At the end farthest from the house they thickened into a continuous hedge.
On the other side of this hedge, concealed from the eyes of anyone approaching from the direction of the house, there was a stone seat.
As I approached the spot I was aware of voices, some remark in the deep tones of a man, answered by a little ripple of feminine laughter.
An instant later I had come round the end of the hedge and my eyes lit upon Mrs.Douglas and the man Barker before they were aware of my presence.

Her appearance gave me a shock.

In the dining-room she had been demure and discreet.

Now all pretense of grief had passed away from her.

Her eyes shone with the joy of living, and her face still quivered with amusement at some remark of her companion.