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do I see what concern a majority, as
you term them, can have with a house that does not belong to them."
Aristabulus was surprised that any one could disregard a majority; for,
in this respect, he a good deal resembled Mr. Dodge, though running a
different career; and the look of surprise he gave was natural and open.
"I do not mean that the public has a legal right to control the tastes of
the citizen," he said, "but in a republican government, you undoubtedly
understand, Miss Eve, it will rule in all things."
"I can understand that one would wish to see his neighbour use good
taste, as it helps to embellish a country; but the man who should consult
the whole neighbourhood before he built, would be very apt to cause a
complicated house to be erected, if he paid much respect to the
different opinions he received; or, what is quite as likely, apt to have no
house at all."
"I think you are mistaken, Miss Effingham, for the public sentiment,

just now, runs almost exclusively and popularly into the Grecian school.
We build little besides temples for our churches, our banks, our taverns,
our court-houses, and our dwellings. A friend of mine has just built a
brewery on the model of the Temple of the Winds."
"Had it been a mill, one might understand the conceit," said Eve, who
now began to perceive that her visiter had some latent humour, though
he produced it in a manner to induce one to think him any thing but a
droll. "The mountains must be doubly beautiful, if they are decorated in
the way you mention. I sincerely hope, Grace, that I shall find the hills
as pleasant as they now exist in my recollection!"
"Should they not prove to be quite as lovely as you imagine, Miss
Effingham," returned Aristabulus, who saw no impropriety in
answering a remark made to Miss Van Cortlandt, or any one else, "I
hope you will have the kindness to conceal the fact from the world."
"I am afraid that would exceed my power, the disappointment would be
so strong. May I ask why you show so much interest in my keeping so
cruel a mortification to myself?"
"Why, Miss Eve," said Aristabulus, looking grave, "I am afraid that our
people would hardly bear the expression of such an opinion from
_you_"
"From _me!_--and why not from me, in particular?"
"Perhaps it is because they think you have travelled, and have seen
other countries."
"And is it only those who have not travelled, and who have no means
of knowing the value of what they say, that are privileged to criticise?"
"I cannot exactly explain my own meaning, perhaps, but I think Miss
Grace will understand me. Do you not agree with me, Miss Van
Cortlandt, in thinking it would be safer for one who never saw any
other mountains to complain of the tameness and monotony of our own,
than for one who had passed a whole life among the Andes and the

Alps?"
Eve smiled, for she saw that Mr. Bragg was capable of detecting and
laughing at provincial pride, even while he was so much under its
influence; and Grace coloured, for she had the consciousness of having
already betrayed some of this very silly sensitiveness, in her intercourse
with her cousin, in connexion with other subjects. A reply was
unnecessary, however, as the door just then opened, and John
Effingham made his appearance. The meeting between the two
gentlemen, for we suppose Aristabulus must be included in the
category by courtesy, if not of right, was more cordial than Eve had
expected to witness, for each really entertained a respect for the other,
in reference to a merit of a particular sort; Mr. Bragg esteeming Mr.
John Effingham as a wealthy and caustic cynic, and Mr. John
Effingham regarding Mr. Bragg much as the owner of a dwelling
regards a valuable house-dog. After a few moments of conversation,
the two withdrew together, and just as the ladies were about to descend
to the drawing-room, previously to dinner, Pierre announced that a
plate had been ordered for the land agent.
Chapter II.
"I know that Deformed; he has been a vile thief this seven year he goes
up and down like a gentleman."
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
Eve, and her cousin, found Sir George Templemore and Captain Truck
in the drawing-room, the former having lingered in New-York, with a
desire to be near his friends, and the latter being on the point of sailing
for Europe, in his regular turn. To these must be added Mr. Bragg and
the ordinary inmates of the house, when the reader will get a view of
the whole party.
Aristabulus had never before sat down