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+Title: Hung Lou Meng, Book I
+
+Author: Cao Xueqin
+
+Release Date: January, 2006 [EBook #9603]
+[This file was first posted on October 9, 2003]
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, HUNG LOU MENG, BOOK I ***
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+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland and Project Gutenberg Distributed
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+Editors note: This novel is divided into two books, of which this is
+ Book I. Book II (7hlm210.txt, 7hlm210.zip, 8hlm210.txt,
+ or 8hllm210.zip) will be found in our etext05 directory
+ (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext05/).
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+
+
+
+HUNG LOU MENG;
+
+OR, THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER, A CHINESE NOVEL
+
+BY
+
+CAO XUEQIN
+
+Translated by H. BENCRAFT JOLY
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+This translation was suggested not by any pretensions to range myself
+among the ranks of the body of sinologues, but by the perplexities and
+difficulties experienced by me as a student in Peking, when, at the
+completion of the Tzu Erh Chi, I had to plunge in the maze of the Hung
+Lou Meng.
+
+Shortcomings are, I feel sure, to be discovered, both in the prose, as
+well as among the doggerel and uncouth rhymes, in which the text has
+been more adhered to than rhythm; but I shall feel satisfied with the
+result, if I succeed, even in the least degree, in affording a helping
+hand to present and future students of the Chinese language.
+
+H. BENCRAFT JOLY, H.B.M. Vice-Consulate, Macao, 1st September, 1891.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ Chen Shih-yin, in a vision, apprehends perception and spirituality.
+ Chia Yue-ts'un, in the (windy and dusty) world, cherishes fond thoughts
+ of a beautiful maiden.
+
+
+This is the opening section; this the first chapter. Subsequent to the
+visions of a dream which he had, on some previous occasion, experienced,
+the writer personally relates, he designedly concealed the true
+circumstances, and borrowed the attributes of perception and
+spirituality to relate this story of the Record of the Stone. With this
+purpose, he made use of such designations as Chen Shih-yin (truth under
+the garb of fiction) and the like. What are, however, the events
+recorded in this work? Who are the dramatis personae?
+
+Wearied with the drudgery experienced of late in the world, the author
+speaking for himself, goes on to explain, with the lack of success which
+attended every single concern, I suddenly bethought myself of the
+womankind of past ages. Passing one by one under a minute scrutiny, I
+felt that in action and in lore, one and all were far above me; that in
+spite of the majesty of my manliness, I could not, in point of fact,
+compare with these characters of the gentle sex. And my shame forsooth
+then knew no bounds; while regret, on the other hand, was of no avail,
+as there was not even a remote possibility of a day of remedy.
+
+On this very day it was that I became desirous to compile, in a
+connected form, for publication throughout the world, with a view to
+(universal) information, how that I bear inexorable and manifold
+retribution; inasmuch as what time, by the sustenance of the benevolence
+of Heaven, and the virtue of my ancestors, my apparel was rich and fine,
+and as what days my fare was savory and sumptuous, I disregarded the
+bounty of education and nurture of father and mother, and paid no heed
+to the virtue of precept and injunction of teachers and friends, with
+the result that I incurred the punishment, of failure recently in the
+least trifle, and the reckless waste of half my lifetime. There have
+been meanwhile, generation after generation, those in the inner
+chambers, the whole mass of whom could not, on any account, be, through
+my influence, allowed to fall into extinction, in order that I, unfilial
+as I have been, may have the means to screen my own shortcomings.
+
+Hence it is that the thatched shed, with bamboo mat windows, the bed of
+tow and the stove of brick, which are at present my share, are not
+sufficient to deter me from carrying out the fixed purpose of my mind.
+And could I, furthermore, confront the morning breeze, the evening moon,
+the willows by the steps and the flowers in the courtyard, methinks
+these would moisten to a greater degree my mortal pen with ink; but
+though I lack culture and erudition, what harm is there, however, in
+employing fiction and unrecondite language to give utterance to the
+merits of these characters? And were I also able to induce the inmates
+of the inner chamber to understand and diffuse them, could I besides
+break the weariness of even so much as a single moment, or could I open
+the eyes of my contemporaries, will it not forsooth prove a boon?
+
+This consideration has led to the usage of such names as Chia Yue-ts'un
+and other similar appellations.
+
+More than any in these pages have been employed such words as dreams and
+visions; but these dreams constitute the main argument of this work, and
+combine, furthermore, the design of giving a word of warning to my
+readers.
+
+Reader, can you suggest whence the story begins?
+
+The narration may border on the limits of incoherency and triviality,
+but it possesses considerable zest. But to begin.
+
+The Empress Nue Wo, (the goddess of works,) in fashioning blocks of
+stones, for the repair of the heavens, prepared, at the Ta Huang Hills
+and Wu Ch'i cave, 36,501 blocks of rough stone, each twelve chang in
+height, and twenty-four chang square. Of these stones, the Empress Wo
+only used 36,500; so that one single block remained over and above,
+without being turned to any account. This was cast down the Ch'ing Keng
+peak. This stone, strange to say, after having undergone a process of
+refinement, attained a nature of efficiency, and could, by its innate
+powers, set itself into motion and was able to expand and to contract.
+
+When it became aware that the whole number of blocks had been made use
+of to repair the heavens, that it alone had been destitute of the
+necessary properties and had been unfit to attain selection, it
+forthwith felt within itself vexation and shame, and day and night, it
+gave way to anguish and sorrow.
+
+One day, while it lamented its lot, it suddenly caught sight, at a great
+distance, of a Buddhist bonze and of a Taoist priest coming towards that
+direction. Their appearance was uncommon, their easy manner remarkable.
+When they drew near this Ch'ing Keng peak, they sat on the ground to
+rest, and began to converse. But on noticing the block newly-polished
+and brilliantly clear, which had moreover contracted in dimensions, and
+become no larger than the pendant of a fan, they were greatly filled
+with admiration. The Buddhist priest picked it up, and laid it in the
+palm of his hand.
+
+"Your appearance," he said laughingly, "may well declare you to be a
+supernatural object, but as you lack any inherent quality it is
+necessary to inscribe a few characters on you, so that every one who
+shall see you may at once recognise you to be a remarkable thing. And
+subsequently, when you will be taken into a country where honour and
+affluence will reign, into a family cultured in mind and of official
+status, in a land where flowers and trees shall flourish with
+luxuriance, in a town of refinement, renown and glory; when you once
+will have been there..."
+
+The stone listened with intense delight.
+
+"What characters may I ask," it consequently inquired, "will you
+inscribe? and what place will I be taken to? pray, pray explain to me in
+lucid terms." "You mustn't be inquisitive," the bonze replied, with a
+smile, "in days to come you'll certainly understand everything." Having
+concluded these words, he forthwith put the stone in his sleeve, and
+proceeded leisurely on his journey, in company with the Taoist priest.
+Whither, however, he took the stone, is not divulged. Nor can it be
+known how many centuries and ages elapsed, before a Taoist priest, K'ung
+K'ung by name, passed, during his researches after the eternal reason
+and his quest after immortality, by these Ta Huang Hills, Wu Ch'i cave
+and Ch'ing Keng Peak. Suddenly perceiving a large block of stone, on the
+surface of which the traces of characters giving, in a connected form,
+the various incidents of its fate, could be clearly deciphered, K'ung
+K'ung examined them from first to last. They, in fact, explained how
+that this block of worthless stone had originally been devoid of the
+properties essential for the repairs to the heavens, how it would be
+transmuted into human form and introduced by Mang Mang the High Lord,
+and Miao Miao, the Divine, into the world of mortals, and how it would
+be led over the other bank (across the San Sara). On the surface, the
+record of the spot where it would fall, the place of its birth, as well
+as various family trifles and trivial love affairs of young ladies,
+verses, odes, speeches and enigmas was still complete; but the name of
+the dynasty and the year of the reign were obliterated, and could not be
+ascertained.
+
+On the obverse, were also the following enigmatical verses:
+
+ Lacking in virtues meet the azure skies to mend,
+ In vain the mortal world full many a year I wend,
+ Of a former and after life these facts that be,
+ Who will for a tradition strange record for me?
+
+K'ung K'ung, the Taoist, having pondered over these lines for a while,
+became aware that this stone had a history of some kind.
+
+"Brother stone," he forthwith said, addressing the stone, "the concerns
+of past days recorded on you possess, according to your own account, a
+considerable amount of interest, and have been for this reason
+inscribed, with the intent of soliciting generations to hand them down
+as remarkable occurrences. But in my own opinion, they lack, in the
+first place, any data by means of which to establish the name of the
+Emperor and the year of his reign; and, in the second place, these
+constitute no record of any excellent policy, adopted by any high
+worthies or high loyal statesmen, in the government of the state, or in
+the rule of public morals. The contents simply treat of a certain number
+of maidens, of exceptional character; either of their love affairs or
+infatuations, or of their small deserts or insignificant talents; and
+were I to transcribe the whole collection of them, they would,
+nevertheless, not be estimated as a book of any exceptional worth."
+
+"Sir Priest," the stone replied with assurance, "why are you so
+excessively dull? The dynasties recorded in the rustic histories, which
+have been written from age to age, have, I am fain to think, invariably
+assumed, under false pretences, the mere nomenclature of the Han and
+T'ang dynasties. They differ from the events inscribed on my block,
+which do not borrow this customary practice, but, being based on my own
+experiences and natural feelings, present, on the contrary, a novel and
+unique character. Besides, in the pages of these rustic histories,
+either the aspersions upon sovereigns and statesmen, or the strictures
+upon individuals, their wives, and their daughters, or the deeds of
+licentiousness and violence are too numerous to be computed. Indeed,
+there is one more kind of loose literature, the wantonness and pollution
+in which work most easy havoc upon youth.
+
+"As regards the works, in which the characters of scholars and beauties
+is delineated their allusions are again repeatedly of Wen Chuen, their
+theme in every page of Tzu Chien; a thousand volumes present no
+diversity; and a thousand characters are but a counterpart of each
+other. What is more, these works, throughout all their pages, cannot
+help bordering on extreme licence. The authors, however, had no other
+object in view than to give utterance to a few sentimental odes and
+elegant ballads of their own, and for this reason they have fictitiously
+invented the names and surnames of both men and women, and necessarily
+introduced, in addition, some low characters, who should, like a buffoon
+in a play, create some excitement in the plot.
+
+"Still more loathsome is a kind of pedantic and profligate literature,
+perfectly devoid of all natural sentiment, full of self-contradictions;
+and, in fact, the contrast to those maidens in my work, whom I have,
+during half my lifetime, seen with my own eyes and heard with my own
+ears. And though I will not presume to estimate them as superior to the
+heroes and heroines in the works of former ages, yet the perusal of the
+motives and issues of their experiences, may likewise afford matter
+sufficient to banish dulness, and to break the spell of melancholy.
+
+"As regards the several stanzas of doggerel verse, they may too evoke
+such laughter as to compel the reader to blurt out the rice, and to
+spurt out the wine.
+
+"In these pages, the scenes depicting the anguish of separation, the
+bliss of reunion, and the fortunes of prosperity and of adversity are
+all, in every detail, true to human nature, and I have not taken upon
+myself to make the slightest addition, or alteration, which might lead
+to the perversion of the truth.
+
+"My only object has been that men may, after a drinking bout, or after
+they wake from sleep or when in need of relaxation from the pressure of
+business, take up this light literature, and not only expunge the traces
+of antiquated books, and obtain a new kind of distraction, but that they
+may also lay by a long life as well as energy and strength; for it bears
+no point of similarity to those works, whose designs are false, whose
+course is immoral. Now, Sir Priest, what are your views on the subject?"
+
+K'ung K'ung having pondered for a while over the words, to which he had
+listened intently, re-perused, throughout, this record of the stone; and
+finding that the general purport consisted of nought else than a
+treatise on love, and likewise of an accurate transcription of facts,
+without the least taint of profligacy injurious to the times, he
+thereupon copied the contents, from beginning to end, to the intent of
+charging the world to hand them down as a strange story.
+
+Hence it was that K'ung K'ung, the Taoist, in consequence of his
+perception, (in his state of) abstraction, of passion, the generation,
+from this passion, of voluptuousness, the transmission of this
+voluptuousness into passion, and the apprehension, by means of passion,
+of its unreality, forthwith altered his name for that of "Ch'ing Tseng"
+(the Voluptuous Bonze), and changed the title of "the Memoir of a Stone"
+(Shih-t'ou-chi,) for that of "Ch'ing Tseng Lu," The Record of the
+Voluptuous Bonze; while K'ung Mei-chi of Tung Lu gave it the name of
+"Feng Yueeh Pao Chien," "The Precious Mirror of Voluptuousness." In later
+years, owing to the devotion by Tsao Hsueeh-ch'in in the Tao Hung study,
+of ten years to the perusal and revision of the work, the additions and
+modifications effected by him five times, the affix of an index and the
+division into periods and chapters, the book was again entitled "Chin
+Ling Shih Erh Ch'ai," "The Twelve Maidens of Chin Ling." A stanza was
+furthermore composed for the purpose. This then, and no other, is the
+origin of the Record of the Stone. The poet says appositely:--
+
+ Pages full of silly litter,
+ Tears a handful sour and bitter;
+ All a fool the author hold,
+ But their zest who can unfold?
+
+You have now understood the causes which brought about the Record of the
+Stone, but as you are not, as yet, aware what characters are depicted,
+and what circumstances are related on the surface of the block, reader,
+please lend an ear to the narrative on the stone, which runs as
+follows:--
+
+In old days, the land in the South East lay low. In this South-East part
+of the world, was situated a walled town, Ku Su by name. Within the
+walls a locality, called the Ch'ang Men, was more than all others
+throughout the mortal world, the centre, which held the second, if not
+the first place for fashion and life. Beyond this Ch'ang Men was a
+street called Shih-li-chieh (Ten _Li_ street); in this street a lane,
+the Jen Ch'ing lane (Humanity and Purity); and in this lane stood an old
+temple, which on account of its diminutive dimensions, was called, by
+general consent, the Gourd temple. Next door to this temple lived the
+family of a district official, Chen by surname, Fei by name, and
+Shih-yin by style. His wife, nee Feng, possessed a worthy and virtuous
+disposition, and had a clear perception of moral propriety and good
+conduct. This family, though not in actual possession of excessive
+affluence and honours, was, nevertheless, in their district, conceded to
+be a clan of well-to-do standing. As this Chen Shih-yin was of a
+contented and unambitious frame of mind, and entertained no hankering
+after any official distinction, but day after day of his life took
+delight in gazing at flowers, planting bamboos, sipping his wine and
+conning poetical works, he was in fact, in the indulgence of these
+pursuits, as happy as a supernatural being.
+
+One thing alone marred his happiness. He had lived over half a century
+and had, as yet, no male offspring around his knees. He had one only
+child, a daughter, whose infant name was Ying Lien. She was just three
+years of age. On a long summer day, on which the heat had been intense,
+Shih-yin sat leisurely in his library. Feeling his hand tired, he
+dropped the book he held, leant his head on a teapoy, and fell asleep.
+
+Of a sudden, while in this state of unconsciousness, it seemed as if he
+had betaken himself on foot to some spot or other whither he could not
+discriminate. Unexpectedly he espied, in the opposite direction, two
+priests coming towards him: the one a Buddhist, the other a Taoist. As
+they advanced they kept up the conversation in which they were engaged.
+"Whither do you purpose taking the object you have brought away?" he
+heard the Taoist inquire. To this question the Buddhist replied with a
+smile: "Set your mind at ease," he said; "there's now in maturity a plot
+of a general character involving mundane pleasures, which will presently
+come to a denouement. The whole number of the votaries of voluptuousness
+have, as yet, not been quickened or entered the world, and I mean to
+avail myself of this occasion to introduce this object among their
+number, so as to give it a chance to go through the span of human
+existence." "The votaries of voluptuousness of these days will naturally
+have again to endure the ills of life during their course through the
+mortal world," the Taoist remarked; "but when, I wonder, will they
+spring into existence? and in what place will they descend?"
+
+"The account of these circumstances," the bonze ventured to reply, "is
+enough to make you laugh! They amount to this: there existed in the
+west, on the bank of the Ling (spiritual) river, by the side of the San
+Sheng (thrice-born) stone, a blade of the Chiang Chu (purple pearl)
+grass. At about the same time it was that the block of stone was,
+consequent upon its rejection by the goddess of works, also left to
+ramble and wander to its own gratification, and to roam about at
+pleasure to every and any place. One day it came within the precincts of
+the Ching Huan (Monitory Vision) Fairy; and this Fairy, cognizant of the
+fact that this stone had a history, detained it, therefore, to reside at
+the Ch'ih Hsia (purple clouds) palace, and apportioned to it the duties
+of attendant on Shen Ying, a fairy of the Ch'ih Hsia palace.
+
+"This stone would, however, often stroll along the banks of the Ling
+river, and having at the sight of the blade of spiritual grass been
+filled with admiration, it, day by day, moistened its roots with sweet
+dew. This purple pearl grass, at the outset, tarried for months and
+years; but being at a later period imbued with the essence and
+luxuriance of heaven and earth, and having incessantly received the
+moisture and nurture of the sweet dew, divested itself, in course of
+time, of the form of a grass; assuming, in lieu, a human nature, which
+gradually became perfected into the person of a girl.
+
+"Every day she was wont to wander beyond the confines of the Li Hen
+(divested animosities) heavens. When hungry she fed on the Pi Ch'ing
+(hidden love) fruit--when thirsty she drank the Kuan ch'ou (discharged
+sorrows,) water. Having, however, up to this time, not shewn her
+gratitude for the virtue of nurture lavished upon her, the result was
+but natural that she should resolve in her heart upon a constant and
+incessant purpose to make suitable acknowledgment.
+
+"I have been," she would often commune within herself, "the recipient of
+the gracious bounty of rain and dew, but I possess no such water as was
+lavished upon me to repay it! But should it ever descend into the world
+in the form of a human being, I will also betake myself thither, along
+with it; and if I can only have the means of making restitution to it,
+with the tears of a whole lifetime, I may be able to make adequate
+return."
+
+"This resolution it is that will evolve the descent into the world of so
+many pleasure-bound spirits of retribution and the experience of
+fantastic destinies; and this crimson pearl blade will also be among the
+number. The stone still lies in its original place, and why should not
+you and I take it along before the tribunal of the Monitory Vision
+Fairy, and place on its behalf its name on record, so that it should
+descend into the world, in company with these spirits of passion, and
+bring this plot to an issue?"
+
+"It is indeed ridiculous," interposed the Taoist. "Never before have I
+heard even the very mention of restitution by means of tears! Why should
+not you and I avail ourselves of this opportunity to likewise go down
+into the world? and if successful in effecting the salvation of a few of
+them, will it not be a work meritorious and virtuous?"
+
+"This proposal," remarked the Buddhist, "is quite in harmony with my own
+views. Come along then with me to the palace of the Monitory Vision
+Fairy, and let us deliver up this good-for-nothing object, and have done
+with it! And when the company of pleasure-bound spirits of wrath descend
+into human existence, you and I can then enter the world. Half of them
+have already fallen into the dusty universe, but the whole number of
+them have not, as yet, come together."
+
+"Such being the case," the Taoist acquiesced, "I am ready to follow you,
+whenever you please to go."
+
+But to return to Chen Shih-yin. Having heard every one of these words
+distinctly, he could not refrain from forthwith stepping forward and
+paying homage. "My spiritual lords," he said, as he smiled, "accept my
+obeisance." The Buddhist and Taoist priests lost no time in responding
+to the compliment, and they exchanged the usual salutations. "My
+spiritual lords," Shih-yin continued; "I have just heard the
+conversation that passed between you, on causes and effects, a
+conversation the like of which few mortals have forsooth listened to;
+but your younger brother is sluggish of intellect, and cannot lucidly
+fathom the import! Yet could this dulness and simplicity be graciously
+dispelled, your younger brother may, by listening minutely, with
+undefiled ear and careful attention, to a certain degree be aroused to a
+sense of understanding; and what is more, possibly find the means of
+escaping the anguish of sinking down into Hades."
+
+The two spirits smiled, "The conversation," they added, "refers to the
+primordial scheme and cannot be divulged before the proper season; but,
+when the time comes, mind do not forget us two, and you will readily be
+able to escape from the fiery furnace."
+
+Shih-yin, after this reply, felt it difficult to make any further
+inquiries. "The primordial scheme," he however remarked smiling,
+"cannot, of course, be divulged; but what manner of thing, I wonder, is
+the good-for-nothing object you alluded to a short while back? May I not
+be allowed to judge for myself?"
+
+"This object about which you ask," the Buddhist Bonze responded, "is
+intended, I may tell you, by fate to be just glanced at by you." With
+these words he produced it, and handed it over to Shih-yin.
+
+Shih-yin received it. On scrutiny he found it, in fact, to be a
+beautiful gem, so lustrous and so clear that the traces of characters on
+the surface were distinctly visible. The characters inscribed consisted
+of the four "T'ung Ling Pao Yue," "Precious Gem of Spiritual Perception."
+On the obverse, were also several columns of minute words, which he was
+just in the act of looking at intently, when the Buddhist at once
+expostulated.
+
+"We have already reached," he exclaimed, "the confines of vision."
+Snatching it violently out of his hands, he walked away with the Taoist,
+under a lofty stone portal, on the face of which appeared in large type
+the four characters: "T'ai Hsue Huan Ching," "The Visionary limits of the
+Great Void." On each side was a scroll with the lines:
+
+ When falsehood stands for truth, truth likewise becomes false,
+ Where naught be made to aught, aught changes into naught.
+
+Shih-yin meant also to follow them on the other side, but, as he was
+about to make one step forward, he suddenly heard a crash, just as if
+the mountains had fallen into ruins, and the earth sunk into
+destruction. As Shih-yin uttered a loud shout, he looked with strained
+eye; but all he could see was the fiery sun shining, with glowing rays,
+while the banana leaves drooped their heads. By that time, half of the
+circumstances connected with the dream he had had, had already slipped
+from his memory.
+
+He also noticed a nurse coming towards him with Ying Lien in her arms.
+To Shih-yin's eyes his daughter appeared even more beautiful, such a
+bright gem, so precious, and so lovable. Forthwith stretching out his
+arms, he took her over, and, as he held her in his embrace, he coaxed
+her to play with him for a while; after which he brought her up to the
+street to see the great stir occasioned by the procession that was going
+past.
+
+He was about to come in, when he caught sight of two priests, one a
+Taoist, the other a Buddhist, coming hither from the opposite direction.
+The Buddhist had a head covered with mange, and went barefooted. The
+Taoist had a limping foot, and his hair was all dishevelled.
+
+Like maniacs, they jostled along, chattering and laughing as they drew
+near.
+
+As soon as they reached Shih-yin's door, and they perceived him with
+Ying Lien in his arms, the Bonze began to weep aloud.
+
+Turning towards Shih-yin, he said to him: "My good Sir, why need you
+carry in your embrace this living but luckless thing, which will involve
+father and mother in trouble?"
+
+These words did not escape Shih-yin's ear; but persuaded that they
+amounted to raving talk, he paid no heed whatever to the bonze.
+
+"Part with her and give her to me," the Buddhist still went on to say.
+
+Shih-yin could not restrain his annoyance; and hastily pressing his
+daughter closer to him, he was intent upon going in, when the bonze
+pointed his hand at him, and burst out in a loud fit of laughter.
+
+He then gave utterance to the four lines that follow:
+
+ You indulge your tender daughter and are laughed at as inane;
+ Vain you face the snow, oh mirror! for it will evanescent wane,
+ When the festival of lanterns is gone by, guard 'gainst your doom,
+ 'Tis what time the flames will kindle, and the fire will consume.
+
+Shih-yin understood distinctly the full import of what he heard; but his
+heart was still full of conjectures. He was about to inquire who and
+what they were, when he heard the Taoist remark,--"You and I cannot
+speed together; let us now part company, and each of us will be then
+able to go after his own business. After the lapse of three ages, I
+shall be at the Pei Mang mount, waiting for you; and we can, after our
+reunion, betake ourselves to the Visionary Confines of the Great Void,
+there to cancel the name of the stone from the records."
+
+"Excellent! first rate!" exclaimed the Bonze. And at the conclusion of
+these words, the two men parted, each going his own way, and no trace
+was again seen of them.
+
+"These two men," Shih-yin then pondered within his heart, "must have had
+many experiences, and I ought really to have made more inquiries of
+them; but at this juncture to indulge in regret is anyhow too late."
+
+While Shih-yin gave way to these foolish reflections, he suddenly
+noticed the arrival of a penniless scholar, Chia by surname, Hua by
+name, Shih-fei by style and Yue-ts'un by nickname, who had taken up his
+quarters in the Gourd temple next door. This Chia Yue-ts'un was
+originally a denizen of Hu-Chow, and was also of literary and official
+parentage, but as he was born of the youngest stock, and the possessions
+of his paternal and maternal ancestors were completely exhausted, and
+his parents and relatives were dead, he remained the sole and only
+survivor; and, as he found his residence in his native place of no
+avail, he therefore entered the capital in search of that reputation,
+which would enable him to put the family estate on a proper standing. He
+had arrived at this place since the year before last, and had, what is
+more, lived all along in very straitened circumstances. He had made the
+temple his temporary quarters, and earned a living by daily occupying
+himself in composing documents and writing letters for customers. Thus
+it was that Shih-yin had been in constant relations with him.
+
+As soon as Yue-ts'un perceived Shih-yin, he lost no time in saluting him.
+"My worthy Sir," he observed with a forced smile; "how is it you are
+leaning against the door and looking out? Is there perchance any news
+astir in the streets, or in the public places?"
+
+"None whatever," replied Shih-yin, as he returned the smile. "Just a
+while back, my young daughter was in sobs, and I coaxed her out here to
+amuse her. I am just now without anything whatever to attend to, so
+that, dear brother Chia, you come just in the nick of time. Please walk
+into my mean abode, and let us endeavour, in each other's company, to
+while away this long summer day."
+
+After he had made this remark, he bade a servant take his daughter in,
+while he, hand-in-hand with Yue-ts'un, walked into the library, where a
+young page served tea. They had hardly exchanged a few sentences, when
+one of the household came in, in flying haste, to announce that Mr. Yen
+had come to pay a visit.
+
+Shih-yin at once stood up. "Pray excuse my rudeness," he remarked
+apologetically, "but do sit down; I shall shortly rejoin you, and enjoy
+the pleasure of your society." "My dear Sir," answered Yue-ts'un, as he
+got up, also in a conceding way, "suit your own convenience. I've often
+had the honour of being your guest, and what will it matter if I wait a
+little?" While these apologies were yet being spoken, Shih-yin had
+already walked out into the front parlour. During his absence, Yue-ts'un
+occupied himself in turning over the pages of some poetical work to
+dispel ennui, when suddenly he heard, outside the window, a woman's
+cough. Yue-ts'un hurriedly got up and looked out. He saw at a glance that
+it was a servant girl engaged in picking flowers. Her deportment was out
+of the common; her eyes so bright, her eyebrows so well defined. Though
+not a perfect beauty, she possessed nevertheless charms sufficient to
+arouse the feelings. Yue-ts'un unwittingly gazed at her with fixed eye.
+This waiting-maid, belonging to the Chen family, had done picking
+flowers, and was on the point of going in, when she of a sudden raised
+her eyes and became aware of the presence of some person inside the
+window, whose head-gear consisted of a turban in tatters, while his
+clothes were the worse for wear. But in spite of his poverty, he was
+naturally endowed with a round waist, a broad back, a fat face, a square
+mouth; added to this, his eyebrows were swordlike, his eyes resembled
+stars, his nose was straight, his cheeks square.
+
+This servant girl turned away in a hurry and made her escape.
+
+"This man so burly and strong," she communed within herself, "yet at the
+same time got up in such poor attire, must, I expect, be no one else
+than the man, whose name is Chia Yue-ts'un or such like, time after time
+referred to by my master, and to whom he has repeatedly wished to give a
+helping hand, but has failed to find a favourable opportunity. And as
+related to our family there is no connexion or friend in such straits, I
+feel certain it cannot be any other person than he. Strange to say, my
+master has further remarked that this man will, for a certainty, not
+always continue in such a state of destitution."
+
+As she indulged in this train of thought, she could not restrain herself
+from turning her head round once or twice.
+
+When Yue-ts'un perceived that she had looked back, he readily interpreted
+it as a sign that in her heart her thoughts had been of him, and he was
+frantic with irrepressible joy.
+
+"This girl," he mused, "is, no doubt, keen-eyed and eminently shrewd,
+and one in this world who has seen through me."
+
+The servant youth, after a short time, came into the room; and when
+Yue-ts'un made inquiries and found out from him that the guests in the
+front parlour had been detained to dinner, he could not very well wait
+any longer, and promptly walked away down a side passage and out of a
+back door.
+
+When the guests had taken their leave, Shih-yin did not go back to
+rejoin Yue-ts'un, as he had come to know that he had already left.
+
+In time the mid-autumn festivities drew near; and Shih-yin, after the
+family banquet was over, had a separate table laid in the library, and
+crossed over, in the moonlight, as far as the temple and invited
+Yue-ts'un to come round.
+
+The fact is that Yue-ts'un, ever since the day on which he had seen the
+girl of the Chen family turn twice round to glance at him, flattered
+himself that she was friendly disposed towards him, and incessantly
+fostered fond thoughts of her in his heart. And on this day, which
+happened to be the mid-autumn feast, he could not, as he gazed at the
+moon, refrain from cherishing her remembrance. Hence it was that he gave
+vent to these pentameter verses:
+
+ Alas! not yet divined my lifelong wish,
+ And anguish ceaseless comes upon anguish
+ I came, and sad at heart, my brow I frowned;
+ She went, and oft her head to look turned round.
+ Facing the breeze, her shadow she doth watch,
+ Who's meet this moonlight night with her to match?
+ The lustrous rays if they my wish but read
+ Would soon alight upon her beauteous head!
+
+Yue-ts'un having, after this recitation, recalled again to mind how that
+throughout his lifetime his literary attainments had had an adverse fate
+and not met with an opportunity (of reaping distinction), went on to rub
+his brow, and as he raised his eyes to the skies, he heaved a deep sigh
+and once more intoned a couplet aloud:
+
+ The gem in the cask a high price it seeks,
+ The pin in the case to take wing it waits.
+
+As luck would have it, Shih-yin was at the moment approaching, and upon
+hearing the lines, he said with a smile: "My dear Yue-ts'un, really your
+attainments are of no ordinary capacity."
+
+Yue-ts'un lost no time in smiling and replying. "It would be presumption
+in my part to think so," he observed. "I was simply at random humming a
+few verses composed by former writers, and what reason is there to laud
+me to such an excessive degree? To what, my dear Sir, do I owe the
+pleasure of your visit?" he went on to inquire. "Tonight," replied
+Shih-yin, "is the mid-autumn feast, generally known as the full-moon
+festival; and as I could not help thinking that living, as you my worthy
+brother are, as a mere stranger in this Buddhist temple, you could not
+but experience the feeling of loneliness. I have, for the express
+purpose, prepared a small entertainment, and will be pleased if you will
+come to my mean abode to have a glass of wine. But I wonder whether you
+will entertain favourably my modest invitation?" Yue-ts'un, after
+listening to the proposal, put forward no refusal of any sort; but
+remarked complacently: "Being the recipient of such marked attention,
+how can I presume to repel your generous consideration?"
+
+As he gave expression to these words, he walked off there and then, in
+company with Shih-yin, and came over once again into the court in front
+of the library. In a few minutes, tea was over.
+
+The cups and dishes had been laid from an early hour, and needless to
+say the wines were luscious; the fare sumptuous.
+
+The two friends took their seats. At first they leisurely replenished
+their glasses, and quietly sipped their wine; but as, little by little,
+they entered into conversation, their good cheer grew more genial, and
+unawares the glasses began to fly round, and the cups to be exchanged.
+
+At this very hour, in every house of the neighbourhood, sounded the fife
+and lute, while the inmates indulged in music and singing. Above head,
+the orb of the radiant moon shone with an all-pervading splendour, and
+with a steady lustrous light, while the two friends, as their exuberance
+increased, drained their cups dry so soon as they reached their lips.
+
+Yue-ts'un, at this stage of the collation, was considerably under the
+influence of wine, and the vehemence of his high spirits was
+irrepressible. As he gazed at the moon, he fostered thoughts, to which
+he gave vent by the recital of a double couplet.
+
+ 'Tis what time three meets five, Selene is a globe!
+ Her pure rays fill the court, the jadelike rails enrobe!
+ Lo! in the heavens her disk to view doth now arise,
+ And in the earth below to gaze men lift their eyes.
+
+"Excellent!" cried Shih-yin with a loud voice, after he had heard these
+lines; "I have repeatedly maintained that it was impossible for you to
+remain long inferior to any, and now the verses you have recited are a
+prognostic of your rapid advancement. Already it is evident that, before
+long, you will extend your footsteps far above the clouds! I must
+congratulate you! I must congratulate you! Let me, with my own hands,
+pour a glass of wine to pay you my compliments."
+
+Yue-ts'un drained the cup. "What I am about to say," he explained as he
+suddenly heaved a sigh, "is not the maudlin talk of a man under the
+effects of wine. As far as the subjects at present set in the
+examinations go, I could, perchance, also have well been able to enter
+the list, and to send in my name as a candidate; but I have, just now,
+no means whatever to make provision for luggage and for travelling
+expenses. The distance too to Shen Ching is a long one, and I could not
+depend upon the sale of papers or the composition of essays to find the
+means of getting there."
+
+Shih-yin gave him no time to conclude. "Why did you not speak about this
+sooner?" he interposed with haste. "I have long entertained this
+suspicion; but as, whenever I met you, this conversation was never
+broached, I did not presume to make myself officious. But if such be the
+state of affairs just now, I lack, I admit, literary qualification, but
+on the two subjects of friendly spirit and pecuniary means, I have,
+nevertheless, some experience. Moreover, I rejoice that next year is
+just the season for the triennial examinations, and you should start for
+the capital with all despatch; and in the tripos next spring, you will,
+by carrying the prize, be able to do justice to the proficiency you can
+boast of. As regards the travelling expenses and the other items, the
+provision of everything necessary for you by my own self will again not
+render nugatory your mean acquaintance with me."
+
+Forthwith, he directed a servant lad to go and pack up at once fifty
+taels of pure silver and two suits of winter clothes.
+
+"The nineteenth," he continued, "is a propitious day, and you should
+lose no time in hiring a boat and starting on your journey westwards.
+And when, by your eminent talents, you shall have soared high to a lofty
+position, and we meet again next winter, will not the occasion be
+extremely felicitous?"
+
+Yue-ts'un accepted the money and clothes with but scanty expression of
+gratitude. In fact, he paid no thought whatever to the gifts, but went
+on, again drinking his wine, as he chattered and laughed.
+
+It was only when the third watch of that day had already struck that the
+two friends parted company; and Shih-yin, after seeing Yue-ts'un off,
+retired to his room and slept, with one sleep all through, never waking
+until the sun was well up in the skies.
+
+Remembering the occurrence of the previous night, he meant to write a
+couple of letters of recommendation for Yue-ts'un to take along with him
+to the capital, to enable him, after handing them over at the mansions
+of certain officials, to find some place as a temporary home. He
+accordingly despatched a servant to ask him to come round, but the man
+returned and reported that from what the bonze said, "Mr. Chia had
+started on his journey to the capital, at the fifth watch of that very
+morning, that he had also left a message with the bonze to deliver to
+you, Sir, to the effect that men of letters paid no heed to lucky or
+unlucky days, that the sole consideration with them was the nature of
+the matter in hand, and that he could find no time to come round in
+person and bid good-bye."
+
+Shih-yin after hearing this message had no alternative but to banish the
+subject from his thoughts.
+
+In comfortable circumstances, time indeed goes by with easy stride. Soon
+drew near also the happy festival of the 15th of the 1st moon, and
+Shih-yin told a servant Huo Ch'i to take Ying Lien to see the
+sacrificial fires and flowery lanterns.
+
+About the middle of the night, Huo Ch'i was hard pressed, and he
+forthwith set Ying Lien down on the doorstep of a certain house. When he
+felt relieved, he came back to take her up, but failed to find anywhere
+any trace of Ying Lien. In a terrible plight, Huo Ch'i prosecuted his
+search throughout half the night; but even by the dawn of day, he had
+not discovered any clue of her whereabouts. Huo Ch'i, lacking, on the
+other hand, the courage to go back and face his master, promptly made
+his escape to his native village.
+
+Shih-yin--in fact, the husband as well as the wife--seeing that their
+child had not come home during the whole night, readily concluded that
+some mishap must have befallen her. Hastily they despatched several
+servants to go in search of her, but one and all returned to report that
+there was neither vestige nor tidings of her.
+
+This couple had only had this child, and this at the meridian of their
+life, so that her sudden disappearance plunged them in such great
+distress that day and night they mourned her loss to such a point as to
+well nigh pay no heed to their very lives.
+
+A month in no time went by. Shih-yin was the first to fall ill, and his
+wife, Dame Feng, likewise, by dint of fretting for her daughter, was
+also prostrated with sickness. The doctor was, day after day, sent for,
+and the oracle consulted by means of divination.
+
+Little did any one think that on this day, being the 15th of the 3rd
+moon, while the sacrificial oblations were being prepared in the Hu Lu
+temple, a pan with oil would have caught fire, through the want of care
+on the part of the bonze, and that in a short time the flames would have
+consumed the paper pasted on the windows.
+
+Among the natives of this district bamboo fences and wooden partitions
+were in general use, and these too proved a source of calamity so
+ordained by fate (to consummate this decree).
+
+With promptness (the fire) extended to two buildings, then enveloped
+three, then dragged four (into ruin), and then spread to five houses,
+until the whole street was in a blaze, resembling the flames of a
+volcano. Though both the military and the people at once ran to the
+rescue, the fire had already assumed a serious hold, so that it was
+impossible for them to afford any effective assistance for its
+suppression.
+
+It blazed away straight through the night, before it was extinguished,
+and consumed, there is in fact no saying how many dwelling houses.
+Anyhow, pitiful to relate, the Chen house, situated as it was next door
+to the temple, was, at an early part of the evening, reduced to a heap
+of tiles and bricks; and nothing but the lives of that couple and
+several inmates of the family did not sustain any injuries.
+
+Shih-yin was in despair, but all he could do was to stamp his feet and
+heave deep sighs. After consulting with his wife, they betook themselves
+to a farm of theirs, where they took up their quarters temporarily. But
+as it happened that water had of late years been scarce, and no crops
+been reaped, robbers and thieves had sprung up like bees, and though the
+Government troops were bent upon their capture, it was anyhow difficult
+to settle down quietly on the farm. He therefore had no other resource
+than to convert, at a loss, the whole of his property into money, and to
+take his wife and two servant girls and come over for shelter to the
+house of his father-in-law.
+
+His father-in-law, Feng Su, by name, was a native of Ta Ju Chou.
+Although only a labourer, he was nevertheless in easy circumstances at
+home. When he on this occasion saw his son-in-law come to him in such
+distress, he forthwith felt at heart considerable displeasure.
+Fortunately Shih-yin had still in his possession the money derived from
+the unprofitable realization of his property, so that he produced and
+handed it to his father-in-law, commissioning him to purchase, whenever
+a suitable opportunity presented itself, a house and land as a provision
+for food and raiment against days to come. This Feng Su, however, only
+expended the half of the sum, and pocketed the other half, merely
+acquiring for him some fallow land and a dilapidated house.
+
+Shih-yin being, on the other hand, a man of books and with no experience
+in matters connected with business and with sowing and reaping,
+subsisted, by hook and by crook, for about a year or two, when he became
+more impoverished.
+
+In his presence, Feng Su would readily give vent to specious utterances,
+while, with others, and behind his back, he on the contrary expressed
+his indignation against his improvidence in his mode of living, and
+against his sole delight of eating and playing the lazy.
+
+Shih-yin, aware of the want of harmony with his father-in-law, could not
+help giving way, in his own heart, to feelings of regret and pain. In
+addition to this, the fright and vexation which he had undergone the
+year before, the anguish and suffering (he had had to endure), had
+already worked havoc (on his constitution); and being a man advanced in
+years, and assailed by the joint attack of poverty and disease, he at
+length gradually began to display symptoms of decline.
+
+Strange coincidence, as he, on this day, came leaning on his staff and
+with considerable strain, as far as the street for a little relaxation,
+he suddenly caught sight, approaching from the off side, of a Taoist
+priest with a crippled foot; his maniac appearance so repulsive, his
+shoes of straw, his dress all in tatters, muttering several sentiments
+to this effect:
+
+ All men spiritual life know to be good,
+ But fame to disregard they ne'er succeed!
+ From old till now the statesmen where are they?
+ Waste lie their graves, a heap of grass, extinct.
+ All men spiritual life know to be good,
+ But to forget gold, silver, ill succeed!
+ Through life they grudge their hoardings to be scant,
+ And when plenty has come, their eyelids close.
+ All men spiritual life hold to be good,
+ Yet to forget wives, maids, they ne'er succeed!
+ Who speak of grateful love while lives their lord,
+ And dead their lord, another they pursue.
+ All men spiritual life know to be good,
+ But sons and grandsons to forget never succeed!
+ From old till now of parents soft many,
+ But filial sons and grandsons who have seen?
+
+Shih-yin upon hearing these words, hastily came up to the priest, "What
+were you so glibly holding forth?" he inquired. "All I could hear were a
+lot of hao liao (excellent, finality.")
+
+"You may well have heard the two words 'hao liao,'" answered the Taoist
+with a smile, "but can you be said to have fathomed their meaning? You
+should know that all things in this world are excellent, when they have
+attained finality; when they have attained finality, they are excellent;
+but when they have not attained finality, they are not excellent; if
+they would be excellent, they should attain finality. My song is
+entitled Excellent-finality (hao liao)."
+
+Shih-yin was gifted with a natural perspicacity that enabled him, as
+soon as he heard these remarks, to grasp their spirit.
+
+"Wait a while," he therefore said smilingly; "let me unravel this
+excellent-finality song of yours; do you mind?"
+
+"Please by all means go on with the interpretation," urged the Taoist;
+whereupon Shih-yin proceeded in this strain:
+
+ Sordid rooms and vacant courts,
+ Replete in years gone by with beds where statesmen lay;
+ Parched grass and withered banian trees,
+ Where once were halls for song and dance!
+ Spiders' webs the carved pillars intertwine,
+ The green gauze now is also pasted on the straw windows!
+ What about the cosmetic fresh concocted or the powder just scented;
+ Why has the hair too on each temple become white like hoarfrost!
+ Yesterday the tumulus of yellow earth buried the bleached bones,
+ To-night under the red silk curtain reclines the couple!
+ Gold fills the coffers, silver fills the boxes,
+ But in a twinkle, the beggars will all abuse you!
+ While you deplore that the life of others is not long,
+ You forget that you yourself are approaching death!
+ You educate your sons with all propriety,
+ But they may some day, 'tis hard to say become thieves;
+ Though you choose (your fare and home) the fatted beam,
+ You may, who can say, fall into some place of easy virtue!
+ Through your dislike of the gauze hat as mean,
+ You have come to be locked in a cangue;
+ Yesterday, poor fellow, you felt cold in a tattered coat,
+ To-day, you despise the purple embroidered dress as long!
+ Confusion reigns far and wide! you have just sung your part, I come on
+ the boards,
+ Instead of yours, you recognise another as your native land;
+ What utter perversion!
+ In one word, it comes to this we make wedding clothes for others!
+ (We sow for others to reap.)
+
+The crazy limping Taoist clapped his hands. "Your interpretation is
+explicit," he remarked with a hearty laugh, "your interpretation is
+explicit!"
+
+Shih-yin promptly said nothing more than,--"Walk on;" and seizing the
+stole from the Taoist's shoulder, he flung it over his own. He did not,
+however, return home, but leisurely walked away, in company with the
+eccentric priest.
+
+The report of his disappearance was at once bruited abroad, and plunged
+the whole neighbourhood in commotion; and converted into a piece of
+news, it was circulated from mouth to mouth.
+
+Dame Feng, Shih-yin's wife, upon hearing the tidings, had such a fit of
+weeping that she hung between life and death; but her only alternative
+was to consult with her father, and to despatch servants on all sides to
+institute inquiries. No news was however received of him, and she had
+nothing else to do but to practise resignation, and to remain dependent
+upon the support of her parents for her subsistence. She had fortunately
+still by her side, to wait upon her, two servant girls, who had been
+with her in days gone by; and the three of them, mistress as well as
+servants, occupied themselves day and night with needlework, to assist
+her father in his daily expenses.
+
+This Feng Su had after all, in spite of his daily murmurings against his
+bad luck, no help but to submit to the inevitable.
+
+On a certain day, the elder servant girl of the Chen family was at the
+door purchasing thread, and while there, she of a sudden heard in the
+street shouts of runners clearing the way, and every one explain that
+the new magistrate had come to take up his office.
+
+The girl, as she peeped out from inside the door, perceived the lictors
+and policemen go by two by two; and when unexpectedly in a state chair,
+was carried past an official, in black hat and red coat, she was indeed
+quite taken aback.
+
+"The face of this officer would seem familiar," she argued within
+herself; "just as if I had seen him somewhere or other ere this."
+
+Shortly she entered the house, and banishing at once the occurrence from
+her mind, she did not give it a second thought. At night, however, while
+she was waiting to go to bed, she suddenly heard a sound like a rap at
+the door. A band of men boisterously cried out: "We are messengers,
+deputed by the worthy magistrate of this district, and come to summon
+one of you to an enquiry."
+
+Feng Su, upon hearing these words, fell into such a terrible
+consternation that his eyes stared wide and his mouth gaped.
+
+What calamity was impending is not as yet ascertained, but, reader,
+listen to the explanation contained in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ The spirit of Mrs. Chia Shih-yin departs from the town of Yang Chou.
+ Leng Tzu-hsing dilates upon the Jung Kuo Mansion.
+
+
+To continue. Feng Su, upon hearing the shouts of the public messengers,
+came out in a flurry and forcing a smile, he asked them to explain
+(their errand); but all these people did was to continue bawling out:
+"Be quick, and ask Mr. Chen to come out."
+
+"My surname is Feng," said Feng Su, as he promptly forced himself to
+smile; "It is'nt Chen at all: I had once a son-in-law whose surname was
+Chen, but he has left home, it is now already a year or two back. Is it
+perchance about him that you are inquiring?"
+
+To which the public servants remarked: "We know nothing about Chen or
+Chia (true or false); but as he is your son-in-law, we'll take you at
+once along with us to make verbal answer to our master and have done
+with it."
+
+And forthwith the whole bevy of public servants hustled Feng Su on, as
+they went on their way back; while every one in the Feng family was
+seized with consternation, and could not imagine what it was all about.
+
+It was no earlier than the second watch, when Feng Su returned home; and
+they, one and all, pressed him with questions as to what had happened.
+
+"The fact is," he explained, "the newly-appointed Magistrate, whose
+surname is Chia, whose name is Huo and who is a native of Hu-chow, has
+been on intimate terms, in years gone by, with our son-in-law; that at
+the sight of the girl Chiao Hsing, standing at the door, in the act of
+buying thread, he concluded that he must have shifted his quarters over
+here, and hence it was that his messengers came to fetch him. I gave him
+a clear account of the various circumstances (of his misfortunes), and
+the Magistrate was for a time much distressed and expressed his regret.
+He then went on to make inquiries about my grand-daughter, and I
+explained that she had been lost, while looking at the illuminations.
+'No matter,' put in the Magistrate, 'I will by and by order my men to
+make search, and I feel certain that they will find her and bring her
+back.' Then ensued a short conversation, after which I was about to go,
+when he presented me with the sum of two taels."
+
+The mistress of the Chen family (Mrs. Chen Shih-yin) could not but feel
+very much affected by what she heard, and the whole evening she uttered
+not a word.
+
+The next day, at an early hour, Yue-ts'un sent some of his men to bring
+over to Chen's wife presents, consisting of two packets of silver, and
+four pieces of brocaded silk, as a token of gratitude, and to Feng Su
+also a confidential letter, requesting him to ask of Mrs. Chen her maid
+Chiao Hsing to become his second wife.
+
+Feng Su was so intensely delighted that his eyebrows expanded, his eyes
+smiled, and he felt eager to toady to the Magistrate (by presenting the
+girl to him). He hastened to employ all his persuasive powers with his
+daughter (to further his purpose), and on the same evening he forthwith
+escorted Chiao Hsing in a small chair to the Yamen.
+
+The joy experienced by Yue-ts'un need not be dilated upon. He also
+presented Feng Su with a packet containing one hundred ounces of gold;
+and sent numerous valuable presents to Mrs. Chen, enjoining her "to live
+cheerfully in the anticipation of finding out the whereabouts of her
+daughter."
+
+It must be explained, however, that the maid Chi'ao Hsing was the very
+person, who, a few years ago, had looked round at Yue-ts'un and who, by
+one simple, unpremeditated glance, evolved, in fact, this extraordinary
+destiny which was indeed an event beyond conception.
+
+Who would ever have foreseen that fate and fortune would both have so
+favoured her that she should, contrary to all anticipation, give birth
+to a son, after living with Yue-ts'un barely a year, that in addition to
+this, after the lapse of another half year, Yue-ts'un's wife should have
+contracted a sudden illness and departed this life, and that Yue-ts'un
+should have at once raised her to the rank of first wife. Her destiny is
+adequately expressed by the lines:
+
+ Through but one single, casual look
+ Soon an exalted place she took.
+
+The fact is that after Yue-ts'un had been presented with the money by
+Shih-yin, he promptly started on the 16th day for the capital, and at
+the triennial great tripos, his wishes were gratified to the full.
+Having successfully carried off his degree of graduate of the third
+rank, his name was put by selection on the list for provincial
+appointments. By this time, he had been raised to the rank of Magistrate
+in this district; but, in spite of the excellence and sufficiency of his
+accomplishments and abilities, he could not escape being ambitious and
+overbearing. He failed besides, confident as he was in his own merits,
+in respect toward his superiors, with the result that these officials
+looked upon him scornfully with the corner of the eye.
+
+A year had hardly elapsed, when he was readily denounced in a memorial
+to the Throne by the High Provincial authorities, who represented that
+he was of a haughty disposition, that he had taken upon himself to
+introduce innovations in the rites and ceremonies, that overtly, while
+he endeavoured to enjoy the reputation of probity and uprightness, he,
+secretly, combined the nature of the tiger and wolf; with the
+consequence that he had been the cause of much trouble in the district,
+and that he had made life intolerable for the people, &c. &c.
+
+The Dragon countenance of the Emperor was considerably incensed. His
+Majesty lost no time in issuing commands, in reply to the Memorial, that
+he should be deprived of his official status.
+
+On the arrival of the despatch from the Board, great was the joy felt by
+every officer, without exception, of the prefecture in which he had held
+office. Yue-ts'un, though at heart intensely mortified and incensed,
+betrayed not the least outward symptom of annoyance, but still
+preserved, as of old, a smiling and cheerful countenance.
+
+He handed over charge of all official business and removed the savings
+which he had accumulated during the several years he had been in office,
+his family and all his chattels to his original home; where, after
+having put everything in proper order, he himself travelled (carried the
+winds and sleeved the moon) far and wide, visiting every relic of note
+in the whole Empire.
+
+As luck would have it, on a certain day while making a second journey
+through the Wei Yang district, he heard the news that the Salt
+Commissioner appointed this year was Lin Ju-hai. This Lin Ju-hai's
+family name was Lin, his name Hai and his style Ju-hai. He had obtained
+the third place in the previous triennial examination, and had, by this
+time, already risen to the rank of Director of the Court of Censors. He
+was a native of Ku Su. He had been recently named by Imperial
+appointment a Censor attached to the Salt Inspectorate, and had arrived
+at his post only a short while back.
+
+In fact, the ancestors of Lin Ju-hai had, from years back, successively
+inherited the title of Marquis, which rank, by its present descent to
+Ju-hai, had already been enjoyed by five generations. When first
+conferred, the hereditary right to the title had been limited to three
+generations; but of late years, by an act of magnanimous favour and
+generous beneficence, extraordinary bounty had been superadded; and on
+the arrival of the succession to the father of Ju-hai, the right had
+been extended to another degree. It had now descended to Ju-hai, who
+had, besides this title of nobility, begun his career as a successful
+graduate. But though his family had been through uninterrupted ages the
+recipient of imperial bounties, his kindred had all been anyhow men of
+culture.
+
+The only misfortune had been that the several branches of the Lin family
+had not been prolific, so that the numbers of its members continued
+limited; and though there existed several households, they were all
+however to Ju-hai no closer relatives than first cousins. Neither were
+there any connections of the same lineage, or of the same parentage.
+
+Ju-hai was at this date past forty; and had only had a son, who had died
+the previous year, in the third year of his age. Though he had several
+handmaids, he had not had the good fortune of having another son; but
+this was too a matter that could not be remedied.
+
+By his wife, nee Chia, he had a daughter, to whom the infant name of Tai
+Yue was given. She was, at this time, in her fifth year. Upon her the
+parents doated as much as if she were a brilliant pearl in the palm of
+their hand. Seeing that she was endowed with natural gifts of
+intelligence and good looks, they also felt solicitous to bestow upon
+her a certain knowledge of books, with no other purpose than that of
+satisfying, by this illusory way, their wishes of having a son to
+nurture and of dispelling the anguish felt by them, on account of the
+desolation and void in their family circle (round their knees).
+
+But to proceed. Yue-ts'un, while sojourning at an inn, was unexpectedly
+laid up with a violent chill. Finding on his recovery, that his funds
+were not sufficient to pay his expenses, he was thinking of looking out
+for some house where he could find a resting place when he suddenly came
+across two friends acquainted with the new Salt Commissioner. Knowing
+that this official was desirous to find a tutor to instruct his
+daughter, they lost no time in recommending Yue-ts'un, who moved into the
+Yamen.
+
+His female pupil was youthful in years and delicate in physique, so that
+her lessons were irregular. Besides herself, there were only two waiting
+girls, who remained in attendance during the hours of study, so that
+Yue-ts'un was spared considerable trouble and had a suitable opportunity
+to attend to the improvement of his health.
+
+In a twinkle, another year and more slipped by, and when least expected,
+the mother of his ward, nee Chia, was carried away after a short
+illness. His pupil (during her mother's sickness) was dutiful in her
+attendance, and prepared the medicines for her use. (And after her
+death,) she went into the deepest mourning prescribed by the rites, and
+gave way to such excess of grief that, naturally delicate as she was,
+her old complaint, on this account, broke out anew.
+
+Being unable for a considerable time to prosecute her studies, Yue-ts'un
+lived at leisure and had no duties to attend to. Whenever therefore the
+wind was genial and the sun mild, he was wont to stroll at random, after
+he had done with his meals.
+
+On this particular day, he, by some accident, extended his walk beyond
+the suburbs, and desirous to contemplate the nature of the rustic
+scenery, he, with listless step, came up to a spot encircled by hills
+and streaming pools, by luxuriant clumps of trees and thick groves of
+bamboos. Nestling in the dense foliage stood a temple. The doors and
+courts were in ruins. The walls, inner and outer, in disrepair. An
+inscription on a tablet testified that this was the temple of Spiritual
+Perception. On the sides of the door was also a pair of old and
+dilapidated scrolls with the following enigmatical verses.
+
+ Behind ample there is, yet to retract the hand, the mind heeds not,
+ until.
+ Before the mortal vision lies no path, when comes to turn the will.
+
+"These two sentences," Yue-ts'un pondered after perusal, "although simple
+in language, are profound in signification. I have previous to this
+visited many a spacious temple, located on hills of note, but never have
+I beheld an inscription referring to anything of the kind. The meaning
+contained in these words must, I feel certain, owe their origin to the
+experiences of some person or other; but there's no saying. But why
+should I not go in and inquire for myself?"
+
+Upon walking in, he at a glance caught sight of no one else, but of a
+very aged bonze, of unkempt appearance, cooking his rice. When Yue-ts'un
+perceived that he paid no notice, he went up to him and asked him one or
+two questions, but as the old priest was dull of hearing and a dotard,
+and as he had lost his teeth, and his tongue was blunt, he made most
+irrelevant replies.
+
+Yue-ts'un lost all patience with him, and withdrew again from the
+compound with the intention of going as far as the village public house
+to have a drink or two, so as to enhance the enjoyment of the rustic
+scenery. With easy stride, he accordingly walked up to the place.
+Scarcely had he passed the threshold of the public house, when he
+perceived some one or other among the visitors who had been sitting
+sipping their wine on the divan, jump up and come up to greet him, with
+a face beaming with laughter.
+
+"What a strange meeting! What a strange meeting!" he exclaimed aloud.
+
+Yue-ts'un speedily looked at him, (and remembered) that this person had,
+in past days, carried on business in a curio establishment in the
+capital, and that his surname was Leng and his style Tzu-hsing.
+
+A mutual friendship had existed between them during their sojourn, in
+days of yore, in the capital; and as Yue-ts'un had entertained the
+highest opinion of Leng Tzu-hsing, as being a man of action and of great
+abilities, while this Leng Tzu-hsing, on the other hand, borrowed of the
+reputation of refinement enjoyed by Yue-ts'un, the two had consequently
+all along lived in perfect harmony and companionship.
+
+"When did you get here?" Yue-ts'un eagerly inquired also smilingly. "I
+wasn't in the least aware of your arrival. This unexpected meeting is
+positively a strange piece of good fortune."
+
+"I went home," Tzu-hsing replied, "about the close of last year, but now
+as I am again bound to the capital, I passed through here on my way to
+look up a friend of mine and talk some matters over. He had the kindness
+to press me to stay with him for a couple of days longer, and as I after
+all have no urgent business to attend to, I am tarrying a few days, but
+purpose starting about the middle of the moon. My friend is busy to-day,
+so I roamed listlessly as far as here, never dreaming of such a
+fortunate meeting."
+
+While speaking, he made Yue-ts'un sit down at the same table, and ordered
+a fresh supply of wine and eatables; and as the two friends chatted of
+one thing and another, they slowly sipped their wine.
+
+The conversation ran on what had occurred after the separation, and
+Yue-ts'un inquired, "Is there any news of any kind in the capital?"
+
+"There's nothing new whatever," answered Tzu-hsing. "There is one thing
+however: in the family of one of your worthy kinsmen, of the same name
+as yourself, a trifling, but yet remarkable, occurrence has taken
+place."
+
+"None of my kindred reside in the capital," rejoined Yue-ts'un with a
+smile. "To what can you be alluding?"
+
+"How can it be that you people who have the same surname do not belong
+to one clan?" remarked Tzu-hsing, sarcastically.
+
+"In whose family?" inquired Yue-ts'un.
+
+"The Chia family," replied Tzu-hsing smiling, "whose quarters are in the
+Jung Kuo Mansion, does not after all reflect discredit upon the lintel
+of your door, my venerable friend."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Yue-ts'un, "did this affair take place in that family?
+Were we to begin reckoning, we would find the members of my clan to be
+anything but limited in number. Since the time of our ancestor Chia Fu,
+who lived while the Eastern Han dynasty occupied the Throne, the
+branches of our family have been numerous and flourishing; they are now
+to be found in every single province, and who could, with any accuracy,
+ascertain their whereabouts? As regards the Jung-kuo branch in
+particular, their names are in fact inscribed on the same register as
+our own, but rich and exalted as they are, we have never presumed to
+claim them as our relatives, so that we have become more and more
+estranged."
+
+"Don't make any such assertions," Tzu-hsing remarked with a sigh, "the
+present two mansions of Jung and Ning have both alike also suffered
+reverses, and they cannot come up to their state of days of yore."
+
+"Up to this day, these two households of Ning and of Jung," Yue-ts'un
+suggested, "still maintain a very large retinue of people, and how can
+it be that they have met with reverses?"
+
+"To explain this would be indeed a long story," said Leng Tzu-hsing.
+"Last year," continued Yue-ts'un, "I arrived at Chin Ling, as I
+entertained a wish to visit the remains of interest of the six
+dynasties, and as I on that day entered the walled town of Shih T'ou, I
+passed by the entrance of that old residence. On the east side of the
+street, stood the Ning Kuo mansion; on the west the Jung Kuo mansion;
+and these two, adjoining each other as they do, cover in fact well-nigh
+half of the whole length of the street. Outside the front gate
+everything was, it is true, lonely and deserted; but at a glance into
+the interior over the enclosing wall, I perceived that the halls,
+pavilions, two-storied structures and porches presented still a majestic
+and lofty appearance. Even the flower garden, which extends over the
+whole area of the back grounds, with its trees and rockeries, also
+possessed to that day an air of luxuriance and freshness, which betrayed
+no signs of a ruined or decrepid establishment."
+
+"You have had the good fortune of starting in life as a graduate,"
+explained Tzu-tsing as he smiled, "and yet are not aware of the saying
+uttered by some one of old: that a centipede even when dead does not lie
+stiff. (These families) may, according to your version, not be up to the
+prosperity of former years, but, compared with the family of an ordinary
+official, their condition anyhow presents a difference. Of late the
+number of the inmates has, day by day, been on the increase; their
+affairs have become daily more numerous; of masters and servants, high
+and low, who live in ease and respectability very many there are; but of
+those who exercise any forethought, or make any provision, there is not
+even one. In their daily wants, their extravagances, and their
+expenditure, they are also unable to adapt themselves to circumstances
+and practise economy; (so that though) the present external framework
+may not have suffered any considerable collapse, their purses have
+anyhow begun to feel an exhausting process! But this is a mere trifle.
+There is another more serious matter. Would any one ever believe that in
+such families of official status, in a clan of education and culture,
+the sons and grandsons of the present age would after all be each
+(succeeding) generation below the standard of the former?"
+
+Yue-ts'un, having listened to these remarks, observed: "How ever can it
+be possible that families of such education and refinement can observe
+any system of training and nurture which is not excellent? Concerning
+the other branches, I am not in a position to say anything; but
+restricting myself to the two mansions of Jung and Ning, they are those
+in which, above all others, the education of their children is
+methodical."
+
+"I was just now alluding to none other than these two establishments,"
+Tzu-hsing observed with a sigh; "but let me tell you all. In days of
+yore, the duke of Ning Kuo and the duke of Jung Kuo were two uterine
+brothers. The Ning duke was the elder; he had four sons. After the death
+of the duke of Ning Kuo, his eldest son, Chia Tai-hua, came into the
+title. He also had two sons; but the eldest, whose name was Hu, died at
+the age of eight or nine; and the only survivor, the second son, Chia
+Ching, inherited the title. His whole mind is at this time set upon
+Taoist doctrines; his sole delight is to burn the pill and refine the
+dual powers; while every other thought finds no place in his mind.
+Happily, he had, at an early age, left a son, Chia Chen, behind in the
+lay world, and his father, engrossed as his whole heart was with the
+idea of attaining spiritual life, ceded the succession of the official
+title to him. His parent is, besides, not willing to return to the
+original family seat, but lives outside the walls of the capital,
+foolishly hobnobbing with all the Taoist priests. This Mr. Chen had also
+a son, Chia Jung, who is, at this period, just in his sixteenth year.
+Mr. Ching gives at present no attention to anything at all, so that Mr.
+Chen naturally devotes no time to his studies, but being bent upon
+nought else but incessant high pleasure, he has subversed the order of
+things in the Ning Kuo mansion, and yet no one can summon the courage to
+come and hold him in check. But I'll now tell you about the Jung mansion
+for your edification. The strange occurrence, to which I alluded just
+now, came about in this manner. After the demise of the Jung duke, the
+eldest son, Chia Tai-shan, inherited the rank. He took to himself as
+wife, the daughter of Marquis Shih, a noble family of Chin Ling, by whom
+he had two sons; the elder being Chia She, the younger Chia Cheng. This
+Tai Shan is now dead long ago; but his wife is still alive, and the
+elder son, Chia She, succeeded to the degree. He is a man of amiable and
+genial disposition, but he likewise gives no thought to the direction of
+any domestic concern. The second son Chia Cheng displayed, from his
+early childhood, a great liking for books, and grew up to be correct and
+upright in character. His grandfather doated upon him, and would have
+had him start in life through the arena of public examinations, but,
+when least expected, Tai-shan, being on the point of death, bequeathed a
+petition, which was laid before the Emperor. His Majesty, out of regard
+for his former minister, issued immediate commands that the elder son
+should inherit the estate, and further inquired how many sons there were
+besides him, all of whom he at once expressed a wish to be introduced in
+his imperial presence. His Majesty, moreover, displayed exceptional
+favour, and conferred upon Mr. Cheng the brevet rank of second class
+Assistant Secretary (of a Board), and commanded him to enter the Board
+to acquire the necessary experience. He has already now been promoted to
+the office of second class Secretary. This Mr. Cheng's wife, nee Wang,
+first gave birth to a son called Chia Chu, who became a Licentiate in
+his fourteenth year. At barely twenty, he married, but fell ill and died
+soon after the birth of a son. Her (Mrs. Cheng's) second child was a
+daughter, who came into the world, by a strange coincidence, on the
+first day of the year. She had an unexpected (pleasure) in the birth,
+the succeeding year, of another son, who, still more remarkable to say,
+had, at the time of his birth, a piece of variegated and crystal-like
+brilliant jade in his mouth, on which were yet visible the outlines of
+several characters. Now, tell me, was not this a novel and strange
+occurrence? eh?"
+
+"Strange indeed!" exclaimed Yue-ts'un with a smile; "but I presume the
+coming experiences of this being will not be mean."
+
+Tzu-hsing gave a faint smile. "One and all," he remarked, "entertain the
+same idea. Hence it is that his mother doats upon him like upon a
+precious jewel. On the day of his first birthday, Mr. Cheng readily
+entertained a wish to put the bent of his inclinations to the test, and
+placed before the child all kinds of things, without number, for him to
+grasp from. Contrary to every expectation, he scorned every other
+object, and, stretching forth his hand, he simply took hold of rouge,
+powder and a few hair-pins, with which he began to play. Mr. Cheng
+experienced at once displeasure, as he maintained that this youth would,
+by and bye, grow up into a sybarite, devoted to wine and women, and for
+this reason it is, that he soon began to feel not much attachment for
+him. But his grandmother is the one who, in spite of everything, prizes
+him like the breath of her own life. The very mention of what happened
+is even strange! He is now grown up to be seven or eight years old, and,
+although exceptionally wilful, in intelligence and precocity, however,
+not one in a hundred could come up to him! And as for the utterances of
+this child, they are no less remarkable. The bones and flesh of woman,
+he argues, are made of water, while those of man of mud. 'Women to my
+eyes are pure and pleasing,' he says, 'while at the sight of man, I
+readily feel how corrupt, foul and repelling they are!' Now tell me, are
+not these words ridiculous? There can be no doubt whatever that he will
+by and bye turn out to be a licentious roue."
+
+Yue-ts'un, whose countenance suddenly assumed a stern air, promptly
+interrupted the conversation. "It doesn't quite follow," he suggested.
+"You people don't, I regret to say, understand the destiny of this
+child. The fact is that even the old Hanlin scholar Mr. Cheng was
+erroneously looked upon as a loose rake and dissolute debauchee! But
+unless a person, through much study of books and knowledge of letters,
+so increases (in lore) as to attain the talent of discerning the nature
+of things, and the vigour of mind to fathom the Taoist reason as well as
+to comprehend the first principle, he is not in a position to form any
+judgment."
+
+Tzu-hsing upon perceiving the weighty import of what he propounded,
+"Please explain," he asked hastily, "the drift (of your argument)." To
+which Yue-ts'un responded: "Of the human beings created by the operation
+of heaven and earth, if we exclude those who are gifted with extreme
+benevolence and extreme viciousness, the rest, for the most part,
+present no striking diversity. If they be extremely benevolent, they
+fall in, at the time of their birth, with an era of propitious fortune;
+while those extremely vicious correspond, at the time of their
+existence, with an era of calamity. When those who coexist with
+propitious fortune come into life, the world is in order; when those who
+coexist with unpropitious fortune come into life, the world is in
+danger. Yao, Shun, Yue, Ch'eng T'ang, Wen Wang, Wu Wang, Chou Kung, Chao
+Kung, Confucius, Mencius, T'ung Hu, Han Hsin, Chou Tzu, Ch'eng Tzu, Chu
+Tzu and Chang Tzu were ordained to see light in an auspicious era.
+Whereas Ch'i Yu, Kung Kung, Chieh Wang, Chou Wang, Shih Huang, Wang
+Mang, Tsao Ts'ao, Wen Wen, An Hu-shan, Ch'in Kuei and others were one
+and all destined to come into the world during a calamitous age. Those
+endowed with extreme benevolence set the world in order; those possessed
+of extreme maliciousness turn the world into disorder. Purity,
+intelligence, spirituality and subtlety constitute the vital spirit of
+right which pervades heaven and earth, and the persons gifted with
+benevolence are its natural fruit. Malignity and perversity constitute
+the spirit of evil, which permeates heaven and earth, and malicious
+persons are affected by its influence. The days of perpetual happiness
+and eminent good fortune, and the era of perfect peace and tranquility,
+which now prevail, are the offspring of the pure, intelligent, divine
+and subtle spirit which ascends above, to the very Emperor, and below
+reaches the rustic and uncultured classes. Every one is without
+exception under its influence. The superfluity of the subtle spirit
+expands far and wide, and finding nowhere to betake itself to, becomes,
+in due course, transformed into dew, or gentle breeze; and, by a process
+of diffusion, it pervades the whole world.
+
+"The spirit of malignity and perversity, unable to expand under the
+brilliant sky and transmuting sun, eventually coagulates, pervades and
+stops up the deep gutters and extensive caverns; and when of a sudden
+the wind agitates it or it be impelled by the clouds, and any slight
+disposition, on its part, supervenes to set itself in motion, or to
+break its bounds, and so little as even the minutest fraction does
+unexpectedly find an outlet, and happens to come across any spirit of
+perception and subtlety which may be at the time passing by, the spirit
+of right does not yield to the spirit of evil, and the spirit of evil is
+again envious of the spirit of right, so that the two do not harmonize.
+Just like wind, water, thunder and lightning, which, when they meet in
+the bowels of the earth, must necessarily, as they are both to dissolve
+and are likewise unable to yield, clash and explode to the end that they
+may at length exhaust themselves. Hence it is that these spirits have
+also forcibly to diffuse themselves into the human race to find an
+outlet, so that they may then completely disperse, with the result that
+men and women are suddenly imbued with these spirits and spring into
+existence. At best, (these human beings) cannot be generated into
+philanthropists or perfect men; at worst, they cannot also embody
+extreme perversity or extreme wickedness. Yet placed among one million
+beings, the spirit of intelligence, refinement, perception and subtlety
+will be above these one million beings; while, on the other hand, the
+perverse, depraved and inhuman embodiment will likewise be below the
+million of men. Born in a noble and wealthy family, these men will be a
+salacious, lustful lot; born of literary, virtuous or poor parentage,
+they will turn out retired scholars or men of mark; though they may by
+some accident be born in a destitute and poverty-stricken home, they
+cannot possibly, in fact, ever sink so low as to become runners or
+menials, or contentedly brook to be of the common herd or to be driven
+and curbed like a horse in harness. They will become, for a certainty,
+either actors of note or courtesans of notoriety; as instanced in former
+years by Hsue Yu, T'ao Ch'ien, Yuan Chi, Chi Kang, Liu Ling, the two
+families of Wang and Hsieh, Ku Hu-t'ou, Ch'en Hou-chu, T'ang Ming-huang,
+Sung Hui-tsung, Liu T'ing-chih, Wen Fei-ching, Mei Nan-kung, Shih
+Man-ch'ing, Lui C'hih-ch'ing and Chin Shao-yu, and exemplified
+now-a-days by Ni Yuen-lin, T'ang Po-hu, Chu Chih-shan, and also by Li
+Kuei-men, Huang P'an-cho, Ching Hsin-mo, Cho Wen-chuen; and the women
+Hung Fu, Hsieh T'ao, Ch'ue Ying, Ch'ao Yuen and others; all of whom were
+and are of the same stamp, though placed in different scenes of action."
+
+"From what you say," observed Tzu-hsing, "success makes (a man) a duke
+or a marquis; ruin, a thief!"
+
+"Quite so; that's just my idea!" replied Yue-ts'un; "I've not as yet let
+you know that after my degradation from office, I spent the last couple
+of years in travelling for pleasure all over each province, and that I
+also myself came across two extraordinary youths. This is why, when a
+short while back you alluded to this Pao-yue, I at once conjectured, with
+a good deal of certainty, that he must be a human being of the same
+stamp. There's no need for me to speak of any farther than the walled
+city of Chin Ling. This Mr. Chen was, by imperial appointment, named
+Principal of the Government Public College of the Chin Ling province. Do
+you perhaps know him?"
+
+"Who doesn't know him?" remarked Tzu-hsing. "This Chen family is an old
+connection of the Chia family. These two families were on terms of great
+intimacy, and I myself likewise enjoyed the pleasure of their friendship
+for many a day."
+
+"Last year, when at Chin Ling," Yue-ts'un continued with a smile, "some
+one recommended me as resident tutor to the school in the Chen mansion;
+and when I moved into it I saw for myself the state of things. Who would
+ever think that that household was grand and luxurious to such a degree!
+But they are an affluent family, and withal full of propriety, so that a
+school like this was of course not one easy to obtain. The pupil,
+however, was, it is true, a young tyro, but far more troublesome to
+teach than a candidate for the examination of graduate of the second
+degree. Were I to enter into details, you would indeed have a laugh. 'I
+must needs,' he explained, 'have the company of two girls in my studies
+to enable me to read at all, and to keep likewise my brain clear.
+Otherwise, if left to myself, my head gets all in a muddle.' Time after
+time, he further expounded to his young attendants, how extremely
+honourable and extremely pure were the two words representing woman,
+that they are more valuable and precious than the auspicious animal, the
+felicitous bird, rare flowers and uncommon plants. 'You may not' (he was
+wont to say), 'on any account heedlessly utter them, you set of foul
+mouths and filthy tongues! these two words are of the utmost import!
+Whenever you have occasion to allude to them, you must, before you can
+do so with impunity, take pure water and scented tea and rinse your
+mouths. In the event of any slip of the tongue, I shall at once have
+your teeth extracted, and your eyes gouged out.' His obstinacy and
+waywardness are, in every respect, out of the common. After he was
+allowed to leave school, and to return home, he became, at the sight of
+the young ladies, so tractable, gentle, sharp, and polite, transformed,
+in fact, like one of them. And though, for this reason, his father has
+punished him on more than one occasion, by giving him a sound thrashing,
+such as brought him to the verge of death, he cannot however change.
+Whenever he was being beaten, and could no more endure the pain, he was
+wont to promptly break forth in promiscuous loud shouts, 'Girls! girls!'
+The young ladies, who heard him from the inner chambers, subsequently
+made fun of him. 'Why,' they said, 'when you are being thrashed, and you
+are in pain, your only thought is to bawl out girls! Is it perchance
+that you expect us young ladies to go and intercede for you? How is that
+you have no sense of shame?' To their taunts he gave a most plausible
+explanation. 'Once,' he replied, 'when in the agony of pain, I gave vent
+to shouting girls, in the hope, perchance, I did not then know, of its
+being able to alleviate the soreness. After I had, with this purpose,
+given one cry, I really felt the pain considerably better; and now that
+I have obtained this secret spell, I have recourse, at once, when I am
+in the height of anguish, to shouts of girls, one shout after another.
+Now what do you say to this? Isn't this absurd, eh?"
+
+"The grandmother is so infatuated by her extreme tenderness for this
+youth, that, time after time, she has, on her grandson's account, found
+fault with the tutor, and called her son to task, with the result that I
+resigned my post and took my leave. A youth, with a disposition such as
+his, cannot assuredly either perpetuate intact the estate of his father
+and grandfather, or follow the injunctions of teacher or advice of
+friends. The pity is, however, that there are, in that family, several
+excellent female cousins, the like of all of whom it would be difficult
+to discover."
+
+"Quite so!" remarked Tzu-hsing; "there are now three young ladies in the
+Chia family who are simply perfection itself. The eldest is a daughter
+of Mr. Cheng, Yuan Ch'un by name, who, on account of her excellence,
+filial piety, talents, and virtue, has been selected as a governess in
+the palace. The second is the daughter of Mr. She's handmaid, and is
+called Ying Ch'un; the third is T'an Ch'un, the child of Mr. Cheng's
+handmaid; while the fourth is the uterine sister of Mr. Chen of the Ning
+Mansion. Her name is Hsi Ch'un. As dowager lady Shih is so fondly
+attached to her granddaughters, they come, for the most part, over to
+their grandmother's place to prosecute their studies together, and each
+one of these girls is, I hear, without a fault."
+
+"More admirable," observed Yue-ts'un, "is the regime (adhered to) in the
+Chen family, where the names of the female children have all been
+selected from the list of male names, and are unlike all those
+out-of-the-way names, such as Spring Blossom, Scented Gem, and the like
+flowery terms in vogue in other families. But how is it that the Chia
+family have likewise fallen into this common practice?"
+
+"Not so!" ventured Tzu-h'sing. "It is simply because the eldest daughter
+was born on the first of the first moon, that the name of Yuan Ch'un was
+given to her; while with the rest this character Ch'un (spring) was then
+followed. The names of the senior generation are, in like manner,
+adopted from those of their brothers; and there is at present an
+instance in support of this. The wife of your present worthy master, Mr.
+Lin, is the uterine sister of Mr. Chia. She and Mr. Chia Cheng, and she
+went, while at home, under the name of Chia Min. Should you question the
+truth of what I say, you are at liberty, on your return, to make minute
+inquiries and you'll be convinced."
+
+Yue-ts'un clapped his hands and said smiling, "It's so, I know! for this
+female pupil of mine, whose name is Tai-yue, invariably pronounces the
+character _min_ as _mi_, whenever she comes across it in the
+course of her reading; while, in writing, when she comes to the
+character 'min,' she likewise reduces the strokes by one, sometimes by
+two. Often have I speculated in my mind (as to the cause), but the
+remarks I've heard you mention, convince me, without doubt, that it is
+no other reason (than that of reverence to her mother's name). Strange
+enough, this pupil of mine is unique in her speech and deportment, and
+in no way like any ordinary young lady. But considering that her mother
+was no commonplace woman herself, it is natural that she should have
+given birth to such a child. Besides, knowing, as I do now, that she is
+the granddaughter of the Jung family, it is no matter of surprise to me
+that she is what she is. Poor girl, her mother, after all, died in the
+course of the last month."
+
+Tzu-hsing heaved a sigh. "Of three elderly sisters," he explained, "this
+one was the youngest, and she too is gone! Of the sisters of the senior
+generation not one even survives! But now we'll see what the husbands of
+this younger generation will be like by and bye!"
+
+"Yes," replied Yue-ts'un. "But some while back you mentioned that Mr.
+Cheng has had a son, born with a piece of jade in his mouth, and that he
+has besides a tender-aged grandson left by his eldest son; but is it
+likely that this Mr. She has not, himself, as yet, had any male issue?"
+
+"After Mr. Cheng had this son with the jade," Tzu-hsing added, "his
+handmaid gave birth to another son, who whether he be good or bad, I
+don't at all know. At all events, he has by his side two sons and a
+grandson, but what these will grow up to be by and bye, I cannot tell.
+As regards Mr. Chia She, he too has had two sons; the second of whom,
+Chia Lien, is by this time about twenty. He took to wife a relative of
+his, a niece of Mr. Cheng's wife, a Miss Wang, and has now been married
+for the last two years. This Mr. Lien has lately obtained by purchase
+the rank of sub-prefect. He too takes little pleasure in books, but as
+far as worldly affairs go, he is so versatile and glib of tongue, that
+he has recently taken up his quarters with his uncle Mr. Cheng, to whom
+he gives a helping hand in the management of domestic matters. Who would
+have thought it, however, ever since his marriage with his worthy wife,
+not a single person, whether high or low, has there been who has not
+looked up to her with regard: with the result that Mr. Lien himself has,
+in fact, had to take a back seat (_lit_. withdrew 35 li). In looks,
+she is also so extremely beautiful, in speech so extremely quick and
+fluent, in ingenuity so deep and astute, that even a man could, in no
+way, come up to her mark."
+
+After hearing these remarks Yue-ts'un smiled. "You now perceive," he
+said, "that my argument is no fallacy, and that the several persons
+about whom you and I have just been talking are, we may presume, human
+beings, who, one and all, have been generated by the spirit of right,
+and the spirit of evil, and come to life by the same royal road; but of
+course there's no saying."
+
+"Enough," cried Tzu-hsing, "of right and enough of evil; we've been
+doing nothing but settling other people's accounts; come now, have
+another glass, and you'll be the better for it!"
+
+"While bent upon talking," Yue-ts'un explained, "I've had more glasses
+than is good for me."
+
+"Speaking of irrelevant matters about other people," Tzu-hsing rejoined
+complacently, "is quite the thing to help us swallow our wine; so come
+now; what harm will happen, if we do have a few glasses more."
+
+Yue-ts'un thereupon looked out of the window.
+
+"The day is also far advanced," he remarked, "and if we don't take care,
+the gates will be closing; let us leisurely enter the city, and as we go
+along, there will be nothing to prevent us from continuing our chat."
+
+Forthwith the two friends rose from their seats, settled and paid their
+wine bill, and were just going, when they unexpectedly heard some one
+from behind say with a loud voice:
+
+"Accept my congratulations, Brother Yue-ts'un; I've now come, with the
+express purpose of giving you the welcome news!"
+
+Yue-ts'un lost no time in turning his head round to look at the speaker.
+But reader, if you wish to learn who the man was, listen to the details
+given in the following chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+ Lin Ju-hai appeals to his brother-in-law, Chia Cheng, recommending
+ Yue-ts'un, his daughter's tutor, to his consideration.
+ Dowager lady Chia sends to fetch her granddaughter, out of
+ commiseration for her being a motherless child.
+
+
+But to proceed with our narrative.
+
+Yue-ts'un, on speedily turning round, perceived that the speaker was no
+other than a certain Chang Ju-kuei, an old colleague of his, who had
+been denounced and deprived of office, on account of some case or other;
+a native of that district, who had, since his degradation, resided in
+his family home.
+
+Having lately come to hear the news that a memorial, presented in the
+capital, that the former officers (who had been cashiered) should be
+reinstated, had received the imperial consent, he had promptly done all
+he could, in every nook and corner, to obtain influence, and to find the
+means (of righting his position,) when he, unexpectedly, came across
+Yue-ts'un, to whom he therefore lost no time in offering his
+congratulations. The two friends exchanged the conventional salutations,
+and Chang Ju-kuei forthwith communicated the tidings to Yue-ts'un.
+
+Yue-ts'un was delighted, but after he had made a few remarks, in a great
+hurry, each took his leave and sped on his own way homewards.
+
+Leng Tzu-hsing, upon hearing this conversation, hastened at once to
+propose a plan, advising Yue-ts'un to request Lin Ju-hai, in his turn, to
+appeal in the capital to Mr. Chia Cheng for support.
+
+Yue-ts'un accepted the suggestion, and parted from his companion.
+
+On his return to his quarters, he made all haste to lay his hand on the
+Metropolitan Gazette, and having ascertained that the news was
+authentic, he had on the next day a personal consultation with Ju-hai.
+
+"Providence and good fortune are both alike propitious!" exclaimed
+Ju-hai. "After the death of my wife, my mother-in-law, whose residence
+is in the capital, was so very solicitous on my daughter's account, for
+having no one to depend upon, that she despatched, at an early period,
+boats with men and women servants to come and fetch her. But my child
+was at the time not quite over her illness, and that is why she has not
+yet started. I was, this very moment, cogitating to send my daughter to
+the capital. And in view of the obligation, under which I am to you for
+the instruction you have heretofore conferred upon her, remaining as yet
+unrequited, there is no reason why, when such an opportunity as this
+presents itself, I should not do my utmost to find means to make proper
+acknowledgment. I have already, in anticipation, given the matter my
+attention, and written a letter of recommendation to my brother-in-law,
+urging him to put everything right for you, in order that I may, to a
+certain extent, be able to give effect to my modest wishes. As for any
+outlay that may prove necessary, I have given proper explanation, in the
+letter to my brother-in-law, so that you, my brother, need not trouble
+yourself by giving way to much anxiety."
+
+As Yue-ts'un bowed and expressed his appreciation in most profuse
+language,--
+
+"Pray," he asked, "where does your honoured brother-in-law reside? and
+what is his official capacity? But I fear I'm too coarse in my manner,
+and could not presume to obtrude myself in his presence."
+
+Ju-hai smiled. "And yet," he remarked, "this brother-in-law of mine is
+after all of one and the same family as your worthy self, for he is the
+grandson of the Duke Jung. My elder brother-in-law has now inherited the
+status of Captain-General of the first grade. His name is She, his style
+Ngen-hou. My second brother-in-law's name is Cheng, his style is
+Tzu-chou. His present post is that of a Second class Secretary in the
+Board of Works. He is modest and kindhearted, and has much in him of the
+habits of his grandfather; not one of that purse-proud and haughty kind
+of men. That is why I have written to him and made the request on your
+behalf. Were he different to what he really is, not only would he cast a
+slur upon your honest purpose, honourable brother, but I myself likewise
+would not have been as prompt in taking action."
+
+When Yue-ts'un heard these remarks, he at length credited what had been
+told him by Tzu-hsing the day before, and he lost no time in again
+expressing his sense of gratitude to Lin Ju-hai.
+
+Ju-hai resumed the conversation.
+
+"I have fixed," (he explained,) "upon the second of next month, for my
+young daughter's departure for the capital, and, if you, brother mine,
+were to travel along with her, would it not be an advantage to herself,
+as well as to yourself?"
+
+Yue-ts'un signified his acquiescence as he listened to his proposal;
+feeling in his inner self extremely elated.
+
+Ju-hai availed himself of the earliest opportunity to get ready the
+presents (for the capital) and all the requirements for the journey,
+which (when completed,) Yue-ts'un took over one by one. His pupil could
+not, at first, brook the idea, of a separation from her father, but the
+pressing wishes of her grandmother left her no course (but to comply).
+
+"Your father," Ju-hai furthermore argued with her, "is already fifty;
+and I entertain no wish to marry again; and then you are always ailing;
+besides, with your extreme youth, you have, above, no mother of your own
+to take care of you, and below, no sisters to attend to you. If you now
+go and have your maternal grandmother, as well as your mother's brothers
+and your cousins to depend upon, you will be doing the best thing to
+reduce the anxiety which I feel in my heart on your behalf. Why then
+should you not go?"
+
+Tai-yue, after listening to what her father had to say, parted from him
+in a flood of tears and followed her nurse and several old matrons from
+the Jung mansion on board her boat, and set out on her journey.
+
+Yue-ts'un had a boat to himself, and with two youths to wait on him, he
+prosecuted his voyage in the wake of Tai-yue.
+
+By a certain day, they reached Ching Tu; and Yue-ts'un, after first
+adjusting his hat and clothes, came, attended by a youth, to the door of
+the Jung mansion, and sent in a card, which showed his lineage.
+
+Chia Cheng had, by this time, perused his brother-in-law's letter, and
+he speedily asked him to walk in. When they met, he found in Yue-ts'un an
+imposing manner and polite address.
+
+This Chia Cheng had, in fact, a great penchant above all things for men
+of education, men courteous to the talented, respectful to the learned,
+ready to lend a helping hand to the needy and to succour the distressed,
+and was, to a great extent, like his grandfather. As it was besides a
+wish intimated by his brother-in-law, he therefore treated Yue-ts'un with
+a consideration still more unusual, and readily strained all his
+resources to assist him.
