now and then, with eyes full of innocent wonder.

It was so strange to her, as strange as sweet, to know that he loved her; such a marvellous thing that she had pledged herself to be his wife.
'You are my very own--mine to guard and cherish, mine to think and work for,' he went on, 'and you will have to trust me, sweet one, even if the beginning of things is not altogether free from trouble.' 'I am not afraid of trouble.' 'Bravely spoken! First and foremost, then, you will have to announce your engagement to Lady Maulevrier.