It stood in the midst of an acre of land, waste except a little kitchen garden at the rear.

The lodge at the entrance was uninhabited, and the gates stood open, with dust and fallen leaves heaped up against them.

Free ingress had thus been afforded to two stray ponies, a goat, and a tramp, who lay asleep in the grass.

His wife sat near, watching him.
"I have a mind to turn back," said Sir Charles, looking about him in disgust.

"The place is scandalously neglected.