For the rest of the way to Garston, De Burgh only spoke to give the lesson he had undertaken, and Katherine found herself growing interested and pleased. When they entered the gates, however, she asked him to take the reins. She wanted to look about her, to remark the surroundings of Errington's house.
It was a fine place, somewhat flat, perhaps, but beautiful with splendid trees, and a small lake, through which ran the stream in another part of which Cis and Charlie were going to fish. The house stood well, the grounds were admirably laid out and perfectly kept; evidences of wealth were on all sides.
"I suppose it costs a great deal of money to keep up a place like this," said Katherine, breaking a silence which had lasted some minutes: De Burgh never troubled himself to speak unless he really had something to say.
"I shouldn't care to live here on less than ten thousand a year," he returned, glancing round.
"And has Mr. Errington all that money?"
"His father has a good deal more. He bought this place for him, I believe. Old Errington is very wealthy, and on his last legs, from what I hear."
"Ten thousand a year! What a quantity of money!"
"Hem! I think I could get through it without much trouble."
"Then you have always been rich?"
"Rich! I have been on the verge of bankruptcy all my life. I never knew what it was to have enough money."