cottage, talking earnestly together.

I had no clue to the meaning of those first few sentences which had passed between them.

And needless to say, I now lingered far enough behind to be out of earshot.
When they reached the turn in the path they halted and waited for me.
"I am anxious for a few minutes' conversation inside with you, Ducaine," the Duke said.

"Angela, you had better perhaps not wait for me." She nodded her farewell, a brief imperious little gesture, it seemed to me, with very little of kindliness in it.

Then the Duke followed me into my sitting-room.