+
+On the very day on which the memorial was submitted to the Throne, he
+obtained by his efforts, a reinstatement to office, and before the
+expiry of two months, Yue-t'sun was forthwith selected to fill the
+appointment of prefect of Ying T'ien in Chin Ling. Taking leave of Chia
+Cheng, he chose a propitious day, and proceeded to his post, where we
+will leave him without further notice for the present.
+
+But to return to Tai-yue. On the day on which she left the boat, and the
+moment she put her foot on shore, there were forthwith at her disposal
+chairs for her own use, and carts for the luggage, sent over from the
+Jung mansion.
+
+Lin Tai-yue had often heard her mother recount how different was her
+grandmother's house from that of other people's; and having seen for
+herself how above the common run were already the attendants of the
+three grades, (sent to wait upon her,) in attire, in their fare, in all
+their articles of use, "how much more," (she thought to herself) "now
+that I am going to her home, must I be careful at every step, and
+circumspect at every moment! Nor must I utter one word too many, nor
+make one step more than is proper, for fear lest I should be ridiculed
+by any of them!"
+
+From the moment she got into the chair, and they had entered within the
+city walls, she found, as she looked around, through the gauze window,
+at the bustle in the streets and public places and at the immense
+concourse of people, everything naturally so unlike what she had seen
+elsewhere.
+
+After they had also been a considerable time on the way, she suddenly
+caught sight, at the northern end of the street, of two huge squatting
+lions of marble and of three lofty gates with (knockers representing)
+the heads of animals. In front of these gates, sat, in a row, about ten
+men in coloured hats and fine attire. The main gate was not open. It was
+only through the side gates, on the east and west, that people went in
+and came out. Above the centre gate was a tablet. On this tablet were
+inscribed in five large characters--"The Ning Kuo mansion erected by
+imperial command."
+
+"This must be grandmother's eldest son's residence," reflected Tai-yue.
+
+Towards the east, again, at no great distance, were three more high
+gateways, likewise of the same kind as those she had just seen. This was
+the Jung Kuo mansion.
+
+They did not however go in by the main gate; but simply made their
+entrance through the east side door.
+
+With the sedans on their shoulders, (the bearers) proceeded about the
+distance of the throw of an arrow, when upon turning a corner, they
+hastily put down the chairs. The matrons, who came behind, one and all
+also dismounted. (The bearers) were changed for four youths of seventeen
+or eighteen, with hats and clothes without a blemish, and while they
+carried the chair, the whole bevy of matrons followed on foot.
+
+When they reached a creeper-laden gate, the sedan was put down, and all
+the youths stepped back and retired. The matrons came forward, raised
+the screen, and supported Tai-yue to descend from the chair.
+
+Lin Tai-yue entered the door with the creepers, resting on the hand of a
+matron.
+
+On both sides was a verandah, like two outstretched arms. An Entrance
+Hall stood in the centre, in the middle of which was a door-screen of Ta
+Li marble, set in an ebony frame. On the other side of this screen were
+three very small halls. At the back of these came at once an extensive
+courtyard, belonging to the main building.
+
+In the front part were five parlours, the frieze of the ceiling of which
+was all carved, and the pillars ornamented. On either side, were covered
+avenues, resembling passages through a rock. In the side-rooms were
+suspended cages, full of parrots of every colour, thrushes, and birds of
+every description.
+
+On the terrace-steps, sat several waiting maids, dressed in red and
+green, and the whole company of them advanced, with beaming faces, to
+greet them, when they saw the party approach. "Her venerable ladyship,"
+they said, "was at this very moment thinking of you, miss, and, by a
+strange coincidence, here you are."
+
+Three or four of them forthwith vied with each other in raising the door
+curtain, while at the same time was heard some one announce: "Miss Lin
+has arrived."
+
+No sooner had she entered the room, than she espied two servants
+supporting a venerable lady, with silver-white hair, coming forward to
+greet her. Convinced that this lady must be her grandmother, she was
+about to prostrate herself and pay her obeisance, when she was quickly
+clasped in the arms of her grandmother, who held her close against her
+bosom; and as she called her "my liver! my flesh!" (my love! my
+darling!) she began to sob aloud.
+
+The bystanders too, at once, without one exception, melted into tears;
+and Tai-yue herself found some difficulty in restraining her sobs. Little
+by little the whole party succeeded in consoling her, and Tai-yue at
+length paid her obeisance to her grandmother. Her ladyship thereupon
+pointed them out one by one to Tai-yue. "This," she said, "is the wife of
+your uncle, your mother's elder brother; this is the wife of your uncle,
+her second brother; and this is your eldest sister-in-law Chu, the wife
+of your senior cousin Chu."
+
+Tai-yue bowed to each one of them (with folded arms).
+
+"Ask the young ladies in," dowager lady Chia went on to say; "tell them
+a guest from afar has just arrived, one who comes for the first time;
+and that they may not go to their lessons."
+
+The servants with one voice signified their obedience, and two of them
+speedily went to carry out her orders.
+
+Not long after three nurses and five or six waiting-maids were seen
+ushering in three young ladies. The first was somewhat plump in figure
+and of medium height; her cheeks had a congealed appearance, like a
+fresh lichee; her nose was glossy like goose fat. She was gracious,
+demure, and lovable to look at.
+
+The second had sloping shoulders, and a slim waist. Tall and slender was
+she in stature, with a face like the egg of a goose. Her eyes so
+beautiful, with their well-curved eyebrows, possessed in their gaze a
+bewitching flash. At the very sight of her refined and elegant manners
+all idea of vulgarity was forgotten.
+
+The third was below the medium size, and her mien was, as yet,
+childlike.
+
+In their head ornaments, jewelry, and dress, the get-up of the three
+young ladies was identical.
+
+Tai-yue speedily rose to greet them and to exchange salutations. After
+they had made each other's acquaintance, they all took a seat, whereupon
+the servants brought the tea. Their conversation was confined to
+Tai-yue's mother,--how she had fallen ill, what doctors had attended her,
+what medicines had been given her, and how she had been buried and
+mourned; and dowager lady Chia was naturally again in great anguish.
+
+"Of all my daughters," she remarked, "your mother was the one I loved
+best, and now in a twinkle, she has passed away, before me too, and I've
+not been able to so much as see her face. How can this not make my heart
+sore-stricken?"
+
+And as she gave vent to these feelings, she took Tai-yue's hand in hers,
+and again gave way to sobs; and it was only after the members of the
+family had quickly made use of much exhortation and coaxing, that they
+succeeded, little by little, in stopping her tears.
+
+They all perceived that Tai-yue, despite her youthful years and
+appearance, was lady-like in her deportment and address, and that though
+with her delicate figure and countenance, (she seemed as if) unable to
+bear the very weight of her clothes, she possessed, however, a certain
+captivating air. And as they readily noticed the symptoms of a weak
+constitution, they went on in consequence to make inquiries as to what
+medicines she ordinarily took, and how it was that her complaint had not
+been cured.
+
+"I have," explained Tai-yue, "been in this state ever since I was born;
+though I've taken medicines from the very time I was able to eat rice,
+up to the present, and have been treated by ever so many doctors of
+note, I've not derived any benefit. In the year when I was yet only
+three, I remember a mangy-headed bonze coming to our house, and saying
+that he would take me along, and make a nun of me; but my father and
+mother would, on no account, give their consent. 'As you cannot bear to
+part from her and to give her up,' he then remarked, 'her ailment will,
+I fear, never, throughout her life, be cured. If you wish to see her all
+right, it is only to be done by not letting her, from this day forward,
+on any account, listen to the sound of weeping, or see, with the
+exception of her parents, any relatives outside the family circle. Then
+alone will she be able to go through this existence in peace and in
+quiet.' No one heeded the nonsensical talk of this raving priest; but
+here am I, up to this very day, dosing myself with ginseng pills as a
+tonic."
+
+"What a lucky coincidence!" interposed dowager lady Chia; "some of these
+pills are being compounded here, and I'll simply tell them to have an
+extra supply made; that's all."
+
+Hardly had she finished these words, when a sound of laughter was heard
+from the back courtyard. "Here I am too late!" the voice said, "and not
+in time to receive the distant visitor!"
+
+"Every one of all these people," reflected Tai-yue, "holds her peace and
+suppresses the very breath of her mouth; and who, I wonder, is this
+coming in this reckless and rude manner?"
+
+While, as yet, preoccupied with these thoughts, she caught sight of a
+crowd of married women and waiting-maids enter from the back room,
+pressing round a regular beauty.
+
+The attire of this person bore no similarity to that of the young
+ladies. In all her splendour and lustre, she looked like a fairy or a
+goddess. In her coiffure, she had a band of gold filigree work,
+representing the eight precious things, inlaid with pearls; and wore
+pins, at the head of each of which were five phoenixes in a rampant
+position, with pendants of pearls. On her neck, she had a reddish gold
+necklet, like coiled dragons, with a fringe of tassels. On her person,
+she wore a tight-sleeved jacket, of dark red flowered satin, covered
+with hundreds of butterflies, embroidered in gold, interspersed with
+flowers. Over all, she had a variegated stiff-silk pelisse, lined with
+slate-blue ermine; while her nether garments consisted of a jupe of
+kingfisher-colour foreign crepe, brocaded with flowers.
+
+She had a pair of eyes, triangular in shape like those of the red
+phoenix, two eyebrows, curved upwards at each temple, like willow
+leaves. Her stature was elegant; her figure graceful; her powdered face
+like dawning spring, majestic, yet not haughty. Her carnation lips, long
+before they parted, betrayed a smile.
+
+Tai-yue eagerly rose and greeted her.
+
+Old lady Chia then smiled. "You don't know her," she observed. "This is
+a cunning vixen, who has made quite a name in this establishment! In
+Nanking, she went by the appellation of vixen, and if you simply call
+her Feng Vixen, it will do."
+
+Tai-yue was just at a loss how to address her, when all her cousins
+informed Tai-yue, that this was her sister-in-law Lien.
+
+Tai-yue had not, it is true, made her acquaintance before, but she had
+heard her mother mention that her eldest maternal uncle Chia She's son,
+Chia Lien, had married the niece of Madame Wang, her second brother's
+wife, a girl who had, from her infancy, purposely been nurtured to
+supply the place of a son, and to whom the school name of Wang Hsi-feng
+had been given.
+
+Tai-yue lost no time in returning her smile and saluting her with all
+propriety, addressing her as my sister-in-law. This Hsi-feng laid hold
+of Tai-yue's hand, and minutely scrutinised her, for a while, from head
+to foot; after which she led her back next to dowager lady Chia, where
+they both took a seat.
+
+"If really there be a being of such beauty in the world," she
+consequently observed with a smile, "I may well consider as having set
+eyes upon it to-day! Besides, in the air of her whole person, she
+doesn't in fact look like your granddaughter-in-law, our worthy
+ancestor, but in every way like your ladyship's own kindred-
+granddaughter! It's no wonder then that your venerable ladyship
+should have, day after day, had her unforgotten, even for a second, in
+your lips and heart. It's a pity, however, that this cousin of mine
+should have such a hard lot! How did it happen that our aunt died at
+such an early period?"
+
+As she uttered these words, she hastily took her handkerchief and wiped
+the tears from her eyes.
+
+"I've only just recovered from a fit of crying," dowager lady Chia
+observed, as she smiled, "and have you again come to start me? Your
+cousin has only now arrived from a distant journey, and she is so
+delicate to boot! Besides, we have a few minutes back succeeded in
+coaxing her to restrain her sobs, so drop at once making any allusion to
+your former remarks!"
+
+This Hsi-feng, upon hearing these words, lost no time in converting her
+sorrow into joy.
+
+"Quite right," she remarked. "But at the sight of my cousin, my whole
+heart was absorbed in her, and I felt happy, and yet wounded at heart:
+but having disregarded my venerable ancestor's presence, I deserve to be
+beaten, I do indeed!"
+
+And hastily taking once more Tai-yue's hand in her own: "How old are you,
+cousin?" she inquired; "Have you been to school? What medicines are you
+taking? while you live here, you mustn't feel homesick; and if there's
+anything you would like to eat, or to play with, mind you come and tell
+me! or should the waiting maids or the matrons fail in their duties,
+don't forget also to report them to me."
+
+Addressing at the same time the matrons, she went on to ask, "Have Miss
+Lin's luggage and effects been brought in? How many servants has she
+brought along with her? Go, as soon as you can, and sweep two lower
+rooms and ask them to go and rest."
+
+As she spake, tea and refreshments had already been served, and Hsi-feng
+herself handed round the cups and offered the fruits.
+
+Upon hearing the question further put by her maternal aunt Secunda,
+"Whether the issue of the monthly allowances of money had been finished
+or not yet?" Hsi-feng replied: "The issue of the money has also been
+completed; but a few moments back, when I went along with several
+servants to the back upper-loft, in search of the satins, we looked for
+ever so long, but we saw nothing of the kind of satins alluded to by
+you, madame, yesterday; so may it not be that your memory misgives you?"
+
+"Whether there be any or not, of that special kind, is of no
+consequence," observed madame Wang. "You should take out," she therefore
+went on to add, "any two pieces which first come under your hand, for
+this cousin of yours to make herself dresses with; and in the evening,
+if I don't forget, I'll send some one to fetch them."
+
+"I've in fact already made every provision," rejoined Hsi-feng; "knowing
+very well that my cousin would be arriving within these two days, I have
+had everything got ready for her. And when you, madame, go back, if you
+will pass an eye over everything, I shall be able to send them round."
+
+Madame Wang gave a smile, nodded her head assentingly, but uttered not a
+word by way of reply.
+
+The tea and fruit had by this time been cleared, and dowager lady Chia
+directed two old nurses to take Tai-yue to go and see her two maternal
+uncles; whereupon Chia She's wife, madame Hsing, hastily stood up and
+with a smiling face suggested, "I'll take my niece over; for it will
+after all be considerably better if I go!"
+
+"Quite so!" answered dowager lady Chia, smiling; "you can go home too,
+and there will be no need for you to come over again!"
+
+Madame Hsing expressed her assent, and forthwith led Tai-yue to take
+leave of madame Wang. The whole party escorted them as far as the door
+of the Entrance Hall, hung with creepers, where several youths had drawn
+a carriage, painted light blue, with a kingfisher-coloured hood.
+
+Madame Hsing led Tai-yue by the hand and they got up into their seats.
+The whole company of matrons put the curtain down, and then bade the
+youths raise the carriage; who dragged it along, until they came to an
+open space, where they at length put the mules into harness.
+
+Going out again by the eastern side gate, they proceeded in an easterly
+direction, passed the main entrance of the Jung mansion, and entered a
+lofty doorway painted black. On the arrival in front of the ceremonial
+gate, they at once dismounted from the curricle, and madame Hsing,
+hand-in-hand with Tai-yue, walked into the court.
+
+"These grounds," surmised Tai-yue to herself, "must have been originally
+converted from a piece partitioned from the garden of the Jung mansion."
+
+Having entered three rows of ceremonial gates they actually caught sight
+of the main structure, with its vestibules and porches, all of which,
+though on a small scale, were full of artistic and unique beauty. They
+were nothing like the lofty, imposing, massive and luxurious style of
+architecture on the other side, yet the avenues and rockeries, in the
+various places in the court, were all in perfect taste.
+
+When they reached the interior of the principal pavilion, a large
+concourse of handmaids and waiting maids, got up in gala dress, were
+already there to greet them. Madame Hsing pressed Tai-yue into a seat,
+while she bade some one go into the outer library and request Mr. Chia
+She to come over.
+
+In a few minutes the servant returned. "Master," she explained, "says:
+'that he has not felt quite well for several days, that as the meeting
+with Miss Lin will affect both her as well as himself, he does not for
+the present feel equal to seeing each other, that he advises Miss Lin
+not to feel despondent or homesick; that she ought to feel quite at home
+with her venerable ladyship, (her grandmother,) as well as her maternal
+aunts; that her cousins are, it is true, blunt, but that if all the
+young ladies associated together in one place, they may also perchance
+dispel some dulness; that if ever (Miss Lin) has any grievance, she
+should at once speak out, and on no account feel a stranger; and
+everything will then be right."
+
+Tai-yue lost no time in respectfully standing up, resuming her seat after
+she had listened to every sentence of the message to her. After a while,
+she said goodbye, and though madame Hsing used every argument to induce
+her to stay for the repast and then leave, Tai-yue smiled and said, "I
+shouldn't under ordinary circumstances refuse the invitation to dinner,
+which you, aunt, in your love kindly extend to me, but I have still to
+cross over and pay my respects to my maternal uncle Secundus; if I went
+too late, it would, I fear, be a lack of respect on my part; but I shall
+accept on another occasion. I hope therefore that you will, dear aunt,
+kindly excuse me."
+
+"If such be the case," madame Hsing replied, "it's all right." And
+presently directing two nurses to take her niece over, in the carriage,
+in which they had come a while back, Tai-yue thereupon took her leave;
+madame Hsing escorting her as far as the ceremonial gate, where she gave
+some further directions to all the company of servants. She followed the
+curricle with her eyes so long as it remained in sight, and at length
+retraced her footsteps.
+
+Tai-yue shortly entered the Jung Mansion, descended from the carriage,
+and preceded by all the nurses, she at once proceeded towards the east,
+turned a corner, passed through an Entrance Hall, running east and west,
+and walked in a southern direction, at the back of the Large Hall. On
+the inner side of a ceremonial gate, and at the upper end of a spacious
+court, stood a large main building, with five apartments, flanked on
+both sides by out-houses (stretching out) like the antlers on the head
+of deer; side-gates, resembling passages through a hill, establishing a
+thorough communication all round; (a main building) lofty, majestic,
+solid and grand, and unlike those in the compound of dowager lady Chia.
+
+Tai-yue readily concluded that this at last was the main inner suite of
+apartments. A raised broad road led in a straight line to the large
+gate. Upon entering the Hall, and raising her head, she first of all
+perceived before her a large tablet with blue ground, upon which figured
+nine dragons of reddish gold. The inscription on this tablet consisted
+of three characters as large as a peck-measure, and declared that this
+was the Hall of Glorious Felicity.
+
+At the end, was a row of characters of minute size, denoting the year,
+month and day, upon which His Majesty had been pleased to confer the
+tablet upon Chia Yuan, Duke of Jung Kuo. Besides this tablet, were
+numberless costly articles bearing the autograph of the Emperor. On the
+large black ebony table, engraved with dragons, were placed three
+antique blue and green bronze tripods, about three feet in height. On
+the wall hung a large picture representing black dragons, such as were
+seen in waiting chambers of the Sui dynasty. On one side stood a gold
+cup of chased work, while on the other, a crystal casket. On the ground
+were placed, in two rows, sixteen chairs, made of hard-grained cedar.
+
+There was also a pair of scrolls consisting of black-wood antithetical
+tablets, inlaid with the strokes of words in chased gold. Their burden
+was this:
+
+ On the platform shine resplendent pearls like sun or moon,
+ And the sheen of the Hall facade gleams like russet sky.
+
+Below, was a row of small characters, denoting that the scroll had been
+written by the hand of Mu Shih, a fellow-countryman and old friend of
+the family, who, for his meritorious services, had the hereditary title
+of Prince of Tung Ngan conferred upon him.
+
+The fact is that madame Wang was also not in the habit of sitting and
+resting, in this main apartment, but in three side-rooms on the east, so
+that the nurses at once led Tai-yue through the door of the eastern wing.
+
+On a stove-couch, near the window, was spread a foreign red carpet. On
+the side of honour, were laid deep red reclining-cushions, with dragons,
+with gold cash (for scales), and an oblong brown-coloured
+sitting-cushion with gold-cash-spotted dragons. On the two sides, stood
+one of a pair of small teapoys of foreign lacquer of peach-blossom
+pattern. On the teapoy on the left, were spread out Wen Wang tripods,
+spoons, chopsticks and scent-bottles. On the teapoy on the right, were
+vases from the Ju Kiln, painted with girls of great beauty, in which
+were placed seasonable flowers; (on it were) also teacups, a tea service
+and the like articles.
+
+On the floor on the west side of the room, were four chairs in a row,
+all of which were covered with antimacassars, embroidered with
+silverish-red flowers, while below, at the feet of these chairs, stood
+four footstools. On either side, was also one of a pair of high teapoys,
+and these teapoys were covered with teacups and flower vases.
+
+The other nick-nacks need not be minutely described.
+
+The old nurses pressed Tai-yue to sit down on the stove-couch; but, on
+perceiving near the edge of the couch two embroidered cushions, placed
+one opposite the other, she thought of the gradation of seats, and did
+not therefore place herself on the couch, but on a chair on the eastern
+side of the room; whereupon the waiting maids, in attendance in these
+quarters, hastened to serve the tea.
+
+While Tai-yue was sipping her tea, she observed the headgear, dress,
+deportment and manners of the several waiting maids, which she really
+found so unlike what she had seen in other households. She had hardly
+finished her tea, when she noticed a waiting maid approach, dressed in a
+red satin jacket, and a waistcoat of blue satin with scollops.
+
+"My lady requests Miss Lin to come over and sit with her," she remarked
+as she put on a smile.
+
+The old nurses, upon hearing this message, speedily ushered Tai-yue again
+out of this apartment, into the three-roomed small main building by the
+eastern porch.
+
+On the stove-couch, situated at the principal part of the room, was
+placed, in a transverse position, a low couch-table, at the upper end of
+which were laid out, in a heap, books and a tea service. Against the
+partition-wall, on the east side, facing the west, was a reclining
+pillow, made of blue satin, neither old nor new.
+
+Madame Wang, however, occupied the lower seat, on the west side, on
+which was likewise placed a rather shabby blue satin sitting-rug, with a
+back-cushion; and upon perceiving Tai-yue come in she urged her at once
+to sit on the east side.
+
+Tai-yue concluded, in her mind, that this seat must certainly belong to
+Chia Cheng, and espying, next to the couch, a row of three chairs,
+covered with antimacassars, strewn with embroidered flowers, somewhat
+also the worse for use, Tai-yue sat down on one of these chairs.
+
+But as madame Wang pressed her again and again to sit on the couch,
+Tai-yue had at length to take a seat next to her.
+
+"Your uncle," madame Wang explained, "is gone to observe this day as a
+fast day, but you'll see him by and bye. There's, however, one thing I
+want to talk to you about. Your three female cousins are all, it is
+true, everything that is nice; and you will, when later on you come
+together for study, or to learn how to do needlework, or whenever, at
+any time, you romp and laugh together, find them all most obliging; but
+there's one thing that causes me very much concern. I have here one, who
+is the very root of retribution, the incarnation of all mischief, one
+who is a ne'er-do-well, a prince of malignant spirits in this family. He
+is gone to-day to pay his vows in the temple, and is not back yet, but
+you will see him in the evening, when you will readily be able to judge
+for yourself. One thing you must do, and that is, from this time forth,
+not to pay any notice to him. All these cousins of yours don't venture
+to bring any taint upon themselves by provoking him."
+
+Tai-yue had in days gone by heard her mother explain that she had a
+nephew, born into the world, holding a piece of jade in his mouth, who
+was perverse beyond measure, who took no pleasure in his books, and
+whose sole great delight was to play the giddy dog in the inner
+apartments; that her maternal grandmother, on the other hand, loved him
+so fondly that no one ever presumed to call him to account, so that
+when, in this instance, she heard madame Wang's advice, she at once felt
+certain that it must be this very cousin.
+
+"Isn't it to the cousin born with jade in his mouth, that you are
+alluding to, aunt?" she inquired as she returned her smile. "When I was
+at home, I remember my mother telling me more than once of this very
+cousin, who (she said) was a year older than I, and whose infant name
+was Pao-yue. She added that his disposition was really wayward, but that
+he treats all his cousins with the utmost consideration. Besides, now
+that I have come here, I shall, of course, be always together with my
+female cousins, while the boys will have their own court, and separate
+quarters; and how ever will there be any cause of bringing any slur upon
+myself by provoking him?"
+
+"You don't know the reasons (that prompt me to warn you)," replied
+madame Wang laughingly. "He is so unlike all the rest, all because he
+has, since his youth up, been doated upon by our old lady! The fact is
+that he has been spoilt, through over-indulgence, by being always in the
+company of his female cousins! If his female cousins pay no heed to him,
+he is, at any rate, somewhat orderly, but the day his cousins say one
+word more to him than usual, much trouble forthwith arises, at the
+outburst of delight in his heart. That's why I enjoin upon you not to
+heed him. From his mouth, at one time, issue sugared words and
+mellifluous phrases; and at another, like the heavens devoid of the sun,
+he becomes a raving fool; so whatever you do, don't believe all he
+says."
+
+Tai-yue was assenting to every bit of advice as it was uttered, when
+unexpectedly she beheld a waiting-maid walk in. "Her venerable ladyship
+over there," she said, "has sent word about the evening meal."
+
+Madame Wang hastily took Tai-yue by the hand, and emerging by the door of
+the back-room, they went eastwards by the verandah at the back. Past the
+side gate, was a roadway, running north and south. On the southern side
+were a pavilion with three divisions and a Reception Hall with a
+colonnade. On the north, stood a large screen wall, painted white;
+behind it was a very small building, with a door of half the ordinary
+size.
+
+"These are your cousin Feng's rooms," explained madame Wang to Tai-yue,
+as she pointed to them smiling. "You'll know in future your way to come
+and find her; and if you ever lack anything, mind you mention it to her,
+and she'll make it all right."
+
+At the door of this court, were also several youths, who had recently
+had the tufts of their hair tied together, who all dropped their hands
+against their sides, and stood in a respectful posture. Madame Wang then
+led Tai-yue by the hand through a corridor, running east and west, into
+what was dowager lady Chia's back-court. Forthwith they entered the door
+of the back suite of rooms, where stood, already in attendance, a large
+number of servants, who, when they saw madame Wang arrive, set to work
+setting the tables and chairs in order.
+
+Chia Chu's wife, nee Li, served the eatables, while Hsi-feng placed the
+chopsticks, and madame Wang brought the soup in. Dowager lady Chia was
+seated all alone on the divan, in the main part of the apartment, on the
+two sides of which stood four vacant chairs.
+
+Hsi-feng at once drew Tai-yue, meaning to make her sit in the foremost
+chair on the left side, but Tai-yue steadily and concedingly declined.
+
+"Your aunts and sisters-in-law, standing on the right and left," dowager
+lady Chia smilingly explained, "won't have their repast in here, and as
+you're a guest, it's but proper that you should take that seat."
+
+Then alone it was that Tai-yue asked for permission to sit down, seating
+herself on the chair.
+
+Madame Wang likewise took a seat at old lady Chia's instance; and the
+three cousins, Ying Ch'un and the others, having craved for leave to sit
+down, at length came forward, and Ying Ch'un took the first chair on the
+right, T'an Ch'un the second, and Hsi Ch'un the second on the left.
+Waiting maids stood by holding in their hands, flips and finger-bowls
+and napkins, while Mrs. Li and lady Feng, the two of them, kept near the
+table advising them what to eat, and pressing them to help themselves.
+
+In the outer apartments, the married women and waiting-maids in
+attendance, were, it is true, very numerous; but not even so much as the
+sound of the cawing of a crow could be heard.
+
+The repast over, each one was presented by a waiting-maid, with tea in a
+small tea tray; but the Lin family had all along impressed upon the mind
+of their daughter that in order to show due regard to happiness, and to
+preserve good health, it was essential, after every meal, to wait a
+while, before drinking any tea, so that it should not do any harm to the
+intestines. When, therefore, Tai-yue perceived how many habits there were
+in this establishment unlike those which prevailed in her home, she too
+had no alternative but to conform herself to a certain extent with them.
+Upon taking over the cup of tea, servants came once more and presented
+finger-bowls for them to rinse their mouths, and Tai-yue also rinsed
+hers; and after they had all again finished washing their hands, tea was
+eventually served a second time, and this was, at length, the tea that
+was intended to be drunk.
+
+"You can all go," observed dowager lady Chia, "and let us alone to have
+a chat."
+
+Madame Wang rose as soon as she heard these words, and having made a few
+irrelevant remarks, she led the way and left the room along with the two
+ladies, Mrs. Li and lady Feng.
+
+Dowager lady Chia, having inquired of Tai-yue what books she was reading,
+"I have just begun reading the Four Books," Tai-yue replied. "What books
+are my cousins reading?" Tai-yue went on to ask.
+
+"Books, you say!" exclaimed dowager lady Chia; "why all they know are a
+few characters, that's all."
+
+The sentence was barely out of her lips, when a continuous sounding of
+footsteps was heard outside, and a waiting maid entered and announced
+that Pao-yue was coming. Tai-yue was speculating in her mind how it was
+that this Pao-yue had turned out such a good-for-nothing fellow, when he
+happened to walk in.
+
+He was, in fact, a young man of tender years, wearing on his head, to
+hold his hair together, a cap of gold of purplish tinge, inlaid with
+precious gems. Parallel with his eyebrows was attached a circlet,
+embroidered with gold, and representing two dragons snatching a pearl.
+He wore an archery-sleeved deep red jacket, with hundreds of butterflies
+worked in gold of two different shades, interspersed with flowers; and
+was girded with a sash of variegated silk, with clusters of designs, to
+which was attached long tassels; a kind of sash worn in the palace. Over
+all, he had a slate-blue fringed coat of Japanese brocaded satin, with
+eight bunches of flowers in relief; and wore a pair of light blue satin
+white-soled, half-dress court-shoes.
+
+His face was like the full moon at mid-autumn; his complexion, like
+morning flowers in spring; the hair along his temples, as if chiselled
+with a knife; his eyebrows, as if pencilled with ink; his nose like a
+suspended gallbladder (a well-cut and shapely nose); his eyes like
+vernal waves; his angry look even resembled a smile; his glance, even
+when stern, was full of sentiment.
+
+Round his neck he had a gold dragon necklet with a fringe; also a cord
+of variegated silk, to which was attached a piece of beautiful jade.
+
+As soon as Tai-yue became conscious of his presence, she was quite taken
+aback. "How very strange!" she was reflecting in her mind; "it would
+seem as if I had seen him somewhere or other, for his face appears
+extremely familiar to my eyes;" when she noticed Pao-yue face dowager
+lady Chia and make his obeisance. "Go and see your mother and then come
+back," remarked her venerable ladyship; and at once he turned round and
+quitted the room.
+
+On his return, he had already changed his hat and suit. All round his
+head, he had a fringe of short hair, plaited into small queues, and
+bound with red silk. The queues were gathered up at the crown, and all
+the hair, which had been allowed to grow since his birth, was plaited
+into a thick queue, which looked as black and as glossy as lacquer.
+Between the crown of the head and the extremity of the queue, hung a
+string of four large pearls, with pendants of gold, representing the
+eight precious things. On his person, he wore a long silvery-red coat,
+more or less old, bestrewn with embroidery of flowers. He had still
+round his neck the necklet, precious gem, amulet of Recorded Name,
+philacteries, and other ornaments. Below were partly visible a fir-cone
+coloured brocaded silk pair of trousers, socks spotted with black
+designs, with ornamented edges, and a pair of deep red, thick-soled
+shoes.
+
+(Got up as he was now,) his face displayed a still whiter appearance, as
+if painted, and his eyes as if they were set off with carnation. As he
+rolled his eyes, they brimmed with love. When he gave utterance to
+speech, he seemed to smile. But the chief natural pleasing feature was
+mainly centred in the curve of his eyebrows. The ten thousand and one
+fond sentiments, fostered by him during the whole of his existence, were
+all amassed in the corner of his eyes.
+
+His outward appearance may have been pleasing to the highest degree, but
+yet it was no easy matter to fathom what lay beneath it.
+
+There are a couple of roundelays, composed by a later poet, (after the
+excellent rhythm of the) Hsi Chiang Yueh, which depict Pao-yue in a most
+adequate manner.
+
+The roundelays run as follows:
+
+ To gloom and passion prone, without a rhyme,
+ Inane and madlike was he many a time,
+ His outer self, forsooth, fine may have been,
+ But one wild, howling waste his mind within:
+ Addled his brain that nothing he could see;
+ A dunce! to read essays so loth to be!
+ Perverse in bearing, in temper wayward;
+ For human censure he had no regard.
+ When rich, wealth to enjoy he knew not how;
+ When poor, to poverty he could not bow.
+ Alas! what utter waste of lustrous grace!
+ To state, to family what a disgrace!
+ Of ne'er-do-wells below he was the prime,
+ Unfilial like him none up to this time.
+ Ye lads, pampered with sumptuous fare and dress,
+ Beware! In this youth's footsteps do not press!
+
+But to proceed with our story.
+
+"You have gone and changed your clothes," observed dowager lady Chia,
+"before being introduced to the distant guest. Why don't you yet salute
+your cousin?"
+
+Pao-yue had long ago become aware of the presence of a most beautiful
+young lady, who, he readily concluded, must be no other than the
+daughter of his aunt Lin. He hastened to advance up to her, and make his
+bow; and after their introduction, he resumed his seat, whence he
+minutely scrutinised her features, (which he thought) so unlike those of
+all other girls.
+
+Her two arched eyebrows, thick as clustered smoke, bore a certain not
+very pronounced frowning wrinkle. She had a pair of eyes, which
+possessed a cheerful, and yet one would say, a sad expression,
+overflowing with sentiment. Her face showed the prints of sorrow stamped
+on her two dimpled cheeks. She was beautiful, but her whole frame was
+the prey of a hereditary disease. The tears in her eyes glistened like
+small specks. Her balmy breath was so gentle. She was as demure as a
+lovely flower reflected in the water. Her gait resembled a frail willow,
+agitated by the wind. Her heart, compared with that of Pi Kan, had one
+more aperture of intelligence; while her ailment exceeded (in intensity)
+by three degrees the ailment of Hsi-Tzu.
+
+Pao-yue, having concluded his scrutiny of her, put on a smile and said,
+"This cousin I have already seen in days gone by."
+
+"There you are again with your nonsense," exclaimed lady Chia,
+sneeringly; "how could you have seen her before?"
+
+"Though I may not have seen her, ere this," observed Pao-yue with a
+smirk, "yet when I look at her face, it seems so familiar, and to my
+mind, it would appear as if we had been old acquaintances; just as if,
+in fact, we were now meeting after a long separation."
+
+"That will do! that will do!" remarked dowager lady Chia; "such being
+the case, you will be the more intimate."
+
+Pao-yue, thereupon, went up to Tai-yue, and taking a seat next to her,
+continued to look at her again with all intentness for a good long
+while.
+
+"Have you read any books, cousin?" he asked.
+
+"I haven't as yet," replied Tai-yue, "read any books, as I have only been
+to school for a year; all I know are simply a few characters."
+
+"What is your worthy name, cousin?" Pao-yue went on to ask; whereupon
+Tai-yue speedily told him her name.
+
+"Your style?" inquired Pao-yue; to which question Tai-yue replied, "I have
+no style."
+
+"I'll give you a style," suggested Pao-yue smilingly; "won't the double
+style 'P'in P'in,' 'knitting brows,' do very well?"
+
+"From what part of the standard books does that come?" T'an Ch'un
+hastily interposed.
+
+"It is stated in the Thorough Research into the state of Creation from
+remote ages to the present day," Pao-yue went on to explain, "that, in
+the western quarter, there exists a stone, called Tai, (black,) which
+can be used, in lieu of ink, to blacken the eyebrows with. Besides the
+eyebrows of this cousin taper in a way, as if they were contracted, so
+that the selection of these two characters is most appropriate, isn't
+it?"
+
+"This is just another plagiarism, I fear," observed T'an Ch'un, with an
+ironic smirk.
+
+"Exclusive of the Four Books," Pao-yue remarked smilingly, "the majority
+of works are plagiarised; and is it only I, perchance, who plagiarise?
+Have you got any jade or not?" he went on to inquire, addressing Tai-yue,
+(to the discomfiture) of all who could not make out what he meant.
+
+"It's because he has a jade himself," Tai-yue forthwith reasoned within
+her mind, "that he asks me whether I have one or not.--No; I haven't
+one," she replied. "That jade of yours is besides a rare object, and how
+could every one have one?"
+
+As soon as Pao-yue heard this remark, he at once burst out in a fit of
+his raving complaint, and unclasping the gem, he dashed it disdainfully
+on the floor. "Rare object, indeed!" he shouted, as he heaped invective
+on it; "it has no idea how to discriminate the excellent from the mean,
+among human beings; and do tell me, has it any perception or not? I too
+can do without this rubbish!"
+
+All those, who stood below, were startled; and in a body they pressed
+forward, vying with each other as to who should pick up the gem.
+
+Dowager lady Chia was so distressed that she clasped Pao-yue in her
+embrace. "You child of wrath," she exclaimed. "When you get into a
+passion, it's easy enough for you to beat and abuse people; but what
+makes you fling away that stem of life?"
+
+Pao-yue's face was covered with the traces of tears. "All my cousins
+here, senior as well as junior," he rejoined, as he sobbed, "have no
+gem, and if it's only I to have one, there's no fun in it, I maintain!
+and now comes this angelic sort of cousin, and she too has none, so that
+it's clear enough that it is no profitable thing."
+
+Dowager lady Chia hastened to coax him. "This cousin of yours," she
+explained, "would, under former circumstances, have come here with a
+jade; and it's because your aunt felt unable, as she lay on her
+death-bed, to reconcile herself to the separation from your cousin, that
+in the absence of any remedy, she forthwith took the gem belonging to
+her (daughter), along with her (in the grave); so that, in the first
+place, by the fulfilment of the rites of burying the living with the
+dead might be accomplished the filial piety of your cousin; and in the
+second place, that the spirit of your aunt might also, for the time
+being, use it to gratify the wish of gazing on your cousin. That's why
+she simply told you that she had no jade; for she couldn't very well
+have had any desire to give vent to self-praise. Now, how can you ever
+compare yourself with her? and don't you yet carefully and circumspectly
+put it on? Mind, your mother may come to know what you have done!"
+
+As she uttered these words, she speedily took the jade over from the
+hand of the waiting-maid, and she herself fastened it on for him.
+
+When Pao-yue heard this explanation, he indulged in reflection, but could
+not even then advance any further arguments.
+
+A nurse came at the moment and inquired about Tai-yue's quarters, and
+dowager lady Chia at once added, "Shift Pao-yue along with me, into the
+warm room of my suite of apartments, and put your mistress, Miss Lin,
+temporarily in the green gauze house; and when the rest of the winter is
+over, and repairs are taken in hand in spring in their rooms, an
+additional wing can be put up for her to take up her quarters in."
+
+"My dear ancestor," ventured Pao-yue; "the bed I occupy outside the green
+gauze house is very comfortable; and what need is there again for me to
+leave it and come and disturb your old ladyship's peace and quiet?"
+
+"Well, all right," observed dowager lady Chia, after some consideration;
+"but let each one of you have a nurse, as well as a waiting-maid to
+attend on you; the other servants can remain in the outside rooms and
+keep night watch and be ready to answer any call."
+
+At an early hour, besides, Hsi-feng had sent a servant round with a grey
+flowered curtain, embroidered coverlets and satin quilts and other such
+articles.
+
+Tai-yue had brought along with her only two servants; the one was her own
+nurse, dame Wang, and the other was a young waiting-maid of sixteen,
+whose name was called Hsueeh Yen. Dowager lady Chia, perceiving that
+Hsueeh Yen was too youthful and quite a child in her manner, while nurse
+Wang was, on the other hand, too aged, conjectured that Tai-yue would, in
+all her wants, not have things as she liked, so she detached two
+waiting-maids, who were her own personal attendants, named Tzu Chuean and
+Ying Ko, and attached them to Tai-yue's service. Just as had Ying Ch'un
+and the other girls, each one of whom had besides the wet nurses of
+their youth, four other nurses to advise and direct them, and exclusive
+of two personal maids to look after their dress and toilette, four or
+five additional young maids to do the washing and sweeping of the rooms
+and the running about backwards and forwards on errands.
+
+Nurse Wang, Tzu Chuean and other girls entered at once upon their
+attendance on Tai-yue in the green gauze rooms, while Pao-yue's wet-nurse,
+dame Li, together with an elderly waiting-maid, called Hsi Jen, were on
+duty in the room with the large bed.
+
+This Hsi Jen had also been, originally, one of dowager lady Chia's
+servant-girls. Her name was in days gone by, Chen Chu. As her venerable
+ladyship, in her tender love for Pao-yue, had feared that Pao-yue's
+servant girls were not equal to their duties, she readily handed her to
+Pao-yue, as she had hitherto had experience of how sincere and
+considerate she was at heart.
+
+Pao-yue, knowing that her surname was at one time Hua, and having once
+seen in some verses of an ancient poet, the line "the fragrance of
+flowers wafts itself into man," lost no time in explaining the fact to
+dowager lady Chia, who at once changed her name into Hsi Jen.
+
+This Hsi Jen had several simple traits. While in attendance upon dowager
+lady Chia, in her heart and her eyes there was no one but her venerable
+ladyship, and her alone; and now in her attendance upon Pao-yue, her
+heart and her eyes were again full of Pao-yue, and him alone. But as
+Pao-yue was of a perverse temperament and did not heed her repeated
+injunctions, she felt at heart exceedingly grieved.
+
+At night, after nurse Li had fallen asleep, seeing that in the inner
+chambers, Tai-yue, Ying Ko and the others had not as yet retired to rest,
+she disrobed herself, and with gentle step walked in.
+
+"How is it, miss," she inquired smiling, "that you have not turned in as
+yet?"
+
+Tai-yue at once put on a smile. "Sit down, sister," she rejoined,
+pressing her to take a seat. Hsi Jen sat on the edge of the bed.
+
+"Miss Lin," interposed Ying Ko smirkingly, "has been here in an awful
+state of mind! She has cried so to herself, that her eyes were flooded,
+as soon as she dried her tears. 'It's only to-day that I've come,' she
+said, 'and I've already been the cause of the outbreak of your young
+master's failing. Now had he broken that jade, as he hurled it on the
+ground, wouldn't it have been my fault? Hence it was that she was so
+wounded at heart, that I had all the trouble in the world, before I
+could appease her."
+
+"Desist at once, Miss! Don't go on like this," Hsi Jen advised her;
+"there will, I fear, in the future, happen things far more strange and
+ridiculous than this; and if you allow yourself to be wounded and
+affected to such a degree by a conduct such as his, you will, I
+apprehend, suffer endless wounds and anguish; so be quick and dispel
+this over-sensitive nature!"
+
+"What you sisters advise me," replied Tai-yue, "I shall bear in mind, and
+it will be all right."
+
+They had another chat, which lasted for some time, before they at length
+retired to rest for the night.
+
+The next day, (she and her cousins) got up at an early hour and went
+over to pay their respects to dowager lady Chia, after which upon coming
+to madame Wang's apartments, they happened to find madame Wang and
+Hsi-feng together, opening the letters which had arrived from Chin Ling.
+There were also in the room two married women, who had been sent from
+madame Wang's elder brother's wife's house to deliver a message.
+
+Tai-yue was, it is true, not aware of what was up, but T'an Ch'un and the
+others knew that they were discussing the son of her mother's sister,
+married in the Hsueeh family, in the city of Chin Ling, a cousin of
+theirs, Hsueeh P'an, who relying upon his wealth and influence had, by
+assaulting a man, committed homicide, and who was now to be tried in the
+court of the Ying T'ien Prefecture.
+
+Her maternal uncle, Wang Tzu-t'eng, had now, on the receipt of the
+tidings, despatched messengers to bring over the news to the Chia
+family. But the next chapter will explain what was the ultimate issue of
+the wish entertained in this mansion to send for the Hsueeh family to
+come to the capital.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ An ill-fated girl happens to meet an ill-fated young man.
+ The Hu Lu Bonze adjudicates the Hu Lu case.
+
+
+Tai-yue, for we shall now return to our story, having come, along with
+her cousin to madame Wang's apartments, found madame Wang discussing
+certain domestic occurrences with the messengers, who had arrived from
+her elder brother's wife's home, and conversing also about the case of
+homicide, in which the family of her mother's sister had become
+involved, and other such relevant topics. Perceiving how pressing and
+perplexing were the matters in which madame Wang was engaged, the young
+ladies promptly left her apartments, and came over to the rooms of their
+widow sister-in-law, Mrs. Li.
+
+This Mrs. Li had originally been the spouse of Chia Chu. Although Chu
+had died at an early age, he had the good fortune of leaving behind him
+a son, to whom the name of Chia Lan was given. He was, at this period,
+just in his fifth year, and had already entered school, and applied
+himself to books.
+
+This Mrs. Li was also the daughter of an official of note in Chin Ling.
+Her father's name was Li Shou-chung, who had, at one time, been Imperial
+Libationer. Among his kindred, men as well as women had all devoted
+themselves to poetry and letters; but ever since Li Shou-chung continued
+the line of succession, he readily asserted that the absence of literary
+attainments in his daughter was indeed a virtue, so that it soon came
+about that she did not apply herself in real earnest to learning; with
+the result that all she studied were some parts of the "Four Books for
+women," and the "Memoirs of excellent women," that all she read did not
+extend beyond a limited number of characters, and that all she committed
+to memory were the examples of these few worthy female characters of
+dynasties of yore; while she attached special importance to spinning and
+female handiwork. To this reason is to be assigned the name selected for
+her, of Li Wan (Li, the weaver), and the style of Kung Ts'ai (Palace
+Sempstress).
+
+Hence it was that, though this Li Wan still continued, after the loss of
+her mate, while she was as yet in the spring of her life, to live amidst
+affluence and luxury, she nevertheless resembled in every respect a
+block of rotten wood or dead ashes. She had no inclination whatsoever to
+inquire after anything or to listen to anything; while her sole and
+exclusive thought was to wait upon her relatives and educate her son;
+and, in addition to this, to teach her young sisters-in-law to do
+needlework and to read aloud.
+
+Tai-yue was, it is true, at this period living as a guest in the Chia
+mansion, where she certainly had the several young ladies to associate
+with her, but, outside her aged father, (she thought) there was really
+no need for her to extend affection to any of the rest.
+
+But we will now speak of Chia Yue-ts'un. Having obtained the appointment
+of Prefect of Ying T'ien, he had no sooner arrived at his post than a
+charge of manslaughter was laid before his court. This had arisen from
+some rivalry between two parties in the purchase of a slave-girl, either
+of whom would not yield his right; with the result that a serious
+assault occurred, which ended in homicide.
+
+Yue-ts'un had, with all promptitude, the servants of the plaintiffs
+brought before him, and subjected them to an examination.
+
+"The victim of the assault," the plaintiffs deposed, "was your servants'
+master. Having on a certain day, purchased a servant-girl, she
+unexpectedly turned out to be a girl who had been carried away and sold
+by a kidnapper. This kidnapper had, first of all, got hold of our
+family's money, and our master had given out that he would on the third
+day, which was a propitious day, take her over into the house, but
+this kidnapper stealthily sold her over again to the Hsueeh family. When
+we came to know of this, we went in search of the seller to lay hold of
+him, and bring back the girl by force. But the Hsueeh party has been all
+along _the_ bully of Chin Ling, full of confidence in his wealth,
+full of presumption on account of his prestige; and his arrogant menials
+in a body seized our master and beat him to death. The murderous master
+and his crew have all long ago made good their escape, leaving no trace
+behind them, while there only remain several parties not concerned in
+the affair. Your servants have for a whole year lodged complaints, but
+there has been no one to do our cause justice, and we therefore implore
+your Lordship to have the bloodstained criminals arrested, and thus
+conduce to the maintenance of humanity and benevolence; and the living,
+as well as the dead, will feel boundless gratitude for this heavenly
+bounty."
+
+When Yue-ts'un heard their appeal, he flew into a fiery rage. "What!" he
+exclaimed. "How could a case of such gravity have taken place as the
+murder of a man, and the culprits have been allowed to run away
+scot-free, without being arrested? Issue warrants, and despatch
+constables to at once lay hold of the relatives of the bloodstained
+criminals and bring them to be examined by means of torture."
+
+Thereupon he espied a Retainer, who was standing by the judgment-table,
+wink at him, signifying that he should not issue the warrants. Yue-t'sun
+gave way to secret suspicion, and felt compelled to desist.
+
+Withdrawing from the Court-room, he retired into a private chamber, from
+whence he dismissed his followers, only keeping this single Retainer to
+wait upon him.
+
+The Retainer speedily advanced and paid his obeisance. "Your worship,"
+he said smiling, "has persistently been rising in official honours, and
+increasing in wealth so that, in the course of about eight or nine
+years, you have forgotten me."
+
+"Your face is, however, extremely familiar," observed Yue-ts'un, "but I
+cannot, for the moment, recall who you are."
+
+"Honourable people forget many things," remarked the Retainer, as he
+smiled. "What! Have you even forgotten the place where you started in
+life? and do you not remember what occurred, in years gone by, in the Hu
+Lu Temple?"
+
+Yue-ts'un was filled with extreme astonishment; and past events then
+began to dawn upon him.
+
+The fact is that this Retainer had been at one time a young priest in
+the Hu Lu temple; but as, after its destruction by fire, he had no place
+to rest his frame, he remembered how light and easy was, after all, this
+kind of occupation, and being unable to reconcile himself to the
+solitude and quiet of a temple, he accordingly availed himself of his
+years, which were as yet few, to let his hair grow, and become a
+retainer.
+
+Yue-ts'un had had no idea that it was he. Hastily taking his hand in his,
+he smilingly observed, "You are, indeed, an old acquaintance!" and then
+pressed him to take a seat, so as to have a chat with more ease, but the
+Retainer would not presume to sit down.
+
+"Friendships," Yue-ts'un remarked, putting on a smiling expression,
+"contracted in poor circumstances should not be forgotten! This is a
+private room; so that if you sat down, what would it matter?"
+
+The Retainer thereupon craved permission to take a seat, and sat down
+gingerly, all awry.
+
+"Why did you, a short while back," Yue-ts'un inquired, "not allow me to
+issue the warrants?"
+
+"Your illustrious office," replied the Retainer, "has brought your
+worship here, and is it likely you have not transcribed some philactery
+of your post in this province!"
+
+"What is an office-philactery?" asked Yue-ts'un with alacrity.
+
+"Now-a-days," explained the Retainer, "those who become local officers
+provide themselves invariably with a secret list, in which are entered
+the names and surnames of the most influential and affluent gentry of
+note in the province. This is in vogue in every province. Should
+inadvertently, at any moment, one give umbrage to persons of this
+status, why, not only office, but I fear even one's life, it would be
+difficult to preserve. That's why these lists are called
+office-philacteries. This Hsueeh family, just a while back spoken of, how
+could your worship presume to provoke? This case in question affords no
+difficulties whatever in the way of a settlement; but the prefects, who
+have held office before you, have all, by doing violence to the feelings
+and good name of these people, come to the end they did."
+
+As he uttered these words, he produced, from inside a purse which he had
+handy, a transcribed office-philactery, which he handed over to
+Yue-ts'un; who upon perusal, found it full of trite and unpolished
+expressions of public opinion, with regard to the leading clans and
+notable official families in that particular district. They ran as
+follows:
+
+The "Chia" family is not "chia," a myth; white jade form the Halls; gold
+compose their horses! The "A Fang" Palace is three hundred li in extent,
+but is no fit residence for a "Shih" of Chin Ling. The eastern seas lack
+white jade beds, and the "Lung Wang," king of the Dragons, has come to
+ask for one of the Chin Ling Wang, (Mr. Wang of Chin Ling.) In a
+plenteous year, snow, (Hsueeh,) is very plentiful; their pearls and gems
+are like sand, their gold like iron.
+
+Scarcely had Yue-ts'un done reading, when suddenly was heard the
+announcement, communicated by the beating of a gong, that Mr. Wang had
+come to pay his respects.
+
+Yue-ts'un hastily adjusted his official clothes and hat, and went out of
+the room to greet and receive the visitor. Returning after a short while
+he proceeded to question the Retainer (about what he had been perusing.)
+
+"These four families," explained the Retainer, "are all interlaced by
+ties of relationship, so that if you offend one, you offend all; if you
+honour one, you honour all. For support and protection, they all have
+those to take care of their interests! Now this Hsueeh, who is charged
+with homicide, is indeed the Hsueeh implied by 'in a plenteous year,
+(Hsueeh,) snow, is very plentiful.' In fact, not only has he these three
+families to rely upon, but his (father's) old friends, and his own
+relatives and friends are both to be found in the capital, as well as
+abroad in the provinces; and they are, what is more, not few in number.
+Who is it then that your Worship purposes having arrested?"
+
+When Yue-ts'un had heard these remarks, he forthwith put on a smile and
+inquired of the Retainer, "If what you say be true, how is then this
+lawsuit to be settled? Are you also perchance well aware of the place of
+retreat of this homicide?"
+
+"I don't deceive your Worship," the Retainer ventured smiling, "when I
+say that not only do I know the hiding-place of this homicide, but that
+I also am acquainted with the man who kidnapped and sold the girl; I
+likewise knew full well the poor devil and buyer, now deceased. But
+wait, and I'll tell your worship all, with full details. This person,
+who succumbed to the assault, was the son of a minor gentry. His name
+was Feng Yuean. His father and mother are both deceased, and he has
+likewise no brothers. He looked after some scanty property in order to
+eke out a living. His age was eighteen or nineteen; and he had a strong
+penchant for men's, and not much for women's society. But this was too
+the retribution (for sins committed) in a previous existence! for
+coming, by a strange coincidence, in the way of this kidnapper, who was
+selling the maid, he straightway at a glance fell in love with this
+girl, and made up his mind to purchase her and make her his second wife;
+entering an oath not to associate with any male friends, nor even to
+marry another girl. And so much in earnest was he in this matter that he
+had to wait until after the third day before she could enter his
+household (so as to make the necessary preparations for the marriage).
+But who would have foreseen the issue? This kidnapper quietly disposed
+of her again by sale to the Hsueeh family; his intention being to pocket
+the price-money from both parties, and effect his escape. Contrary to
+his calculations, he couldn't after all run away in time, and the two
+buyers laid hold of him and beat him, till he was half dead; but neither
+of them would take his coin back, each insisting upon the possession of
+the girl. But do you think that young gentleman, Mr. Hsueeh, would yield
+his claim to her person? Why, he at once summoned his servants and bade
+them have recourse to force; and, taking this young man Feng, they
+assailed him till they made mincemeat of him. He was then carried back
+to his home, where he finally died after the expiry of three days. This
+young Mr. Hsueeh had previously chosen a day, on which he meant to set
+out for the capital, and though he had beaten the young man Feng to
+death, and carried off the girl, he nevertheless behaved in the manner
+of a man who had had no concern in the affair. And all he gave his mind
+to was to take his family and go along on his way; but not in any wise
+in order to evade (the consequences) of this (occurrence). This case of
+homicide, (he looked upon) as a most trivial and insignificant matter,
+which, (he thought), his brother and servants, who were on the spot,
+would be enough to settle. But, however, enough of this person. Now does
+your worship know who this girl is who was sold?"
+
+"How could I possibly know?" answered Yue-ts'un.
+
+"And yet," remarked the Retainer, as he laughed coldly, "this is a
+person to whom you are indebted for great obligations; for she is no one
+else than the daughter of Mr. Chen, who lived next door to the Hu Lu
+temple. Her infant name is 'Ying Lien.'"
+
+"What! is it really she?" exclaimed Yue-ts'un full of surprise. "I heard
+that she had been kidnapped, ever since she was five years old; but has
+she only been sold recently?"
+
+"Kidnappers of this kind," continued the Retainer, "only abduct infant
+girls, whom they bring up till they reach the age of twelve or thirteen,
+when they take them into strange districts and dispose of them through
+their agents. In days gone by, we used daily to coax this girl, Ying
+Lien, to romp with us, so that we got to be exceedingly friendly. Hence
+it is that though, with the lapse of seven or eight years, her mien has
+assumed a more surpassingly lovely appearance, her general features
+have, on the other hand, undergone no change; and this is why I can
+recognise her. Besides, in the centre of her two eyebrows, she had a
+spot, of the size of a grain of rice, of carnation colour, which she has
+had ever since she was born into the world. This kidnapper, it also
+happened, rented my house to live in; and on a certain day, on which the
+kidnapper was not at home, I even set her a few questions. She said,
+'that the kidnapper had so beaten her, that she felt intimidated, and
+couldn't on any account, venture to speak out; simply averring that the
+kidnapper was her own father, and that, as he had no funds to repay his
+debts, he had consequently disposed of her by sale!' I tried time after
+time to induce her to answer me, but she again gave way to tears and
+added no more than: 'I don't really remember anything of my youth.' Of
+this, anyhow, there can be no doubt; on a certain day the young man Feng
+and the kidnapper met, said the money was paid down; but as the
+kidnapper happened to be intoxicated, Ying Lien exclaimed, as she
+sighed: 'My punishment has this day been consummated!' Later on again,
+when she heard that young Feng would, after three days, have her taken
+over to his house, she once more underwent a change and put on such a
+sorrowful look that, unable to brook the sight of it, I waited till the
+kidnapper went out, when I again told my wife to go and cheer her by
+representing to her that this Mr. Feng's fixed purpose to wait for a
+propitious day, on which to come and take her over, was ample proof that
+he would not look upon her as a servant-girl. 'Furthermore,' (explained
+my wife to her), 'he is a sort of person exceedingly given to fast
+habits, and has at home ample means to live upon, so that if, besides,
+with his extreme aversion to women, he actually purchases you now, at a
+fancy price, you should be able to guess the issue, without any
+explanation. You have to bear suspense only for two or three days, and
+what need is there to be sorrowful and dejected?' After these
+assurances, she became somewhat composed, flattering herself that she
+would from henceforth have a home of her own.
+
+"But who would believe that the world is but full of disappointments! On
+the succeeding day, it came about that the kidnapper again sold her to
+the Hsueeh family! Had he disposed of her to any other party, no harm
+would anyhow have resulted; but this young gentleman Hsueeh, who is
+nicknamed by all, 'the Foolish and overbearing Prince,' is the most
+perverse and passionate being in the whole world. What is more, he
+throws money away as if it were dust. The day on which he gave the
+thrashing with blows like falling leaves and flowing water, he dragged
+(_lit_. pull alive, drag dead) Ying Lien away more dead than alive,
+by sheer force, and no one, even up to this date, is aware whether she
+be among the dead or the living. This young Feng had a spell of empty
+happiness; for (not only) was his wish not fulfilled, but on the
+contrary he spent money and lost his life; and was not this a lamentable
+case?"
+
+When Yue-ts'un heard this account he also heaved a sigh. "This was
+indeed," he observed, "a retribution in store for them! Their encounter
+was likewise not accidental; for had it been, how was it that this Feng
+Yuean took a fancy to Ying Lien?
+
+"This Ying Lien had, during all these years, to endure much harsh
+treatment from the hands of the kidnapper, and had, at length, obtained
+the means of escape; and being besides full of warm feeling, had he
+actually made her his wife, and had they come together, the event would
+certainly have been happy; but, as luck would have it, there occurred
+again this contretemps.
+
+"This Hsueeh is, it is true, more laden with riches and honours than Feng
+was, but when we bear in mind what kind of man he is he certainly, with
+his large bevy of handmaids, and his licentious and inordinate habits,
+cannot ever be held equal to Feng Yuean, who had set his heart upon one
+person! This may appositely be termed a fantastic sentimental destiny,
+which, by a strange coincidence, befell a couple consisting of an
+ill-fated young fellow and girl! But why discuss third parties? The only
+thing now is how to decide this case, so as to put things right."
+
+"Your worship," remarked the Retainer smiling, "displayed, in years gone
+by, such great intelligence and decision, and how is it that today you,
+on the contrary, become a person without any resources! Your servant has
+heard that the promotion of your worship to fill up this office is due
+to the exertions of the Chia and Wang families; and as this Hsueeh P'an
+is a relative of the Chia mansion, why doesn't your worship take your
+craft along with the stream, and bring, by the performance of a
+kindness, this case to an issue, so that you may again in days to come,
+be able to go and face the two Dukes Chia and Wang?"
+
+"What you suggest," replied Yue-ts'un, "is, of course, right enough; but
+this case involves a human life, and honoured as I have been, by His
+Majesty the Emperor, by a restoration to office, and selection to an
+appointment, how can I at the very moment, when I may strain all my
+energies to show my gratitude, by reason of a private consideration, set
+the laws at nought? This is a thing which I really haven't the courage
+to do."
+
+"What your worship says is naturally right and proper," remarked the
+Retainer at these words, smiling sarcastically, "but at the present
+stage of the world, such things cannot be done. Haven't you heard the
+saying of a man of old to the effect that great men take action suitable
+to the times. 'He who presses,' he adds, 'towards what is auspicious and
+avoids what is inauspicious is a perfect man.' From what your worship
+says, not only you couldn't, by any display of zeal, repay your
+obligation to His Majesty, but, what is more, your own life you will
+find it difficult to preserve. There are still three more considerations
+necessary to insure a safe settlement."
+
+Yue-ts'un drooped his head for a considerable time.
+
+"What is there in your idea to be done?" he at length inquired.
+
+"Your servant," responded the Retainer, "has already devised a most
+excellent plan. It's this: To-morrow, when your Lordship sits in court,
+you should, merely for form's sake, make much ado, by despatching
+letters and issuing warrants for the arrest of the culprits. The
+murderer will naturally not be forthcoming; and as the plaintiffs will
+be strong in their displeasure, you will of course have some members of
+the clan of the Hsueeh family, together with a few servants and others,
+taken into custody, and examined under torture, when your servant will
+be behind the scenes to bring matters to a settlement, by bidding them
+report that the victim had succumbed to a sudden ailment, and by urging
+the whole number of the kindred, as well as the headmen of the place, to
+hand in a declaration to that effect. Your Worship can aver that you
+understand perfectly how to write charms in dust, and conjure the
+spirit; having had an altar, covered with dust, placed in the court, you
+should bid the military and people to come and look on to their heart's
+content. Your Worship can give out that the divining spirit has
+declared: 'that the deceased, Feng Yuean, and Hsueeh P'an had been enemies
+in a former life, that having now met in the narrow road, their
+destinies were consummated; that Hsueeh P'an has, by this time,
+contracted some indescribable disease and perished from the effects of
+the persecution of the spirit of Feng.' That as the calamity had
+originated entirely from the action of the kidnapper, exclusive of
+dealing with the kidnapper according to law, the rest need not be
+interfered with, and so on. Your servant will be in the background to
+speak to the kidnapper and urge him to make a full confession; and when
+people find that the response of the divining spirit harmonizes with the
+statements of the kidnapper, they will, as a matter of course, entertain
+no suspicion.
+
+"The Hsueeh family have plenty of money, so that if your Worship
+adjudicates that they should pay five hundred, they can afford it, or
+one thousand will also be within their means; and this sum can be handed
+to the Feng family to meet the outlay of burning incense and burial
+expenses. The Feng family are, besides, people of not much consequence,
+and (the fuss made by them) being simply for money, they too will, when
+they have got the cash in hand, have nothing more to say. But may it
+please your worship to consider carefully this plan and see what you
+think of it?"
+
+"It isn't a safe course! It isn't a safe course!" Yue-ts'un observed as
+he smiled. "Let me further think and deliberate; and possibly by
+succeeding in suppressing public criticism, the matter might also be
+settled."
+
+These two closed their consultation by a fixed determination, and the
+next day, when he sat in judgment, he marked off a whole company of the
+plaintiffs as well as of the accused, as were mentioned by name, and had
+them brought before him. Yue-ts'un examined them with additional
+minuteness, and discovered in point of fact, that the inmates of the
+Feng family were extremely few, that they merely relied upon this charge
+with the idea of obtaining some compensation for joss-sticks and
+burials; and that the Hsueeh family, presuming on their prestige and
+confident of patronage, had been obstinate in the refusal to make any
+mutual concession, with the result that confusion had supervened, and
+that no decision had been arrived at.
+
+Following readily the bent of his feelings, Yue-ts'un disregarded the
+laws, and adjudicated this suit in a random way; and as the Feng family
+came in for a considerable sum, with which to meet the expense for
+incense and the funeral, they had, after all, not very much to say (in
+the way of objections.)
+
+With all despatch, Yue-ts'un wrote and forwarded two letters, one to Chia
+Cheng, and the other to Wang Tzu-t'eng, at that time commander-in-chief
+of a Metropolitan Division, simply informing them: that the case, in
+which their worthy nephew was concerned, had come to a close, and that
+there was no need for them to give way to any extreme solicitude.
+
+This case had been settled through the exclusive action of the young
+priest of the Hu Lu temple, now an official Retainer; and Yue-ts'un,
+apprehending, on the other hand, lest he might in the presence of
+others, divulge the circumstances connected with the days gone by, when
+he was in a state of penury, naturally felt very unhappy in his mind.
+But at a later period, he succeeded, by ultimately finding in him some
+shortcoming, and deporting him to a far-away place, in setting his fears
+at rest.
+
+But we will put Yue-ts'un on one side, and refer to the young man Hsueeh,
+who purchased Ying Lien, and assaulted Feng Yuan to death.
+
+He too was a native of Chin Ling and belonged to a family literary
+during successive generations; but this young Hsueeh had recently, when
+of tender age, lost his father, and his widowed mother out of pity for
+his being the only male issue and a fatherless child, could not help
+doating on him and indulging him to such a degree, that when he, in
+course of time, grew up to years of manhood, he was good for nothing.
+
+In their home, furthermore, was the wealth of a millionaire, and they
+were, at this time, in receipt of an income from His Majesty's privy
+purse, for the purvey of various articles.
+
+This young Hsueeh went at school under the name of P'an. His style was
+Wen Ch'i. His natural habits were extravagant; his language haughty and
+supercilious. He had, of course, also been to school, but all he knew
+was a limited number of characters, and those not well. The whole day
+long, his sole delight was in cock-fighting and horse-racing, rambling
+over hills and doing the sights.
+
+Though a Purveyor, by Imperial appointment, he had not the least idea of
+anything relating to matters of business or of the world. All he was
+good for was: to take advantage of the friendships enjoyed by his
+grandfather in days of old, to present himself at the Board of Revenue
+to perfunctorily sign his name and to draw the allowance and rations;
+while the rest of his affairs he, needless to say, left his partners and
+old servants of the family to manage for him.
+
+His widowed mother, a Miss Wang, was the youngest sister of Wang
+Tzu-t'eng, whose present office was that of Commander-in-Chief of a
+Metropolitan Division; and was, with Madame Wang, the spouse of Chia
+Cheng, of the Jung Kuo Mansion, sisters born of one mother. She was, in
+this year, more or less forty years of age and had only one son: this
+Hsueeh P'an.
+
+She also had a daughter, who was two years younger than Hsueeh P'an, and
+whose infant name was Pao Ch'ai. She was beautiful in appearance, and
+elegant and refined in deportment. In days gone by, when her father
+lived, he was extremely fond of this girl, and had her read books and
+study characters, so that, as compared with her brother, she was
+actually a hundred times his superior. Having become aware, ever since
+her father's death, that her brother could not appease the anguish of
+her mother's heart, she at once dispelled all thoughts of books, and
+gave her sole mind to needlework, to the menage and other such concerns,
+so as to be able to participate in her mother's sorrow, and to bear the
+fatigue in lieu of her.
+
+As of late the Emperor on the Throne held learning and propriety in high
+esteem, His Majesty called together and singled out talent and ability,
+upon which he deigned to display exceptional grace and favour. Besides
+the number called forth from private life and chosen as Imperial
+secondary wives, the daughters of families of hereditary official status
+and renown were without exception, reported by name to the authorities,
+and communicated to the Board, in anticipation of the selection for
+maids in waiting to the Imperial Princesses and daughters of Imperial
+Princes in their studies, and for filling up the offices of persons of
+eminence, to urge them to become excellent.
+
+Ever since the death of Hsueeh P'an's father, the various assistants,
+managers and partners, and other employes in the respective provinces,
+perceiving how youthful Hsueeh P'an was in years, and how much he lacked
+worldly experience, readily availed themselves of the time to begin
+swindling and defrauding. The business, carried on in various different
+places in the capital, gradually also began to fall off and to show a
+deficit.
+
+Hsueeh P'an had all along heard that the capital was the _one_ place
+for gaieties, and was just entertaining the idea of going on a visit,
+when he eagerly jumped at the opportunity (that presented itself,) first
+of all to escort his sister, who was going to wait for the selection, in
+the second place to see his relatives, and in the third to enter
+personally the capital, (professedly) to settle up long-standing
+accounts, and to make arrangements for new outlays, but, in reality,
+with the sole purpose of seeing the life and splendour of the
+metropolis.
+
+He therefore, had, at an early period, got ready his baggage and small
+luggage, as well as the presents for relatives and friends, things of
+every description of local production, presents in acknowledgment of
+favours received, and other such effects, and he was about to choose a
+day to start on his journey when unexpectedly he came in the way of the
+kidnapper who offered Ying Lien for sale. As soon as Hsueeh P'an saw how
+_distinguee_ Ying Lien was in her appearance, he formed the
+resolution of buying her; and when he encountered Feng Yuean, come with
+the object of depriving him of her, he in the assurance of superiority,
+called his sturdy menials together, who set upon Feng Yuean and beat him
+to death. Forthwith collecting all the affairs of the household, and
+entrusting them one by one to the charge of some members of the clan and
+several elderly servants of the family, he promptly took his mother,
+sister and others and after all started on his distant journey, while
+the charge of homicide he, however, treated as child's play, flattering
+himself that if he spent a few filthy pieces of money, there was no
+doubt as to its settlement.
+
+He had been on his journey how many days, he had not reckoned, when, on
+a certain day, as they were about to enter the capital, he furthermore
+heard that his maternal uncle, Wang Tzu-t'eng, had been raised to the
+rank of Supreme Governor of nine provinces, and had been honoured with
+an Imperial command to leave the capital and inspect the frontiers.
+
+Hsueeh P'an was at heart secretly elated. "I was just lamenting," he
+thought, "that on my visit to the capital, I would have my maternal
+uncle to exercise control over me, and that I wouldn't be able to gambol
+and frisk to my heart's content, but now that he is leaving the capital,
+on promotion, it's evident that Heaven accomplishes man's wishes."
+
+As he consequently held consultation with his mother; "Though we have,"
+he argued, "several houses of our own in the capital, yet for these last
+ten years or so, there has been no one to live in them, and the people
+charged with the looking after them must unavoidably have stealthily
+rented them to some one or other. It's therefore needful to let servants
+go ahead to sweep and get the place in proper order, before we can very
+well go ourselves."
+
+"What need is there to go to such trouble?" retorted his mother; "the
+main object of our present visit to the capital is first of all to pay
+our respects to our relatives and friends; and it is, either at your
+elder uncle's, my brother's place, or at your other uncle's, my sister's
+husband's home, both of which families' houses are extremely spacious,
+that we can put up provisionally, and by and bye, at our ease, we can
+send servants to make our house tidy. Now won't this be a considerable
+saving of trouble?"
+
+"My uncle, your brother," suggested Hsueeh P'an, "has just been raised to
+an appointment in an outside province, so that, of course, in his house,
+things must be topsy-turvey, on account of his departure; and should we
+betake ourselves, like a hive of bees and a long trail, to him for
+shelter; won't we appear very inconsiderate?"
+
+"Your uncle," remarked his mother, "is, it is true, going on promotion,
+but there's besides the house of your aunt, my sister. What is more,
+during these last few years from both your uncle's and aunt's have, time
+after time, been sent messages, and letters forwarded, asking us to come
+over; and now that we've come, is it likely, though your uncle is busy
+with his preparations to start on his journey, that your aunt of the
+Chia family won't do all she can to press us to stay? Besides, were we
+to have our house got ready in a scramble, won't it make people think it
+strange? I however know your idea very well that were we kept to stay at
+your uncle's and aunt's, you won't escape being under strict restraint,
+unlike what would be the case were we to live in our own house, as you
+would be free then to act as you please! Such being the case, go, on
+your own account, and choose some place to take up your quarters in,
+while I myself, who have been separated from your aunt and cousins for
+these several years, would however like to stay with them for a few
+days; and I'll go along with your sister and look up your aunt at her
+home. What do you say; will this suit you or not?"
+
+Hsueeh P'an, upon hearing his mother speak in this strain, knew well
+enough that he could not bring her round from her determination; and he
+had no help but to issue the necessary directions to the servants to
+make straight for the Jung Kuo mansion. Madame Wang had by this time
+already come to know that in the lawsuit, in which Hsueeh P'an was
+concerned, Chia Yue-ts'un had fortunately intervened and lent his good
+offices, and was at length more composed in her mind. But when she again
+saw that her eldest brother had been advanced to a post on the frontier,
+she was just deploring that, deprived of the intercourse of the
+relatives of her mother's family, how doubly lonely she would feel;
+when, after the lapse of a few days, some one of the household brought
+the unexpected announcement that "our lady, your sister, has, with the
+young gentleman, the young lady and her whole household, entered the
+capital and have dismounted from their vehicles outside the main
+entrance." This news so delighted madame Wang that she rushed out, with
+a few attendants, to greet them in the large Entrance Hall, and brought
+Mrs. Hsueeh and the others into her house.
+
+The two sisters were now reunited, at an advanced period of their lives,
+so that mixed feelings of sorrow and joy thronged together, but on these
+it is, of course, needless to dilate.
+
+After conversing for a time on what had occurred, subsequent to their
+separation, madame Wang took them to pay their obeisance to dowager lady
+Chia. They then handed over the various kinds of presents and indigenous
+articles, and after the whole family had been introduced, a banquet was
+also spread to greet the guests.
+
+Hsueeh P'an, having paid his respects to Chia Cheng and Chia Lien, was
+likewise taken to see Chia She, Chia Chen and the other members.
+
+Chia Cheng sent a messenger to tell madame Wang that "'aunt' Hsueeh had
+already seen many springs and autumns, while their nephew was of tender
+age, with no experience, so that there was every fear, were he to live
+outside, that something would again take place. In the South-east corner
+of our compound," (he sent word,) "there are in the Pear Fragrance
+Court, over ten apartments, all of which are vacant and lying idle; and
+were we to tell the servants to sweep them, and invite 'aunt' Hsueeh and
+the young gentleman and lady to take up their quarters there, it would
+be an extremely wise thing."
+
+Madame Wang had in fact been entertaining the wish to keep them to live
+with them, when dowager lady Chia also sent some one to say that, "Mrs.
+Hsueeh should be asked to put up in the mansion in order that a greater
+friendliness should exist between them all."
+
+Mrs. Hsueeh herself had all along been desirous to live in one place with
+her relatives, so as to be able to keep a certain check over her son,
+fearing that, if they lived in a separate house outside, the natural
+bent of his habits would run riot, and that some calamity would be
+brought on; and she therefore, there and then, expressed her sense of
+appreciation, and accepted the invitation. She further privately told
+madame Wang in clear terms, that every kind of daily expense and general
+contribution would have to be entirely avoided and withdrawn as that
+would be the only thing to justify her to make any protracted stay. And
+madame Wang aware that she had, in her home, no difficulty in this line,
+promptly in fact complied with her wishes.
+
+From this date it was that "aunt" Hsueeh and her children took up their
+quarters in the Pear Fragrance Court.
+
+This Court of Pear Fragrance had, we must explain, been at one time used
+as a place for the quiet retirement of the Duke Jung in his advanced
+years. It was on a small scale, but ingeniously laid out. There were, at
+least, over ten structures. The front halls and the back houses were all
+in perfect style. There was a separate door giving on to the street, and
+the people of the household of Hsueeh P'an used this door to go in and
+out. At the south-west quarter, there was also a side door, which
+communicated with a narrow roadway. Beyond this narrow road, was the
+eastern court of madame Wang's principal apartment; so that every day,
+either after her repast, or in the evening, Mrs. Hsueeh would readily
+come over and converse, on one thing and another, with dowager lady
+Chia, or have a chat with madame Wang; while Pao-ch'ai came together,
+day after day, with Tai yue, Ying-ch'un, her sisters and the other girls,
+either to read, to play chess, or to do needlework, and the pleasure
+which they derived was indeed perfect.
+
+Hsueeh P'an however had all along from the first instance, been loth to
+live in the Chia mansion, as he dreaded that with the discipline
+enforced by his uncle, he would not be able to be his own master; but
+his mother had made up her mind so positively to remain there, and what
+was more, every one in the Chia mansion was most pressing in their
+efforts to keep them, that there was no alternative for him but to take
+up his quarters temporarily there, while he at the same time directed
+servants to go and sweep the apartments of their own house, with a view
+that they should move into them when they were ready.
+
+But, contrary to expectation, after they had been in their quarters for
+not over a month, Hsueeh P'an came to be on intimate relations with all
+the young men among the kindred of the Chia mansion, the half of whom
+were extravagant in their habits, so that great was, of course, his
+delight to frequent them. To-day, they would come together to drink
+wine; the next day to look at flowers. They even assembled to gamble, to
+dissipate and to go everywhere and anywhere; leading, with all their
+enticements, Hsueeh P'an so far astray, that he became far worse, by a
+hundred times, than he was hitherto.
+
+Although it must be conceded that Chia Cheng was in the education of his
+children quite correct, and in the control of his family quite
+systematic, yet in the first place, the clan was so large and the
+members so numerous, that he was unable to attend to the entire
+supervision; and, in the second place, the head of the family, at this
+period, was Chia Chen, who, as the eldest grandchild of the Ning
+mansion, had likewise now come into the inheritance of the official
+status, with the result that all matters connected with the clan
+devolved upon his sole and exclusive control. In the third place, public
+as well as private concerns were manifold and complex, and being a man
+of negligent disposition, he estimated ordinary affairs of so little
+consequence that any respite from his official duties he devoted to no
+more than the study of books and the playing of chess.
+
+Furthermore, this Pear Fragrance Court was separated by two rows of
+buildings from his quarters and was also provided with a separate door
+opening into the street, so that, being able at their own heart's desire
+to go out and to come in, these several young fellows could well indulge
+their caprices, and gratify the bent of their minds.
+
+Hence it was that Hsueeh P'an, in course of time gradually extinguished
+from his memory every idea of shifting their quarters.
+
+But what transpired, on subsequent days, the following chapter will
+explain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ The spirit of Chia Pao-yue visits the confines of the Great Void.
+ The Monitory Vision Fairy expounds, in ballads, the Dream of the Red
+ Chamber.
+
+
+Having in the fourth Chapter explained, to some degree, the
+circumstances attending the settlement of the mother and children of the
+Hsueeh family in the Jung mansion, and other incidental matters, we will
+now revert to Lin Tai-yue.
+
+Ever since her arrival in the Jung mansion, dowager lady Chia showed her
+the highest sympathy and affection, so that in everything connected with
+sleeping, eating, rising and accommodation she was on the same footing
+as Pao-yue; with the result that Ying Ch'un, Hsi Ch'un and T'an Ch'un,
+her three granddaughters, had after all to take a back seat. In fact,
+the intimate and close friendliness and love which sprung up between the
+two persons Pao-yue and Tai-yue, was, in the same degree, of an
+exceptional kind, as compared with those existing between the others. By
+daylight they were wont to walk together, and to sit together. At night,
+they would desist together, and rest together. Really it was a case of
+harmony in language and concord in ideas, of the consistency of varnish
+or of glue, (a close friendship), when at this unexpected juncture there
+came this girl, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai, who, though not very much older in
+years (than the others), was, nevertheless, in manner so correct, and in
+features so beautiful that the consensus of opinion was that Tai-yue
+herself could not come up to her standard.
+
+What is more, in her ways Pao-Ch'ai was so full of good tact, so
+considerate and accommodating, so unlike Tai-yue, who was supercilious,
+self-confident, and without any regard for the world below, that the
+natural consequence was that she soon completely won the hearts of the
+lower classes. Even the whole number of waiting-maids would also for the
+most part, play and joke with Pao-ch'ai. Hence it was that Tai-yue
+fostered, in her heart, considerable feelings of resentment, but of this
+however Pao-ch'ai had not the least inkling.
+
+Pao-yue was, likewise, in the prime of his boyhood, and was, besides, as
+far as the bent of his natural disposition was concerned, in every
+respect absurd and perverse; regarding his cousins, whether male or
+female, one and all with one common sentiment, and without any
+distinction whatever between the degrees of distant or close
+relationship. Sitting and sleeping, as he now was under the same roof
+with Tai-yue in dowager lady Chia's suite of rooms, he naturally became
+comparatively more friendly with her than with his other cousins; and
+this friendliness led to greater intimacy and this intimacy once
+established, rendered unavoidable the occurrence of the blight of
+harmony from unforeseen slight pretexts.
+
+These two had had on this very day, for some unknown reason, words
+between them more or less unfriendly, and Tai-yue was again sitting all
+alone in her room, giving way to tears. Pao-yue was once more within
+himself quite conscience-smitten for his ungraceful remarks, and coming
+forward, he humbly made advances, until, at length, Tai-yue little by
+little came round.
+
+As the plum blossom, in the eastern part of the garden of the Ning
+mansion, was in full bloom, Chia Chen's spouse, Mrs. Yu, made
+preparations for a collation, (purposing) to send invitations to dowager
+lady Chia, mesdames Hsing, and Wang, and the other members of the
+family, to come and admire the flowers; and when the day arrived the
+first thing she did was to take Chia Jung and his wife, the two of them,
+and come and ask them round in person. Dowager lady Chia and the other
+inmates crossed over after their early meal; and they at once promenaded
+the Hui Fang (Concentrated Fragrance) Garden. First tea was served, and
+next wine; but the entertainment was no more than a family banquet of
+the kindred of the two mansions of Ning and Jung, so that there was a
+total lack of any novel or original recreation that could be put on
+record.
+
+After a little time, Pao-yue felt tired and languid and inclined for his
+midday siesta. "Take good care," dowager lady Chia enjoined some of
+them, "and stay with him, while he rests for a while, when he can come
+back;" whereupon Chia Jung's wife, Mrs. Ch'in, smiled and said with
+eagerness: "We got ready in here a room for uncle Pao, so let your
+venerable ladyship set your mind at ease. Just hand him over to my
+charge, and he will be quite safe. Mothers and sisters," she continued,
+addressing herself to Pao-yue's nurses and waiting maids, "invite uncle
+Pao to follow me in here."
+
+Dowager lady Chia had always been aware of the fact that Mrs. Ch'in was
+a most trustworthy person, naturally courteous and scrupulous, and in
+every action likewise so benign and gentle; indeed the most estimable
+among the whole number of her great grandsons' wives, so that when she
+saw her about to go and attend to Pao-yue, she felt that, for a
+certainty, everything would be well.
+
+Mrs. Ch'in, there and then, led away a company of attendants, and came
+into the rooms inside the drawing room. Pao-yue, upon raising his head,
+and catching sight of a picture hung on the upper wall, representing a
+human figure, in perfect style, the subject of which was a portrait of
+Yen Li, speedily felt his heart sink within him.
+
+There was also a pair of scrolls, the text of which was:
+
+ A thorough insight into worldly matters arises from knowledge;
+ A clear perception of human nature emanates from literary lore.
+
+On perusal of these two sentences, albeit the room was sumptuous and
+beautifully laid out, he would on no account remain in it. "Let us go at
+once," he hastened to observe, "let us go at once."
+
+Mrs. Ch'in upon hearing his objections smiled. "If this," she said, "is
+really not nice, where are you going? if you won't remain here, well
+then come into my room."
+
+Pao-yue nodded his head and gave a faint grin.
+
+"Where do you find the propriety," a nurse thereupon interposed, "of an
+uncle going to sleep in the room of a nephew's wife?"
+
+"Ai ya!" exclaimed Mrs. Ch'in laughing, "I don't mind whether he gets
+angry or not (at what I say); but how old can he be as to reverentially
+shun all these things? Why my brother was with me here last month;
+didn't you see him? he's, true enough, of the same age as uncle Pao, but
+were the two of them to stand side by side, I suspect that he would be
+much higher in stature."
+
+"How is it," asked Pao-yue, "that I didn't see him? Bring him along and
+let me have a look at him!"
+
+"He's separated," they all ventured as they laughed, "by a distance of
+twenty or thirty li, and how can he be brought along? but you'll see him
+some day."
+
+As they were talking, they reached the interior of Mrs. Ch'in's
+apartments. As soon as they got in, a very faint puff of sweet fragrance
+was wafted into their nostrils. Pao-yue readily felt his eyes itch and
+his bones grow weak. "What a fine smell!" he exclaimed several
+consecutive times.
+
+Upon entering the apartments, and gazing at the partition wall, he saw a
+picture the handiwork of T'ang Po-hu, consisting of Begonias drooping in
+the spring time; on either side of which was one of a pair of scrolls,
+written by Ch'in Tai-hsue, a Literary Chancellor of the Sung era, running
+as follows:
+
+ A gentle chill doth circumscribe the dreaming man, because the spring
+ is cold.
+ The fragrant whiff, which wafts itself into man's nose, is the perfume
+ of wine!
+
+On the table was a mirror, one which had been placed, in days of yore,
+in the Mirror Palace of the Emperor Wu Tse-t'ien. On one side stood a
+gold platter, in which Fei Yen, who lived in the Ch'ao state, used to
+stand and dance. In this platter, was laid a quince, which An Lu-shan
+had flung at the Empress T'ai Chen, inflicting a wound on her breast. In
+the upper part of the room, stood a divan ornamented with gems, on which
+the Emperor's daughter, Shou Ch'ang, was wont to sleep, in the Han Chang
+Palace Hanging, were curtains embroidered with strings of pearls, by
+T'ung Ch'ang, the Imperial Princess.
+
+"It's nice in here, it's nice in here," exclaimed Pao-yue with a chuckle.
+
+"This room of mine," observed Mrs. Ch'in smilingly, "is I think, good
+enough for even spirits to live in!" and, as she uttered these words,
+she with her own hands, opened a gauze coverlet, which had been washed
+by Hsi Shih, and removed a bridal pillow, which had been held in the
+arms of Hung Niang. Instantly, the nurses attended to Pao-yue, until he
+had laid down comfortably; when they quietly dispersed, leaving only the
+four waiting maids: Hsi Jen, Ch'iu Wen, Ch'ing Wen and She Yueh to keep
+him company.
+
+"Mind be careful, as you sit under the eaves," Mrs. Ch'in recommended
+the young waiting maids, "that the cats do not start a fight!"
+
+Pao-yue then closed his eyes, and, little by little, became drowsy, and
+fell asleep.
+
+It seemed to him just as if Mrs. Ch'in was walking ahead of him.
+Forthwith, with listless and unsettled step, he followed Mrs. Ch'in to
+some spot or other, where he saw carnation-like railings, jade-like
+steps, verdant trees and limpid pools--a spot where actually no trace of
+any human being could be met with, where of the shifting mundane dust
+little had penetrated.
+
+Pao-yue felt, in his dream, quite delighted. "This place," he mused, "is
+pleasant, and I may as well spend my whole lifetime in here! though I
+may have to lose my home, I'm quite ready for the sacrifice, for it's
+far better being here than being flogged, day after day, by father,
+mother, and teacher."
+
+While he pondered in this erratic strain, he suddenly heard the voice of
+some human being at the back of the rocks, giving vent to this song:
+
+ Like scattering clouds doth fleet a vernal dream;
+ The transient flowers pass like a running stream;
+ Maidens and youths bear this, ye all, in mind;
+ In useless grief what profit will ye find?
