酷游appGood soldier, too, and

Where is the lady now?’ I asked.

‘Oh – married.’ He turned it off briefly. ‘Fact is, Hastings, I’m cut out nowfor a bachelor existence. I’ve got my little ways. Come and look at the gar-dens. They’ve been badly neglected, but they’re very fine in their way.’

We walked round the place and I was much impressed with all I saw.

Knatton was undoubtedly a very fine estate and I did not wonder thatBoyd Carrington was proud of it. He knew the neighbourhood well andmost of the people round about, though of course there had been new-comers since his time.

He had known Colonel Luttrell in the old days and expressed his earnesthope that the Styles venture was going to pay.

‘Poor old Toby Luttrell’s very hard up, you know,’ he said. ‘Nice fellow.

Good soldier, too, and a very fine shot. Went on safari with him in Africaonce. Ah, those were the days! He was married then, of course, but hismissus didn’t come along, thank goodness. Pretty woman she was – but al-ways a bit of a Tartar. Funny the things a man will stand from a woman.

Old Toby Luttrell who used to make subalterns shake in their shoes, hewas such a stern martinet! And there he is, henpecked and bullied andmeek as they make ’em! No doubt about it, that woman’s got a tongue likevinegar. Still, she’s got a head on her. If anyone can make the place pay,she will. Luttrell never had much of a head for business – but Mrs Tobywould skin her grandmother!’

‘She’s so gushing with it all,’ I complained.