text:  They met moreover naturally and without effort in all the country houses in the neighbourhood; and so frequently that I often wondered they should consider it worth while to hazard the General's displeasure by partaking a few moments' conversation every now and then among the old thorns by the water-side just where the bend of the river secured them from observation; or in the green lane leading from Lexley Park to my farm while Miss Stanley took charge of the pony-chaise during the hasty explanations of the imprudent couple