+
+Pao-yue perceived that the voice was that of a girl. The song was barely
+at an end, when he soon espied in the opposite direction, a beautiful
+girl advancing with majestic and elastic step; a girl quite unlike any
+ordinary mortal being. There is this poem, which gives an adequate
+description of her:
+
+ Lo she just quits the willow bank; and sudden now she issues from the
+ flower-bedecked house;
+ As onward alone she speeds, she startles the birds perched in the
+ trees, by the pavilion; to which as she draws nigh, her shadow
+ flits by the verandah!
+ Her fairy clothes now flutter in the wind! a fragrant perfume like
+ unto musk or olea is wafted in the air; Her apparel lotus-like is
+ sudden wont to move; and the jingle of her ornaments strikes the
+ ear.
+ Her dimpled cheeks resemble, as they smile, a vernal peach; her
+ kingfisher coiffure is like a cumulus of clouds; her lips part
+ cherry-like; her pomegranate-like teeth conceal a fragrant
+ breath.
+ Her slender waist, so beauteous to look at, is like the skipping snow
+ wafted by a gust of wind; the sheen of her pearls and kingfisher
+ trinkets abounds with splendour, green as the feathers of a duck,
+ and yellow as the plumes of a goose;
+ Now she issues to view, and now is hidden among the flowers; beautiful
+ she is when displeased, beautiful when in high spirits; with
+ lissome step, she treads along the pond, as if she soars on wings
+ or sways in the air.
+ Her eyebrows are crescent moons, and knit under her smiles; she
+ speaks, and yet she seems no word to utter; her lotus-like feet
+ with ease pursue their course; she stops, and yet she seems still
+ to be in motion; the charms of her figure all vie with ice in
+ purity, and in splendour with precious gems; Lovely is her
+ brilliant attire, so full of grandeur and refined grace.
+ Loveable her countenance, as if moulded from some fragrant substance,
+ or carved from white jade; elegant is her person, like a phoenix,
+ dignified like a dragon soaring high.
+ What is her chastity like? Like a white plum in spring with snow
+ nestling in its broken skin; Her purity? Like autumn orchids
+ bedecked with dewdrops.
+ Her modesty? Like a fir-tree growing in a barren plain; Her
+ comeliness? Like russet clouds reflected in a limpid pool.
+ Her gracefulness? Like a dragon in motion wriggling in a stream;
+ Her refinement? Like the rays of the moon shooting on to a cool
+ river.
+ Sure is she to put Hsi Tzu to shame! Bound to put Wang Ch'iang to the
+ blush! What a remarkable person! Where was she born? and whence
+ does she come?
+ One thing is true that in Fairy-land there is no second like her! that
+ in the Purple Courts of Heaven there is no one fit to be her peer!
+ Forsooth, who can it be, so surpassingly beautiful!
+
+Pao-yue, upon realising that she was a fairy, was much elated; and with
+eagerness advanced and made a bow.
+
+"My divine sister," he ventured, as he put on a smile. "I don't know
+whence you come, and whither you are going. Nor have I any idea what
+this place is, but I make bold to entreat that you would take my hand
+and lead me on."
+
+"My abode," replied the Fairy, "is above the Heavens of Divested
+Animosities, and in the ocean of Discharged Sorrows. I'm the Fairy of
+Monitory Vision, of the cave of Drooping Fragrance, in the mount of
+Emitted Spring, within the confines of the Great Void. I preside over
+the voluptuous affections and sensual debts among the mortal race, and
+supervise in the dusty world, the envies of women and the lusts of man.
+It's because I've recently come to hear that the retribution for
+voluptuousness extends up to this place, that I betake myself here in
+order to find suitable opportunities of disseminating mutual affections.
+My encounter with you now is also not a matter of accident! This spot is
+not distant from my confines. I have nothing much there besides a cup of
+the tender buds of tea plucked by my own hands, and a pitcher of
+luscious wine, fermented by me as well as several spritelike singing and
+dancing maidens of great proficiency, and twelve ballads of spiritual
+song, recently completed, on the Dream of the Red Chamber; but won't you
+come along with me for a stroll?"
+
+Pao-yue, at this proposal, felt elated to such an extraordinary degree
+that he could skip from joy, and there and then discarding from his mind
+all idea of where Mrs. Ch'in was, he readily followed the Fairy.
+
+They reached some spot, where there was a stone tablet, put up in a
+horizontal position, on which were visible the four large characters:
+"The confines of the Great Void," on either side of which was one of a
+pair of scrolls, with the two antithetical sentences:
+
+ When falsehood stands for truth, truth likewise becomes false;
+ When naught be made to aught, aught changes into naught!
+
+Past the Portal stood the door of a Palace, and horizontally, above this
+door, were the four large characters: "The Sea of Retribution, the
+Heaven of Love." There were also a pair of scrolls, with the inscription
+in large characters:
+
+ Passion, alas! thick as the earth, and lofty as the skies, from ages
+ past to the present hath held incessant sway;
+ How pitiful your lot! ye lustful men and women envious, that your
+ voluptuous debts should be so hard to pay!
+
+Pao-yue, after perusal, communed with his own heart. "Is it really so!"
+he thought, "but I wonder what implies the passion from old till now,
+and what are the voluptuous debts! Henceforward, I must enlighten
+myself!"
+
+Pao-yue was bent upon this train of thoughts when he unwittingly
+attracted several evil spirits into his heart, and with speedy step he
+followed in the track of the fairy, and entered two rows of doors when
+he perceived that the Lateral Halls were, on both sides, full of tablets
+and scrolls, the number of which he could not in one moment ascertain.
+He however discriminated in numerous places the inscriptions: The Board
+of Lustful Love; the Board of contracted grudges; The Board of Matutinal
+sobs; the Board of nocturnal tears; the Board of vernal affections; and
+the Board of autumnal anguish.
+
+After he had perused these inscriptions, he felt impelled to turn round
+and address the Fairy. "May I venture to trouble my Fairy," he said, "to
+take me along for a turn into the interior of each of these Boards? May
+I be allowed, I wonder, to do so?"
+
+"Inside each of these Boards," explained the Fairy, "are accumulated the
+registers with the records of all women of the whole world; of those who
+have passed away, as well as of those who have not as yet come into it,
+and you, with your mortal eyes and human body, could not possibly be
+allowed to know anything in anticipation."
+
+But would Pao-yue, upon hearing these words, submit to this decree? He
+went on to implore her permission again and again, until the Fairy
+casting her eye upon the tablet of the board in front of her observed,
+"Well, all right! you may go into this board and reap some transient
+pleasure."
+
+Pao-yue was indescribably joyous, and, as he raised his head, he
+perceived that the text on the tablet consisted of the three characters:
+the Board of Ill-fated lives; and that on each side was a scroll with
+the inscription:
+
+ Upon one's self are mainly brought regrets in spring and autumn gloom;
+ A face, flowerlike may be and moonlike too; but beauty all for whom?
+
+Upon perusal of the scroll Pao-yue was, at once, the more stirred with
+admiration; and, as he crossed the door, and reached the interior, the
+only things that struck his eye were about ten large presses, the whole
+number of which were sealed with paper slips; on every one of these
+slips, he perceived that there were phrases peculiar to each province.
+
+Pao-yue was in his mind merely bent upon discerning, from the rest, the
+slip referring to his own native village, when he espied, on the other
+side, a slip with the large characters: "the Principal Record of the
+Twelve Maidens of Chin Ling."
+
+"What is the meaning," therefore inquired Pao-yue, "of the Principal
+Record of the Twelve Maidens of Chin Ling?"
+
+"As this is the record," explained the Fairy, "of the most excellent and
+prominent girls in your honourable province, it is, for this reason,
+called the Principal Record."
+
+"I've often heard people say," observed Pao-yue, "that Chin Ling is of
+vast extent; and how can there only be twelve maidens in it! why, at
+present, in our own family alone, there are more or less several
+hundreds of young girls!"
+
+The Fairy gave a faint smile. "Through there be," she rejoined, "so
+large a number of girls in your honourable province, those only of any
+note have been selected and entered in this record. The two presses, on
+the two sides, contain those who are second best; while, for all who
+remain, as they are of the ordinary run, there are, consequently, no
+registers to make any entry of them in."
+
+Pao-yue upon looking at the press below, perceived the inscription:
+"Secondary Record of the twelve girls of Chin Ling;" while again in
+another press was inscribed: "Supplementary Secondary Record of the
+Twelve girls of Chin Ling." Forthwith stretching out his hand, Pao-yue
+opened first the doors of the press, containing the "supplementary
+secondary Record," extracted a volume of the registers, and opened it.
+When he came to examine it, he saw on the front page a representation of
+something, which, though bearing no resemblance to a human being,
+presented, at the same time, no similitude to scenery; consisting simply
+of huge blotches made with ink. The whole paper was full of nothing else
+but black clouds and turbid mists, after which appeared the traces of a
+few characters, explaining that--
+
+ A cloudless moon is rare forsooth to see,
+ And pretty clouds so soon scatter and flee!
+ Thy heart is deeper than the heavens are high,
+ Thy frame consists of base ignominy!
+ Thy looks and clever mind resentment will provoke,
+ And thine untimely death vile slander will evoke!
+ A loving noble youth in vain for love will yearn.
+
+After reading these lines, Pao-yue looked below, where was pictured a
+bouquet of fresh flowers and a bed covered with tattered matting. There
+were also several distiches running as follows:
+
+ Thy self-esteem for kindly gentleness is but a fancy vain!
+ Thy charms that they can match the olea or orchid, but thoughts inane!
+ While an actor will, envious lot! with fortune's smiles be born,
+ A youth of noble birth will, strange to say, be luckless and forlorn.
+
+Pao-yue perused these sentences, but could not unfold their meaning, so,
+at once discarding this press, he went over and opened the door of the
+press of the "Secondary Records" and took out a book, in which, on
+examination, he found a representation of a twig of Olea fragrans.
+Below, was a pond, the water of which was parched up and the mud dry,
+the lotus flowers decayed, and even the roots dead. At the back were
+these lines:
+
+ The lotus root and flower but one fragrance will give;
+ How deep alas! the wounds of thy life's span will be;
+ What time a desolate tree in two places will live,
+ Back to its native home the fragrant ghost will flee!
+
+Pao-yue read these lines, but failed to understand what they meant. He
+then went and fetched the "Principal Record," and set to looking it
+over. He saw on the first page a picture of two rotten trees, while on
+these trees was suspended a jade girdle. There was also a heap of snow,
+and under this snow was a golden hair-pin. There were in addition these
+four lines in verse:
+
+ Bitter thy cup will be, e'en were the virtue thine to stop the loom,
+ Thine though the gift the willow fluff to sing, pity who will thy
+ doom?
+ High in the trees doth hang the girdle of white jade,
+ And lo! among the snow the golden pin is laid!
+
+To Pao-yue the meaning was again, though he read the lines over, quite
+unintelligible. He was, about to make inquiries, but he felt convinced
+that the Fairy would be both to divulge the decrees of Heaven; and
+though intent upon discarding the book, he could not however tear
+himself away from it. Forthwith, therefore, he prosecuted a further
+perusal of what came next, when he caught sight of a picture of a bow.
+On this bow hung a citron. There was also this ode:
+
+ Full twenty years right and wrong to expound will be thy fate!
+ What place pomegranate blossoms come in bloom will face the Palace
+ Gate!
+ The third portion of spring, of the first spring in beauty short will
+ fall!
+ When tiger meets with hare thou wilt return to sleep perennial.
+
+Further on, was also a sketch of two persons flying a kite; a broad
+expanse of sea, and a large vessel; while in this vessel was a girl, who
+screened her face bedewed with tears. These four lines were likewise
+visible:
+
+ Pure and bright will be thy gifts, thy purpose very high;
+ But born thou wilt be late in life and luck be passed by;
+ At the tomb feast thou wilt repine tearful along the stream,
+ East winds may blow, but home miles off will be, even in dream.
+
+After this followed a picture of several streaks of fleeting clouds, and
+of a creek whose waters were exhausted, with the text:
+
+ Riches and honours too what benefit are they?
+ In swaddling clothes thou'lt be when parents pass away;
+ The rays will slant, quick as the twinkle of an eye;
+ The Hsiang stream will recede, the Ch'u clouds onward fly!
+
+Then came a picture of a beautiful gem, which had fallen into the mire,
+with the verse:
+
+ Thine aim is chastity, but chaste thou wilt not be;
+ Abstraction is thy faith, but void thou may'st not see;
+ Thy precious, gemlike self will, pitiful to say,
+ Into the mundane mire collapse at length some day.
+
+A rough sketch followed of a savage wolf, in pursuit of a beautiful
+girl, trying to pounce upon her as he wished to devour her. This was the
+burden of the distich:
+
+ Thy mate is like a savage wolf prowling among the hills;
+ His wish once gratified a haughty spirit his heart fills!
+ Though fair thy form like flowers or willows in the golden moon,
+ Upon the yellow beam to hang will shortly be its doom.
+
+Below, was an old temple, in the interior of which was a beautiful
+person, just in the act of reading the religious manuals, as she sat all
+alone; with this inscription:
+
+ In light esteem thou hold'st the charms of the three springs for their
+ short-liv'd fate;
+ Thine attire of past years to lay aside thou chang'st, a Taoist dress
+ to don;
+ How sad, alas! of a reputed house and noble kindred the scion,
+ Alone, behold! she sleeps under a glimmering light, an old idol for
+ mate.
+
+Next in order came a hill of ice, on which stood a hen-phoenix, while
+under it was this motto:
+
+ When time ends, sure coincidence, the phoenix doth alight;
+ The talents of this human form all know and living see,
+ For first to yield she kens, then to control, and third genial to be;
+ But sad to say, things in Chin Ling are in more sorry plight.
+
+This was succeeded by a representation of a desolate village, and a
+dreary inn. A pretty girl sat in there, spinning thread. These were the
+sentiments affixed below:
+
+ When riches will have flown will honours then avail?
+ When ruin breaks your home, e'en relatives will fail!
+ But sudden through the aid extended to Dame Liu,
+ A friend in need fortune will make to rise for you.
+
+Following these verses, was drawn a pot of Orchids, by the side of
+which, was a beautiful maiden in a phoenix-crown and cloudy mantle
+(bridal dress); and to this picture was appended this device:
+
+ What time spring wanes, then fades the bloom of peach as well as plum!
+ Who ever can like a pot of the olea be winsome!
+ With ice thy purity will vie, vain their envy will be!
+ In vain a laughing-stock people will try to make of thee.
+
+At the end of this poetical device, came the representation of a lofty
+edifice, on which was a beauteous girl, suspending herself on a beam to
+commit suicide; with this verse:
+
+ Love high as heav'n, love ocean-wide, thy lovely form will don;
+ What time love will encounter love, license must rise wanton;
+ Why hold that all impiety in Jung doth find its spring,
+ The source of trouble, verily, is centred most in Ning.
+
+Pao-yue was still bent upon prosecuting his perusal, when the Fairy
+perceiving that his intellect was eminent and bright, and his natural
+talents quickwitted, and apprehending lest the decrees of heaven should
+be divulged, hastily closed the Book of Record, and addressed herself to
+Pao-yue. "Come along with me," she said smiling, "and see some wonderful
+scenery. What's the need of staying here and beating this gourd of
+ennui?"
+
+In a dazed state, Pao-yue listlessly discarded the record, and again
+followed in the footsteps of the Fairy. On their arrival at the back, he
+saw carnation portieres, and embroidered curtains, ornamented pillars,
+and carved eaves. But no words can adequately give an idea of the
+vermilion apartments glistening with splendour, of the floors garnished
+with gold, of the snow reflecting lustrous windows, of the palatial
+mansions made of gems. He also saw fairyland flowers, beautiful and
+fragrant, and extraordinary vegetation, full of perfume. The spot was
+indeed elysian.
+
+He again heard the Fairy observe with a smiling face: "Come out all of
+you at once and greet the honoured guest!"
+
+These words were scarcely completed, when he espied fairies walk out of
+the mansion, all of whom were, with their dangling lotus sleeves, and
+their fluttering feather habiliments, as comely as spring flowers, and
+as winsome as the autumn moon. As soon as they caught sight of Pao-yue,
+they all, with one voice, resentfully reproached the Monitory Vision
+Fairy. "Ignorant as to who the honoured guest could be," they argued,
+"we hastened to come out to offer our greetings simply because you,
+elder sister, had told us that, on this day, and at this very time,
+there would be sure to come on a visit, the spirit of the younger sister
+of Chiang Chu. That's the reason why we've been waiting for ever so
+long; and now why do you, in lieu of her, introduce this vile object to
+contaminate the confines of pure and spotless maidens?"
+
+As soon as Pao-yue heard these remarks, he was forthwith plunged in such
+a state of consternation that he would have retired, but he found it
+impossible to do so. In fact, he felt the consciousness of the foulness
+and corruption of his own nature quite intolerable. The Monitory Vision
+Fairy promptly took Pao-yue's hand in her own, and turning towards her
+younger sisters, smiled and explained: "You, and all of you, are not
+aware of the why and wherefore. To-day I did mean to have gone to the
+Jung mansion to fetch Chiang Chu, but as I went by the Ning mansion, I
+unexpectedly came across the ghosts of the two dukes of Jung and Ning,
+who addressed me in this wise: 'Our family has, since the dynasty
+established itself on the Throne, enjoyed merit and fame, which pervaded
+many ages, and riches and honours transmitted from generation to
+generation. One hundred years have already elapsed, but this good
+fortune has now waned, and this propitious luck is exhausted; so much so
+that they could not be retrieved! Our sons and grandsons may be many,
+but there is no one among them who has the means to continue the family
+estate, with the exception of our kindred grandson, Pao-yue alone, who,
+though perverse in disposition and wayward by nature, is nevertheless
+intelligent and quick-witted and qualified in a measure to give effect
+to our hopes. But alas! the good fortune of our family is entirely
+decayed, so that we fear there is no person to incite him to enter the
+right way! Fortunately you worthy fairy come at an unexpected moment,
+and we venture to trust that you will, above all things, warn him
+against the foolish indulgence of inordinate desire, lascivious
+affections and other such things, in the hope that he may, at your
+instigation, be able to escape the snares of those girls who will allure
+him with their blandishments, and to enter on the right track; and we
+two brothers will be ever grateful.'
+
+"On language such as this being addressed to me, my feelings of
+commiseration naturally burst forth; and I brought him here, and bade
+him, first of all, carefully peruse the records of the whole lives of
+the maidens in his family, belonging to the three grades, the upper,
+middle and lower, but as he has not yet fathomed the import, I have
+consequently led him into this place to experience the vision of
+drinking, eating, singing and licentious love, in the hope, there is no
+saying, of his at length attaining that perception."
+
+Having concluded these remarks, she led Pao-yue by the hand into the
+apartment, where he felt a whiff of subtle fragrance, but what it was
+that reached his nostrils he could not tell.
+
+To Pao-yue's eager and incessant inquiries, the Fairy made reply with a
+sardonic smile. "This perfume," she said, "is not to be found in the
+world, and how could you discern what it is? This is made of the essence
+of the first sprouts of rare herbs, growing on all hills of fame and
+places of superior excellence, admixed with the oil of every species of
+splendid shrubs in precious groves, and is called the marrow of
+Conglomerated Fragrance."
+
+At these words Pao-yue was, of course, full of no other feeling than
+wonder.
+
+The whole party advanced and took their seats, and a young maidservant
+presented tea, which Pao-yue found of pure aroma, of excellent flavour
+and of no ordinary kind. "What is the name of this tea?" he therefore
+asked; upon which the Fairy explained. "This tea," she added,
+"originates from the Hills of Emitted Spring and the Valley of Drooping
+Fragrance, and is, besides, brewed in the night dew, found on spiritual
+plants and divine leaves. The name of this tea is 'one thousand red in
+one hole.'"
+
+At these words Pao-yue nodded his head, and extolled its qualities.
+Espying in the room lutes, with jasper mountings, and tripods, inlaid
+with gems, antique paintings, and new poetical works, which were to be
+seen everywhere, he felt more than ever in a high state of delight.
+Below the windows, were also shreds of velvet sputtered about and a
+toilet case stained with the traces of time and smudged with cosmetic;
+while on the partition wall was likewise suspended a pair of scrolls,
+with the inscription:
+
+ A lonesome, small, ethereal, beauteous nook!
+ What help is there, but Heaven's will to brook?
+
+Pao-yue having completed his inspection felt full of admiration, and
+proceeded to ascertain the names and surnames of the Fairies. One was
+called the Fairy of Lustful Dreams; another "the High Ruler of
+Propagated Passion;" the name of one was "the Golden Maiden of
+Perpetuated Sorrow;" of another the "Intelligent Maiden of Transmitted
+Hatred." (In fact,) the respective Taoist appellations were not of one
+and the same kind.
+
+In a short while, young maid-servants came in and laid the table, put
+the chairs in their places, and spread out wines and eatables. There
+were actually crystal tankards overflowing with luscious wines, and
+amber glasses full to the brim with pearly strong liquors. But still
+less need is there to give any further details about the sumptuousness
+of the refreshments.
+
+Pao-yue found it difficult, on account of the unusual purity of the
+bouquet of the wine, to again restrain himself from making inquiries
+about it.
+
+"This wine," observed the Monitory Dream Fairy, "is made of the twigs of
+hundreds of flowers, and the juice of ten thousands of trees, with the
+addition of must composed of unicorn marrow, and yeast prepared with
+phoenix milk. Hence the name of 'Ten thousand Beauties in one Cup' was
+given to it."
+
+Pao-yue sang its incessant praise, and, while he sipped his wine, twelve
+dancing girls came forward, and requested to be told what songs they
+were to sing.
+
+"Take," suggested the Fairy, "the newly-composed Twelve Sections of the
+Dream of the Red Chamber, and sing them."
+
+The singing girls signified their obedience, and forthwith they lightly
+clapped the castagnettes and gently thrummed the virginals. These were
+the words which they were heard to sing:
+
+ At the time of the opening of the heavens and the laying out of the
+ earth chaos prevailed.
+
+They had just sung this one line when the Fairy exclaimed: "This ballad
+is unlike the ballads written in the dusty world whose purport is to
+hand down remarkable events, in which the distinction of scholars,
+girls, old men and women, and fools is essential, and in which are
+furthermore introduced the lyrics of the Southern and Northern Palaces.
+These fairy songs consist either of elegaic effusions on some person or
+impressions of some occurrence or other, and are impromptu songs readily
+set to the music of wind or string instruments, so that any one who is
+not cognisant of their gist cannot appreciate the beauties contained in
+them. So you are not likely, I fear, to understand this lyric with any
+clearness; and unless you first peruse the text and then listen to the
+ballad, you will, instead of pleasure, feel as if you were chewing wax
+(devoid of any zest)."
+
+After these remarks, she turned her head round, and directed a young
+maid-servant to fetch the text of the Dream of the Red Chamber, which
+she handed to Pao-yue, who took it over; and as he followed the words
+with his eyes, with his ears he listened to the strains of this song:
+
+Preface of the Bream of the Red Chamber.--When the Heavens were opened
+and earth was laid out chaos prevailed! What was the germ of love? It
+arises entirely from the strength of licentious love.
+
+What day, by the will of heaven, I felt wounded at heart, and what time
+I was at leisure, I made an attempt to disburden my sad heart; and with
+this object in view I indited this Dream of the Bed Chamber, on the
+subject of a disconsolate gold trinket and an unfortunate piece of jade.
+
+Waste of a whole Lifetime. All maintain that the match between gold and
+jade will be happy. All I can think of is the solemn oath contracted in
+days gone by by the plant and stone! Vain will I gaze upon the snow,
+Hsueeh, [Pao-ch'ai], pure as crystal and lustrous like a gem of the
+eminent priest living among the hills! Never will I forget the noiseless
+Fairy Grove, Lin [Tai-yue], beyond the confines of the mortal world!
+Alas! now only have I come to believe that human happiness is
+incomplete; and that a couple may be bound by the ties of wedlock for
+life, but that after all their hearts are not easy to lull into
+contentment.
+
+Vain knitting of the brows. The one is a spirit flower of Fairyland; the
+other is a beautiful jade without a blemish. Do you maintain that their
+union will not be remarkable? Why how then is it that he has come to
+meet her again in this existence? If the union will you say, be strange,
+how is it then that their love affair will be but empty words? The one
+in her loneliness will give way to useless sighs. The other in vain will
+yearn and crave. The one will be like the reflection of the moon in
+water; the other like a flower reflected in a mirror. Consider, how many
+drops of tears can there be in the eyes? and how could they continue to
+drop from autumn to winter and from spring to flow till summer time?
+
+But to come to Pao-yue. After he had heard these ballads, so diffuse and
+vague, he failed to see any point of beauty in them; but the plaintive
+melody of the sound was nevertheless sufficient to drive away his spirit
+and exhilarate his soul. Hence it was that he did not make any inquiries
+about the arguments, and that he did not ask about the matter treated,
+but simply making these ballads the means for the time being of
+dispelling melancholy, he therefore went on with the perusal of what
+came below.
+
+Despicable Spirit of Death! You will be rejoicing that glory is at its
+height when hateful death will come once again, and with eyes wide with
+horror, you will discard all things, and dimly and softly the fragrant
+spirit will waste and dissolve! You will yearn for native home, but
+distant will be the way, and lofty the mountains. Hence it is that you
+will betake yourself in search of father and mother, while they lie
+under the influence of a dream, and hold discourse with them. "Your
+child," you will say, "has already trodden the path of death! Oh my
+parents, it behoves you to speedily retrace your steps and make good
+your escape!"
+
+Separated from Relatives. You will speed on a journey of three thousand
+li at the mercy of wind and rain, and tear yourself from all your family
+ties and your native home! Your fears will be lest anguish should do any
+harm to your parents in their failing years! "Father and mother," you
+will bid them, "do not think with any anxiety of your child. From ages
+past poverty as well as success have both had a fixed destiny; and is it
+likely that separation and reunion are not subject to predestination?
+Though we may now be far apart in two different places, we must each of
+us try and preserve good cheer. Your abject child has, it is true, gone
+from home, but abstain from distressing yourselves on her account!"
+
+Sorrow in the midst of Joy. While wrapped as yet in swaddling clothes,
+father and mother, both alas! will depart, and dwell though you will in
+that mass of gauze, who is there who will know how to spoil you with any
+fond attention? Born you will be fortunately with ample moral courage,
+and high-minded and boundless resources, for your parents will not have,
+in the least, their child's secret feelings at heart! You will be like a
+moon appearing to view when the rain holds up, shedding its rays upon
+the Jade Hall; or a gentle breeze (wafting its breath upon it). Wedded
+to a husband, fairy like fair and accomplished, you will enjoy a
+happiness enduring as the earth and perennial as the Heavens! and you
+will be the means of snapping asunder the bitter fate of your youth!
+But, after all, the clouds will scatter in Kao T'ang and the waters of
+the Hsiang river will get parched! This is the inevitable destiny of
+dissolution and continuance which prevails in the mortal world, and what
+need is there to indulge in useless grief?
+
+Intolerable to the world. Your figure will be as winsome as an olea
+fragrans; your talents as ample as those of a Fairy! You will by nature
+be so haughty that of the whole human race few will be like you! You
+will look upon a meat diet as one of dirt, and treat splendour as coarse
+and loathsome! And yet you will not be aware that your high notions will
+bring upon you the excessive hatred of man! You will be very eager in
+your desire after chastity, but the human race will despise you! Alas,
+you will wax old in that antique temple hall under a faint light, where
+you will waste ungrateful for beauty, looks and freshness! But after all
+you will still be worldly, corrupt and unmindful of your vows; just like
+a spotless white jade you will be whose fate is to fall into the mire!
+And what need will there be for the grandson of a prince or the son of a
+duke to deplore that his will not be the good fortune (of winning your
+affections)?
+
+The Voluptuary. You will resemble a wolf in the mountains! a savage
+beast devoid of all human feeling! Regardless in every way of the
+obligations of days gone by, your sole pleasure will be in the
+indulgence of haughtiness, extravagance, licentiousness and dissolute
+habits! You will be inordinate in your conjugal affections, and look
+down upon the beautiful charms of the child of a marquis, as if they
+were cat-tail rush or willow; trampling upon the honourable daughter of
+a ducal mansion, as if she were one of the common herd. Pitiful to say,
+the fragrant spirit and beauteous ghost will in a year softly and gently
+pass away!
+
+The Perception that all things are transient like flowers. You will look
+lightly upon the three springs and regard the blush of the peach and the
+green of the willow as of no avail. You will beat out the fire of
+splendour, and treat solitary retirement as genial! What is it that you
+say about the delicate peaches in the heavens (marriage) being
+excellent, and the petals of the almond in the clouds being plentiful
+(children)? Let him who has after all seen one of them, (really a mortal
+being) go safely through the autumn, (wade safely through old age),
+behold the people in the white Poplar village groan and sigh; and the
+spirits under the green maple whine and moan! Still more wide in expanse
+than even the heavens is the dead vegetation which covers the graves!
+The moral is this, that the burden of man is poverty one day and
+affluence another; that bloom in spring, and decay in autumn, constitute
+the doom of vegetable life! In the same way, this calamity of birth and
+the visitation of death, who is able to escape? But I have heard it said
+that there grows in the western quarter a tree called the P'o So
+(Patient Bearing) which bears the fruit of Immortal life!
+
+The bane of Intelligence. Yours will be the power to estimate, in a
+thorough manner, the real motives of all things, as yours will be
+intelligence of an excessive degree; but instead (of reaping any
+benefit) you will cast the die of your own existence! The heart of your
+previous life is already reduced to atoms, and when you shall have died,
+your nature will have been intelligent to no purpose! Your home will be
+in easy circumstances; your family will enjoy comforts; but your
+connexions will, at length, fall a prey to death, and the inmates of
+your family scatter, each one of you speeding in a different direction,
+making room for others! In vain, you will have harassed your mind with
+cankering thoughts for half a lifetime; for it will be just as if you
+had gone through the confused mazes of a dream on the third watch!
+Sudden a crash (will be heard) like the fall of a spacious palace, and a
+dusky gloominess (will supervene) such as is caused by a lamp about to
+spend itself! Alas! a spell of happiness will be suddenly (dispelled by)
+adversity! Woe is man in the world! for his ultimate doom is difficult
+to determine!
+
+Leave behind a residue of happiness! Hand down an excess of happiness;
+hand down an excess of happiness! Unexpectedly you will come across a
+benefactor! Fortunate enough your mother, your own mother, will have
+laid by a store of virtue and secret meritorious actions! My advice to
+you, mankind, is to relieve the destitute and succour the distressed! Do
+not resemble those who will harp after lucre and show themselves
+unmindful of the ties of relationship: that wolflike maternal uncle of
+yours and that impostor of a brother! True it is that addition and
+subtraction, increase and decrease, (reward and punishment,) rest in the
+hands of Heaven above!
+
+Splendour at last. Loving affection in a mirror will be still more
+ephemeral than fame in a dream. That fine splendour will fleet how soon!
+Make no further allusion to embroidered curtain, to bridal coverlet; for
+though you may come to wear on your head a pearl-laden coronet, and, on
+your person, a jacket ornamented with phoenixes, yours will not
+nevertheless be the means to atone for the short life (of your husband)!
+Though the saying is that mankind should not have, in their old age, the
+burden of poverty to bear, yet it is also essential that a store of
+benevolent deeds should be laid up for the benefit of sons and
+grandsons! (Your son) may come to be dignified in appearance and wear on
+his head the official tassel, and on his chest may be suspended the gold
+seal resplendent in lustre; he may be imposing in his majesty, and he
+may rise high in status and emoluments, but the dark and dreary way
+which leads to death is short! Are the generals and ministers who have
+been from ages of old still in the flesh, forsooth? They exist only in a
+futile name handed down to posterity to reverence!
+
+Death ensues when things propitious reign! Upon the ornamented beam will
+settle at the close of spring the fragrant dust! Your reckless
+indulgence of licentious love and your naturally moonlike face will soon
+be the source of the ruin of a family. The decadence of the family
+estate will emanate entirely from Ching; while the wane of the family
+affairs will be entirely attributable to the fault of Ning! Licentious
+love will be the main reason of the long-standing grudge.
+
+The flying birds each perch upon the trees! The family estates of those
+in official positions will fade! The gold and silver of the rich and
+honoured will be scattered! those who will have conferred benefit will,
+even in death, find the means of escape! those devoid of human feelings
+will reap manifest retribution! Those indebted for a life will make, in
+due time, payment with their lives; those indebted for tears have
+already (gone) to exhaust their tears! Mutual injuries will be revenged
+in no light manner! Separation and reunion will both alike be determined
+by predestination! You wish to know why your life will be short; look
+into your previous existence! Verily, riches and honours, which will
+come with old age, will likewise be a question of chance! Those who will
+hold the world in light esteem will retire within the gate of
+abstraction; while those who will be allured by enticement will have
+forfeited their lives (The Chia family will fulfil its destiny) as
+surely as birds take to the trees after they have exhausted all they had
+to eat, and which as they drop down will pile up a hoary, vast and lofty
+heap of dust, (leaving) indeed a void behind!
+
+When the maidens had finished the ballads, they went on to sing the
+"Supplementary Record;" but the Monitory Vision Fairy, perceiving the
+total absence of any interest in Pao-yue, heaved a sigh. "You silly
+brat!" she exclaimed. "What! haven't you, even now, attained
+perception!"
+
+"There's no need for you to go on singing," speedily observed Pao-yue, as
+he interrupted the singing maidens; and feeling drowsy and dull, he
+pleaded being under the effects of wine, and begged to be allowed to lie
+down.
+
+The Fairy then gave orders to clear away the remains of the feast, and
+escorted Pao-yue to a suite of female apartments, where the splendour of
+such objects as were laid out was a thing which he had not hitherto
+seen. But what evoked in him wonder still more intense, was the sight,
+at an early period, of a girl seated in the room, who, in the freshness
+of her beauty and winsomeness of her charms, bore some resemblance to
+Pao-ch'ai, while, in elegance and comeliness, on the other hand, to
+Tai-yu.
+
+While he was plunged in a state of perplexity, the Fairy suddenly
+remarked: "All those female apartments and ladies' chambers in so many
+wealthy and honourable families in the world are, without exception,
+polluted by voluptuous opulent puppets and by all that bevy of
+profligate girls. But still more despicable are those from old till now
+numberless dissolute roues, one and all of whom maintain that libidinous
+affections do not constitute lewdness; and who try, further, to prove
+that licentious love is not tantamount to lewdness. But all these
+arguments are mere apologies for their shortcomings, and a screen for
+their pollutions; for if libidinous affection be lewdness, still more
+does the perception of licentious love constitute lewdness. Hence it is
+that the indulgence of sensuality and the gratification of licentious
+affection originate entirely from a relish of lust, as well as from a
+hankering after licentious love. Lo you, who are the object of my love,
+are the most lewd being under the heavens from remote ages to the
+present time!"
+
+Pao-yue was quite dumbstruck by what he heard, and hastily smiling, he
+said by way of reply: "My Fairy labours under a misapprehension. Simply
+because of my reluctance to read my books my parents have, on repeated
+occasions, extended to me injunction and reprimand, and would I have the
+courage to go so far as to rashly plunge in lewd habits? Besides, I am
+still young in years, and have no notion what is implied by lewdness!"
+
+"Not so!" exclaimed the Fairy; "lewdness, although one thing in
+principle is, as far as meaning goes, subject to different
+constructions; as is exemplified by those in the world whose heart is
+set upon lewdness. Some delight solely in faces and figures; others find
+insatiable pleasure in singing and dancing; some in dalliance and
+raillery; others in the incessant indulgence of their lusts; and these
+regret that all the beautiful maidens under the heavens cannot minister
+to their short-lived pleasure. These several kinds of persons are foul
+objects steeped skin and all in lewdness. The lustful love, for
+instance, which has sprung to life and taken root in your natural
+affections, I and such as myself extend to it the character of an
+abstract lewdness; but abstract lewdness can be grasped by the mind, but
+cannot be transmitted by the mouth; can be fathomed by the spirit, but
+cannot be divulged in words. As you now are imbued with this desire only
+in the abstract, you are certainly well fit to be a trustworthy friend
+in (Fairyland) inner apartments, but, on the path of the mortal world,
+you will inevitably be misconstrued and defamed; every mouth will
+ridicule you; every eye will look down upon you with contempt. After
+meeting recently your worthy ancestors, the two Dukes of Ning and Jung,
+who opened their hearts and made their wishes known to me with such
+fervour, (but I will not have you solely on account of the splendour of
+our inner apartments look down despisingly upon the path of the world),
+I consequently led you along, my son, and inebriated you with luscious
+wines, steeped you in spiritual tea, and admonished you with excellent
+songs, bringing also here a young sister of mine, whose infant name is
+Chien Mei, and her style K'o Ching, to be given to you as your wedded
+wife. To-night, the time will be propitious and suitable for the
+immediate consummation of the union, with the express object of letting
+you have a certain insight into the fact that if the condition of the
+abode of spirits within the confines of Fairyland be still so
+(imperfect), how much the more so should be the nature of the affections
+which prevail in the dusty world; with the intent that from this time
+forth you should positively break loose from bondage, perceive and amend
+your former disposition, devote your attention to the works of Confucius
+and Mencius, and set your steady purpose upon the principles of
+morality."
+
+Having ended these remarks, she initiated him into the mysteries of
+licentious love, and, pushing Pao-yue into the room, she closed the door,
+and took her departure all alone. Pao-yue in a dazed state complied with
+the admonitions given him by the Fairy, and the natural result was, of
+course, a violent flirtation, the circumstances of which it would be
+impossible to recount.
+
+When the next day came, he was by that time so attached to her by ties
+of tender love and their conversation was so gentle and full of charm
+that he could not brook to part from K'o Ching. Hand-in-hand, the two of
+them therefore, went out for a stroll, when they unexpectedly reached a
+place, where nothing else met their gaze than thorns and brambles, which
+covered the ground, and a wolf and a tiger walking side by side. Before
+them stretched the course of a black stream, which obstructed their
+progress; and over this stream there was, what is more, no bridge to
+enable one to cross it.
+
+While they were exercising their minds with perplexity, they suddenly
+espied the Fairy coming from the back in pursuit of them. "Desist at
+once," she exclaimed, "from making any advance into the stream; it is
+urgent that you should, with all speed, turn your faces round!"
+
+Pao-yue lost no time in standing still. "What is this place?" he
+inquired.
+
+"This is the Ford of Enticement," explained the Fairy. "Its depth is ten
+thousand chang; its breadth is a thousand li; in its stream there are no
+boats or paddles by means of which to effect a passage. There is simply
+a raft, of which Mu Chu-shih directs the rudder, and which Hui Shih chen
+punts with the poles. They receive no compensation in the shape of gold
+or silver, but when they come across any one whose destiny it is to
+cross, they ferry him over. You now have by accident strolled as far as
+here, and had you fallen into the stream you would have rendered quite
+useless the advice and admonition which I previously gave you."
+
+These words were scarcely concluded, when suddenly was heard from the
+midst of the Ford of Enticement, a sound like unto a peal of thunder,
+whereupon a whole crowd of gobblins and sea-urchins laid hands upon
+Pao-yue and dragged him down.
+
+This so filled Pao-yue with consternation that he fell into a
+perspiration as profuse as rain, and he simultaneously broke forth and
+shouted, "Rescue me, K'o Ching!"
+
+These cries so terrified Hsi Jen and the other waiting-maids, that they
+rushed forward, and taking Pao-yue in their arms, "Don't be afraid,
+Pao-yue," they said, "we are here."
+
+But we must observe that Mrs. Ch'in was just inside the apartment in the
+act of recommending the young waiting-maids to be mindful that the cats
+and dogs did not start a fight, when she unawares heard Pao-yue, in his
+dream, call her by her infant name. In a melancholy mood she therefore
+communed within herself, "As far as my infant name goes, there is, in
+this establishment, no one who has any idea what it is, and how is it
+that he has come to know it, and that he utters it in his dream?" And
+she was at this period unable to fathom the reason. But, reader, listen
+to the explanations given in the chapter which follows.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+ Chia Pao-yue reaps his first experience in licentious love.
+ Old Goody Liu pays a visit to the Jung Kuo Mansion.
+
+
+Mrs. Ch'in, to resume our narrative, upon hearing Pao-yue call her in his
+dream by her infant name, was at heart very exercised, but she did not
+however feel at liberty to make any minute inquiry.
+
+Pao-yue was, at this time, in such a dazed state, as if he had lost
+something, and the servants promptly gave him a decoction of lungngan.
+After he had taken a few sips, he forthwith rose and tidied his clothes.
+
+Hsi Jen put out her hand to fasten the band of his garment, and as soon
+as she did so, and it came in contact with his person, it felt so icy
+cold to the touch, covered as it was all over with perspiration, that
+she speedily withdrew her hand in utter surprise.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" she exclaimed.
+
+A blush suffused Pao-yue's face, and he took Hsi Jen's hand in a tight
+grip. Hsi Jen was a girl with all her wits about her; she was besides a
+couple of years older than Pao-yue and had recently come to know
+something of the world, so that at the sight of his state, she to a
+great extent readily accounted for the reason in her heart. From modest
+shame, she unconsciously became purple in the face, and not venturing to
+ask another question she continued adjusting his clothes. This task
+accomplished, she followed him over to old lady Chia's apartments; and
+after a hurry-scurry meal, they came back to this side, and Hsi Jen
+availed herself of the absence of the nurses and waiting-maids to hand
+Pao-yue another garment to change.
+
+"Please, dear Hsi Jen, don't tell any one," entreated Pao-yue, with
+concealed shame.
+
+"What did you dream of?" inquired Hsi Jen, smiling, as she tried to
+stifle her blushes, "and whence comes all this perspiration?"
+
+"It's a long story," said Pao-yue, "which only a few words will not
+suffice to explain."
+
+He accordingly recounted minutely, for her benefit, the subject of his
+dream. When he came to where the Fairy had explained to him the
+mysteries of love, Hsi Jen was overpowered with modesty and covered her
+face with her hands; and as she bent down, she gave way to a fit of
+laughter. Pao-yue had always been fond of Hsi Jen, on account of her
+gentleness, pretty looks and graceful and elegant manner, and he
+forthwith expounded to her all the mysteries he had been taught by the
+Fairy.
+
+Hsi Jen was, of course, well aware that dowager lady Chia had given her
+over to Pao-yue, so that her present behaviour was likewise no
+transgression. And subsequently she secretly attempted with Pao-yue a
+violent flirtation, and lucky enough no one broke in upon them during
+their tete-a-tete. From this date, Pao-yue treated Hsi Jen with special
+regard, far more than he showed to the other girls, while Hsi Jen
+herself was still more demonstrative in her attentions to Pao-yue. But
+for a time we will make no further remark about them.
+
+As regards the household of the Jung mansion, the inmates may, on adding
+up the total number, not have been found many; yet, counting the high as
+well as the low, there were three hundred persons and more. Their
+affairs may not have been very numerous, still there were, every day,
+ten and twenty matters to settle; in fact, the household resembled, in
+every way, ravelled hemp, devoid even of a clue-end, which could be used
+as an introduction.
+
+Just as we were considering what matter and what person it would be best
+to begin writing of, by a lucky coincidence suddenly from a distance of
+a thousand li, a person small and insignificant as a grain of mustard
+seed happened, on account of her distant relationship with the Jung
+family, to come on this very day to the Jung mansion on a visit. We
+shall therefore readily commence by speaking of this family, as it after
+all affords an excellent clue for a beginning.
+
+The surname of this mean and humble family was in point of fact Wang.
+They were natives of this district. Their ancestor had filled a minor
+office in the capital, and had, in years gone by, been acquainted with
+lady Feng's grandfather, that is madame Wang's father. Being covetous of
+the influence and affluence of the Wang family, he consequently joined
+ancestors with them, and was recognised by them as a nephew.
+
+At that time, there were only madame Wang's eldest brother, that is lady
+Feng's father, and madame Wang herself, who knew anything of these
+distant relations, from the fact of having followed their parents to the
+capital. The rest of the family had one and all no idea about them.
+
+This ancestor had, at this date, been dead long ago, leaving only one
+son called Wang Ch'eng. As the family estate was in a state of ruin, he
+once more moved outside the city walls and settled down in his native
+village. Wang Ch'eng also died soon after his father, leaving a son,
+known in his infancy as Kou Erh, who married a Miss Liu, by whom he had
+a son called by the infant name of Pan Erh, as well as a daughter,
+Ch'ing Erh. His family consisted of four, and he earned a living from
+farming.
+
+As Kou Erh was always busy with something or other during the day and
+his wife, dame Liu, on the other hand, drew the water, pounded the rice
+and attended to all the other domestic concerns, the brother and sister,
+Ch'ing Erh and Pan Erh, the two of them, had no one to look after them.
+(Hence it was that) Kou Erh brought over his mother-in-law, old goody
+Liu, to live with them.
+
+This goody Liu was an old widow, with a good deal of experience. She had
+besides no son round her knees, so that she was dependent for her
+maintenance on a couple of acres of poor land, with the result that when
+her son-in-law received her in his home, she naturally was ever willing
+to exert heart and mind to help her daughter and her son-in-law to earn
+their living.
+
+This year, the autumn had come to an end, winter had commenced, and the
+weather had begun to be quite cold. No provision had been made in the
+household for the winter months, and Kou Erh was, inevitably,
+exceedingly exercised in his heart. Having had several cups of wine to
+dispel his distress, he sat at home and tried to seize upon every trifle
+to give vent to his displeasure. His wife had not the courage to force
+herself in his way, and hence goody Liu it was who encouraged him, as
+she could not bear to see the state of the domestic affairs.
+
+"Don't pull me up for talking too much," she said; "but who of us
+country people isn't honest and open-hearted? As the size of the bowl we
+hold, so is the quantity of the rice we eat. In your young days, you
+were dependent on the support of your old father, so that eating and
+drinking became quite a habit with you; that's how, at the present time,
+your resources are quite uncertain; when you had money, you looked
+ahead, and didn't mind behind; and now that you have no money, you
+blindly fly into huffs. A fine fellow and a capital hero you have made!
+Living though we now be away from the capital, we are after all at the
+feet of the Emperor; this city of Ch'ang Ngan is strewn all over with
+money, but the pity is that there's no one able to go and fetch it away;
+and it's no use your staying at home and kicking your feet about."
+
+"All you old lady know," rejoined Kou Erh, after he had heard what she
+had to say, "is to sit on the couch and talk trash! Is it likely you
+would have me go and play the robber?"
+
+"Who tells you to become a robber?" asked goody Liu. "But it would be
+well, after all, that we should put our heads together and devise some
+means; for otherwise, is the money, pray, able of itself to run into our
+house?"
+
+"Had there been a way," observed Kou Erh, smiling sarcastically, "would
+I have waited up to this moment? I have besides no revenue collectors as
+relatives, or friends in official positions; and what way could we
+devise? 'But even had I any, they wouldn't be likely, I fear, to pay any
+heed to such as ourselves!"
+
+"That, too, doesn't follow," remarked goody Liu; "the planning of
+affairs rests with man, but the accomplishment of them rests with
+Heaven. After we have laid our plans, we may, who can say, by relying on
+the sustenance of the gods, find some favourable occasion. Leave it to
+me, I'll try and devise some lucky chance for you people! In years gone
+by, you joined ancestors with the Wang family of Chin Ling, and twenty
+years back, they treated you with consideration; but of late, you've
+been so high and mighty, and not condescended to go and bow to them,
+that an estrangement has arisen. I remember how in years gone by, I and
+my daughter paid them a visit. The second daughter of the family was
+really so pleasant and knew so well how to treat people with kindness,
+and without in fact any high airs! She's at present the wife of Mr.
+Chia, the second son of the Jung Kuo mansion; and I hear people say that
+now that she's advanced in years, she's still more considerate to the
+poor, regardful of the old, and very fond of preparing vegetable food
+for the bonzes and performing charitable deeds. The head of the Wang
+mansion has, it is true, been raised to some office on the frontier, but
+I hope that this lady Secunda will anyhow notice us. How is it then that
+you don't find your way as far as there; for she may possibly remember
+old times, and some good may, no one can say, come of it? I only wish
+that she would display some of her kind-heartedness, and pluck one hair
+from her person which would be, yea thicker than our waist."
+
+"What you suggest, mother, is quite correct," interposed Mrs. Liu, Kou
+Erh's wife, who stood by and took up the conversation, "but with such
+mouth and phiz as yours and mine, how could we present ourselves before
+her door? Why I fear that the man at her gate won't also like to go and
+announce us! and we'd better not go and have our mouths slapped in
+public!"
+
+Kou Erh, who would have thought it, prized highly both affluence and
+fame, so that when he heard these remarks, he forthwith began to feel at
+heart a little more at ease. When he furthermore heard what his wife had
+to say, he at once caught up the word as he smiled.
+
+"Old mother," he rejoined; "since that be your idea, and what's more,
+you have in days gone by seen this lady on one occasion, why shouldn't
+you, old lady, start to-morrow on a visit to her and first ascertain how
+the wind blows!"
+
+"Ai Ya!" exclaimed old Goody, "It may very well be said that the
+marquis' door is like the wide ocean! what sort of thing am I? why the
+servants of that family wouldn't even recognise me! even were I to go,
+it would be on a wild goose chase."
+
+"No matter about that," observed Kou Erh; "I'll tell you a good way; you
+just take along with you, your grandson, little Pan Erh, and go first
+and call upon Chou Jui, who is attached to that household; and when once
+you've seen him, there will be some little chance. This Chou Jui, at one
+time, was connected with my father in some affair or other, and we were
+on excellent terms with him."
+
+"That I too know," replied goody Liu, "but the thing is that you've had
+no dealings with him for so long, that who knows how he's disposed
+towards us now? this would be hard to say. Besides, you're a man, and
+with a mouth and phiz like that of yours, you couldn't, on any account,
+go on this errand. My daughter is a young woman, and she too couldn't
+very well go and expose herself to public gaze. But by my sacrificing
+this old face of mine, and by going and knocking it (against the wall)
+there may, after all, be some benefit and all of us might reap profit."
+
+That very same evening, they laid their plans, and the next morning
+before the break of day, old goody Liu speedily got up, and having
+performed her toilette, she gave a few useful hints to Pan Erh; who,
+being a child of five or six years of age, was, when he heard that he
+was to be taken into the city, at once so delighted that there was
+nothing that he would not agree to.
+
+Without further delay, goody Liu led off Pan Erh, and entered the city,
+and reaching the Ning Jung street, she came to the main entrance of the
+Jung mansion, where, next to the marble lions, were to be seen a crowd
+of chairs and horses. Goody Liu could not however muster the courage to
+go by, but having shaken her clothes, and said a few more seasonable
+words to Pan Erh, she subsequently squatted in front of the side gate,
+whence she could see a number of servants, swelling out their chests,
+pushing out their stomachs, gesticulating with their hands and kicking
+their feet about, while they were seated at the main entrance chattering
+about one thing and another.
+
+Goody Liu felt constrained to edge herself forward. "Gentlemen," she
+ventured, "may happiness betide you!"
+
+The whole company of servants scrutinised her for a time. "Where do you
+come from?" they at length inquired.
+
+"I've come to look up Mr. Chou, an attendant of my lady's," remarked
+goody Liu, as she forced a smile; "which of you, gentlemen, shall I
+trouble to do me the favour of asking him to come out?"
+
+The servants, after hearing what she had to say, paid, the whole number
+of them, no heed to her; and it was after the lapse of a considerable
+time that they suggested: "Go and wait at a distance, at the foot of
+that wall; and in a short while, the visitors, who are in their house,
+will be coming out."
+
+Among the party of attendants was an old man, who interposed,
+
+"Don't baffle her object," he expostulated; "why make a fool of her?"
+and turning to goody Liu: "This Mr. Chou," he said, "is gone south: his
+house is at the back row; his wife is anyhow at home; so go round this
+way, until you reach the door, at the back street, where, if you will
+ask about her, you will be on the right track."
+
+Goody Liu, having expressed her thanks, forthwith went, leading Pan Erh
+by the hand, round to the back door, where she saw several pedlars
+resting their burdens. There were also those who sold things to eat, and
+those who sold playthings and toys; and besides these, twenty or thirty
+boys bawled and shouted, making quite a noise.
+
+Goody Liu readily caught hold of one of them. "I'd like to ask you just
+a word, my young friend," she observed; "there's a Mrs. Chou here; is
+she at home?"
+
+"Which Mrs. Chou?" inquired the boy; "we here have three Mrs. Chous; and
+there are also two young married ladies of the name of Chou. What are
+the duties of the one you want, I wonder ?"
+
+"She's a waiting-woman of my lady," replied goody Liu.
+
+"It's easy to get at her," added the boy; "just come along with me."
+
+Leading the way for goody Liu into the backyard, they reached the wall
+of a court, when he pointed and said, "This is her house.--Mother Chou!"
+he went on to shout with alacrity; "there's an old lady who wants to see
+you."
+
+Chou Jui's wife was at home, and with all haste she came out to greet
+her visitor. "Who is it?" she asked.
+
+Goody Liu advanced up to her. "How are you," she inquired, "Mrs. Chou?"
+
+Mrs. Chou looked at her for some time before she at length smiled and
+replied, "Old goody Liu, are you well? How many years is it since we've
+seen each other; tell me, for I forget just now; but please come in and
+sit."
+
+"You're a lady of rank," answered goody Liu smiling, as she walked
+along, "and do forget many things. How could you remember such as
+ourselves?"
+
+With these words still in her mouth, they had entered the house,
+whereupon Mrs. Chou ordered a hired waiting-maid to pour the tea. While
+they were having their tea she remarked, "How Pan Erh has managed to
+grow!" and then went on to make inquiries on the subject of various
+matters, which had occurred after their separation.
+
+"To-day," she also asked of goody Liu, "were you simply passing by? or
+did you come with any express object?"
+
+"I've come, the fact is, with an object!" promptly replied goody Liu;
+"(first of all) to see you, my dear sister-in-law; and, in the second
+place also, to inquire after my lady's health. If you could introduce me
+to see her for a while, it would be better; but if you can't, I must
+readily borrow your good offices, my sister-in-law, to convey my
+message."
+
+Mr. Chou Jui's wife, after listening to these words, at once became to a
+great extent aware of the object of her visit. Her husband had, however,
+in years gone by in his attempt to purchase some land, obtained
+considerably the support of Kou Erh, so that when she, on this occasion,
+saw goody Liu in such a dilemma, she could not make up her mind to
+refuse her wish. Being in the second place keen upon making a display of
+her own respectability, she therefore said smilingly:
+
+"Old goody Liu, pray compose your mind! You've come from far off with a
+pure heart and honest purpose, and how can I ever not show you the way
+how to see this living Buddha? Properly speaking, when people come and
+guests arrive, and verbal messages have to be given, these matters are
+not any of my business, as we all here have each one kind of duties to
+carry out. My husband has the special charge of the rents of land coming
+in, during the two seasons of spring and autumn, and when at leisure, he
+takes the young gentlemen out of doors, and then his business is done.
+As for myself, I have to accompany my lady and young married ladies on
+anything connected with out-of-doors; but as you are a relative of my
+lady and have besides treated me as a high person and come to me for
+help, I'll, after all, break this custom and deliver your message.
+There's only one thing, however, and which you, old lady, don't know. We
+here are not what we were five years before. My lady now doesn't much
+worry herself about anything; and it's entirely lady Secunda who looks
+after the menage. But who do you presume is this lady Secunda? She's the
+niece of my lady, and the daughter of my master, the eldest maternal
+uncle of by-gone days. Her infant name was Feng Ko."
+
+"Is it really she?" inquired promptly goody Liu, after this explanation.
+"Isn't it strange? what I said about her years back has come out quite
+correct; but from all you say, shall I to-day be able to see her?"
+
+"That goes without saying," replied Chou Jui's wife; "when any visitors
+come now-a-days, it's always lady Feng who does the honours and
+entertains them, and it's better to-day that you should see her for a
+while, for then you will not have walked all this way to no purpose."
+
+"O mi to fu!" exclaimed old goody Liu; "I leave it entirely to your
+convenience, sister-in-law."
+
+"What's that you're saying?" observed Chou Jui's wife. "The proverb
+says: 'Our convenience is the convenience of others.' All I have to do
+is to just utter one word, and what trouble will that be to me."
+
+Saying this, she bade the young waiting maid go to the side pavilion,
+and quietly ascertain whether, in her old ladyship's apartment, table
+had been laid.
+
+The young waiting-maid went on this errand, and during this while, the
+two of them continued a conversation on certain irrelevant matters.
+
+"This lady Feng," observed goody Liu, "can this year be no older than
+twenty, and yet so talented as to manage such a household as this! the
+like of her is not easy to find!"
+
+"Hai! my dear old goody," said Chou Jui's wife, after listening to her,
+"it's not easy to explain; but this lady Feng, though young in years, is
+nevertheless, in the management of affairs, superior to any man. She has
+now excelled the others and developed the very features of a beautiful
+young woman. To say the least, she has ten thousand eyes in her heart,
+and were they willing to wager their mouths, why ten men gifted with
+eloquence couldn't even outdo her! But by and bye, when you've seen her,
+you'll know all about her! There's only this thing, she can't help being
+rather too severe in her treatment of those below her."
+
+While yet she spake, the young waiting-maid returned. "In her venerable
+lady's apartment," she reported, "repast has been spread, and already
+finished; lady Secunda is in madame Wang's chamber."
+
+As soon as Chou Jui's wife heard this news, she speedily got up and
+pressed goody Liu to be off at once. "This is," she urged, "just the
+hour for her meal, and as she is free we had better first go and wait
+for her; for were we to be even one step too late, a crowd of servants
+will come with their reports, and it will then be difficult to speak to
+her; and after her siesta, she'll have still less time to herself."
+
+As she passed these remarks, they all descended the couch together.
+Goody Liu adjusted their dresses, and, having impressed a few more words
+of advice on Pan Erh, they followed Chou Jui's wife through winding
+passages to Chia Lien's house. They came in the first instance into the
+side pavilion, where Chou Jui's wife placed old goody Liu to wait a
+little, while she herself went ahead, past the screen-wall and into the
+entrance of the court.
+
+Hearing that lady Feng had not come out, she went in search of an
+elderly waiting-maid of lady Feng, P'ing Erh by name, who enjoyed her
+confidence, to whom Chou Jui's wife first recounted from beginning to
+end the history of old goody Liu.
+
+"She has come to-day," she went on to explain, "from a distance to pay
+her obeisance. In days gone by, our lady used often to meet her, so
+that, on this occasion, she can't but receive her; and this is why I've
+brought her in! I'll wait here for lady Feng to come down, and explain
+everything to her; and I trust she'll not call me to task for officious
+rudeness."
+
+P'ing Erh, after hearing what she had to say, speedily devised the plan
+of asking them to walk in, and to sit there pending (lady Feng's
+arrival), when all would be right.
+
+Chou Jui's wife thereupon went out and led them in. When they ascended
+the steps of the main apartment, a young waiting-maid raised a red
+woollen portiere, and as soon as they entered the hall, they smelt a
+whiff of perfume as it came wafted into their faces: what the scent was
+they could not discriminate; but their persons felt as if they were
+among the clouds.
+
+The articles of furniture and ornaments in the whole room were all so
+brilliant to the sight, and so vying in splendour that they made the
+head to swim and the eyes to blink, and old goody Liu did nothing else
+the while than nod her head, smack her lips and invoke Buddha. Forthwith
+she was led to the eastern side into the suite of apartments, where was
+the bedroom of Chia Lien's eldest daughter. P'ing Erh, who was standing
+by the edge of the stove-couch, cast a couple of glances at old goody
+Liu, and felt constrained to inquire how she was, and to press her to
+have a seat.
+
+Goody Liu, noticing that P'ing Erh was entirely robed in silks, that she
+had gold pins fixed in her hair, and silver ornaments in her coiffure,
+and that her countenance resembled a flower or the moon (in beauty),
+readily imagined her to be lady Feng, and was about to address her as my
+lady; but when she heard Mrs. Chou speak to her as Miss P'ing, and P'ing
+Erh promptly address Chou Jui's wife as Mrs. Chou, she eventually became
+aware that she could be no more than a waiting-maid of a certain
+respectability.
+
+She at once pressed old goody Liu and Pan Erh to take a seat on the
+stove-couch. P'ing Erh and Chou Jui's wife sat face to face, on the
+edges of the couch. The waiting-maids brought the tea. After they had
+partaken of it, old goody Liu could hear nothing but a "lo tang, lo
+tang" noise, resembling very much the sound of a bolting frame winnowing
+flour, and she could not resist looking now to the East, and now to the
+West. Suddenly in the great Hall, she espied, suspended on a pillar, a
+box at the bottom of which hung something like the weight of a balance,
+which incessantly wagged to and fro.
+
+"What can this thing be?" communed goody Liu in her heart, "What can be
+its use?" While she was aghast, she unexpectedly heard a sound of "tang"
+like the sound of a golden bell or copper cymbal, which gave her quite a
+start. In a twinkle of the eyes followed eight or nine consecutive
+strokes; and she was bent upon inquiring what it was, when she caught
+sight of several waiting-maids enter in a confused crowd. "Our lady has
+come down!" they announced.
+
+P'ing Erh, together with Chou Jui's wife, rose with all haste. "Old
+goody Liu," they urged, "do sit down and wait till it's time, when we'll
+come and ask you in."
+
+Saying this, they went out to meet lady Feng.
+
+Old goody Liu, with suppressed voice and ear intent, waited in perfect
+silence. She heard at a distance the voices of some people laughing,
+whereupon about ten or twenty women, with rustling clothes and
+petticoats, made their entrance, one by one, into the hall, and thence
+into the room on the other quarter. She also detected two or three
+women, with red-lacquered boxes in their hands, come over on this part
+and remain in waiting.
+
+"Get the repast ready!" she heard some one from the offside say.
+
+The servants gradually dispersed and went out; and there only remained
+in attendance a few of them to bring in the courses. For a long time,
+not so much as the caw of a crow could be heard, when she unexpectedly
+perceived two servants carry in a couch-table, and lay it on this side
+of the divan. Upon this table were placed bowls and plates, in proper
+order replete, as usual, with fish and meats; but of these only a few
+kinds were slightly touched.
+
+As soon as Pan Erh perceived (all these delicacies), he set up such a
+noise, and would have some meat to eat, but goody Liu administered to
+him such a slap, that he had to keep away.
+
+Suddenly, she saw Mrs. Chou approach, full of smiles, and as she waved
+her hand, she called her. Goody Liu understood her meaning, and at once
+pulling Pan Erh off the couch, she proceeded to the centre of the Hall;
+and after Mrs. Chou had whispered to her again for a while, they came at
+length with slow step into the room on this side, where they saw on the
+outside of the door, suspended by brass hooks, a deep red flowered soft
+portiere. Below the window, on the southern side, was a stove-couch, and
+on this couch was spread a crimson carpet. Leaning against the wooden
+partition wall, on the east side, stood a chain-embroidered back-cushion
+and a reclining pillow. There was also spread a large watered satin
+sitting cushion with a gold embroidered centre, and on the side stood
+cuspidores made of silver.
+
+Lady Feng, when at home, usually wore on her head a front-piece of dark
+martin a la Chao Chuen, surrounded with tassels of strung pearls. She had
+on a robe of peach-red flowered satin, a short pelisse of slate-blue
+stiff silk, lined with squirrel, and a jupe of deep red foreign crepe,
+lined with ermine. Resplendent with pearl-powder and with cosmetics, she
+sat in there, stately and majestic, with a small brass poker in her
+hands, with which she was stirring the ashes of the hand-stove. P'ing
+Erh stood by the side of the couch, holding a very small lacquered
+tea-tray. In this tray was a small tea-cup with a cover. Lady Feng
+neither took any tea, nor did she raise her head, but was intent upon
+stirring the ashes of the hand-stove.
+
+"How is it you haven't yet asked her to come in?" she slowly inquired;
+and as she spake, she turned herself round and was about to ask for some
+tea, when she perceived that Mrs. Chou had already introduced the two
+persons and that they were standing in front of her.
+
+She forthwith pretended to rise, but did not actually get up, and with a
+face radiant with smiles, she ascertained about their health, after
+which she went in to chide Chou Jui's wife. "Why didn't you tell me they
+had come before?" she said.
+
+Old goody Liu was already by this time prostrated on the ground, and
+after making several obeisances, "How are you, my lady?" she inquired.
+
+"Dear Mrs. Chou," lady Feng immediately observed, "do pull her up, and
+don't let her prostrate herself! I'm yet young in years and don't know
+her much; what's more, I've no idea what's the degree of the
+relationship between us, and I daren't speak directly to her."
+
+"This is the old lady about whom I spoke a short while back," speedily
+explained Mrs. Chou.
+
+Lady Feng nodded her head assentingly.
+
+By this time old goody Liu had taken a seat on the edge of the
+stove-couch. As for Pan Erh, he had gone further, and taken refuge
+behind her back; and though she tried, by every means, to coax him to
+come forward and make a bow, he would not, for the life of him, consent.
+
+"Relatives though we be," remarked lady Feng, as she smiled, "we haven't
+seen much of each other, so that our relations have been quite distant.
+But those who know how matters stand will assert that you all despise
+us, and won't often come to look us up; while those mean people, who
+don't know the truth, will imagine that we have no eyes to look at any
+one."
+
+Old goody Liu promptly invoked Buddha. "We are at home in great
+straits," she pleaded, "and that's why it wasn't easy for us to manage
+to get away and come! Even supposing we had come as far as this, had we
+not given your ladyship a slap on the mouth, those gentlemen would also,
+in point of fact, have looked down upon us as a mean lot."
+
+"Why, language such as this," exclaimed lady Feng smilingly, "cannot
+help making one's heart full of displeasure! We simply rely upon the
+reputation of our grandfather to maintain the status of a penniless
+official; that's all! Why, in whose household is there anything
+substantial? we are merely the denuded skeleton of what we were in days
+of old, and no more! As the proverb has it: The Emperor himself has
+three families of poverty-stricken relatives; and how much more such as
+you and I?"
+
+Having passed these remarks, she inquired of Mrs. Chou, "Have you let
+madame know, yes or no?"
+
+"We are now waiting," replied Mrs. Chou, "for my lady's orders."
+
+"Go and have a look," said lady Feng; "but, should there be any one
+there, or should she be busy, then don't make any mention; but wait
+until she's free, when you can tell her about it and see what she says."
+
+Chou Jui's wife, having expressed her compliance, went off on this
+errand. During her absence, lady Feng gave orders to some servants to
+take a few fruits and hand them to Pan Erh to eat; and she was inquiring
+about one thing and another, when there came a large number of married
+women, who had the direction of affairs in the household, to make their
+several reports.
+
+P'ing Erh announced their arrival to lady Feng, who said: "I'm now
+engaged in entertaining some guests, so let them come back again in the
+evening; but should there be anything pressing then bring it in and I'll
+settle it at once."
+
+P'ing Erh left the room, but she returned in a short while. "I've asked
+them," she observed, "but as there's nothing of any urgency, I told them
+to disperse." Lady Feng nodded her head in token of approval, when she
+perceived Chou Jui's wife come back. "Our lady," she reported, as she
+addressed lady Feng, "says that she has no leisure to-day, that if you,
+lady Secunda, will entertain them, it will come to the same thing; that
+she's much obliged for their kind attention in going to the trouble of
+coming; that if they have come simply on a stroll, then well and good,
+but that if they have aught to say, they should tell you, lady Secunda,
+which will be tantamount to their telling her."
+
+"I've nothing to say," interposed old goody Liu. "I simply come to see
+our elder and our younger lady, which is a duty on my part, a relative
+as I am."
+
+"Well, if there's nothing particular that you've got to say, all right,"
+Mrs. Chou forthwith added, "but if you do have anything, don't hesitate
+telling lady Secunda, and it will be just as if you had told our lady."
+
+As she uttered these words, she winked at goody Liu. Goody Liu
+understood what she meant, but before she could give vent to a word, her
+face got scarlet, and though she would have liked not to make any
+mention of the object of her visit, she felt constrained to suppress her
+shame and to speak out.
+
+"Properly speaking," she observed, "this being the first time I see you,
+my lady, I shouldn't mention what I've to say, but as I come here from
+far off to seek your assistance, my old friend, I have no help but to
+mention it."
+
+She had barely spoken as much as this, when she heard the youths at the
+inner-door cry out: "The young gentleman from the Eastern Mansion has
+come."
+
+Lady Feng promptly interrupted her. "Old goody Liu," she remarked, "you
+needn't add anything more." She, at the same time, inquired, "Where's
+your master, Mr. Jung?" when became audible the sound of footsteps along
+the way, and in walked a young man of seventeen or eighteen. His
+appearance was handsome, his person slender and graceful. He had on
+light furs, a girdle of value, costly clothes and a beautiful cap.
+
+At this stage, goody Liu did not know whether it was best to sit down or
+to stand up, neither could she find anywhere to hide herself.
+
+"Pray sit down," urged lady Feng, with a laugh; "this is my nephew!' Old
+goody Liu then wriggled herself, now one way, and then another, on to
+the edge of the couch, where she took a seat.
+
+"My father," Chia Jung smilingly ventured, "has sent me to ask a favour
+of you, aunt. On some previous occasion, our grand aunt gave you, dear
+aunt, a stove-couch glass screen, and as to-morrow father has invited
+some guests of high standing, he wishes to borrow it to lay it out for a
+little show; after which he purposes sending it back again."
+
+"You're late by a day," replied lady Feng. "It was only yesterday that I
+gave it to some one."
+
+Chia Jung, upon hearing this, forthwith, with giggles and smiles, made,
+near the edge of the couch, a sort of genuflexion. "Aunt," he went on,
+"if you don't lend it, father will again say that I don't know how to
+speak, and I shall get another sound thrashing. You must have pity upon
+your nephew, aunt."
+
+"I've never seen anything like this," observed lady Feng sneeringly;
+"the things belonging to the Wang family are all good, but where have
+you put all those things of yours? the only good way is that you
+shouldn't see anything of ours, for as soon as you catch sight of
+anything, you at once entertain a wish to carry it off."
+
+"Pray, aunt," entreated Chia Jung with a smile, "do show me some
+compassion."
+
+"Mind your skin!" lady Feng warned him, "if you do chip or spoil it in
+the least."
+
+She then bade P'ing Erh take the keys of the door of the upstairs room
+and send for several trustworthy persons to carry it away.
+
+Chia Jung was so elated that his eyebrows dilated and his eyes smiled.
+"I've brought myself," he added, with vehemence, "some men to take it
+away; I won't let them recklessly bump it about."
+
+Saying this, he speedily got up and left the room.
+
+Lady Feng suddenly bethought herself of something, and turning towards
+the window, she called out, "Jung Erh, come back." Several servants who
+stood outside caught up her words: "Mr. Jung," they cried, "you're
+requested to go back;" whereupon Chia Jung turned round and retraced his
+steps; and with hands drooping respectfully against his sides, he stood
+ready to listen to his aunt's wishes.
+
+Lady Feng was however intent upon gently sipping her tea, and after a
+good long while of abstraction, she at last smiled: "Never mind," she
+remarked; "you can go. But come after you've had your evening meal, and
+I'll then tell you about it. Just now there are visitors here; and
+besides, I don't feel in the humour."
+
+Chia Jung thereupon retired with gentle step.
+
+Old goody Liu, by this time, felt more composed in body and heart. "I've
+to-day brought your nephew," she then explained, "not for anything else,
+but because his father and mother haven't at home so much as anything to
+eat; the weather besides is already cold, so that I had no help but to
+take your nephew along and come to you, old friend, for assistance!"
+
+As she uttered these words, she again pushed Pan Erh forward. "What did
+your father at home tell you to say?" she asked of him; "and what did he
+send us over here to do? Was it only to give our minds to eating fruit?"
+
+Lady Feng had long ago understood what she meant to convey, and finding
+that she had no idea how to express herself in a decent manner, she
+readily interrupted her with a smile. "You needn't mention anything,"
+she observed, "I'm well aware of how things stand;" and addressing
+herself to Mrs. Chou, she inquired, "Has this old lady had breakfast,
+yes or no?"
+
+Old goody Liu hurried to explain. "As soon as it was daylight," she
+proceeded, "we started with all speed on our way here, and had we even
+so much as time to have any breakfast?"
+
+Lady Feng promptly gave orders to send for something to eat. In a short
+while Chou Jui's wife had called for a table of viands for the guests,
+which was laid in the room on the eastern side, and then came to take
+goody Liu and Pan Erh over to have their repast.
+
+"My dear Mrs. Chou," enjoined lady Feng, "give them all they want, as I
+can't attend to them myself;" which said, they hastily passed over into
+the room on the eastern side.
+
+Lady Feng having again called Mrs. Chou, asked her: "When you first
+informed madame about them, what did she say?" "Our Lady observed,"
+replied Chou Jui's wife, "that they don't really belong to the same
+family; that, in former years, their grandfather was an official at the
+same place as our old master; that hence it came that they joined
+ancestors; that these few years there hasn't been much intercourse
+(between their family and ours); that some years back, whenever they
+came on a visit, they were never permitted to go empty-handed, and that
+as their coming on this occasion to see us is also a kind attention on
+their part, they shouldn't be slighted. If they've anything to say,"
+(our lady continued), "tell lady Secunda to do the necessary, and that
+will be right."
+
+"Isn't it strange!" exclaimed lady Feng, as soon as she had heard the
+message; "since we are all one family, how is it I'm not familiar even
+with so much as their shadow?"
+
+While she was uttering these words, old goody Liu had had her repast and
+come over, dragging Pan Erh; and, licking her lips and smacking her
+mouth, she expressed her thanks.
+
+Lady Feng smiled. "Do pray sit down," she said, "and listen to what I'm
+going to tell you. What you, old lady, meant a little while back to
+convey, I'm already as much as yourself well acquainted with! Relatives,
+as we are, we shouldn't in fact have waited until you came to the
+threshold of our doors, but ought, as is but right, to have attended to
+your needs. But the thing is that, of late, the household affairs are
+exceedingly numerous, and our lady, advanced in years as she is,
+couldn't at a moment, it may possibly be, bethink herself of you all!
+What's more, when I took over charge of the management of the menage, I
+myself didn't know of all these family connections! Besides, though to
+look at us from outside everything has a grand and splendid aspect,
+people aren't aware that large establishments have such great hardships,
+which, were we to recount to others, they would hardly like to credit as
+true. But since you've now come from a great distance, and this is the
+first occasion that you open your mouth to address me, how can I very
+well allow you to return to your home with empty hands! By a lucky
+coincidence our lady gave, yesterday, to the waiting-maids, twenty taels
+to make clothes with, a sum which they haven't as yet touched, and if
+you don't despise it as too little, you may take it home as a first
+instalment, and employ it for your wants."
+
+When old goody Liu heard the mention made by lady Feng of their
+hardships, she imagined that there was no hope; but upon hearing her
+again speak of giving her twenty taels, she was exceedingly delighted,
+so much so that her eyebrows dilated and her eyes gleamed with smiles.
+
+"We too know," she smilingly remarked, "all about difficulties! but the
+proverb says, 'A camel dying of leanness is even bigger by much than a
+horse!' No matter what those distresses may be, were you yet to pluck
+one single hair from your body, my old friend, it would be stouter than
+our own waist."
+
+Chou Jui's wife stood by, and on hearing her make these coarse
+utterances, she did all she could to give her a hint by winking, and
+make her desist. Lady Feng laughed and paid no heed; but calling P'ing
+Erh, she bade her fetch the parcel of money, which had been given to
+them the previous day, and to also bring a string of cash; and when
+these had been placed before goody Liu's eyes: "This is," said lady
+Feng, "silver to the amount of twenty taels, which was for the time
+given to these young girls to make winter clothes with; but some other
+day, when you've nothing to do, come again on a stroll, in evidence of
+the good feeling which should exist between relatives. It's besides
+already late, and I don't wish to detain you longer and all for no
+purpose; but, on your return home, present my compliments to all those
+of yours to whom I should send them."
+
+As she spake, she stood up. Old goody Liu gave utterance to a thousand
+and ten thousand expressions of gratitude, and taking the silver and
+cash, she followed Chou Jui's wife on her way to the out-houses. "Well,
+mother dear," inquired Mrs. Chou, "what did you think of my lady that
+you couldn't speak; and that whenever you opened your mouth it was all
+'your nephew.' I'll make just one remark, and I don't mind if you do get
+angry. Had he even been your kindred nephew, you should in fact have
+been somewhat milder in your language; for that gentleman, Mr. Jung, is
+her kith and kin nephew, and whence has appeared such another nephew of
+hers (as Pan Erh)?"
+
+Old goody Liu smiled. "My dear sister-in-law," she replied, "as I gazed
+upon her, were my heart and eyes, pray, full of admiration or not? and
+how then could I speak as I should?"
+
+As they were chatting, they reached Chou Jui's house. They had been
+sitting for a while, when old goody Liu produced a piece of silver,
+which she was purposing to leave behind, to be given to the young
+servants in Chou Jui's house to purchase fruit to eat; but how could
+Mrs. Chou satiate her eye with such a small piece of silver? She was
+determined in her refusal to accept it, so that old goody Liu, after
+assuring her of her boundless gratitude, took her departure out of the
+back gate she had come in from.
+
+Reader, you do not know what happened after old goody Liu left, but
+listen to the explanation which will be given in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ Presentation of artificial flowers made in the Palace.
+ Chia Lien disports himself with Hsi-feng.
+ Pao-yue meets Ch'in Chung at a family party.
+
+
+To resume our narrative. Chou Jui's wife having seen old goody Liu off,
+speedily came to report the visit to madame Wang; but, contrary to her
+expectation, she did not find madame Wang in the drawing-room; and it
+was after inquiring of the waiting-maids that she eventually learnt that
+she had just gone over to have a chat with "aunt" Hsueeh. Mrs. Chou, upon
+hearing this, hastily went out by the eastern corner door, and through
+the yard on the east, into the Pear Fragrance Court.
+
+As soon as she reached the entrance, she caught sight of madame Wang's
+waiting-maid, Chin Ch'uan-erh, playing about on the terrace steps, with
+a young girl, who had just let her hair grow. When they saw Chou Jui's
+wife approach, they forthwith surmised that she must have some message
+to deliver, so they pursed up their lips and directed her to the
+inner-room. Chou Jui's wife gently raised the curtain-screen, and upon
+entering discovered madame Wang, in voluble conversation with "aunt"
+Hsueeh, about family questions and people in general.
+
+Mrs. Chou did not venture to disturb them, and accordingly came into the
+inner room, where she found Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai in a house dress, with her
+hair simply twisted into a knot round the top of the head, sitting on
+the inner edge of the stove-couch, leaning on a small divan table, in
+the act of copying a pattern for embroidery, with the waiting-maid Ying
+Erh. When she saw her enter, Pao Ch'ai hastily put down her pencil, and
+turning round with a face beaming with smiles, "Sister Chou," she said,
+"take a seat."
+
+Chou Jui's wife likewise promptly returned the smile.
+
+"How is my young lady?" she inquired, as she sat down on the edge of the
+couch. "I haven't seen you come over on the other side for two or three
+days! Has Mr. Pao-yue perhaps given you offence?"
+
+"What an idea!" exclaimed Pao Ch'ai, with a smile. "It's simply that
+I've had for the last couple of days my old complaint again, and that
+I've in consequence kept quiet all this time, and looked after myself."
+
+"Is that it?" asked Chou Jui's wife; "but after all, what rooted kind of
+complaint are you subject to, miss? you should lose really no time in
+sending for a doctor to diagnose it, and give you something to make you
+all right. With your tender years, to have an organic ailment is indeed
+no trifle!"
+
+Pao Ch'ai laughed when she heard these remarks.
+
+"Pray," she said, "don't allude to this again; for this ailment of mine
+I've seen, I can't tell you, how many doctors; taken no end of medicine
+and spent I don't know how much money; but the more we did so, not the
+least little bit of relief did I see. Lucky enough, we eventually came
+across a bald-pated bonze, whose speciality was the cure of nameless
+illnesses. We therefore sent for him to see me, and he said that I had
+brought this along with me from the womb as a sort of inflammatory
+virus, that luckily I had a constitution strong and hale so that it
+didn't matter; and that it would be of no avail if I took pills or any
+medicines. He then told me a prescription from abroad, and gave me also
+a packet of a certain powder as a preparative, with a peculiar smell and
+strange flavour. He advised me, whenever my complaint broke out, to take
+a pill, which would be sure to put me right again. And this has, after
+all, strange to say, done me a great deal of good."
+
+"What kind of prescription is this one from abroad, I wonder," remarked
+Mrs. Chou; "if you, miss, would only tell me, it would be worth our
+while bearing it in mind, and recommending it to others: and if ever we
+came across any one afflicted with this disease, we would also be doing
+a charitable deed."
+
+"You'd better not ask for the prescription," rejoined Pao Ch'ai smiling.
+"Why, its enough to wear one out with perplexity! the necessaries and
+ingredients are few, and all easy to get, but it would be difficult to
+find the lucky moment! You want twelve ounces of the pollen of the white
+peone, which flowers in spring, twelve ounces of the pollen of the white
+summer lily, twelve ounces of the pollen of the autumn hibiscus flower,
+and twelve ounces of the white plum in bloom in the winter. You take the
+four kinds of pollen, and put them in the sun, on the very day of the
+vernal equinox of the succeeding year to get dry, and then you mix them
+with the powder and pound them well together. You again want twelve mace
+of water, fallen on 'rain water' day....."
+
+"Good gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Chou promptly, as she laughed. "From all
+you say, why you want three years' time! and what if no rain falls on
+'rain water' day! What would one then do?"
+
+"Quite so!" Pao Ch'ai remarked smilingly; "how can there be such an
+opportune rain on that very day! but to wait is also the best thing,
+there's nothing else to be done. Besides, you want twelve mace of dew,
+collected on 'White Dew' day, and twelve mace of the hoar frost,
+gathered on 'Frost Descent' day, and twelve mace of snow, fallen on
+'Slight Snow' day! You next take these four kinds of waters and mix them
+with the other ingredients, and make pills of the size of a lungngan.
+You keep them in an old porcelain jar, and bury them under the roots of
+some flowers; and when the ailment betrays itself, you produce it and
+take a pill, washing it down with two candareens of a yellow cedar
+decoction."
+
+"O-mi-to-fu!" cried Mrs. Chou, when she heard all this, bursting out
+laughing. "It's really enough to kill one! you might wait ten years and
+find no such lucky moments!"
+
+"Fortunate for me, however," pursued Pao Ch'ai, "in the course of a year
+or two, after the bonze had told me about this prescription, we got all
+the ingredients; and, after much trouble, we compounded a supply, which
+we have now brought along with us from the south to the north; and lies
+at present under the pear trees."
+
+"Has this medicine any name or other of its own?" further inquired Mrs.
+Chou.
+
+"It has a name," replied Pao Ch'ai; "the mangy-headed bonze also told it
+me; he called it 'cold fragrance' pill."
+
+Chou Jui's wife nodded her head, as she heard these words. "What do you
+feel like after all when this complaint manifests itself?" she went on
+to ask.
+
+"Nothing much," replied Pao Ch'ai; "I simply pant and cough a bit; but
+after I've taken a pill, I get over it, and it's all gone."
+
+Mrs. Chou was bent upon making some further remark, when madame Wang was
+suddenly heard to enquire, "Who is in here?"
+
+Mrs. Chou went out hurriedly and answered; and forthwith told her all
+about old goody Liu's visit. Having waited for a while, and seeing that
+madame Wang had nothing to say, she was on the point of retiring, when
+"aunt" Hsueh unexpectedly remarked smiling: "Wait a bit! I've something
+to give you to take along with you."
+
+And as she spoke, she called for Hsiang Ling. The sound of the
+screen-board against the sides of the door was heard, and in walked the
+waiting-maid, who had been playing with Chin Ch'uan-erh. "Did my lady
+call?" she asked.
+
+"Bring that box of flowers," said Mrs. Hsueh.
+
+Hsiang Ling assented, and brought from the other side a small
+embroidered silk box.
+
+"These," explained "aunt" Hsueeh, "are a new kind of flowers, made in the
+palace. They consist of twelve twigs of flowers of piled gauze. I
+thought of them yesterday, and as they will, the pity is, only get old,
+if uselessly put away, why not give them to the girls to wear them in
+their hair! I meant to have sent them over yesterday, but I forgot all
+about them. You come to-day most opportunely, and if you will take them
+with you, I shall have got them off my hands. To the three young ladies
+in your family give two twigs each, and of the six that will remain give
+a couple to Miss Lin, and the other four to lady Feng."
+
+"Better keep them and give them to your daughter Pao Ch'ai to wear,"
+observed madame Wang, "and have done with it; why think of all the
+others?"
+
+"You don't know, sister," replied "aunt" Hsueeh, "what a crotchety thing
+Pao Ch'ai is! she has no liking for flower or powder."
+
+With these words on her lips, Chou Jui's wife took the box and walked
+out of the door of the room. Perceiving that Chin Ch'uan-erh was still
+sunning herself outside, Chou Jui's wife asked her: "Isn't this Hsiang
+Ling, the waiting-maid that we've often heard of as having been
+purchased just before the departure of the Hsueeh family for the capital,
+and on whose account there occurred some case of manslaughter or other?"
+
+"Of course it's she," replied Chin Ch'uan. But as they were talking,
+they saw Hsiang Ling draw near smirkingly, and Chou Jui's wife at once
+seized her by the hand, and after minutely scrutinizing her face for a
+time, she turned round to Chin Ch'uan-erh and smiled. "With these
+features she really resembles slightly the style of lady Jung of our
+Eastern Mansion."
+
+"So I too maintain!" said Chin Ch'uan-erh.
+
+Chou Jui's wife then asked Hsiang Ling, "At what age did you enter this
+family? and where are your father and mother at present?" and also
+inquired, "In what year of your teens are you? and of what place are you
+a native?"
+
+But Hsiang Ling, after listening to all these questions, simply nodded
+her head and replied, "I can't remember."
+
+When Mrs. Chou and Chin Ch'uan-erh heard these words, their spirits
+changed to grief, and for a while they felt affected and wounded at
+heart; but in a short time, Mrs. Chou brought the flowers into the room
+at the back of madame Wang's principal apartment.
+
+The fact is that dowager lady Chia had explained that as her
+granddaughters were too numerous, it would not be convenient to crowd
+them together in one place, that Pao-yue and Tai-yue should only remain
+with her in this part to break her loneliness, but that Ying Ch'un, T'an
+Ch'un, and Hsi Ch'un, the three of them, should move on this side in the
+three rooms within the antechamber, at the back of madame lady Wang's
+quarters; and that Li Wan should be told off to be their attendant and
+to keep an eye over them.
+
+Chou Jui's wife, therefore, on this occasion came first to these rooms
+as they were on her way, but she only found a few waiting-maids
+assembled in the antechamber, waiting silently to obey a call.
+
+Ying Ch'un's waiting-maid, Ssu Chi, together with Shih Shu, T'an Ch'un's
+waiting-maid, just at this moment raised the curtain, and made their
+egress, each holding in her hand a tea-cup and saucer; and Chou Jui's
+wife readily concluding that the young ladies were sitting together also
+walked into the inner room, where she only saw Ying Ch'un and T'an Ch'un
+seated near the window, in the act of playing chess. Mrs. Chou presented
+the flowers and explained whence they came, and what they were.
+
+The girls forthwith interrupted their game, and both with a curtsey,
+expressed their thanks, and directed the waiting-maids to put the
+flowers away.
