And they went across by a short cut over a stile, entering the lawn by a side door, and so on to the house.
Mr.Swancourt had gone into the village with the curate, and Elfride felt too nervous to await their visitor's arrival in the drawing-room with Mrs.Swancourt.So that when the elder lady entered, Elfride made some pretence of perceiving a new variety of crimson geranium, and lingered behind among the flower beds.
There was nothing gained by this, after all, she thought; and a few minutes after boldly came into the house by the glass side-door.

She walked along the corridor, and entered the drawing-room.

Nobody was there.
A window at the angle of the room opened directly into an octagonal conservatory, enclosing the corner of the building.

From the conservatory came voices in conversation--Mrs.Swancourt's and the stranger's.
She had expected him to talk brilliantly.

To her surprise he was asking questions in quite a learner's manner, on subjects connected with the flowers and shrubs that she had known for years.