In the Shadow of the Guillotine by Rafael Sabatini

HE paused on the landing until she came up to usher him into the living-room, where the fire, burning brightly now, warmly irradiated the deepening twilight.

She waved him to a chair, and he sank to it exhausted, mopping his brow. Then she crossed to the window and closed the shutters as a measure of precaution before proceeding to kindle a light.