She had convinced him beyond the reach of fear or doubt.

John forgot the lockless gate.

He forgot everything but Dorothy, and cruel time passed with a rapidity of which they were unconscious.

They were, however, brought back to consciousness by hearing a long blast from the forester's bugle, and John immediately retreated through the gate.
Dorothy then closed the gate and hastily seated herself upon a stone bench against the Haddon side of the wall.

She quickly assumed an attitude of listless repose, and Dolcy, who was nibbling at the grass near by, doubtless supposed that her mistress had come to Bowling Green Gate to rest because it was a secluded place, and because she desired to be alone.
Dorothy's attitude was not assumed one moment too soon, for hardly was her gown arranged with due regard to carelessness when Sir George's form rose above the crest of Bowling Green Hill.