+
+Mrs. Chou complied with their wishes (and handing over the flowers);
+"Miss Hsi Ch'un," she remarked, "is not at home; and possibly she's over
+there with our old lady."
+
+"She's in that room, isn't she?" inquired the waiting-maids.
+
+Mrs. Chou at these words readily came into the room on this side, where
+she found Hsi Ch'un, in company with a certain Chih Neng, a young nun of
+the "moon reflected on water" convent, talking and laughing together. On
+seeing Chou Jui's wife enter, Hsi Ch'un at once asked what she wanted,
+whereupon Chou Jui's wife opened the box of flowers, and explained who
+had sent them.
+
+"I was just telling Chih Neng," remarked Hsi Ch'un laughing, "that I
+also purpose shortly shaving my head and becoming a nun; and strange
+enough, here you again bring me flowers; but supposing I shave my head,
+where can I wear them?"
+
+They were all very much amused for a time with this remark, and Hsi
+Ch'un told her waiting-maid, Ju Hua, to come and take over the flowers.
+
+"What time did you come over?" then inquired Mrs. Chou of Chih Neng.
+"Where is that bald-pated and crotchety superior of yours gone?"
+
+"We came," explained Chih Neng, "as soon as it was day; after calling
+upon madame Wang, my superior went over to pay a visit in the mansion of
+Mr. Yue, and told me to wait for her here."
+
+"Have you received," further asked Mrs. Chou, "the monthly allowance for
+incense offering due on the fifteenth or not?"
+
+"I can't say," replied Chih Neng.
+
+"Who's now in charge of the issue of the monthly allowances to the
+various temples?" interposed Hsi Ch'un, addressing Mrs. Chou, as soon as
+she heard what was said.
+
+"It's Yue Hsin," replied Chou Jui's wife, "who's intrusted with the
+charge."
+
+"That's how it is," observed Hsi Ch'un with a chuckle; "soon after the
+arrival of the Superior, Yue Hsin's wife came over and kept on whispering
+with her for some time; so I presume it must have been about this
+allowance."
+
+Mrs. Chou then went on to bandy a few words with Chih Neng, after which
+she came over to lady Feng's apartments. Proceeding by a narrow passage,
+she passed under Li Wan's back windows, and went along the wall
+ornamented with creepers on the west. Going out of the western side
+gate, she entered lady Feng's court, and walked over into the Entrance
+Hall, where she only found the waiting-girl Feng Erh, sitting on the
+doorsteps of lady Feng's apartments.
+
+When she caught sight of Mrs. Chou approaching, she at once waved her
+hand, bidding her go to the eastern room. Chou Jui's wife understood her
+meaning, and hastily came on tiptoe to the chamber on the east, where
+she saw a nurse patting lady Feng's daughter to sleep.
+
+Mrs. Chou promptly asked the nurse in a low tone of voice: "Is the young
+lady asleep at this early hour? But if even she is I must wake her up."
+
+The nurse nodded her head in assent, but as these inquiries were being
+made, a sound of laughter came from over the other side, in which lady
+Feng's voice could be detected; followed, shortly after, by the sound of
+a door opening, and out came P'ing Erh, with a large brass basin in her
+hands, which she told Feng Erh to fill with water and take inside.
+
+P'ing Erh forthwith entered the room on this side, and upon perceiving
+Chou Jui's wife: "What have you come here again for, my old lady?" she
+readily inquired.
+
+Chou Jui's wife rose without any delay, and handed her the box. "I've
+come," said she, "to bring you a present of flowers."
+
+Upon hearing this, P'ing Erh opened the box, and took out four sprigs,
+and, turning round, walked out of the room. In a short while she came
+from the inner room with two sprigs in her hand, and calling first of
+all Ts'ai Ming, she bade her take the flowers over to the mansion on the
+other side and present them to "madame" Jung, after which she asked Mrs.
+Chou to express her thanks on her return.
+
+Chou Jui's wife thereupon came over to dowager lady Chia's room on this
+side of the compound, and as she was going through the Entrance Hall,
+she casually came, face to face, with her daughter, got up in gala
+dress, just coming from the house of her mother-in-law.
+
+"What are you running over here for at this time?" promptly inquired
+Mrs. Chou.
+
+"Have you been well of late, mother?" asked her daughter. "I've been
+waiting for ever so long at home, but you never come out! What's there
+so pressing that has prevented you from returning home? I waited till I
+was tired, and then went on all alone, and paid my respects to our
+venerable lady; I'm now, on my way to inquire about our lady Wang. What
+errand haven't you delivered as yet, ma; and what is it you're holding?"
+
+"Ai! as luck would have it," rejoined Chou Jui's wife smilingly, "old
+goody Liu came over to-day, so that besides my own hundred and one
+duties, I've had to run about here and there ever so long, and all for
+her! While attending to these, Mrs. Hsueh came across me, and asked me
+to take these flowers to the young ladies, and I've been at it up to
+this very moment, and haven't done yet! But coming at this time, you
+must surely have something or other that you want me to do for you!
+what's it?"
+
+"Really ma, you're quick at guessing!" exclaimed her daughter with a
+smile; "I'll tell you what it's all about. The day before yesterday,
+your son-in-law had a glass of wine too many, and began altercating with
+some person or other; and some one, I don't know why, spread some evil
+report, saying that his antecedents were not clear, and lodged a charge
+against him at the Yamen, pressing the authorities to deport him to his
+native place. That's why I've come over to consult with you, as to whom
+we should appeal to, to do us this favour of helping us out of our
+dilemma!"
+
+"I knew at once," Mrs. Chou remarked after listening, "that there was
+something wrong; but this is nothing hard to settle! Go home and wait
+for me and I'll come straightway, as soon as I've taken these flowers to
+Miss Lin; our madame Wang and lady Secunda have both no leisure (to
+attend to you now,) so go back and wait for me! What's the use of so
+much hurry!"
+
+Her daughter, upon hearing this, forthwith turned round to go back, when
+she added as she walked away, "Mind, mother, and make haste."
+
+"All right," replied Chou Jui's wife, "of course I will; you are young
+yet, and without experience, and that's why you are in this flurry."
+
+As she spoke, she betook herself into Tai-yue's apartments. Contrary to
+her expectation Tai-yue was not at this time in her own room, but in
+Pao-yue's; where they were amusing themselves in trying to solve the
+"nine strung rings" puzzle. On entering Mrs. Chou put on a smile.
+"'Aunt' Hsueeh," she explained, "has told me to bring these flowers and
+present them to you to wear in your hair."
+
+"What flowers?" exclaimed Pao-yue. "Bring them here and let me see them."
+
+As he uttered these words, he readily stretched out his hands and took
+them over, and upon opening the box and looking in, he discovered, in
+fact, two twigs of a novel and artistic kind of artificial flowers, of
+piled gauze, made in the palace.
+
+Tai-yue merely cast a glance at them, as Pao-yue held them. "Have these
+flowers," she inquired eagerly, "been sent to me alone, or have all the
+other girls got some too?"
+
+"Each one of the young ladies has the same," replied Mrs. Chou; "and
+these two twigs are intended for you, miss."
+
+Tai-yue forced a smile. "Oh! I see," she observed. "If all the others
+hadn't chosen, even these which remain over wouldn't have been given to
+me."
+
+Chou Jui's wife did not utter a word in reply.
+
+"Sister Chou, what took you over on the other side?" asked Pao-yue.
+
+"I was told that our madame Wang was over there," explained Mrs. Chou,
+"and as I went to give her a message, 'aunt' Hsueeh seized the
+opportunity to ask me to bring over these flowers."
+
+"What was cousin Pao Ch'ai doing at home?" asked Pao-yue. "How is it
+she's not even been over for these few days?"
+
+"She's not quite well," remarked Mrs. Chou.
+
+When Pao-yue heard this news, "Who'll go," he speedily ascertained of the
+waiting-maids, "and inquire after her? Tell her that cousin Lin and I
+have sent round to ask how our aunt and cousin are getting on! ask her
+what she's ailing from and what medicines she's taking, and explain to
+her that I know I ought to have gone over myself, but that on my coming
+back from school a short while back, I again got a slight chill; and
+that I'll go in person another day."
+
+While Pao-yue was yet speaking, Hsi Hsueeh volunteered to take the
+message, and went off at once; and Mrs. Chou herself took her leave
+without another word.
+
+Mrs. Chou's son-in-law was, in fact, Leng Tzu-hsing, the intimate friend
+of Yue-ts'un. Having recently become involved with some party in a
+lawsuit, on account of the sale of some curios, he had expressly charged
+his wife to come and sue for the favour (of a helping hand). Chou Jui's
+wife, relying upon her master's prestige, did not so much as take the
+affair to heart; and having waited till evening, she simply went over
+and requested lady Feng to befriend her, and the matter was forthwith
+ended.
+
+When the lamps were lit, lady Feng came over, after having disrobed
+herself, to see madame Wang. "I've already taken charge," she observed,
+"of the things sent round to-day by the Chen family. As for the presents
+from us to them, we should avail ourselves of the return of the boats,
+by which the fresh delicacies for the new year were forwarded, to hand
+them to them to carry back."
+
+Madame Wang nodded her head in token of approval.
+
+"The birthday presents," continued lady Feng, "for lady Ling Ngan, the
+mother of the Earl of Ling Ngan, have already been got together, and
+whom will you depute to take them over?"
+
+"See," suggested madame Wang, "who has nothing to do; let four maids go
+and all will be right! why come again and ask me?"
+
+"Our eldest sister-in-law Chen," proceeded lady Feng, "came over to
+invite me to go to-morrow to their place for a little change. I don't
+think there will be anything for me to do to-morrow."
+
+"Whether there be or not," replied madame Wang, "it doesn't matter; you
+must go, for whenever she comes with an invitation, it includes us, who
+are your seniors, so that, of course, it isn't such a pleasant thing for
+you; but as she doesn't ask us this time, but only asks you, it's
+evident that she's anxious that you should have a little distraction,
+and you mustn't disappoint her good intention. Besides it's certainly
+right that you should go over for a change."
+
+Lady Feng assented, and presently Li Wan, Ying Ch'un and the other
+cousins, likewise paid each her evening salutation and retired to their
+respective rooms, where nothing of any notice transpired.
+
+The next day lady Feng completed her toilette, and came over first to
+tell madame Wang that she was off, and then went to say good-bye to
+dowager lady Chia; but when Pao-yue heard where she was going, he also
+wished to go; and as lady Feng had no help but to give in, and to wait
+until he had changed his clothes, the sister and brother-in-law got into
+a carriage, and in a short while entered the Ning mansion.
+
+Mrs. Yu, the wife of Chia Chen, and Mrs. Ch'in, the wife of Mr. Chia
+Jung, the two sisters-in-law, had, along with a number of maids,
+waiting-girls, and other servants, come as far as the ceremonial gate to
+receive them, and Mrs. Yu, upon meeting lady Feng, for a while indulged,
+as was her wont, in humorous remarks, after which, leading Pao-yue by the
+hand, they entered the drawing room and took their seats, Mrs. Ch'in
+handed tea round.
+
+"What have you people invited me to come here for?" promptly asked lady
+Feng; "if you have anything to present me with, hand it to me at once,
+for I've other things to attend to."
+
+Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Ch'in had barely any time to exchange any further
+remarks, when several matrons interposed, smilingly: "Had our lady not
+come to-day, there would have been no help for it, but having come, you
+can't have it all your own way."
+
+While they were conversing about one thing and another, they caught
+sight of Chia Jung come in to pay his respects, which prompted Pao-yue to
+inquire, "Isn't my elder brother at home to-day?"
+
+"He's gone out of town to-day," replied Mrs. Yu, "to inquire after his
+grandfather. You'll find sitting here," she continued, "very dull, and
+why not go out and have a stroll?"
+
+"A strange coincidence has taken place to-day," urged Mrs. Ch'in, with a
+smile; "some time back you, uncle Pao, expressed a wish to see my
+brother, and to-day he too happens to be here at home. I think he's in
+the library; but why not go and see for yourself, uncle Pao?"
+
+Pao-yue descended at once from the stove-couch, and was about to go, when
+Mrs. Yu bade the servants to mind and go with him. "Don't you let him
+get into trouble," she enjoined. "It's a far different thing when he
+comes over under the charge of his grandmother, when he's all right."
+
+"If that be so," remarked lady Feng, "why not ask the young gentleman to
+come in, and then I too can see him. There isn't, I hope, any objection
+to my seeing him?"
+
+"Never mind! never mind!" observed Mrs. Yu, smilingly; "it's as well
+that you shouldn't see him. This brother of mine is not, like the boys
+of our Chia family, accustomed to roughly banging and knocking about.
+Other people's children are brought up politely and properly, and not in
+this vixenish style of yours. Why, you'd ridicule him to death!"
+
+"I won't laugh at him then, that's all," smiled lady Feng; "tell them to
+bring him in at once."
+
+"He's shy," proceeded Mrs. Ch'in, "and has seen nothing much of the
+world, so that you are sure to be put out when you see him, sister."
+
+"What an idea!" exclaimed lady Feng. "Were he even No Cha himself, I'd
+like to see him; so don't talk trash; if, after all, you don't bring him
+round at once, I'll give you a good slap on the mouth."
+
+"I daren't be obstinate," answered Mrs. Ch'in smiling; "I'll bring him
+round!"
+
+In a short while she did in fact lead in a young lad, who, compared with
+Pao-yue, was somewhat more slight but, from all appearances, superior to
+Pao-yue in eyes and eyebrows, (good looks), which were so clear and
+well-defined, in white complexion and in ruddy lips, as well as graceful
+appearance and pleasing manners. He was however bashful and timid, like
+a girl.
+
+In a shy and demure way, he made a bow to lady Feng and asked after her
+health.
+
+Lady Feng was simply delighted with him. "You take a low seat next to
+him!" she ventured laughingly as she first pushed Pao-yue back. Then
+readily stooping forward, she took this lad by the hand and asked him to
+take a seat next to her. Presently she inquired about his age, his
+studies and such matters, when she found that at school he went under
+the name of Ch'in Chung.
+
+The matrons and maids in attendance on lady Feng, perceiving that this
+was the first time their mistress met Ch'in Chung, (and knowing) that
+she had not at hand the usual presents, forthwith ran over to the other
+side and told P'ing Erh about it.
+
+P'ing Erh, aware of the close intimacy that existed between lady Feng
+and Mrs. Ch'in, speedily took upon herself to decide, and selecting a
+piece of silk, and two small gold medals, (bearing the wish that he
+should attain) the highest degree, the senior wranglership, she handed
+them to the servants who had come over, to take away.
+
+Lady Feng, however, explained that her presents were too mean by far,
+but Mrs. Ch'in and the others expressed their appreciation of them; and
+in a short time the repast was over, and Mrs. Yu, lady Feng and Mrs.
+Ch'in played at dominoes, but of this no details need be given; while
+both Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung sat down, got up and talked, as they
+pleased.
+
+Since he had first glanced at Ch'in Chung, and seen what kind of person
+he was, he felt at heart as if he had lost something, and after being
+plunged in a dazed state for a time, he began again to give way to
+foolish thoughts in his mind.
+
+"There are then such beings as he in the world!" he reflected. "I now
+see there are! I'm however no better than a wallowing pig or a mangy
+cow! Despicable destiny! why was I ever born in this household of a
+marquis and in the mansion of a duke? Had I seen the light in the home
+of some penniless scholar, or poverty-stricken official, I could long
+ago have enjoyed the communion of his friendship, and I would not have
+lived my whole existence in vain! Though more honourable than he, it is
+indeed evident that silk and satins only serve to swathe this rotten
+trunk of mine, and choice wines and rich meats only to gorge the filthy
+drain and miry sewer of this body of mine! Wealth! and splendour! ye are
+no more than contaminated with pollution by me!"
+
+Ever since Ch'in Chung had noticed Pao-yue's unusual appearance, his
+sedate deportment, and what is more, his hat ornamented with gold, and
+his dress full of embroidery, attended by beautiful maids and handsome
+youths, he did not indeed think it a matter of surprise that every one
+was fond of him.
+
+"Born as I have had the misfortune to be," he went on to commune within
+himself, "in an honest, though poor family, how can I presume to enjoy
+his companionship! This is verily a proof of what a barrier poverty and
+wealth set between man and man. What a serious misfortune is this too in
+this mortal world!"
+
+In wild and inane ideas of the same strain, indulged these two youths!
+
+Pao-yue by and by further asked of him what books he was reading, and
+Ch'in Chung, in answer to these inquiries, told him the truth. A few
+more questions and answers followed; and after about ten remarks, a
+greater intimacy sprang up between them.
+
+Tea and fruits were shortly served, and while they were having their
+tea, Pao-yue suggested, "We two don't take any wine, and why shouldn't we
+have our fruit served on the small couch inside, and go and sit there,
+and thus save you all the trouble?"
+
+The two of them thereupon came into the inner apartment to have their
+tea; and Mrs. Ch'in attended to the laying out of fruit and wines for
+lady Feng, and hurriedly entered the room and hinted to Pao-yue: "Dear
+uncle Pao, your nephew is young, and should he happen to say anything
+disrespectful, do please overlook it, for my sake, for though shy, he's
+naturally of a perverse and wilful disposition, and is rather given to
+having his own way."
+
+"Off with you!" cried Pao-yue laughing; "I know it all." Mrs. Ch'in then
+went on to give a bit of advice to her brother, and at length came to
+keep lady Feng company. Presently lady Feng and Mrs. Yu sent another
+servant to tell Pao-yue that there was outside of everything they might
+wish to eat and that they should mind and go and ask for it; and Pao-yue
+simply signified that they would; but his mind was not set upon drinking
+or eating; all he did was to keep making inquiries of Ch'in Chung about
+recent family concerns.
+
+Ch'in Chung went on to explain that his tutor had last year relinquished
+his post, that his father was advanced in years and afflicted with
+disease, and had multifarious public duties to preoccupy his mind, so
+that he had as yet had no time to make arrangements for another tutor,
+and that all he did was no more than to keep up his old tasks; that as
+regards study, it was likewise necessary to have the company of one or
+two intimate friends, as then only, by dint of a frequent exchange of
+ideas and opinions, one could arrive at progress; and Pao-yue gave him no
+time to complete, but eagerly urged, "Quite so! But in our household, we
+have a family school, and those of our kindred who have no means
+sufficient to engage the services of a tutor are at liberty to come over
+for the sake of study, and the sons and brothers of our relatives are
+likewise free to join the class. As my own tutor went home last year, I
+am now also wasting my time doing nothing; my father's intention was
+that I too should have gone over to this school, so that I might at
+least temporarily keep up what I have already read, pending the arrival
+of my tutor next year, when I could again very well resume my studies
+alone at home. But my grandmother raised objections; maintaining first
+of all, that the boys who attend the family classes being so numerous,
+she feared we would be sure to be up to mischief, which wouldn't be at
+all proper; and that, in the second place, as I had been ill for some
+time, the matter should be dropped, for the present. But as, from what
+you say, your worthy father is very much exercised on this score, you
+should, on your return, tell him all about it, and come over to our
+school. I'll also be there as your schoolmate; and as you and I will
+reap mutual benefit from each other's companionship, won't it be nice!"
+
+"When my father was at home the other day," Ch'in Chung smiled and said,
+"he alluded to the question of a tutor, and explained that the free
+schools were an excellent institution. He even meant to have come and
+talked matters over with his son-in-law's father about my introduction,
+but with the urgent concerns here, he didn't think it right for him to
+come about this small thing, and make any trouble. But if you really
+believe that I might be of use to you, in either grinding the ink, or
+washing the slab, why shouldn't you at once make the needful
+arrangements, so that neither you nor I may idle our time? And as we
+shall be able to come together often and talk matters over, and set at
+the same time our parents' minds at ease, and to enjoy the pleasure of
+friendship, won't it be a profitable thing!"
+
+"Compose your mind!" suggested Pao-yue. "We can by and by first of all,
+tell your brother-in-law, and your sister as well as sister-in-law
+Secunda Lien; and on your return home to-day, lose no time in explaining
+all to your worthy father, and when I get back, I'll speak to my
+grandmother; and I can't see why our wishes shouldn't speedily be
+accomplished."
+
+By the time they had arrived at this conclusion, the day was far
+advanced, and the lights were about to be lit; and they came out and
+watched them once more for a time as they played at dominoes. When they
+came to settle their accounts Mrs. Ch'in and Mrs. Yu were again the
+losers and had to bear the expense of a theatrical and dinner party; and
+while deciding that they should enjoy this treat the day after the
+morrow, they also had the evening repast.
+
+Darkness having set in, Mrs. Yu gave orders that two youths should
+accompany Mr. Ch'in home. The matrons went out to deliver the
+directions, and after a somewhat long interval, Ch'in Chung said goodbye
+and was about to start on his way.
+
+"Whom have you told off to escort him?" asked Mrs. Yu.
+
+"Chiao Ta," replied the matrons, "has been told to go, but it happens
+that he's under the effects of drink and making free use again of
+abusive language."
+
+Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Chin remonstrated. "What's the use," they said, "of
+asking him? that mean fellow shouldn't be chosen, but you will go again
+and provoke him."
+
+"People always maintain," added lady Feng, "that you are far too
+lenient. But fancy allowing servants in this household to go on in this
+way; why, what will be the end of it?"
+
+"You don't mean to tell me," observed Mrs. Yu, "that you don't know this
+Chiao Ta? Why, even the gentlemen one and all pay no heed to his doings!
+your eldest brother, Chia Cheng, he too doesn't notice him. It's all
+because when he was young he followed our ancestor in three or four
+wars, and because on one occasion, by extracting our senior from the
+heap of slain and carrying him on his back, he saved his life. He
+himself suffered hunger and stole food for his master to eat; they had
+no water for two days; and when he did get half a bowl, he gave it to
+his master, while he himself had sewage water. He now simply presumes
+upon the sentimental obligations imposed by these services. When the
+seniors of the family still lived, they all looked upon him with
+exceptional regard; but who at present ventures to interfere with him?
+He is also advanced in years, and doesn't care about any decent manners;
+his sole delight is wine; and when he gets drunk, there isn't a single
+person whom he won't abuse. I've again and again told the stewards not
+to henceforward ask Chiao Ta to do any work whatever, but to treat him
+as dead and gone; and here he's sent again to-day."
+
+"How can I not know all about this Chiao Ta?" remarked lady Feng; "but
+the secret of all this trouble is, that you won't take any decisive
+step. Why not pack him off to some distant farm, and have done with
+him?" And as she spoke, "Is our carriage ready?" she went on to inquire.
+
+"All ready and waiting," interposed the married women.
+
+Lady Feng also got up, said good-bye, and hand in hand with Pao-yue, they
+walked out of the room, escorted by Mrs. Yu and the party, as far as the
+entrance of the Main Hall, where they saw the lamps shedding a brilliant
+light and the attendants all waiting on the platforms. Chiao Ta,
+however, availing himself of Chia Chen's absence from home, and elated
+by wine, began to abuse the head steward Lai Erh for his injustice.
+
+"You bully of the weak and coward with the strong," he cried, "when
+there's any pleasant charge, you send the other servants, but when it's
+a question of seeing any one home in the dark, then you ask me, you
+disorderly clown! a nice way you act the steward, indeed! Do you forget
+that if Mr. Chiao Ta chose to raise one leg, it would be a good deal
+higher than your head! Remember please, that twenty years ago, Mr. Chiao
+Ta wouldn't even so much as look at any one, no matter who it was; not
+to mention a pack of hybrid creatures like yourselves!"
+
+While he went on cursing and railing with all his might, Chia Jung
+appeared walking by lady Feng's carriage. All the servants having tried
+to hush him and not succeeding, Chia Jung became exasperated; and
+forthwith blew him up for a time. "Let some one bind him up," he cried,
+"and tomorrow, when he's over the wine, I'll call him to task, and we'll
+see if he won't seek death."
+
+Chiao Ta showed no consideration for Chia Jung. On the contrary, he
+shouted with more vigour. Going up to Chia Jung: "Brother Jung," he
+said, "don't put on the airs of a master with Chiao Ta. Not to speak of
+a man such as you, why even your father and grandfather wouldn't presume
+to display such side with Chiao Ta. Were it not for Chiao Ta, and him
+alone, where would your office, honours, riches and dignity be? Your
+ancestor, whom I brought back from the jaws of death, heaped up all this
+estate, but up to this very day have I received no thanks for the
+services I rendered! on the contrary, you come here and play the master;
+don't say a word more, and things may come right; but if you do, I'll
+plunge the blade of a knife white in you and extract it red."
+
+Lady Feng, from inside the carriage, remarked to Chia Jung: "Don't you
+yet pack off this insolent fellow! Why, if you keep him in your house,
+won't he be a source of mischief? Besides, were relatives and friends to
+hear about these things, won't they have a laugh at our expense, that a
+household like ours should be so devoid of all propriety?"
+
+Chia Jung assented. The whole band of servants finding that Chiao Ta was
+getting too insolent had no help but to come up and throw him over, and
+binding him up, they dragged him towards the stables. Chiao Ta abused
+even Chia Chen with still more vehemence, and shouted in a boisterous
+manner. "I want to go," he cried, "to the family Ancestral Temple and
+mourn my old master. Who would have ever imagined that he would leave
+behind such vile creatures of descendants as you all, day after day
+indulging in obscene and incestuous practices, 'in scraping of the
+ashes' and in philandering with brothers-in-law. I know all about your
+doings; the best thing is to hide one's stump of an arm in one's
+sleeve!" (wash one's dirty clothes at home).
+
+The servants who stood by, upon hearing this wild talk, were quite at
+their wits' end, and they at once seized him, tied him up, and filled
+his mouth to the fullest extent with mud mixed with some horse refuse.
+
+Lady Feng and Chia Jung heard all he said from a distance, but pretended
+not to hear; but Pao-yue, seated in the carriage as he was, also caught
+this extravagant talk and inquired of lady Feng: "Sister, did you hear
+him say something about 'scraping of the ashes?' What's it?"
+
+"Don't talk such rubbish!" hastily shouted lady Feng; "it was the
+maudlin talk of a drunkard! A nice boy you are! not to speak of your
+listening, but you must also inquire! wait and I'll tell your mother and
+we'll see if she doesn't seriously take you to task."
+
+Pao-yue was in such a state of fright that he speedily entreated her to
+forgive him. "My dear sister," he craved, "I won't venture again to say
+anything of the kind"
+
+"My dear brother, if that be so, it's all right!" rejoined lady Feng
+reassuringly; "on our return we'll speak to her venerable ladyship and
+ask her to send some one to arrange matters in the family school, and
+invite Ch'in Chung to come to school for his studies."
+
+While yet this conversation was going on, they arrived at the Jung
+Mansion.
+
+Reader, do you wish to know what follows? if you do, the next chapter
+will unfold it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ By a strange coincidence, Chia Pao-yue becomes acquainted with the
+ golden clasp.
+ In an unexpected meeting, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai sees the jade of spiritual
+ perception.
+
+
+Pao-yue and lady Feng, we will now explain, paid, on their return home,
+their respects to all the inmates, and Pao-yue availed himself of the
+first occasion to tell dowager lady Chia of his wish that Ch'in Chung
+should come over to the family school. "The presence for himself of a
+friend as schoolmate would," he argued, "be fitly excellent to stir him
+to zeal," and he went on to speak in terms of high praise of Ch'in
+Chung, his character and his manners, which most of all made people
+esteem him.
+
+Lady Feng besides stood by him and backed his request. "In a day or
+two," she added, "Ch'in Chung will be coming to pay his obeisance to
+your venerable ladyship."
+
+This bit of news greatly rejoiced the heart of dowager lady Chia, and
+lady Feng likewise did not let the opportunity slip, without inviting
+the old lady to attend the theatrical performance to come off the day
+after the morrow. Dowager lady Chia was, it is true, well on in years,
+but was, nevertheless, very fond of enjoyment, so that when the day
+arrived and Mrs. Yu came over to invite her round, she forthwith took
+madame Wang, Lin Tai-yue, Pao-yue and others along and went to the play.
+
+It was about noon, when dowager lady Chia returned to her apartments for
+her siesta; and madame Wang, who was habitually partial to a quiet life,
+also took her departure after she had seen the old lady retire. Lady
+Feng subsequently took the seat of honour; and the party enjoyed
+themselves immensely till the evening, when they broke up.
+
+But to return to Pao-yue. Having accompanied his grandmother Chia back
+home, and waited till her ladyship was in her midday sleep, he had in
+fact an inclination to return to the performance, but he was afraid lest
+he should be a burden to Mrs. Ch'in and the rest and lest they should
+not feel at ease. Remembering therefore that Pao Ch'ai had been at home
+unwell for the last few days, and that he had not been to see her, he
+was anxious to go and look her up, but he dreaded that if he went by the
+side gate, at the back of the drawing-room, he would be prevented by
+something or other, and fearing, what would be making matters worse,
+lest he should come across his father, he consequently thought it better
+to go on his way by a detour. The nurses and waiting-maids thereupon
+came to help him to change his clothes; but they saw him not change, but
+go out again by the second door. These nurses and maids could not help
+following him out; but they were still under the impression that he was
+going over to the other mansion to see the theatricals. Contrary to
+their speculations, upon reaching the entrance hall, he forthwith went
+to the east, then turned to the north, and walking round by the rear of
+the hall, he happened to come face to face with two of the family
+companions, Mr. Ch'an Kuang, and Mr. Tan T'ing-jen. As soon as they
+caught sight of Pao-yue, they both readily drew up to him, and as they
+smiled, the one put his arm round his waist, while the other grasped him
+by the hand.
+
+"Oh divine brother!" they both exclaimed, "this we call dreaming a
+pleasant dream, for it's no easy thing to come across you!"
+
+While continuing their remarks they paid their salutations, and inquired
+after his health; and it was only after they had chatted for ever so
+long, that they went on their way. The nurse called out to them and
+stopped them, "Have you two gentlemen," she said, "come out from seeing
+master?"
+
+They both nodded assent. "Your master," they explained, "is in the Meng
+P'o Chai small library having his siesta; so that you can go through
+there with no fear."
+
+As they uttered these words, they walked away.
+
+This remark also evoked a smile from Pao-yue, but without further delay
+he turned a corner, went towards the north, and came into the Pear
+Fragrance Court, where, as luck would have it, he met the head manager
+of the Household Treasury, Wu Hsin-teng, who, in company with the head
+of the granary, Tai Liang, and several other head stewards, seven
+persons in all, was issuing out of the Account Room.
+
+On seeing Pao-yue approaching, they, in a body, stood still, and hung
+down their arms against their sides. One of them alone, a certain
+butler, called Ch'ien Hua, promptly came forward, as he had not seen
+Pao-yue for many a day, and bending on one knee, paid his respects to
+Pao-yue. Pao-yue at once gave a smile and pulled him up.
+
+"The day before yesterday," smiled all the bystanders, "we were
+somewhere together and saw some characters written by you, master
+Secundus, in the composite style. The writing is certainly better than
+it was before! When will you give us a few sheets to stick on the wall?"
+
+"Where did you see them?" inquired Pao-yue, with a grin.
+
+"They are to be found in more than one place," they replied, "and every
+one praises them very much, and what's more, asks us for a few."
+
+"They are not worth having," observed Pao-yue smilingly; "but if you do
+want any, tell my young servants and it will be all right."
+
+As he said these words, he moved onwards. The whole party waited till he
+had gone by, before they separated, each one to go his own way.
+
+But we need not dilate upon matters of no moment, but return to Pao-yue.
+
+On coming to the Pear Fragrance Court, he entered, first, into "aunt"
+Hsueeh's room, where he found her getting some needlework ready to give
+to the waiting-maids to work at. Pao-yue forthwith paid his respects to
+her, and "aunt" Hsueeh, taking him by the hand, drew him towards her and
+clasped him in her embrace.
+
+"With this cold weather," she smilingly urged, "it's too kind of you, my
+dear child, to think of coming to see me; come along on the stove-couch
+at once!--Bring some tea," she continued, addressing the servants, "and
+make it as hot as it can be!"
+
+"Isn't Hsueeh P'an at home?" Pao-yue having inquired: "He's like a horse
+without a halter," Mrs. Hsueeh remarked with a sigh; "he's daily running
+here and there and everywhere, and nothing can induce him to stay at
+home one single day."
+
+"Is sister (Pao Ch'ai) all right again?" asked Pao-yue. "Yes," replied
+Mrs. Hsueeh, "she's well again. It was very kind of you two days ago to
+again think of her, and send round to inquire after her. She's now in
+there, and you can go and see her. It's warmer there than it's here; go
+and sit with her inside, and, as soon as I've put everything away, I'll
+come and join you and have a chat."
+
+Pao-yue, upon hearing this, jumped down with alacrity from the
+stove-couch, and walked up to the door of the inner room, where he saw
+hanging a portiere somewhat the worse for use, made of red silk. Pao-yue
+raised the portiere and making one step towards the interior, he found
+Pao Ch'ai seated on the couch, busy over some needlework. On the top of
+her head was gathered, and made into a knot, her chevelure, black as
+lacquer, and glossy like pomade. She wore a honey-coloured wadded robe,
+a rose-brown short-sleeved jacket, lined with the fur of the squirrel of
+two colours: the "gold and silver;" and a jupe of leek-yellow silk. Her
+whole costume was neither too new, neither too old, and displayed no
+sign of extravagance.
+
+Her lips, though not rouged, were naturally red; her eyebrows, though
+not pencilled, were yet blue black; her face resembled a silver basin,
+and her eyes, juicy plums. She was sparing in her words, chary in her
+talk, so much so that people said that she posed as a simpleton. She was
+quiet in the acquittal of her duties and scrupulous as to the proper
+season for everything. "I practise simplicity," she would say of
+herself.
+
+"How are you? are you quite well again, sister?" inquired Pao-yue, as he
+gazed at her; whereupon Pao Ch'ai raised her head, and perceiving Pao-yue
+walk in, she got up at once and replied with a smile, "I'm all right
+again; many thanks for your kindness in thinking of me."
+
+While uttering this, she pressed him to take a seat on the stove-couch,
+and as he sat down on the very edge of the couch, she told Ying Erh to
+bring tea and asked likewise after dowager lady Chia and lady Feng. "And
+are all the rest of the young ladies quite well?" she inquired.
+
+Saying this she scrutinised Pao-yue, who she saw had a head-dress of
+purplish-gold twisted threads, studded with precious stones. His
+forehead was bound with a gold circlet, representing two dragons,
+clasping a pearl. On his person he wore a light yellow, archery-sleeved
+jacket, ornamented with rampant dragons, and lined with fur from the
+ribs of the silver fox; and was clasped with a dark sash, embroidered
+with different-coloured butterflies and birds. Round his neck was hung
+an amulet, consisting of a clasp of longevity, a talisman of recorded
+name, and, in addition to these, the precious jade which he had had in
+his mouth at the time of his birth.
+
+"I've daily heard every one speak of this jade," said Pao Ch'ai with a
+smile, "but haven't, after all, had an opportunity of looking at it
+closely, but anyhow to-day I must see it."
+
+As she spoke, she drew near. Pao-yue himself approached, and taking it
+from his neck, he placed it in Pao Ch'ai's hand. Pao Ch'ai held it in
+her palm. It appeared to her very much like the egg of a bird,
+resplendent as it was like a bright russet cloud; shiny and smooth like
+variegated curd and covered with a net for the sake of protection.
+
+Readers, you should know that this was the very block of useless stone
+which had been on the Ta Huang Hills, and which had dropped into the
+Ch'ing Keng cave, in a state of metamorphosis. A later writer expresses
+his feelings in a satirical way as follows:
+
+ Nue Wo's fusion of stones was e'er a myth inane,
+ But from this myth hath sprung fiction still more insane!
+ Lost is the subtle life, divine, and real!--gone!
+ Assumed, mean subterfuge! foul bags of skin and bone!
+ Fortune, when once adverse, how true! gold glows no more!
+ In evil days, alas! the jade's splendour is o'er!
+ Bones, white and bleached, in nameless hill-like mounds are flung,
+ Bones once of youths renowned and maidens fair and young.
+
+The rejected stone has in fact already given a record of the
+circumstances of its transformation, and the inscription in seal
+characters, engraved upon it by the bald-headed bonze, and below will
+now be also appended a faithful representation of it; but its real size
+is so very diminutive, as to allow of its being held by a child in his
+mouth while yet unborn, that were it to have been drawn in its exact
+proportions, the characters would, it is feared, have been so
+insignificant in size, that the beholder would have had to waste much of
+his eyesight, and it would besides have been no pleasant thing.
+
+While therefore its shape has been adhered to, its size has unavoidably
+been slightly enlarged, to admit of the reader being able, conveniently,
+to peruse the inscription, even by very lamplight, and though he may be
+under the influence of wine.
+
+These explanations have been given to obviate any such sneering remarks
+as: "What could be, pray, the size of the mouth of a child in his
+mother's womb, and how could it grasp such a large and clumsy thing?"
+
+On the face of the jade was written:
+
+ Precious Gem of Spiritual Perception.
+ If thou wilt lose me not and never forget me,
+ Eternal life and constant luck will be with thee!
+
+On the reverse was written:
+
+ 1 To exorcise evil spirits and the accessory visitations;
+ 2 To cure predestined sickness;
+ 3 To prognosticate weal and woe.
+
+Pao Ch'ai having looked at the amulet, twisted it again to the face, and
+scrutinising it closely, read aloud:
+
+ If thou wilt lose me not and never forget me,
+ Eternal life and constant luck will be with thee!
+
+She perused these lines twice, and, turning round, she asked Ying Erh
+laughingly: "Why don't you go and pour the tea? what are you standing
+here like an idiot!"
+
+"These two lines which I've heard," smiled Ying Erh, "would appear to
+pair with the two lines on your necklet, miss!"
+
+"What!" eagerly observed Pao-yue with a grin, when he caught these words,
+"are there really eight characters too on your necklet, cousin? do let
+me too see it."
+
+"Don't listen to what she says," remarked Pao Ch'ai, "there are no
+characters on it."
+
+"My dear cousin," pleaded Pao-yue entreatingly, "how is it you've seen
+mine?"
+
+Pao Ch'ai was brought quite at bay by this remark of his, and she
+consequently added, "There are also two propitious phrases engraved on
+this charm, and that's why I wear it every day. Otherwise, what pleasure
+would there be in carrying a clumsy thing."
+
+As she spoke, she unfastened the button, and produced from inside her
+crimson robe, a crystal-like locket, set with pearls and gems, and with
+a brilliant golden fringe. Pao-yue promptly received it from her, and
+upon minute examination, found that there were in fact four characters
+on each side; the eight characters on both sides forming two sentences
+of good omen. The similitude of the locket is likewise then given below.
+On the face of the locket is written:
+
+ "Part not from me and cast me not away;"
+
+And on the reverse:
+
+ "And youth, perennial freshness will display!"
+
+Pao-yue examined the charm, and having also read the inscription twice
+over aloud, and then twice again to himself, he said as he smiled, "Dear
+cousin, these eight characters of yours form together with mine an
+antithetical verse."
+
+"They were presented to her," ventured Ying Erh, "by a mangy-pated
+bonze, who explained that they should be engraved on a golden
+trinket...."
+
+Pao Ch'ai left her no time to finish what she wished to say, but
+speedily called her to task for not going to bring the tea, and then
+inquired of Pao-yue "Where he had come from?"
+
+Pao-yue had, by this time, drawn quite close to Pao Ch'ai, and perceived
+whiff after whiff of some perfume or other, of what kind he could not
+tell. "What perfume have you used, my cousin," he forthwith asked, "to
+fumigate your dresses with? I really don't remember smelling any
+perfumery of the kind before."
+
+"I'm very averse," replied Pao Ch'ai blandly, "to the odour of
+fumigation; good clothes become impregnated with the smell of smoke."
+
+"In that case," observed Pao-yue, "what scent is it?"
+
+"Yes, I remember," Pao Ch'ai answered, after some reflection; "it's the
+scent of the 'cold fragrance' pills which I took this morning."
+
+"What are these cold fragrance pills," remarked Pao-yue smiling, "that
+they have such a fine smell? Give me, cousin, a pill to try."
+
+"Here you are with your nonsense again," Pao Ch'ai rejoined laughingly;
+"is a pill a thing to be taken recklessly?"
+
+She had scarcely finished speaking, when she heard suddenly some one
+outside say, "Miss Lin is come;" and shortly Lin Tai-yue walked in in a
+jaunty manner.
+
+"Oh, I come at a wrong moment!" she exclaimed forthwith, smirking
+significantly when she caught sight of Pao-yue.
+
+Pao-yue and the rest lost no time in rising and offering her a seat,
+whereupon Pao Ch'ai added with a smile, "How can you say such things?"
+
+"Had I known sooner," continued Tai-yue, "that he was here, I would have
+kept away."
+
+"I can't fathom this meaning of yours," protested Pao Ch'ai.
+
+"If one comes," Tai-yue urged smiling, "then all come, and when one
+doesn't come, then no one comes. Now were he to come to-day, and I to
+come to-morrow, wouldn't there be, by a division of this kind, always
+some one with you every day? and in this way, you wouldn't feel too
+lonely, nor too crowded. How is it, cousin, that you didn't understand
+what I meant to imply?"
+
+"Is it snowing?" inquired Pao-yue, upon noticing that she wore a cloak
+made of crimson camlet, buttoning in front.
+
+"It has been snowing for some time," ventured the matrons, who were
+standing below. "Fetch my wrapper!" Pao-yue remarked, and Tai-yue readily
+laughed. "Am I not right? I come, and, of course, he must go at once."
+
+"Did I ever mention that I was going?" questioned Pao-yue; "I only wish
+it brought to have it ready when I want it."
+
+"It's a snowy day," consequently remarked Pao-yue's nurse, dame Li, "and
+we must also look to the time, but you had better remain here and amuse
+yourself with your cousin. Your aunt has, in there, got ready tea and
+fruits. I'll tell the waiting-maid to go and fetch your wrapper and the
+boys to return home." Pao-yue assented, and nurse Li left the room and
+told the boys that they were at liberty to go.
+
+By this time Mrs. Hsueeh had prepared tea and several kinds of nice
+things and kept them all to partake of those delicacies. Pao-yue, having
+spoken highly of some goose feet and ducks' tongues he had tasted some
+days before, at his eldest sister-in-law's, Mrs. Yu's, "aunt" Hsueeh
+promptly produced several dishes of the same kind, made by herself, and
+gave them to Pao-yue to try. "With a little wine," added Pao-yue with a
+smile, "they would be first rate."
+
+Mrs. Hsueeh thereupon bade the servants fetch some wine of the best
+quality; but dame Li came forward and remonstrated. "My lady," she said,
+"never mind the wine."
+
+Pao-yue smilingly pleaded: "My nurse, I'll take just one cup and no
+more."
+
+"It's no use," nurse Li replied, "were your grandmother and mother
+present, I wouldn't care if you drank a whole jar. I remember the day
+when I turned my eyes away but for a moment, and some ignorant fool or
+other, merely with the view of pandering for your favour, gave you only
+a drop of wine to drink, and how this brought reproaches upon me for a
+couple of days. You don't know, my lady, you have no idea of his
+disposition! it's really dreadful; and when he has had a little wine he
+shows far more temper. On days when her venerable ladyship is in high
+spirits, she allows him to have his own way about drinking, but he's not
+allowed to have wine on any and every day; and why should I have to
+suffer inside and all for nothing at all?"
+
+"You antiquated thing!" replied Mrs. Hsueeh laughing, "set your mind at
+ease, and go and drink your own wine! I won't let him have too much, and
+should even the old lady say anything, let the fault be mine."
+
+Saying this, she asked a waiting-maid to take nurse Li along with her
+and give her also a glass of wine so as to keep out the cold air.
+
+When nurse Li heard these words, she had no alternative but to go for a
+time with all the others and have some wine to drink.
+
+"The wine need not be warmed: I prefer it cold!" Pao-yue went on to
+suggest meanwhile.
+
+"That won't do," remonstrated Mrs. Hsueeh; "cold wine will make your hand
+tremble when you write."
+
+"You have," interposed Pao Ch'ai smiling, "the good fortune, cousin
+Pao-yue, of having daily opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of every
+kind of subject, and yet don't you know that the properties of wine are
+mostly heating? If you drink wine warm, its effects soon dispel, but if
+you drink it cold, it at once congeals in you; and as upon your
+intestines devolves the warming of it, how can you not derive any harm?
+and won't you yet from this time change this habit of yours? leave off
+at once drinking that cold wine."
+
+Pao-yue finding that the words he had heard contained a good deal of
+sense, speedily put down the cold wine, and having asked them to warm
+it, he at length drank it.
+
+Tai-yue was bent upon cracking melon seeds, saying nothing but simply
+pursing up her lips and smiling, when, strange coincidence, Hsueeh Yen,
+Tai-yue's waiting-maid, walked in and handed her mistress a small
+hand-stove.
+
+"Who told you to bring it?" ascertained Tai-yue grinningly. "I'm sorry to
+have given whoever it is the trouble; I'm obliged to her. But did she
+ever imagine that I would freeze to death?"
+
+"Tzu Chuan was afraid," replied Hsueeh Yen, "that you would, miss, feel
+cold, and she asked me to bring it over."
+
+Tai-yue took it over and held it in her lap. "How is it," she smiled,
+"that you listen to what she tells you, but that you treat what I say,
+day after day, as so much wind blowing past your ears! How is it that
+you at once do what she bids you, with even greater alacrity than you
+would an imperial edict?"
+
+When Pao-yue heard this, he felt sure in his mind that Tai-yue was
+availing herself of this opportunity to make fun of him, but he made no
+remark, merely laughing to himself and paying no further notice. Pao
+Ch'ai, again, knew full well that this habit was a weak point with
+Tai-yue, so she too did not go out of her way to heed what she said.
+
+"You've always been delicate and unable to stand the cold," interposed
+"aunt" Hsueeh, "and is it not a kind attention on their part to have
+thought of you?"
+
+"You don't know, aunt, how it really stands," responded Tai-yue
+smilingly; "fortunately enough, it was sent to me here at your quarters;
+for had it been in any one else's house, wouldn't it have been a slight
+upon them? Is it forsooth nice to think that people haven't so much as a
+hand-stove, and that one has fussily to be sent over from home? People
+won't say that the waiting-maids are too officious, but will imagine
+that I'm in the habit of behaving in this offensive fashion."
+
+"You're far too punctilious," remarked Mrs. Hsueeh, "as to entertain such
+notions! No such ideas as these crossed my mind just now."
+
+While they were conversing, Pao-yue had taken so much as three cups of
+wine, and nurse Li came forward again to prevent him from having any
+more. Pao-yue was just then in a state of exultation and excitement, (a
+state) enhanced by the conversation and laughter of his cousins, so that
+was he ready to agree to having no more! But he was constrained in a
+humble spirit to entreat for permission. "My dear nurse," he implored,
+"I'll just take two more cups and then have no more."
+
+"You'd better be careful," added nurse Li, "your father is at home
+to-day, and see that you're ready to be examined in your lessons."
+
+When Pao-yue heard this mention, his spirits at once sank within him, and
+gently putting the wine aside, he dropped his head upon his breast.
+
+Tai-yue promptly remonstrated. "You've thrown cold water," she said,
+"over the spirits of the whole company; why, if uncle should ask to see
+you, well, say that aunt Hsueeh detained you. This old nurse of yours has
+been drinking, and again makes us the means of clearing her muddled
+head!"
+
+While saying this, she gave Pao-yue a big nudge with the intent of
+stirring up his spirits, adding, as she addressed him in a low tone of
+voice: "Don't let us heed that old thing, but mind our own enjoyment."
+
+Dame Li also knew very well Tai-yue's disposition, and therefore
+remarked: "Now, Miss Lin, don't you urge him on; you should after all,
+give him good advice, as he may, I think, listen to a good deal of what
+you say to him."
+
+"Why should I urge him on?" rejoined Lin Tai-yue, with a sarcastic smile,
+"nor will I trouble myself to give him advice. You, old lady, are far
+too scrupulous! Old lady Chia has also time after time given him wine,
+and if he now takes a cup or two more here, at his aunt's, lady Hsueeh's
+house, there's no harm that I can see. Is it perhaps, who knows, that
+aunt is a stranger in this establishment, and that we have in fact no
+right to come over here to see her?"
+
+Nurse Li was both vexed and amused by the words she had just heard.
+"Really," she observed, "every remark this girl Lin utters is sharper
+than a razor! I didn't say anything much!"
+
+Pao Ch'ai too could not suppress a smile, and as she pinched Tai-yue's
+cheek, she exclaimed, "Oh the tongue of this frowning girl! one can
+neither resent what it says, nor yet listen to it with any
+gratification!"
+
+"Don't be afraid!" Mrs. Hsueeh went on to say, "don't be afraid; my son,
+you've come to see me, and although I've nothing good to give you, you
+mustn't, through fright, let the trifle you've taken lie heavy on your
+stomach, and thus make me uneasy; but just drink at your pleasure, and
+as much as you like, and let the blame fall on my shoulders. What's
+more, you can stay to dinner with me, and then go home; or if you do get
+tipsy, you can sleep with me, that's all."
+
+She thereupon told the servants to heat some more wine. "I'll come," she
+continued, "and keep you company while you have two or three cups, after
+which we'll have something to eat!"
+
+It was only after these assurances that Pao-yue's spirits began at
+length, once more to revive, and dame Li then directed the waiting-maids
+what to do. "You remain here," she enjoined, "and mind, be diligent
+while I go home and change; when I'll come back again. Don't allow him,"
+she also whispered to "aunt" Hsueeh, "to have all his own way and drink
+too much."
+
+Having said this, she betook herself back to her quarters; and during
+this while, though there were two or three nurses in attendance, they
+did not concern themselves with what was going on. As soon as they saw
+that nurse Li had left, they likewise all quietly slipped out, at the
+first opportunity they found, while there remained but two
+waiting-maids, who were only too glad to curry favour with Pao-yue. But
+fortunately "aunt" Hsueeh, by much coaxing and persuading, only let him
+have a few cups, and the wine being then promptly cleared away, pickled
+bamboo shoots and chicken-skin soup were prepared, of which Pao-yue drank
+with relish several bowls full, eating besides more than half a bowl of
+finest rice congee.
+
+By this time, Hsueeh Pao Ch'ai and Lin Tai-yue had also finished their
+repast; and when Pao-yue had drunk a few cups of strong tea, Mrs. Hsueeh
+felt more easy in her mind. Hsueeh Yen and the others, three or four of
+them in all, had also had their meal, and came in to wait upon them.
+
+"Are you now going or not?" inquired Tai-yue of Pao-yue.
+
+Pao-yue looked askance with his drowsy eyes. "If you want to go," he
+observed, "I'll go with you."
+
+Tai-yue hearing this, speedily rose. "We've been here nearly the whole
+day," she said, "and ought to be going back."
+
+As she spoke the two of them bade good-bye, and the waiting-maids at
+once presented a hood to each of them.
+
+Pao-yue readily lowered his head slightly and told a waiting-maid to put
+it on. The girl promptly took the hood, made of deep red cloth, and
+shaking it out of its folds, she put it on Pao-yue's head.
+
+"That will do," hastily exclaimed Pao-yue. "You stupid thing! gently a
+bit; is it likely you've never seen any one put one on before? let me do
+it myself."
+
+"Come over here, and I'll put it on for you," suggested Tai-yue, as she
+stood on the edge of the couch. Pao-yue eagerly approached her, and
+Tai-yue carefully kept the cap, to which his hair was bound, fast down,
+and taking the hood she rested its edge on the circlet round his
+forehead. She then raised the ball of crimson velvet, which was as large
+as a walnut, and put it in such a way that, as it waved tremulously, it
+should appear outside the hood. These arrangements completed she cast a
+look for a while at what she had done. "That's right now," she added,
+"throw your wrapper over you!"
+
+When Pao-yue caught these words, he eventually took the wrapper and threw
+it over his shoulders.
+
+"None of your nurses," hurriedly interposed aunt Hsueeh, "are yet come,
+so you had better wait a while."
+
+"Why should we wait for them?" observed Pao-yue. "We have the
+waiting-maids to escort us, and surely they should be enough."
+
+Mrs. Hsueeh finding it difficult to set her mind at ease deputed two
+married women to accompany the two cousins; and after they had both
+expressed (to these women) their regret at having troubled them, they
+came straightway to dowager lady Chia's suite of apartments.
+
+Her venerable ladyship had not, as yet, had her evening repast. Hearing
+that they had been at Mrs. Hsueeh's, she was extremely pleased; but
+noticing that Pao-yue had had some wine, she gave orders that he should
+be taken to his room, and put to bed, and not be allowed to come out
+again.
+
+"Do take good care of him," she therefore enjoined the servants, and
+when suddenly she bethought herself of Pao-yue's attendants, "How is it,"
+she at once inquired of them all, "that I don't see nurse Li here?"
+
+They did not venture to tell her the truth, that she had gone home, but
+simply explained that she had come in a few moments back, and that they
+thought she must have again gone out on some business or other.
+
+"She's better off than your venerable ladyship," remarked Pao-yue,
+turning round and swaying from side to side. "Why then ask after her?
+Were I rid of her, I believe I might live a little longer."
+
+While uttering these words, he reached the door of his bedroom, where he
+saw pen and ink laid out on the writing table.
+
+"That's nice," exclaimed Ch'ing Wen, as she came to meet him with a
+smile on her face, "you tell me to prepare the ink for you, but though
+when you get up, you were full of the idea of writing, you only wrote
+three characters, when you discarded the pencil, and ran away, fooling
+me, by making me wait the whole day! Come now at once and exhaust all
+this ink before you're let off."
+
+Pao-yue then remembered what had taken place in the morning. "Where are
+the three characters I wrote?" he consequently inquired, smiling.
+
+"Why this man is tipsy," remarked Ch'ing Wen sneeringly. "As you were
+going to the other mansion, you told me to stick them over the door. I
+was afraid lest any one else should spoil them, as they were being
+pasted, so I climbed up a high ladder and was ever so long in putting
+them up myself; my hands are even now numb with cold."
+
+"Oh I forgot all about it," replied Pao-yue grinning, "if your hands are
+cold, come and I'll rub them warm for you."
+
+Promptly stretching out his hand, he took those of Ch'ing Wen in his,
+and the two of them looked at the three characters, which he recently
+had written, and which were pasted above the door. In a short while,
+Tai-yue came.
+
+"My dear cousin," Pao-yue said to her smilingly, "tell me without any
+prevarication which of the three characters is the best written?"
+
+Tai-yue raised her head and perceived the three characters: Red, Rue,
+Hall. "They're all well done," she rejoined, with a smirk, "How is it
+you've written them so well? By and bye you must also write a tablet for
+me."
+
+"Are you again making fun of me?" asked Pao-yue smiling; "what about
+sister Hsi Jen?" he went on to inquire.
+
+Ch'ing Wen pouted her lips, pointing towards the stove-couch in the
+inner room, and, on looking in, Pao-yue espied Hsi Jen fast asleep in her
+daily costume.
+
+"Well," Pao-yue observed laughing, "there's no harm in it, but its rather
+early to sleep. When I was having my early meal, on the other side," he
+proceeded, speaking to Ch'ing Wen, "there was a small dish of dumplings,
+with bean-curd outside; and as I thought you would like to have some, I
+asked Mrs. Yu for them, telling her that I would keep them, and eat them
+in the evening; I told some one to bring them over, but have you
+perchance seen them?"
+
+"Be quick and drop that subject," suggested Ch'ing Wen; "as soon as they
+were brought over, I at once knew they were intended for me; as I had
+just finished my meal, I put them by in there, but when nurse Li came
+she saw them. 'Pao-yue,' she said, 'is not likely to eat them, so I'll
+take them and give them to my grandson.' And forthwith she bade some one
+take them over to her home."
+
+While she was speaking, Hsi Hsueeh brought in tea, and Pao-yue pressed his
+cousin Lin to have a cup.
+
+"Miss Lin has gone long ago," observed all of them, as they burst out
+laughing, "and do you offer her tea?"
+
+Pao-yue drank about half a cup, when he also suddenly bethought himself
+of some tea, which had been brewed in the morning. "This morning," he
+therefore inquired of Hsi Hsueeh, "when you made a cup of maple-dew tea,
+I told you that that kind of tea requires brewing three or four times
+before its colour appears; and how is that you now again bring me this
+tea?"
+
+"I did really put it by," answered Hsi Hsueeh, "but nurse Li came and
+drank it, and then went off."
+
+Pao-yue upon hearing this, dashed the cup he held in his hand on the
+ground, and as it broke into small fragments, with a crash, it spattered
+Hsi Hsueeh's petticoat all over.
+
+"Of whose family is she the mistress?" inquired Pao-yue of Hsi Hsueeh, as
+he jumped up, "that you all pay such deference to her. I just simply had
+a little of her milk, when I was a brat, and that's all; and now she has
+got into the way of thinking herself more high and mighty than even the
+heads of the family! She should be packed off, and then we shall all
+have peace and quiet."
+
+Saying this, he was bent upon going, there and then, to tell dowager
+lady Chia to have his nurse driven away.
+
+Hsi Jen was really not asleep, but simply feigning, with the idea, when
+Pao-yue came, to startle him in play. At first, when she heard him speak
+of writing, and inquire after the dumplings, she did not think it
+necessary to get up, but when he flung the tea-cup on the floor, and got
+into a temper, she promptly jumped up and tried to appease him, and to
+prevent him by coaxing from carrying out his threat.
+
+A waiting-maid sent by dowager lady Chia came in, meanwhile, to ask what
+was the matter.
+
+"I had just gone to pour tea," replied Hsi Jen, without the least
+hesitation, "and I slipped on the snow and fell, while the cup dropped
+from my hand and broke. Your decision to send her away is good," she
+went on to advise Pao-yue, "and we are all willing to go also; and why
+not avail yourself of this opportunity to dismiss us in a body? It will
+be for our good, and you too on the other hand, needn't perplex yourself
+about not getting better people to come and wait on you!"
+
+When Pao-yue heard this taunt, he had at length not a word to say, and
+supported by Hsi Jen and the other attendants on to the couch, they
+divested him of his clothes. But they failed to understand the drift of
+what Pao-yue kept on still muttering, and all they could make out was an
+endless string of words; but his eyes grew heavier and drowsier, and
+they forthwith waited upon him until he went to sleep; when Hsi Jen
+unclasped the jade of spiritual perception, and rolling it up in a
+handkerchief, she lay it under the mattress, with the idea that when he
+put it on the next day it should not chill his neck.
+
+Pao-yue fell sound asleep the moment he lay his head on the pillow. By
+this time nurse Li and the others had come in, but when they heard that
+Pao-yue was tipsy, they too did not venture to approach, but gently made
+inquiries as to whether he was asleep or not. On hearing that he was,
+they took their departure with their minds more at ease.
+
+The next morning the moment Pao-yue awoke, some one came in to tell him
+that young Mr. Jung, living in the mansion on the other side, had
+brought Ch'in Chung to pay him a visit.
+
+Pao-yue speedily went out to greet them and to take them over to pay
+their respects to dowager lady Chia. Her venerable ladyship upon
+perceiving that Ch'in Chung, with his handsome countenance, and his
+refined manners, would be a fit companion for Pao-yue in his studies,
+felt extremely delighted at heart; and having readily detained him to
+tea, and kept him to dinner, she went further and directed a servant to
+escort him to see madame Wang and the rest of the family.
+
+With the fond regard of the whole household for Mrs. Ch'in, they were,
+when they saw what a kind of person Ch'in Chung was, so enchanted with
+him, that at the time of his departure, they all had presents to give
+him; even dowager lady Chia herself presented him with a purse and a
+golden image of the God of Learning, with a view that it should incite
+him to study and harmony.
+
+"Your house," she further advised him, "is far off, and when it's cold
+or hot, it would be inconvenient for you to come all that way, so you
+had better come and live over here with me. You'll then be always with
+your cousin Pao-yue, and you won't be together, in your studies, with
+those fellow-pupils of yours who have no idea what progress means."
+
+Ch'in Chung made a suitable answer to each one of her remarks, and on
+his return home he told everything to his father.
+
+His father, Ch'in Pang-yeh, held at present the post of Secretary in the
+Peking Field Force, and was well-nigh seventy. His wife had died at an
+early period, and as she left no issue, he adopted a son and a daughter
+from a foundling asylum.
+
+But who would have thought it, the boy also died, and there only
+remained the girl, known as Ko Ch'ing in her infancy, who when she grew
+up, was beautiful in face and graceful in manners, and who by reason of
+some relationship with the Chia family, was consequently united by the
+ties of marriage (to one of the household).
+
+Ch'in Pang-yeh was in his fiftieth year when he at length got this son.
+As his tutor had the previous year left to go south, he remained at home
+keeping up his former lessons; and (his father) had been just thinking
+of talking over the matter with his relatives of the Chia family, and
+sending his son to the private school, when, as luck would have it, this
+opportunity of meeting Pao-yue presented itself.
+
+Knowing besides that the family school was under the direction of the
+venerable scholar Chia Tai-ju, and hoping that by joining his class,
+(his son) might advance in knowledge and by these means reap reputation,
+he was therefore intensely gratified. The only drawbacks were that his
+official emoluments were scanty, and that both the eyes of everyone in
+the other establishment were set upon riches and honours, so that he
+could not contribute anything short of the amount (given by others); but
+his son's welfare throughout life was a serious consideration, and he,
+needless to say, had to scrape together from the East and to collect
+from the West; and making a parcel, with all deference, of twenty-four
+taels for an introduction present, he came along with Ch'in Chung to
+Tai-ju's house to pay their respects. But he had to wait subsequently
+until Pao-yue could fix on an auspicious date on which they could
+together enter the school.
+
+As for what happened after they came to school, the next chapter will
+divulge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+ Chia Cheng gives good advice to his wayward son.
+ Li Kuei receives a reprimand.
+ Chia Jui and Li Kuei rebuke the obstinate youths!
+ Ming Yen causes trouble in the school-room.
+
+
+But to return to our story. Mr. Ch'in, the father, and Ch'in Chung, his
+son, only waited until the receipt, by the hands of a servant, of a
+letter from the Chia family about the date on which they were to go to
+school. Indeed, Pao-yue was only too impatient that he and Ch'in Chung
+should come together, and, without loss of time, he fixed upon two days
+later as the day upon which they were definitely to begin their studies,
+and he despatched a servant with a letter to this effect.
+
+On the day appointed, as soon as it was daylight, Pao-yue turned out of
+bed. Hsi Jen had already by that time got books, pencils and all writing
+necessaries in perfect readiness, and was sitting on the edge of the bed
+in a moping mood; but as soon as she saw Pao-yue approach, she was
+constrained to wait upon him in his toilette and ablutions.
+
+Pao-yue, noticing how despondent she was, made it a point to address her.
+"My dear sister," he said, "how is it you aren't again yourself? Is it
+likely that you bear me a grudge for being about to go to school,
+because when I leave you, you'll all feel dull?"
+
+Hsi Jen smiled. "What an ideal" she replied. "Study is a most excellent
+thing, and without it a whole lifetime is a mere waste, and what good
+comes in the long run? There's only one thing, which is simply that when
+engaged in reading your books, you should set your mind on your books;
+and that you should think of home when not engaged in reading. Whatever
+you do, don't romp together with them, for were you to meet our master,
+your father, it will be no joke! Although it's asserted that a scholar
+must strain every nerve to excel, yet it's preferable that the tasks
+should be somewhat fewer, as, in the first place, when one eats too
+much, one cannot digest it; and, in the second place, good health must
+also be carefully attended to. This is my view on the subject, and you
+should at all times consider it in practice."
+
+While Hsi Jen gave utterance to a sentence, Pao-yue nodded his head in
+sign of approval of that sentence. Hsi Jen then went on to speak. "I've
+also packed up," she continued, "your long pelisse, and handed it to the
+pages to take it over; so mind, when it's cold in the school-room,
+please remember to put on this extra clothing, for it's not like home,
+where you have people to look after you. The foot-stove and hand-stove,
+I've also sent over; and urge that pack of lazy-bones to attend to their
+work, for if you say nothing, they will be so engrossed in their
+frolics, that they'll be loth to move, and let you, all for nothing,
+take a chill and ruin your constitution."
+
+"Compose your mind," replied Pao-yue; "when I go out, I know well enough
+how to attend to everything my own self. But you people shouldn't remain
+in this room, and mope yourselves to death; and it would be well if you
+would often go over to cousin Lin's for a romp."
+
+While saying this, he had completed his toilette, and Hsi Jen pressed
+him to go and wish good morning to dowager lady Chia, Chia Cheng, madame
+Wang, and the other members of the family.
+
+Pao-yue, after having gone on to give a few orders to Ch'ing Wen and She
+Yueh, at length left his apartments, and coming over, paid his obeisance
+to dowager lady Chia. Her venerable Ladyship had likewise, as a matter
+of course, a few recommendations to make to him, which ended, he next
+went and greeted madame Wang; and leaving again her quarters, he came
+into the library to wish Chia Cheng good morning.
+
+As it happened, Chia Cheng had on this day returned home at an early
+hour, and was, at this moment, in the library, engaged in a friendly
+chat with a few gentlemen, who were family companions. Suddenly
+perceiving Pao-yue come in to pay his respects, and report that he was
+about to go to school, Chia Cheng gave a sardonic smile. "If you do
+again," he remarked, "make allusions to the words going to school,
+you'll make even me blush to death with shame! My advice to you is that
+you should after all go your own way and play; that's the best thing for
+you; and mind you don't pollute with dirt this floor by standing here,
+and soil this door of mine by leaning against it!"
+
+The family companions stood up and smilingly expostulated.
+
+"Venerable Sir," they pleaded, "why need you be so down upon him? Our
+worthy brother is this day going to school, and may in two or three
+years be able to display his abilities and establish his reputation. He
+will, beyond doubt, not behave like a child, as he did in years gone
+past. But as the time for breakfast is also drawing nigh, you should,
+worthy brother, go at once."
+
+When these words had been spoken, two among them, who were advanced in
+years, readily took Pao-yue by the hand, and led him out of the library.
+
+"Who are in attendance upon Pao-yue?" Chia Cheng having inquired, he
+heard a suitable reply, "We, Sir!" given from outside; and three or four
+sturdy fellows entered at an early period and fell on one knee, and
+bowed and paid their obeisance.
+
+When Chia Cheng came to scrutinise who they were, and he recognised Li
+Kuei, the son of Pao-yue's nurse, he addressed himself to him. "You
+people," he said, "remain waiting upon him the whole day long at school,
+but what books has he after all read? Books indeed! why, he has read and
+filled his brains with a lot of trashy words and nonsensical phrases,
+and learnt some ingenious way of waywardness. Wait till I have a little
+leisure, and I'll set to work, first and foremost, and flay your skin
+off, and then settle accounts with that good-for-nothing!"
+
+This threat so terrified Li Kuei that he hastily fell on both his knees,
+pulled off his hat, knocked his head on the ground, and gave vent to
+repeated assenting utterances: "Oh, quite so, Sir! Our elder brother Mr.
+Pao has," he continued, "already read up to the third book of the Book
+of Odes, up to where there's something or other like: 'Yiu, Yiu, the
+deer bleat; the lotus leaves and duckweed.' Your servant wouldn't
+presume to tell a lie!"
+
+As he said this, the whole company burst out into a boisterous fit of
+laughter, and Chia Cheng himself could not also contain his countenance
+and had to laugh. "Were he even," he observed, "to read thirty books of
+the Book of Odes, it would be as much an imposition upon people and no
+more, as (when the thief) who, in order to steal the bell, stops up his
+own ears! You go and present my compliments to the gentleman in the
+schoolroom, and tell him, from my part, that the whole lot of Odes and
+old writings are of no use, as they are subjects for empty show; and
+that he should, above all things, take the Four Books, and explain them
+to him, from first to last, and make him know them all thoroughly by
+heart,--that this is the most important thing!"
+
+Li Kuei signified his obedience with all promptitude, and perceiving
+that Chia Cheng had nothing more to say, he retired out of the room.
+
+During this while, Pao-yue had been standing all alone outside in the
+court, waiting quietly with suppressed voice, and when they came out he
+at once walked away in their company.
+
+Li Kuei and his companions observed as they shook their clothes, "Did
+you, worthy brother, hear what he said that he would first of all flay
+our skins off! People's servants acquire some respectability from the
+master whom they serve, but we poor fellows fruitlessly wait upon you,
+and are beaten and blown up in the bargain. It would be well if we were,
+from henceforward, to be treated with a certain amount of regard."
+
+Pao-yue smiled, "Dear Brother," he added, "don't feel aggrieved; I'll
+invite you to come round to-morrow!"
+
+"My young ancestor," replied Li Kuei, "who presumes to look forward to
+an invitation? all I entreat you is to listen to one or two words I have
+to say, that's all."
+
+As they talked they came over once more to dowager lady Chia's on this
+side.
+
+Ch'in Chung had already arrived, and the old lady was first having a
+chat with him. Forthwith the two of them exchanged salutations, and took
+leave of her ladyship; but Pao-yue, suddenly remembering that he had not
+said good-bye to Tai-yue, promptly betook himself again to Tai-yue's
+quarters to do so.
+
+Tai-yue was, at this time, below the window, facing the mirror, and
+adjusting her toilette. Upon hearing Pao-yue mention that he was on his
+way to school, she smiled and remarked, "That's right! you're now going
+to school and you'll be sure to reach the lunar palace and pluck the
+olea fragrans; but I can't go along with you."
+
+"My dear cousin," rejoined Pao-yue, "wait for me to come out from school,
+before you have your evening meal; wait also until I come to prepare the
+cosmetic of rouge."
+
+After a protracted chat, he at length tore himself away and took his
+departure.
+
+"How is it," interposed Tai-yue, as she once again called out to him and
+stopped him, "that you don't go and bid farewell to your cousin Pao
+Ch'ai?"
+
+Pao-yue smiled, and saying not a word by way of reply he straightway
+walked to school, accompanied by Ch'in Chung.
+
+This public school, which it must be noticed was also not far from his
+quarters, had been originally instituted by the founder of the
+establishment, with the idea that should there be among the young
+fellows of his clan any who had not the means to engage a tutor, they
+should readily be able to enter this class for the prosecution of their
+studies; that all those of the family who held official position should
+all give (the institution) pecuniary assistance, with a view to meet the
+expenses necessary for allowances to the students; and that they were to
+select men advanced in years and possessed of virtue to act as tutors of
+the family school.
+
+The two of them, Ch'in Chung and Pao-yue, had now entered the class, and
+after they and the whole number of their schoolmates had made each
+other's acquaintance, their studies were commenced. Ever since this
+time, these two were wont to come together, go together, get up
+together, and sit together, till they became more intimate and close.
+Besides, dowager lady Chia got very fond of Ch'in Chung, and would again
+and again keep him to stay with them for three and five days at a time,
+treating him as if he were one of her own great-grandsons. Perceiving
+that in Ch'in Chung's home there was not much in the way of sufficiency,
+she also helped him in clothes and other necessaries; and scarcely had
+one or two months elapsed before Ch'in Chung got on friendly terms with
+every one in the Jung mansion.
+
+Pao-yue was, however, a human being who could not practise contentment
+and observe propriety; and as his sole delight was to have every caprice
+gratified, he naturally developed a craving disposition. "We two, you
+and I, are," he was also wont secretly to tell Ch'in Chung, "of the same
+age, and fellow-scholars besides, so that there's no need in the future
+to pay any regard to our relationship of uncle and nephew; and we should
+treat each other as brothers or friends, that's all."
+
+Ch'in Chung at first (explained that) he could not be so presumptuous;
+but as Pao-yue would not listen to any such thing, but went on to address
+him as brother and to call him by his style Ch'ing Ch'ing, he had
+likewise himself no help, but to begin calling him, at random, anything
+and anyhow.
+
+There were, it is true, a large number of pupils in this school, but
+these consisted of the sons and younger brothers of that same clan, and
+of several sons and nephews of family connections. The proverb
+appositely describes that there are nine species of dragons, and that
+each species differs; and it goes of course without saying that in a
+large number of human beings there were dragons and snakes, confusedly
+admixed, and that creatures of a low standing were included.
+
+Ever since the arrival of the two young fellows, Ch'in Chung and Pao-yue,
+both of whom were in appearance as handsome as budding flowers, and
+they, on the one hand, saw how modest and genial Ch'in Chung was, how he
+blushed before he uttered a word, how he was timid and demure like a
+girl, and on the other hand, how that Pao-yue was naturally proficient in
+abasing and demeaning himself, how he was so affable and good-natured,
+considerate in his temperament and so full of conversation, and how that
+these two were, in consequence, on such terms of intimate friendship, it
+was, in fact, no matter of surprise that the whole company of
+fellow-students began to foster envious thoughts, that they, behind
+their backs, passed on their account, this one one disparaging remark
+and that one another, and that they insinuated slanderous lies against
+them, which extended inside as well as outside the school-room.
+
+Indeed, after Hsueeh P'an had come over to take up his quarters in madame
+Wang's suite of apartments, he shortly came to hear of the existence of
+a family school, and that this school was mainly attended by young
+fellows of tender years, and inordinate ideas were suddenly aroused in
+him. While he therefore fictitiously gave out that he went to school,
+[he was as irregular in his attendance as the fisherman] who catches
+fish for three days, and suns his nets for the next two; simply
+presenting his school-fee gift to Chia Tai-jui and making not the least
+progress in his studies; his sole dream being to knit a number of
+familiar friendships. Who would have thought it, there were in this
+school young pupils, who, in their greed to obtain money, clothes and
+eatables from Hsueeh P'an, allowed themselves to be cajoled by him, and
+played tricks upon; but on this topic, it is likewise superfluous to
+dilate at any length.
+
+There were also two lovable young scholars, relatives of what branch of
+the family is not known, and whose real surnames and names have also not
+been ascertained, who, by reason of their good and winsome looks, were,
+by the pupils in the whole class, given two nicknames, to one that of
+"Hsiang Lin," "Fragrant Love," and to the other "Yue Ai," "Precious
+Affection." But although every one entertained feelings of secret
+admiration for them, and had the wish to take liberties with the young
+fellows, they lived, nevertheless, one and all, in such terror of Hsueeh
+P'an's imperious influence, that they had not the courage to come
+forward and interfere with them.
+
+As soon as Ch'in Chung and Pao-yue had, at this time, come to school, and
+they had made the acquaintance of these two fellow-pupils, they too
+could not help becoming attached to them and admiring them, but as they
+also came to know that they were great friends of Hsueeh P'an, they did
+not, in consequence, venture to treat them lightly, or to be unseemly in
+their behaviour towards them. Hsiang Lin and Yue Ai both kept to
+themselves the same feelings, which they fostered for Ch'in Chung and
+Pao-yue, and to this reason is to be assigned the fact that though these
+four persons nurtured fond thoughts in their hearts there was however no
+visible sign of them. Day after day, each one of them would, during
+school hours, sit in four distinct places: but their eight eyes were
+secretly linked together; and, while indulging either in innuendoes or
+in double entendres, their hearts, in spite of the distance between
+them, reflected the whole number of their thoughts.
+
+But though their outward attempts were devoted to evade the detection of
+other people's eyes, it happened again that, while least expected,
+several sly lads discovered the real state of affairs, with the result
+that the whole school stealthily frowned their eyebrows at them, winked
+their eyes at them, or coughed at them, or raised their voices at them;
+and these proceedings were, in fact, not restricted to one single day.
+
+As luck would have it, on this day Tai-jui was, on account of business,
+compelled to go home; and having left them as a task no more than a
+heptameter line for an antithetical couplet, explaining that they should
+find a sentence to rhyme, and that the following day when he came back,
+he would set them their lessons, he went on to hand the affairs
+connected with the class to his elder grandson, Chia Jui, whom he asked
+to take charge.
+
+Wonderful to say Hsueeh P'an had of late not frequented school very
+often, not even so much as to answer the roll, so that Ch'in Chung
+availed himself of his absence to ogle and smirk with Hsiang Lin; and
+these two pretending that they had to go out, came into the back court
+for a chat.
+
+"Does your worthy father at home mind your having any friends?" Ch'in
+Chung was the first to ask. But this sentence was scarcely ended, when
+they heard a sound of coughing coming from behind. Both were taken much
+aback, and, speedily turning their heads round to see, they found that
+it was a fellow-scholar of theirs, called Chin Jung.
+
+Hsiang Lin was naturally of somewhat hasty temperament, so that with
+shame and anger mutually impelling each other, he inquired of him,
+"What's there to cough at? Is it likely you wouldn't have us speak to
+each other?"
+
+"I don't mind your speaking," Chin Jung observed laughing; "but would
+you perchance not have me cough? I'll tell you what, however; if you
+have anything to say, why not utter it in intelligible language? Were
+you allowed to go on in this mysterious manner, what strange doings
+would you be up to? But I have sure enough found you out, so what's the
+need of still prevaricating? But if you will, first of all, let me
+partake of a share in your little game, you and I can hold our tongue
+and utter not a word. If not, why the whole school will begin to turn
+the matter over."
+
+At these words, Ch'in Chung and Hsiang Lin were so exasperated that
+their blood rushed up to their faces. "What have you found out?" they
+hastily asked.
+
+"What I have now detected," replied Chin Jung smiling, "is the plain
+truth!" and saying this he went on to clap his hands and to call out
+with a loud voice as he laughed: "They have moulded some nice well-baked
+cakes, won't you fellows come and buy one to eat!" (These two have been
+up to larks, won't you come and have some fun!)
+
+Both Ch'in Chung and Hsiang Lin felt resentful as well as fuming with
+rage, and with hurried step they went in, in search of Chia Jui, to whom
+they reported Chin Jung, explaining that Chin Jung had insulted them
+both, without any rhyme or reason.
+
+The fact is that this Chia Jui was, in an extraordinary degree, a man
+with an eye to the main chance, and devoid of any sense of propriety.
+His wont was at school to take advantage of public matters to serve his
+private interest, and to bring pressure upon his pupils with the intent
+that they should regale him. While subsequently he also lent his
+countenance to Hsueeh P'an, scheming to get some money or eatables out of
+him, he left him entirely free to indulge in disorderly behaviour; and
+not only did he not go out of his way to hold him in check, but, on the
+contrary, he encouraged him, infamous though he was already, to become a
+bully, so as to curry favour with him.
+
+But this Hsueeh P'an was, by nature, gifted with a fickle disposition;
+to-day, he would incline to the east, and to-morrow to the west, so that
+having recently obtained new friends, he put Hsiang Lin and Yue Ai aside.
+Chin Jung too was at one time an intimate friend of his, but ever since
+he had acquired the friendship of the two lads, Hsiang Lin and Yue Ai, he
+forthwith deposed Chin Jung. Of late, he had already come to look down
+upon even Hsiang Lin and Yue Ai, with the result that Chia Jui as well
+was deprived of those who could lend him support, or stand by him; but
+he bore Hsueeh P'an no grudge, for wearying with old friends, as soon as
+he found new ones, but felt angry that Hsiang Lin and Yue Ai had not put
+in a word on his behalf with Hsueeh P'an. Chia Jui, Chin Jung and in fact
+the whole crowd of them were, for this reason, just harbouring a jealous
+grudge against these two, so that when he saw Ch'in Chung and Hsiang Lin
+come on this occasion and lodge a complaint against Chin Jung, Chia Jui
+readily felt displeasure creep into his heart; and, although he did not
+venture to call Ch'in Chung to account, he nevertheless made an example
+of Hsiang Lin. And instead (of taking his part), he called him a
+busybody and denounced him in much abusive language, with the result
+that Hsiang Lin did not, contrariwise, profit in any way, but brought
+displeasure upon himself. Even Ch'in Chung grumbled against the
+treatment, as each of them resumed their places.
+
+Chin Jung became still more haughty, and wagging his head and smacking
+his lips, he gave vent to many more abusive epithets; but as it happened
+that they also reached Yue Ai's ears, the two of them, though seated
+apart, began an altercation in a loud tone of voice.
+
+Chin Jung, with obstinate pertinacity, clung to his version. "Just a
+short while back," he said, "I actually came upon them, as they were
+indulging in demonstrations of intimate friendship in the back court.
+These two had resolved to be one in close friendship, and were eloquent
+in their protestations, mindful only in persistently talking their
+trash, but they were not aware of the presence of another person."
+
+But his language had, contrary to all expectations, given, from the very
+first, umbrage to another person, and who do you, (gentle reader,)
+imagine this person to have been?
+
+This person was, in fact, one whose name was Chia Se; a grandson
+likewise of a main branch of the Ning mansion. His parents had died at
+an early period, and he had, ever since his youth, lived with Chia Chen.
+He had at this time grown to be sixteen years of age, and was, as
+compared with Chia Jung, still more handsome and good looking. These two
+cousins were united by ties of the closest intimacy, and were always
+together, whether they went out or stayed at home.
+
+The inmates of the Ning mansion were many in number, and their opinions
+of a mixed kind; and that whole bevy of servants, devoid as they were of
+all sense of right, solely excelled in the practice of inventing stories
+to backbite their masters; and this is how some mean person or other
+again, who it was is not known, insinuated slanderous and opprobrious
+reports (against Chia Se). Chia Chen had, presumably, also come to hear
+some unfavourable criticisms (on his account), and having, of course, to
+save himself from odium and suspicion, he had, at this juncture, after
+all, to apportion him separate quarters, and to bid Chia Se move outside
+the Ning mansion, where he went and established a home of his own to
+live in.
+
+This Chia Se was handsome as far as external appearances went, and
+intelligent withal in his inward natural gifts, but, though he nominally
+came to school, it was simply however as a mere blind; for he treated,
+as he had ever done, as legitimate occupations, such things as cock
+fighting, dog-racing and visiting places of easy virtue. And as, above,
+he had Chia Chen to spoil him by over-indulgence; and below, there was
+Chia Jung to stand by him, who of the clan could consequently presume to
+run counter to him?
+
+Seeing that he was on the closest terms of friendship with Chia Jung,
+how could he reconcile himself to the harsh treatment which he now saw
+Ch'in Chung receive from some persons? Being now bent upon pushing
+himself forward to revenge the injustice, he was, for the time, giving
+himself up to communing with his own heart. "Chin Jung, Chia Jui and the
+rest are," he pondered, "friends of uncle Hsueeh, but I too am on
+friendly terms with him, and he with me, and if I do come forward and
+they tell old Hsueeh, won't we impair the harmony which exists between
+us? and if I don't concern myself, such idle tales make, when spoken,
+every one feel uncomfortable; and why shouldn't I now devise some means
+to hold them in check, so as to stop their mouths, and prevent any loss
+of face!"
+
+Having concluded this train of thought, he also pretended that he had to
+go out, and, walking as far as the back, he, with low voice, called to
+his side Ming Yen, the page attending upon Pao-yue in his studies, and in
+one way and another, he made use of several remarks to egg him on.
+
+This Ming Yen was the smartest of Pao-yue's attendants, but he was also
+young in years and lacked experience, so that he lent a patient ear to
+what Chia Se had to say about the way Chin Jung had insulted Ch'in
+Chung. "Even your own master, Pao-yue," (Chia Se added), "is involved,
+and if you don't let him know a bit of your mind, he will next time be
+still more arrogant."
+
+This Ming Yen was always ready, even with no valid excuse, to be
+insolent and overbearing to people, so that after hearing the news and
+being furthermore instigated by Chia Se, he speedily rushed into the
+schoolroom and cried out "Chin Jung;" nor did he address him as Mr.
+Chin, but merely shouted "What kind of fellow is this called Chin?"
+
+Chia Se presently shuffled his feet, while he designedly adjusted his
+dress and looked at the rays of the sun. "It's time," he observed and
+walking forthwith, first up to Chia Jui, he explained to him that he had
+something to attend to and would like to get away a little early; and as
+Chia Jui did not venture to stop him, he had no alternative but to let
+him have his way and go.
+
+During this while, Ming Yen had entered the room and promptly seizing
+Chin Jung in a grip: "What we do, whether proper or improper," he said,
+"doesn't concern you! It's enough anyway that we don't defile your
+father! A fine brat you are indeed, to come out and meddle with your Mr.
+Ming!"
+
+These words plunged the scholars of the whole class in such
+consternation that they all wistfully and absently looked at him.
+
+"Ming Yen," hastily shouted out Chia Jui, "you're not to kick up a
+rumpus."
+
+Chin Jung was so full of anger that his face was quite yellow. "What a
+subversion of propriety! a slave and a menial to venture to behave in
+this manner! I'll just simply speak to your master," he exclaimed as he
+readily pushed his hands off and was about to go and lay hold of Pao-yue
+to beat him.
+
+Ch'in Chung was on the point of turning round to leave the room, when
+with a sound of 'whiff' which reached him from behind, he at once caught
+sight of a square inkslab come flying that way. Who had thrown it he
+could not say, but it struck the desk where Chia Lan and Chia Chuen were
+seated.
+
+These two, Chia Lan and Chia Chuen, were also the great-grandsons of a
+close branch of the Jung mansion. This Chia Chuen had been left
+fatherless at an early age, and his mother doated upon him in an unusual
+manner, and it was because at school he was on most friendly terms with
+Chia Lan, that these two sat together at the same desk. Who would have
+believed that Chia Chuen would, in spite of being young in years, have
+had an extremely strong mind, and that he would be mostly up to mischief
+without the least fear of any one. He watched with listless eye from his
+seat Chin Jung's friends stealthily assist Chin Jung, as they flung an
+inkslab to strike Ming Yen, but when, as luck would have it, it hit the
+wrong mark, and fell just in front of him, smashing to atoms the
+porcelain inkslab and water bottle, and smudging his whole book with
+ink, Chia Chuen was, of course, much incensed, and hastily gave way to
+abuse. "You consummate pugnacious criminal rowdies! why, doesn't this
+amount to all of you taking a share in the fight!" And as he uttered
+this abuse, he too forthwith seized an inkslab, which he was bent upon
+flinging.
+
+Chia Lan was one who always tried to avoid trouble, so that he lost no
+time in pressing down the inkslab, while with all the words his mouth
+could express, he tried to pacify him, adding "My dear brother, it's no
+business of yours and mine."
+
+Chia Chuen could not repress his resentment; and perceiving that the
+inkslab was held down, he at once laid hold of a box containing books,
+which he flung in this direction; but being, after all, short of
+stature, and weak of strength, he was unable to send it anywhere near
+the mark; so that it dropped instead when it got as far as the desk
+belonging to Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung, while a dreadful crash became
+audible as it fell smash on the table. The books, papers, pencils,
+inkslabs, and other writing materials were all scattered over the whole
+table; and Pao-yue's cup besides containing tea was itself broken to
+pieces and the tea spilt.
+
+Chia Chuen forthwith jumped forward with the intent of assailing the
+person who had flung the inkslab at the very moment that Chin Jung took
+hold of a long bamboo pole which was near by; but as the space was
+limited, and the pupils many, how could he very well brandish a long
+stick? Ming Yen at an early period received a whack, and he shouted
+wildly, "Don't you fellows yet come to start a fight."
+
+Pao-yue had, besides, along with him several pages, one of whom was
+called Sao Hung, another Ch'u Yo, another Mo Yue. These three were
+naturally up to every mischief, so that with one voice, bawling
+boisterously, "You children of doubtful mothers, have you taken up
+arms?" Mo Yue promptly took up the bar of a door; while Sao Hung and Ch'u
+Yo both laid hold of horsewhips, and they all rushed forward like a hive
+of bees.
+
+Chia Jui was driven to a state of exasperation; now he kept this one in
+check, and the next moment he reasoned with another, but who would
+listen to his words? They followed the bent of their inclinations and
+stirred up a serious disturbance.
