On a small piece of carpet before the fire, stood the two chairs of state, each protected by a large antique screen.

From hers the grandmother rose with dignified difficulty, when she perceived the quality of the entering stranger.
"Mother," said the laird, "it is not often we have the pleasure of visitors at this time of the year!" "The more is the rare foot welcome," answered she, and made Lady Joan as low a courtesy as she dared: she could not quite reckon on her power of recovery.
Lady Joan returned her salute, little impressed with the honour done her, but recognizing that she was in the presence of a gentlewoman.

She took the laird's seat at his invitation, and, leaning forward, gazed wearily at the fire.
The next moment, a not very pleasant-looking old man entered, supported on one side by Cosmo and on the other by Agnes.

They had had no little difficulty in waking him up, and he entered vaguely supposing they had arrived at an inn where they were to spend the night.

If his grumbling and swearing as he advanced was SOTTO VOCE, the assuagement was owing merely to his not being sufficiently awake to use more vigour.