They stopped at the spot where the bark-ripping had been temporarily suspended; Melbury cursorily examined the heaps of bark, and drawing near to where the workmen were sitting down, accepted their shouted invitation to have a dish of tea, for which purpose he hitched the horse to a bough.

Grace declined to take any of their beverage, and remained in her place in the vehicle, looking dreamily at the sunlight that came in thin threads through the hollies with which the oaks were interspersed.
When Melbury stepped up close to the shelter, he for the first time perceived that the doctor was present, and warmly appreciated Fitzpiers's invitation to sit down on the log beside him.
"Bless my heart, who would have thought of finding you here," he said, obviously much pleased at the circumstance.

"I wonder now if my daughter knows you are so nigh at hand.

I don't expect she do." He looked out towards the gig wherein Grace sat, her face still turned in the opposite direction.

"She doesn't see us.