+
+Of the whole company of wayward young fellows, some there were who gave
+sly blows for fun's sake; others there were who were not gifted with
+much pluck and hid themselves on one side; there were those too who
+stood on the tables, clapping their hands and laughing immoderately,
+shouting out: "Go at it."
+
+The row was, at this stage, like water bubbling over in a cauldron, when
+several elderly servants, like Li Kuei and others, who stood outside,
+heard the uproar commence inside, and one and all came in with all haste
+and united in their efforts to pacify them. Upon asking "What's the
+matter?" the whole bevy of voices shouted out different versions; this
+one giving this account, while another again another story. But Li Kuei
+temporised by rebuking Ming Yen and others, four in all, and packing
+them off.
+
+Ch'in Chung's head had, at an early period, come into contact with Chin
+Jung's pole and had had the skin grazed off. Pao-yue was in the act of
+rubbing it for him, with the overlap of his coat, but realising that the
+whole lot of them had been hushed up, he forthwith bade Li Kuei collect
+his books.
+
+"Bring my horse round," he cried; "I'm going to tell Mr. Chia Tai-ju
+that we have been insulted. I won't venture to tell him anything else,
+but (tell him I will) that having come with all propriety and made our
+report to Mr. Chia Jui, Mr. Chia Jui instead (of helping us) threw the
+fault upon our shoulders. That while he heard people abuse us, he went
+so far as to instigate them to beat us; that Ming Yen seeing others
+insult us, did naturally take our part; but that they, instead (of
+desisting,) combined together and struck Ming Yen and even broke open
+Ch'in Chung's head. And that how is it possible for us to continue our
+studies in here?"
+
+"My dear sir," replied Li Kuei coaxingly, "don't be so impatient! As Mr.
+Chia Tai-ju has had something to attend to and gone home, were you now,
+for a trifle like this, to go and disturb that aged gentleman, it will
+make us, indeed, appear as if we had no sense of propriety: my idea is
+that wherever a thing takes place, there should it be settled; and
+what's the need of going and troubling an old man like him. This is all
+you, Mr. Chia Jui, who is to blame; for in the absence of Mr. Chia
+Tai-ju, you, sir, are the head in this school, and every one looks to
+you to take action. Had all the pupils been at fault, those who deserved
+a beating should have been beaten, and those who merited punishment
+should have been punished! and why did you wait until things came to
+such a pass, and didn't even exercise any check?"
+
+"I blew them up," pleaded Chia Jui, "but not one of them would listen."
+
+"I'll speak out, whether you, worthy sir, resent what I'm going to say
+or not," ventured Li Kuei. "It's you, sir, who all along have after all
+had considerable blame attached to your name; that's why all these young
+men wouldn't hear you! Now if this affair is bruited, until it reaches
+Mr. Chia Tai-ju's ears, why even you, sir, will not be able to escape
+condemnation; and why don't you at once make up your mind to disentangle
+the ravelled mess and dispel all trouble and have done with it!"
+
+"Disentangle what?" inquired Pao-yue; "I shall certainly go and make my
+report."
+
+"If Chin Jung stays here," interposed Ch'in Chung sobbing, "I mean to go
+back home."
+
+"Why that?" asked Pao-yue. "Is it likely that others can safely come and
+that you and I can't? I feel it my bounden duty to tell every one
+everything at home so as to expel Chin Jung. This Chin Jung," he went on
+to inquire as he turned towards Lei Kuei, "is the relative or friend of
+what branch of the family?"
+
+Li Kuei gave way to reflection and then said by way of reply: "There's
+no need whatever for you to raise this question; for were you to go and
+report the matter to the branch of the family to which he belongs, the
+harmony which should exist between cousins will be still more impaired."
+
+"He's the nephew of Mrs. Huang, of the Eastern mansion," interposed Ming
+Yen from outside the window. "What a determined and self-confident
+fellow he must be to even come and bully us; Mrs. Huang is his paternal
+aunt! That mother of yours is only good for tossing about like a
+millstone, for kneeling before our lady Lien, and begging for something
+to pawn. I've no eye for such a specimen of mistress."
+
+"What!" speedily shouted Li Kuei, "does this son of a dog happen to know
+of the existence of all these gnawing maggots?" (these disparaging
+facts).
+
+Pao-yue gave a sardonic smile. "I was wondering whose relative he was,"
+he remarked; "is he really sister-in-law Huang's nephew? well, I'll go
+at once and speak to her."
+
+As he uttered these words, his purpose was to start there and then, and
+he called Ming Yen in, to come and pack up his books. Ming Yen walked in
+and put the books away. "Master," he went on to suggest, in an exultant
+manner, "there's no need for you to go yourself to see her; I'll go to
+her house and tell her that our old lady has something to ask of her. I
+can hire a carriage to bring her over, and then, in the presence of her
+venerable ladyship, she can be spoken to; and won't this way save a lot
+of trouble?"
+
+"Do you want to die?" speedily shouted Li Kuei; "mind, when you go back,
+whether right or wrong, I'll first give you a good bumping, and then go
+and report you to our master and mistress, and just tell them that it's
+you, and only you, who instigated Mr. Pao-yue! I've succeeded, after ever
+so much trouble, in coaxing them, and mending matters to a certain
+extent, and now you come again to continue a new plan. It's you who
+stirred up this row in the school-room; and not to speak of your
+finding, as would have been the proper course, some way of suppressing
+it, there you are instead still jumping into the fire."
+
+Ming Yen, at this juncture, could not muster the courage to utter a
+sound. By this time Chia Jui had also apprehended that if the row came
+to be beyond clearing up, he himself would likewise not be clear of
+blame, so that circumstances compelled him to pocket his grievances and
+to come and entreat Ch'in Chung as well as to make apologies to Pao-yue.
+These two young fellows would not at first listen to his advances, but
+Pao-yue at length explained that he would not go and report the
+occurrence, provided only Chin Jung admitted his being in the wrong.
+Chin Jung refused, at the outset, to agree to this, but he ultimately
+could find no way out of it, as Chia Jui himself urged him to make some
+temporising apology.
+
+Li Kuei and the others felt compelled to tender Chin Jung some good
+advice: "It's you," they said, "who have given rise to the disturbance,
+and if you don't act in this manner, how will the matter ever be brought
+to an end?" so that Chin Jung found it difficult to persist in his
+obstinacy, and was constrained to make a bow to Ch'in Chung.
+
+Pao-yue was, however, not yet satisfied, but would insist upon his
+knocking his head on the ground, and Chia Jui, whose sole aim was to
+temporarily smother the affair, quietly again urged Chin Jung, adding
+that the proverb has it: "That if you keep down the anger of a minute,
+you will for a whole life-time feel no remorse."
+
+Whether Chin Jung complied or not to his advice is not known, but the
+following chapter will explain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ Widow Chin, prompted by a desire to reap advantage, puts up
+ temporarily with an insult.
+ Dr. Chang in discussing Mrs. Chin's illness minutely exhausts its
+ origin.
+
+
+We will now resume our story. As the persons against Chin Jung were so
+many and their pressure so great, and as, what was more, Chia Jui urged
+him to make amends, he had to knock his head on the ground before Ch'in
+Chung. Pao-yue then gave up his clamorous remonstrances and the whole
+crowd dispersed from school.
+
+Chin Jung himself returned home all alone, but the more he pondered on
+the occurrence, the more incensed he felt. "Ch'in Chung," he argued, "is
+simply Chia Jung's young brother-in-law, and is no son or grandson of
+the Chia family, and he too joins the class and prosecutes his studies
+on no other footing than that of mine; but it's because he relies upon
+Pao-yue's friendship for him that he has no eye for any one. This being
+the case, he should be somewhat proper in his behaviour, and there would
+be then not a word to say about it! He has besides all along been very
+mystical with Pao-yue, imagining that we are all blind, and have no eyes
+to see what's up! Here he goes again to-day and mixes with people in
+illicit intrigues; and it's all because they happened to obtrude
+themselves before my very eyes that this rumpus has broken out; but of
+what need I fear?"
+
+His mother, nee Hu, hearing him mutter; "Why meddle again," she
+explained, "in things that don't concern you? I had endless trouble in
+getting to speak to your paternal aunt; and your aunt had, on the other
+hand, a thousand and one ways and means to devise, before she could
+appeal to lady Secunda, of the Western mansion; and then only it was
+that you got this place to study in. Had we not others to depend upon
+for your studies, would we have in our house the means sufficient to
+engage a teacher? Besides, in other people's school, tea and eatables
+are all ready and found; and these two years that you've been there for
+your lessons, we've likewise effected at home a great saving in what
+would otherwise have been necessary for your eating and use. Something
+has been, it's true, economised; but you have further a liking for spick
+and span clothes. Besides, it's only through your being there to study,
+that you've come to know Mr. Hsueeh! that Mr. Hsueeh, who has even in one
+year given us so much pecuniary assistance as seventy and eighty taels!
+And now you would go and raise a row in this school-room! why, if we
+were bent upon finding such another place, I tell you plainly, and once
+for all, that we would find it more difficult than if we tried to scale
+the heavens! Now do quietly play for a while, and then go to sleep, and
+you'll be ever so much better for it then."
+
+Chin Jung thereupon stifled his anger and held his tongue; and, after a
+short while, he in fact went to sleep of his own accord.
+
+The next day he again went to school, and no further comment need be
+made about it; but we will go on to explain that a young lady related to
+her had at one time been given in marriage to a descendant (of the
+eldest branch) of the Chia family, (whose names were written) with the
+jade radical, Chia Huang by name; but how could the whole number of
+members of the clan equal in affluence and power the two mansions of
+Ning and Jung? This fact goes, as a matter of course, without saying.
+The Chia Huang couple enjoyed some small income; but they also went, on
+frequent occasions, to the mansions of Ning and Jung to pay their
+respects; and they knew likewise so well how to adulate lady Feng and
+Mrs. Yu, that lady Feng and Mrs. Yu would often grant them that
+assistance and support which afforded them the means of meeting their
+daily expenses.
+
+It just occurred on this occasion that the weather was clear and fine,
+and that there happened, on the other hand, to be nothing to attend to
+at home, so forthwith taking along with her a matron, (Mrs. Chia Huang)
+got into a carriage and came over to see widow Chin and her nephew.
+While engaged in a chat, Chin Jung's mother accidentally broached the
+subject of the affair, which had transpired in the school-room of the
+Chia mansion on the previous day, and she gave, for the benefit of her
+young sister-in-law, a detailed account of the whole occurrence from
+beginning to end.
+
+This Mrs. Huang would not have had her temper ruffled had she not come
+to hear what had happened; but having heard about it, anger sprung from
+the very depths of her heart. "This fellow, Ch'in Chung," she exclaimed,
+"is a relative of the Chia family, but is it likely that Jung Erh isn't,
+in like manner, a relative of the Chia family; and when relatives are
+many, there's no need to put on airs! Besides, does his conduct consist,
+for the most part, of anything that would make one get any face? In
+fact, Pao-yue himself shouldn't do injury to himself by condescending to
+look at him. But, as things have come to this pass, give me time and
+I'll go to the Eastern mansion and see our lady Chen and then have a
+chat with Ch'in Chung's sister, and ask her to decide who's right and
+who's wrong!"
+
+Chin Jung's mother upon hearing these words was terribly distressed.
+"It's all through my hasty tongue," she observed with vehemence, "that
+I've told you all, sister-in-law: but please, sister, give up at once
+the idea of going over to say anything about it! Don't trouble yourself
+as to who is in the right, and who is in the wrong; for were any
+unpleasantness to come out of it, how could we here stand on our legs?
+and were we not to stand on our legs, not only would we never be able to
+engage a tutor, but the result will be, on the contrary, that for his
+own person will be superadded many an expense for eatables and
+necessaries."
+
+"What do I care about how many?" replied Mrs. Huang; "wait till I've
+spoken about it, and we'll see what will be the result." Nor would she
+accede to her sister-in-law's entreaties, but bidding, at the same time,
+the matron look after the carriage, she got into it, and came over to
+the Ning Mansion.
+
+On her arrival at the Ning Mansion, she entered by the eastern side
+gate, and dismounting from the carriage, she went in to call on Mrs. Yu,
+the spouse of Chia Chen, with whom she had not the courage to put on any
+high airs; but gently and quietly she made inquiries after her health,
+and after passing some irrelevant remarks, she ascertained: "How is it I
+don't see lady Jung to-day?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Mrs. Yu, "what's the matter with her these last
+few days; but she hasn't been herself for two months and more; and the
+doctor who was asked to see her declares that it is nothing connected
+with any happy event. A couple of days back, she felt, as soon as the
+afternoon came, both to move, and both even to utter a word; while the
+brightness of her eyes was all dimmed; and I told her, 'You needn't
+stick to etiquette, for there's no use for you to come in the forenoon
+and evening, as required by conventionalities; but what you must do is,
+to look after your own health. Should any relative come over, there's
+also myself to receive them; and should any of the senior generation
+think your absence strange, I'll explain things for you, if you'll let
+me.'
+
+"I also advised brother Jung on the subject: 'You shouldn't,' I said,
+'allow any one to trouble her; nor let her be put out of temper, but let
+her quietly attend to her health, and she'll get all right. Should she
+fancy anything to eat, just come over here and fetch it; for, in the
+event of anything happening to her, were you to try and find another
+such a wife to wed, with such a face and such a disposition, why, I
+fear, were you even to seek with a lantern in hand, there would really
+be no place where you could discover her. And with such a temperament
+and deportment as hers, which of our relatives and which of our elders
+don't love her?' That's why my heart has been very distressed these two
+days! As luck would have it early this morning her brother turned up to
+see her, but who would have fancied him to be such a child, and so
+ignorant of what is proper and not proper to do? He saw well enough that
+his sister was not well; and what's more all these matters shouldn't
+have been recounted to her; for even supposing he had received the
+gravest offences imaginable, it behoved him anyhow not to have broached
+the subject to her! Yesterday, one would scarcely believe it, a fight
+occurred in the school-room, and some pupil or other who attends that
+class, somehow insulted him; besides, in this business, there were a
+good many indecent and improper utterances, but all these he went and
+told his sister! Now, sister-in-law, you are well aware that though (our
+son Jung's) wife talks and laughs when she sees people, that she is
+nevertheless imaginative and withal too sensitive, so that no matter
+what she hears, she's for the most part bound to brood over it for three
+days and five nights, before she loses sight of it, and it's from this
+excessive sensitiveness that this complaint of hers arises. Today, when
+she heard that some one had insulted her brother, she felt both vexed
+and angry; vexed that those fox-like, cur-like friends of his had moved
+right and wrong, and intrigued with this one and deluded that one; angry
+that her brother had, by not learning anything profitable, and not
+having his mind set upon study, been the means of bringing about a row
+at school; and on account of this affair, she was so upset that she did
+not even have her early meal. I went over a short while back and
+consoled her for a time, and likewise gave her brother a few words of
+advice; and after having packed off that brother of hers to the mansion
+on the other side, in search of Pao-yue, and having stood by and seen her
+have half a bowl of birds' nests soup, I at length came over. Now,
+sister-in-law, tell me, is my heart sore or not? Besides, as there's
+nowadays no good doctor, the mere thought of her complaint makes my
+heart feel as if it were actually pricked with needles! But do you and
+yours, perchance, know of any good practitioner?"
+
+Mrs. Chin had, while listening to these words, been, at an early period,
+so filled with concern that she cast away to distant lands the reckless
+rage she had been in recently while at her sister-in-law's house, when
+she had determined to go and discuss matters over with Mrs. Ch'in. Upon
+hearing Mrs. Yu inquire of her about a good doctor, she lost no time in
+saying by way of reply: "Neither have we heard of any one speak of a
+good doctor; but from the account I've just heard of Mrs. Ch'in's
+illness, it may still, there's no saying, be some felicitous ailment;
+so, sister-in-law, don't let any one treat her recklessly, for were she
+to be treated for the wrong thing, the result may be dreadful!"
+
+"Quite so!" replied Mrs. Yu.
+
+But while they were talking, Chia Chen came in from out of doors, and
+upon catching sight of Mrs. Chin; "Isn't this Mrs. Huang?" he inquired
+of Mrs. Yu; whereupon Mrs. Chin came forward and paid her respects to
+Chia Chen.
+
+"Invite this lady to have her repast here before she goes," observed
+Chia Chen to Mrs. Yu; and as he uttered these words he forthwith walked
+into the room on the off side.
+
+The object of Mrs. Chin's present visit had originally been to talk to
+Mrs. Ch'in about the insult which her brother had received from the
+hands of Ch'in Chung, but when she heard that Mrs. Ch'in was ill, she
+did not have the courage to even so much as make mention of the object
+of her errand. Besides, as Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu had given her a most
+cordial reception, her resentment was transformed into pleasure, so that
+after a while spent in a further chat about one thing and another, she
+at length returned to her home.
+
+It was only after the departure of Mrs. Chin that Chia Chen came over
+and took a seat. "What did she have to say for herself during this visit
+to-day?" he asked of Mrs. Yu.
+
+"She said nothing much," replied Mrs. Yu. "When she first entered the
+room, her face bore somewhat of an angry look, but, after a lengthy chat
+and as soon as mention of our son's wife's illness was made, this
+angered look after all gradually abated. You also asked me to keep her
+for the repast, but, having heard that our son's wife was so ill she
+could not very well stay, so that all she did was to sit down, and after
+making a few more irrelevant remarks, she took her departure. But she
+had no request to make. To return however now to the illness of Jung's
+wife, it's urgent that you should find somewhere a good doctor to
+diagnose it for her; and whatever you do, you should lose no time. The
+whole body of doctors who at present go in and out of our household, are
+they worth having? Each one of them listens to what the patient has to
+say of the ailment, and then, adding a string of flowery sentences, out
+he comes with a long rigmarole; but they are exceedingly diligent in
+paying us visits; and in one day, three or four of them are here at
+least four and five times in rotation! They come and feel her pulse,
+they hold consultation together, and write their prescriptions, but,
+though she has taken their medicines, she has seen no improvement; on
+the contrary, she's compelled to change her clothes three and five times
+each day, and to sit up to see the doctor; a thing which, in fact, does
+the patient no good."
+
+"This child too is somewhat simple," observed Chia Chen; "for what need
+has she to be taking off her clothes, and changing them for others? And
+were she again to catch a chill, she would add something more to her
+illness; and won't it be dreadful! The clothes may be no matter how
+fine, but what is their worth, after all? The health of our child is
+what is important to look to! and were she even to wear out a suit of
+new clothes a-day, what would that too amount to? I was about to tell
+you that a short while back, Feng Tzu-ying came to see me, and,
+perceiving that I had somewhat of a worried look, he asked me what was
+up; and I told him that our son's wife was not well at all, that as we
+couldn't get any good doctor, we couldn't determine with any certainty,
+whether she was in an interesting condition, or whether she was
+suffering from some disease; that as we could neither tell whether there
+was any danger or not, my heart was, for this reason, really very much
+distressed. Feng Tzu-ying then explained that he knew a young doctor who
+had made a study of his profession, Chang by surname, and Yu-shih by
+name, whose learning was profound to a degree; who was besides most
+proficient in the principles of medicine, and had the knack of
+discriminating whether a patient would live or die; that this year he
+had come to the capital to purchase an official rank for his son, and
+that he was now living with him in his house. In view of these
+circumstances, not knowing but that if, perchance, the case of our
+daughter-in-law were placed in his hands, he couldn't avert the danger,
+I readily despatched a servant, with a card of mine, to invite him to
+come; but the hour to-day being rather late, he probably won't be round,
+but I believe he's sure to be here to-morrow. Besides, Feng-Tzu-ying was
+also on his return home, to personally entreat him on my behalf, so that
+he's bound, when he has asked him, to come and see her. Let's therefore
+wait till Dr. Chang has been here and seen her, when we can talk matters
+over!"
+
+Mrs. Yu was very much cheered when she heard what was said. "The day
+after to-morrow," she felt obliged to add, "is again our senior's, Mr.
+Chia Ching's birthday, and how are we to celebrate it after all?"
+
+"I've just been over to our Senior's and paid my respects," replied Chia
+Chen, "and further invited the old gentleman to come home, and receive
+the congratulations of the whole family.
+
+"'I'm accustomed,' our Senior explained, 'to peace and quiet, and have
+no wish to go over to that worldly place of yours; for you people are
+certain to have published that it's my birthday, and to entertain the
+design to ask me to go round to receive the bows of the whole lot of
+you. But won't it be better if you were to give the "Record of
+Meritorious Acts," which I annotated some time ago, to some one to copy
+out clean for me, and have it printed? Compared with asking me to come,
+and uselessly receive the obeisances of you all, this will be yea even a
+hundred times more profitable! In the event of the whole family wishing
+to pay me a visit on any of the two days, to-morrow or the day after
+to-morrow, if you were to stay at home and entertain them in proper
+style, that will be all that is wanted; nor will there be any need to
+send me anything! Even you needn't come two days from this; and should
+you not feel contented at heart, well, you had better bow your head
+before me to-day before you go. But if you do come again the day after
+to-morrow, with a lot of people to disturb me, I shall certainly be
+angry with you.' After what he said, I will not venture to go and see
+him two days hence; but you had better send for Lai Sheng, and bid him
+get ready a banquet to continue for a couple of days."
+
+Mrs. Yu, having asked Chia Jung to come round, told him to direct Lai
+Sheng to make the usual necessary preparations for a banquet to last for
+a couple of days, with due regard to a profuse and sumptuous style.
+
+"You go by-and-by," (she advised him), "in person to the Western Mansion
+and invite dowager lady Chia, mesdames Hsing and Wang, and your
+sister-in-law Secunda lady Lien to come over for a stroll. Your father
+has also heard of a good doctor, and having already sent some one to ask
+him round, I think that by to-morrow he's sure to come; and you had
+better tell him, in a minute manner, the serious symptoms of her ailment
+during these few days."
+
+Chia Jung having signified his obedience to each of her recommendations,
+and taken his leave, was just in time to meet the youth coming back from
+Feng Tzu-ying's house, whither he had gone a short while back to invite
+the doctor round.
+
+"Your slave," he consequently reported, "has just been with a card of
+master's to Mr. Feng's house and asked the doctor to come. 'The gentleman
+here,' replied the doctor, 'has just told me about it; but to-day, I've
+had to call on people the whole day, and I've only this moment come
+home; and I feel now my strength (so worn out), that I couldn't really
+stand any exertion. In fact were I even to get as far as the mansion, I
+shouldn't be in a fit state to diagnose the pulses! I must therefore
+have a night's rest, but, to-morrow for certain, I shall come to the
+mansion. My medical knowledge,' he went on to observe, 'is very shallow,
+and I don't deserve the honour of such eminent recommendation; but as
+Mr. Feng has already thus spoken of me in your mansion, I can't but
+present myself. It will be all right if in anticipation you deliver this
+message for me to your honourable master; but as for your worthy
+master's card, I cannot really presume to keep it.' It was again at his
+instance that I've brought it back; but, Sir, please mention this result
+for me (to master)."
+
+Chia Jung turned back again, and entering the house delivered the
+message to Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu; whereupon he walked out, and, calling
+Lai Sheng before him, he transmitted to him the orders to prepare the
+banquet for a couple of days.
+
+After Lai Sheng had listened to the directions, he went off, of course,
+to get ready the customary preparations; but upon these we shall not
+dilate, but confine ourselves to the next day.
+
+At noon, a servant on duty at the gate announced that the Doctor Chang,
+who had been sent for, had come, and Chia Chen conducted him along the
+Court into the large reception Hall, where they sat down; and after they
+had partaken of tea, he broached the subject.
+
+"Yesterday," he explained, "the estimable Mr. Feng did me the honour to
+speak to me of your character and proficiency, venerable doctor, as well
+as of your thorough knowledge of medicine, and I, your mean brother, was
+filled with an immeasurable sense of admiration!"
+
+"Your Junior," remonstrated Dr. Chang, "is a coarse, despicable and mean
+scholar and my knowledge is shallow and vile! but as worthy Mr. Feng did
+me the honour yesterday of telling me that your family, sir, had
+condescended to look upon me, a low scholar, and to favour me too with
+an invitation, could I presume not to obey your commands? But as I
+cannot boast of the least particle of real learning, I feel overburdened
+with shame!"
+
+"Why need you be so modest?" observed Chia Chen; "Doctor, do please walk
+in at once to see our son's wife, for I look up, with full reliance, to
+your lofty intelligence to dispel my solicitude!"
+
+Chia Jung forthwith walked in with him. When they reached the inner
+apartment, and he caught sight of Mrs. Ch'in, he turned round and asked
+Chia Jung, "This is your honourable spouse, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, it is," assented Chia Jung; "but please, Doctor, take a seat, and
+let me tell you the symptoms of my humble wife's ailment, before her
+pulse be felt. Will this do?"
+
+"My mean idea is," remarked the Doctor, "that it would, after all, be
+better that I should begin by feeling her pulse, before I ask you to
+inform me what the source of the ailment is. This is the first visit I
+pay to your honourable mansion; besides, I possess no knowledge of
+anything; but as our worthy Mr. Feng would insist upon my coming over to
+see you, I had in consequence no alternative but to come. After I have
+now made a diagnosis, you can judge whether what I say is right or not,
+before you explain to me the phases of the complaint during the last few
+days, and we can deliberate together upon some prescription; as to the
+suitableness or unsuitableness of which your honourable father will then
+have to decide, and what is necessary will have been done."
+
+"Doctor," rejoined Chia Jung, "you are indeed eminently clear sighted;
+all I regret at present is that we have met so late! But please, Doctor,
+diagnose the state of the pulse, so as to find out whether there be hope
+of a cure or not; if a cure can be effected, it will be the means of
+allaying the solicitude of my father and mother."
+
+The married women attached to that menage forthwith presented a pillow;
+and as it was being put down for Mrs. Ch'in to rest her arm on, they
+raised the lower part of her sleeve so as to leave her wrist exposed.
+The Doctor thereupon put out his hand and pressed it on the pulse of the
+right hand. Regulating his breath (to the pulsation) so as to be able to
+count the beatings, he with due care and minuteness felt the action for
+a considerable time, when, substituting the left hand, he again went
+through the same operation.
+
+"Let us go and sit outside," he suggested, after he had concluded
+feeling her pulses. Chia Jung readily adjourned, in company with the
+Doctor, to the outer apartment, where they seated themselves on the
+stove-couch. A matron having served tea; "Please take a cup of tea,
+doctor," Chia Jung observed. When tea was over, "Judging," he inquired,
+"Doctor, from the present action of the pulses, is there any remedy or
+not?"
+
+"The action of the pulse, under the forefinger, on the left hand of your
+honorable spouse," proceeded the Doctor, "is deep and agitated; the left
+hand pulse, under the second finger, is deep and faint. The pulse, under
+the forefinger, of the right hand, is gentle and lacks vitality. The
+right hand pulse, under my second finger, is superficial, and has lost
+all energy. The deep and agitated beating of the forepulse of the left
+hand arises from the febrile state, due to the weak action of the heart.
+The deep and delicate condition of the second part of the pulse of the
+left wrist, emanates from the sluggishness of the liver, and the
+scarcity of the blood in that organ. The action of the forefinger pulse,
+of the right wrist, is faint and lacks strength, as the breathing of the
+lungs is too weak. The second finger pulse of the right wrist is
+superficial and devoid of vigour, as the spleen must be affected
+injuriously by the liver. The weak action of the heart, and its febrile
+state, should be the natural causes which conduce to the present
+irregularity in the catamenia, and insomnia at night; the poverty of
+blood in the liver, and the sluggish condition of that organ must
+necessarily produce pain in the ribs; while the overdue of the
+catamenia, the cardiac fever, and debility of the respiration of the
+lungs, should occasion frequent giddiness in the head, and swimming of
+the eyes, the certain recurrence of perspiration between the periods of
+3 to 5 and 5 to 7, and the sensation of being seated on board ship. The
+obstruction of the spleen by the liver should naturally create distaste
+for liquid or food, debility of the vital energies and prostration of
+the four limbs. From my diagnosis of these pulses, there should exist
+these various symptoms, before (the pulses and the symptoms can be said)
+to harmonise. But should perchance (any doctor maintain) that this state
+of the pulses imports a felicitous event, your servant will not presume
+to give an ear to such an opinion!"
+
+A matron, who was attached as a personal attendant (to Mrs. Ch'in,) and
+who happened to be standing by interposed: "How could it be otherwise?"
+she ventured. "In real truth, Doctor, you speak like a supernatural
+being, and there's verily no need for us to say anything! We have now,
+ready at hand, in our household, a good number of medical gentlemen, who
+are in attendance upon her, but none of these are proficient enough to
+speak in this positive manner. Some there are who say that it's a
+genital complaint; others maintain that it's an organic disease. This
+doctor explains that there is no danger: while another, again, holds
+that there's fear of a crisis either before or after the winter
+solstice; but there is, in one word, nothing certain said by them. May
+it please you, sir, now to favour us with your clear directions."
+
+"This complaint of your lady's," observed the Doctor, "has certainly
+been neglected by the whole number of doctors; for had a treatment with
+certain medicines been initiated at the time of the first occurrence of
+her habitual sickness, I cannot but opine that, by this time, a perfect
+cure would have been effected. But seeing that the organic complaint has
+now been, through neglect, allowed to reach this phase, this calamity
+was, in truth, inevitable. My ideas are that this illness stands, as
+yet, a certain chance of recovery, (three chances out of ten); but we
+will see how she gets on, after she has had these medicines of mine.
+Should they prove productive of sleep at night, then there will be added
+furthermore two more chances in the grip of our hands. From my
+diagnosis, your lady is a person, gifted with a preeminently excellent,
+and intelligent disposition; but an excessive degree of intelligence is
+the cause of frequent contrarieties; and frequent contrarieties give
+origin to an excessive amount of anxious cares. This illness arises from
+the injury done, by worrying and fretting, to the spleen, and from the
+inordinate vigour of the liver; hence it is that the relief cannot come
+at the proper time and season. Has not your lady, may I ask, heretofore
+at the period of the catamenia, suffered, if indeed not from anaemia,
+then necessarily from plethora? Am I right in assuming this or not?"
+
+"To be sure she did," replied the matron; "but she has never been
+subject to anaemia, but to a plethora, varying from either two to three
+days, and extending, with much irregularity, to even ten days."
+
+"Quite so!" observed the Doctor, after hearing what she had to say, "and
+this is the source of this organic illness! Had it in past days been
+treated with such medicine as could strengthen the heart, and improve
+the respiration, would it have reached this stage? This has now overtly
+made itself manifest in an ailment originating from the paucity of water
+and the vigour of fire; but let me make use of some medicines, and we'll
+see how she gets on!"
+
+There and then he set to work and wrote a prescription, which he handed
+to Chia Jung, the purpose of which was: Decoction for the improvement of
+respiration, the betterment of the blood, and the restoration of the
+spleen. Ginseng, Atractylodes Lancea; Yunnan root; Prepared Ti root;
+Aralia edulis; Peony roots; Levisticum from Sze Ch'uan; Sophora
+tormentosa; Cyperus rotundus, prepared with rice; Gentian, soaked in
+vinegar; Huai Shan Yao root; Real "O" glue; Carydalis Ambigua; and Dried
+liquorice. Seven Fukien lotus seeds, (the cores of which should be
+extracted,) and two large zizyphi to be used as a preparative.
+
+"What exalted intelligence!" Chia Jung, after perusing it, exclaimed.
+"But I would also ask you, Doctor, to be good enough to tell me whether
+this illness will, in the long run, endanger her life or not?"
+
+The Doctor smiled. "You, sir, who are endowed with most eminent
+intelligence (are certain to know) that when a human illness has reached
+this phase, it is not a derangement of a day or of a single night; but
+after these medicines have been taken, we shall also have to watch the
+effect of the treatment! My humble opinion is that, as far as the winter
+of this year goes, there is no fear; in fact, after the spring equinox,
+I entertain hopes of a complete cure."
+
+Chia Jung was likewise a person with all his wits about him, so that he
+did not press any further minute questions.
+
+Chia Jung forthwith escorted the Doctor and saw him off, and taking the
+prescription and the diagnosis, he handed them both to Chia Chen for his
+perusal, and in like manner recounted to Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu all that
+had been said on the subject.
+
+"The other doctors have hitherto not expressed any opinions as positive
+as this one has done," observed Mrs. Yu, addressing herself to Chia
+Chen, "so that the medicines to be used are, I think, surely the right
+ones!"
+
+"He really isn't a man," rejoined Chia Chen, "accustomed to give much of
+his time to the practice of medicine, in order to earn rice for his
+support: and it's Feng Tzu-ying, who is so friendly with us, who is
+mainly to be thanked for succeeding, after ever so much trouble, in
+inducing him to come. But now that we have this man, the illness of our
+son's wife may, there is no saying, stand a chance of being cured. But
+on that prescription of his there is ginseng mentioned, so you had
+better make use of that catty of good quality which was bought the other
+day."
+
+Chia Jung listened until the conversation came to a close, after which
+he left the room, and bade a servant go and buy the medicines, in order
+that they should be prepared and administered to Mrs. Ch'in.
+
+What was the state of Mrs. Ch'in's illness, after she partook of these
+medicines, we do not know; but, reader, listen to the explanation given
+in the chapter which follows.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+ In honour of Chia Ching's birthday, a family banquet is spread in the
+ Ning Mansion.
+ At the sight of Hsi-feng, Chia Jui entertains feelings of licentious
+ love.
+
+
+We will now explain, in continuation of our story, that on the day of
+Chia Ching's birthday, Chia Chen began by getting ready luscious
+delicacies and rare fruits, which he packed in sixteen spacious present
+boxes, and bade Chia Jung take them, along with the servants belonging
+to the household, over to Chia Ching.
+
+Turning round towards Chia Jung: "Mind," he said, "that you observe
+whether your grandfather be agreeable or not, before you set to work and
+pay your obeisance! 'My father,' tell him, 'has complied with your
+directions, venerable senior, and not presumed to come over; but he has
+at home ushered the whole company of the members of the family (into
+your apartments), where they all paid their homage facing the side of
+honour.'"
+
+After Chia Jung had listened to these injunctions, he speedily led off
+the family domestics, and took his departure. During this interval, one
+by one arrived the guests. First came Chia Lien and Chia Se, who went to
+see whether the seats in the various places (were sufficient). "Is there
+to be any entertainment or not?" they also inquired.
+
+"Our master," replied the servants, "had, at one time, intended to
+invite the venerable Mr. Chia Ching to come and spend this day at home,
+and hadn't for this reason presumed to get up any entertainment. But
+when the other day he came to hear that the old gentleman was not
+coming, he at once gave us orders to go in search of a troupe of young
+actors, as well as a band of musicians, and all these people are now
+engaged making their preparations on the stage in the garden."
+
+Next came, in a group, mesdames Hsing and Wang, lady Feng and Pao-yue,
+followed immediately after by Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu; Mrs. Yu's mother
+having already arrived and being in there in advance of her. Salutations
+were exchanged between the whole company, and they pressed one another
+to take a seat. Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu both handed the tea round.
+
+"Our venerable lady," they explained, as they smiled, "is a worthy
+senior; while our father is, on the other hand, only her nephew; so that
+on a birthday of a man of his age, we should really not have had the
+audacity to invite her ladyship; but as the weather, at this time, is
+cool, and the chrysanthemums, in the whole garden, are in luxuriant
+blossom, we have requested our venerable ancestor to come for a little
+distraction, and to see the whole number of her children and
+grand-children amuse themselves. This was the object we had in view,
+but, contrary to our expectations, our worthy senior has not again
+conferred upon us the lustre of her countenance."
+
+Lady Feng did not wait until madame Wang could open her mouth, but took
+the initiative to reply. "Our venerable lady," she urged, "had, even so
+late as yesterday, said that she meant to come; but, in the evening,
+upon seeing brother Pao eating peaches, the mouth of the old lady once
+again began to water, and after partaking of a little more than the half
+of one, she had, about the fifth watch, to get out of bed two
+consecutive times, with the result that all the forenoon to-day, she
+felt her body considerably worn out. She therefore bade me inform our
+worthy senior that it was utterly impossible for her to come to-day;
+adding however that, if there were any delicacies, she fancied a few
+kinds, but that they should be very tender."
+
+When Chia Chen heard these words, he smiled. "Our dowager lady," he
+replied, "is, I argued, so fond of amusement that, if she doesn't come
+to-day, there must, for a certainty, be some valid reason; and that's
+exactly what happens to be the case."
+
+"The other day I heard your eldest sister explain," interposed madame
+Wang, "that Chia Jung's wife was anything but well; but what's after all
+the matter with her?"
+
+"She has," observed Mrs. Yu, "contracted this illness verily in a
+strange manner! Last moon at the time of the mid-autumn festival, she
+was still well enough to be able to enjoy herself, during half the
+night, in company with our dowager lady and madame Wang. On her return,
+she continued in good health, until after the twentieth, when she began
+to feel more and more languid every day, and loth, likewise, to eat
+anything; and this has been going on for well-nigh half a month and
+more; she hasn't besides been anything like her old self for two
+months."
+
+"May she not," remarked madame Hsing, taking up the thread of the
+conversation, "be ailing for some happy event?"
+
+But while she was uttering these words, some one from outside announced:
+"Our senior master, second master and all the gentlemen of the family
+have come, and are standing in the Reception Hall!" Whereupon Chia Chen
+and Chia Lien quitted the apartment with hurried step; and during this
+while, Mrs. Yu reiterated how that some time ago a doctor had also
+expressed the opinion that she was ailing for a happy event, but that
+the previous day, had come a doctor, recommended by Feng Tzu-ying--a
+doctor, who had from his youth up made medicine his study, and was very
+proficient in the treatment of diseases,--who asserted, after he had
+seen her, that it was no felicitous ailment, but that it was some grave
+complaint. "It was only yesterday," (she explained,) "that he wrote his
+prescription; and all she has had is but one dose, and already to-day
+the giddiness in the head is considerably better; as regards the other
+symptoms they have as yet shown no marked improvement."
+
+"I maintain," remarked lady Feng, "that, were she not quite unfit to
+stand the exertion, would she in fact, on a day like this, be unwilling
+to strain every nerve and come round."
+
+"You saw her," observed Mrs. Yu, "on the third in here; how that she
+bore up with a violent effort for ever so long, but it was all because
+of the friendship that exists between you two, that she still longed for
+your society, and couldn't brook the idea of tearing herself away."
+
+When lady Feng heard these words, her eyes got quite red, and after a
+time she at length exclaimed: "In the Heavens of a sudden come wind and
+rain; while with man, in a day and in a night, woe and weal survene! But
+with her tender years, if for a complaint like this she were to run any
+risk, what pleasure is there for any human being to be born and to
+sojourn in the world?"
+
+She was just speaking, when Chia Jung walked into the apartment; and
+after paying his respects to madame Hsing, madame Wang, and lady Feng,
+he then observed to Mrs. Yu: "I have just taken over the eatables to our
+venerable ancestor; and, at the same time, I told him that my father was
+at home waiting upon the senior, and entertaining the junior gentlemen
+of the whole family, and that in compliance with grandfather's orders,
+he did not presume to go over. The old gentleman was much delighted by
+what he heard me say, and having signified that that was all in order,
+bade me tell father and you, mother, to do all you can in your
+attendance upon the senior gentlemen and ladies, enjoining me to
+entertain, with all propriety, my uncles, aunts, and my cousins. He also
+went on to urge me to press the men to cut, with all despatch, the
+blocks for the Record of Meritorious Deeds, and to print ten thousand
+copies for distribution. All these messages I have duly delivered to my
+father, but I must now be quick and go out, so as to send the eatables
+for the elder as well as for the younger gentlemen of the entire
+household."
+
+"Brother Jung Erh," exclaimed lady Feng, "wait a moment. How is your
+wife getting on? how is she, after all, to-day?"
+
+"Not well," replied Chia Jung. "But were you, aunt, on your return to go
+in and see her, you will find out for yourself."
+
+Chia Jung forthwith left the room. During this interval, Mrs. Yu
+addressed herself to mesdames Hsing and Wang; "My ladies," she asked,
+"will you have your repast in here, or will you go into the garden for
+it? There are now in the garden some young actors engaged in making
+their preparations?"
+
+"It's better in here," madame Wang remarked, as she turned towards
+madame Hsing.
+
+Mrs. Yu thereupon issued directions to the married women and matrons to
+be quick in serving the eatables. The servants, in waiting outside the
+door, with one voice signified their obedience; and each of them went
+off to fetch what fell to her share. In a short while, the courses were
+all laid out, and Mrs. Yu pressed mesdames Hsing and Wang, as well as
+her mother, into the upper seats; while she, together with lady Feng and
+Pao-yue, sat at a side table.
+
+"We've come," observed mesdames Hsing and Wang, "with the original idea
+of paying our congratulations to our venerable senior on the occasion of
+his birthday; and isn't this as if we had come for our own birthdays?"
+
+"The old gentleman," answered lady Feng, "is a man fond of a quiet life;
+and as he has already consummated a process of purification, he may well
+be looked upon as a supernatural being, so that the purpose to which
+your ladyships have given expression may be considered as manifest to
+his spirit, upon the very advent of the intention."
+
+As this sentence was uttered the whole company in the room burst out
+laughing. Mrs. Yu's mother, mesdames Hsing and Wang, and lady Feng
+having one and all partaken of the banquet, rinsed their mouths and
+washed their hands, which over, they expressed a wish to go into the
+garden.
+
+Chia Jung entered the room. "The senior gentlemen," he said to Mrs. Yu,
+"as well as all my uncles and cousins, have finished their repast; but
+the elder gentleman Mr. Chia She, who excused himself on the score of
+having at home something to attend to, and Mr. Secundus (Chia Cheng),
+who is not partial to theatrical performances and is always afraid that
+people will be too boisterous in their entertainments, have both of them
+taken their departure. The rest of the family gentlemen have been taken
+over by uncle Secundus Mr. Lien, and Mr. Se, to the other side to listen
+to the play. A few moments back Prince Nan An, Prince Tung P'ing, Prince
+Hsi Ning, Prince Pei Ching, these four Princes, with Niu, Duke of Chen
+Kuo, and five other dukes, six in all, and Shih, Marquis of Chung Ching,
+and other seven, in all eight marquises, sent their messengers with
+their cards and presents. I have already told father all about it; but
+before I did so, the presents were put away in the counting room, the
+lists of presents were all entered in the book, and the 'received with
+thanks' cards were handed to the respective messengers of the various
+mansions; the men themselves were also tipped in the customary manner,
+and all of them were kept to have something to eat before they went on
+their way. But, mother, you should invite the two ladies, your mother
+and my aunt, to go over and sit in the garden."
+
+"Just so!" observed Mrs. Yu, "but we've only now finished our repast,
+and were about to go over."
+
+"I wish to tell you, madame," interposed lady Feng, "that I shall go
+first and see brother Jung's wife and then come and join you."
+
+"All right," replied madame Wang; "we should all have been fain to have
+paid her a visit, did we not fear lest she should look upon our
+disturbing her with displeasure, but just tell her that we would like to
+know how she is getting on!"
+
+"My dear sister," remarked Mrs. Yu, "as our son's wife has a ready ear
+for all you say, do go and cheer her up, (and if you do so,) it will
+besides set my own mind at ease; but be quick and come as soon as you
+can into the garden."
+
+Pao-yue being likewise desirous to go along with lady Feng to see lady
+Ch'in, madame Wang remarked, "Go and see her just for a while, and then
+come over at once into the garden; (for remember) she is your nephew's
+wife, (and you couldn't sit in there long)."
+
+Mrs. Yu forthwith invited mesdames Wang and Hsing, as well as her own
+mother, to adjourn to the other side, and they all in a body walked into
+the garden of Concentrated Fragrance; while lady Feng and Pao-yue betook
+themselves, in company with Chia Jung, over to this side.
+
+Having entered the door, they with quiet step walked as far as the
+entrance of the inner chamber. Mrs. Ch'in, upon catching sight of them,
+was bent upon getting up; but "Be quick," remonstrated lady Feng, "and
+give up all idea of standing up; for take care your head will feel
+dizzy."
+
+Lady Feng hastened to make a few hurried steps forward and to grasp Mrs.
+Ch'in's hand in hers. "My dear girl!" she exclaimed; "How is it that
+during the few days I've not seen you, you have grown so thin?"
+
+Readily she then took a seat on the rug, on which Mrs. Ch'in was seated,
+while Pao-yue, after inquiring too about her health, sat in the chair on
+the opposite side.
+
+"Bring the tea in at once," called out Chia Jung, "for aunt and uncle
+Secundus have not had any tea in the drawing room."
+
+Mrs. Ch'in took lady Feng's hand in her own and forced a smile. "This is
+all due to my lack of good fortune; for in such a family as this, my
+father and mother-in-law treat me just as if I were a daughter of their
+own flesh and blood! Besides, your nephew, (my husband,) may, it is
+true, my dear aunt, be young in years, but he is full of regard for me,
+as I have regard for him, and we have had so far no misunderstanding
+between us! In fact, among the senior generation, as well as that of the
+same age as myself, in the whole clan, putting you aside, aunt, about
+whom no mention need be made, there is not one who has not ever had
+anything but love for me, and not one who has not ever shown me anything
+but kindness! But since I've fallen ill with this complaint, all my
+energy has even every bit of it been taken out of me, so that I've been
+unable to show to my father and mother-in-law any mark of filial
+attention, yea so much as for one single day and to you, my dear aunt,
+with all this affection of yours for me, I have every wish to be dutiful
+to the utmost degree, but, in my present state, I'm really not equal to
+it; my own idea is, that it isn't likely that I shall last through this
+year."
+
+Pao-yue kept, while (she spoke,) his eyes fixed intently upon a picture
+on the opposite side, representing some begonias drooping in the spring
+time, and upon a pair of scrolls, with this inscription written by Ch'in
+Tai-hsue:
+
+ A gentle chill doth circumscribe the dreaming man because the spring
+ is cold!
+ The fragrant whiff which wafts itself into man's nose, is the perfume
+ of wine!
+
+And he could not help recalling to mind his experiences at the time when
+he had fallen asleep in this apartment, and had, in his dream, visited
+the confines of the Great Void. He was just plunged in a state of
+abstraction, when he heard Mrs. Ch'in give utterance to these
+sentiments, which pierced his heart as if they were ten thousand arrows,
+(with the result that) tears unwittingly trickled from his eyes.
+
+Lady Feng perceiving him in tears felt it extremely painful within
+herself to bear the sight; but she was on pins and needles lest the
+patient should detect their frame of mind, and feel, instead (of
+benefit), still more sore at heart, which would not, after all, be quite
+the purpose of her visit; which was to afford her distraction and
+consolation. "Pao-yue," she therefore exclaimed, "you are like an old
+woman! Ill, as she is, simply makes her speak in this wise, and how ever
+could things come to such a pass! Besides, she is young in years, so
+that after a short indisposition, her illness will get all right!"
+"Don't," she said as she turned towards Mrs. Ch'in, "give way to silly
+thoughts and idle ideas! for by so doing won't you yourself be
+aggravating your ailment?"
+
+"All that her sickness in fact needs," observed Chia Jung, "is, that she
+should be able to take something to eat, and then there will be nothing
+to fear."
+
+"Brother Pao," urged lady Feng, "your mother told you to go over, as
+soon as you could, so that don't stay here, and go on in the way you're
+doing, for you after all incite this lady also to feel uneasy at heart.
+Besides, your mother over there is solicitous on your account." "You had
+better go ahead with your uncle Pao," she consequently continued,
+addressing herself to Chia Jung, "while I sit here a little longer."
+
+When Chia Jung heard this remark, he promptly crossed over with Pao-yue
+into the garden of Concentrated Fragrance, while lady Feng went on both
+to cheer her up for a time, and to impart to her, in an undertone, a
+good deal of confidential advice.
+
+Mrs. Yu had despatched servants, on two or three occasions, to hurry
+lady Feng, before she said to Mrs. Ch'in: "Do all you can to take good
+care of yourself, and I'll come and see you again. You're bound to get
+over this illness; and now, in fact, that you've come across that
+renowned doctor, you have really nothing more to fear."
+
+"He might," observed Mrs. Ch'in as she smiled, "even be a supernatural
+being and succeed in healing my disease, but he won't be able to remedy
+my destiny; for, my dear aunt, I feel sure that with this complaint of
+mine, I can do no more than drag on from day to day."
+
+"If you encourage such ideas," remonstrated lady Feng, "how can this
+illness ever get all right? What you absolutely need is to cast away all
+these notions, and then you'll improve. I hear moreover that the doctor
+asserts that if no cure be effected, the fear is of a change for the
+worse in spring, and not till then. Did you and I moreover belong to a
+family that hadn't the means to afford any ginseng, it would be
+difficult to say how we could manage to get it; but were your father and
+mother-in-law to hear that it's good for your recovery, why not to speak
+of two mace of ginseng a day, but even two catties will be also within
+their means! So mind you do take every care of your health! I'm now off
+on my way into the garden."
+
+"Excuse me, my dear aunt," added Mrs. Ch'in, "that I can't go with you;
+but when you have nothing to do, I entreat you do come over and see me!
+and you and I can sit and have a long chat."
+
+After lady Feng had heard these words, her eyes unwillingly got quite
+red again. "When I'm at leisure I shall, of course," she rejoined, "come
+often to see you;" and forthwith leading off the matrons and married
+women, who had come over with her, as well as the women and matrons of
+the Ning mansion, she passed through the inner part of the house, and
+entered, by a circuitous way, the side gate of the park, when she
+perceived: yellow flowers covering the ground; white willows flanking
+the slopes; diminutive bridges spanning streams, resembling the Jo Yeh;
+zigzag pathways (looking as if) they led to the steps of Heaven; limpid
+springs dripping from among the rocks; flowers hanging from hedges
+emitting their fragrance, as they were flapped by the winds; red leaves
+on the tree tops swaying to and fro; groves picture-like, half stripped
+of foliage; the western breeze coming with sudden gusts, and the wail of
+the oriole still audible; the warm sun shining with genial rays, and the
+cicada also adding its chirp: structures, visible to the gaze at a
+distance in the South-east, soaring high on various sites and resting
+against the hills; three halls, visible near by on the North-west,
+stretching in one connected line, on the bank of the stream; strains of
+music filling the pavilion, imbued with an unwonted subtle charm; and
+maidens in fine attire penetrating the groves, lending an additional
+spell to the scene.
+
+Lady Feng, while engaged in contemplating the beauties of the spot,
+advanced onwards step by step. She was plunged in a state of ecstasy,
+when suddenly, from the rear of the artificial rockery, egressed a
+person, who approached her and facing her said, "My respects to you,
+sister-in-law."
+
+Lady Feng was so startled by this unexpected appearance that she drew
+back. "Isn't this Mr. Jui?" she ventured.
+
+"What! sister-in-law," exclaimed Chia Jui, "don't you recognise even
+me?"
+
+"It isn't that I didn't recognise you," explained lady Feng, "but at the
+sudden sight of you, I couldn't conceive that it would possibly be you,
+sir, in this place!"
+
+"This was in fact bound to be," replied Chia Jui; "for there's some
+subtle sympathy between me and you, sister-in-law. Here I just
+stealthily leave the entertainment, in order to revel for a while in
+this solitary place when, against every expectation, I come across you,
+sister-in-law; and isn't this a subtle sympathy?"
+
+As he spoke, he kept his gaze fixed on lady Feng, who being an
+intelligent person, could not but arrive, at the sight of his manner, at
+the whole truth in her surmises. "It isn't to be wondered at," she
+consequently observed, as she smiled hypocritically, "that your eldest
+brother should make frequent allusion to your qualities! for after
+seeing you on this occasion, and hearing you utter these few remarks, I
+have readily discovered what an intelligent and genial person you are! I
+am just now on my way to join the ladies on the other side, and have no
+leisure to converse with you; but wait until I've nothing to attend to,
+when we can meet again."
+
+"I meant to have gone over to your place and paid my respects to you,
+sister-in-law," pleaded Chia Jui, "but I was afraid lest a person of
+tender years like yourself mightn't lightly receive any visitors!"
+
+Lady Feng gave another sardonic smile. "Relatives," she continued, "of
+one family, as we are, what need is there to say anything of tender
+years?"
+
+After Chia Jui had heard these words, he felt his heart swell within him
+with such secret joy that he was urged to reflect: "I have at length
+to-day, when least I expected it, obtained this remarkable encounter
+with her!"
+
+But as the display of his passion became still more repulsive, lady Feng
+urged him to go. "Be off at once," she remarked, "and join the
+entertainment; for mind, if they find you out, they will mulct you in so
+many glasses of wine!"
+
+By the time this suggestion had reached Chia Jui's ears, half of his
+body had become stiff like a log of wood; and as he betook himself away,
+with lothful step, he turned his head round to cast glances at her. Lady
+Feng purposely slackened her pace; and when she perceived that he had
+gone a certain distance, she gave way to reflection. "This is indeed,"
+she thought, "knowing a person, as far as face goes, and not as heart!
+Can there be another such a beast as he! If he really continues to
+behave in this manner, I shall soon enough compass his death, with my
+own hands, and he'll then know what stuff I'm made of."
+
+Lady Feng, at this juncture moved onward, and after turning round a
+chain of hillocks, she caught sight of two or three matrons coming along
+with all speed. As soon as they espied lady Feng they put on a smile.
+"Our mistress," they said, "perceiving that your ladyship was not
+forthcoming, has been in a great state of anxiety, and bade your
+servants come again to request you to come over.
+
+"Is your mistress," observed lady Feng, "so like a quick-footed demon?"
+
+While lady Feng advanced leisurely, she inquired, "How many plays have
+been recited?" to which question one of the matrons replied, "They have
+gone through eight or nine." But while engaged in conversation, they had
+already reached the back door of the Tower of Celestial Fragrance, where
+she caught sight of Pao-yue playing with a company of waiting-maids and
+pages. "Brother Pao," lady Feng exclaimed, "don't be up to too much
+mischief!" "The ladies are all sitting upstairs," interposed one of the
+maids. "Please, my lady, this is the way up."
+
+At these words lady Feng slackened her pace, raised her dress, and
+walked up the stairs, where Mrs. Yu was already at the top of the
+landing waiting for her.
+
+"You two," remarked Mrs. Yu, smiling, "are so friendly, that having met
+you couldn't possibly tear yourself away to come. You had better
+to-morrow move over there and take up your quarters with her and have
+done; but sit down and let me, first of all, present you a glass of
+wine."
+
+Lady Feng speedily drew near mesdames Hsing and Wang, and begged
+permission to take a seat; while Mrs. Yu brought the programme, and
+pressed lady Feng to mark some plays.
+
+"The senior ladies occupy the seats of honour," remonstrated lady Feng,
+"and how can I presume to choose?"
+
+"We, and our relative by marriage, have selected several plays,"
+explained mesdames Hsing and Wang, "and it's for you now to choose some
+good ones for us to listen to."
+
+Standing up, lady Feng signified her obedience; and taking over the
+programme, and perusing it from top to bottom, she marked off one
+entitled, the "Return of the Spirit," and another called "Thrumming and
+Singing;" after which she handed back the programme, observing, "When
+they have done with the 'Ennoblement of two Officers,' which they are
+singing just at present, it will be time enough to sing these two."
+
+"Of course it will," retorted madame Wang, "but they should get it over
+as soon as they can, so as to allow your elder Brother and your
+Sister-in-law to have rest; besides, their hearts are not at ease."
+
+"You senior ladies don't come often," expostulated Mrs. Yu, "and you and
+I will derive more enjoyment were we to stay a little longer; it's as
+yet early in the day!"
+
+Lady Feng stood up and looked downstairs. "Where have all the gentlemen
+gone to?" she inquired.
+
+"The gentlemen have just gone over to the Pavilion of Plenteous
+Effulgence," replied a matron, who stood by; "they have taken along with
+them ten musicians and gone in there to drink their wine."
+
+"It wasn't convenient for them," remarked lady Feng, "to be over here;
+but who knows what they have again gone to do behind our backs?"
+
+"Could every one," interposed Mrs. Yu, "resemble you, a person of such
+propriety!"
+
+While they indulged in chatting and laughing, the plays they had chosen
+were all finished; whereupon the tables were cleared of the wines, and
+the repast was served. The meal over, the whole company adjourned into
+the garden, and came and sat in the drawing-room. After tea, they at
+length gave orders to get ready the carriages, and they took their leave
+of Mrs. Yu's mother. Mrs. Yu, attended by all the secondary wives,
+servants, and married women, escorted them out, while Chia Chen, along
+with the whole bevy of young men, stood by the vehicles, waiting in a
+group for their arrival.
+
+After saluting mesdames Hsing and Wang, "Aunts," they said, "you must
+come over again to-morrow for a stroll."
+
+"We must be excused," observed madame Wang, "we've sat here the whole
+day to-day, and are, after all, feeling quite tired; besides, we shall
+need to have some rest to-morrow."
+
+Both of them thereupon got into their carriages and took their
+departure, while Chia Jui still kept a fixed gaze upon lady Feng; and it
+was after Chia Chen had gone in that Li Kuei led round the horse, and
+that Pao-yue mounted and went off, following in the track of mesdames
+Hsing and Wang.
+
+Chia Chen and the whole number of brothers and nephews belonging to the
+family had, during this interval, partaken of their meal, and the whole
+party at length broke up. But in like manner, all the inmates of the
+clan and the guests spent on the morrow another festive day, but we need
+not advert to it with any minuteness.
+
+After this occasion, lady Feng came in person and paid frequent visits
+to Mrs. Ch'in; but as there were some days on which her ailment was
+considerably better, and others on which it was considerably worse, Chia
+Chen, Mrs. Yu, and Chia Jung were in an awful state of anxiety.
+
+Chia Jui, it must moreover be noticed, came over, on several instances,
+on a visit to the Jung mansion; but it invariably happened that he found
+that lady Feng had gone over to the Ning mansion.
+
+This was just the thirtieth of the eleventh moon, the day on which the
+winter solstice fell; and the few days preceding that season, dowager
+lady Chia, madame Wang and lady Feng did not let one day go by without
+sending some one to inquire about Mrs. Ch'in; and as the servants, on
+their return, repeatedly reported that, during the last few days,
+neither had her ailment aggravated, nor had it undergone any marked
+improvement, madame Wang explained to dowager lady Chia, that as a
+complaint of this nature had reached this kind of season without getting
+any worse, there was some hope of recovery.
+
+"Of course there is!" observed the old lady; "what a dear child she is!
+should anything happen to her, won't it be enough to make people die
+from grief!" and as she spake she felt for a time quite sore at heart.
+"You and she," continuing, she said to lady Feng, "have been friends for
+ever so long; to-morrow is the glorious first (and you can't go), but
+after to-morrow you should pay her a visit and minutely scrutinise her
+appearance: and should you find her any better, come and tell me on your
+return! Whatever things that dear child has all along a fancy for, do
+send her round a few even as often as you can by some one or other!"
+
+Lady Feng assented to each of her recommendations; and when the second
+arrived, she came, after breakfast, to the Ning mansion to see how Mrs.
+Ch'in was getting on; and though she found her none the worse, the flesh
+all over her face and person had however become emaciated and parched
+up. She readily sat with Mrs. Ch'in for a long while, and after they had
+chatted on one thing and another, she again reiterated the assurances
+that this illness involved no danger, and distracted her for ever so
+long.
+
+"Whether I get well or not," observed Mrs. Ch'in, "we'll know in spring;
+now winter is just over, and I'm anyhow no worse, so that possibly I may
+get all right; and yet there's no saying; but, my dear sister-in-law, do
+press our old lady to compose her mind! yesterday, her ladyship sent me
+some potato dumplings, with minced dates in them, and though I had two,
+they seem after all to be very easily digested!"
+
+"I'll send you round some more to-morrow," lady Feng suggested; "I'm now
+going to look up your mother-in-law, and will then hurry back to give my
+report to our dowager lady."
+
+"Please, sister-in-law," Mrs. Ch'in said, "present my best respects to
+her venerable ladyship, as well as to madame Wang."
+
+Lady Feng signified that she would comply with her wishes, and,
+forthwith leaving the apartment, she came over and sat in Mrs. Yu's
+suite of rooms.
+
+"How do you, who don't see our son's wife very often, happen to find
+her?" inquired Mrs. Yu.
+
+Lady Feng drooped her head for some time. "There's no help," she
+ventured, "for this illness! but you should likewise make every
+subsequent preparation, for it would also be well if you could scour it
+away."
+
+"I've done so much as to secretly give orders," replied Mrs. Yu, "to get
+things ready; but for that thing (the coffin), there's no good timber to
+be found, so that it will have to be looked after by and by."
+
+Lady Feng swallowed hastily a cup of tea, and after a short chat, "I
+must be hurrying back," she remarked, "to deliver my message to our
+dowager lady!"
+
+"You should," urged Mrs. Yu, "be sparse in what you tell her lady ship
+so as not to frighten an old person like her!"
+
+"I know well enough what to say," replied lady Feng.
+
+Without any further delay, lady Feng then sped back. On her arrival at
+home she looked up the old lady. "Brother Jung's wife," she explained,
+"presents her compliments, and pays obeisance to your venerable
+ladyship; she says that she's much better, and entreats you, her worthy
+senior, to set your mind at ease! That as soon as she's a little better
+she will come and prostrate herself before your ladyship."
+
+"How do you find her?" inquired dowager lady Chia.
+
+"For the present there's nothing to fear," continued lady Feng; "for her
+mien is still good."
+
+After the old lady had heard these words, she was plunged for a long
+while in deep reflection; and as she turned towards lady Feng, "Go and
+divest yourself of your toilette," she said, "and have some rest."
+
+Lady Feng in consequence signified her obedience, and walked away,
+returning home after paying madame Wang a visit. P'ing Erh helped lady
+Feng to put on the house costume, which she had warmed by the fire, and
+lady Feng eventually took a seat and asked "whether there was anything
+doing at home?"
+
+P'ing Erh then brought the tea, and after going over to hand the cup:
+"There's nothing doing," she replied; "as regards the interest on the
+three hundred taels, Wang Erh's wife has brought it in, and I've put it
+away. Besides this, Mr. Jui sent round to inquire if your ladyship was
+at home or not, as he meant to come and pay his respects and to have a
+chat."
+
+"Heng!" exclaimed lady Feng at these words. "Why should this beast
+compass his own death? we'll see when he comes what is to be done."
+
+"Why is this Mr. Jui so bent upon coming?' P'ing Erh having inquired,
+lady Feng readily gave her an account of how she had met him in the
+course of the ninth moon in the Ning mansion, and of what had been said
+by him.
+
+"What a mangy frog to be bent upon eating the flesh of a heavenly
+goose!" ejaculated P'ing Erh. "A stupid and disorderly fellow with no
+conception of relationship, to harbour such a thought! but we'll make
+him find an unnatural death!"
+
+"Wait till he comes," added lady Feng, "when I feel certain I shall find
+some way."
+
+What happened, however, when Chia Jui came has not, as yet, been
+ascertained, but listen, reader, to the explanation given in the next
+chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+ Wang Hsi-feng maliciously lays a trap for Chia Jui, under pretence
+ that his affection is reciprocated.
+ Chia T'ien-hsiang gazes at the face of the mirror of Voluptuousness.
+
+
+Lady Feng, it must be noticed in continuation of our narrative, was just
+engaged in talking with P'ing Erh, when they heard some one announce
+that Mr. Jui had come. Lady Feng gave orders that he should be invited
+to step in, and Chia Jui perceiving that he had been asked to walk in
+was at heart elated at the prospect of seeing her.
+
+With a face beaming with smiles, Lady Feng inquired again and again how
+he was; and, with simulated tenderness she further pressed him to take a
+seat and urged him to have a cup of tea.
+
+Chia Jui noticed how still more voluptuous lady Feng looked in her
+present costume, and, as his eyes burnt with love, "How is it," he
+inquired, "that my elder brother Secundus is not yet back?"
+
+"What the reason is I cannot tell," lady Feng said by way of reply.
+
+"May it not be," Chia Jui smilingly insinuated, "that some fair damsel
+has got hold of him on the way, and that he cannot brook to tear himself
+from her to come home?"
+
+"That makes it plain that there are those among men who fall in love
+with any girl they cast their eyes on," hinted lady Feng.
+
+"Your remarks are, sister-in-law, incorrect, for I'm none of this kind!"
+Chia Jui explained smirkingly.
+
+"How many like you can there be!" rejoined lady Feng with a sarcastic
+smile; "in ten, not one even could be picked out!"
+
+When Chia Jui heard these words, he felt in such high glee that he
+rubbed his ears and smoothed his cheeks. "My sister-in-law," he
+continued, "you must of course be extremely lonely day after day."
+
+"Indeed I am," observed lady Feng, "and I only wish some one would come
+and have a chat with me to break my dull monotony."
+
+"I daily have ample leisure," Chia Jui ventured with a simper, "and
+wouldn't it be well if I came every day to dispel your dulness,
+sister-in-law?"
+
+"You are simply fooling me," exclaimed lady Feng laughing. "It isn't
+likely you would wish to come over here to me?"
+
+"If in your presence, sister-in-law, I utter a single word of falsehood,
+may the thunder from heaven blast me!" protested Chia Jui. "It's only
+because I had all along heard people say that you were a dreadful
+person, and that you cannot condone even the slightest shortcoming
+committed in your presence, that I was induced to keep back by fear; but
+after seeing you, on this occasion, so chatty, so full of fun and most
+considerate to others, how can I not come? were it to be the cause of my
+death, I would be even willing to come!"
+
+"You're really a clever person," lady Feng observed sarcastically. "And
+oh so much superior to both Chia Jung and his brother! Handsome as their
+presence was to look at, I imagined their minds to be full of
+intelligence, but who would have thought that they would, after all, be
+a couple of stupid worms, without the least notion of human affection!"
+
+The words which Chia Jui heard, fell in so much the more with his own
+sentiments, that he could not restrain himself from again pressing
+forward nearer to her; and as with eyes strained to give intentness to
+his view, he gazed at lady Feng's purse: "What rings have you got on?"
+he went on to ask.
+
+"You should be a little more deferential," remonstrated lady Feng in a
+low tone of voice, "so as not to let the waiting-maids detect us."
+
+Chia Jui withdrew backward with as much alacrity as if he had received
+an Imperial decree or a mandate from Buddha.
+
+"You ought to be going!" lady Feng suggested, as she gave him a smile.
+
+"Do let me stay a while longer," entreated Chia Jui, "you are indeed
+ruthless, my sister-in-law."
+
+But with gentle voice did lady Feng again expostulate. "In broad
+daylight," she said, "with people coming and going, it is not really
+convenient that you should abide in here; so you had better go, and when
+it's dark and the watch is set, you can come over, and quietly wait for
+me in the corridor on the Eastern side!"
+
+At these words, Chia Jui felt as if he had received some jewel or
+precious thing. "Don't make fun of me!" he remarked with vehemence. "The
+only thing is that crowds of people are ever passing from there, and how
+will it be possible for me to evade detection?"
+
+"Set your mind at ease!" lady Feng advised; "I shall dismiss on leave
+all the youths on duty at night; and when the doors, on both sides, are
+closed, there will be no one else to come in!"
+
+Chia Jui was delighted beyond measure by the assurance, and with
+impetuous haste, he took his leave and went off; convinced at heart of
+the gratification of his wishes. He continued, up to the time of dusk, a
+prey to keen expectation; and, when indeed darkness fell, he felt his
+way into the Jung mansion, availing himself of the moment, when the
+doors were being closed, to slip into the corridor, where everything was
+actually pitch dark, and not a soul to be seen going backwards or
+forwards.
+
+The door leading over to dowager lady Chia's apartments had already been
+put under key, and there was but one gate, the one on the East, which
+had not as yet been locked. Chia Jui lent his ear, and listened for ever
+so long, but he saw no one appear. Suddenly, however, was heard a sound
+like "lo teng," and the east gate was also bolted; but though Chia Jui
+was in a great state of impatience, he none the less did not venture to
+utter a sound. All that necessity compelled him to do was to issue, with
+quiet steps, from his corner, and to try the gates by pushing; but they
+were closed as firmly as if they had been made fast with iron bolts; and
+much though he may, at this juncture, have wished to find his way out,
+escape was, in fact, out of the question; on the south and north was one
+continuous dead wall, which, even had he wished to scale, there was
+nothing which he could clutch and pull himself up by.
+
+This room, besides, was one the interior (of which was exposed) to the
+wind, which entered through (the fissure) of the door; and was perfectly
+empty and bare; and the weather being, at this time, that of December,
+and the night too very long, the northerly wind, with its biting gusts,
+was sufficient to penetrate the flesh and to cleave the bones, so that
+the whole night long he had a narrow escape from being frozen to death;
+and he was yearning, with intolerable anxiety for the break of day, when
+he espied an old matron go first and open the door on the East side, and
+then come in and knock at the western gate.
+
+Chia Jui seeing that she had turned her face away, bolted out, like a
+streak of smoke, as he hugged his shoulders with his hands (from intense
+cold.) As luck would have it, the hour was as yet early, so that the
+inmates of the house had not all got out of bed; and making his escape
+from the postern door, he straightaway betook himself home, running back
+the whole way.
+
+Chia Jui's parents had, it must be explained, departed life at an early
+period, and he had no one else, besides his grandfather Tai-ju, to take
+charge of his support and education. This Tai-ju had, all along,
+exercised a very strict control, and would not allow Chia Jui to even
+make one step too many, in the apprehension that he might gad about out
+of doors drinking and gambling, to the neglect of his studies.
+
+Seeing, on this unexpected occasion, that he had not come home the whole
+night, he simply felt positive, in his own mind, that he was certain to
+have run about, if not drinking, at least gambling, and dissipating in
+houses of the demi-monde up to the small hours; but he never even gave
+so much as a thought to the possibility of a public scandal, as that in
+which he was involved. The consequence was that during the whole length
+of the night he boiled with wrath.
+
+Chia Jui himself, on the other hand, was (in such a state of
+trepidation) that he could wipe the perspiration (off his face) by
+handfuls; and he felt constrained on his return home, to have recourse
+to deceitful excuses, simply explaining that he had been at his eldest
+maternal uncle's house, and that when it got dark, they kept him to
+spend the night there.
+
+"Hitherto," remonstrated Tai-ju, "when about to go out of doors, you
+never ventured to go, on your own hook, without first telling me about
+it, and how is it that yesterday you surreptitiously left the house? for
+this offence alone you deserve a beating, and how much more for the lie
+imposed upon me."
+
+Into such a violent fit of anger did he consequently fly that laying
+hands on him, he pulled him over and administered to him thirty or forty
+blows with a cane. Nor would he allow him to have anything to eat, but
+bade him remain on his knees in the court conning essays; impressing on
+his mind that he would not let him off, before he had made up for the
+last ten days' lessons.
+
+Chia Jui had in the first instance, frozen the whole night, and, in the
+next place, came in for a flogging. With a stomach, besides, gnawed by
+the pangs of hunger, he had to kneel in a place exposed to drafts
+reading the while literary compositions, so that the hardships he had to
+endure were of manifold kinds.
+
+Chia Jui's infamous intentions had at this junction undergone no change;
+but far from his thoughts being even then any idea that lady Feng was
+humbugging him, he seized, after the lapse of a couple of days, the
+first leisure moments to come again in search of that lady.
+
+Lady Feng pretended to bear him a grudge for his breach of faith, and
+Chia Jui was so distressed that he tried by vows and oaths (to establish
+his innocence.) Lady Feng perceiving that he had, of his own accord,
+fallen into the meshes of the net laid for him, could not but devise
+another plot to give him a lesson and make him know what was right and
+mend his ways.
+
+With this purpose, she gave him another assignation. "Don't go over
+there," she said, "to-night, but wait for me in the empty rooms giving
+on to a small passage at the back of these apartments of mine. But
+whatever you do, mind don't be reckless."
+
+"Are you in real earnest?" Chia Jui inquired.
+
+"Why, who wants to play with you?" replied lady Feng; "if you don't
+believe what I say, well then don't come!"
+
+"I'll come, I'll come, yea I'll come, were I even to die!" protested
+Chia Jui.
+
+"You should first at this very moment get away!" lady Feng having
+suggested, Chia Jui, who felt sanguine that when evening came, success
+would for a certainty crown his visit, took at once his departure in
+anticipation (of his pleasure.)
+
+During this interval lady Feng hastily set to work to dispose of her
+resources, and to add to her stratagems, and she laid a trap for her
+victim; while Chia Jui, on the other hand, was until the shades of
+darkness fell, a prey to incessant expectation.
+
+As luck would have it a relative of his happened to likewise come on
+that very night to their house and to only leave after he had dinner
+with them, and at an hour of the day when the lamps had already been
+lit; but he had still to wait until his grandfather had retired to rest
+before he could, at length with precipitate step, betake himself into
+the Jung mansion.
+
+Straightway he came into the rooms in the narrow passage, and waited
+with as much trepidation as if he had been an ant in a hot pan. He
+however waited and waited, but he saw no one arrive; he listened but not
+even the sound of a voice reached his ear. His heart was full of intense
+fear, and he could not restrain giving way to surmises and suspicion.
+"May it not be," he thought, "that she is not coming again; and that I
+may have once more to freeze for another whole night?"
+
+While indulging in these erratic reflections, he discerned some one
+coming, looking like a black apparition, who Chia Jui readily concluded,
+in his mind, must be lady Feng; so that, unmindful of distinguishing
+black from white, he as soon as that person arrived in front of him,
+speedily clasped her in his embrace, like a ravenous tiger pouncing upon
+its prey, or a cat clawing a rat, and cried: "My darling sister, you
+have made me wait till I'm ready to die."
+
+As he uttered these words, he dragged the comer, in his arms, on to the
+couch in the room; and while indulging in kisses and protestations of
+warm love, he began to cry out at random epithets of endearment.
+
+Not a sound, however, came from the lips of the other person; and Chia
+Jui had in the fulness of his passion, exceeded the bounds of timid love
+and was in the act of becoming still more affectionate in his
+protestations, when a sudden flash of a light struck his eye, by the
+rays of which he espied Chia Se with a candle in hand, casting the light
+round the place, "Who's in this room?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Uncle Jui," he heard some one on the couch explain, laughing, "was
+trying to take liberties with me!"
+
+Chia Jui at one glance became aware that it was no other than Chia Jung;
+and a sense of shame at once so overpowered him that he could find
+nowhere to hide himself; nor did he know how best to extricate himself
+from the dilemma. Turning himself round, he made an attempt to make good
+his escape, when Chia Se with one grip clutched him in his hold.
+
+"Don't run away," he said; "sister-in-law Lien has already reported your
+conduct to madame Wang; and explained that you had tried to make her
+carry on an improper flirtation with you; that she had temporised by
+having recourse to a scheme to escape your importunities, and that she
+had imposed upon you in such a way as to make you wait for her in this
+place. Our lady was so terribly incensed, that she well-nigh succumbed;
+and hence it is that she bade me come and catch you! Be quick now and
+follow me, and let us go and see her."
+
+After Chia Jui had heard these words, his very soul could not be
+contained within his body.
+
+"My dear nephew," he entreated, "do tell her that it wasn't I; and I'll
+show you my gratitude to-morrow in a substantial manner."
+
+"Letting you off," rejoined Chia Se, "is no difficult thing; but how
+much, I wonder, are you likely to give? Besides, what you now utter with
+your lips, there will be no proof to establish; so you had better write
+a promissory note."
+
+"How could I put what happened in black and white on paper?" observed
+Chia Jui.
+
+"There's no difficulty about that either!" replied Chia Se; "just write
+an account of a debt due, for losses in gambling, to some one outside;
+for payment of which you had to raise funds, by a loan of a stated
+number of taels, from the head of the house; and that will be all that
+is required."
+
+"This is, in fact, easy enough!" Chia Jui having added by way of answer;
+Chia Se turned round and left the room; and returning with paper and
+pencils, which had been got ready beforehand for the purpose, he bade
+Chia Jui write. The two of them (Chia Jung and Chia Se) tried, the one
+to do a good turn, and the other to be perverse in his insistence; but
+(Chia Jui) put down no more than fifty taels, and appended his
+signature.
+
+Chia Se pocketed the note, and endeavoured subsequently to induce Chia
+Jung to come away; but Chia Jung was, at the outset, obdurate and
+unwilling to give in, and kept on repeating; "To-morrow, I'll tell the
+members of our clan to look into your nice conduct!"
+
+These words plunged Chia Jui in such a state of dismay, that he even
+went so far as to knock his head on the ground; but, as Chia Se was
+trying to get unfair advantage of him though he had at first done him a
+good turn, he had to write another promissory note for fifty taels,
+before the matter was dropped.
+
+Taking up again the thread of the conversation, Chia Se remarked, "Now
+when I let you go, I'm quite ready to bear the blame! But the gate at
+our old lady's over there is already bolted, and Mr. Chia Cheng is just
+now engaged in the Hall, looking at the things which have arrived from
+Nanking, so that it would certainly be difficult for you to pass through
+that way. The only safe course at present is by the back gate; but if
+you do go by there, and perchance meet any one, even I will be in for a
+mess; so you might as well wait until I go first and have a peep, when
+I'll come and fetch you! You couldn't anyhow conceal yourself in this
+room; for in a short time they'll be coming to stow the things away, and
+you had better let me find a safe place for you."
+
+These words ended, he took hold of Chia Jui, and, extinguishing again
+the lantern, he brought him out into the court, feeling his way up to
+the bottom of the steps of the large terrace. "It's safe enough in this
+nest," he observed, "but just squat down quietly and don't utter a
+sound; wait until I come back before you venture out."
+
+Having concluded this remark, the two of them (Chia Se and Chia Jung)
+walked away; while Chia Jui was, all this time, out of his senses, and
+felt constrained to remain squatting at the bottom of the terrace
+stairs. He was about to consider what course was open for him to adopt,
+when he heard a noise just over his head; and, with a splash, the
+contents of a bucket, consisting entirely of filthy water, was emptied
+straight down over him from above, drenching, as luck would have it, his
+whole person and head.
+
+Chia Jui could not suppress an exclamation. "Ai ya!" he cried, but he
+hastily stopped his mouth with his hands, and did not venture to give
+vent to another sound. His whole head and face were a mass of filth, and
+his body felt icy cold. But as he shivered and shook, he espied Chia Se
+come running. "Get off," he shouted, "with all speed! off with you at
+once!"
+
+As soon as Chia Jui returned to life again, he bolted with hasty
+strides, out of the back gate, and ran the whole way home. The night had
+already reached the third watch, so that he had to knock at the door for
+it to be opened.
+
+"What's the matter?" inquired the servants, when they saw him in this
+sorry plight; (an inquiry) which placed him in the necessity of making
+some false excuse. "The night was dark," he explained, "and my foot
+slipped and I fell into a gutter."
+
+Saying this, he betook himself speedily to his own apartment; and it was
+only after he had changed his clothes and performed his ablutions, that
+he began to realise that lady Feng had made a fool of him. He
+consequently gave way to a fit of wrath; but upon recalling to mind the
+charms of lady Feng's face, he felt again extremely aggrieved that he
+could not there and then clasp her in his embrace, and as he indulged in
+these wild thoughts and fanciful ideas, he could not the whole night
+long close his eyes.
+
+From this time forward his mind was, it is true, still with lady Feng,
+but he did not have the courage to put his foot into the Jung mansion;
+and with Chia Jung and Chia Se both coming time and again to dun him for
+the money, he was likewise full of fears lest his grandfather should
+come to know everything.
+
+His passion for lady Feng was, in fact, already a burden hard to bear,
+and when, moreover, the troubles of debts were superadded to his tasks,
+which were also during the whole day arduous, he, a young man of about
+twenty, as yet unmarried, and a prey to constant cravings for lady Feng,
+which were difficult to gratify, could not avoid giving way, to a great
+extent, to such evil habits as exhausted his energies. His lot had, what
+is more, been on two occasions to be frozen, angered and to endure much
+hardship, so that with the attacks received time and again from all
+sides, he unconsciously soon contracted an organic disease. In his heart
+inflammation set in; his mouth lost the sense of taste; his feet got as
+soft as cotton from weakness; his eyes stung, as if there were vinegar
+in them. At night, he burnt with fever. During the day, he was
+repeatedly under the effects of lassitude. Perspiration was profuse,
+while with his expectorations of phlegm, he brought up blood. The whole
+number of these several ailments came upon him, before the expiry of a
+year, (with the result that) in course of time, he had not the strength
+to bear himself up. Of a sudden, he would fall down, and with his eyes,
+albeit closed, his spirit would be still plunged in confused dreams,
+while his mouth would be full of nonsense and he would be subject to
+strange starts.
+
+Every kind of doctor was asked to come in, and every treatment had
+recourse to; and, though of such medicines as cinnamon, aconitum seeds,
+turtle shell, ophiopogon, Yue-chue herb, and the like, he took several
+tens of catties, he nevertheless experienced no change for the better;
+so that by the time the twelfth moon drew once again to an end, and
+spring returned, this illness had become still more serious.
+
+Tai-ju was very much concerned, and invited doctors from all parts to
+attend to him, but none of them could do him any good. And as later on,
+he had to take nothing else but decoctions of pure ginseng, Tai-ju could
+not of course afford it. Having no other help but to come over to the
+Jung mansion, and make requisition for some, Madame Wang asked lady Feng
+to weigh two taels of it and give it to him. "The other day," rejoined
+lady Feng, "not long ago, when we concocted some medicine for our
+dowager lady, you told us, madame, to keep the pieces that were whole,
+to present to the spouse of General Yang to make physic with, and as it
+happens it was only yesterday that I sent some one round with them."
+
+"If there's none over here in our place," suggested madame Wang, "just
+send a servant to your mother-in-law's, on the other side, to inquire
+whether they have any. Or it may possibly be that your elder
+brother-in-law Chen, over there, might have a little. If so, put all you
+get together, and give it to them; and when he shall have taken it, and
+got well and you shall have saved the life of a human being, it will
+really be to the benefit of you all."
+
+Lady Feng acquiesced; but without directing a single person to institute
+any search, she simply took some refuse twigs, and making up a few mace,
+she despatched them with the meagre message that they had been sent by
+madame Wang, and that there was, in fact, no more; subsequently
+reporting to madame Wang that she had asked for and obtained all there
+was and that she had collected as much as two taels, and forwarded it to
+them.
+
+Chia Jui was, meanwhile, very anxious to recover his health, so that
+there was no medicine that he would not take, but the outlay of money
+was of no avail, for he derived no benefit.
+
+On a certain day and at an unexpected moment, a lame Taoist priest came
+to beg for alms, and he averred that he had the special gift of healing
+diseases arising from grievances received, and as Chia Jui happened,
+from inside, to hear what he said, he forthwith shouted out: "Go at
+once, and bid that divine come in and save my life!" while he
+reverentially knocked his head on the pillow.
+
+The whole bevy of servants felt constrained to usher the Taoist in; and
+Chia Jui, taking hold of him with a dash, "My Buddha!" he repeatedly
+cried out, "save my life!"
+
+The Taoist heaved a sigh. "This ailment of yours," he remarked, "is not
+one that could be healed with any medicine; I have a precious thing here
+which I'll give you, and if you gaze at it every day, your life can be
+saved!"
+
+When he had done talking, he produced from his pouch a looking-glass
+which could reflect a person's face on the front and back as well. On
+the upper part of the back were engraved the four characters: "Precious
+Mirror of Voluptuousness." Handing it over to Chia Jui: "This object,"
+he proceeded, "emanates from the primordial confines of the Great Void
+and has been wrought by the Monitory Dream Fairy in the Palace of
+Unreality and Spirituality, with the sole intent of healing the
+illnesses which originate from evil thoughts and improper designs.
+Possessing, as it does, the virtue of relieving mankind and preserving
+life, I have consequently brought it along with me into the world, but I
+only give it to those intelligent preeminent and refined princely men to
+set their eyes on. On no account must you look at the front side; and
+you should only gaze at the back of it; this is urgent, this is
+expedient! After three days, I shall come and fetch it away; by which
+time, I'm sure, it will have made him all right."
+
+These words finished, he walked away with leisurely step, and though all
+tried to detain him, they could not succeed.
+
+Chia Jui received the mirror. "This Taoist," he thought, "would seem to
+speak sensibly, and why should I not look at it and try its effect?" At
+the conclusion of these thoughts, he took up the Mirror of
+Voluptuousness, and cast his eyes on the obverse side; but upon
+perceiving nought else than a skeleton standing in it, Chia Jui
+sustained such a fright that he lost no time in covering it with his
+hands and in abusing the Taoist. "You good-for-nothing!" he exclaimed,
+"why should you frighten me so? but I'll go further and look at the
+front and see what it's like."
+
+While he reflected in this manner, he readily looked into the face of
+the mirror, wherein he caught sight of lady Feng standing, nodding her
+head and beckoning to him. With one gush of joy, Chia Jui felt himself,
+in a vague and mysterious manner, transported into the mirror, where he
+held an affectionate tete-a-tete with lady Feng. Lady Feng escorted him
+out again. On his return to bed, he gave vent to an exclamation of "Ai
+yah!" and opening his eyes, he turned the glass over once more; but
+still, as hitherto, stood the skeleton in the back part.
+
+Chia Jui had, it is true, experienced all the pleasant sensations of a
+tete-a-tete, but his heart nevertheless did not feel gratified; so that
+he again turned the front round, and gazed at lady Feng, as she still
+waved her hand and beckoned to him to go. Once more entering the mirror,
+he went on in the same way for three or four times, until this occasion,
+when just as he was about to issue from the mirror, he espied two
+persons come up to him, who made him fast with chains round the neck,
+and hauled him away. Chia Jui shouted. "Let me take the mirror and I'll
+come along." But only this remark could he utter, for it was forthwith
+beyond his power to say one word more. The servants, who stood by in
+attendance, saw him at first still holding the glass in his hand and
+looking in, and then, when it fell from his grasp, open his eyes again
+to pick it up, but when at length the mirror dropped, and he at once
+ceased to move, they in a body came forward to ascertain what had
+happened to him. He had already breathed his last. The lower part of his
+body was icy-cold; his clothes moist from profuse perspiration. With all
+promptitude they changed him there and then, and carried him to another
+bed.
+
+Tai-ju and his wife wept bitterly for him, to the utter disregard of
+their own lives, while in violent terms they abused the Taoist priest.
+"What kind of magical mirror is it?" they asked. "If we don't destroy
+this glass, it will do harm to not a few men in the world!"
+
+Having forthwith given directions to bring fire and burn it, a voice was
+heard in the air to say, "Who told you to look into the face of it? You
+yourselves have mistaken what is false for what is true, and why burn
+this glass of mine?"
+
+Suddenly the mirror was seen to fly away into the air; and when Tai-ju
+went out of doors to see, he found no one else than the limping Taoist,
+shouting, "Who is he who wishes to destroy the Mirror of
+Voluptuousness?" While uttering these words, he snatched the glass, and,
+as all eyes were fixed upon him, he moved away lissomely, as if swayed
+by the wind.
+
+Tai-ju at once made preparations for the funeral and went everywhere to
+give notice that on the third day the obsequies would commence, that on
+the seventh the procession would start to escort the coffin to the Iron
+Fence Temple, and that on the subsequent day, it would be taken to his
+original home.
