A CHAPEAU BRAS and sword necessarily completed his equipment, which, though out of date, showed that it belonged to a man of distinction.
The instant Mr.Crossbite had ended what he had to say, this gentleman walked up to my father, with, 'Your servant, Mr.Fairford--it is long since you and I met.' My father, whose politeness, you know, is exact and formal, bowed, and hemmed, and was confused, and at length professed that the distance since they had met was so great, that though he remembered the face perfectly, the name, he was sorry to any, had--really--somehow--escaped his memory.
'Have you forgot Herries of Birrenswork ?' said the gentleman, and my father bowed even more profoundly than before; though I think his reception of his old friend seemed to lose some of the respectful civility which he bestowed on him while his name was yet unknown.

It now seemed to be something like the lip-courtesy which the heart would have denied had ceremony permitted.
My father, however, again bowed low, and hoped he saw him well.
'So well, my good Mr.Fairford, that I come hither determined to renew my acquaintance with one or two old friends, and with you in the first place.

I halt at my old resting place--you must dine with me to-day, at Paterson's, at the head of the Horse Wynd--it is near your new fashionable dwelling, and I have business with you.' My father excused himself respectfully, and not without embarrassment--'he was particularly engaged at home.' 'Then I will dine with you, man,' said Mr.Herries of Birrenswork; 'the few minutes you can spare me after dinner will suffice for my business; and I will not prevent you a moment from minding your own--I am no bottle-man.' You have often remarked that my father, though a scrupulous ohserver of the rites of hospitality, seems to exercise them rather as a duty than as a pleasure; indeed, but for a conscientious wish to feed the hungry and receive the stranger, his doors would open to guests much seldomer than is the case.

I never saw so strong an example of this peculiarity (which I should otherwise have said is caricatured in your description) as in his mode of homologating the self-given invitation of Mr.Herries.
The embarsassed brow, and the attempt at a smile which accompanied his 'We will expect the honour of seeing you in Brown Square at three o'clock,' could not deceive any one, and did not impose upon the old laird.

It was with a look of scorn that he replied, 'I will relieve you then till that hour, Mr.Fairford;' and his whole manner seemed to say, 'It is my pleasure to dine with you, and I care not whether I am welcome or no.' When he turned away, I asked my father who he was.
'An unfortunate gentleman,' was the reply.
'He looks pretty well on his misfortunes,' replied I.'I should not have suspected that so gay an outside was lacking a dinner.' 'Who told you that he does ?' replied my father; 'he is OMNI SUSPICIONE MAJOR, so far as worldly circumstances are concerned.