when the Count,
after a brief dumb-show intended to indicate how vain were Lord
Tulliwuddle's efforts to master his emotion, spoke these words in the
most thrilling accents he could muster:

"Fair ladies and brave men of Hechnahoul! Your chief, your friend,
your father requests me to express to you the sentiments which his
over-wrought emotions prevent him from uttering himself. On his behalf I
tender to his kind and courteous friends, Mr., Mrs., and the fair maids
Gallosh, the thanks of a long-absent exile returned to his native land
for the welcome they have given him! To his devoted clan he not only
gives his thanks, but his promise that all rents shall be reduced by one
half--so long as he dwells among them!" (Tumultuous applause, disturbed
only by a violent ejaculation from a large man in knickerbockers whom
Bunker justly judged to be the factor.)

"With his last breath he shall perpetually thunder:
Ahasheen--comara--mohr!"

The Tulliwuddle slogan, pronounced with the most conscientious accuracy
of which a Sassenach was capable, proved as effective a curtain as he
had anticipated; and amid a perfect babel of cheering and bagpiping the
chieftain was led to his host's carriage.

CHAPTER IX

"Well, the worst of it is over," said Bunker cheerfully.

The Baron groaned. "Ze vorst is only jost beginning to gommence."

They were sitting over a crackling fire of logs in the sitting-room of
the suite which their host had reserved for his honored visitors. How
many heirlooms and dusky portraits the romantic thoughtfulness of the
ladies had managed to crowd into this apartment for the occasion were
hard to compute; enough, certainly, one would think, to inspire the most
sluggish-blooded Tulliwuddle with a martial exultation. Instead, the
chieftain groaned again.

"Tell zem I am ill. I cannot gom to dinner. To-morrow I shall take
ze train back to London. Himmel! Vy vas I fool enof to act soch
dishonorable lies! I deceive all these kind peoples!"

"It isn't that which worries me," said Bunker imperturbably. "I am only
afraid that if you display this spirit you won't deceive them."

"I do not vish to," said the Baron sulkily.

It required half an hour of the Count's most artful blandishments to
persuade him that duty, honor, and prudence all summoned him to the
feast. This being accomplished, he next endeavored to convince him that
he would feel more comfortable in the airy freedom of the Tulliwuddle
tartan. Bu