+
+Not much time elapsed before all the members of the Chia family came, in
+a body, to express their condolences. Chia She, of the Jung Mansion,
+presented twenty taels, and Chia Cheng also gave twenty taels. Of the
+Ning Mansion, Chia Chen likewise contributed twenty taels. The remainder
+of the members of the clan, of whom some were poor and some rich, and
+not equally well off, gave either one or two taels, or three or four,
+some more, some less. Among strangers, there were also contributions,
+respectively presented by the families of his fellow-scholars,
+amounting, likewise, collectively to twenty or thirty taels.
+
+The private means of Tai-ju were, it is true, precarious, but with the
+monetary assistance he obtained, he anyhow performed the funeral rites
+with all splendour and eclat.
+
+But who would have thought it, at the close of winter of this year, Lin
+Ju-hai contracted a serious illness, and forwarded a letter, by some
+one, with the express purpose of fetching Lin Tai-yue back. These
+tidings, when they reached dowager lady Chia, naturally added to the
+grief and distress (she already suffered), but she felt compelled to
+make speedy preparations for Tai-yue's departure. Pao-yue too was
+intensely cut up, but he had no alternative but to defer to the
+affection of father and daughter; nor could he very well place any
+hindrance in the way.
+
+Old lady Chia, in due course, made up her mind that she would like Chia
+Lien to accompany her, and she also asked him to bring her back again
+along with him. But no minute particulars need be given of the manifold
+local presents and of the preparations, which were, of course,
+everything that could be wished for in excellence and perfectness.
+Forthwith the day for starting was selected, and Chia Lien, along with
+Lin Tai-yue, said good-bye to all the members of the family, and,
+followed by their attendants, they went on board their boats, and set
+out on their journey for Yang Chou.
+
+But, Reader, should you have any wish to know fuller details, listen to
+the account given in the subsequent Chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+ Ch'in K'o-ch'ing dies, and Chia Jung is invested with the rank of
+ military officer to the Imperial Body-guard.
+ Wang Hsi-feng lends her help in the management of the Jung Kuo
+ Mansion.
+
+
+Lady Feng, it must be added, in prosecuting our narrative, was ever
+since Chia Lien's departure to accompany Tai-yue to Yang Chou, really
+very dejected at heart; and every day, when evening came, she would,
+after simply indulging in a chat and a laugh with P'ing Erh, turn in, in
+a heedless frame of mind, for the night.
+
+In the course of the night of this day, she had been sitting with P'ing
+Erh by lamp-light clasping the hand-stove; and weary of doing her work
+of embroidery, she had at an early hour, given orders to warm the
+embroidered quilt, and both had gone to bed; and as she was bending her
+fingers, counting the progress of the journey, and when they should be
+arriving, unexpectedly, the third watch struck.
+
+P'ing Erh had already fallen fast asleep; and lady Feng was feeling at
+length her sleepy eyes slightly dose, when she faintly discerned Mrs.
+Ch'in walk in from outside.
+
+"My dear sister-in-law," she said as she smiled, "sleep in peace; I'm on
+my way back to-day, and won't even you accompany me just one stage? But
+as you and I have been great friends all along, I cannot part from you,
+sister-in-law, and have therefore come to take my leave of you. There
+is, besides, a wish of mine, which isn't yet accomplished; and if I
+don't impart it to you, it isn't likely that telling any one else will
+be of any use."
+
+Lady Feng could not make out the sense of the words she heard. "What
+wish is it you have?" she inquired, "do tell me, and it will be safe
+enough with me."
+
+"You are, my dear sister-in-law, a heroine among women," observed Mrs.
+Ch'in, "so much so that those famous men, with sashes and official hats,
+cannot excel you; how is it that you're not aware of even a couple of
+lines of common adages, of that trite saying, 'when the moon is full, it
+begins to wane; when the waters are high, they must overflow?' and of
+that other which says that 'if you ascend high, heavy must be your
+fall.' Our family has now enjoyed splendour and prosperity for already
+well-nigh a century, but a day comes when at the height of good fortune,
+calamity arises; and if the proverb that 'when the tree falls, the
+monkeys scatter,' be fulfilled, will not futile have been the reputation
+of culture and old standing of a whole generation?"
+
+Lady Feng at these words felt her heart heavy, and overpowered by
+intense awe and veneration.
+
+"The fears you express are well founded," she urgently remarked, "but
+what plan is there adequate to preserve it from future injury?"
+
+"My dear sister-in-law," rejoined Mrs. Ch'in with a sardonic smile,
+"you're very simple indeed! When woe has reached its climax, weal
+supervenes. Prosperity and adversity, from days of yore up to the
+present time, now pass away, and now again revive, and how can
+(prosperity) be perpetuated by any human exertion? But if now, we could
+in the time of good fortune, make provision against any worldly
+concerns, which might arise at any season of future adversity, we might
+in fact prolong and preserve it. Everything, for instance, is at present
+well-regulated; but there are two matters which are not on a sure
+footing, and if such and such suitable action could be adopted with
+regard to these concerns, it will, in subsequent days, be found easy to
+perpetuate the family welfare in its entity."
+
+"What matters are these?" inquired lady Feng.
+
+"Though at the graves of our ancestors," explained Mrs. Ch'in,
+"sacrifices and oblations be offered at the four seasons, there's
+nevertheless no fixed source of income. In the second place, the family
+school is, it is true, in existence; but it has no definite
+grants-in-aid. According to my views, now that the times are prosperous,
+there's, as a matter of course, no lack of offerings and contributions;
+but by and bye, when reverses set in, whence will these two outlays be
+met from? Would it not be as well, and my ideas are positive on this
+score, to avail ourselves of the present time, when riches and honours
+still reign, to establish in the immediate vicinity of our ancestral
+tombs, a large number of farms, cottages, and estates, in order to
+enable the expenditure for offerings and grants to entirely emanate from
+this source? And if the household school were also established on this
+principle, the old and young in the whole clan can, after they have, by
+common consent, determined upon rules, exercise in days to come control,
+in the order of the branches, over the affairs connected with the landed
+property, revenue, ancestral worship and school maintenance for the year
+(of their respective term.) Under this rotatory system, there will
+likewise be no animosities; neither will there be any mortgages, or
+sales, or any of these numerous malpractices; and should any one happen
+to incur blame, his personal effects can be confiscated by Government.
+But the properties, from which will be derived the funds for ancestral
+worship, even the officials should not be able to appropriate, so that
+when reverses do supervene, the sons and grandsons of the family may be
+able to return to their homes, and prosecute their studies, or go in for
+farming. Thus, while they will have something to fall back upon, the
+ancestral worship will, in like manner, be continued in perpetuity. But,
+if the present affluence and splendour be looked upon as bound to go on
+without intermission, and with no thought for the day to come, no
+enduring plan be after all devised, presently, in a little while, there
+will, once again, transpire a felicitous occurrence of exceptional kind,
+which, in point of fact, will resemble the splendour of oil scorched on
+a violent fire, or fresh flowers decorated with brocades. You should
+bear in mind that it will also be nothing more real than a transient
+pageant, nothing but a short-lived pleasure! Whatever you do, don't
+forget the proverb, that 'there's no banquet, however sumptuous, from
+which the guests do not disperse;' and unless you do, at an early date,
+take precautions against later evils, regret will, I apprehend, be of no
+avail."
+
+"What felicitous occurrence will take place?" lady Feng inquired with
+alacrity.
+
+"The decrees of Heaven cannot be divulged; but as I have been very
+friendly with you, sister-in-law, for so long, I will present you,
+before I take my leave, with two lines, which it behoves you to keep in
+mind," rejoined Mrs. Ch'in, as she consequently proceeded to recite what
+follows:
+
+ The three springs, when over, all radiance will wane;
+ The inmates to seek each a home will be fain.
+
+Lady Feng was bent upon making further inquiries, when she heard a
+messenger at the second gate strike the "cloudy board" four consecutive
+blows. It was indeed the announcement of a death; and it woke up lady
+Feng with a start. A servant reported that lady Jung of the eastern
+mansion was no more.
+
+Lady Feng was so taken aback that a cold perspiration broke out all over
+her person, and she fell for a while into vacant abstraction. But she
+had to change her costume, with all possible haste, and to come over to
+madame Wang's apartments.
+
+By this time, all the members of the family were aware of the tidings,
+and there was not one of them who did not feel disconsolate; one and all
+of them were much wounded at heart. The elder generation bethought
+themselves of the dutiful submission which she had all along displayed;
+those of the same age as herself reflected upon the friendship and
+intimacy which had ever existed with her; those younger than her
+remembered her past benevolence. Even the servants of the household,
+whether old or young, looked back upon her qualities of sympathy with
+the poor, pity of the destitute, affection for the old, and
+consideration for the young; and not one of them all was there who did
+not mourn her loss, and give way to intense grief.
+
+But these irrelevant details need not be dilated upon; suffice it to
+confine ourselves to Pao-yue.
+
+Consequent upon Lin Tai-yue's return home, he was left to his own self
+and felt very lonely. Neither would he go and disport himself with
+others; but with the daily return of dusk, he was wont to retire quietly
+to sleep.
+
+On this day, while he was yet under the influence of a dream, he heard
+the announcement of Mrs. Ch'in's death, and turning himself round
+quickly he crept out of bed, when he felt as if his heart had been
+stabbed with a sword. With a sudden retch, he straightway expectorated a
+mouthful of blood, which so frightened Hsi Jen and the rest that they
+rushed forward and supported him.
+
+"What is the matter?" they inquired, and they meant also to go and let
+dowager lady Chia know, so as to send for a doctor, but Pao-yue dissuaded
+them.
+
+"There's no need of any flurry; it's nothing at all," he said, "it's
+simply that the fire of grief has attacked the heart, and that the blood
+did not circulate through the arteries."
+
+As he spoke, he speedily raised himself up, and, after asking for his
+clothes and changing, he came over to see dowager lady Chia. His wish
+was to go at once to the other side; and Hsi Jen, though feeling uneasy
+at heart, seeing the state of mind he was in, did not again hinder him,
+as she felt constrained to let him please himself.
+
+When old lady Chia saw that he was bent upon going: "The breath is just
+gone out of the body," she consequently remonstrated, "and that side is
+still sullied. In the second place it's now dark, and the wind is high;
+so you had better wait until to-morrow morning, when you will be in
+ample time."
+
+Pao-yue would not agree to this, and dowager lady Chia gave orders to get
+the carriage ready, and to depute a few more attendants and followers to
+go with him. Under this escort he went forward and straightway arrived
+in front of the Ning mansion, where they saw the main entrance wide
+open, the lamps on the two sides giving out a light as bright as day,
+and people coming and going in confused and large numbers; while the
+sound of weeping inside was sufficient to shake the mountains and to
+move the hills.
+
+Pao-yue dismounted from the carriage; and with hurried step, walked into
+the apartment, where the coffin was laid. He gave vent to bitter tears
+for a few minutes, and subsequently paid his salutations to Mrs. Yu.
+Mrs. Yu, as it happened, had just had a relapse of her old complaint of
+pains in the stomach and was lying on her bed.
+
+He eventually came out again from her chamber to salute Chia Chen, just
+at the very moment that Chia Tai-ju, Chia Tai-hsiu, Chia Ch'ih, Chiao
+Hsiao, Chia Tun, Chia She, Chia Cheng, Chia Tsung, Chia Pin, Chia Hsing,
+Chia Kuang, Chia Shen, Chia Ch'iung, Chia Lin, Chia Se, Chia Ch'ang,
+Chia Ling, Chia Yuen, Chia Ch'in, Chia Chen, Chia P'ing, Chia Tsao, Chia
+Heng, Chia Fen, Chia Fang, Chia Lan, Chia Chun, Chia Chih and the other
+relatives of the families had likewise arrived in a body.
+
+Chia Chen wept so bitterly that he was like a man of tears. "Of the
+whole family, whether young or old, distant relatives or close friends,"
+he was just explaining to Chia Tai-ju and the rest, "who did not know
+that this girl was a hundred times better than even our son? but now
+that her spirit has retired, it's evident that this elder branch of the
+family will be cut off and that there will be no survivor."
+
+While he gave vent to these words, he again burst into tears, and the
+whole company of relatives set to work at once to pacify him. "She has
+already departed this life," they argued, "and tears are also of no
+avail, besides the pressing thing now is to consult as to what kind of
+arrangements are to be made."
+
+Chia Chen clapped his hands. "What arrangements are to be made!" he
+exclaimed; "nothing is to be done, but what is within my means."
+
+As they conversed, they perceived Ch'in Yeh and Ch'in Chung, as well as
+several relations of Mrs. Yu, arrive, together with Mrs. Yu's sisters;
+and Chia Chen forthwith bade Chia Ch'ung, Chia Shen, Chia Lin and Chia
+Se, the four of them, to go and entertain the guests; while he, at the
+same time, issued directions to go and ask the Astrologer of the
+Imperial Observatory to come and choose the days for the ceremonies.
+
+(This Astrologer) decided that the coffin should remain in the house for
+seven times seven days, that is forty-nine days; that after the third
+day, the mourning rites should be begun and the formal cards should be
+distributed; that all that was to be done during these forty-nine days
+was to invite one hundred and eight Buddhist bonzes to perform, in the
+main Hall, the High Confession Mass, in order to ford the souls of
+departed relatives across the abyss of suffering, and afterwards to
+transmute the spirit (of Mrs. Ch'in); that, in addition, an altar should
+be erected in the Tower of Heavenly Fragrance, where nine times nine
+virtuous Taoist priests should, for nineteen days, offer up prayers for
+absolution from punishment, and purification from retribution. That
+after these services, the tablet should be moved into the Garden of
+Concentrated Fragrance, and that in the presence of the tablet, fifteen
+additional eminent bonzes and fifteen renowned Taoist Priests should
+confront the altar and perform meritorious deeds every seven days.
+
+The news of the death of the wife of his eldest grandson reached Chia
+Ching; but as he himself felt sure that, at no distant date, he would
+ascend to the regions above, he was loth to return again to his home,
+and so expose himself to the contamination of the world, as to
+completely waste the meritorious excellence acquired in past days. For
+this reason, he paid no heed to the event, but allowed Chia Chen a free
+hand to accomplish the necessary preparations.
+
+Chia Chen, to whom we again revert, was fond of display and
+extravagance, so that he found, on inspection of coffins, those few made
+of pine-wood unsuitable to his taste; when, strange coincidence, Hsueeh
+P'an came to pay his visit of condolence, and perceiving that Chia Chen
+was in quest of a good coffin: "In our establishment," he readily
+suggested, "we have a lot of timber of some kind or other called Ch'iang
+wood, which comes from the T'ieh Wang Mount, in Huang Hai; and which
+made into coffins will not rot, not for ten thousand years. This lot
+was, in fact, brought down, some years back, by my late father; and had
+at one time been required by His Highness I Chung, a Prince of the royal
+blood; but as he became guilty of some mismanagement, it was, in
+consequence, not used, and is still lying stored up in our
+establishment; and another thing besides is that there's no one with the
+means to purchase it. But if you do want it, you should come and have a
+look at it."
+
+Chia Chen, upon hearing this, was extremely delighted, and gave orders
+that the planks should be there and then brought over. When the whole
+family came to inspect them, they found those for the sides and the
+bottom to be all eight inches thick, the grain like betel-nut, the smell
+like sandal-wood or musk, while, when tapped with the hand, the sound
+emitted was like that of precious stones; so that one and all agreed in
+praising the timber for its remarkable quality.
+
+"What is their price?" Chia Chen inquired with a smile.
+
+"Even with one thousand taels in hand," explained Hsueeh P'an laughingly,
+"I feel sure you wouldn't find any place, where you could buy the like.
+Why ask about price? if you just give the workmen a few taels for their
+labour, it will be quite sufficient."
+
+Chia Chen, at these words, lost no time in giving expression to profuse
+assurances of gratitude, and was forthwith issuing directions that the
+timber should be split, sawn and made up, when Chia Cheng proffered his
+advice. "Such articles shouldn't," he said, "be, in my idea, enjoyed by
+persons of the common run; it would be quite ample if the body were
+placed in a coffin made of pine of the best quality."
+
+But Chia Chen would not listen to any suggestion.
+
+Suddenly he further heard that Mrs. Ch'in's waiting-maid, Jui Chu by
+name, had, after she had become alive to the fact that her mistress had
+died, knocked her head against a post, and likewise succumbed to the
+blows. This unusual occurrence the whole clan extolled in high terms;
+and Chia Chen promptly directed that, with regard to ceremonies, she
+should be treated as a granddaughter, and that the body should, after it
+had been placed in the coffin, be also deposited in the Hall of Attained
+Immortality, in the Garden of Concentrated Fragrance.
+
+There was likewise a young waiting-maid, called Pao Chu, who, as Mrs.
+Ch'in left no issue, was willing to become an adopted child, and begged
+to be allowed to undertake the charge of dashing the mourning bowl, and
+accompanying the coffin; which pleased Chia Chen so much that he
+speedily transmitted orders that from that time forth Pao Chu should be
+addressed by all as 'young miss.'
+
+Pao Chu, after the rites of an unmarried daughter, mourned before the
+coffin to such an unwonted degree, as if bent upon snapping her own
+life; while the members of the entire clan, as well as the inmates of
+the Mansions, each and all, readily observed, in their conduct, the
+established mourning usages, without of course any transgression or
+confusion.
+
+"Chia Jung," pondered Chia Chen, "has no higher status than that of
+graduate by purchase, and were this designation written on the funeral
+streamer, it will not be imposing, and, in point of fact, the retinue
+will likewise be small." He therefore was exceedingly unhappy, in his
+own mind, when, as luck would have it, on this day, which was the fourth
+day of the first seven, Tai Ch'uean, a eunuch of the Palace of High
+Renown, whose office was that of Palace Overseer, first prepared
+sacrificial presents, which he sent round by messengers, and next came
+himself in an official chair, preceded by criers beating the gong, to
+offer sacrificial oblations.
+
+Chia Chen promptly received him, and pressed him into a seat; and when
+they adjourned into the Hall of the Loitering Bees, tea was presented.
+
+Chia Chen had already arrived at a fixed purpose, so that he seized an
+opportunity to tell him of his wish to purchase an office for Chia
+Jung's advancement.
+
+Tai Ch'uean understood the purport of his remark. "It is, I presume," he
+added smilingly, "that the funeral rites should be a little more
+sumptuous."
+
+"My worthy sir," eagerly rejoined Chia Chen, "your surmise on that score
+is perfectly correct."
+
+"The question," explained Tai Ch'uean, "comes up at an opportune moment;
+for there is just at present a good vacancy. Of the three hundred
+officers who at present constitute the Imperial Body Guard, there are
+two wanting. Yesterday marquis Hsiang Yang's third brother came to
+appeal to me with one thousand five hundred taels of ready money, which
+he brought over to my house. You know the friendship of old standing
+which exists between him and me, so that, placing other considerations
+aside, I without a second thought, assented for his father's sake. But
+there still remains another vacancy, which, who would have thought it,
+fat general Feng, of Yung Hsing, asked to purchase for his son; but I
+have had no time to give him an answer. Besides, as our child wants to
+purchase it, you had better at once write a statement of his
+antecedents."
+
+Chia Chen lost no time in bidding some one write the statement on red
+paper, which Tai Ch'uean found, on perusal, to record that Chia Jung was
+a graduate, by purchase, of the District of Chiang Ning, of the Ying
+T'ien Prefecture, in Chiang Nan; that Chia Tai-hua, his great
+grandfather, had been Commander-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Camp, and
+an hereditary general of the first class, with the prefix of Spiritual
+Majesty; that his grandfather Chia Ching was a metropolitan graduate of
+the tripos in the Ping Ch'en year; and that his father Chia Chen had
+inherited a rank of nobility of the third degree, and was a general,
+with the prefix of Majestic Intrepidity.
+
+Tai Ch'uean, after perusal, turned his hand behind him and passed (the
+statement) to a constant attendant of his, to put away: "Go back," he
+enjoined him, "and give it to His Excellency Mr. Chao, at the head of
+the Board of Revenue, and tell him, that I present him my compliments,
+and would like him to draw up a warrant for subaltern of the Imperial
+Body Guard of the fifth grade, and to also issue a commission; that he
+should take the particulars from this statement and fill them up; and
+that to-morrow I'll come and have the money weighed and sent over."
+
+The young attendant signified his obedience, and Tai Ch'uean thereupon
+took his leave. Chia Chen did all he could to detain him, but with no
+success; so that he had no alternative but to escort him as far as the
+entrance of the Mansion. As he was about to mount into his chair, Chia
+Chen inquired, "As regards the money, shall I go and pay it into the
+Board, or am I to send it to the Board of Eunuchs?"
+
+"If you were to go and pay it at the Board," observed Tai Ch'uean; "you
+are sure to suffer loss; so that it would be better if you just weighed
+exactly one thousand taels and sent them over to my place; for then an
+end will be put to all trouble."
+
+Chia Chen was incessant in his expression of gratitude. "When the period
+of mourning has expired," he consequently added, "I shall lead in
+person, my despicable eldest son to your mansion, to pay our obeisance,
+and express our thanks."
+
+They then parted company, but close upon this, were heard again the
+voices of runners. It was, in fact, the spouse of Shih Ting, the marquis
+of Chung Ching, who was just arriving. Shih Hsiang-yun, mesdames Wang,
+and Hsing, lady Feng and the rest came out at once, to greet her, and
+lead her into the Main Building; when they further saw the sacrificial
+presents of the three families, of the marquis of Chin Hsiang, the
+marquis of Ch'uan Ning, and the earl of Shou Shan, likewise spread out
+in front of the tablet.
+
+In a short while, these three noblemen descended from their chairs, and
+Chia Chen received them in the Large Hall. In like manner all the
+relatives and friends arrived in such quick succession, one coming,
+another going, that it is impossible to remember even so much as their
+number. One thing need be said that during these forty-nine days the
+street on which the Ning Kuo mansion stood, was covered with a sheet of
+white, formed by the people, coming and going; and thronged with
+clusters of flowers, as the officials came and went.
+
+At the instance of Chia Chen, Chia Jung, the next day donned his gala
+dress and went over for his papers; and on his return the articles in
+use in front of the coffin, as well as those belonging to the cortege
+and other such things, were all regulated by the rules prescribed for an
+official status of the fifth degree; while, on the tablet and notice
+alike the inscription consisted of: Spirit of lady Ch'in, (by marriage)
+of the Chia mansion, and by patent a lady of the fifth rank (of the
+titles of honour).
+
+The main entrance of the Garden of Concentrated Fragrance, adjoining the
+street, was opened wide; and on both sides were raised sheds for the
+musicians, and two companies of players, dressed in blue, discoursed
+music at the proper times; while one pair after another of the
+paraphernalia was drawn out so straight as if cut by a knife or slit by
+an axe. There were also two large carmine boards, carved with gilt
+inscriptions, erected outside the gate; the designations in bold
+characters on the upper sides being: Guard of the Imperial Antechamber,
+charged with the protection of the Inner Palace and Roads, in the Red
+Prohibited City.
+
+On the opposite side, facing each other, rose, high above the ground,
+two altars for the services of the Buddhist and Taoist priests, while a
+placard bore the inscription in bold type: Funeral Obsequies of lady
+Ch'in, (by marriage) of the Chia mansion, by patent a lady of the fifth
+rank, consort of the eldest grandson of the hereditary duke of Ning Kuo,
+and guard of the Imperial Antechamber, charged with the protection of
+the Inner Palace and Roads in the Red Prohibited City. We, Wan Hsue, by
+Heaven's commands charged with the perennial preservation of perfect
+peace in the Kingdom of the Four Continents, as well as of the lands
+contained therein, Head Controller of the School of Void and Asceticism,
+and Superior in Chief (of the Buddhist hierarchy); and Yeh Sheng,
+Principal Controller, since the creation, of the Disciples of Perfect
+Excellence and Superior in Chief (of the Taoist priesthood), and others,
+having in a reverent spirit purified ourselves by abstinence, now raise
+our eyes up to Heaven, prostrate ourselves humbly before Buddha, and
+devoutly pray all the Chia Lans, Chieh Tis, Kung Ts'aos and other
+divinities to extend their sacred bounties, and from afar to display
+their spiritual majesty, during the forty-nine days (of the funeral
+rites), for the deliverance from judgment and the absolution from
+retribution (of the spirit of lady Ch'in), so that it may enjoy a
+peaceful and safe passage, whether by sea or by land; and other such
+prayers to this effect, which are in fact not worth the trouble of
+putting on record.
+
+Chia Chen had, it is true, all his wishes gratified; but, as his wife
+was laid up in the inner chambers, with a relapse of her old complaint,
+and was not in a fit state to undertake the direction of the ceremonies,
+he was very much distressed lest, when the high officials (and their
+wives) came and went, there should occur any breach of the prescribed
+conventionalities, which he was afraid would evoke ridicule. Hence it
+was that he felt in low spirits; but while he was plunged in solicitude
+Pao-yue, who happened to be close by, readily inquired, "Everything may
+be safely looked upon as being satisfactorily settled, and why need you,
+elder brother, still be so full of concern?"
+
+Chia Chen forthwith explained to him how it was that in the ladies'
+apartments there was no one (to do the honours), but Pao-yue at these
+words smiled: "What difficulty is there about it?" he remarked; "I'll
+recommend some one to take temporary charge of the direction of things
+for you during the month, and I can guarantee that everything will be
+properly carried out."
+
+"Who is it?" Chia Chen was quick to ask; but as Pao-yue perceived that
+there were still too many relatives and friends seated around, he did
+not feel as if he could very well speak out; so that he went up to Chia
+Chen and whispered a couple of remarks in his ear.
+
+Chia Chen's joy knew no bounds when he heard this suggestion.
+"Everything will indeed be properly carried out," he added laughingly;
+"but I must now be going at once."
+
+With these words, he drew Pao-yue along, and taking leave of the whole
+number of visitors, they forthwith came into the drawing rooms.
+
+This day was luckily not a grand occasion, so that few relatives and
+friends had come. In the inner apartments there were only a small number
+of ladies of close kinship. Mesdames Hsing and Wang, and lady Feng, and
+the women of the whole household, were entertaining the guests, when
+they heard a servant announce that Mr. Chia Chen had come. (This
+announcement) took the whole body of ladies and young ladies so much by
+surprise, that, with a rushing sound, they tried to hide in the back
+rooms; but they were not quick enough (to effect their escape).
+
+Lady Feng alone composedly stood up. Chia Chen was himself at this time
+rather unwell, and being also very much cut up, he entered the room
+shuffling along, propping himself up with a staff.
+
+"You are not well?" therefore remarked madame Hsing and the others, "and
+you've had besides so much to attend to during these consecutive days,
+that what you require is rest to get all right; and why do you again
+come over?"
+
+Chia Chen was, as he leant on his staff, straining every nerve to bend
+his body so as to fall on his knees and pay his respects to them, and
+express his sense of obligation for the trouble they had taken, when
+madame Hsing and the other ladies hastily called Pao-yue to raise him up,
+bidding a servant move a chair for him to sit on. Chia Chen would not
+take a seat; but making an effort to return a smile, "Your nephew," he
+urged, "has come over, as there's a favour that I want to ask of my two
+aunts as well as of my eldest cousin."
+
+"What is it?" promptly inquired madame Hsing and the rest.
+
+"My aunts," Chia Chen replied with all haste, "you surely are aware that
+your grandson's wife is now no more; your nephew's wife is also laid up
+unwell, and, as I see that things in the inner apartments are really not
+what they should properly be, I would trouble my worthy eldest cousin to
+undertake in here the direction of affairs for a month; and if she does,
+my mind will be set at ease."
+
+Madame Hsing smiled. "Is it really about this that you've come?" she
+asked; "your eldest cousin is at present staying with your aunt Secunda,
+and all you have to do is to speak to her and it will be all right."
+
+"How ever could a mere child like her," speedily remonstrated madame
+Wang, "carry out all these matters? and shouldn't she manage things
+properly, she will, on the contrary, make people laugh, so it would
+therefore be better that you should trouble some one else."
+
+"What your ideas are, aunt," rejoined Chia Chen smiling, "your nephew
+has guessed; you're afraid lest my eldest cousin should have to bear
+fatigue and annoyance; for as to what you say, that she cannot manage
+things, why my eldest cousin has, from her youth up, ever been in her
+romping and playing so firm and decided; and now that she has entered
+the married estate, and has the run of affairs in that mansion, she must
+have reaped so much the more experience, and have become quite an old
+hand! I've been thinking these last few days that outside my eldest
+cousin, there's no one else who could come to my help; and, aunt, if you
+don't do it for the face of your nephew and your nephew's wife, do it,
+at least, for the affection you bore to her who is no more."
+
+While he uttered these words tears trickled down his face. The fears
+that madame Wang inwardly entertained were that lady Feng had no
+experience in funeral matters, and she apprehended, that if she was not
+equal to managing them, she would incur the ridicule of others; but when
+she now heard Chia Chen make the appeal in such a disconsolate mood, she
+relented considerably in her resolution. But as she turned her eyes
+towards lady Feng (to ascertain her wishes), she saw that she was
+plunged in abstraction.
+
+Lady Feng had all along found the greatest zest in taking the initiative
+in everything, with the idea of making a display of her abilities, so
+that when she perceived how earnest Chia Chen was in his entreaties, she
+had, at an early period, made up her mind to give a favourable reply.
+Seeing besides madame Wang show signs of relenting, she readily turned
+round and said to her, "My elder cousin has made his appeal in such a
+solicitous way that your ladyship should give your consent and have done
+with it."
+
+"Do you think you are equal to the task?" inquired madame Wang in a
+whisper.
+
+"What's there that I couldn't be equal to?" replied lady Feng; "for
+urgent matters outside, my cousin may be said to have already made full
+provision; and all there is to be done is to keep an eye over things
+inside. But should there occur anything that I don't know, I can ask
+you, madame, and it will be right."
+
+Madame Wang perceiving the reasonableness of what she heard her say,
+uttered not a word, and when Chia Chen saw that lady Feng had assented;
+"How much you do attend to I don't mind," he observed, forcing another
+smile, "but I must, in any case, entreat you, cousin, to assume the
+onerous charge. As a first step I'll pay my obeisance to you in here,
+and when everything has been finished, I shall then come over into that
+mansion to express my thanks."
+
+With these words still on his lips, he made a low bow, but lady Feng had
+scarcely had time to return the compliment, before Chia Chen had
+directed a servant to fetch the warrant of the Ning mansion, which he
+bade Pao-yue hand over to lady Feng.
+
+"Cousin," he added, "take whatever steps you think best; and if you want
+anything, all you have to do is to simply send for it with this, and
+there will even be no use to consult me. The only thing I must ask you
+is, not to be too careful in order to save me expense, for the main
+consideration is that things should be handsomely done. In the second
+place, it will be well if you were also to treat servants here in the
+same way as in the other mansion, and not be too scrupulous in the fear
+that any one might take offence. Outside these two concerns, there's
+nothing else to disturb my mind."
+
+Lady Feng did not venture to take over the warrant at once, but merely
+turned round to ascertain what were madame Wang's wishes.
+
+"In view of the reason brother Chen advances," madame Wang rejoined,
+"you had better assume the charge at once and finish with it; don't,
+however, act on your own ideas; but when there's aught to be done, be
+careful and send some one to consult your cousin's wife, ever so little
+though it be on the subject."
+
+Pao-yue had already taken over the warrant from Chia Chen's grasp, and
+forcibly handed it to lady Feng, "Will you, cousin," he went on to
+question, "take up your quarters here or will you come every day? should
+you cross over, day after day, it will be ever so much more fatiguing
+for you, so that I shall speedily have a separate court got ready for
+you in here, where you, cousin, can put up for these several days and be
+more comfortable."
+
+"There's no need," replied lady Feng smiling; "for on that side they
+can't do without me; and it will be better if I were to come daily."
+
+"Do as you like," Chia Chen observed; and after subsequently passing a
+few more irrelevant remarks, he at length left the room.
+
+After a time, the lady relatives dispersed, and madame Wang seized the
+opportunity to inquire of lady Feng, "What do you purpose doing to-day?"
+
+"You had better, please madame, go back," urged lady Feng, "for I must
+first of all find out some clue before I can go home."
+
+Madame Wang, upon hearing these words, returned to her quarters, in
+advance, in company with madame Hsing, where we will leave them.
+
+Lady Feng meanwhile came into a colonnade, which enclosed a suite of
+three apartments, and taking a seat, she gave way to reflection. "The
+first consideration," she communed within herself, "is that the
+household is made up of mixed elements, and things might be lost; the
+second is that the preparations are under no particular control, with
+the result that, when the time comes, the servants might shirk their
+duties; the third is that the necessary expenditure being great, there
+will be reckless disbursements and counterfeit receipts; the fourth,
+that with the absence of any distinction in the matter of duties,
+whether large or small, hardship and ease will be unequally shared; and
+the fifth, that the servants being arrogant, through leniency, those
+with any self-respect will not brook control, while those devoid of
+'face' will not be able to improve their ways."
+
+These five were, in point of fact, usages in vogue in the Ning mansion.
+But as you are unable, reader, to ascertain here how lady Feng set
+things right, listen to the explanations given in the following chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+ Lin Ju-hai dies in the City of Yang Chou.
+ Chia Pao-yue meets the Prince of Pei Ching on the way.
+
+
+When Lai Sheng, be it noticed in continuing our story, the major-domo in
+the Ning Kuo mansion, came to hear that from inside an invitation had
+been extended to lady Feng to act as deputy, he summoned together his
+co-workers and other servants. "Lady Secunda, of the western mansion,"
+he harangued them, "has now been asked to take over the control of
+internal affairs; and should she come we must, when we apply for
+anything, or have anything to say, be circumspect in our service; we
+should all every day come early and leave late; and it's better that we
+should exert ourselves during this one month and take rest after it's
+over. We mustn't throw away our old 'face,' for she's well known to be
+an impetuous thing, with a soured face and a hard heart, who, when
+angry, knows no distinction of persons."
+
+The whole company unanimously admitted that he was right; and one of
+their number too observed smilingly, "It's but right that for the inner
+apartments, we should, in fact, get her to come and put things in proper
+order, as everything is very much what it should not be."
+
+But while he uttered these words, they saw Lai Wang's wife coming, with
+an indent in hand, to fetch paper for the supplications and prayers, the
+amount of which was mentioned on the order; and they one and all
+hastened to press her into a seat, and to help her to a cup of tea;
+while a servant was told to fetch the quantity of paper required. (When
+it was brought,) Lai Wang carried it in his arms and came, the whole way
+with his wife, as far as the ceremonial gate; when he, at length,
+delivered it over to her and she clasped it, and walked into the room
+all alone.
+
+Lady Feng issued prompt directions to Ts'ai Ming to prepare a register;
+and sending, there and then, for Lai Sheng's wife, she asked her to
+submit, for her perusal, the roll with the servants' names. She
+furthermore fixed upon an early hour of the following day to convene the
+domestics and their wives in the mansion, in order that they should
+receive their orders; but, after cursorily glancing over the number of
+entries in the list, and making a few inquiries of Lai Sheng's wife, she
+soon got into her curricle, and went home.
+
+On the next day, at six and two quarters, she speedily came over. The
+matrons and married women of the Ning Kuo mansion assembled together, as
+soon as they heard of her arrival; but, perceiving lady Feng, assisted
+by Lai Sheng's wife, engaged in apportioning the duties of each servant,
+they could not presume to intrude, but remained outside the window
+listening to what was going on.
+
+"As I've been asked to take over the charge," they heard lady Feng
+explain to Lai Sheng's wife, "I'm, needless to say, sure to incur the
+displeasure of you all, for I can't compare with your mistress, who has
+such a sweet temper, and allows you to have your own way. But saying
+nothing more of those ways, which prevailed hitherto among your people
+in this mansion, you must now do as I tell you; for on the slightest
+disregard of my orders, I shall, with no discrimination between those
+who may be respectable and those who may not be, clearly and distinctly
+call all alike to account."
+
+Having concluded these remarks, she went on to order Ts'ai Ming to read
+the roll; and, as their names were uttered, one by one was called in,
+and passed under inspection. After this inspection, which was got over
+in a short time, she continued giving further directions. "These
+twenty," she said "should be divided into two companies; ten in each
+company, whose sole daily duties should be to attend inside to the
+guests, coming and going, and to serve tea for them; while with any
+other matters, they needn't have anything to do. These other twenty
+should also be divided into two companies, whose exclusive duties will
+be, day after day, to look after the tea and eatables of the relatives
+of our family; and these too will have no business to concern themselves
+with outside matters. These forty will again be divided into two
+companies, who will have nothing else to look to than to remain in front
+of the coffin and offer incense, renew the oil, hang up the streamers,
+watch the coffin, offer sacrifices of rice, and oblations of tea, and
+mourn with the mourners; and neither need they mind anything outside
+these duties. These four servants will be specially attached to the
+inner tea-rooms to look after cups, saucers and the tea articles
+generally; and in the event of the loss of any single thing, the four of
+them will have to make it good between them. These other four servants
+will have the sole charge of the articles required for eatables and
+wine; and should any get mislaid compensation will have likewise to be
+made by them. These eight servants will only have to attend to taking
+over the sacrificial offerings; while these eight will have nothing more
+to see to beyond keeping an eye over the lamps, oil, candles and paper
+wanted everywhere. I'll have a whole supply served out and handed to you
+eight to by and by apportion to the various places, in quantities which
+I will determine. These thirty servants are each day, by rotation, to
+keep watch everywhere during the night, looking after the gates and
+windows, taking care of the fires and candles, and sweeping the grounds;
+while the servants, who remain, are to be divided for duty in the houses
+and rooms, each one having charge of a particular spot. And beginning
+from the tables, chairs and curios in each place, up to the very
+cuspidors and brooms, yea even to each blade of grass or sprout of herb,
+which may be there, the servants looking after this part will be called
+upon to make good anything that may be either mislaid or damaged. You,
+Lai Sheng's wife, will every day have to exercise general supervision
+and inspection; and should there be those who be lazy, any who may
+gamble, drink, fight or wrangle, come at once and report the matter to
+me; and you mustn't show any leniency, for if I come to find it out, I
+shall have no regard to the good old name of three or four generations,
+which you may enjoy. You now all have your fixed duties, so that
+whatever batch of you after this acts contrary to these orders, I shall
+simply have something to say to that batch and to no one else. The
+servants, who have all along been in my service, carry watches on their
+persons, and things, whether large or small, are invariably done at a
+fixed time. But, in any case, you also have clocks in your master's
+rooms, so that at 6.30, I shall come and read the roll, and at ten
+you'll have breakfast. Whenever there is any indent of any permits to be
+made or any report to be submitted, it should be done at 11.30 a.m. and
+no later. At 7 p.m., after the evening paper has been burnt, I shall
+come to each place in person to hold an inspection; and on my return,
+the servants on watch for the night will hand over the keys. The next
+day, I shall again come over at 6.30 in the morning; and needless to say
+we must all do the best we can for these few days; and when the work has
+been finished your master is sure to recompense you."
+
+When she had done speaking, she went on to give orders that tea, oil,
+candles, feather dusters, brooms and other necessaries should be issued,
+according to the fixed quantities. She also had furniture, such as
+table-covers, antimacassars, cushions, rugs, cuspidors, stools and the
+like brought over and distributed; while, at the same time, she took up
+the pencil and made a note of the names of the persons in charge of the
+various departments, and of the articles taken over by the respective
+servants, in entries remarkable for the utmost perspicacity.
+
+The whole body of servants received their charge and left; but they all
+had work to go and attend to; not as in former times, when they were at
+liberty to select for themselves what was convenient to do, while the
+arduous work, which remained over, no one could be found to take in
+hand. Neither was it possible for them in the various establishments to
+any longer avail themselves of the confusion to carelessly mislay
+things. In fact, visitors came and guests left, but everything after all
+went off quietly, unlike the disorderly way which prevailed hitherto,
+when there was no clue to the ravel; and all such abuses as indolence,
+and losses, and the like were completely eradicated.
+
+Lady Feng, on her part, (perceiving) the weight her influence had in
+enjoining the observance of her directions, was in her heart exceedingly
+delighted. But as she saw, that Chia Chen was, in consequence of Mrs.
+Yu's indisposition, even so much the more grieved as to take very little
+to drink or to eat, she daily, with her own hands, prepared, in the
+other mansion, every kind of fine congee and luscious small dishes,
+which she sent over, in order that he might be tempted to eat.
+
+And Chia Lien had likewise given additional directions that every day
+the finest delicacies should be taken into the ante-chamber, for the
+exclusive use of lady Feng.
+
+Lady Feng was not one to shirk exertion and fatigue, so that, day after
+day, she came over at the proper time, called the roll, and managed
+business, sitting all alone in the ante-chamber, and not congregating
+with the whole bevy of sisters-in-law. Indeed, even when relatives or
+visitors came or went, she did not go to receive them, or see them off.
+
+This day was the thirty-fifth day, the very day of the fifth seven, and
+the whole company of bonzes had just (commenced the services) for
+unclosing the earth, and breaking Hell open; for sending a light to show
+the way to the departed spirit; for its being admitted to an audience by
+the king of Hell; for arresting all the malicious devils, as well as for
+soliciting the soul-saving Buddha to open the golden bridge and to lead
+the way with streamers. The Taoist priests were engaged in reverently
+reading the prayers; in worshipping the Three Pure Ones and in
+prostrating themselves before the Gemmy Lord. The disciples of
+abstraction were burning incense, in order to release the hungered
+spirits, and were reading the water regrets manual. There was also a
+company of twelve nuns of tender years, got up in embroidered dresses,
+and wearing red shoes, who stood before the coffin, silently reading all
+the incantations for the reception of the spirit (from the lower
+regions,) with the result that the utmost bustle and stir prevailed.
+
+Lady Feng, well aware that not a few guests would call on this day, was
+quick to get out of bed at four sharp, to dress her hair and perform her
+ablutions. After having completed every arrangement for the day, she
+changed her costume, washed her hands, and swallowed a couple of
+mouthfuls of milk. By the time she had rinsed her mouth, it was exactly
+6.30; and Lai Wang's wife, at the head of a company of servants, had
+been waiting a good long while, when lady Feng appeared in front of the
+Entrance Hall, mounted her carriage and betook herself, preceded by a
+pair of transparent horn lanterns, on which were written, in large type,
+the three characters, Jung Kuo mansion, to the main entrance gate of the
+Ning Household. The door lanterns shed brilliant rays from where they
+were suspended; while on either side the lanterns, of uniform colours,
+propped upright, emitted a lustrous light as bright as day.
+
+The servants of the family, got up in their mourning clothes, covered
+the ground far and wide like a white sheet. They stood drawn in two
+rows, and requested that the carriage should drive up to the main
+entrance. The youths retired, and all the married women came forward,
+and raising the curtain of the carriage, lady Feng alighted; and as with
+one arm she supported herself on Feng Erh, two married women, with
+lanterns in their hands, lighted the way. Pressed round by the servants,
+lady Feng made her entry. The married women of the Ning mansion advanced
+to greet her, and to pay their respects; and this over, lady Feng, with
+graceful bearing, entered the Garden of Concentrated Fragrance.
+Ascending the Spirit Hall, where the tablet was laid, the tears, as soon
+as she caught sight of the coffin, trickled down her eyes like pearls
+whose string had snapped; while the youths in the court, and their
+number was not small, stood in a reverent posture, with their arms
+against their sides, waiting to burn the paper. Lady Feng uttered one
+remark, by way of command: "Offer the tea and burn the paper!" when the
+sound of two blows on the gong was heard and the whole band struck up
+together. A servant had at an early period placed a large armchair in
+front of the tablet, and lady Feng sat down, and gave way to loud
+lamentations. Promptly all those, who stood inside or outside, whether
+high or low, male or female, took up the note, and kept on wailing and
+weeping until Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu, after a time, sent a message to
+advise her to withhold her tears; when at length lady Feng desisted.
+
+Lai Wang's wife served the tea; and when she had finished rinsing her
+mouth, lady Feng got up; and, taking leave of all the members of the
+clan, she walked all alone into the ante-chamber, where she ascertained,
+in the order of their names, the number of the servants of every
+denomination in there. They were all found to be present, with the
+exception of one, who had failed to appear, whose duties consisted in
+receiving and escorting the relatives and visitors. Orders were promptly
+given to summon him, and the man appeared in a dreadful fright. "What!"
+exclaimed lady Feng, as she forced a smile, "is it you who have been
+remiss? Is it because you're more respectable than they that you don't
+choose to listen to my words?"
+
+"Your servant," he pleaded, "has come at an early hour every day; and
+it's only to-day that I come late by one step; and I entreat your
+ladyship to forgive this my first offence."
+
+While yet he spoke, she perceived the wife of Wang Hsing, of the Jung
+Kuo mansion, come forward and pop her head in to see what was going on;
+but lady Feng did not let this man go, but went on to inquire of Wang
+Hsing's wife what she had come for.
+
+Wang Hsing's wife drew near. "I've come," she explained, "to get an
+order, so as to obtain some thread to make tassels for the carriages and
+chairs." Saying this, she produced the permit and handed it up,
+whereupon lady Feng directed Ts'ai Ming to read the contents aloud. "For
+two large, sedan chairs," he said, "four small sedan chairs and four
+carriages, are needed in all so many large and small tassels, each
+tassel requiring so many catties of beads and thread."
+
+Lady Feng finding, after she had heard what was read, that the numbers
+(and quantities) corresponded, forthwith bade Ts'ai Ming make the proper
+entry; and when the order from the Jung Kuo mansion had been fetched,
+and thrown at her, Wang Hsing's wife took her departure.
+
+Lady Feng was on the very point of saying something, when she espied
+four managers of the Jung Kuo mansion walk in; all of whom wanted
+permits to indent for stores. Having asked them to read out the list of
+what they required, she ascertained that they wanted four kinds of
+articles in all. Drawing attention to two items: "These entries," she
+remarked, "are wrong; and you had better go again and make out the
+account clearly, and then come and fetch a permit."
+
+With these words, she flung down the requisitions, and the two men went
+their way in lower spirits than when they had come.
+
+Lady Feng then caught sight of the wife of Chang Ts'ai standing by, and
+asked her what was her business, whereupon Chang Ts'ai's wife promptly
+produced an indent. "The covers of the carriages and sedan chairs," she
+reported, "have just been completed, and I've come to fetch the amount
+due to the tailors for wages."
+
+Lady Feng, upon hearing her explanation, took over the indent, and
+directed Ts'ai Ming to enter the items in the book. After Wang Hsing had
+handed over the money, and obtained the receipt of the accountant, duly
+signed, which tallied with the payment, he subsequently walked away in
+company with Chang Ts'ai's wife. Lady Feng simultaneously proceeded to
+give orders that another indent should be read, which was for money to
+purchase paper with to paste on the windows of Pao-yue's outer
+school-room, the repairs to which had been brought to completion, and as
+soon as lady Feng heard the nature of the application, she there and
+then gave directions that the permit should be taken over and an entry
+made, and that the money should be issued after Chang Ts'ai's wife had
+delivered everything clearly.
+
+"If to-morrow he were to come late," lady Feng then remarked, "and if
+the day after, I were to come late; why by and by there'll be no one
+here at all! I should have liked to have let you off, but if I be
+lenient with you on this first instance, it will be hard for me, on the
+occurrence of another offence, to exercise any control over the rest.
+It's much better therefore that I should settle accounts with you."
+
+The moment she uttered these words, she put on a serious look, and gave
+orders that he should be taken out and administered twenty blows with
+the bamboo. When the servants perceived that lady Feng was in an angry
+mood, they did not venture to dilly-dally, but dragged him out, and gave
+him the full number of blows; which done, they came in to report that
+the punishment had been inflicted.
+
+Lady Feng likewise threw down the Ning Mansion order and exclaimed,
+addressing herself to Lai Sheng: "Cut him a month's wages and rice! and
+tell them all to disperse, and have done with it!"
+
+All the servants at length withdrew to attend to their respective
+duties, while the man too, who had been flogged, walked away, as he did
+all he could to conceal his shame and stifle his tears. About this time
+arrived and went, in an incessant stream, servants from both the Jung
+and Ning mansions, bent upon applying for permits and returning permits,
+and with one by one again did lady Feng settle accounts. And, as in due
+course, the inmates of the Ning mansion came to know how terrible lady
+Feng was, each and all were ever since so wary and dutiful that they did
+not venture to be lazy.
+
+But without going into further details on this subject, we shall now
+return to Pao-yue. Seeing that there were a lot of people about and
+fearing lest Ch'in Chung might receive some offence, he lost no time in
+coming along with him to sit over at lady Feng's. Lady Feng was just
+having her repast, and upon seeing them arrive: "Your legs are long
+enough, and couldn't you have come somewhat quicker!" she laughingly
+observed.
+
+"We've had our rice, thanks," replied Pao-yue.
+
+"Have you had it," inquired lady Feng, "outside here, or over on the
+other side?"
+
+"Would we eat anything with all that riff-raff?" exclaimed Pao-yue;
+"we've really had it over there; in fact, I now come after having had
+mine with dowager lady Chia."
+
+As he uttered these words, they took their seats. Lady Feng had just
+finished her meal, when a married woman from the Ning mansion came to
+get an order to obtain an advance of money to purchase incense and
+lanterns with.
+
+"I calculated," observed lady Feng, "that you would come to-day to make
+requisition, but I was under the impression that you had forgotten; had
+you really done so you would certainly have had to get them on your own
+account, and I would have been the one to benefit."
+
+"Didn't I forget? I did," rejoined the married woman as she smiled; "and
+it's only a few minutes back that it came to my mind; had I been one
+second later I wouldn't have been in time to get the things."
+
+These words ended, she took over the order and went off. Entries had, at
+the time to be made in the books, and orders to be issued, and Ch'in
+Chung was induced to interpose with a smirk, "In both these mansions of
+yours, such orders are alike in use; but were any outsider stealthily to
+counterfeit one and to abscond, after getting the money, what could ever
+be done?"
+
+"In what you say," replied lady Feng, "you take no account of the laws
+of the land."
+
+"How is it that from our house, no one comes to get any orders or to
+obtain anything?" Pao-yue having inquired: "At the time they come to
+fetch them," rejoined lady Feng, "you're still dreaming; but let me ask
+you one thing, when will you two at last begin your evening course of
+studies?"
+
+"Oh, I wish we were able to begin our studies this very day," Pao-yue
+added; "that would be the best thing, but they're very slow in putting
+the school-room in order, so that there's no help for it!"
+
+Lady Feng laughed. "Had you asked me," she remarked, "I can assure you
+it would have been ready quick enough."
+
+"You too would have been of no use," observed Pao-yue, "for it will
+certainly be ready by the time they ought to finish it in."
+
+"But in order that they should do the work," suggested lady Feng, "it's
+also necessary that they should have the material, they can't do without
+them; and if I don't give them any permits, it will be difficult to
+obtain them."
+
+Pao-yue at these words readily drew near to lady Feng, and there and then
+applied for the permits. "My dear sister," he added, "do give them the
+permits to enable them to obtain the material and effect the repairs."
+
+"I feel quite sore from fatigue," ventured lady Feng, "and how can I
+stand your rubbing against me? but compose your mind. They have this
+very day got the paper, and gone to paste it; and would they, for
+whatever they need, have still waited until they had been sent for? they
+are not such fools after all!"
+
+Pao-yue would not believe it, and lady Feng at once called Ts'ai Ming to
+look up the list, which she handed for Pao-yue's inspection; but while
+they were arguing a servant came in to announce that Chao Erh, who had
+gone to Su Chow, had returned, and lady Feng all in a flurry directed
+that he should be asked to walk in. Chao Erh bent one knee and paid his
+obeisance.
+
+"Why have you come back?" lady Feng readily inquired.
+
+"Mr. Secundus (Chia Lien)," he reported, "sent me back to tell you that
+Mr. Lin (our dowager lady's) son-in-law, died on the third of the ninth
+moon; that Master Secundus is taking Miss Lin along with him to escort
+the coffin of Mr. Lin as far as Su Chow; and that they hope to be back
+some time about the end of the year. Master despatched me to come and
+announce the news, to bring his compliments, and to crave our old lady's
+instructions as well as to see how you are getting on in my lady's home.
+He also bade me take back to him a few long fur pelisses."
+
+"Have you seen any one else besides me?" lady Feng inquired.
+
+"I've seen every one," rejoined Chao Erh; and withdrew hastily at the
+conclusion of this remark, out of the apartment, while lady Feng turned
+towards Pao-yue with a smile and said, "Your cousin Lin can now live in
+our house for ever."
+
+"Poor thing!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "I presume that during all these days
+she has wept who knows how much;" and saying this he wrinkled his brow
+and heaved a deep sigh.
+
+Lady Feng saw Chao Erh on his return, but as she could not very well, in
+the presence of third persons, make minute inquiries after Chia Lien,
+she had to continue a prey to inward solicitude till it was time to go
+home, for, not having got through what she had to do, she was compelled
+to wait patiently until she went back in the evening, when she again
+sent word for Chao Erh to come in, and asked him with all minuteness
+whether the journey had been pleasant throughout, and for full
+particulars. That very night, she got in readiness the long pelisses,
+which she herself, with the assistance of P'ing Erh, packed up in a
+bundle; and after careful thought as to what things he would require,
+she put them in the same bundle and committed them to Chao Erh's care.
+She went on to solicitously impress upon Chao Erh to be careful in his
+attendance abroad. "Don't provoke your master to wrath," she said, "and
+from time to time do advise him not to drink too much wine; and don't
+entice him to make the acquaintance of any low people; for if you do,
+when you come back I will cut your leg off."
+
+The preparations were hurriedly and confusedly completed; and it was
+already the fourth watch of the night when she went to sleep. But soon
+again the day dawned, and after hastily performing her toilette and
+ablutions, she came over to the Ning Mansion.
+
+As Chia Chen realised that the day for escorting the body away was
+drawing nigh, he in person went out in a curricle, along with
+geomancers, to the Temple of the Iron Fence to inspect a suitable place
+for depositing the coffin. He also, point by point, enjoined the
+resident managing-bonze, Se K'ung, to mind and get ready brand-new
+articles of decoration and furniture, and to invite a considerable
+number of bonzes of note to be at hand to lend their services for the
+reception of the coffin.
+
+Se K'ung lost no time in getting ready the evening meal, but Chia Chen
+had, in fact, no wish for any tea or rice; and, as the day was far
+advanced and he was not in time to enter the city, he had, after all, to
+rest during that night as best he could in a "chaste" room in the
+temple. The next morning, as soon as it was day, he hastened to come
+into the city and to make every preparation for the funeral. He likewise
+deputed messengers to proceed ahead to the Temple of the Iron Fence to
+give, that very night, additional decorative touches to the place where
+the coffin was to be deposited, and to get ready tea and all the other
+necessaries, for the use of the persons who would be present at the
+reception of the coffin.
+
+Lady Feng, seeing that the day was not far distant, also apportioned
+duties and made provision for everything beforehand with circumspect
+care; while at the same time she chose in the Jung mansion, such
+carriages, sedan chairs and retinue as were to accompany the cortege, in
+attendance upon madame Wang, and gave her mind furthermore to finding a
+place where she herself could put up in at the time of the funeral.
+About this very time, it happened that the consort of the Duke Shan Kuo
+departed this life, and that mesdames Wang and Hsing had likewise to go
+and offer sacrifices, and to follow the burial procession; that the
+birthday occurred of the consort of Prince Hsi An; that presents had to
+be forwarded on the occasion of this anniversary; and that the consort
+of the Duke of Chen Kuo gave birth to a first child, a son, and
+congratulatory gifts had, in like manner, to be provided. Besides, her
+uterine brother Wang Jen was about to return south, with all his family,
+and she had too to write her home letters, to send her reverent
+compliments to her father and mother, as well as to get the things ready
+that were to be taken along. There was also Ying Ch'un, who had
+contracted some illness, and the doctor had every day to be sent for,
+and medicines to be administered, the notes of the doctor to be looked
+after, consisting of the bulletins of the diagnosis and the
+prescriptions, with the result that the various things that had to be
+attended to by lady Feng were so manifold that it would, indeed, be
+difficult to give an exhaustive idea of them.
+
+In addition to all this, the day for taking the coffin away was close at
+hand, so that lady Feng was so hard pressed for time that she had even
+no desire for any tea to drink or anything to eat, and that she could
+not sit or rest in peace. As soon as she put her foot into the Ning
+mansion, the inmates of the Jung mansion would follow close upon her
+heels; and the moment she got back into the Jung mansion, the servants
+again of the Ning mansion would follow her about. In spite however of
+this great pressure, lady Feng, whose natural disposition had ever been
+to try and excel, was urged to strain the least of her energies, as her
+sole dread was lest she should incur unfavourable criticism from any
+one; and so excellent were the plans she devised, that every one in the
+clan, whether high or low, readily conceded her unlimited praise.
+
+On the night of this day, the body had to be watched, and in the inner
+suite of apartments two companies of young players as well as jugglers
+entertained the relatives, friends and other visitors during the whole
+of the night. Mrs. Yu was still laid up in the inside room, so that the
+whole task of attending to and entertaining the company devolved upon
+lady Feng alone, who had to look after everything; for though there
+were, in the whole clan, many sisters-in-law, some there were too
+bashful to speak, others too timid to stand on their feet; while there
+were also those who were not accustomed to meeting company; and those
+likewise who were afraid of people of high estate and shy of officials.
+Of every kind there were, but the whole number of them could not come up
+to lady Feng's standard, whose deportment was correct and whose speech
+was according to rule. Hence it was that she did not even so much as
+heed any of that large company, but gave directions and issued orders,
+adopting any course of action which she fancied, just as if there were
+no bystander.
+
+The whole night, the lanterns emitted a bright light and the fires
+brilliant rays; while guests were escorted on their way out and
+officials greeted on their way in; but of this hundredfold bustle and
+stir nothing need, of course, be said.
+
+The next morning at the dawn of day, and at a propitious moment,
+sixty-four persons, dressed all alike in blue, carried the coffin,
+preceded by a streamer with the record in large characters: Coffin of
+lady Ch'in, a lady of the fifth degree, (by marriage) of the Chia
+mansion, deceased at middle age, consort of the grandson of the Ning Kuo
+Duke with the first rank title of honour, (whose status is) a guard of
+the Imperial antechamber, charged with the protection of the Inner
+Palace and Roads in the Red Prohibited City.
+
+The various paraphernalia and ornaments were all brand-new, hurriedly
+made for the present occasion, and the uniform lustrous brilliancy they
+shed was sufficient to dazzle the eyes.
+
+Pao-chu, of course, observed the rites prescribed for unmarried
+daughters, and dashed the bowl and walked by the coffin, as she gave way
+to most bitter lamentations.
+
+At that time, among the officials who escorted the funeral procession,
+were Niu Chi-tsung, the grandson of the Chen Kuo duke, who had now
+inherited the status of earl of the first degree; Liu Fang, the grandson
+of Liu Piao, duke of Li Kuo, who had recently inherited the rank of
+viscount of the first class; Ch'en Jui-wen, a grandson of Ch'en Yi, duke
+of Ch'i Kuo, who held the hereditary rank of general of the third
+degree, with the prefix of majestic authority; Ma Shang, the grandson of
+Ma K'uei, duke of Chih Kuo, by inheritance general of the third rank
+with the prefix of majesty afar; Hou Hsiao-keng, an hereditary viscount
+of the first degree, grandson of the duke of Hsiu Kuo, Hou Hsiao-ming by
+name; while the death of the consort of the duke of Shan Kuo had obliged
+his grandson Shih Kuang-chu to go into mourning so that he could not be
+present. These were the six families which had, along with the two
+households of Jung and Ning, been, at one time, designated the eight
+dukes.
+
+Among the rest, there were besides the grandson of the Prince of Nan An;
+the grandson of the Prince of Hsi An; Shih Ting, marquis of Chung Ching;
+Chiang Tzu-ning, an hereditary baron of the second grade, grandson of
+the earl of P'ing Yuan; Hsieh K'un, an hereditary baron of the second
+order and Captain of the Metropolitan camp, grandson of the marquis of
+Ting Ch'ang: Hsi Chien-hui, an hereditary baron of the second rank, a
+grandson of the marquis of Nang Yang; Ch'in Liang, in command of the
+Five Cities, grandson of the marquis of Ching T'ien. The remainder were
+Wei Chi, the son of the earl of Chin Hsiang; Feng Tzu-ying, the son of a
+general, whose prefix was supernatural martial spirit; Ch'en Yeh-chuen,
+Wei Jo-lan and others, grandsons and sons of princes who could not be
+enumerated.
+
+In the way of ladies, there were also in all about ten large official
+sedan chairs full of them, thirty or forty private chairs, and including
+the official and non-official chairs, and carriages containing inmates
+of the household, there must have been over a hundred and ten; so that
+with the various kinds of paraphernalia, articles of decoration and
+hundreds of nick-nacks, which preceded, the vast expanse of the cortege
+covered a continuous line extending over three or four li.
+
+They had not been very long on their way, when they reached variegated
+sheds soaring high by the roadside, in which banquets were spread,
+feasts laid out, and music discoursed in unison. These were the viatory
+sacrificial offerings contributed by the respective families. The first
+shed contained the sacrificial donations of the mansion of the Prince of
+Tung P'ing; the second shed those of the Prince of Nan An; the third
+those of the Prince of Hsi Ning, and the fourth those of the Prince of
+Pei Ching.
+
+Indeed of these four Princes, the reputation enjoyed in former days by
+the Prince of Pei Ching had been the most exalted, and to this day his
+sons and grandsons still succeeded to the inheritance of the princely
+dignity. The present incumbent of the Princedom of Pei Ching, Shih Jung,
+had not as yet come of age, but he was gifted with a presence of
+exceptional beauty, and with a disposition condescending and genial. At
+the demise, recently, of the consort of the eldest grandson of the
+mansion of Ning Kuo, he, in consideration of the friendship which had
+formerly existed between the two grandfathers, by virtue of which they
+had been inseparable, both in adversity as well as in prosperity,
+treating each other as if they had not been of different surnames, was
+consequently induced to pay no regard to princely dignity or to his
+importance, but having like the others paid, on the previous day, his
+condolences and presented sacrificial offerings, he had further now
+raised a shed wherein to offer libations. Having directed every one of
+his subordinate officers to remain in this spot in attendance, he
+himself went at the fifth watch to court, and when he acquitted himself
+of his public duties he forthwith changed his attire for a mourning
+costume, and came along, in an official sedan chair, preceded by gongs
+and umbrellas. Upon reaching the front of the shed the chair was
+deposited on the ground, and as his subordinate officers pressed on
+either side and waited upon him, neither the military nor the populace,
+which composed the mass of people, ventured to make any commotion. In a
+short while, the long procession of the Ning mansion became visible,
+spreading far and wide, covering in its course from the north, the whole
+ground like a silver mountain. At an early hour, the forerunners,
+messengers and other attendants on the staff of the Ning mansion
+apprised Chia Chen (of the presence of the sheds), and Chia Chen with
+all alacrity gave orders that the foremost part of the cortege should
+halt. Attended by Chia She and Chia Chen, the three of them came with
+hurried step to greet (the Prince of Pei Ching), whom they saluted with
+due ceremony. Shih Jung, who was seated in his sedan chair, made a bow
+and returned their salutations with a smile, proceeding to address them
+and to treat them, as he had done hitherto, as old friends, without any
+airs of self-importance.
+
+"My daughter's funeral has," observed Chia Chen, "put your Highness to
+the trouble of coming, an honour which we, though noble by birth, do not
+deserve."
+
+Shih Jung smiled. "With the terms of friendship," he added, "which have
+existed for so many generations (between our families), is there any
+need for such apologies?"
+
+Turning his head round there and then, he gave directions to the senior
+officer of his household to preside at the sacrifices and to offer
+libations in his stead; and Chia She and the others stood together on
+one side and made obeisance in return, and then came in person again and
+gave expression to their gratitude for his bounty.
+
+Shih Jung was most affable and complaisant. "Which is the gentleman," he
+inquired of Chia Chen, "who was born with a piece of jade in his mouth?
+I've long had a wish to have the pleasure of seeing him, and as he's
+sure to be on the spot on an occasion like this, why shouldn't you
+invite him to come round?"
+
+Chia Chen speedily drew back, and bidding Pao-yue change his mourning
+clothes, he led him forward and presented him.
+
+Pao-yue had all along heard that Shih Jung was a worthy Prince, perfect
+in ability as well as in appearance, pleasant and courteous, not bound
+down by any official custom or state rite, so that he had repeatedly
+felt a keen desire to meet him. With the sharp control, however, which
+his father exercised over him, he had not been able to gratify his wish.
+But on this occasion, he saw on the contrary that he came to call him,
+and it was but natural that he should be delighted. Whilst advancing, he
+scrutinised Shih Jung with the corner of his eye, who, seated as he was
+in the sedan chair, presented an imposing sight.
+
+But, reader, what occurred on his approach is not yet known, but listen
+to the next chapter, which will divulge it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+ Lady Peng, nee Wang, exercises her authority in the Iron Fence Temple.
+ Ch'in Ching-ch'ing (Ch'ing Chung) amuses himself in the Man-t'ou
+ (Bread) nunnery.
+
+
+But we shall now resume our story. When Pao-yue raised his eyes, he
+noticed that Shih Jung, Prince of Pei Ching, wore on his head a princely
+cap with pure white tassels and silvery feathers, that he was appareled
+in a white ceremonial robe, (with a pattern representing) the toothlike
+ripple of a river and the waters of the sea, embroidered with
+five-clawed dragons; and that he was girded with a red leather belt,
+inlaid with white jade. That his face was like a beauteous gem; that his
+eyes were like sparkling stars; and that he was, in very truth, a human
+being full of graceful charms.
+
+Pao-yue hastily pressed forward and made a reverent obeisance, and Shih
+Jung lost no time in extending his arms from inside the sedan-chair, and
+embracing him. At a glance, he saw that Pao-yue had on his head a silver
+cap, to which the hair was attached, that he had, round his forehead, a
+flap on which were embroidered a couple of dragons issuing from the sea,
+that he wore a white archery-sleeved robe, ornamented with dragons, and
+that his waist was encircled by a silver belt, inlaid with pearls; that
+his face resembled vernal flowers and that his eyes were like drops of
+lacquer.
+
+Shih Jung smiled. "Your name is," he said, "no trumped-up story; for
+you, verily, resemble a precious gem; but where's the valuable trinket
+you had in your mouth?" he inquired.
+
+As soon as Pao-yue heard this inquiry, he hastened to produce the jade
+from inside his clothes and to hand it over to Shih Jung. Shih Jung
+minutely examined it; and having also read the motto on it, he
+consequently ascertained whether it was really efficacious or not.
+
+"It's true that it's said to be," Pao-yue promptly explained, "but it
+hasn't yet been put to the test."
+
+Shih Jung extolled it with unbounded praise, and, as he did so, he set
+the variegated tassels in proper order, and, with his own hands,
+attached it on to Pao-yue's neck. Taking also his hand in his, he
+inquired of Pao-yue what was his age? and what books he was reading at
+present, to each of which questions Pao-yue gave suitable answer.
+
+Shih Jung perceiving the perspicacity of his speech and the propriety of
+his utterances, simultaneously turned towards Chia Chen and observed
+with a smile on his face: "Your worthy son is, in very truth, like the
+young of a dragon or like the nestling of a phoenix! and this isn't an
+idle compliment which I, a despicable prince, utter in your venerable
+presence! But how much more glorious will be, in the future, the voice
+of the young phoenix than that of the old phoenix, it isn't easy to
+ascertain."
+
+Chia Chen forced a smile: "My cur-like son," he replied, "cannot presume
+to such bountiful praise and golden commendation; but if, by the virtue
+of your Highness' excess of happiness, he does indeed realise your
+words, he will be a source of joy to us all!"
+
+"There's one thing, however," continued Shih Jung; "with the excellent
+abilities which your worthy scion possesses, he's sure, I presume, to be
+extremely loved by her dowager ladyship, (his grandmother), and by all
+classes. But for young men of our age it's a great drawback to be doated
+upon, for with over-fondness, we cannot help utterly frustrating the
+benefits of education. When I, a despicable prince, was young, I walked
+in this very track, and I presume that your honourable son cannot
+likewise but do the same. By remaining at home, your worthy scion will
+find it difficult to devote his attention to study; and he will not reap
+any harm, were he to come, at frequent intervals, to my humble home; for
+though my deserts be small, I nevertheless enjoy the great honour of the
+acquaintance of all the scholars of note in the Empire, so that,
+whenever any of them visit the capital, not one of them is there who
+does not lower his blue eyes upon me. Hence it is that in my mean abode,
+eminent worthies rendezvous; and were your esteemed son to come, as
+often as he can, and converse with them and meet them, his knowledge
+would, in that case, have every opportunity of making daily strides
+towards improvement."
+
+Chia Chen speedily bent his body and expressed his acquiescence, by way
+of reply; whereupon Shih Jung went further, and taking off from his
+wrist a chaplet of pearls, he presented it to Pao-yue.
+
+"This is the first time we meet," he observed. "Our meeting was so
+unexpected that I have no suitable congratulatory present to offer you.
+This was conferred upon me by His Majesty, and is a string of
+chaplet-pearls, scented with Ling Ling, which will serve as a temporary
+token of respectful congratulations."
+
+Pao-yue hastened to receive it from his hands, and turning round, he
+reverently presented it to Chia Chen. Chia Chen and Pao-yue jointly
+returned thanks; and forthwith Chia She, Chia Chen and the rest came
+forward in a body, and requested the Prince to turn his chair homewards.
+
+"The departed," expostulated Shih Jung, "has already ascended the
+spiritual regions, and is no more a mortal being in this dusty world
+exposed to vicissitude like you and I. Although a mean prince like me
+has been the recipient of the favour of the Emperor, and has
+undeservedly been called to the princely inheritance, how could I
+presume to go before the spiritual hearse and return home?"
+
+Chia She and the others, perceiving how persistent he was in his refusal
+had no course but to take their leave, express their sense of gratitude
+and to rejoin the cortege. They issued orders to their servants to stop
+the band, and to hush the music, and making the procession go by, they
+at length left the way clear for Shih Jung to prosecute his way.
+
+But we will now leave him and resume our account of the funeral of the
+Ning mansion. All along its course the road was plunged in unusual
+commotion. As soon as they reached the city gates Chia She, Chia Cheng,
+Chia Chen, and the others again received donations from all their fellow
+officers and subordinates, in sacrificial sheds erected by their
+respective families, and after they returned thanks to one after
+another, they eventually issued from the city walls, and proceeded
+eventually along the highway, in the direction of the Temple of the Iron
+Fence.
+
+Chia Chen, at this time, went, together with Chia Jung, up to all their
+seniors, and pressed them to get into their sedan chairs, and to ride
+their horses; and Chia She and all of the same age as himself were
+consequently induced to mount into their respective carriages or chairs.
+Chia Chen and those of the same generation were likewise about to ride
+their horses, when lady Feng, through her solicitude on Pao-yue's
+account, gave way to fears lest now that they had reached the open
+country, he should do as he pleased, and not listen to the words of any
+of the household, and lest Chia Chen should not be able to keep him in
+check; and, as she dreaded that he might go astray, she felt compelled
+to bid a youth call him to her; and Pao-yue had no help but to appear
+before her curricle.
+
+"My dear brother," lady Feng remarked smiling, "you are a respectable
+person, and like a girl in your ways, and shouldn't imitate those
+monkeys on horseback! do get down and let both you and I sit together in
+this carriage; and won't that be nice?"
+
+At these words, Pao-yue readily dismounted and climbed up into the
+carriage occupied by lady Feng; and they both talked and laughed, as
+they continued their way.
+
+But not a long time elapsed before two men, on horseback, were seen
+approaching from the opposite direction. Coming straight up to lady
+Feng's vehicle they dismounted, and said, as they leaned on the sides of
+her carriage, "There's a halting place here, and will it not please your
+ladyship to have a rest and change?"
+
+Lady Feng directed them to ask the two ladies Hsing and Wang what they
+would like to do, and the two men explained: "These ladies have
+signified that they had no desire to rest, and they wish your ladyship
+to suit your convenience."
+
+Lady Feng speedily issued orders that they should have a rest, before
+they prosecuted their way, and the servant youth led the harnessed
+horses through the crowd of people and came towards the north, while
+Pao-yue, from inside the carriage, urgently asked that Mr. Ch'in should
+be requested to come.
+
+Ch'in Chung was at this moment on horseback following in the track of
+his father's carriage, when unexpectedly he caught sight of Pao-yue's
+page, come at a running pace and invite him to have some refreshment.
+Ch'in Chung perceived from a distance that the horse, which Pao-yue had
+been riding, walked behind lady Feng's vehicle, as it went towards the
+north, with its saddle and bridles all piled up, and readily concluding
+that Pao-yue must be in the same carriage with that lady, he too turned
+his horse and came over in haste and entered, in their company, the door
+of a farm-house.
+
+This dwelling of the farmer's did not contain many rooms so that the
+women and girls had nowhere to get out of the way; and when the village
+lasses and country women perceived the bearing and costumes of lady
+Feng, Pao-yue, and Ch'in Chung, they were inclined to suspect that
+celestial beings had descended into the world.
+
+Lady Feng entered a thatched house, and, in the first place, asked
+Pao-yue and the rest to go out and play. Pao-yue took the hint, and, along
+with Ch'in Chung, he led off the servant boys and went to romp all over
+the place.
+
+The various articles in use among the farmers they had not seen before,
+with the result that after Pao-yue had inspected them, he thought them
+all very strange; but he could neither make out their names nor their
+uses. But among the servant boys, there were those who knew, and they
+explained to them, one after another, what they were called, as well as
+what they were for. As Pao-yue, after this explanation, nodded his head;
+"It isn't strange," he said, "that an old writer has this line in his
+poetical works, 'Who can realise that the food in a bowl is, grain by
+grain, all the fruit of labour.' This is indeed so!" As he spoke, they
+had come into another house; and at the sight of a spinning wheel on a
+stove-bed, they thought it still more strange and wonderful, but the
+servant boys again told them that it was used for spinning the yarn to
+weave cloth with, and Pao-yue speedily jumping on to the stove-bed, set
+to work turning the wheel for the sake of fun, when a village lass of
+about seventeen or eighteen years of age came forward, and asked them
+not to meddle with it and spoil it.
+
+The servant boys promptly stopped her interference; but Pao-yue himself
+desisted, as he added: "It's because I hadn't seen one before that I
+came to try it for fun."
+
+"You people can't do it," rejoined the lass, "let me turn it for you to
+see."
+
+Ch'in Chung secretly pulled Pao-yue and remarked, "It's great fun in this
+village!" but Pao-yue gave him a nudge and observed, "If you talk
+nonsense again, I'll beat you." Watching intently, as he uttered these
+words, the village girl who started reeling the thread, and presented,
+in very truth, a pretty sight. But suddenly an old woman from the other
+side gave a shout. "My girl Secunda, come over at once;" and the lass
+discarded the spinning-wheel and hastily went on her way.
+
+Pao-yue was the while feeling disappointed and unhappy, when he espied a
+servant, whom lady Feng had sent, come and call them both in. Lady Feng
+had washed her hands and changed her costume; and asked him whether he
+would change or not, and Pao-yue, having replied "No! it doesn't matter
+after all if I don't change," the female attendants served tea, cakes
+and fruits and also poured the scented tea. Lady Feng and the others
+drank their tea, and waiting until they had put the various articles by,
+and made all the preparations, they promptly started to get into their
+carriages. Outside, Wang Erh had got ready tips and gave them to the
+people of the farm, and the farm women and all the inmates went up to
+them to express their gratitude; but when Pao-yue came to look carefully,
+he failed to see anything of the lass who had reeled the thread. But
+they had not gone far before they caught sight of this girl Secunda
+coming along with a small child in her arms, who, they concluded, was
+her young brother, laughing and chatting, in company with a few young
+girls.
+
+Pao-yue could not suppress the voice of love, but being seated in the
+carriage, he was compelled to satisfy himself by following her with his
+eyes. Soon however the vehicle sped on as rapidly as a cloud impelled by
+the wind, so that when he turned his head round, there was already no
+vestige to be seen of her; but, while they were bandying words, they had
+unexpectedly overtaken the great concourse of the cortege.
+
+Likewise, at an early stage men were stationed ahead, with Buddhist
+drums and gold cymbals, with streamers, and jewelled coverings; and the
+whole company of bonzes, belonging to the Iron Fence Temple, had already
+been drawn out in a line by the sides of the road. In a short while,
+they reached the interior of the temple, where additional sacrifices
+were offered and Buddhistic services performed; and where altars had
+again been erected to burn incense on. The coffin was deposited in a
+side room of the inner court; and Pao Chu got ready a bed-room in which
+she could keep her watch.
+
+In the outer apartments, Chia Chen did the honours among the whole party
+of relatives and friends, some of whom asked to be allowed to stay for
+their meals, while others at this stage took their leave. And after they
+had one by one returned thanks, the dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts
+and barons, each in respective batches, (got up to go,) and they kept on
+leaving from between 1 and 3 p.m. before they had finally all dispersed.
+
+In the inner Chambers, the ladies were solely entertained and attended
+to by lady Feng. First to make a move were the consorts of officials;
+and noon had also come, by the time the whole party of them had taken
+their departure. Those that remained were simply a few relatives of the
+same clan and others like them, who eventually left after the completion
+of the three days' rationalistic liturgies.
+
+The two ladies Hsing and Wang, well aware at this time that lady Feng
+could on no account return home, desired to enter the city at once; and
+madame Wang wanted to take Pao-yue home; but Pao-yue, who had, on an
+unexpected occasion, come out into the country, entertained, of course,
+no wish to go back; and he would agree to nothing else than to stay
+behind with lady Feng, so that madame Wang had no alternative but to
+hand him over to her charge and to start.
+
+This Temple of the Iron Fence had, in fact, been erected in days gone
+by, at the expense of the two dukes Ning and Jung; and there still
+remained up to these days, acres of land, from which were derived the
+funds for incense and lights for such occasions, on which the coffins of
+any members, old or young, (who died) in the capital, had to be
+deposited in this temple; and the inner and outer houses, in this
+compound were all kept in readiness and good order, for the
+accommodation of those who formed part of the cortege.
+
+At this time, as it happened, the descendants mustered an immense crowd,
+and among them were poor and rich of various degrees, or with likes and
+dislikes diametrically opposed. There were those, who, being in
+straitened circumstances at home, and easily contented, readily took up
+their quarters in the temple. And there were those with money and
+position, and with extravagant ideas, who maintained that the
+accommodation in the temple was not suitable, and, of course, went in
+search of additional quarters, either in country houses, or in convents,
+where they could have their meals and retire, after the ceremonies were
+over.
+
+On the occasion of Mrs. Ch'in's funeral, all the members of the clan put
+up temporarily in the Iron Fence Temple; lady Feng alone looked down
+upon it as inconvenient, and consequently despatched a servant to go and
+tell Ch'ing Hsue, a nun in the Bread Convent, to empty two rooms for her
+to go and live in.
+
+This Bread Convent had at one time been styled the Shui Yueh nunnery
+(water moon); but as good bread was made in that temple, it gave rise to
+this nickname.
+
+This convent was not very distant from the Temple of the Iron Fence, so
+that as soon as the bonzes brought their functions to a close, and the
+sacrifice of evening was offered, Chia Chen asked Chia Jung to request
+lady Feng to retire to rest; and as lady Feng perceived that there still
+remained several sisters-in-law to keep company to the female relatives,
+she readily, of her own accord, took leave of the whole party, and,
+along with Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung, came to the Water Moon Convent.
+
+Ch'in Yeh, it must be noticed, was advanced in years and a victim to
+many ailments, so that he was unable to remain in the temple long, and
+he bade Ch'in Chung tarry until the coffin had been set in its resting
+place, with the result that Ch'in Chung came along, at the same time as
+lady Feng and Pao-yue, to the Water Moon Convent, where Ch'ing Hsue
+appeared, together with two neophytes, Chih Shan and Chih Neng, to
+receive them. After they had exchanged greetings, lady Feng and the
+others entered the "chaste" apartments to change their clothes and wash
+their hands; and when they had done, as she perceived how much taller in
+stature Chih Neng had grown and how much handsomer were her features,
+she felt prompted to inquire, "How is it that your prioress and
+yourselves haven't been all these days as far as our place?"
+
+"It's because during these days we haven't had any time which we could
+call our own," explained Ch'ing Hsue. "Owing to the birth of a son in Mr.
+Hu's mansion, dame Hu sent over about ten taels and asked that we should
+invite several head-nuns to read during three days the service for the
+churching of women, with the result that we've been so very busy and had
+so little leisure, that we couldn't come over to pay our respects to
+your ladyship."
+
+But leaving aside the old nun, who kept lady Feng company, we will now
+return to the two lads Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung. They were up to their
+pranks in the main building of the convent, when seeing Chih Neng come
+over: "Here's Neng Erh," Pao-yue exclaimed with a smile.
+
+"Why notice a creature like her?" remarked Ch'in Chung; to which Pao-yue
+rejoined laughingly: "Don't be sly! why then did you the other day, when
+you were in the old lady's rooms, and there was not a soul present, hold
+her in your arms? and do you want to fool me now ?"
+
+"There was nothing of the kind," observed Ch'in Chung smiling.
+
+"Whether there was or not," replied Pao-yue, "doesn't concern me; but if
+you will stop her and tell her to pour a cup of tea and bring it to me
+to drink, I'll then keep hands off."
+
+"This is indeed very strange!" Ch'in Chung answered laughing; "do you
+fear that if you told her to pour you one, that she wouldn't; and what
+need is there that I should tell her?"
+
+"If I ask her," Pao-yue observed, "to pour it, she wouldn't be as ready
+as she would were you to tell her about it."
+
+Ch'in Chung had no help but to speak. "Neng Erh!" he said, "bring a cup
+of tea."
+
+This Neng Erh had, since her youth, been in and out of the Jung mansion,
+so that there was no one that she did not know; and she had also, time
+after time, romped and laughed with Pao-yue and Ch'in Chung. Being now
+grown up she gradually came to know the import of love, and she readily
+took a fancy to Ch'in Chung, who was an amorous being. Ch'in Chung too
+returned her affection, on account of her good looks; and, although he
+and she had not had any very affectionate tete-a-tetes, they had,
+however, long ago come to understand each other's feelings and wishes.
+
+Chih Neng walked away and returned after having poured the tea.
+
+"Give it to me," Ch'in Chung cried out smirkingly; while Pao-yue likewise
+shouted: "Give it to me."
+
+Chih Neng compressed her lips and sneeringly rejoined, "Are you going to
+have a fight even over a cup of tea? Is it forsooth likely that there's
+honey in my hand?"
+
+Pao-yue was the first to grasp and take over the cup, but while drinking
+it, he was about to make some inquiry, when he caught sight of Chih
+Shan, who came and called Chih Neng away to go and lay the plates with
+fruit on the table. Not much time elapsed before she came round to
+request the two lads to go and have tea and refreshments; but would they
+eat such things as were laid before them? They simply sat for a while
+and came out again and resumed their play.
+
+Lady Feng too stayed for a few moments, and then returned, with the old
+nun as her escort, into the "unsullied" rooms to lie down. By this time,
+all the matrons and married women discovered that there was nothing else
+to be done, and they dispersed in succession, retiring each to rest.
+There only remained in attendance several young girls who enjoyed her
+confidence, and the old nun speedily availed herself of the opportunity
+to speak. "I've got something," she said, "about which I mean to go to
+your mansion to beg of madame Wang; but I'll first request you, my lady,
+to tell me how to set to work."
+
+"What's it?" ascertained lady Feng.
+
+"O-mi-to-fu!" exclaimed the old nun, "It's this; in days gone by, I
+first lived in the Ch'ang An district. When I became a nun and entered
+the monastery of Excellent Merit, there lived, at that time, a
+subscriber, Chang by surname, a very wealthy man. He had a daughter,
+whose infant name was Chin Ko; the whole family came in the course of
+that year to the convent I was in, to offer incense, and as luck would
+have it they met Li Ya-nei, a brother of a secondary wife of the Prefect
+of the Ch'ang An Prefecture. This Li Ya-nei fell in love at first sight
+with her, and would wed Chin Ko as his wife. He sent go-betweens to ask
+her in marriage, but, contrary to his expectations, Chin Ko had already
+received the engagement presents of the son of the ex-Major of the
+Ch'ang An Prefecture. The Chang family, on the other hand, were afraid
+that if they withdrew from the match, the Major would not give up his
+claim, and they therefore replied that she was already promised to
+another. But, who would have thought it, this Mr. Li was seriously bent
+upon marrying the young lady. But while the Chang family were at a loss
+what plan to devise, and both parties were in a dilemma, the family of
+the Major came unexpectedly to hear of the news; and without even
+looking thoroughly into the matter, they there and then had recourse to
+insult and abuse. 'Is a girl,' they insinuated, 'to be promised to the
+sons of several families!' And obstinately refusing to allow the
+restitution of the betrothal presents, they at once had recourse to
+litigation and brought an action (against the girl's people.) That
+family was at their wits' end, and had no alternative but to find some
+one to go to the capital to obtain means of assistance; and, losing all
+patience, they insisted upon the return of the presents. I believe that
+the present commander of the troops at Ch'ang An, Mr. Yuen, is on
+friendly terms with your honourable family, and could one solicit madame
+Wang to put in a word with Mr. Chia Cheng to send a letter and ask Mr.
+Yuen to speak to that Major, I have no fear that he will not agree.
+Should (your ladyship) be willing to take action, the Chang family are
+even ready to present all they have, though it may entail the ruin of
+their estate."
+
+"This affair is, it's true, of no great moment," lady Feng replied
+smiling, after hearing this appeal; "but the only thing is that madame
+Wang does no longer attend to matters of this nature."
+
+"If madame doesn't heed them," suggested the old nun, "you, my lady, can
+safely assume the direction."
+
+"I'm neither in need of any money to spend," added lady Feng with a
+smirk, "nor do I undertake such matters!"
+
+These words did not escape Ching Hsue's ear; they scattered to the winds
+her vain hopes. After a minute or so she heaved a sigh.
+
+"What you say may be true enough," she remarked; "but the Chang family
+are also aware that I mean to come and make my appeal to your mansion;
+and were you now not to manage this affair, the Chang family having no
+idea that the lack of time prevents any steps being taken and that no
+importance is attached to their presents, it will appear, on the
+contrary, as if there were not even this little particle of skill in
+your household."
+
+At these words lady Feng felt at once inspirited. "You've known of old,"
+she added, "that I've never had any faith in anything concerning
+retribution in the Court of Judgment in the unseen or in hell; and that
+whatever I say that I shall do, that I do; tell them therefore to bring
+three thousand taels; and I shall then remedy this grievance of theirs."
+
+The old nun upon hearing this remark was so exceedingly delighted, that
+she precipitately exclaimed, "They've got it, they've got it! there will
+be no difficulty about it."
+
+"I'm not," lady Feng went on to add, "like those people, who afford help
+and render assistance with an eye to money; these three thousand taels
+will be exclusively devoted for the travelling expenses of those youths,
+who will be sent to deliver messages and for them to make a few cash for
+their trouble; but as for me I don't want even so much as a cash. In
+fact I'm able at this very moment to produce as much as thirty thousand
+taels."
+
+The old nun assented with alacrity, and said by way of reply, "If that
+be so, my lady, do display your charitable bounty at once to-morrow and
+bring things to an end."
+
+"Just see," remarked lady Feng, "how hard pressed I am; which place can
+do without me? but since I've given you my word, I shall, needless to
+say, speedily bring the matter to a close."
