Each opened her arms, and in a moment they were locked in a long and fervent embrace. This was the commencement of their former intimacy, and before night Grace was domesticated in her uncle's house. It is true that Miss Effingham perceived certain peculiarities about Miss Van Cortlandt, that she had rather were absent; and Miss Van Cortlandt would have felt more at her ease, had Miss Effingham a little less reserve of manner, on certain subjects that the latter had been taught to think interdicted. Notwithstanding these slight separating shades in character, however, the natural affection was warm and sincere; and if Eve, according to Grace's notions, was a little stately and formal, she was polished and courteous, and if Grace, according to Eve's notions, was a little too easy and unreserved, she was feminine and delicate. We pass over the three or four days that succeeded, during which Eve had got to understand something of her new position, and we will come at once to a conversation between the cousins, that will serve to let the reader more intimately into the opinions, habits and feelings of both, as well as to open the real subject of our narrative. This conversation took place in that very library which had witnessed their first interview, soon after breakfast, and while the young ladies were still alone. "I suppose, Eve, you will have to visit the Green's.--They are Hajjis, and were much in society last winter." "Hajjis!--You surely do not mean, Grace, that they have been to Mecca?" "Not at all: only to Paris, my dear; that makes a Hajji in New-York." "And does it entitle the pilgrim to wear the green turban?" asked Eve, laughing. "To wear any thing, Miss Effingham; green, blue, or yellow, and to cause it to pass for elegance." "And which is the favourite colour with the family you have mentioned?" "It ought to be the first, in compliment to the name, but, if truth must be said, I think they betray an affection for all, with not a few of the half-tints in addition." "I am afraid they are too _prononcées_ for us, by this description. I am no great admirer, Grace, of walking rainbows." "_Too_ Green, you would have said, had you dared; but you are a Hajji too, and even the Greens know that a Hajji never puns, unless, indeed, it might be one from Philadelphia. But you will visit these people?" "Certainly, if they are in society and render it necessary by their own civilities." "They _are_ in society, in virtue of their rights as Hajjis; but, as they passed three months at Paris, you probably know something of them." "They may not have been there at the same time with ourselves," returned Eve, quietly, "and Paris is a very large town. Hundreds of people come and go, that one never hears of. I do not remember those you have mentioned." "I wish you may escape them, for, in my untravelled judgment, they are anything but agreeable, notwithstanding all they have seen, or pretend to have seen."