The man was an honest, loyal old fanatic, who would scruple at nothing in carrying out the orders of his mistress in so good a cause.
And personally his feelings had been acerbated in that he had been called 'mate' by a man not half his age.
The coachman did as he was bid, seeing before him no other possible course.

He could not leave his horses.

But when he was in front of the iron gates he stopped and examined the premises.

The gates were old, and were opened and closed at ordinary times by an ordinary ancient lock.
But now there was a chain passed in and out with a padlock,--evidently placed there to prevent him from entering in opposition to the gardener's instructions.

There was clearly no course open to him but to drive the carriage back to his master.
At a quarter before twelve Hester left her own room,--which looked backwards into the garden, as did all the pleasanter rooms of the house,--with the intention of seating herself in a spare room looking out to the front, from which she could have seen the carriage as it entered the gate.