+
+"A small trifle like this," hinted the old nun, "would, if placed in the
+hands of any one else, flurry her to such an extent that she would be
+quite at a loss what to do; but in your hands, my lady, even if much
+more were superadded, it wouldn't require as much exertion as a wave of
+your hand. But the proverb well says: 'that those who are able have much
+to do;' for madame Wang, seeing that your ladyship manages all concerns,
+whether large or small, properly, has still more shoved the burden of
+everything on your shoulders, my lady; but you should, it's but right,
+also take good care of your precious health."
+
+This string of flattery pleased lady Feng more and more, so that
+heedless of fatigue she went on to chat with still greater zest.
+
+But, thing unthought of, Ch'in Chung availed himself of the darkness, as
+well as of the absence of any one about, to come in quest of Chih Neng.
+As soon as he reached the room at the back, he espied Chih Neng all
+alone inside washing the tea cups; and Ch'in Chung forthwith seized her
+in his arms and implanted kisses on her cheek. Chih Neng got in a
+dreadful state, and stamping her feet, cried, "What are you up to?" and
+she was just on the point of shouting out, when Ch'in Chung rejoined:
+"My dear girl! I'm nearly dead from impatience, and if you don't again
+to-day accept my advances, I shall this very moment die on this spot."
+
+"What you're bent upon," added Chih Neng, "can't be effected; not unless
+you wait until I've left this den and parted company from these people,
+when it will be safe enough."
+
+"This is of course easy enough!" remonstrated Ch'in Chung; "but the
+distant water cannot extinguish the close fire!"
+
+As he spoke, with one puff, he put out the light, plunging the whole
+room in pitch darkness; and seizing Chih Neng, he pushed her on to the
+stove-couch and started a violent love affair. Chih Neng could not,
+though she strained every nerve, escape his importunities; nor could she
+very well shout, so that she felt compelled to humour him; but while he
+was in the midst of his ecstatic joy, they perceived a person walk in,
+who pressed both of them down, without uttering even so much as a sound,
+and plunged them both in such a fright that their very souls flew away
+and their spirits wandered from their bodies; and it was after the third
+party had burst out laughing with a spurting sound that they eventually
+became aware that it was Pao-yue; when, springing to his feet
+impetuously, Ch'in Chung exclaimed full of resentment, "What's this that
+you're up to!"
+
+"If you get your monkey up," retorted Pao-yue, "why, then let you and I
+start bawling out;" which so abashed Chih Neng that she availed herself
+of the gloomy light to make her escape; while Pao-yue had dragged Ch'in
+Chung out of the room and asked, "Now then, do you still want to play
+the bully!"
+
+"My dear fellow," pleaded Ch'in Chung smilingly, "whatever you do don't
+shout out and let every one know; and all you want, I'll agree to."
+
+"We needn't argue just now," Pao-yue observed with a grin; "wait a while,
+and when all have gone to sleep, we can minutely settle accounts
+together."
+
+Soon it was time to ease their clothes, and go to bed; and lady Feng
+occupied the inner room; Ch'in Chung and Pao-yue the outer; while the
+whole ground was covered with matrons of the household, who had spread
+their bedding, and sat watching. As lady Feng entertained fears that the
+jade of Spiritual Perception might be lost, she waited until Pao-yue fell
+asleep, when having directed a servant to bring it to her, she placed it
+under the side of her own pillow.
+
+What accounts Pao-yue settled with Ch'in Chung cannot be ascertained; and
+as in the absence of any positive proof what is known is based upon
+surmises, we shall not venture to place it on record.
+
+Nothing worth noticing occurred the whole night; but the next day, as
+soon as the morning dawned, dowager lady Chia and madame Wang promptly
+despatched servants to come and see how Pao-yue was getting on; and to
+tell him likewise to put on two pieces of extra clothing, and that if
+there was nothing to be done it would be better for him to go back.
+
+But was it likely that Pao-yue would be willing to go back? Besides Ch'in
+Chung, in his inordinate passion for Chih Neng, instigated Pao-yue to
+entreat lady Feng to remain another day. Lady Feng pondered in her own
+mind that, although the most important matters connected with the
+funeral ceremonies had been settled satisfactorily, there were still a
+few minor details, for which no provision had been made, so that could
+she avail herself of this excuse to remain another day would she not win
+from Chia Chen a greater degree of approbation, in the second place,
+would she not be able further to bring Ch'ing Hsue's business to an
+issue, and, in the third place, to humour Pao-yue's wish? In view of
+these three advantages, which would accrue, "All that I had to do, I
+have done," she readily signified to Pao-yue, "and if you be bent upon
+running about in here, you'll unavoidably place me in still greater
+trouble; so that we must for certain start homewards to-morrow."
+
+"My dear cousin, my own dear cousin," urgently entreated Pao-yue, when he
+heard these words, "let's stay only this one day, and to-morrow we can
+go back without fail."
+
+They actually spent another night there, and lady Feng availed herself
+of their stay to give directions that the case which had been entrusted
+to her the previous day by the old nun should be secretly communicated
+to Lai Wang Erh. Lai Wang's mind grasped the import of all that was said
+to him, and, having entered the city with all despatch, he went in
+search of the gentleman, who acted as secretary (in Mr. Yuen's office),
+pretending that he had been directed by Mr. Chia Lien to come and ask
+him to write a letter and to send it that very night to the Ch'ang An
+magistrate. The distance amounted to no more than one hundred li, so
+that in the space of two days everything was brought to a satisfactory
+settlement. The general, whose name was Yuen Kuang, had been for a long
+time under obligations to the Chia family, so that he naturally could
+not refuse his co-operation in such small trifles. When he had handed
+his reply, Wang Erh started on his way back; where we shall leave him
+and return to lady Feng.
+
+Having spent another day, she on the morrow took leave of the old nun,
+whom she advised to come to the mansion after the expiry of three days
+to fetch a reply.
+
+Ch'in Chung and Chih Neng could not, by any means, brook the separation,
+and they secretly agreed to a clandestine assignation; but to these
+details we need not allude with any minuteness; sufficient to say that
+they had no alternative but to bear the anguish and to part.
+
+Lady Feng crossed over again to the temple of the Iron Fence and
+ascertained how things were progressing. But as Pao Chu was obstinate in
+her refusal to return home, Chia Chen found himself under the necessity
+of selecting a few servants to act as her companions. But the reader
+must listen to what is said in the next chapter by way of explanation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+ Chia Yuan-ch'un is, on account of her talents, selected to enter the
+ Feng Ts'ao Palace.
+ Ch'in Ching-ch'ing departs, in the prime of life, by the yellow spring
+ road.
+
+
+But we must now return to the two lads, Ch'in Chung and Pao-yue. After
+they had passed, along with lady Feng from the Temple of the Iron Fence,
+whither she had gone to see how things were getting on, they entered the
+city in their carriages. On their arrival at home, they paid their
+obeisance to dowager lady Chia, madame Wang and the other members of the
+family, whence they returned to their own quarters, where nothing worth
+mentioning transpired during the night.
+
+On the next day, Pao-yue perceiving that the repairs to the outer
+schoolroom had been completed, settled with Ch'in Chung that they should
+have evening classes. But as it happened that Ch'in Chung, who was
+naturally of an extremely delicate physique, caught somewhat of a chill
+in the country and clandestinely indulged, besides, in an intimacy with
+Chih Neng, which unavoidably made him fail to take good care of himself,
+he was, shortly after his return, troubled with a cough and a feverish
+cold, with nausea for drink and food, and fell into such an extremely
+poor state of health that he simply kept indoors and nursed himself, and
+was not in a fit condition to go to school. Pao-yue's spirits were
+readily damped, but as there was likewise no remedy he had no other
+course than to wait until his complete recovery, before he could make
+any arrangements.
+
+Lady Feng had meanwhile received a reply from Yuen Kuang, in which he
+informed her that everything had been satisfactorily settled, and the
+old nun apprised the Chang family that the major had actually suppressed
+his indignation, hushed his complaints, and taken back the presents of
+the previous engagement. But who would have ever anticipated that a
+father and mother, whose hearts were set upon position and their
+ambition upon wealth, could have brought up a daughter so conscious of
+propriety and so full of feeling as to seize the first opportunity,
+after she had heard that she had been withdrawn from her former
+intended, and been promised to the Li family, to stealthily devise a way
+to commit suicide, by means of a handkerchief. The son of the Major,
+upon learning that Chin Ko had strangled herself, there and then jumped
+into the river and drowned himself, as he too was a being full of love.
+The Chang and Li families were, sad to relate, very much cut up, and, in
+very truth, two lives and money had been sacrificed all to no use.
+
+Lady Feng, however, during this while, quietly enjoyed the three
+thousand taels, and madame Wang did not have even so much as the
+faintest idea of the whole matter. But ever since this occasion, lady
+Feng's audacity acquired more and more strength; and the actions of this
+kind, which she, in after days, performed, defy enumeration.
+
+One day, the very day on which Chia Cheng's birthday fell, while the
+members of the two households of Ning and Jung were assembled together
+offering their congratulations, and unusual bustle and stir prevailed, a
+gatekeeper came in, at quite an unexpected moment, to announce that Mr.
+Hsia, Metropolitan Head Eunuch of the six palaces, had come with the
+special purpose of presenting an edict from his Majesty; a bit of news
+which plunged Chia She, Chia Cheng and the whole company into great
+consternation, as they could not make out what was up. Speedily
+interrupting the theatrical performance, they had the banquet cleared,
+and the altar laid out with incense, and opening the centre gate they
+fell on their knees to receive the edict.
+
+Soon they caught sight of the head eunuch, Hsia Ping-chung, advancing on
+horseback, and besides himself, a considerable retinue of eunuchs. The
+eunuch Hsia did not, in fact, carry any mandate or present any decree;
+but straightway advancing as far as the main hall, he dismounted, and,
+with a face beaming with smiles, he walked into the Hall and took his
+stand on the southern side.
+
+"I have had the honour," he said, "of receiving a special order to at
+once summon Chia Cheng to present himself at Court and be admitted in
+His Majesty's presence in the Lin Ching Hall."
+
+When he had delivered this message, he did not so much as take any tea,
+but forthwith mounted his horse and took his leave.
+
+Chia Cheng and the others could not even conceive what omen this summons
+implied, but he had no alternative but to change his clothes with all
+haste and to present himself at Court, while dowager lady Chia and the
+inmates of the whole household were, in their hearts, a prey to such
+perplexity and uncertainty that they incessantly despatched messengers
+on flying steeds to go and bring the news.
+
+After the expiry of four hours, they suddenly perceived Lai Ta and three
+or four other butlers run in, quite out of breath, through the
+ceremonial gate and report the glad tidings. "We have received," they
+added, "our master's commands, to hurriedly request her venerable
+ladyship to take madame Wang and the other ladies into the Palace, to
+return thanks for His Majesty's bounty;" and other words to the same
+purport.
+
+Dowager lady Chia was, at this time, standing, with agitated heart,
+under the verandah of the Large Hall waiting for tidings, whilst the two
+ladies, mesdames Hsing and Wang, Mrs. Yu, Li Wan, lady Feng, Ying Ch'un
+and her sisters, even up to Mrs. Hsueeh and the rest, were congregated in
+one place ascertaining what was the news. Old lady Chia likewise called
+Lai Ta in and minutely questioned him as to what had happened. "Your
+servants," replied Lai Ta, "simply stood waiting outside the Lin Chuang
+gate, so that we were in total ignorance of what was going on inside,
+when presently the Eunuch Hsia came out and imparted to us the glad
+tidings; telling us that the eldest of the young ladies in our household
+had been raised, by His Majesty, to be an overseer in the Feng Ts'ao
+Palace, and that he had, in addition, conferred upon her the rank of
+worthy and virtuous secondary consort. By and by, Mr. Chia Cheng came
+out and also told us the same thing. Master is now gone back again to
+the Eastern Palace, whither he requests your venerable ladyship to go at
+once and offer thanks for the Imperial favour."
+
+When old lady Chia and the other members of the family heard these
+tidings they were at length reassured in their minds, and so elated were
+they all in one moment that joy was visible in their very faces. Without
+loss of time, they commenced to don the gala dresses suitable to their
+rank; which done, old lady Chia led the way for the two ladies, mesdames
+Hsing and Wang, as well as for Mrs. Yu; and their official chairs, four
+of them in all, entered the palace like a trail of fish; while Chia She
+and Chia Chen, who had likewise changed their clothes for their court
+dress, took Chia Se and Chia Jung along and proceeded in attendance upon
+dowager lady Chia.
+
+Indeed, of the two households of Ning and Jung, there was not one,
+whether high or low, woman or man, who was not in a high state of
+exultation, with the exception of Pao-yue, who behaved just as if the
+news had not reached his ears; and can you, reader, guess why? The fact
+is that Chih Neng, of the Water Moon Convent, had recently entered the
+city in a surreptitious manner in search of Ch'in Chung; but, contrary
+to expectation, her visit came to be known by Ch'in Yeh, who drove Chih
+Neng away and laid hold of Ch'in Chung and gave him a flogging. But this
+outburst of temper of his brought about a relapse of his old complaint,
+with the result that in three or five days, he, sad to say, succumbed.
+Ch'in Chung had himself ever been in a delicate state of health and had
+besides received a caning before he had got over his sickness, so that
+when he now saw his aged father pass away from the consequences of a fit
+of anger, he felt, at this stage, so full of penitence and distress that
+the symptoms of his illness were again considerably aggravated. Hence it
+was that Pao-yue was downcast and unhappy at heart, and that nothing
+could, in spite of the promotion of Yuan Ch'un by imperial favour,
+dispel the depression of his spirits.
+
+Dowager lady Chia and the rest in due course offered thanks and returned
+home, the relatives and friends came to present their congratulations,
+great stir and excitement prevailed during these few days in the two
+mansions of Ning and Jung, and every one was in high glee; but he alone
+looked upon everything as if it were nothing; taking not the least
+interest in anything; and as this reason led the whole family to sneer
+at him, the result was that he got more and more doltish.
+
+Luckily, however, Chia Lien and Tai-yue were on their way back, and had
+despatched messengers, in advance, to announce the news that they would
+be able to reach home the following day, so that when Pao-yue heard the
+tidings, he was at length somewhat cheered. And when he came to
+institute minute inquiries, he eventually found out: "that Chia Yue-ts'un
+was also coming to the capital to have an audience with His Majesty,
+that it was entirely because Wang Tzu-t'eng had repeatedly laid before
+the Throne memorials recommending him that he was coming on this
+occasion to wait in the metropolis for a vacancy which he could fill up;
+that as he was a kinsman of Chia Lien's, acknowledging the same
+ancestors as he did, and he stood, on the other hand, with Tai-yue, in
+the relationship of tutor and pupil, he was in consequence following the
+same road and coming as their companion; that Lin Ju-hai had already
+been buried in the ancestral vault, and that every requirement had been
+attended to with propriety; that Chia Lien, on this voyage to the
+capital, would, had he progressed by the ordinary stages, have been over
+a month before he could reach home, but that when he came to hear the
+good news about Yuan Ch'un, he pressed on day and night to enter the
+capital; and that the whole journey had been throughout, in every
+respect, both pleasant and propitious."
+
+But Pao-yue merely ascertained whether Tai-yue was all right, and did not
+even so much as trouble his mind with the rest of what he heard; and he
+remained on the tiptoe of expectation, till noon of the morrow; when, in
+point of fact, it was announced that Mr. Lien, together with Miss Lin,
+had made their entrance into the mansion. When they came face to face,
+grief and joy vied with each other; and they could not help having a
+good cry for a while; after which followed again expressions of sympathy
+and congratulations; while Pao-yue pondered within himself that Tai-yue
+had become still more surpassingly handsome.
+
+Tai-yue had also brought along with her a good number of books, and she
+promptly gave orders that the sleeping rooms should be swept, and that
+the various nicknacks should be put in their proper places. She further
+produced a certain quantity of paper, pencils and other such things, and
+distributed them among Pao Ch'ai, Ying Ch'un, Pao-yue and the rest; and
+Pao-yue also brought out, with extreme care, the string of Ling-ling
+scented beads, which had been given to him by the Prince of Pei Ching,
+and handed them, in his turn, to Tai-yue as a present.
+
+"What foul man has taken hold of them?" exclaimed Tai-yue. "I don't want
+any such things;" and as she forthwith dashed them down, and would not
+accept them, Pao-yue was under the necessity of taking them back. But for
+the time being we will not allude to them, but devote our attention to
+Chia Lien.
+
+Having, after his arrival home, paid his salutations to all the inmates,
+he retired to his own quarters at the very moment that lady Feng had
+multifarious duties to attend to, and had not even a minute to spare;
+but, considering that Chia Lien had returned from a distant journey, she
+could not do otherwise than put by what she had to do, and to greet him
+and wait on him.
+
+"Imperial uncle," she said, in a jocose manner, when she realised that
+there was no outsider present in the room, "I congratulate you! What
+fatigue and hardship you, Imperial uncle, have had to bear throughout
+the whole journey, your humble servant heard yesterday, when the courier
+sent ahead came and announced that Your Highness would this day reach
+this mansion. I have merely got ready a glass of mean wine for you to
+wipe down the dust with, but I wonder, whether Your Highness will deign
+to bestow upon it the lustre of your countenance, and accept it."
+
+Chia Lien smiled. "How dare I presume to such an honour," he added by
+way of rejoinder; "I'm unworthy of such attention! Many thanks, many
+thanks."
+
+P'ing Erh and the whole company of waiting-maids simultaneously paid
+their obeisance to him, and this ceremony concluded, they presented tea.
+Chia Lien thereupon made inquiries about the various matters, which had
+transpired in their home after his departure, and went on to thank lady
+Feng for all the trouble she had taken in the management of them.
+
+"How could I control all these manifold matters," remarked lady Feng;
+"my experience is so shallow, my speech so dull and my mind so simple,
+that if any one showed me a club, I would mistake it for a pin. Besides,
+I'm so tender-hearted that were any one to utter a couple of glib
+remarks, I couldn't help feeling my heart give way to compassion and
+sympathy. I've had, in addition, no experience in any weighty questions;
+my pluck is likewise so very small that when madame Wang has felt in the
+least displeased, I have not been able to close my eyes and sleep.
+Urgently did I more than once resign the charge, but her ladyship
+wouldn't again agree to it; maintaining, on the contrary, that my object
+was to be at ease, and that I was not willing to reap experience.
+Leaving aside that she doesn't know that I take things so much to heart,
+that I can scoop the perspiration in handfuls, that I daren't utter one
+word more than is proper, nor venture to recklessly take one step more
+than I ought to, you know very well which of the women servants, in
+charge of the menage in our household, is easy to manage! If ever I make
+the slightest mistake, they laugh at me and poke fun at me; and if I
+incline a little one way, they show their displeasure by innuendoes;
+they sit by and look on, they use every means to do harm, they stir up
+trouble, they stand by on safe ground and look on and don't give a
+helping hand to lift any one they have thrown over, and they are, one
+and all of them, old hands in such tricks. I'm moreover young in years
+and not able to keep people in check, so that they naturally don't show
+any regard for me! What is still more ridiculous is that after the death
+of Jung Erh's wife in that mansion, brother Chen, time and again, begged
+madame Wang, on his very knees, to do him the favour to ask me to lend
+him a hand for several days. I repeatedly signified my refusal, but her
+ladyship gave her consent in order to oblige him, so that I had no help
+but to carry out her wish; putting, as is my wont, everything
+topsy-turvey, and making matters worse than they were; with the result
+that brother Chen up to this day bears me a grudge and regrets having
+asked for my assistance. When you see him to-morrow, do what you can to
+excuse me by him. 'Young as she is,' tell him, 'and without experience
+of the world, who ever could have instigated Mr. Chia Cheng to make such
+a mistake as to choose her.'"
+
+While they were still chatting, they heard people talking in the outer
+apartments, and lady Feng speedily inquired who it was. P'ing Erh
+entered the room to reply. "Lady Hsueeh," she said, "has sent sister
+Hsiang Ling over to ask me something; but I've already given her my
+answer and sent her back."
+
+"Quite so," interposed Chia Lien with a smile. "A short while ago I went
+to look up Mrs. Hsueeh and came face to face with a young girl, whose
+features were supremely perfect, and as I suspected that, in our
+household, there was no such person, I asked in the course of
+conversation, Mrs. Hsueeh about her, and found out eventually that this
+was the young waiting-maid they had purchased on their way to the
+capital, Hsiang Ling by name, and that she had after all become an
+inmate of the household of that big fool Hsueeh. Since she's had her hair
+dressed as a married woman she does look so much more pre-eminently
+beautiful! But that big fool Hsueeh has really brought contamination upon
+her."
+
+"Ai!" exclaimed lady Feng, "here you are back from a trip to Suchow and
+Hang Chow, where you should have seen something of the world! and have
+you still an eye as envious and a heart so covetous? Well, if you wish
+to bestow your love on her, there's no difficulty worth speaking of.
+I'll take P'ing Erh over and exchange her for her; what do you say to
+that? that old brother Hsueeh is also one of those men, who, while eating
+what there is in the bowl, keeps an eye on what there is in the pan! For
+the last year or so, as he couldn't get Hsiang Ling to be his, he made
+ever so many distressing appeals to Mrs. Hsueeh; and Mrs. Hsueeh while
+esteeming Hsiang Ling's looks, though fine, as after all a small matter,
+(thought) her deportment and conduct so far unlike those of other girls,
+so gentle and so demure that almost the very daughters of masters and
+mistresses couldn't attain her standard, that she therefore went to the
+trouble of spreading a banquet, and of inviting guests, and in open
+court, and in the legitimate course, she gave her to him for a secondary
+wife. But half a month had scarcely elapsed before he looked upon her
+also as a good-for-nothing person as he did upon a large number of them!
+I can't however help feeling pity for her in my heart."
+
+Scarcely had she time to conclude what she had to say when a youth, on
+duty at the second gate, transmitted the announcement that Mr. Chia
+Cheng was in the Library waiting for Mr. Secundus. At these words, Chia
+Lien speedily adjusted his clothes, and left the apartment; and during
+his absence, lady Feng inquired of P'ing Erh what Mrs. Hsueeh wanted a
+few minutes back, that she sent Hsiang Ling round in such a hurry.
+
+"What Hsiang Ling ever came?" replied P'ing Erh. "I simply made use of
+her name to tell a lie for the occasion. Tell me, my lady, (what's come
+to) Wang Erh's wife? why she's got so bad that there's even no common
+sense left in her!" Saying this she again drew near lady Feng's side,
+and in a soft tone of voice, she continued: "That interest of yours, my
+lady, she doesn't send later, nor does she send it sooner; but she must
+send it round the very moment when master Secundus is at home! But as
+luck would have it, I was in the hall, so that I came across her;
+otherwise, she would have walked in and told your ladyship, and Mr.
+Secundus would naturally have come to know about it! And our master
+would, with that frame of mind of his, have fished it out and spent it,
+had the money even been at the bottom of a pan full of oil! and were he
+to have heard that my lady had private means, would he not have been
+still more reckless in spending? Hence it was that, losing no time in
+taking the money over, I had to tell her a few words which, who would
+have thought, happened to be overheard by your ladyship; that's why, in
+the presence of master Secundus, I simply explained that Hsiang Ling had
+come!"
+
+These words evoked a smile from lady Feng. "Mrs. Hsueh, I thought to
+myself," she observed, "knows very well that your Mr. Secundus has come,
+and yet, regardless of propriety, she, instead (of keeping her at home),
+sends some one over from her inner rooms! and it was you after all, you
+vixen, playing these pranks!"
+
+As she uttered this remark, Chia Lien walked in, and lady Feng issued
+orders to serve the wine and the eatables, and husband and wife took
+their seats opposite to each other; but notwithstanding that lady Feng
+was very partial to drink, she nevertheless did not have the courage to
+indulge her weakness, but merely partook of some to keep him company.
+Chia Lien's nurse, dame Chao, entered the room, and Chia Lien and lady
+Feng promptly pressed her to have a glass of wine, and bade her sit on
+the stove-couch, but dame Chao was obstinate in her refusal. P'ing Erh
+and the other waiting-maids had at an early hour placed a square stool
+next to the edge of the couch, where was likewise a small footstool, and
+on this footstool dame Chao took a seat, whereupon Chia Lien chose two
+dishes of delicacies from the table, which he handed her to place on the
+square stool for her own use.
+
+"Dame Chao," lady Feng remarked, "couldn't very well bite through that,
+for mind it might make her teeth drop! This morning," she therefore
+asked of P'ing Erh, "I suggested that that shoulder of pork stewed with
+ham was so tender as to be quite the thing to be given to dame Chao to
+eat; and how is it you haven't taken it over to her? But go at once and
+tell them to warm it and bring it in! Dame Chao," she went on, "just you
+taste this Hui Ch'uean wine brought by your foster-son."
+
+"I'll drink it," replied dame Chao, "but you, my lady, must also have a
+cup: what's there to fear? the one thing to guard against is any excess,
+that's all! But I've now come over, not for any wine or eatables; on the
+contrary, there's a serious matter, which I would ask your ladyship to
+impress on your mind, and to show me some regard, for this master of
+ours is only good to utter fine words, but when the time (to act) does
+come, he forgets all about us! As I have had the good fortune to nurse
+him in his infancy and to bring him up to this age, 'I too have grown
+old in years,' I said to him, 'and all that belong to me are those two
+sons, and do look upon them with some particular favour!' With any one
+else I shouldn't have ventured to open my mouth, but him I anyway
+entreated time and again on several occasions. His assent was of course
+well and good, but up to this very moment he still withholds his help.
+Now besides from the heavens has dropped such a mighty piece of good
+luck; and in what place will there be no need of servants? that's why I
+come to tell you, my lady, as is but right, for were I to depend upon
+our master, I fear I shall even die of starvation."
+
+Lady Feng laughed. "You'd better," she suggested, "put those two elder
+foster brothers of his both under my charge! But you've nursed that
+foster-son from his babyhood, and don't you yet know that disposition of
+his, how that he takes his skin and flesh and sticks it, (not on the
+body of a relative), but, on the contrary, on that of an outsider and
+stranger? (to Chia Lien.) Which of those foster brothers whom you have
+now discarded, isn't clearly better than others? and were you to have
+shown them some favour and consideration, who would have ventured to
+have said 'don't?' Instead of that, you confer benefits upon thorough
+strangers, and all to no purpose whatever! But these words of mine are
+also incorrect, eh? for those whom we regard as strangers you,
+contrariwise, will treat just as if they were relatives!"
+
+At these words every one present in the room burst out laughing; even
+nurse Chao could not repress herself; and as she invoked Buddha,--"In
+very truth," she exclaimed, "in this room has sprung up a kind-hearted
+person! as regards relatives and strangers, such foolish distinctions
+aren't drawn by our master; and it's simply because he's full of pity
+and is tenderhearted that he can't put off any one who gives vent to a
+few words of entreaty, and nothing else!"
+
+"That's quite it!" rejoined lady Feng smiling sarcastically, "to those
+whom he looks upon as relatives, he's kindhearted, but with me and his
+mother he's as hard as steel."
+
+"What you say, my lady, is very considerate," remarked nurse Chao, "and
+I'm really so full of delight that I'll have another glass of good wine!
+and, if from this time forward, your ladyship will act as you think
+best, I'll have then nothing to be sorry for!"
+
+Chia Lien did not at this juncture feel quite at his ease, but he could
+do no more than feign a smile. "You people," he said, "should leave off
+talking nonsense, and bring the eatables at once and let us have our
+meal, as I have still to go on the other side and see Mr. Chia Chen, to
+consult with him about business."
+
+"To be sure you have," ventured lady Feng, "and you shouldn't neglect
+your legitimate affairs; but what did Mr. Chia Chen tell you when he
+sent for you just a while back?"
+
+"It was about the visit (of Yuan Ch'un) to her parents," Chia Lien
+explained.
+
+"Has after all permission for the visit been granted?" lady Feng
+inquired with alacrity.
+
+"Though not quite granted," Chia Lien replied joyously, "it's
+nevertheless more or less an accomplished fact."
+
+"This is indeed evidence of the great bounty of the present Emperor!"
+lady Feng observed smirkingly; "one doesn't hear in books, or see in
+plays, written from time to time, any mention of such an instance, even
+so far back as the days of old!"
+
+Dame Chao took up again the thread of the conversation. "Indeed it's
+so!" she interposed; "But I'm in very truth quite stupid from old age,
+for I've heard every one, high and low, clamouring during these few
+days, something or other about 'Hsing Ch'in' or no 'Hsing Ch'in,' but I
+didn't really pay any heed to it; and now again, here's something more
+about this 'Hsing Ch'in,' but what's it all about, I wonder?"
+
+"The Emperor at present on the Throne," explained Chia Lien, "takes into
+consideration the feelings of his people. In the whole world, there is
+(in his opinion), no more essential thing than filial piety; maintaining
+that the feelings of father, mother, son and daughter are
+indiscriminately subject to one principle, without any distinction
+between honorable and mean. The present Emperor himself day and night
+waits upon their majesties his Father and the Empress Dowager, and yet
+cannot, in the least degree, carry out to the full his ideal of filial
+piety. The secondary consorts, meritorious persons and other inmates of
+the Palace, he remembered, had entered within its precincts many years
+back, casting aside fathers and mothers, so how could they not help
+thinking of them? Besides, the fathers and mothers, who remain at home
+must long for their daughters, of whom they cannot get even so much as a
+glimpse, and if, through this solicitude, they were to contract any
+illness, the harmony of heaven would also be seriously impaired, so for
+this reason, he memorialised the Emperor, his father, and the Empress
+Dowager that every month, on the recurrence of the second and sixth
+days, permission should be accorded to the relatives of the imperial
+consorts to enter the palace and make application to see their
+daughters. The Emperor, his father, and Empress Dowager were, forthwith,
+much delighted by this representation, and eulogised, in high terms, the
+piety and generosity of the present Emperor, his regard for the will of
+heaven and his research into the nature of things. Both their sacred
+Majesties consequently also issued a decree to the effect: that the
+entrance of the relatives of the imperial consorts into the Palace could
+not but interfere with the dignity of the state, and the rules of
+conventional rites, but that as the mothers and daughters could not
+gratify the wishes of their hearts, Their Majesties would, after all,
+show a high proof of expedient grace, and issue a special command that:
+'exclusive of the generous bounty, by virtue of which the worthy
+relations of the imperial consorts could enter the palace on the second
+and sixth days, any family, having extensive accommodation and separate
+courts suitable for the cantonment of the imperial body-guard, could,
+without any detriment, make application to the Inner Palace, for the
+entrance of the imperial chair into the private residences, to the end
+that the personal feelings of relations might be gratified, and that
+they should collectively enjoy the bliss of a family reunion.' After the
+issue of this decree, who did not leap from grateful joy! The father of
+the honourable secondary consort Chou has now already initiated works,
+in his residence, for the repairs to the separate courts necessary for
+the visiting party. Wu T'ien-yu too, the father of Wu, the distinguished
+consort, has likewise gone outside the city walls in search of a
+suitable plot of ground; and don't these amount to well-nigh
+accomplished facts?"
+
+"O-mi-to-fu!" exclaimed dame Chao. "Is it really so? but from what you
+say, our family will also be making preparations for the reception of
+the eldest young lady!"
+
+"That goes without saying," added Chia Lien, "otherwise, for what
+purpose could we be in such a stir just now?"
+
+"It's of course so!" interposed lady Feng smiling, "and I shall now have
+an opportunity of seeing something great of the world. My misfortune is
+that I'm young by several years; for had I been born twenty or thirty
+years sooner, all these old people wouldn't really be now treating me
+contemptuously for not having seen the world! To begin with, the Emperor
+Tai Tsu, in years gone by, imitated the old policy of Shun, and went on
+a tour, giving rise to more stir than any book could have ever produced;
+but I happen to be devoid of that good fortune which could have enabled
+me to come in time."
+
+"Ai ya, ya!" ejaculated dame Chao, "such a thing is rarely met with in a
+thousand years! I was old enough at that time to remember the
+occurrence! Our Chia family was then at Ku Su, Yangchow and all along
+that line, superintending the construction of ocean vessels, and the
+repairs to the seaboard. This was the only time in which preparations
+were made for the reception of the Emperor, and money was lavished in
+quantities as great as the billowing waters of the sea!"
+
+This subject once introduced, lady Feng took up the thread of the
+conversation with vehemence. "Our Wang family," she said, "did also make
+preparations on one occasion. At that time my grandfather was in sole
+charge of all matters connected with tribute from various states, as
+well as with general levees, so that whenever any foreigners arrived,
+they all came to our house to be entertained, while the whole of the
+goods, brought by foreign vessels from the two Kuang provinces, from
+Fukien, Yunnan and Chekiang, were the property of our family."
+
+"Who isn't aware of these facts?" ventured dame Chao; "there is up to
+this day a saying that, 'in the eastern sea, there was a white jade bed
+required, and the dragon prince came to request Mr. Wang of Chin Ling
+(to give it to him)!' This saying relates to your family, my lady, and
+remains even now in vogue. The Chen family of Chiang Nan has recently
+held, oh such a fine old standing! it alone has entertained the Emperor
+on four occasions! Had we not seen these things with our own eyes, were
+we to tell no matter whom, they wouldn't surely ever believe them! Not
+to speak of the money, which was as plentiful as mud, all things,
+whether they were to be found in the world or not, were they not heaped
+up like hills, and collected like the waters of the sea? But with the
+four characters representing sin and pity they didn't however trouble
+their minds."
+
+"I've often heard," continued lady Feng, "my eldest uncle say that
+things were in such a state, and how couldn't I believe? but what
+surprises me is how it ever happened that this family attained such
+opulence and honour!"
+
+"I'll tell your ladyship and all in one sentence," replied nurse Chao.
+"Why they simply took the Emperor's money and spent it for the Emperor's
+person, that's all! for what family has such a lot of money as to
+indulge in this useless extravagance?"
+
+While they were engaged in this conversation, a servant came a second
+time, at the instance of madame Wang, to see whether lady Feng had
+finished her meal or not; and lady Feng forthwith concluding that there
+must be something waiting for her to attend to, hurriedly rushed through
+her repast. She had just rinsed her mouth and was about to start when
+the youths, on duty at the second gate, also reported that the two
+gentlemen, Mr. Chia Jung and Mr. Chia Se, belonging to the Eastern
+mansion, had arrived.
+
+Chia Lien had, at length, rinsed his mouth; but while P'ing Erh
+presented a basin for him to wash his hands, he perceived the two young
+men walk in, and readily inquired of them what they had to say.
+
+Lady Feng was, on account (of their arrival), likewise compelled to
+stay, and she heard Chia Jung take the lead and observe: "My father has
+sent me to tell you, uncle, that the gentlemen, have already decided
+that the whole extent of ground, starting from the East side, borrowing
+(for the occasion) the flower garden of the Eastern mansion, straight up
+to the North West, had been measured and found to amount in all to three
+and a half li; that it will be suitable for the erection of extra
+accommodation for the visiting party; that they have already
+commissioned an architect to draw a plan, which will be ready by
+to-morrow; that as you, uncle, have just returned home, and must
+unavoidably feel fatigued, you need not go over to our house, but that
+if you have anything to say you should please come tomorrow morning, as
+early as you can, and consult verbally with him."
+
+"Thank uncle warmly," Chia Lien rejoined smilingly, "for the trouble he
+has taken in thinking of me; I shall, in that case, comply with his
+wishes and not go over. This plan is certainly the proper one, for while
+trouble will thus be saved, the erection of the quarters will likewise
+be an easy matter; for had a distinct plot to be selected and to be
+purchased, it would involve far greater difficulties. What's more,
+things wouldn't, after all, be what they properly should be. When you
+get back, tell your father that this decision is the right one, and that
+should the gentlemen have any further wish to introduce any change in
+their proposals, it will rest entirely with my uncle to prevent them, as
+it's on no account advisable to go and cast one's choice on some other
+plot; that to-morrow as soon as it's daylight, I'll come and pay my
+respects to uncle, when we can enter into further details in our
+deliberations!"
+
+Chia Jung hastily signified his assent by several yes's, and Chia Se
+also came forward to deliver his message. "The mission to Ku Su," he
+explained, "to find tutors, to purchase servant girls, and to obtain
+musical instruments, and theatrical properties and the like, my uncle
+has confided to me; and as I'm to take along with me the two sons of a
+couple of majordomos, and two companions of the family, besides, Tan
+P'ing-jen and Pei Ku-hsiu, he has, for this reason, enjoined me to come
+and see you, uncle."
+
+Upon hearing this, Chia Lien scrutinised Chia Se. "What!" he asked, "are
+you able to undertake these commissions? These matters are, it's true,
+of no great moment; but there's something more hidden in them!"
+
+Chia Se smiled. "The best thing I can do," he remarked, "will be to
+execute them in my novice sort of way, that's all."
+
+Chia Jung was standing next to lady Feng, out of the light of the lamp,
+and stealthily pulled the lapel of her dress. Lady Feng understood the
+hint, and putting on a smiling expression, "You are too full of fears!"
+she interposed. "Is it likely that our uncle Chen doesn't, after all,
+know better than we do what men to employ, that you again give way to
+apprehensions that he isn't up to the mark! but who are those who are,
+in every respect, up to the mark? These young fellows have grown up
+already to this age, and if they haven't eaten any pork, they have
+nevertheless seen a pig run. If Mr. Chen has deputed him to go, he is
+simply meant to sit under the general's standard; and do you imagine,
+forsooth, that he has, in real earnest, told him to go and bargain about
+the purchase money, and to interview the brokers himself? My own idea is
+that (the choice) is a very good one."
+
+"Of course it is!" observed Chia Lien; "but it isn't that I entertain
+any wish to be factious; my only object is to devise some plan or other
+for him. Whence will," he therefore went on to ask, "the money required
+for this purpose come from?"
+
+"A little while ago the deliberations reached this point," rejoined Chia
+Se; "and Mr. Lai suggested that there was no necessity at all to take
+any funds from the capital, as the Chen family, in Chiang Nan, had still
+in their possession Tls. 50,000 of our money. That he would to-morrow
+write a letter of advice and a draft for us to take along, and that we
+should, first of all, obtain cash to the amount of Tls. 30,000, and let
+the balance of Tls. 20,000 remain over, for the purchase of painted
+lanterns, and coloured candles, as well as for the outlay for every kind
+of portieres, banners, curtains and streamers."
+
+Chia Lien nodded his head. "This plan is first-rate!" he added.
+
+"Since that be so," observed lady Feng, as she addressed herself to Chia
+Se, "I've two able and reliable men; and if you would take them with
+you, to attend to these matters, won't it be to your convenience?"
+
+Chia Se forced a smile. "I was just on the point," he rejoined, "of
+asking you, aunt, for the loan of two men, so that this suggestion is a
+strange coincidence."
+
+As he went on to ascertain what were their names, lady Feng inquired
+what they were of nurse Chao. But nurse Chao had, by this time, become
+quite dazed from listening to the conversation, and P'ing Erh had to
+give her a push, as she smiled, before she returned to consciousness.
+"The one," she hastened to reply, "is called Chao T'ien-liang and the
+other Chao T'ien-tung."
+
+"Whatever you do," suggested lady Feng, "don't forget them; but now I'm
+off to look after my duties."
+
+With these words, she left the room, and Chia Jung promptly followed her
+out, and with gentle voice he said to her: "Of whatever you want, aunt,
+issue orders that a list be drawn up, and I'll give it to my brother to
+take with him, and he'll carry out your commissions according to the
+list."
+
+"Don't talk nonsense!" replied lady Feng laughing; "I've found no place,
+as yet, where I could put away all my own things; and do the stealthy
+practices of you people take my fancy?"
+
+As she uttered these words she straightway went her way.
+
+Chia Se, at this time, likewise, asked Chia Lien: "If you want anything
+(in the way of curtains), I can conveniently have them woven for you,
+along with the rest, and bring them as a present to you."
+
+"Don't be in such high glee!" Chia Lien urged with a grin, "you've but
+recently been learning how to do business, and have you come first and
+foremost to excel in tricks of this kind? If I require anything, I'll of
+course write and tell you, but we needn't talk about it."
+
+Having finished speaking, he dismissed the two young men; and, in quick
+succession, servants came to make their business reports, not limited to
+three and five companies, but as Chia Lien felt exhausted, he forthwith
+sent word to those on duty at the second gate not to allow any one at
+all to communicate any reports, and that the whole crowd should wait
+till the next day, when he would give his mind to what had to be done.
+
+Lady Feng did not come to retire to rest till the third watch; but
+nothing need be said about the whole night.
+
+The next morning, at an early hour, Chia Lien got up and called on Chia
+She and Chia Cheng; after which, he came over to the Ning Kuo mansion;
+when, in company with the old major-domos and other servants, as well as
+with several old family friends and companions, he inspected the grounds
+of the two mansions, and drew plans of the palatial buildings (for the
+accommodation of the Imperial consort and her escort) on her visit to
+her parents; deliberating at the same time, on the subject of the works
+and workmen.
+
+From this day the masons and workmen of every trade were collected to
+the full number; and the articles of gold, silver, copper, and pewter,
+as well as the earth, timber, tiles, and bricks, were brought over, and
+carried in, in incessant supplies. In the first place, orders were
+issued to the workmen to demolish the wall and towers of the garden of
+Concentrated Fragrance, and extend a passage to connect in a straight
+line with the large court in the East of the Jung mansion; for the whole
+extent of servants' quarters on the Eastern side of the Jung mansion had
+previously been pulled down.
+
+The two residences of Ning and Jung were, in these days, it is true,
+divided by a small street, which served as a boundary line, and there
+was no communication between them, but this narrow passage was also
+private property, and not in any way a government street, so that they
+could easily be connected, and as in the garden of Concentrated
+Fragrance, there was already a stream of running water, which had been
+introduced through the corner of the Northern wall, there was no further
+need now of going to the trouble of bringing in another. Although the
+rockeries and trees were not sufficient, the place where Chia She lived,
+was an old garden of the Jung mansion, so that the bamboos, trees, and
+rockeries in that compound, as well as the arbours, railings and other
+such things could all be very well removed to the front; and by these
+means, these two grounds, situated as they were besides so very near to
+each other, could, by being thrown into one, conduce to the saving of
+considerable capital and labour; for, in spite of some deficiency, what
+had to be supplied did not amount to much. And it devolved entirely upon
+a certain old Hu, a man of note, styled Shan Tzu-yeh, to deliberate upon
+one thing after another, and to initiate its construction.
+
+Chia Cheng was not up to these ordinary matters, so that it fell to Chia
+She, Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Lai Ta, Lai Sheng, Lin Chih-hsiao, Wu
+Hsin-teng, Chan Kuang, Ch'eng Jih-hsing and several others to allot the
+sites, to set things in order, (and to look after) the heaping up of
+rockeries, the digging of ponds, the construction of two-storied
+buildings, the erection of halls, the plantation of bamboos and the
+cultivation of flowers, everything connected with the improvement of the
+scenery devolving, on the other hand, upon Shan Tzu-yeh to make
+provision for, and after leaving Court, he would devote such leisure
+moments as he had to merely going everywhere to give a look at the most
+important spots, and to consult with Chia She and the others; after
+which he troubled his mind no more with anything. And as Chia She did
+nothing else than stay at home and lie off, whenever any matter turned
+up, trifling though it may have been as a grain of mustard seed or a
+bean, Chia Chen and his associates had either to go and report it in
+person or to write a memorandum of it. Or if he had anything to say, he
+sent for Chia Lien, Lai Ta and others to come and receive his
+instructions. Chia Jung had the sole direction of the manufacture of the
+articles in gold and silver; and as for Chia Se, he had already set out
+on his journey to Ku Su. Chia Chen, Lai Ta and the rest had also to call
+out the roll with the names of the workmen, to superintend the works and
+other duties relative thereto, which could not be recorded by one pen
+alone; sufficient to say that a great bustle and stir prevailed, but to
+this subject we shall not refer for a time, but allude to Pao-yue.
+
+As of late there were in the household concerns of this magnitude to
+attend to, Chia Cheng did not come to examine him in his lessons, so
+that he was, of course, in high spirits, but, as unfortunately Ch'in
+Chung's complaint became, day by day, more serious, he was at the same
+time really so very distressed at heart on his account, that enjoyment
+was for him out of the question.
+
+On this day, he got up as soon as it was dawn, and having just combed
+his hair and washed his face and hands, he was bent upon going to ask
+dowager lady Chia to allow him to pay a visit to Ch'in Chung, when he
+suddenly espied Ming Yen peep round the curtain-wall at the second gate,
+and then withdraw his head. Pao-yue promptly walked out and inquired what
+he was up to.
+
+"Mr. Ch'in Chung," observed Ming Yen, "is not well at all."
+
+Pao-yue at these words was quite taken aback. "It was only yesterday," he
+hastily added, "that I saw him, and he was still bright and cheery; and
+how is it that he's anything but well now?"
+
+"I myself can't explain," replied Ming Yen; "but just a few minutes ago
+an old man belonging to his family came over with the express purpose of
+giving me the tidings."
+
+Upon hearing this news, Pao-yue there and then turned round and told
+dowager lady Chia; and the old lady issued directions to depute some
+trustworthy persons to accompany him. "Let him go," (she said), "and
+satisfy his feelings towards his fellow-scholar; but as soon as he has
+done, he must come back; and don't let him tarry too long."
+
+Pao-yue with hurried step left the room and came and changed his clothes.
+But as on his arrival outside, the carriage had not as yet been got
+ready, he fell into such a state of excitement, that he went round and
+round all over the hall in quite an erratic manner. In a short while,
+after pressure had been brought to bear, the carriage arrived, and
+speedily mounting the vehicle, he drove up to the door of Ch'in Chung's
+house, followed by Li Kuei, Ming Yen and the other servants. Everything
+was quiet. Not a soul was about. Like a hive of bees they flocked into
+the house, to the astonishment of two distant aunts, and of several male
+cousins of Ch'in Chung, all of whom had no time to effect their retreat.
+
+Ch'in Chung had, by this time, had two or three fainting fits, and had
+already long ago been changed his mat. As soon as Pao-yue realised the
+situation, he felt unable to repress himself from bursting forth aloud.
+Li Kuei promptly reasoned with him. "You shouldn't go on in this way,"
+he urged, "you shouldn't. It's because Mr. Ch'in is so weak that lying
+flat on the stove-couch naturally made his bones feel uncomfortable; and
+that's why he has temporarily been removed down here to ease him a
+little. But if you, sir, go on in this way, will you not, instead of
+doing him any good, aggravate his illness?"
+
+At these words, Pao-yue accordingly restrained himself, and held his
+tongue; and drawing near, he gazed at Ch'in Chung's face, which was as
+white as wax, while with closed eyes, he gasped for breath, rolling
+about on his pillow.
+
+"Brother Ching," speedily exclaimed Pao-yue, "Pao-yue is here!" But though
+he shouted out two or three consecutive times, Ch'in Chung did not heed
+him.
+
+"Pao-yue has come!" Pao-yue went on again to cry. But Ch'in Chung's spirit
+had already departed from his body, leaving behind only a faint breath
+of superfluous air in his lungs.
+
+He had just caught sight of a number of recording devils, holding a
+warrant and carrying chains, coming to seize him, but Ch'in Chung's soul
+would on no account go along with them; and remembering how that there
+was in his home no one to assume the direction of domestic affairs, and
+feeling concerned that Chih Neng had as yet no home, he consequently
+used hundreds of arguments in his entreaties to the recording devils;
+but alas! these devils would, none of them, show him any favour. On the
+contrary, they heaped invectives upon Ch'in Chung.
+
+"You're fortunate enough to be a man of letters," they insinuated, "and
+don't you know the common saying that: 'if the Prince of Hell call upon
+you to die at the third watch, who can presume to retain you, a human
+being, up to the fifth watch?' In our abode, in the unseen, high as well
+as low, have all alike a face made of iron, and heed not selfish
+motives; unlike the mortal world, where favouritism and partiality
+prevail. There exist therefore many difficulties in the way (to our
+yielding to your wishes)."
+
+While this fuss was going on, Ch'in Chung's spirit suddenly grasped the
+four words, "Pao-yue has come," and without loss of time, it went on
+again to make further urgent appeals. "Gentlemen, spiritual deputies,"
+it exclaimed; "show me a little mercy and allow me to return to make
+just one remark to an intimate friend of mine, and I'll be back again."
+
+"What intimate friend is this again?" the devils observed with one
+voice.
+
+"I'm not deceiving you, gentlemen," rejoined Ch'in Chung; "it's the
+grandson of the duke of Jung Kuo, whose infant name is Pao-yue."
+
+The Decider of life was, at first, upon hearing these words, so seized
+with dismay that he vehemently abused the devils sent on the errand.
+
+"I told you," he shouted, "to let him go back for a turn; but you would
+by no means comply with my words! and now do you wait until he has
+summoned a man of glorious fortune and prosperous standing to at last
+desist?"
+
+When the company of devils perceived the manner of the Decider of life,
+they were all likewise so seized with consternation that they bustled
+with hand and feet; while with hearts also full of resentment: "You,
+sir," they replied, "were at one time such a terror, formidable as
+lightning; and are you not forsooth able to listen with equanimity to
+the two sounds of 'Pao-yue?' our humble idea is that mortal as he is, and
+immortal as we are, it wouldn't be to our credit if we feared him!"
+
+But whether Ch'in Chung, after all, died or survived, the next chapter
+will explain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+ In the Ta Kuan Garden, (Broad Vista,) the merits of Pao-yue are put to
+ the test, by his being told to write devices for scrolls and
+ tablets.
+ Yuan Ch'un returns to the Jung Kuo mansion, on a visit to her parents,
+ and offers her congratulations to them on the feast of lanterns,
+ on the fifteenth of the first moon.
+
+
+Ch'in Chung, to resume our story, departed this life, and Pao-yue went on
+so unceasingly in his bitter lamentations, that Li Kuei and the other
+servants had, for ever so long, an arduous task in trying to comfort him
+before he desisted; but on his return home he was still exceedingly
+disconsolate.
+
+Dowager lady Chia afforded monetary assistance to the amount of several
+tens of taels; and exclusive of this, she had sacrificial presents
+likewise got ready. Pao-yue went and paid a visit of condolence to the
+family, and after seven days the funeral and burial took place, but
+there are no particulars about them which could be put on record.
+
+Pao-yue, however, continued to mourn (his friend) from day to day, and
+was incessant in his remembrance of him, but there was likewise no help
+for it. Neither is it known after how many days he got over his grief.
+
+On this day, Chia Chen and the others came to tell Chia Cheng that the
+works in the garden had all been reported as completed, and that Mr.
+Chia She had already inspected them. "It only remains," (they said),
+"for you, sir, to see them; and should there possibly be anything which
+is not proper, steps will be at once taken to effect the alterations, so
+that the tablets and scrolls may conveniently be written."
+
+After Chia Cheng had listened to these words, he pondered for a while.
+"These tablets and scrolls," he remarked, "present however a difficult
+task. According to the rites, we should, in order to obviate any
+shortcoming, request the imperial consort to deign and compose them; but
+if the honourable consort does not gaze upon the scenery with her own
+eyes, it will also be difficult for her to conceive its nature and
+indite upon it! And were we to wait until the arrival of her highness,
+to request her to honour the grounds with a visit, before she composes
+the inscriptions, such a wide landscape, with so many pavilions and
+arbours, will, without one character in the way of a motto, albeit it
+may abound with flowers, willows, rockeries, and streams, nevertheless
+in no way be able to show off its points of beauty to advantage."
+
+The whole party of family companions, who stood by, smiled. "Your views,
+remarkable sir," they ventured, "are excellent; but we have now a
+proposal to make. Tablets and scrolls for every locality cannot, on any
+account, be dispensed with, but they could not likewise, by any means,
+be determined upon for good! Were now, for the time being, two, three or
+four characters fixed upon, harmonising with the scenery, to carry out,
+for form's sake, the idea, and were they provisionally utilised as
+mottoes for the lanterns, tablets and scrolls, and hung up, pending the
+arrival of her highness, and her visit through the grounds, when she
+could be requested to decide upon the devices, would not two exigencies
+be met with satisfactorily?"
+
+"Your views are perfectly correct," observed Chia Cheng, after he had
+heard their suggestion; "and we should go to-day and have a look at the
+place so as then to set to work to write the inscriptions; which, if
+suitable, can readily be used; and, if unsuitable, Yue-ts'un can then be
+sent for, and asked to compose fresh ones."
+
+The whole company smiled. "If you, sir, were to compose them to-day,"
+they ventured, "they are sure to be excellent; and what need will there
+be again to wait for Yue-ts'un!"
+
+"You people are not aware," Chia Cheng added with a smiling countenance,
+"that I've been, even in my young days, very mediocre in the composition
+of stanzas on flowers, birds, rockeries and streams; and that now that
+I'm well up in years and have moreover the fatigue and trouble of my
+official duties, I've become in literary compositions like these, which
+require a light heart and gladsome mood, still more inapt. Were I even
+to succeed in composing any, they will unavoidably be so doltish and
+forced that they would contrariwise be instrumental in making the
+flowers, trees, garden and pavilions, through their demerits, lose in
+beauty, and present instead no pleasing feature."
+
+"This wouldn't anyhow matter," remonstrated all the family companions,
+"for after perusing them we can all decide upon them together, each one
+of us recommending those he thinks best; which if excellent can be kept,
+and if faulty can be discarded; and there's nothing unfeasible about
+this!"
+
+"This proposal is most apposite," rejoined Chia Cheng. "What's more, the
+weather is, I rejoice, fine to-day; so let's all go in a company and
+have a look."
+
+Saying this, he stood up and went forward, at the head of the whole
+party; while Chia Chen betook himself in advance into the garden to let
+every one know of their coming. As luck would have it, Pao-yue--for he
+had been these last few days thinking of Ch'in Chung and so ceaselessly
+sad and wounded at heart, that dowager lady Chia had frequently directed
+the servants to take him into the new garden to play--made his entrance
+just at this very time, and suddenly became aware of the arrival of Chia
+Chen, who said to him with a smile, "Don't you yet run away as fast as
+you can? Mr. Chia Cheng will be coming in a while."
+
+At these words, Pao-yue led off his nurse and the youths, and rushed at
+once out of the garden, like a streak of smoke; but as he turned a
+corner, he came face to face with Chia Cheng, who was advancing towards
+that direction, at the head of all the visitors; and as he had no time
+to get out of the way, the only course open to him was to stand on one
+side.
+
+Chia Cheng had, of late, heard the tutor extol him by saying that he
+displayed special ability in rhyming antithetical lines, and that
+although he did not like to read his books, he nevertheless possessed
+some depraved talents, and hence it was that he was induced at this
+moment to promptly bid him follow him into the garden, with the intent
+of putting him to the test.
+
+Pao-yue could not make out what his object was, but he was compelled to
+follow. As soon as they reached the garden gate, and he caught sight of
+Chia Chen, standing on one side, along with several managers: "See that
+the garden gate is closed for a time," Chia Cheng exclaimed, "for we'll
+first see the outside and then go in."
+
+Chia Chen directed a servant to close the gate, and Chia Cheng first
+looked straight ahead of him towards the gate and espied on the same
+side as the main entrance a suite of five apartments. Above, the
+cylindrical tiles resembled the backs of mud eels. The doors, railings,
+windows, and frames were all finely carved with designs of the new
+fashion, and were painted neither in vermilion nor in white colours. The
+whole extent of the walls was of polished bricks of uniform colour;
+while below, the white marble on the terrace and steps was engraved with
+western foreign designs; and when he came to look to the right and to
+the left, everything was white as snow. At the foot of the white-washed
+walls, tiger-skin pebbles were, without regard to pattern, promiscuously
+inserted in the earth in such a way as of their own selves to form
+streaks. Nothing fell in with the custom of gaudiness and display so
+much in vogue, so that he naturally felt full of delight; and, when he
+forthwith asked that the gate should be thrown open, all that met their
+eyes was a long stretch of verdant hills, which shut in the view in
+front of them.
+
+"What a fine hill, what a pretty hill!" exclaimed all the companions
+with one voice.
+
+"Were it not for this one hill," Chia Cheng explained, "whatever scenery
+is contained in it would clearly strike the eye, as soon as one entered
+into the garden, and what pleasure would that have been?"
+
+"Quite so," rejoined all of them. "But without large hills and ravines
+in one's breast (liberal capacities), how could one attain such
+imagination!"
+
+After the conclusion of this remark, they cast a glance ahead of them,
+and perceived white rugged rocks looking, either like goblins, or
+resembling savage beasts, lying either crossways, or in horizontal or
+upright positions; on the surface of which grew moss and lichen with
+mottled hues, or parasitic plants, which screened off the light; while,
+slightly visible, wound, among the rocks, a narrow pathway like the
+intestines of a sheep.
+
+"If we were now to go and stroll along by this narrow path," Chia Cheng
+suggested, "and to come out from over there on our return, we shall have
+been able to see the whole grounds."
+
+Having finished speaking, he asked Chia Chen to lead the way; and he
+himself, leaning on Pao-yue, walked into the gorge with leisurely step.
+Raising his head, he suddenly beheld on the hill a block of stone, as
+white as the surface of a looking-glass, in a site which was, in very
+deed, suitable to be left for an inscription, as it was bound to meet
+the eye.
+
+"Gentlemen," Chia Cheng observed, as he turned his head round and
+smiled, "please look at this spot. What name will it be fit to give it?"
+
+When the company heard his remark, some maintained that the two words
+"Heaped verdure" should be written; and others upheld that the device
+should be "Embroidered Hill." Others again suggested: "Vying with the
+Hsiang Lu;" and others recommended "the small Chung Nan." And various
+kinds of names were proposed, which did not fall short of several tens.
+
+All the visitors had been, it must be explained, aware at an early
+period of the fact that Chia Cheng meant to put Pao-yue's ability to the
+test, and for this reason they merely proposed a few combinations in
+common use. But of this intention, Pao-yue himself was likewise
+cognizant.
+
+After listening to the suggestions, Chia Cheng forthwith turned his head
+round and bade Pao-yue think of some motto.
+
+"I've often heard," Pao-yue replied, "that writers of old opine that it's
+better to quote an old saying than to compose a new one; and that an old
+engraving excels in every respect an engraving of the present day.
+What's more, this place doesn't constitute the main hill or the chief
+feature of the scenery, and is really no site where any inscription
+should be put, as it no more than constitutes the first step in the
+inspection of the landscape. Won't it be well to employ the exact text
+of an old writer consisting of 'a tortuous path leading to a secluded
+(nook).' This line of past days would, if inscribed, be, in fact,
+liberal to boot."
+
+After listening to the proposed line, they all sang its praise.
+"First-rate! excellent!" they cried, "the natural talents of your second
+son, dear friend, are lofty; his mental capacity is astute; he is unlike
+ourselves, who have read books but are simple fools."
+
+"You shouldn't," urged Chia Cheng smilingly, "heap upon him excessive
+praise; he's young in years, and merely knows one thing which he turns
+to the use of ten purposes; you should laugh at him, that's all; but we
+can by and by choose some device."
+
+As he spoke, he entered the cave, where he perceived beautiful trees
+with thick foliage, quaint flowers in lustrous bloom, while a line of
+limpid stream emanated out of a deep recess among the flowers and trees,
+and oozed down through the crevice of the rock. Progressing several
+steps further in, they gradually faced the northern side, where a
+stretch of level ground extended far and wide, on each side of which
+soared lofty buildings, intruding themselves into the skies, whose
+carved rafters and engraved balustrades nestled entirely among the
+depressions of the hills and the tops of the trees. They lowered their
+eyes and looked, and beheld a pure stream flowing like jade, stone steps
+traversing the clouds, a balustrade of white marble encircling the pond
+in its embrace, and a stone bridge with three archways, the animals upon
+which had faces disgorging water from their mouths. A pavilion stood on
+the bridge, and in this pavilion Chia Chen and the whole party went and
+sat.
+
+"Gentlemen," he inquired, "what shall we write about this?"
+
+"In the record," they all replied, "of the 'Drunken Old Man's Pavilion,'
+written in days of old by Ou Yang, appears this line: 'There is a
+pavilion pinioned-like,' so let us call this 'the pinioned-like
+pavilion,' and finish."
+
+"Pinioned-like," observed Chia Cheng smiling, "is indeed excellent; but
+this pavilion is constructed over the water, and there should, after
+all, be some allusion to the water in the designation. My humble opinion
+is that of the line in Ou Yang's work, '(the water) drips from between
+the two peaks,' we should only make use of that single word 'drips.'"
+
+"First-rate!" rejoined one of the visitors, "capital! but what would
+really be appropriate are the two characters 'dripping jadelike.'"
+
+Chia Chen pulled at his moustache, as he gave way to reflection; after
+which, he asked Pao-yue to also propose one himself.
+
+"What you, sir, suggested a while back," replied Pao-yue, "will do very
+well; but if we were now to sift the matter thoroughly, the use of the
+single word 'drip' by Ou Yang, in his composition about the Niang
+spring, would appear quite apposite; while the application, also on this
+occasion, to this spring, of the character 'drip' would be found not
+quite suitable. Moreover, seeing that this place is intended as a
+separate residence (for the imperial consort), on her visit to her
+parents, it is likewise imperative that we should comply with all the
+principles of etiquette, so that were words of this kind to be used,
+they would besides be coarse and inappropriate; and may it please you to
+fix upon something else more recondite and abstruse."
+
+"What do you, gentlemen, think of this argument?" Chia Cheng remarked
+sneeringly. "A little while ago, when the whole company devised
+something original, you observed that it would be better to quote an old
+device; and now that we have quoted an old motto, you again maintain
+that it's coarse and inappropriate! But you had better give us one of
+yours."
+
+"If two characters like 'dripping jadelike' are to be used," Pao-yue
+explained, "it would be better then to employ the two words 'Penetrating
+Fragrance,' which would be unique and excellent, wouldn't they?"
+
+Chia Cheng pulled his moustache, nodded his head and did not utter a
+word; whereupon the whole party hastily pressed forward with one voice
+to eulogize Pao-yue's acquirements as extraordinary.
+
+"The selection of two characters for the tablet is an easy matter,"
+suggested Chia Cheng, "but now go on and compose a pair of antithetical
+phrases with seven words in each."
+
+Pao-yue cast a glance round the four quarters, when an idea came into his
+head, and he went on to recite:
+
+ The willows, which enclose the shore, the green borrow from three
+ bamboos;
+ On banks apart, the flowers asunder grow, yet one perfume they give.
+
+Upon hearing these lines, Chia Cheng gave a faint smile, as he nodded
+his head, whilst the whole party went on again to be effusive in their
+praise. But forthwith they issued from the pavilions, and crossed the
+pond, contemplating with close attention each elevation, each stone,
+each flower, or each tree. And as suddenly they raised their heads, they
+caught sight, in front of them, of a line of white wall, of numbers of
+columns, and beautiful cottages, where flourished hundreds and thousands
+of verdant bamboos, which screened off the rays of the sun.
+
+"What a lovely place!" they one and all exclaimed.
+
+Speedily the whole company penetrated inside, perceiving, as soon as
+they had entered the gate, a zigzag arcade, below the steps of which was
+a raised pathway, laid promiscuously with stones, and on the furthest
+part stood a diminutive cottage with three rooms, two with doors leading
+into them and one without. Everything in the interior, in the shape of
+beds, teapoys, chairs and tables, were made to harmonise with the space
+available. Leading out of the inner room of the cottage was a small door
+from which, as they egressed, they found a back-court with lofty pear
+trees in blossom and banana trees, as well as two very small retiring
+back-courts. At the foot of the wall, unexpectedly became visible an
+aperture where was a spring, for which a channel had been opened
+scarcely a foot or so wide, to enable it to run inside the wall. Winding
+round the steps, it skirted the buildings until it reached the front
+court, where it coiled and curved, flowing out under the bamboos.
+
+"This spot," observed Chia Cheng full of smiles, "is indeed pleasant!
+and could one, on a moonlight night, sit under the window and study, one
+would not spend a whole lifetime in vain!"
+
+As he said this, he quickly cast a glance at Pao-yue, and so terrified
+did Pao-yue feel that he hastily drooped his head. The whole company lost
+no time in choosing some irrelevant talk to turn the conversation, and
+two of the visitors prosecuted their remarks by adding that on the
+tablet, in this spot, four characters should be inscribed.
+
+"Which four characters?" Chia Cheng inquired, laughingly.
+
+"The bequeathed aspect of the river Ch'i!" suggested one of them.
+
+"It's commonplace," observed Chia Cheng.
+
+Another person recommended "the remaining vestiges of the Chue Garden."
+
+"This too is commonplace!" replied Chia Cheng.
+
+"Let brother Pao-yue again propound one!" interposed Chia Chen, who stood
+by.
+
+"Before he composes any himself," Chia Cheng continued, "his wont is to
+first discuss the pros and cons of those of others; so it's evident that
+he's an impudent fellow!"
+
+"He's most reasonable in his arguments," all the visitors protested,
+"and why should he be called to task?"
+
+"Don't humour him so much!" Chia Cheng expostulated. "I'll put up for
+to-day," he however felt constrained to tell Pao-yue, "with your haughty
+manner, and your rubbishy speech, so that after you have, to begin with,
+given us your opinion, you may next compose a device. But tell me, are
+there any that will do among the mottoes suggested just now by all the
+gentlemen?"
+
+"They all seem to me unsuitable!" Pao-yue did not hesitate to say by way
+of reply to this question.
+
+Chia Cheng gave a sardonic smile. "How all unsuitable?" he exclaimed.
+
+"This," continued Pao-yue, "is the first spot which her highness will
+honour on her way, and there should be inscribed, so that it should be
+appropriate, something commending her sacred majesty. But if a tablet
+with four characters has to be used, there are likewise devices ready at
+hand, written by poets of old; and what need is there to compose any
+more?"
+
+"Are forsooth the devices 'the river Ch'i and the Chu Garden' not those
+of old authors?" insinuated Chia Cheng.
+
+"They are too stiff," replied Pao-yue. "Would not the four characters: 'a
+phoenix comes with dignified air,' be better?"
+
+With clamorous unanimity the whole party shouted: "Excellent:" and Chia
+Cheng nodding his head; "You beast, you beast!" he ejaculated, "it may
+well be said about you that you see through a thin tube and have no more
+judgment than an insect! Compose another stanza," he consequently bade
+him; and Pao-yue recited:
+
+ In the precious tripod kettle, tea is brewed, but green is still the
+ smoke!
+ O'er is the game of chess by the still window, but the fingers are yet
+ cold.
+
+Chia Cheng shook his head. "Neither does this seem to me good!" he said;
+and having concluded this remark he was leading the company out, when
+just as he was about to proceed, he suddenly bethought himself of
+something.
+
+"The several courts and buildings and the teapoys, sideboards, tables
+and chairs," he added, "may be said to be provided for. But there are
+still all those curtains, screens and portieres, as well as the
+furniture, nicknacks and curios; and have they too all been matched to
+suit the requirements of each place?"
+
+"Of the things that have to be placed about," Chia Chen explained, a
+good number have, at an early period, been added, and of course when the
+time comes everything will be suitably arranged. As for the curtains,
+screens, and portieres, which have to be hung up, I heard yesterday
+brother Lien say that they are not as yet complete, that when the works
+were first taken in hand, the plan of each place was drawn, the
+measurements accurately calculated and some one despatched to attend to
+the things, and that he thought that yesterday half of them were bound
+to come in.
+
+Chia Cheng, upon hearing this explanation, readily remembered that with
+all these concerns Chia Chen had nothing to do; so that he speedily sent
+some one to go and call Chia Lien.
+
+Having arrived in a short while, "How many sorts of things are there in
+all?" Chia Cheng inquired of him. "Of these how many kinds have by this
+time been got ready? and how many more are short?"
+
+At this question, Chia Lien hastily produced, from the flaps of his
+boot, a paper pocket-book, containing a list, which he kept inside the
+tops of his boot. After perusing it and reperusing it, he made suitable
+reply. "Of the hundred and twenty curtains," he proceeded, "of stiff
+spotted silks, embroidered with dragons in relief, and of the curtains
+large and small, of every kind of damask silk, eighty were got
+yesterday, so that there still remain forty of them to come. The two
+portieres were both received yesterday; and besides these, there are the
+two hundred red woollen portieres, two hundred portieres of Hsiang Fei
+bamboo; two hundred door-screens of rattan, with gold streaks, and of
+red lacquered bamboo; two hundred portieres of black lacquered rattan;
+two hundred door-screens of variegated thread-netting with clusters of
+flowers. Of each of these kinds, half have come in, but the whole lot of
+them will be complete no later than autumn. Antimacassars, table-cloths,
+flounces for the beds, and cushions for the stools, there are a thousand
+two hundred of each, but these likewise are ready and at hand."
+
+As he spoke, they proceeded outwards, but suddenly they perceived a hill
+extending obliquely in such a way as to intercept the passage; and as
+they wound round the curve of the hill faintly came to view a line of
+yellow mud walls, the whole length of which was covered with paddy
+stalks for the sake of protection, and there were several hundreds of
+apricot trees in bloom, which presented the appearance of being fire,
+spurted from the mouth, or russet clouds, rising in the air. Inside this
+enclosure, stood several thatched cottages. Outside grew, on the other
+hand, mulberry trees, elms, mallows, and silkworm oaks, whose tender
+shoots and new twigs, of every hue, were allowed to bend and to
+intertwine in such a way as to form two rows of green fence. Beyond this
+fence and below the white mound, was a well, by the side of which stood
+a well-sweep, windlass and such like articles; the ground further down
+being divided into parcels, and apportioned into fields, which, with the
+fine vegetables and cabbages in flower, presented, at the first glance,
+the aspect of being illimitable.
+
+"This is," Chia Cheng observed chuckling, "the place really imbued with
+a certain amount of the right principle; and laid out, though it has
+been by human labour, yet when it strikes my eye, it so moves my heart,
+that it cannot help arousing in me the wish to return to my native place
+and become a farmer. But let us enter and rest a while."
+
+As he concluded these words, they were on the point of walking in, when
+they unexpectedly discerned a stone, outside the trellis gate, by the
+roadside, which had also been left as a place on which to inscribe a
+motto.
+
+"Were a tablet," argued the whole company smilingly, "put up high in a
+spot like this, to be filled up by and by, the rustic aspect of a farm
+would in that case be completely done away with; and it will be better,
+yea far better to erect this slab on the ground, as it will further make
+manifest many points of beauty. But unless a motto could be composed of
+the same excellence as that in Fan Shih-hu's song on farms, it will not
+be adequate to express its charms!"
+
+"Gentlemen," observed Chia Cheng, "please suggest something."
+
+"A short while back," replied the whole company, "your son, venerable
+brother, remarked that devising a new motto was not equal to quoting an
+old one, and as sites of this kind have been already exhausted by
+writers of days of old, wouldn't it be as well that we should
+straightway call it the 'apricot blossom village?' and this will do
+splendidly."
+
+When Chia Cheng heard this remark, he smiled and said, addressing
+himself to Chia Chen: "This just reminds me that although this place is
+perfect in every respect, there's still one thing wanting in the shape
+of a wine board; and you had better then have one made to-morrow on the
+very same pattern as those used outside in villages; and it needn't be
+anything gaudy, but hung above the top of a tree by means of bamboos."
+
+Chia Chen assented. "There's no necessity," he went on to explain, "to
+keep any other birds in here, but only to rear a few geese, ducks, fowls
+and such like; as in that case they will be in perfect keeping with the
+place."
+
+"A splendid idea!" Chia Cheng rejoined, along with all the party.
+
+"'Apricot blossom village' is really first-rate," continued Chia Cheng
+as he again addressed himself to the company; "but the only thing is
+that it encroaches on the real designation of the village; and it will
+be as well to wait (until her highness comes), when we can request her
+to give it a name."
+
+"Certainly!" answered the visitors with one voice; "but now as far as a
+name goes, for mere form, let us all consider what expressions will be
+suitable to employ."
+
+Pao-yue did not however give them time to think; nor did he wait for Chia
+Cheng's permission, but suggested there and then: "In old poetical works
+there's this passage: 'At the top of the red apricot tree hangs the flag
+of an inn,' and wouldn't it be advisable, on this occasion, to
+temporarily adopt the four words: 'the sign on the apricot tree is
+visible'?"
+
+"'Is visible' is excellent," suggested the whole number of them, "and
+what's more it secretly accords with the meaning implied by 'apricot
+blossom village.'"
+
+"Were the two words 'apricot blossom' used for the name of the village,
+they would be too commonplace and unsuitable;" added Pao-yue with a
+sardonic grin, "but there's another passage in the works of a poet of
+the T'ang era: 'By the wooden gate near the water the corn-flower emits
+its fragrance;' and why not make use of the motto 'corn fragrance
+village,' which will be excellent?"
+
+When the company heard his proposal, they, with still greater vigour,
+unanimously combined in crying out "Capital!" as they clapped their
+hands.
+
+Chia Cheng, with one shout, interrupted their cries, "You ignorant child
+of wrath!" he ejaculated; "how many old writers can you know, and how
+many stanzas of ancient poetical works can you remember, that you will
+have the boldness to show off in the presence of all these experienced
+gentlemen? (In allowing you to give vent to) all the nonsense you
+uttered my object was no other than to see whether your brain was clear
+or muddled; and all for fun's sake, that's all; and lo, you've taken
+things in real earnest!"
+
+Saying this, he led the company into the interior of the hall with the
+mallows. The windows were pasted with paper, and the bedsteads made of
+wood, and all appearance of finery had been expunged, and Chia Cheng's
+heart was naturally much gratified; but nevertheless, scowling angrily
+at Pao-yue, "What do you think of this place?" he asked.
+
+When the party heard this question, they all hastened to stealthily give
+a nudge to Pao-yue, with the express purpose of inducing him to say it
+was nice; but Pao-yue gave no ear to what they all urged. "It's by far
+below the spot," he readily replied, "designated 'a phoenix comes with
+dignified air.'"
+
+"You ignorant stupid thing!" exclaimed Chia Cheng at these words; "what
+you simply fancy as exquisite, with that despicable reliance of yours
+upon luxury and display, are two-storied buildings and painted pillars!
+But how can you know anything about this aspect so pure and unobtrusive,
+and this is all because of that failing of not studying your books!"
+
+"Sir," hastily answered Pao-yue, "your injunctions are certainly correct;
+but men of old have often made allusion to 'natural;' and what is, I
+wonder, the import of these two characters?"
+
+The company had perceived what a perverse mind Pao yue possessed, and
+they one and all were much surprised that he should be so silly beyond
+the possibility of any change; and when now they heard the question he
+asked, about the two characters representing "natural," they, with one
+accord, speedily remarked, "Everything else you understand, and how is
+it that on the contrary you don't know what 'natural' implies? The word
+'natural' means effected by heaven itself and not made by human labour."
+
+"Well, just so," rejoined Pao-yue; "but the farm, which is laid out in
+this locality, is distinctly the handiwork of human labour; in the
+distance, there are no neighbouring hamlets; near it, adjoin no wastes;
+though it bears a hill, the hill is destitute of streaks; though it be
+close to water, this water has no spring; above, there is no pagoda
+nestling in a temple; below, there is no bridge leading to a market; it
+rises abrupt and solitary, and presents no grand sight! The palm would
+seem to be carried by the former spot, which is imbued with the natural
+principle, and possesses the charms of nature; for, though bamboos have
+been planted in it, and streams introduced, they nevertheless do no
+violence to the works executed. 'A natural landscape,' says, an ancient
+author in four words; and why? Simply because he apprehended that what
+was not land, would, by forcible ways, be converted into land; and that
+what was no hill would, by unnatural means, be raised into a hill. And
+ingenious though these works might be in a hundred and one ways, they
+cannot, after all, be in harmony."...
+
+But he had no time to conclude, as Chia Cheng flew into a rage. "Drive
+him off," he shouted; (but as Pao-yue) was on the point of going out, he
+again cried out: "Come back! make up," he added, "another couplet, and
+if it isn't clear, I'll for all this give you a slap on your mouth."
+
+Pao-yue had no alternative but to recite as follows:
+
+ A spot in which the "Ko" fibre to bleach, as the fresh tide doth swell
+ the waters green!
+ A beauteous halo and a fragrant smell the man encompass who the cress
+ did pluck!
+
+Chia Cheng, after this recital, nodded his head. "This is still worse!"
+he remarked, but as he reproved him, he led the company outside, and
+winding past the mound, they penetrated among flowers, and wending their
+steps by the willows, they touched the rocks and lingered by the stream.
+Passing under the trellis with yellow roses, they went into the shed
+with white roses; they crossed by the pavilion with peonies, and walked
+through the garden, where the white peony grew; and entering the court
+with the cinnamon roses, they reached the island of bananas. As they
+meandered and zigzagged, suddenly they heard the rustling sound of the
+water, as it came out from a stone cave, from the top of which grew
+parasitic plants drooping downwards, while at its bottom floated the
+fallen flowers.
+
+"What a fine sight!" they all exclaimed; "what beautiful scenery!"
+
+"Gentlemen," observed Chia Cheng, "what name do you propose for this
+place?"
+
+"There's no further need for deliberation," the company rejoined; "for
+this is just the very spot fit for the three words 'Wu Ling Spring.'"
+
+"This too is matter-of-fact!" Chia Cheng objected laughingly, "and
+likewise antiquated."
+
+"If that won't do," the party smiled, "well then what about the four
+characters implying 'An old cottage of a man of the Ch'in dynasty?'"
+
+"This is still more exceedingly plain!" interposed Pao-yue. "'The old
+cottage of a man of the Ch'in dynasty' is meant to imply a retreat from
+revolution, and how will it suit this place? Wouldn't the four
+characters be better denoting 'an isthmus with smart weed, and a stream
+with flowers'?"
+
+When Chia Cheng heard these words, he exclaimed: "You're talking still
+more stuff and nonsense?" and forthwith entering the grotto, Chia Cheng
+went on to ask of Chia Chen, "Are there any boats or not?"
+
+"There are to be," replied Chia Chen, "four boats in all from which to
+pick the lotus, and one boat for sitting in; but they haven't now as yet
+been completed."
+
+"What a pity!" Chia Cheng answered smilingly, "that we cannot go in."
+
+"But we could also get into it by the tortuous path up the hill," Chia
+Chen ventured; and after finishing this remark, he walked ahead to show
+the way, and the whole party went over, holding on to the creepers, and
+supporting themselves by the trees, when they saw a still larger
+quantity of fallen leaves on the surface of the water, and the stream
+itself, still more limpid, gently and idly meandering along on its
+circuitous course. By the bank of the pond were two rows of weeping
+willows, which, intermingling with peach and apricot trees, screened the
+heavens from view, and kept off the rays of the sun from this spot,
+which was in real truth devoid of even a grain of dust.
+
+Suddenly, they espied in the shade of the willows, an arched wooden
+bridge also reveal itself to the eye, with bannisters of vermilion
+colour. They crossed the bridge, and lo, all the paths lay open before
+them; but their gaze was readily attracted by a brick cottage spotless
+and cool-looking; whose walls were constructed of polished bricks, of
+uniform colour; (whose roof was laid) with speckless tiles; and whose
+enclosing walls were painted; while the minor slopes, which branched off
+from the main hill, all passed along under the walls on to the other
+side.
+
+"This house, in a site like this, is perfectly destitute of any charm!"
+added Chia Cheng.
+
+And as they entered the door, abruptly appeared facing them, a large
+boulder studded with holes and soaring high in the skies, which was
+surrounded on all four sides by rocks of every description, and
+completely, in fact, hid from view the rooms situated in the compound.
+But of flowers or trees, there was not even one about; and all that was
+visible were a few strange kinds of vegetation; some being of the
+creeper genus, others parasitic plants, either hanging from the apex of
+the hill, or inserting themselves into the base of the rocks; drooping
+down even from the eaves of the house, entwining the pillars, and
+closing round the stone steps. Or like green bands, they waved and
+flapped; or like gold thread, they coiled and bent, either with seeds
+resembling cinnabar, or with blossoms like golden olea; whose fragrance
+and aroma could not be equalled by those emitted by flowers of ordinary
+species.
+
+"This is pleasant!" Chia Cheng could not refrain from saying; "the only
+thing is that I don't know very much about flowers."
+
+"What are here are lianas and ficus pumila!" some of the company
+observed.
+
+"How ever can the liana and the ficus have such unusual scent?"
+questioned Chia Cheng.
+
+"Indeed they aren't!" interposed Pao-yue. "Among all these flowers, there
+are also ficus and liana, but those scented ones are iris, ligularia,
+and 'Wu' flowers; that kind consist, for the most part, of 'Ch'ih'
+flowers and orchids; while this mostly of gold-coloured dolichos. That
+species is the hypericum plant, this the 'Yue Lu' creeper. The red ones
+are, of course, the purple rue; the green ones consist for certain, of
+the green 'Chih' plant; and, to the best of my belief, these various
+plants are mentioned in the 'Li Sao' and 'Wen Hsuan.' These rare plants
+are, some of them called something or other like 'Huo Na' and 'Chiang
+Hui;' others again are designated something like 'Lun Tsu' and 'Tz'u
+Feng;' while others there are whose names sound like 'Shih Fan,' 'Shui
+Sung' and 'Fu Liu,' which together with other species are to be found in
+the 'Treatise about the Wu city' by Tso T'ai-chung. There are also those
+which go under the appellation of 'Lu T'i,' or something like that;
+while there are others that are called something or other like 'Tan
+Chiao,' 'Mi Wu' and 'Feng Lien;' reference to which is made in the
+'Treatise on the Shu city.' But so many years have now elapsed, and the
+times have so changed (since these treatises were written), that people,
+being unable to discriminate (the real names) may consequently have had
+to appropriate in every case such names as suited the external aspect,
+so that they may, it is quite possible, have gradually come to be called
+by wrong designations."
+
+But he had no time to conclude; for Chia Cheng interrupted him. "Who has
+ever asked you about it?" he shouted; which plunged Pao-yue into such a
+fright, that he drew back, and did not venture to utter another word.
+
+Chia Cheng perceiving that on both sides alike were covered passages
+resembling outstretched arms, forthwith continued his steps and entered
+the covered way, when he caught sight, at the upper end, of a
+five-roomed building, without spot or blemish, with folding blinds
+extending in a connected line, and with corridors on all four sides; (a
+building) which with its windows so green, and its painted walls,
+excelled, in spotless elegance, the other buildings they had seen
+before, to which it presented such a contrast.
+
+Chia Cheng heaved a sigh. "If one were able," he observed, "to boil his
+tea and thrum his lyre in here, there wouldn't even be any need for him
+to burn any more incense. But the execution of this structure is so
+beyond conception that you must, gentlemen, compose something nice and
+original to embellish the tablet with, so as not to render such a place
+of no effect!"
+
+"There's nothing so really pat," suggested the company smiling; "as 'the
+orchid-smell-laden breeze' and 'the dew-bedecked epidendrum!"
+
+"These are indeed the only four characters," rejoined Chia Cheng, "that
+could be suitably used; but what's to be said as far as the scroll
+goes?"
+
+"I've thought of a couplet," interposed one of the party, "which you'll
+all have to criticise, and put into ship-shape; its burden is this:
+
+ "The musk-like epidendrum smell enshrouds the court, where shines the
+ sun with oblique beams;
+ The iris fragrance is wafted over the isle illumined by the moon's
+ clear rays."
+
+"As far as excellence is concerned, it's excellent," observed the whole
+party, "but the two words representing 'with oblique beams' are not
+felicitous."
+
+And as some one quoted the line from an old poem:
+
+ The angelica fills the court with tears, what time the sun doth slant.
+
+"Lugubrious, lugubrious!" expostulated the company with one voice.
+
+Another person then interposed. "I also have a couplet, whose merits
+you, gentlemen, can weigh; it runs as follows:
+
+ "Along the three pathways doth float the Yue Hui scented breeze!
+ The radiant moon in the whole hall shines on the gold orchid!"
+
+Chia Cheng tugged at his moustache and gave way to meditation. He was
+just about also to suggest a stanza, when, upon suddenly raising his
+head, he espied Pao-yue standing by his side, too timid to give vent to a
+single sound.
+
+"How is it," he purposely exclaimed, "that when you should speak, you
+contrariwise don't? Is it likely that you expect some one to request you
+to confer upon us the favour of your instruction?"
+
+"In this place," Pao-yue rejoined at these words, "there are no such
+things as orchids, musk, resplendent moon or islands; and were one to
+begin quoting such specimens of allusions, to scenery, two hundred
+couplets could be readily given without, even then, having been able to
+exhaust the supply!"
+
+"Who presses your head down," Chia Cheng urged, "and uses force that you
+must come out with all these remarks?"
+
+"Well, in that case," added Pao-yue, "there are no fitter words to put on
+the tablet than the four representing: 'The fragrance pure of the
+ligularia and iris.' While the device on the scroll might be:
+
+ "Sung is the nutmeg song, but beauteous still is the sonnet!
+ Near the T'u Mei to sleep, makes e'en a dream with fragrance full!"
+
+"This is," laughed Chia Cheng sneeringly, "an imitation of the line:
+
+ "A book when it is made of plaintain leaves, the writing green is also
+ bound to be!
+
+"So that there's nothing remarkable about it."
+
+"Li T'ai-po, in his work on the Phoenix Terrace," protested the whole
+party, "copied, in every point, the Huang Hua Lou. But what's essential
+is a faultless imitation. Now were we to begin to criticise minutely the
+couplet just cited, we would indeed find it to be, as compared with the
+line 'A book when it is made of plantain leaves,' still more elegant and
+of wider application!"
+
+"What an idea?" observed Chia Cheng derisively.
+
+But as he spoke, the whole party walked out; but they had not gone very
+far before they caught sight of a majestic summer house, towering high
+peak-like, and of a structure rising loftily with storey upon storey;
+and completely locked in as they were on every side they were as
+beautiful as the Jade palace. Far and wide, road upon road coiled and
+wound; while the green pines swept the eaves, the jady epidendrum
+encompassed the steps, the animals' faces glistened like gold, and the
+dragons' heads shone resplendent in their variegated hues.
+
+"This is the Main Hall," remarked Chia Cheng; "the only word against it
+is that there's a little too much finery."
+
+"It should be so," rejoined one and all, "so as to be what it's intended
+to be! The imperial consort has, it is true, an exalted preference for
+economy and frugality, but her present honourable position requires the
+observance of such courtesies, so that (finery) is no fault."
+
+As they made these remarks and advanced on their way the while, they
+perceived, just in front of them, an archway project to view,
+constructed of jadelike stone; at the top of which the coils of large
+dragons and the scales of small dragons were executed in perforated
+style.
+
+"What's the device to be for this spot?" inquired Chia Cheng.
+
+"It should be 'fairy land,'" suggested all of them, "so as to be
+apposite!"
+
+Chia Cheng nodded his head and said nothing. But as soon as Pao-yue
+caught sight of this spot something was suddenly aroused in his heart
+and he began to ponder within himself. "This place really resembles
+something that I've seen somewhere or other." But he could not at the
+moment recall to mind what year, moon, or day this had happened.
+
+Chia Cheng bade him again propose a motto; but Pao-yue was bent upon
+thinking over the details of the scenery he had seen on a former
+occasion, and gave no thought whatever to this place, so that the whole
+company were at a loss what construction to give to his silence, and
+came simply to the conclusion that, after the bullying he had had to put
+up with for ever so long, his spirits had completely vanished, his
+talents become exhausted and his speech impoverished; and that if he
+were harassed and pressed, he might perchance, as the result of anxiety,
+contract some ailment or other, which would of course not be a suitable
+issue, and they lost no time in combining together to dissuade Chia
+Cheng.
