‘As has been the regimental practice since time immemorial,’ said Hervey, barely able to contain his amusement. ‘I recall Lord George’s dismay at the sight of the Hussar brigade in Spain: “More like Jews than British officers” … Is there anything else of moment from the commander-in-chief? Lord Hill must be sorely tried by our new sovereign, what with changing the uniforms of half the cavalry, and now hairdressing.’

St Alban raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. ‘A month’s worth of the Gazette came with the last Indiaman. I’ve made a beginning on them … I saw that General Greville had died of an aneurysm.’

Hervey sat up. ‘Indeed?’

Sir Peregrine Greville had presided at the inquiry at Bristol. It had been an awkward business.

Hervey cleared his throat and assumed a sudden air of business. ‘Then I had better write to his widow.’

St Alban said nothing. There were rumours, but there were always rumours about everything and everybody. Besides, they were the far side of the world.

A quarter of an hour passed on matters of regimental moment, yet which to an outsider would be of no moment at all – even if comprehensible. The one unmistakable detail was that a fresh cornet was to come – but, ominously, from the new military college at Sandhurst.

‘Is he a gentleman, do you suppose?’ asked Hervey. He’d every confidence in Lord George Irvine, but Lord George had been detained in the north of England a good deal, and had perforce to leave some matters to the regimental agents – and there’d been some shocking bad hats join these late years. They didn’t last long, as a rule, but they left their mark nevertheless. The trouble was, the Horse Guards, for all their avowed intention to regulate purchase, had once again lost control of the practice, so that anyone willing to pay over-price was bound to be able to pick up a commission or promotion, since it was only natural that the officer selling-out should want to obtain the highest price. The old Duke of York, when commander-in-chief, had forbidden sales above regulation price, but the agents were not servants of the Crown, and while appearing to observe the order to the letter, were only too willing to negotiate the balance ‘off the books’. Yet cadets at the military college were not notably flush with money, which did, of course, present other difficulties – though not so much in India, for there a man could live tolerably well on a smallish allowance.

‘His letter of introduction is in your box, Colonel.’

Hervey nodded.

‘Oh, and the Coromandel Cup,’ St Alban continued: ‘the committee has made the change to the rule. It will be run with couched spears.’

Hervey brightened. ‘Capital. Jobbing’s not a military practice, and the stand-off’ll be a deal safer for the horse. I saw a boar all but sever a mare’s leg once. Tusk clean through the ankle.’

‘Though not so safe perhaps for the rival spears?’