About eleven o'clock she had a great desire to walk upon the garden grass for a few minutes before undressing; perhaps it might help her to the sleep she so longed for yet feared she would not obtain.
The desire became so strong that she yielded to it, passed quietly downstairs, and out into the still night.

She directed her steps to her favourite remote corner.

There was but little moonlight, and scarcely a star was visible.

When she neared the laburnums behind which she often sat or walked, her ear caught the sound of voices.

They came nearer, on the other side of the trees.