It was indeed Sir Thomas who opened the door and asked if she were there, and if he might come in.

The terror of his former occasional visits to that room seemed all renewed, and she felt as if he were going to examine her again in French and English.
She was all attention, however, in placing a chair for him, and trying to appear honoured; and, in her agitation, had quite overlooked the deficiencies of her apartment, till he, stopping short as he entered, said, with much surprise, "Why have you no fire to-day ?" There was snow on the ground, and she was sitting in a shawl.

She hesitated.
"I am not cold, sir: I never sit here long at this time of year." "But you have a fire in general ?" "No, sir." "How comes this about?
Here must be some mistake.

I understood that you had the use of this room by way of making you perfectly comfortable.
In your bedchamber I know you _cannot_ have a fire.

Here is some great misapprehension which must be rectified.