The fact was, that the Earl had but recently become possessed of these Highland estates, and Inchrory looked upon him as a new man--a Lowlander--whom it was his duty, as it was very much his inclination, to despise; whilst the Earl, for his part, knowing that such was a feeling which naturally enough pervaded the minds of the Highlanders, even on his own newly acquired lands, was determined to do it away, by using all manner of courtesy to every one with whom he might come into contact. Above all things, he felt that the opportunity which he now had of overcoming the prejudice of such a man as Inchrory, was by no means to be lost. To Inchrory, therefore, he went without a moment's delay, was admitted into the house, and ushered into the presence. "Good day to you, Inchrory," said the Earl, bowing. "Good day to you, Lord Fife," replied Inchrory, bowing with the same formality as formerly, but still keeping his seat. "Sit down, my Lord--sit down. Here is a chair beside me; for I always keep the benmost [5] seat in my own house." "Very right, Inchrory," said the Earl, smiling, and seating himself accordingly beside his host; "and a very comfortable seat it seems to be." "Very comfortable," said Inchrory, setting himself more firmly into it; "and I hope that one is easy for your Lordship." "Very easy indeed," said Lord Fife; "a long ride, such as I have had, would make a hard stone feel easy, and much more this chair beneath your hospitable roof of Inchrory, and before your good fire, in this bitter cold day." "Well, well, my Lord," replied Inchrory, for the first time shaking the Earl heartily by the hand, and very much pleased with the familiar manner in which his visitor had so unexpectedly comported himself,--"Well, all I can say is, that you are heartily welcome to it.--Here, gudewife! Bring out the bottle. Lord Fife must taste Inchrory's bottle; and bestir yourself, do you hear, and see what you can give his Lordship to eat." The whisky bottle was brought, and Inchrory drank the Earl's health, who, without any ceremony, hobernobbed with him in turn. Mutton, ham, cheese, broiled kipper salmon, bannocks and butter, were produced, and put down promiscuously. The Earl ate like a hill farmer, and partook moderately of the whisky, which Inchrory swallowed in large and repeated bumpers to his Lordship's good health. He talked loud and joyously, and the Earl familiarly humoured him to his full bent. They were the greatest friends in the world. The Earl particularly delighted Inchrory by praising, caressing, and feeding a great rough deer-hound, which, roused from his lair in front of the fire by the entrance of the eatables, put his long snout and cold nose into his Lordship's hand, and craved his attention. But this dog had very nearly ruined all; for the Earl was so much taken with the animal, that having left the house after a very warm parting with Inchrory, he sent back his factor to him, to offer to purchase the animal at any price.