At the same moment she heard the outer gate swing together, and wheels sweep round the entrance; some prior noise from the same source having probably been the cause of her awaking.

Next her father's voice was heard calling to Worm.
Elfride passed along a walk towards the house behind a belt of shrubs.
She heard a tongue holding converse with her father, which was not that of either of the servants.

Her father and the stranger were laughing together.

Then there was a rustling of silk, and Mr.Swancourt and his companion, or companions, to all seeming entered the door of the house, for nothing more of them was audible.

Elfride had turned back to meditate on what friends these could be, when she heard footsteps, and her father exclaiming behind her: 'O Elfride, here you are! I hope you got on well ?' Elfride's heart smote her, and she did not speak.
'Come back to the summer-house a minute,' continued Mr.Swancourt; 'I have to tell you of that I promised to.' They entered the summer-house, and stood leaning over the knotty woodwork of the balustrade.
'Now,' said her father radiantly, 'guess what I have to say.' He seemed to be regarding his own existence so intently, that he took no interest in nor even saw the complexion of hers.
'I cannot, papa,' she said sadly.
'Try, dear.' 'I would rather not, indeed.' 'You are tired.