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.