It was a long way to the gate, however, and when she reached it at length it was to find another disappointment in store.

The gate was padlocked.
She looked round in desperation.

Her only chance of escape was apparently to return by the way she had come by means of a gap which had not yet been repaired, and which would lead her in directly the opposite direction to that which she desired to take.
The rain was coming down in a sharp shower, and Hector was becoming more and more restive.

She halted him by the gate and looked over.

Beyond lay a field from which she knew the road to be easily accessible.