He was however only too aware of what a mess the place was in. It had been impossible for the old couple, Hunt and his wife, even to clean out the fireplaces and during the winter he had just thrown a log or two onto the ashes.
The floors were obviously unbrushed and all the furniture undusted.
The Earl walked into his study and did not fail to feel ashamed at the torn and worn leather covers on the chairs and the curtains were almost in shreds.
There was however, as Brook had said, a bottle of champagne waiting for him in a silver ice-bucket that was emblazoned with his crest.
It was a valuable piece of silver which fortunately – although it had seemed at the time unfortunately – had been unsalable as like the rest of the silver it was entailed.
Brook poured out the Earl a glass of c
