No one had been used to consult her in any matter.

She was glad of it.

At the moment all she desired was freedom of action, freedom to be with Antony; and the fact that the life of the Castle moved smoothly along in the capable hands of Mrs.Carruthers and Mr.Manley gave her that freedom.
After her tea she went out into the rose-garden and was strolling up and down it when Mr.Flexen, pondering the information which he had obtained from William Roper, saw her and came out to her.

He thought that she shrank a little at the sight of him, but assured himself that it must be fancy; surely there could be no reason why she should shrink from him.
"I'm told, Lady Loudwater, that you went out through the library window into the garden for a stroll about a quarter to twelve last night.

Did you by any chance, as you went in or came out, hear Lord Loudwater snore?
I want to fix the latest hour at which he was certainly alive.