Yes, isn't it? We were silent for a minute or two, and then, glancing in the direction of Mary Cavendish, and dropping her voice, Cynthia said: "Mr. Hastings."
While Cynthia and Hastings were sitting together quietly, she decided to say something confidential to him. 
mnli hypothesis: While Cynthia and Hastings were sitting together quietly, she decided to say something confidential to him.  premise: Yes, isn't it? We were silent for a minute or two, and then, glancing in the direction of Mary Cavendish, and dropping her voice, Cynthia said: "Mr. Hastings."