ht the ready answer:

"Certainly, Sultan. Make yourself comfortable."

Then they grouped themselves round the fire, and the Judge lit his cigar
and looked at Ethel in a way that instantly brought curiosity to the
question:

"You have a secret, father," she said. "Is it about grandmother?"

"It is news rather than a secret, Ethel. And grandmother has a good deal
to do with it, for it is about her family--the Mostyns."

"Oh!"

The tone of Ethel's "Oh!" was not encouraging, and Ruth's look of
interest held in abeyance was just as chilling. But something like this
attitude had been expected, and Judge Rawdon was not discouraged by it;
he knew that youth is capable of great and sudden changes, and that its
ability to find reasonable motives for them is unlimited, so he calmly
continued:

"You are aware that your grandmother's name before marriage was Rachel
Mostyn?"

"I have seen it a thousand times at the bottom of her sampler, father,
the one that is framed and hanging in her morning room--Rachel Mostyn,
November, Anno Domini, 1827."

"Very well. She married George Rawdon, and they came to New York in
1834. They had a pretty house on the Bowling Green and lived very
happily there. I was born in 1850, the youngest of their children. You
know that I sign my name Edward M. Rawdon; it is really Edward Mostyn
Rawdon."

He paused, and Ruth said, "I suppose Mrs. Rawdon has had some news from
her old home?"

"She had a letter last night, and I shall probably receive one
to-morrow. Frederick Mostyn, her grand-nephew, is coming to New York,
and Squire Rawdon, of Rawdon Manor, writes to recommend the young man to
our hospitality."

"But you surely do not intend to invite him here, Edward. I think that
would not do."

"He is going to the Holland House. But he is our kinsman, and therefore
we must be hospitable."

"I have been trying to count the kinship. It is out of my reckoning,"
said Ethel. "I hope at least he is nice and presentable."

"The Mostyns are a handsome family. Look at your grandmother. And Squire
Rawdon speaks very well of Mr. Mostyn. He has taken the right side
in politics, and is likely to make his mark. They were always great
sportsmen, and I dare say this representative of the family is a
good-looking fellow, well-mannered, and perfectly dressed."

Ethel laughed. "If his clothes fit him he will be an English wonder. I
have seen lots of Englishmen; they are all frights as to trousers and
vests.