Page:Guy Mannering Vol 1.djvu/186

176 tact in ascertaining the quality of her visitors, and proportioning her reception accordingly:—

On the present occasion, she was low in her curtesy, and profuse in her apologies. The stranger begged his horse might be attended to—she went out herself to school the hostler.

"There was never a prettier bit o' horseflesh in the stable o' the Gordon Arms," said the man; which information increased the landlady's respect for the rider. Upon the stranger declining to go into another apartment, (which indeed, she allowed, would be but cold and smoky till the fire burned up,) she installed her guest hospitably by the fire-side, and offered what refreshment her house afforded.