+
+"Never mind," they said, "to-morrow will do to compose some device;
+let's drop it now."
+
+Chia Cheng himself was inwardly afraid lest dowager lady Chia should be
+anxious, so that he hastily remarked as he forced a smile. "You beast,
+there are, after all, also occasions on which you are no good! but never
+mind! I'll give you one day to do it in, and if by to-morrow you haven't
+been able to compose anything, I shall certainly not let you off. This
+is the first and foremost place and you must exercise due care in what
+you write."
+
+Saying this, he sallied out, at the head of the company, and cast
+another glance at the scenery.
+
+Indeed from the time they had entered the gate up to this stage, they
+had just gone over five or six tenths of the whole ground, when it
+happened again that a servant came and reported that some one had
+arrived from Mr. Yue-'ts'un's to deliver a message. "These several places
+(which remain)," Chia Cheng observed with a smile, "we have no time to
+pass under inspection; but we might as well nevertheless go out at least
+by that way, as we shall be able, to a certain degree, to have a look at
+the general aspect."
+
+With these words, he showed the way for the family companions until they
+reached a large bridge, with water entering under it, looking like a
+curtain made of crystal. This bridge, the fact is, was the dam, which
+communicated with the river outside, and from which the stream was
+introduced into the grounds.
+
+"What's the name of this water-gate?" Chia Cheng inquired.
+
+"This is," replied Pao-yue, "the main stream of the Hsin Fang river, and
+is therefore called the Hsin Fang water-gate."
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed Chia Cheng. "The two words Hsin Fang must on no
+account be used!"
+
+And as they speedily advanced on their way, they either came across
+elegant halls, or thatched cottages; walls made of piled-up stone, or
+gates fashioned of twisted plants; either a secluded nunnery or Buddhist
+fane, at the foot of some hill; or some unsullied houses, hidden in a
+grove, tenanted by rationalistic priestesses; either extensive corridors
+and winding grottoes; or square buildings, and circular pavilions. But
+Chia Cheng had not the energy to enter any of these places, for as he
+had not had any rest for ever so long, his legs felt shaky and his feet
+weak.
+
+Suddenly they also discerned ahead of them a court disclose itself to
+view.
+
+"When we get there," Chia Cheng suggested, "we must have a little rest."
+Straightway as he uttered the remark, he led them in, and winding round
+the jade-green peach-trees, covered with blossom, they passed through
+the bamboo fence and flower-laden hedge, which were twisted in such a
+way as to form a circular, cavelike gateway, when unexpectedly appeared
+before their eyes an enclosure with whitewashed walls, in which verdant
+willows drooped in every direction.
+
+Chia Cheng entered the gateway in company with the whole party. Along
+the whole length of both sides extended covered passages, connected with
+each other; while in the court were laid out several rockeries. In one
+quarter were planted a number of banana trees; on the opposite stood a
+plant of begonia from Hsi Fu. Its appearance was like an open umbrella.
+The gossamer hanging (from its branches) resembled golden threads. The
+corollas (seemed) to spurt out cinnabar.
+
+"What a beautiful flower! what a beautiful flower!" ejaculated the whole
+party with one voice; "begonias are verily to be found; but never before
+have we seen anything the like of this in beauty."
+
+"This is called the maiden begonia and is, in fact, a foreign species,"
+Chia Cheng observed. "There's a homely tradition that it is because it
+emanates from the maiden kingdom that its flowers are most prolific; but
+this is likewise erratic talk and devoid of common sense."
+
+"They are, after all," rejoined the whole company, "so unlike others (we
+have seen), that what's said about the maiden kingdom is, we are
+inclined to believe, possibly a fact."
+
+"I presume," interposed Pao-yue, "that some clever bard or poet,
+(perceiving) that this flower was red like cosmetic, delicate as if
+propped up in sickness, and that it closely resembled the nature of a
+young lady, gave it, consequently, the name of maiden! People in the
+world will propagate idle tales, all of which are unavoidably treated as
+gospel!"
+
+"We receive (with thanks) your instructions; what excellent
+explanation!" they all remarked unanimously, and as they expressed these
+words, the whole company took their seats on the sofas under the
+colonnade.
+
+"Let's think of some original text or other for a motto," Chia Cheng
+having suggested, one of the companions opined that the two characters:
+"Banana and stork" would be felicitous; while another one was of the
+idea that what would be faultless would be: "Collected splendour and
+waving elegance!"
+
+"'Collected splendour and waving elegance' is excellent," Chia Cheng
+observed addressing himself to the party; and Pao-yue himself, while also
+extolling it as beautiful, went on to say: "There's only one thing
+however to be regretted!"
+
+"What about regret?" the company inquired.
+
+"In this place," Pao-yue explained, "are set out both bananas as well as
+begonias, with the intent of secretly combining in them the two
+properties of red and green; and if mention of one of them be made, and
+the other be omitted, (the device) won't be good enough for selection."
+
+"What would you then suggest?" Chia Cheng asked.
+
+"I would submit the four words, 'the red (flowers) are fragrant, the
+green (banana leaves) like jade,' which would render complete the
+beauties of both (the begonias and bananas)."
+
+"It isn't good! it isn't good!" Chia Cheng remonstrated as he shook his
+head; and while passing this remark, he conducted the party into the
+house, where they noticed that the internal arrangements effected
+differed from those in other places, as no partitions could, in fact, be
+discerned. Indeed, the four sides were all alike covered with boards
+carved hollow with fretwork, (in designs consisting) either of rolling
+clouds and hundreds of bats; or of the three friends of the cold season
+of the year, (fir, bamboo and almond); of scenery and human beings, or
+of birds or flowers; either of clusters of decoration, or of relics of
+olden times; either of ten thousand characters of happiness or of ten
+thousand characters of longevity. The various kinds of designs had been
+all carved by renowned hands, in variegated colours, inlaid with gold,
+and studded with precious gems; while on shelf upon shelf were either
+arranged collections of books, or tripods were laid out; either pens and
+inkslabs were distributed about, or vases with flowers set out, or
+figured pots were placed about; the designs of the shelves being either
+round or square; or similar to sunflowers or banana leaves; or like
+links, half overlapping each other. And in very truth they resembled
+bouquets of flowers or clusters of tapestry, with all their fretwork so
+transparent. Suddenly (the eye was struck) by variegated gauzes pasted
+(on the wood-work), actually forming small windows; and of a sudden by
+fine thin silks lightly overshadowing (the fretwork) just as if there
+were, after all, secret doors. The whole walls were in addition traced,
+with no regard to symmetry, with outlines of the shapes of curios and
+nick-nacks in imitation of lutes, double-edged swords, hanging bottles
+and the like, the whole number of which, though (apparently) suspended
+on the walls, were all however on a same level with the surface of the
+partition walls.
+
+"What fine ingenuity!" they all exclaimed extollingly; "what a labour
+they must have been to carry out!"
+
+Chia Cheng had actually stepped in; but scarcely had they reached the
+second stage, before the whole party readily lost sight of the way by
+which they had come in. They glanced on the left, and there stood a
+door, through which they could go. They cast their eyes on the right,
+and there was a window which suddenly impeded their progress. They went
+forward, but there again they were obstructed by a bookcase. They turned
+their heads round, and there too stood windows pasted with transparent
+gauze and available door-ways: but the moment they came face to face
+with the door, they unexpectedly perceived that a whole company of
+people had likewise walked in, just in front of them, whose appearance
+resembled their own in every respect. But it was only a mirror. And when
+they rounded the mirror, they detected a still larger number of doors.
+
+"Sir," Chia Chen remarked with a grin; "if you'll follow me out through
+this door, we'll forthwith get into the back-court; and once out of the
+back-court, we shall be, at all events, nearer than we were before."
+
+Taking the lead, he conducted Chia Cheng and the whole party round two
+gauze mosquito houses, when they verily espied a door through which they
+made their exit, into a court, replete with stands of cinnamon roses.
+Passing round the flower-laden hedge, the only thing that spread before
+their view was a pure stream impeding their advance. The whole company
+was lost in admiration. "Where does this water again issue from?" they
+cried.
+
+Chia Chen pointed to a spot at a distance. "Starting originally," he
+explained, "from that water-gate, it runs as far as the mouth of that
+cave, when from among the hills on the north-east side, it is introduced
+into that village, where again a diverging channel has been opened and
+it is made to flow in a south-westerly direction; the whole volume of
+water then runs to this spot, where collecting once more in one place,
+it issues, on its outward course, from beneath that wall."
+
+"It's most ingenious!" they one and all exclaimed, after they had
+listened to him; but, as they uttered these words, they unawares
+realised that a lofty hill obstructed any further progress. The whole
+party felt very hazy about the right road. But "Come along after me,"
+Chia Chen smilingly urged, as he at once went ahead and showed the way,
+whereupon the company followed in his steps, and as soon as they turned
+round the foot of the hill, a level place and broad road lay before
+them; and wide before their faces appeared the main entrance.
+
+"This is charming! this is delightful!" the party unanimously exclaimed,
+"what wits must have been ransacked, and ingenuity attained, so as to
+bring things to this extreme degree of excellence!"
+
+Forthwith the party egressed from the garden, and Pao-yue's heart
+anxiously longed for the society of the young ladies in the inner
+quarters, but as he did not hear Chia Cheng bid him go, he had no help
+but to follow him into the library. But suddenly Chia Cheng bethought
+himself of him. "What," he said, "you haven't gone yet! the old lady
+will I fear be anxious on your account; and is it pray that you haven't
+as yet had enough walking?"
+
+Pao-yue at length withdrew out of the library. On his arrival in the
+court, a page, who had been in attendance on Chia Cheng, at once pressed
+forward, and took hold of him fast in his arms. "You've been lucky
+enough," he said, "to-day to have been in master's good graces! just a
+while back when our old mistress despatched servants to come on several
+occasions and ask after you, we replied that master was pleased with
+you; for had we given any other answer, her ladyship would have sent to
+fetch you to go in, and you wouldn't have had an opportunity of
+displaying your talents. Every one admits that the several stanzas you
+recently composed were superior to those of the whole company put
+together; but you must, after the good luck you've had to-day, give us a
+tip!"
+
+"I'll give each one of you a tiao," Pao-yue rejoined smirkingly.
+
+"Who of us hasn't seen a tiao?" they all exclaimed, "let's have that
+purse of yours, and have done with it!"
+
+Saying this, one by one advanced and proceeded to unloosen the purse,
+and to unclasp the fan-case; and allowing Pao-yue no time to make any
+remonstrance, they stripped him of every ornament in the way of
+appendage which he carried about on his person. "Whatever we do let's
+escort him home!" they shouted, and one after another hustled round him
+and accompanied him as far as dowager lady Chia's door.
+
+Her ladyship was at this moment awaiting his arrival, so that when she
+saw him walk in, and she found out that (Chia Cheng) had not bullied
+him, she felt, of course, extremely delighted. But not a long interval
+elapsed before Hsi Jen came to serve the tea; and when she perceived
+that on his person not one of the ornaments remained, she consequently
+smiled and inquired: "Have all the things that you had on you been again
+taken away by these barefaced rascals?"
+
+As soon as Lin Tai-yue heard this remark, she crossed over to him and saw
+at a glance that not one single trinket was, in fact, left. "Have you
+also given them," she felt constrained to ask, "the purse that I gave
+you? Well, by and by, when you again covet anything of mine, I shan't
+let you have it."
+
+After uttering these words, she returned into her apartment in high
+dudgeon, and taking the scented bag, which Pao-yue had asked her to make
+for him, and which she had not as yet finished, she picked up a pair of
+scissors, and instantly cut it to pieces.
+
+Pao-yue noticing that she had lost her temper, came after her with
+hurried step, but the bag had already been cut with the scissors; and as
+Pao-yue observed how extremely fine and artistic this scented bag was, in
+spite of its unfinished state, he verily deplored that it should have
+been rent to pieces for no rhyme or reason. Promptly therefore
+unbuttoning his coat, he produced from inside the lapel the purse, which
+had been fastened there. "Look at this!" he remarked as he handed it to
+Tai-yue; "what kind of thing is this! have I given away to any one what
+was yours?" Lin Tai-yue, upon seeing how much he prized it as to wear it
+within his clothes, became alive to the fact that it was done with
+intent, as he feared lest any one should take it away; and as this
+conviction made her sorry that she had been so impetuous as to have cut
+the scented bag, she lowered her head and uttered not a word.
+
+"There was really no need for you to have cut it," Pao-yue observed; "but
+as I know that you're loth to give me anything, what do you say to my
+returning even this purse?"
+
+With these words, he threw the purse in her lap and walked off; which
+vexed Tai-yue so much the more that, after giving way to tears, she took
+up the purse in her hands to also destroy it with the scissors, when
+Pao-yue precipitately turned round and snatched it from her grasp.
+
+"My dear cousin," he smilingly pleaded, "do spare it!" and as Tai-yue
+dashed down the scissors and wiped her tears: "You needn't," she urged,
+"be kind to me at one moment, and unkind at another; if you wish to have
+a tiff, why then let's part company!" But as she spoke, she lost control
+over her temper, and, jumping on her bed, she lay with her face turned
+towards the inside, and set to work drying her eyes.
+
+Pao-yue could not refrain from approaching her. "My dear cousin, my own
+cousin," he added, "I confess my fault!"
+
+"Go and find Pao-yue!" dowager lady Chia thereupon gave a shout from
+where she was in the front apartment, and all the attendants explained
+that he was in Miss Lin's room.
+
+"All right, that will do! that will do!" her ladyship rejoined, when she
+heard this reply; "let the two cousins play together; his father kept
+him a short while back under check, for ever so long, so let him have
+some distraction. But the only thing is that you mustn't allow them to
+have any quarrels." To which the servants in a body expressed their
+obedience.
+
+Tai-yue, unable to put up with Pao-yue's importunity, felt compelled to
+rise. "Your object seems to be," she remarked, "not to let me have any
+rest. If it is, I'll run away from you." Saying which, she there and
+then was making her way out, when Pao-yue protested with a face full of
+smiles: "Wherever you go, I'll follow!" and as he, at the same time,
+took the purse and began to fasten it on him, Tai-yue stretched out her
+hand, and snatching it away, "You say you don't want it," she observed,
+"and now you put it on again! I'm really much ashamed on your account!"
+And these words were still on her lips when with a sound of Ch'ih, she
+burst out laughing.
+
+"My dear cousin," Pao-yue added, "to-morrow do work another scented bag
+for me!"
+
+"That too will rest upon my good pleasure," Tai-yue rejoined.
+
+As they conversed, they both left the room together and walked into
+madame Wang's suite of apartments, where, as luck would have it,
+Pao-ch'ai was also seated.
+
+Unusual commotion prevailed, at this time, over at madame Wang's, for
+the fact is that Chia Se had already come back from Ku Su, where he had
+selected twelve young girls, and settled about an instructor, as well as
+about the theatrical properties and the other necessaries. And as Mrs.
+Hsueeh had by this date moved her quarters into a separate place on the
+northeast side, and taken up her abode in a secluded and quiet house,
+(madame Wang) had had repairs of a distinct character executed in the
+Pear Fragrance Court, and then issued directions that the instructor
+should train the young actresses in this place; and casting her choice
+upon all the women, who had, in days of old, received a training in
+singing, and who were now old matrons with white hair, she bade them
+have an eye over them and keep them in order. Which done, she enjoined
+Chia Se to assume the chief control of all matters connected with the
+daily and monthly income and outlay, as well as of the accounts of all
+articles in use of every kind and size.
+
+Lin Chih-hsiao also came to report: "that the twelve young nuns and
+Taoist girls, who had been purchased after proper selection, had all
+arrived, and that the twenty newly-made Taoist coats had also been
+received. That there was besides a maiden, who though devoted to
+asceticism, kept her chevelure unshaved; that she was originally a
+denizen of Suchow, of a family whose ancestors were also people of
+letters and official status; that as from her youth up she had been
+stricken with much sickness, (her parents) had purchased a good number
+of substitutes (to enter the convent), but all with no relief to her,
+until at last this girl herself entered the gate of abstraction when she
+at once recovered. That hence it was that she grew her hair, while she
+devoted herself to an ascetic life; that she was this year eighteen
+years of age, and that the name given to her was Miao Yue; that her
+father and mother were, at this time, already dead; that she had only by
+her side, two old nurses and a young servant girl to wait upon her; that
+she was most proficient in literature, and exceedingly well versed in
+the classics and canons; and that she was likewise very attractive as
+far as looks went; that having heard that in the city of Ch'ang-an,
+there were vestiges of Kuan Yin and relics of the canons inscribed on
+leaves, she followed, last year, her teacher (to the capital). She now
+lives," he said, "in the Lao Ni nunnery, outside the western gate; her
+teacher was a great expert in prophetic divination, but she died in the
+winter of last year, and her dying words were that as it was not
+suitable for (Miao Yue) to return to her native place, she should await
+here, as something in the way of a denouement was certain to turn up;
+and this is the reason why she hasn't as yet borne the coffin back to
+her home!"
+
+"If such be the case," madame Wang readily suggested, "why shouldn't we
+bring her here?"
+
+"If we are to ask her," Lin Chih-hsiao's wife replied, "she'll say that
+a marquis' family and a duke's household are sure, in their honourable
+position, to be overbearing to people; and I had rather not go."
+
+"As she's the daughter of an official family," madame Wang continued,
+"she's bound to be inclined to be somewhat proud; but what harm is there
+to our sending her a written invitation to ask her to come!"
+
+Lin Chih-hsiao's wife assented; and leaving the room, she made the
+secretary write an invitation and then went to ask Miao Yue. The next day
+servants were despatched, and carriages and sedan chairs were got ready
+to go and bring her over.
+
+What subsequently transpired is not as yet known, but, reader, listen to
+the account given in the following chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+ His Majesty shows magnanimous bounty.
+ The Imperial consort Yuan pays a visit to her parents.
+ The happiness of a family gathering.
+ Pao-yue displays his polished talents.
+
+
+But let us resume our story. A servant came, at this moment, to report
+that for the works in course of execution, they were waiting for gauze
+and damask silk to paste on various articles, and that they requested
+lady Feng to go and open the depot for them to take the gauze and silk,
+while another servant also came to ask lady Feng to open the treasury
+for them to receive the gold and silver ware. And as Madame Wang, the
+waiting-maids and the other domestics of the upper rooms had all no
+leisure, Pao-ch'ai suggested: "Don't let us remain in here and be in the
+way of their doing what there is to be done, and of going where they
+have to go," and saying this, she betook herself, escorted by Pao-yue and
+the rest, into Ying Ch'un's rooms.
+
+Madame Wang continued day after day in a great state of flurry and
+confusion, straight up to within the tenth moon, by which time every
+arrangement had been completed, and the overseers had all handed in a
+clear statement of their accounts. The curios and writing materials,
+wherever needed, had all already been laid out and everything got ready,
+and the birds (and animals), from the stork, the deer and rabbits to the
+chickens, geese and the like, had all been purchased and handed over to
+be reared in the various localities in the garden; and over at Chia
+Se's, had also been learnt twenty miscellaneous plays, while a company
+of young nuns and Taoist priestesses had likewise the whole number of
+them, mastered the intonation of Buddhist classics and incantations.
+
+Chia Cheng after this, at length, was slightly composed in mind, and
+cheerful at heart; and having further invited dowager lady Chia and
+other inmates to go into the garden, he deliberated with them on, and
+made arrangements for, every detail in such a befitting manner that not
+the least trifle remained for which suitable provision had not been
+made; and Chia Cheng eventually mustered courage to indite a memorial,
+and on the very day on which the memorial was presented, a decree was
+received fixing upon the fifteenth day of the first moon of the ensuing
+year, the very day of the Shang Yuan festival, for the honourable
+consorts to visit their homes.
+
+Upon the receipt of this decree, with which the Chia family was
+honoured, they had still less leisure, both by day as well as by night;
+so much so that they could not even properly observe the new year
+festivities. But in a twinkle of the eye, the festival of the full moon
+of the first moon drew near; and beginning from the eighth day of the
+first moon, eunuchs issued from the palace and inspected beforehand the
+various localities, the apartments in which the imperial consort was to
+change her costume; the place where she would spend her leisure moments;
+the spot where she would receive the conventionalities; the premises
+where the banquets would be spread; the quarters where she would retire
+for rest.
+
+There were also eunuchs who came to assume the patrol of the grounds and
+the direction of the defences; and they brought along with them a good
+many minor eunuchs, whose duty it was to look after the safety of the
+various localities, to screen the place with enclosing curtains, to
+instruct the inmates and officials of the Chia mansion whither to go out
+and whence to come in from, what side the viands should be brought in
+from, where to report matters, and in the observance of every kind of
+etiquette; and for outside the mansion, there were, on the other hand,
+officers from the Board of Works, and a superintendent of the Police, of
+the "Five Cities," in charge of the sweeping of the streets and roads,
+and the clearing away of loungers. While Chia She and the others
+superintended the workmen in such things as the manufacture of flowered
+lanterns and fireworks.
+
+The fourteenth day arrived and everything was in order; but on this
+night, one and all whether high or low, did not get a wink of sleep; and
+when the fifteenth came, every one, at the fifth watch, beginning from
+dowager lady Chia and those who enjoyed any official status, appeared in
+full gala dress, according to their respective ranks. In the garden, the
+curtains were, by this time, flapping like dragons, the portieres flying
+about like phoenixes with variegated plumage. Gold and silver glistened
+with splendour. Pearls and precious gems shed out their brilliant
+lustre. The tripod censers burnt the Pai-ho incense. In the vases were
+placed evergreens. Silence and stillness prevailed, and not a man
+ventured so much as to cough.
+
+Chia She and the other men were standing outside the door giving on to
+the street on the west; and old lady Chia and the other ladies were
+outside the main entrance of the Jung mansion at the head of the street,
+while at the mouth of the lane were placed screens to rigorously
+obstruct the public gaze. They were unable to bear the fatigue of any
+further waiting when, at an unexpected moment, a eunuch arrived on
+horseback, and Chia Cheng went up to meet him, and ascertained what
+tidings he was the bearer of.
+
+"It's as yet far too early," rejoined the eunuch, "for at one o'clock
+(her highness) will have her evening repast, and at two she has to
+betake herself to the Palace of Precious Perception to worship Buddha.
+At five, she will enter the Palace of Great Splendour to partake of a
+banquet, and to see the lanterns, after which, she will request His
+Majesty's permission; so that, I'm afraid, it won't be earlier than
+seven before they set out."
+
+Lady Feng's ear caught what was said. "If such be the case," she
+interposed, "may it please your venerable ladyship, and you, my lady, to
+return for a while to your apartments, and wait; and if you come when
+it's time you'll be here none too late."
+
+Dowager lady Chia and the other ladies immediately left for a time and
+suited their own convenience, and as everything in the garden devolved
+upon lady Feng to supervise, she ordered the butlers to take the eunuchs
+and give them something to eat and drink; and at the same time, she sent
+word that candles should be brought in and that the lanterns in the
+various places should be lit.
+
+But unexpectedly was heard from outside the continuous patter of horses
+running, whereupon about ten eunuchs hurried in gasping and out of
+breath. They clapped their hands, and the several eunuchs (who had come
+before), understanding the signal, and knowing that the party had
+arrived, stood in their respective positions; while Chia She, at the
+head of all the men of the clan, remained at the western street door,
+and dowager lady Chia, at the head of the female relatives of the
+family, waited outside the principal entrance to do the honours.
+
+For a long interval, everything was plunged in silence and quiet; when
+suddenly two eunuchs on horseback were espied advancing with leisurely
+step. Reaching the western street gate, they dismounted, and, driving
+their horses beyond the screens, they forthwith took their stand facing
+the west. After another long interval, a second couple arrived, and went
+likewise through the same proceedings. In a short time, drew near about
+ten couples, when, at length, were heard the gentle strains of music,
+and couple by couple advanced with banners, dragons, with fans made with
+phoenix feathers, and palace flabella of pheasant plumes; and those
+besides who carried gold-washed censers burning imperial incense. Next
+in order was brought past a state umbrella of golden yellow, with
+crooked handle and embroidered with seven phoenixes; after which quickly
+followed the crown, robe, girdle and shoes.
+
+There were likewise eunuchs, who took a part in the procession, holding
+scented handkerchiefs and embroidered towels, cups for rinsing the
+mouth, dusters and other such objects; and company after company went
+past, when, at the rear, approached with stately step eight eunuchs
+carrying an imperial sedan chair, of golden yellow, with a gold knob and
+embroidered with phoenixes.
+
+Old lady Chia and the other members of the family hastily fell on their
+knees, but a eunuch came over at once to raise her ladyship and the
+rest; and the imperial chair was thereupon carried through the main
+entrance, the ceremonial gate and into a court on the eastern side, at
+the door of which stood a eunuch, who prostrated himself and invited
+(her highness) to dismount and change her costume.
+
+Having forthwith carried her inside the gate, the eunuchs dispersed; and
+only the maids-of-honour and ladies-in-waiting ushered Yuan Ch'un out of
+the chair, when what mainly attracted her eye in the park was the
+brilliant lustre of the flowered lamps of every colour, all of which
+were made of gauze or damask, and were beautiful in texture, and out of
+the common run; while on the upper side was a flat lantern with the
+inscription in four characters, "Regarded (by His Majesty's) benevolence
+and permeated by his benefits."
+
+Yuan Ch'un entered the apartment and effected the necessary changes in
+her toilette; after which, she again egressed, and, mounting her chair,
+she made her entry into the garden, when she perceived the smoke of
+incense whirling and twirling, and the reflection of the flowers
+confusing the eyes. Far and wide, the rays of light, shed by the
+lanterns, intermingled their brilliancy, while, from time to time, fine
+strains of music sounded with clamorous din. But it would be impossible
+to express adequately the perfect harmony in the aspect of this scene,
+and the grandeur of affluence and splendour.
+
+The imperial consort of the Chia family, we must now observe, upon
+catching sight, from the interior of her chair, of the picture presented
+within as well as without the confines of this garden, shook her head
+and heaved a sigh. "What lavish extravagance! What excessive waste!" she
+soliloquised.
+
+But of a sudden was again seen a eunuch who, on his knees, invited her
+to get into a boat; and the Chia consort descended from the chair and
+stepped into the craft, when the expanse of a limpid stream met her
+gaze, whose grandeur resembled that of the dragon in its listless
+course. The stone bannisters, on each side, were one mass of air-tight
+lanterns, of every colour, made of crystal or glass, which threw out a
+light like the lustre of silver or the brightness of snow.
+
+The willow, almond and the whole lot of trees, on the upper side, were,
+it is true, without blossom and leaves; but pongee and damask silks,
+paper and lustring had been employed, together with rice-paper, to make
+flowers of, which had been affixed on the branches. Upon each tree were
+suspended thousands of lanterns; and what is more, the lotus and aquatic
+plants, the ducks and water fowl in the pond had all, in like manner,
+been devised out of conches and clams, plumes and feathers. The various
+lanterns, above and below, vied in refulgence. In real truth, it was a
+crystal region, a world of pearls and precious stones. On board the boat
+were also every kind of lanterns representing such designs as are used
+on flower-pots, pearl-laden portieres, embroidered curtains, oars of
+cinnamon wood, and paddles of magnolia, which need not of course be
+minutely described.
+
+They entered a landing with a stone curb; and on this landing was
+erected a flat lantern upon which were plainly visible the four
+characters the "Persicary beach and flower-laden bank." But, reader, you
+have heard how that these four characters "the persicary beach and the
+flower-laden bank," the motto "a phoenix comes with dignified air," and
+the rest owe one and all their origin to the unexpected test to which
+Chia Cheng submitted, on a previous occasion, Pao-yue's literary
+abilities; but how did it come about that they were actually adopted?
+
+You must remember that the Chia family had been, generation after
+generation, given to the study of letters, so that it was only natural
+that there should be among them one or two renowned writers of verses;
+for how could they ever resemble the families of such upstarts, who only
+employ puerile expressions as a makeshift to get through what they have
+to do? But the why and the wherefore must be sought in the past. The
+consort, belonging to the Chia mansion, had, before she entered the
+palace, been, from her infancy, also brought up by dowager lady Chia;
+and when Pao-yue was subsequently added to the family, she was the eldest
+sister and Pao-yue the youngest child. The Chia consort, bearing in mind
+how that she had, when her mother was verging on old age, at length
+obtained this younger brother, she for this reason doated upon him with
+single love; and as they were besides companions in their attendance
+upon old lady Chia, they were inseparable for even a moment. Before
+Pao-yue had entered school, and when three or four years of age, he had
+already received oral instruction from the imperial spouse Chia from the
+contents of several books and had committed to memory several thousands
+of characters, for though they were only sister and brother, they were
+like mother and child. And after she had entered the Palace, she was
+wont time and again to have letters taken out to her father and her
+cousins, urgently recommending them to be careful with his bringing up,
+that if they were not strict, he could not possibly become good for
+anything, and that if they were immoderately severe, there was the
+danger of something unpropitious befalling him, with the result,
+moreover, that his grandmother would be stricken with sorrow; and this
+solicitude on his account was never for an instant lost sight of by her.
+
+Hence it was that Chia Cheng having, a few days back, heard his teacher
+extol him for his extreme abilities, he forthwith put him to the test on
+the occasion of their ramble through the garden. And though (his
+compositions) were not in the bold style of a writer of note, yet they
+were productions of their own family, and would, moreover, be
+instrumental, when the Chia consort had her notice attracted by them,
+and come to know that they were devised by her beloved brother, in also
+not rendering nugatory the anxious interest which she had ever
+entertained on his behalf, and he, therefore, purposely adopted what had
+been suggested by Pao-yue; while for those places, for which on that day
+no devices had been completed, a good number were again subsequently
+composed to make up what was wanted.
+
+After the Chia consort had, for we shall now return to her, perused the
+four characters, she gave a smile. "The two words 'flower-laden bank,'"
+she said, "are really felicitous, so what use was there for 'persicary
+beach?'"
+
+When the eunuch in waiting heard this observation, he promptly jumped
+off the craft on to the bank, and at a flying pace hurried to
+communicate it to Chia Cheng, and Chia Cheng instantly effected the
+necessary alteration.
+
+By this time the craft had reached the inner bank, and leaving the boat,
+and mounting into her sedan chair, she in due course contemplated the
+magnificent Jade-like Palace; the Hall of cinnamon wood, lofty and
+sublime; and the marble portals with the four characters in bold style:
+the "Precious confines of heavenly spirits," which the Chia consort gave
+directions should be changed for the four words denoting: "additional
+Hall (for the imperial consort) on a visit to her parents." And
+forthwith making her entrance into the travelling lodge her gaze was
+attracted by torches burning in the court encompassing the heavens,
+fragments of incense strewn on the ground, fire-like trees and gem-like
+flowers, gold-like windows and jade-like bannisters. But it would be
+difficult to give a full account of the curtains, which rolled up (as
+fine as a) shrimp's moustache; of the carpets of other skins spread on
+the floor; of the tripods exhaling the fragrant aroma of the brain of
+the musk deer; of the screens in a row resembling fans made of pheasant
+tails. Indeed, the gold-like doors and the windows like jade were
+suggestive of the abode of spirits; while the halls made of cinnamon
+wood and the palace of magnolia timber, of the very homes of the
+imperial secondary consorts.
+
+"Why is it," the Chia consort inquired, "that there is no tablet in this
+Hall?"
+
+The eunuch in waiting fell on his knees. "This is the main Hall," he
+reverently replied, "and the officials, outside the palace, did not
+presume to take upon themselves to suggest any motto."
+
+The Chia consort shook her head and said not a word; whereupon the
+eunuch, who acted as master of ceremonies, requested Her Majesty to
+ascend the throne and receive homage. The band stationed on the two
+flights of steps struck up a tune, while two eunuchs ushered Chia She,
+Chia Cheng and the other members on to the moonlike stage, where they
+arranged themselves in order and ascended into the hall, but when the
+ladies-in-waiting transmitted her commands that the homage could be
+dispensed with, they at once retraced their footsteps.
+
+(The master of the ceremonies), in like manner led forward the dowager
+lady of the Jung Kuo mansion, as well as the female relatives, from the
+steps on the east side, on to the moon-like stage; where they were
+placed according to their ranks. But the maids-of-honour again commanded
+that they should dispense with the ceremony, so they likewise promptly
+withdrew.
+
+After tea had been thrice presented, the Chia consort descended the
+Throne, and the music ceased. She retired into a side room to change her
+costume, and the private chairs were then got ready for her visit to her
+parents. Issuing from the garden, she came into the main quarters
+belonging to dowager lady Chia, where she was bent upon observing the
+domestic conventionalities, when her venerable ladyship, and the other
+members of the family, prostrated themselves in a body before her, and
+made her desist. Tears dropped down from the eyes of the Chia consort as
+(she and her relatives) mutually came forward, and greeted each other,
+and as with one hand she grasped old lady Chia, and with the other she
+held madame Wang, the three had plenty in their hearts which they were
+fain to speak about; but, unable as each one of them was to give
+utterance to their feelings, all they did was to sob and to weep, as
+they kept face to face to each other; while madame Hsing, widow Li Wan,
+Wang Hsi-feng, and the three sisters: Ying Ch'un, T'an Ch'un, and Hsi
+Ch'un, stood aside in a body shedding tears and saying not a word.
+
+After a long time, the Chia consort restrained her anguish, and forcing
+a smile, she set to work to reassure old lady Chia and madame Wang.
+"Having in days gone by," she urged, "been sent to that place where no
+human being can be seen, I have to-day after extreme difficulty returned
+home; and now that you ladies and I have been reunited, instead of
+chatting or laughing we contrariwise give way to incessant tears! But
+shortly, I shall be gone, and who knows when we shall be able again to
+even see each other!"
+
+When she came to this sentence, they could not help bursting into
+another tit of crying; and Madame Hsing hastened to come forward, and to
+console dowager lady Chia and the rest. But when the Chia consort
+resumed her seat, and one by one came again, in turn, to exchange
+salutations, they could not once more help weeping and sobbing for a
+time.
+
+Next in order, were the managers and servants of the eastern and western
+mansions to perform their obeisance in the outer pavilion; and after the
+married women and waiting-maids had concluded their homage, the Chia
+consort heaved a sigh. "How many relatives," she observed, "there are
+all of whom, alas! I may not see."
+
+"There are here now," madame Wang rejoined with due respect, "kindred
+with outside family names, such as Mrs. Hsueeh, nee Wang, Pao-ch'ai, and
+Tai-yue waiting for your commands; but as they are distant relatives, and
+without official status, they do not venture to arrogate to themselves
+the right of entering into your presence." But the Chia consort issued
+directions that they should be invited to come that they should see each
+other; and in a short while, Mrs. Hsueeh and the other relatives walked
+in, but as they were on the point of performing the rites, prescribed by
+the state, she bade them relinquish the observance so that they came
+forward, and each, in turn, alluded to what had transpired during the
+long separation.
+
+Pao Ch'in also and a few other waiting-maids, whom the Chia consort had
+originally taken along with her into the palace, knocked their heads
+before dowager lady Chia, but her ladyship lost no time in raising them
+up, and in bidding them go into a separate suite of rooms to be
+entertained; and as for the retainers, eunuchs as well as
+maids-of-honour, ladies-in-waiting and every attendant, there were
+needless to say, those in the two places, the Ning mansion and Chia
+She's residence, to wait upon them; there only remained three or four
+young eunuchs to answer the summons.
+
+The mother and daughter and her cousins conversed for some time on what
+had happened during the protracted separation, as well as on domestic
+affairs and their private feelings, when Chia Cheng likewise advanced as
+far as the other side of the portiere, and inquired after her health,
+and the Chia consort from inside performed the homage and other
+conventionalities (due to her parent).
+
+"The families of farmers," she further went on to say to her father,
+"feed on salted cabbage, and clothe in cotton material; but they readily
+enjoy the happiness of the relationships established by heaven! We,
+however, relatives though we now be of one bone and flesh, are, with all
+our affluence and honours, living apart from each other, and deriving no
+happiness whatsoever!"
+
+Chia Cheng, on his part endeavoured, to restrain his tears. "I
+belonged," he rejoined, "to a rustic and poor family; and among that
+whole number of pigeons and pheasants, how could I have imagined that I
+would have obtained the blessing of a hidden phoenix! Of late all for
+the sake of your honourable self, His Majesty, above, confers upon us
+his heavenly benefits; while we, below, show forth the virtue of our
+ancestors! And it is mainly because the vital principle of the hills,
+streams, sun, and moon, and the remote virtue of our ancestors have been
+implanted in you alone that this good fortune has attained me Cheng and
+my wife! Moreover, the present emperor, bearing in mind the great bounty
+shewn by heaven and earth in promoting a ceaseless succession, has
+vouchsafed a more generous act of grace than has ever been displayed
+from old days to the present. And although we may besmear our liver and
+brain in the mire, how could we show our gratitude, even to so slight a
+degree as one ten-thousandth part. But all I can do is, in the daytime,
+to practise diligence, vigilance at night, and loyalty in my official
+duties. My humble wish is that His Majesty, my master, may live ten
+thousand years and see thousands of autumns, so as to promote the
+welfare of all mankind in the world! And you, worthy imperial consort,
+must, on no account, be mindful of me Cheng and my wife, decrepid as we
+are in years. What I would solicit more than anything is that you should
+be more careful of yourself, and that you should be diligent and
+reverential in your service to His Majesty, with the intent that you may
+not prove ungrateful of his affectionate regard and bountiful grace."
+
+The Chia consort, on the other hand, enjoined "that much as it was
+expedient to display zeal, in the management of state matters, it
+behoved him, when he had any leisure, to take good care of himself, and
+that he should not, whatever he did, give way to solicitude on her
+behalf." And Chia Cheng then went on to say "that the various
+inscriptions in the park over the pavilions, terraces, halls and
+residences had been all composed by Pao-yue, and, that in the event of
+there being one or two that could claim her attention, he would be happy
+if it would please her to at once favour him with its name." Whereupon
+the imperial consort Yuean, when she heard that Pao-yue could compose
+verses, forthwith exclaimed with a smile: "He has in very truth made
+progress!"
+
+After Chia Cheng had retired out of the hall, the Chia consort made it a
+point to ask: "How is it that I do not see Pao-yue?" and dowager lady
+Chia explained: "An outside male relative as he is, and without official
+rank, he does not venture to appear before you of his own accord."
+
+"Bring him in!" the imperial consort directed; whereupon a young eunuch
+ushered Pao-yue in. After he had first complied with the state
+ceremonies, she bade him draw near to her, and taking his hand, she held
+it in her lap, and, as she went on to caress his head and neck, she
+smiled and said: "He's grown considerably taller than he was before;"
+but she had barely concluded this remark, when her tears ran down as
+profuse as rain. Mrs. Yu, lady Feng, and the rest pressed forward. "The
+banquet is quite ready," they announced, "and your highness is requested
+to favour the place with your presence."
+
+The imperial consort Yuan stood up and asking Pao-yue to lead the way,
+she followed in his steps, along with the whole party, and betook
+herself on foot as far as the entrance of the garden gate, whence she at
+once espied, in the lustre shed by the lanterns, every kind of
+decorations. Entering the garden, they first passed the spots with the
+device "a phoenix comes with dignified air," "the red (flowers are)
+fragrant and the green (banana leaves like) jade!" "the sign on the
+apricot tree is visible," "the fragrance pure of the ligularia and
+iris," and other places; and ascending the towers they walked up the
+halls, forded the streams and wound round the hills; contemplating as
+they turned their gaze from side to side, each place arranged in a
+different style, and each kind of article laid out in unique designs.
+The Chia consort expressed her admiration in most profuse eulogiums, and
+then went on to advise them: "that it was not expedient to indulge in
+future in such excessive extravagance and that all these arrangements
+were over and above what should have been done."
+
+Presently they reached the main pavilion, where she commanded that they
+could dispense with the rites and take their seats. A sumptuous banquet
+was laid out, at which dowager lady Chia and the other ladies occupied
+the lower seats and entertained each other, while Mrs. Yu, widow Li Wan,
+lady Feng and the rest presented the soup and handed the cups. The
+Imperial consort Yuan subsequently directed that the pencils and
+inkslabs should be brought, and with her own hands she opened the silken
+paper. She chose the places she liked, and conferred upon them a name;
+and devising a general designation for the garden, she called it the Ta
+Kuan garden (Broad vista), while for the tablet of the main pavilion the
+device she composed ran as follows: "Be mindful of the grace and
+remember the equity (of His Majesty);" with this inscription on the
+antithetical scrolls:
+
+ Mercy excessive Heaven and earth display,
+ And it men young and old hail gratefully;
+ From old till now they pour their bounties great
+ Those rich gifts which Cathay and all states permeate.
+
+Changing also the text: "A phoenix comes with dignified air for the
+Hsiao Hsiang Lodge."
+
+"The red (flowers are) fragrant and the green (banana leaves like)
+jade," she altered into "Happy red and joyful green"; bestowing upon the
+place the appellation of the I Hung court (joyful red). The spot where
+"the fragrance pure of the ligularia and iris," was inscribed, she
+called "the ligularia and the 'Wu' weed court;" and where was "the sign
+in the apricot tree is visible," she designated "the cottage in the
+hills where dolichos is bleached." The main tower she called the Broad
+Vista Tower. The lofty tower facing the east, she designated "the
+variegated and flowery Hall;" bestowing on the line of buildings, facing
+the west, the appellation of "the Hall of Occult Fragrance;" and besides
+these figured such further names as: "the Hall of peppery wind," "the
+Arbour of lotus fragrance," "the Islet of purple caltrop," "the Bank of
+golden lotus," and the like. There were also tablets with four
+characters such as: "the peach blossom and the vernal rain;" "the
+autumnal wind prunes the Eloecocca," "the artemisia leaves and the night
+snow," and other similar names which could not all be placed on record.
+She furthermore directed that such tablets as were already put up,
+should not be dismounted, and she forthwith took the lead and composed
+an heptameter stanza, the burden of which was:
+
+ Hills it enclasps, embraces streams, with skill it is laid out:
+ What task the grounds to raise! the works to start and bring about!
+ Of scenery in heaven and amongst men store has been made;
+ The name Broad Vista o'er the fragrant park should be engraved.
+
+When she had finished writing, she observed smilingly, as she addressed
+herself to all the young ladies: "I have all along lacked the quality of
+sharpness and never besides been good at verses; as you, sisters, and
+all of you have ever been aware; but, on a night like this I've been
+fain to do my best, with the object of escaping censure, and of not
+reflecting injustice on this scenery and nothing more. But some other
+day when I've got time, be it ever so little, I shall deem it my duty to
+make up what remains by inditing a record of the Broad Vista Garden, as
+well as a song on my visit to my parents and other such literary
+productions in memory of the events of this day. You sisters and others
+must, each of you, in like manner compose a stanza on the motto on each
+tablet, expressing your sentiments, as you please, without being
+restrained by any regard for my meagre ability. Knowing as I do besides
+that Pao-yue is, indeed, able to write verses, I feel the more delighted!
+But among his compositions, those I like the best are those in the two
+places, 'the Hsiao Hsiang Lodge,' and 'the court of Heng and Wu;' and
+next those of 'the Joyful red court,' and 'the cottage in the hills,
+where the dolichos is bleached.' As for grand sites like these four,
+there should be found some out-of-the-way expressions to insert in the
+verses so that they should be felicitous. The antithetical lines
+composed by you, (Pao-yue), on a former occasion are excellent, it is
+true; but you should now further indite for each place, a pentameter
+stanza, so that by allowing me to test you in my presence, you may not
+show yourself ungrateful for the trouble I have taken in teaching you
+from your youth up."
+
+Pao-yue had no help but to assent, and descending from the hall, he went
+off all alone to give himself up to reflection.
+
+Of the three Ying Ch'un, T'an Ch'un, and Hsi Ch'un, T'an Ch'un must be
+considered to have also been above the standard of her sisters, but she,
+in her own estimation, imagined it, in fact, difficult to compete with
+Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai and Lin Tai-yue. With no alternative however than that of
+doing her best, she followed the example of all the rest with the sole
+purpose of warding off criticism. And Li Wan too succeeded, after much
+exertion, in putting together a stanza.
+
+The consort of the Chia family perused in due order the verses written
+by the young ladies, the text of which is given below.
+
+The lines written by Ying Ch'un on the tablet of "Boundless spirits and
+blissful heart" were:
+
+ A park laid out with scenery surpassing fine and rare!
+ Submissive to thy will, on boundless bliss bashful I write!
+ Who could believe that yonder scenes in this world found a share!
+ Will not thy heart be charmed on thy visit by the sight?
+
+These are the verses by T'an Ch'un on the tablet of "All nature vies in
+splendour":
+
+ Of aspect lofty and sublime is raised a park of fame!
+ Honoured with thy bequest, my shallow lore fills me with shame.
+ No words could e'er amply exhaust the beauteous skill,
+ For lo! in very truth glory and splendour all things fill!
+
+Thus runs Hsi Ch'un's stanza on the tablet of the "Conception of
+literary compositions":
+
+ The hillocks and the streams crosswise beyond a thousand li extend!
+ The towers and terraces 'midst the five-coloured clouds lofty ascend!
+ In the resplendent radiance of both sun and moon the park it lies!
+ The skill these scenes to raise the skill e'en essays to conceive
+ outvies!
+
+The lines composed by Li Wan on the tablet "grace and elegance,"
+consisted of:
+
+ The comely streams and hillocks clear, in double folds, embrace;
+ E'en Fairyland, forsooth, transcend they do in elegance and grace!
+ The "Fragrant Plant" the theme is of the ballad fan, green-made.
+ Like drooping plum-bloom flap the lapel red and the Hsiang gown.
+ From prosperous times must have been handed down those pearls and
+ jade.
+ What bliss! the fairy on the jasper terrace will come down!
+ When to our prayers she yields, this glorious park to contemplate,
+ No mortal must e'er be allowed these grounds to penetrate.
+
+The ode by Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai on the tablet of "Concentrated Splendour and
+Accumulated auspiciousness" was:
+
+ Raised on the west of the Imperial city, lo! the park stored with
+ fragrant smell,
+ Shrouded by Phoebe's radiant rays and clouds of good omen, in wondrous
+ glory lies!
+ The willows tall with joy exult that the parrots their nests have
+ shifted from the dell.
+ The bamboo groves, when laid, for the phoenix with dignity to come,
+ were meant to rise.
+ The very eve before the Empress' stroll, elegant texts were ready and
+ affixed.
+ If even she her parents comes to see, how filial piety supreme must
+ be!
+ When I behold her beauteous charms and talents supernatural, with awe
+ transfixed,
+ One word, to utter more how can I troth ever presume, when shame
+ overpowers me.
+
+The distich by Lin Tai-yue on the tablet of "Spiritual stream outside the
+world," ran thus:
+
+ Th' imperial visit doth enhance joy and delight.
+ This fairy land from mortal scenes what diff'rent sight!
+ The comely grace it borrows of both hill and stream;
+ And to the landscape it doth add a charm supreme.
+ The fumes of Chin Ku wine everything permeate;
+ The flowers the inmate of the Jade Hall fascinate.
+ The imperial favour to receive how blessed our lot!
+ For oft the palace carriage will pass through this spot.
+
+The Chia consort having concluded the perusal of the verses, and
+extolled them for a time: "After all," she went on to say with a smile,
+"those composed by my two cousins, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai and Lin Tai-yue,
+differ in excellence from those of all the rest; and neither I, stupid
+as I am, nor my sisters can attain their standard."
+
+Lin Tao-yue had, in point of fact, made up her mind to display, on this
+evening, her extraordinary abilities to their best advantage, and to put
+down every one else, but contrary to her expectations the Chia consort
+had expressed her desire that no more than a single stanza should be
+written on each tablet, so that unable, after all, to disregard her
+directions by writing anything in excess, she had no help but to compose
+a pentameter stanza, in an offhand way, merely with the intent of
+complying with her wishes.
+
+Pao-yue had by this time not completed his task. He had just finished two
+stanzas on the Hsiao Hsiang Lodge and the Heng Wu garden, and was just
+then engaged in composing a verse on the "Happy red Court." In his draft
+figured a line: "The (leaves) of jade-like green in spring are yet
+rolled up," which Pao-ch'ai stealthily observed as she turned her eyes
+from side to side; and availing herself of the very first moment, when
+none of the company could notice her, she gave him a nudge. "As her
+highness," she remarked, "doesn't relish the four characters,
+representing the red (flowers are) fragrant, and the green (banana
+leaves) like jade, she changed them, just a while back, for 'the joyful
+red and gladsome green;' and if you deliberately now again employ these
+two words 'jade-like green,' won't it look as if you were bent upon
+being at variance with her? Besides, very many are the old books, in
+which the banana leaves form the theme, so you had better think of
+another line and substitute it and have done with it!"
+
+When Pao-yue heard the suggestion made by Pao-ch'ai, he speedily replied,
+as he wiped off the perspiration: "I can't at all just at present call
+to mind any passage from the contents of some old book."
+
+"Just simply take," proposed Pao-ch'ai smilingly, "the character jade in
+jade-like green and change it into the character wax, that's all."
+
+"Does 'green wax,'" Pao-yue inquired, "come out from anywhere?"
+
+Pao-ch'ai gently smacked her lips and nodded her head as she laughed. "I
+fear," she said, "that if, on an occasion like to-night, you show no
+more brains than this, by and by when you have to give any answers in
+the golden hall, to the questions (of the examiner), you will, really,
+forget (the very first four names) of Chao, Oh'ien, Sun and Li (out of
+the hundred)! What, have you so much as forgotten the first line of the
+poem by Han Yue, of the T'ang dynasty, on the Banana leaf:
+
+ "Cold is the candle and without a flame, the green wax dry?"
+
+On hearing these words, Pao-yue's mind suddenly became enlightened. "What
+a fool I am!" he added with a simper; "I couldn't for the moment even
+remember the lines, ready-made though they were and staring at me in my
+very eyes! Sister, you really can be styled my teacher, little though
+you may have taught me, and I'll henceforward address you by no other
+name than 'teacher,' and not call you 'sister' any more!"
+
+"Don't you yet hurry to go on," Pao-ch'ai again observed in a gentle
+tone of voice sneeringly, "but keep on calling me elder sister and
+younger sister? Who's your sister? that one over there in a yellow coat
+is your sister!"
+
+But apprehending, as she bandied these jokes, lest she might be wasting
+his time, she felt constrained to promptly move away; whereupon Pao-yue
+continued the ode he had been working at, and brought it to a close,
+writing in all three stanzas.
+
+Tai-yue had not had so far an opportunity of making a display of her
+ability, and was feeling at heart in a very dejected mood; but when she
+perceived that Pao-yue was having intense trouble in conceiving what he
+had to write, and she found, upon walking up to the side of the table,
+that he had only one stanza short, that on "the sign on the apricot tree
+is visible," she consequently bade him copy out clean the first three
+odes, while she herself composed a stanza, which she noted down on a
+slip of paper, rumpled up into a ball, and threw just in front of
+Pao-yue.
+
+As soon as Pao-yue opened it and glanced at it, he realised that it was a
+hundred times better than his own three stanzas, and transcribing it
+without loss of time, in a bold writing, he handed up his compositions.
+
+On perusal, the Chia Consort read what follows. By Pao-yue, on: "A
+phoenix comes with dignified air:"
+
+ The bamboos just now don that jadelike grace,
+ Which worthy makes them the pheasant to face;
+ Each culm so tender as if to droop fain,
+ Each one so verdant, in aspect so cool,
+ The curb protects, from the steps wards the pool.
+ The pervious screens the tripod smell restrain.
+ The shadow will be strewn, mind do not shake
+ And (Hsieh) from her now long fine dream (awake)!
+
+On "the pure fragrance of the Ligularia and Iris Florentina:"
+
+ Hengs and Wus the still park permeate;
+ The los and pis their sweet perfume enhance;
+ And supple charms the third spring flowers ornate;
+ Softly is wafted one streak of fragrance!
+ A light mist doth becloud the tortuous way!
+ With moist the clothes bedews, that verdure cold!
+ The pond who ever sinuous could hold?
+ Dreams long and subtle, dream the household Hsieh.
+
+On "the happy red and joyful green:"
+
+ Stillness pervades the deep pavilion on a lengthy day.
+ The green and red, together matched, transcendent grace display.
+ Unfurled do still remain in spring the green and waxlike leaves.
+ No sleep yet seeks the red-clad maid, though night's hours be
+ far-spent,
+ But o'er the rails lo, she reclines, dangling her ruddy sleeves;
+ Against the stone she leans shrouded by taintless scent,
+ And stands the quarter facing whence doth blow the eastern wind!
+ Her lord and master must look up to her with feelings kind.
+
+On "the sign on the apricot tree is visible:"
+
+ The apricot tree sign to drink wayfarers doth invite;
+ A farm located on a hill, lo! yonder strikes the sight!
+ And water caltrops, golden lotus, geese, as well as flows,
+ And mulberry and elm trees which afford rest to swallows.
+ That wide extent of spring leeks with verdure covers the ground;
+ And o'er ten li the paddy blossom fragrance doth abound.
+ In days of plenty there's a lack of dearth and of distress,
+ And what need then is there to plough and weave with such briskness?
+
+When the Chia consort had done with the perusal, excessive joy filled
+her heart. "He has indeed made progress!" she exclaimed, and went on to
+point at the verses on "the sign on the apricot tree," as being the
+crowning piece of the four stanzas. In due course, she with her own
+hands changed the motto "a cottage in the hills where dolichos is
+bleached" into "the paddy-scented village;" and bidding also T'an Ch'un
+to take the several tens of stanzas written then, and to transcribe them
+separately on ornamented silk paper, she commanded a eunuch to send them
+to the outer quarters. And when Chia Cheng and the other men perused
+them, one and all sung their incessant praise, while Chia Cheng, on his
+part, sent in some complimentary message, with regard to her return home
+on a visit.
+
+Yuan Ch'un went further and gave orders that luscious wines, a ham and
+other such presents should be conferred upon Pao-yue, as well as upon
+Chia Lan. This Chia Lan was as yet at this time a perfect youth without
+any knowledge of things in general, so that all that he could do was to
+follow the example of his mother, and imitate his uncle in performing
+the conventional rites.
+
+At the very moment that Chia Se felt unable, along with a company of
+actresses, to bear the ordeal of waiting on the ground floor of the
+two-storied building, he caught sight of a eunuch come running at a
+flying pace. "The composition of verses is over," he said, "so quick
+give me the programme;" whereupon Chia Se hastened to present the
+programme as well as a roll of the names of the twelve girls. And not a
+long interval elapsed before four plays were chosen; No. 1 being the
+Imperial Banquet; No. 2 Begging (the weaver goddess) for skill in
+needlework; No. 3 The spiritual match; and No. 4 the Parting spirit.
+Chia Se speedily lent a hand in the getting up, and the preparations for
+the performance, and each of the girls sang with a voice sufficient to
+split the stones and danced in the manner of heavenly spirits; and
+though their exterior was that of the characters in which they were
+dressed up for the play, their acting nevertheless represented, in a
+perfect manner, both sorrow as well as joy. As soon as the performance
+was brought to a close, a eunuch walked in holding a golden salver
+containing cakes, sweets, and the like, and inquired who was Ling Kuan;
+and Chia Se readily concluding that these articles were presents
+bestowed upon Ling Kuan, made haste to take them over, as he bade Ling
+Kuan prostrate herself.
+
+"The honourable consort," the eunuch further added, "directs that Ling
+Kuan, who is the best actress of the lot, should sing two more songs;
+any two will do, she does not mind what they are."
+
+Chia Se at once expressed his obedience, and felt constrained to urge
+Ling Kuan to sing the two ballads entitled: "The walk through the
+garden" and "Frightened out of a dream." But Ling Kuan asserted that
+these two ballads had not originally been intended for her own role; and
+being firm in her refusal to accede and insisting upon rendering the two
+songs "The Mutual Promise" and "The Mutual Abuse," Chia Se found it hard
+to bring her round, and had no help but to let her have her own way. The
+Chia consort was so extremely enchanted with her that she gave
+directions that she should not be treated harshly, and that this girl
+should receive a careful training, while besides the fixed number of
+presents, she gave her two rolls of palace silk, two purses, gold and
+silver ingots, and presents in the way of eatables.
+
+Subsequently, when the banquet had been cleared, and she once more
+prosecuted her visit through those places to which she had not been, she
+quite accidentally espied the Buddhist Temple encircled by hills, and
+promptly rinsing her hands, she walked in and burnt incense and
+worshipped Buddha. She also composed the device for a tablet, "a humane
+boat on the (world's) bitter sea," and went likewise so far as to show
+special acts of additional grace to a company of ascetic nuns and Taoist
+priestesses.
+
+A eunuch came in a short while and reverently fell on his knees. "The
+presents are all in readiness," he reported, "and may it please you to
+inspect them and to distribute them, in compliance with custom;" and
+presented to her a list, which the Chia consort perused from the very
+top throughout without raising any objection, and readily commanding
+that action should be taken according to the list, a eunuch descended
+and issued the gifts one after another. The presents for dowager lady
+Chia consisted, it may be added, of two sceptres, one of gold, the other
+of jade, with "may your wishes be fulfilled" inscribed on them; a staff
+made of lign-aloes; a string of chaplet beads of Chia-nan fragrant wood;
+four rolls of imperial satins with words "Affluence and honours" and
+Perennial Spring (woven in them); four rolls of imperial silk with
+Perennial Happiness and Longevity; two shoes of purple gold bullion,
+representing a pen, an ingot and "as you like;" and ten silver ingots
+with the device "Felicitous Blessings." While the two shares for madame
+Hsing and madame Wang were only short of hers by the sceptres and
+staffs, four things in all. Chia She, Chia Cheng and the others had each
+apportioned to him a work newly written by the Emperor, two boxes of
+superior ink, and gold and silver cups, two pairs of each; their other
+gifts being identical with those above. Pao-ch'ai, Tai-yue, all the
+sisters and the rest were assigned each a copy of a new book, a fine
+slab and two pair of gold and silver ornaments of a novel kind and
+original shape; Pao-yue likewise receiving the same presents. Chia Lan's
+gifts consisted of two necklets, one of gold, the other of silver, and
+of two pair of gold ingots. Mrs. Yu, widow Li Wan, lady Feng and the
+others had each of them, four ingots of gold and silver; and, in the way
+of keepsakes, four pieces of silk. There were, in addition, presents
+consisting of twenty-four pieces of silk and a thousand strings of good
+cash to be allotted to the nurses, and waiting-maids, in the apartments
+of dowager lady Chia, madame Wang and of the respective sisters; while
+Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Chia Huan, Chia Jung and the rest had, every one,
+for presents, a piece of silk, and a pair of gold and silver ingots.
+
+As regards the other gifts, there were a hundred rolls of various
+coloured silks, a thousand ounces of pure silver, and several bottles of
+imperial wine, intended to be bestowed upon all the men-servants of the
+mansions, on the East and the West, as well as upon those who had been
+in the garden overseeing works, arranging the decorations, and in
+waiting to answer calls, and upon those who looked after the theatres
+and managed the lanterns. There being, besides, five hundred strings of
+pure cash for the cooks, waiters, jugglers and hundreds of actors and
+every kind of domestic.
+
+The whole party had finished giving expression to their thanks for her
+bounty, when the managers and eunuchs respectfully announced: "It is
+already a quarter to three, and may it please your Majesty to turn back
+your imperial chariot;" whereupon, much against her will, the Chia
+consort's eyes brimmed over, and she once more gave vent to tears.
+Forcing herself however again to put on a smile, she clasped old lady
+Chia's and madame Wang's hands, and could not bring herself to let them
+go; while she repeatedly impressed upon their minds: that there was no
+need to give way to any solicitude, and that they should take good care
+of their healths; that the grace of the present emperor was so vast,
+that once a month he would grant permission for them to enter the palace
+and pay her a visit. "It is easy enough for us to see each other," (she
+said,) "and why should we indulge in any excess of grief? But when his
+majesty in his heavenly generosity allows me another time to return
+home, you shouldn't go in for such pomp and extravagance."
+
+Dowager lady Chia and the other inmates had already cried to such an
+extent that sobs choked their throats and they could with difficulty
+give utterance to speech. But though the Chia consort could not
+reconcile herself to the separation, the usages in vogue in the imperial
+household could not be disregarded or infringed, so that she had no
+alternative but to stifle the anguish of her heart, to mount her
+chariot, and take her departure.
+
+The whole family experienced meanwhile a hard task before they succeeded
+in consoling the old lady and madame Wang and in supporting them away
+out of the garden. But as what follows is not ascertained, the next
+chapter will disclose it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+ In the vehemence of her feelings, Hua (Hsi Jen) on a quiet evening
+ admonishes Pao-yue.
+ While (the spell) of affection continues unbroken, Pao-yue, on a still
+ day, perceives the fragrance emitted from Tai-yue's person.
+
+
+The Chia consort, we must now go on to explain, returned to the Palace,
+and the next day, on her appearance in the presence of His Majesty, she
+thanked him for his bounty and gave him furthermore an account of her
+experiences on her visit home. His Majesty's dragon countenance was much
+elated, and he also issued from the privy store coloured satins, gold
+and silver and such like articles to be presented to Chia Cheng and the
+other officials in the various households of her relatives. But
+dispensing with minute details about them, we will now revert to the two
+mansions of Jung and Ning.
+
+With the extreme strain on mind and body for successive days, the
+strength of one and all was, in point of fact, worn out and their
+respective energies exhausted. And it was besides after they had been
+putting by the various decorations and articles of use for two or three
+days, that they, at length, got through the work.
+
+Lady Feng was the one who had most to do, and whose responsibilities
+were greatest. The others could possibly steal a few leisure moments and
+retire to rest, while she was the sole person who could not slip away.
+In the second place, naturally anxious as she was to excel and both to
+fall in people's estimation, she put up with the strain just as if she
+were like one of those who had nothing to attend to. But the one who had
+the least to do and had the most leisure was Pao-yue.
+
+As luck would have it on this day, at an early hour, Hsi Jen's mother
+came again in person and told dowager lady Chia that she would take Hsi
+Jen home to drink a cup of tea brewed in the new year and that she would
+return in the evening. For this reason Pao-yue was only in the company of
+all the waiting-maids, throwing dice, playing at chess and amusing
+himself. But while he was in the room playing with them with a total
+absence of zest, he unawares perceived a few waiting-maids arrive, who
+informed him that their senior master Mr. Chen, of the Eastern Mansion,
+had come to invite him to go and see a theatrical performance, and the
+fireworks, which were to be let off.
+
+Upon hearing these words, Pao-yue speedily asked them to change his
+clothes; but just as he was ready to start, presents of cream, steamed
+with sugar, arrived again when least expected from the Chia Consort, and
+Pao-yue recollecting with what relish Hsi Jen had partaken of this dish
+on the last occasion forthwith bid them keep it for her; while he went
+himself and told dowager lady Chia that he was going over to see the
+play.
+
+The plays sung over at Chia Chen's consisted, who would have thought it,
+of "Ting L'ang recognises his father," and "Huang Po-ying deploys the
+spirits for battle," and in addition to these, "Sung Hsing-che causes
+great commotion in the heavenly palace;" "Ghiang T'ai-kung kills the
+general and deifies him," and other such like. Soon appeared the spirits
+and devils in a confused crowd on the stage, and suddenly also became
+visible the whole band of sprites and goblins, among which were some
+waving streamers, as they went past in a procession, invoking Buddha and
+burning incense. The sound of the gongs and drums and of shouts and
+cries were audible at a distance beyond the lane; and in the whole
+street, one and all extolled the performance as exceptionally grand, and
+that the like could never have been had in the house of any other
+family.
+
+Pao-yue, noticing that the commotion and bustle had reached a stage so
+unbearable to his taste, speedily betook himself, after merely sitting
+for a little while, to other places in search of relaxation and fun.
+First of all, he entered the inner rooms, and after spending some time
+in chatting and laughing with Mrs. Yu, the waiting-maids, and secondary
+wives, he eventually took his departure out of the second gate; and as
+Mrs. Yu and her companions were still under the impression that he was
+going out again to see the play, they let him speed on his way, without
+so much as keeping an eye over him.
+
+Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Hsueh P'an and the others were bent upon guessing
+enigmas, enforcing the penalties and enjoying themselves in a hundred
+and one ways, so that even allowing that they had for a moment noticed
+that he was not occupying his seat, they must merely have imagined that
+he had gone inside and not, in fact, worried their minds about him. And
+as for the pages, who had come along with Pao-yue, those who were a
+little advanced in years, knowing very well that Pao-yue would, on an
+occasion like the present, be sure not to be going before dusk,
+stealthily therefore took advantage of his absence, those, who could, to
+gamble for money, and others to go to the houses of relatives and
+friends to drink of the new year tea, so that what with gambling and
+drinking the whole bevy surreptitiously dispersed, waiting for dusk
+before they came back; while those, who were younger, had all crept into
+the green rooms to watch the excitement; with the result that Pao-yue
+perceiving not one of them about bethought himself of a small reading
+room, which existed in previous days on this side, in which was
+suspended a picture of a beauty so artistically executed as to look
+life-like. "On such a bustling day as this," he reasoned, "it's pretty
+certain, I fancy, that there will be no one in there; and that beautiful
+person must surely too feel lonely, so that it's only right that I
+should go and console her a bit." With these thoughts, he hastily betook
+himself towards the side-house yonder, and as soon as he came up to the
+window, he heard the sound of groans in the room. Pao-yue was really
+quite startled. "What!" (he thought), "can that beautiful girl,
+possibly, have come to life!" and screwing up his courage, he licked a
+hole in the paper of the window and peeped in. It was not she, however,
+who had come to life, but Ming Yen holding down a girl and likewise
+indulging in what the Monitory Dream Fairy had taught him.
+
+"Dreadful!" exclaimed Pao-yue, aloud, unable to repress himself, and,
+stamping one of his feet, he walked into the door to the terror of both
+of them, who parting company, shivered with fear, like clothes that are
+being shaken. Ming Yen perceiving that it was Pao-yue promptly fell on
+his knees and piteously implored for pardon.
+
+"What! in broad daylight! what do you mean by it? Were your master Mr.
+Chen to hear of it, would you die or live?" asked Pao-yue, as he
+simultaneously cast a glance at the servant-girl, who although not a
+beauty was anyhow so spick and span, and possessed besides a few charms
+sufficient to touch the heart. From shame, her face was red and her ears
+purple, while she lowered her head and uttered not a syllable.
+
+Pao-yue stamped his foot. "What!" he shouted, "don't you yet bundle
+yourself away!"
+
+This simple remark suggested the idea to the girl's mind who ran off, as
+if she had wings to fly with; but as Pao-yue went also so far as to go in
+pursuit of her, calling out: "Don't be afraid, I'm not one to tell
+anyone," Ming Yen was so exasperated that he cried, as he went after
+them, "My worthy ancestor, this is distinctly telling people about it."
+
+"How old is that servant girl?" Pao-yue having asked; "She's, I expect,
+no more than sixteen or seventeen," Ming Yen rejoined.
+
+"Well, if you haven't gone so far as to even ascertain her age," Pao-yue
+observed, "you're sure to know still less about other things; and it
+makes it plain enough that her acquaintance with you is all vain and
+futile! What a pity! what a pity!"
+
+He then went on to enquire what her name was; and "Were I," continued
+Ming Yen smiling, "to tell you about her name it would involve a long
+yarn; it's indeed a novel and strange story! She relates that while her
+mother was nursing her, she dreamt a dream and obtained in this dream
+possession of a piece of brocaded silk, on which were designs, in
+variegated colours, representing opulence and honour, and a continuous
+line of the character Wan; and that this reason accounts for the name of
+Wan Erh, which was given her."
+
+"This is really strange!" Pao-yue exclaimed with a grin, after lending an
+ear to what he had to say; "and she is bound, I think, by and by to have
+a good deal of good fortune!"
+
+These words uttered, he plunged in deep thought for a while, and Ming
+Yen having felt constrained to inquire: "Why aren't you, Mr. Secundus,
+watching a theatrical performance of this excellent kind?" "I had been
+looking on for ever so long," Pao-yue replied, "until I got quite weary;
+and had just come out for a stroll, when I happened to meet you two. But
+what's to be done now?"
+
+Ming Yen gave a faint smile. "As there's no one here to know anything
+about it," he added, "I'll stealthily take you, Mr. Secundus, for a walk
+outside the city walls; and we'll come back shortly, before they've got
+wind of it."
+
+"That won't do," Pao-yue demurred, "we must be careful, or else some
+beggar might kidnap us away; besides, were they to come to hear of it,
+there'll be again a dreadful row; and isn't it better that we should go
+to some nearer place, from which we could, after all, return at once?"
+
+"As for some nearer place," Ming Yen observed; "to whose house can we
+go? It's really no easy matter!"
+
+"My idea is," Pao-yue suggested with a smirk, "that we should simply go,
+and find sister Hua, and see what she's up to at home."
+
+"Yes! Yes!" Ming Yen replied laughingly; "the fact is I had forgotten
+all about her home; but should it reach their ears," he continued,
+"they'll say that it was I who led you, Mr. Secundus, astray, and
+they'll beat me!"
+
+"I'm here for you!" Pao-yue having assured him; Ming Yen at these words
+led the horses round, and the two of them speedily made their exit by
+the back gate. Luckily Hsi Jen's house was not far off. It was no
+further than half a li's distance, so that in a twinkle they had already
+reached the front of the door, and Ming Yen was the first to walk in and
+to call for Hsi Jen's eldest brother Hua Tzu-fang.
+
+Hsi Jen's mother had, on this occasion, united in her home Hsi Jen,
+several of her sister's daughters, as well as a few of her nieces, and
+they were engaged in partaking of fruits and tea, when they heard some
+one outside call out, "Brother Hua." Hua Tzu-fang lost no time in
+rushing out; and upon looking and finding that it was the two of them,
+the master and his servant, he was so taken by surprise that his fears
+could not be set at rest. Promptly, he clasped Pao-yue in his arms and
+dismounted him, and coming into the court, he shouted out at the top of
+his voice: "Mr. Pao has come." The other persons heard the announcement
+of his arrival, with equanimity, but when it reached Hsi Jen's ears, she
+truly felt at such a loss to fathom the object of his visit that issuing
+hastily out of the room, she came to meet Pao-yue, and as she laid hold
+of him: "Why did you come?" she asked.
+
+"I felt awfully dull," Pao-yue rejoined with a smile, "and came to see
+what you were up to."
+
+Hsi Jen at these words banished, at last, all anxiety from her mind.
+"You're again up to your larks," she observed, "but what's the aim of
+your visit? Who else has come along with him?" she at the same time went
+on to question Ming Yen.
+
+"All the others know nothing about it!" explained Ming Yen exultingly;
+"only we two do, that's all."
+
+When Hsi Jen heard this remark, she gave way afresh to solicitous fears:
+"This is dreadful!" she added; "for were you to come across any one from
+the house, or to meet master; or were, in the streets, people to press
+against you, or horses to collide with you, as to make (his horse) shy,
+and he were to fall, would that too be a joke? The gall of both of you
+is larger than a peck measure; but it's all you, Ming Yen, who has
+incited him, and when I go back, I'll surely tell the nurses to beat
+you."
+
+Ming Yen pouted his mouth. "Mr. Secundus," he pleaded, "abused me and
+beat me, as he bade me bring him here, and now he shoves the blame on my
+shoulders! 'Don't let us go,' I suggested; 'but if you do insist, well
+then let us go and have done.'"
+
+Hua Tzu-fang promptly interceded. "Let things alone," he said; "now that
+they're already here, there's no need whatever of much ado. The only
+thing is that our mean house with its thatched roof is both so crammed
+and so filthy that how could you, sir, sit in it!"
+
+Hsi Jen's mother also came out at an early period to receive him, and
+Hsi Jen pulled Pao-yue in. Once inside the room, Pao-yue perceived three
+or five girls, who, as soon as they caught sight of him approaching, all
+lowered their heads, and felt so bashful that their faces were suffused
+with blushes. But as both Hua Tzu-fang and his mother were afraid that
+Pao-yue would catch cold, they pressed him to take a seat on the
+stove-bed, and hastened to serve a fresh supply of refreshments, and to
+at once bring him a cup of good tea.
+
+"You needn't be flurrying all for nothing," Hsi Jen smilingly
+interposed; "I, naturally, should know; and there's no use of even
+laying out any fruits, as I daren't recklessly give him anything to
+eat."
+
+Saying this, she simultaneously took her own cushion and laid it on a
+stool, and after Pao-yue took a seat on it, she placed the footstove she
+had been using, under his feet; and producing, from a satchet, two
+peach-blossom-scented small cakes, she opened her own hand-stove and
+threw them into the fire; which done, she covered it well again and
+placed it in Pao-yue's lap. And eventually, she filled her own tea-cup
+with tea and presented it to Pao-yue, while, during this time, her mother
+and sister had been fussing about, laying out in fine array a tableful
+of every kind of eatables.
+
+Hsi Jen noticed that there were absolutely no things that he could eat,
+but she felt urged to say with a smile: "Since you've come, it isn't
+right that you should go empty away; and you must, whether the things be
+good or bad, taste a little, so that it may look like a visit to my
+house!"
+
+As she said this, she forthwith took several seeds of the fir-cone, and
+cracking off the thin skin, she placed them in a handkerchief and
+presented them to Pao-yue. But Pao-yue, espying that Hsi Jen's two eyes
+were slightly red, and that the powder was shiny and moist, quietly
+therefore inquired of Hsi Jen, "Why do you cry for no rhyme or reason?"
+
+"Why should I cry?" Hsi Jen laughed; "something just got into my eyes
+and I rubbed them." By these means she readily managed to evade
+detection; but seeing that Pao-yue wore a deep red archery-sleeved
+pelisse, ornamented with gold dragons, and lined with fur from foxes'
+ribs and a grey sable fur surtout with a fringe round the border. "What!
+have you," she asked, "put on again your new clothes for? specially to
+come here? and didn't they inquire of you where you were going?"
+
+"I had changed," Pao-yue explained with a grin, "as Mr. Chen had invited
+me to go over and look at the play."
+
+"Well, sit a while and then go back;" Hsi Jen continued as she nodded
+her head; "for this isn't the place for you to come to!"
+
+"You'd better be going home now," Pao-yue suggested smirkingly; "where
+I've again kept something good for you."
+
+"Gently," smiled Hsi Jen, "for were you to let them hear, what figure
+would we cut?" And with these, words, she put out her hand and
+unclasping from Pao-yue's neck the jade of Spiritual Perception, she
+faced her cousins and remarked exultingly. "Here! see for yourselves;
+look at this and learn! When I repeatedly talked about it, you all
+thought it extraordinary, and were anxious to have a glance at it;
+to-day, you may gaze on it with all your might, for whatever precious
+thing you may by and by come to see will really never excel such an
+object as this!"
+
+When she had finished speaking, she handed it over to them, and after
+they had passed it round for inspection, she again fastened it properly
+on Pao-yue's neck, and also bade her brother go and hire a small
+carriage, or engage a small chair, and escort Pao-yue back home.
+
+"If I see him back," Hua Tzu-fang remarked, "there would be no harm,
+were he even to ride his horse!"
+
+"It isn't because of harm," Hsi Jen replied; "but because he may come
+across some one from the house."
+
+Hua Tzu-fang promptly went and bespoke a small chair; and when it came
+to the door, the whole party could not very well detain him, and they of
+course had to see Pao-yue out of the house; while Hsi Jen, on the other
+hand, snatched a few fruits and gave them to Ming Yen; and as she at the
+same time pressed in his hand several cash to buy crackers with to let
+off, she enjoined him not to tell any one as he himself would likewise
+incur blame.
+
+As she uttered these words, she straightway escorted Pao-yue as far as
+outside the door, from whence having seen him mount into the sedan
+chair, she dropped the curtain; whereupon Ming Yen and her brother, the
+two of them, led the horses and followed behind in his wake. Upon
+reaching the street where the Ning mansion was situated, Ming Yen told
+the chair to halt, and said to Hua Tzu-fang, "It's advisable that I
+should again go, with Mr. Secundus, into the Eastern mansion, to show
+ourselves before we can safely betake ourselves home; for if we don't,
+people will suspect!"
+
+Hua Tzu-fang, upon hearing that there was good reason in what he said,
+promptly clasped Pao-yue out of the chair and put him on the horse,
+whereupon after Pao-yue smilingly remarked: "Excuse me for the trouble
+I've surely put you to," they forthwith entered again by the back gate;
+but putting aside all details, we will now confine ourselves to Pao-yue.
+
+After he had walked out of the door, the several waiting-maids in his
+apartments played and laughed with greater zest and with less restraint.
+Some there were who played at chess, others who threw the dice or had a
+game of cards; and they covered the whole floor with the shells of
+melon-seeds they were cracking, when dame Li, his nurse, happened to
+come in, propping herself on a staff, to pay her respects and to see
+Pao-yue, and perceiving that Pao-yue was not at home and that the
+servant-girls were only bent upon romping, she felt intensely disgusted.
+"Since I've left this place," she therefore exclaimed with a sigh, "and
+don't often come here, you've become more and more unmannerly; while the
+other nurse does still less than ever venture to expostulate with you;
+Pao-yue is like a candlestick eighty feet high, shedding light on others,
+and throwing none upon himself! All he knows is to look down upon people
+as being filthy; and yet this is his room and he allows you to put it
+topsy-turvey, and to become more and more unmindful of decorum!"
+
+These servant-girls were well aware that Pao-yue was not particular in
+these respects, and that in the next place nurse Li, having pleaded old
+age, resigned her place and gone home, had nowadays no control over
+them, so that they simply gave their minds to romping and joking, and
+paid no heed whatever to her. Nurse Li however still kept on asking
+about Pao-yue, "How much rice he now ate at one meal? and at what time he
+went to sleep?" to which questions, the servant-girls replied quite at
+random; some there being too who observed: "What a dreadful despicable
+old thing she is!"
+
+"In this covered bowl," she continued to inquire, "is cream, and why not
+give it to me to eat?" and having concluded these words, she took it up
+and there and then began eating it.
+
+"Be quick, and leave it alone!" a servant-girl expostulated, "that, he
+said, was kept in order to be given to Hsi Jen; and on his return, when
+he again gets into a huff, you, old lady, must, on your own motion,
+confess to having eaten it, and not involve us in any way as to have to
+bear his resentment."
+
+Nurse Li, at these words, felt both angry and ashamed. "I can't
+believe," she forthwith remarked, "that he has become so bad at heart!
+Not to speak of the milk I've had, I have, in fact every right to even
+something more expensive than this; for is it likely that he holds Hsi
+Jen dearer than myself? It can't forsooth be that he doesn't bear in
+mind how that I've brought him up to be a big man, and how that he has
+eaten my blood transformed into milk and grown up to this age! and will
+be because I'm now having a bowl of milk of his be angry on that score!
+I shall, yes, eat it, and we'll see what he'll do! I don't know what you
+people think of Hsi Jen, but she was a lowbred girl, whom I've with my
+own hands raised up! and what fine object indeed was she!"
+
+As she spoke, she flew into a temper, and taking the cream she drank the
+whole of it.
+
+"They don't know how to speak properly!" another servant-girl interposed
+sarcastically, "and it's no wonder that you, old lady, should get angry!
+Pao-yue still sends you, venerable dame, presents as a proof of his
+gratitude, and is it possible that he will feel displeased for such a
+thing like this?"
+
+"You girls shouldn't also pretend to be artful flatterers to cajole me!"
+nurse Li added; "do you imagine that I'm not aware of the dismissal, the
+other day, of Hsi Hsueeh, on account of a cup of tea? and as it's clear
+enough that I've incurred blame, I'll come by and by and receive it!"
+
+Having said this, she went off in a dudgeon, but not a long interval
+elapsed before Pao-yue returned, and gave orders to go and fetch Hsi Jen;
+and perceiving Ching Ling reclining on the bed perfectly still: "I
+presume she's ill," Pao-yue felt constrained to inquire, "or if she isn't
+ill, she must have lost at cards."
+
+"Not so!" observed Chiu Wen; "she had been a winner, but dame Li came in
+quite casually and muddled her so that she lost; and angry at this she
+rushed off to sleep."
+
+"Don't place yourselves," Pao-yue smiled, "on the same footing as nurse
+Li, and if you were to let her alone, everything will be all right."
+
+These words were still on his lips when Hsi Jen arrived. After the
+mutual salutations, Hsi Jen went on to ask of Pao-yue: "Where did you
+have your repast? and what time did you come back?" and to present
+likewise, on behalf of her mother and sister, her compliments to all the
+girls, who were her companions. In a short while, she changed her
+costume and divested herself of her fineries, and Pao-yue bade them fetch
+the cream.
+
+"Nurse Li has eaten it," the servant-girls rejoined, and as Pao-yue was
+on the point of making some remark Hsi Jen hastened to interfere,
+laughing the while; "Is it really this that you had kept for me? many
+thanks for the trouble; the other day, when I had some, I found it very
+toothsome, but after I had partaken of it, I got a pain in the stomach,
+and was so much upset, that it was only after I had brought it all up
+that I felt all right. So it's as well that she has had it, for, had it
+been kept here, it would have been wasted all for no use! What I fancy
+are dry chestnuts; and while you clean a few for me, I'll go and lay the
+bed!"
+
+Pao-yue upon hearing these words credited them as true, so that he
+discarded all thought of the cream and fetched the chestnuts, which he,
+with his own hands, selected and pealed. Perceiving at the same time
+that none of the party were present in the room, he put on a smile and
+inquired of Hsi Jen: "Who were those persons dressed in red to day?"
+
+"They're my two cousins on my mother's side," Hsi Jen explained, and
+hearing this, Pao-yue sang their praise as he heaved a couple of sighs.
+
+"What are you sighing for?" Hsi Jen remarked. "I know the secret reasons
+of your heart; it's I fancy because she isn't fit to wear red!"
+
+"It isn't that," Pao-yue protested smilingly, "it isn't that; if such a
+person as that isn't good enough to be dressed in red, who would
+forsooth presume to wear it? It's because I find her so really lovely!
+and if we could, after all, manage to get her into our family, how nice
+it would be then!"
+
+Hsi Jen gave a sardonic smile. "That it's my own fate to be a slave
+doesn't matter, but is it likely that the destiny of even my very
+relatives could be to become one and all of them bond servants? But you
+should certainly set your choice upon some really beautiful girl, for
+she would in that case be good enough to enter your house."
+
+"Here you are again with your touchiness!" Pao-yue eagerly exclaimed
+smiling, "if I said that she should come to our house, does it
+necessarily imply that she should be a servant? and wouldn't it do were
+I to mention that she should come as a relative!"
+
+"That too couldn't exalt her to be a fit match for you!" rejoined Hsi
+Jen; but Pao-yue being loth to continue the conversation, simply busied
+himself with cleaning the chestnuts.
+
+"How is it you utter not a word?" Hsi Jen laughed; "I expect it's
+because I just offended you by my inconsiderate talk! But if by and by
+you have your purpose fixed on it, just spend a few ounces of silver to
+purchase them with, and bring them in and have done!"
+
+"How would you have one make any reply?" Pao-yue smilingly rejoined; "all
+I did was to extol her charms; for she's really fit to have been born in
+a deep hall and spacious court as this; and it isn't for such foul
+things as myself and others to contrariwise spend our days in this
+place!"
+
+"Though deprived of this good fortune," Hsi Jen explained, "she's
+nevertheless also petted and indulged and the jewel of my maternal uncle
+and my aunt! She's now seventeen years of age, and everything in the way
+of trousseau has been got ready, and she's to get married next year."
+
+Upon hearing the two words "get married," he could not repress himself
+from again ejaculating: "Hai hai!" but while he was in an unhappy frame
+of mind, he once more heard Hsi Jen remark as she heaved a sigh: "Ever
+since I've come here, we cousins haven't all these years been able to
+get to live together, and now that I'm about to return home, they, on
+the other hand, will all be gone!"
+
+Pao-yue, realising that there lurked in this remark some meaning or
+other, was suddenly so taken aback that dropping the chestnuts, he
+inquired: "How is it that you now want to go back?"
+
+"I was present to-day," Hsi Jen explained, "when mother and brother held
+consultation together, and they bade me be patient for another year, and
+that next year they'll come up and redeem me out of service!"
+
+Pao-yue, at these words, felt the more distressed. "Why do they want to
+redeem you?" he consequently asked.
+
+"This is a strange question!" Hsi Jen retorted, "for I can't really be
+treated as if I were the issue born in this homestead of yours! All the
+members of my family are elsewhere, and there's only myself in this
+place, so that how could I end my days here?"
+
+"If I don't let you go, it will verily be difficult for you to get
+away!" Pao-yue replied.
+
+"There has never been such a principle of action!" urged Hsi Jen; "even
+in the imperial palace itself, there's a fixed rule, by which possibly
+every certain number of years a selection (of those who have to go takes
+place), and every certain number of years a new batch enters; and
+there's no such practice as that of keeping people for ever; not to
+speak of your own home."
+
+Pao-yue realised, after reflection, that she, in point of fact, was
+right, and he went on to observe: "Should the old lady not give you your
+release, it will be impossible for you to get off."
+
+"Why shouldn't she release me?" Hsi Jen questioned. "Am I really so very
+extraordinary a person as to have perchance made such an impression upon
+her venerable ladyship and my lady that they will be positive in not
+letting me go? They may, in all likelihood, give my family some more
+ounces of silver to keep me here; that possibly may come about. But, in
+truth, I'm also a person of the most ordinary run, and there are many
+more superior to me, yea very many! Ever since my youth up, I've been in
+her old ladyship's service; first by waiting upon Miss Shih for several
+years, and recently by being in attendance upon you for another term of
+years; and now that our people will come to redeem me, I should, as a
+matter of right, be told to go. My idea is that even the very redemption
+money won't be accepted, and that they will display such grace as to let
+me go at once. And, as for being told that I can't be allowed to go as
+I'm so diligent in my service to you, that's a thing that can on no
+account come about! My faithful attendance is an obligation of my
+duties, and is no exceptional service! and when I'm gone you'll again
+have some other faithful attendant, and it isn't likely that when I'm no
+more here, you'll find it impracticable to obtain one!"
+
+After Pao-yue had listened to these various arguments, which proved the
+reasonableness of her going and the unreasonableness of any detention,
+he felt his heart more than ever a prey to distress. "In spite of all
+you say," he therefore continued, "the sole desire of my heart is to
+detain you; and I have no doubt but that the old lady will speak to your
+mother about it; and if she were to give your mother ample money,
+she'll, of course, not feel as if she could very well with any decency
+take you home!"
+
+"My mother won't naturally have the audacity to be headstrong!" Hsi Jen
+ventured, "not to speak besides of the nice things, which may be told
+her and the lots of money she may, in addition, be given; but were she
+even not to be paid any compliments, and not so much as a single cash
+given her, she won't, if you set your mind upon keeping me here, presume
+not to comply with your wishes, were it also against my inclination. One
+thing however; our family would never rely upon prestige, and trust upon
+honorability to do anything so domineering as this! for this isn't like
+anything else, which, because you take a fancy to it, a hundred per cent
+profit can be added, and it obtained for you! This action can be well
+taken if the seller doesn't suffer loss! But in the present instance,
+were they to keep me back for no rhyme or reason, it would also be of no
+benefit to yourself; on the contrary, they would be instrumental in
+keeping us blood relatives far apart; a thing the like of which, I feel
+positive that dowager lady Chia and my lady will never do!"
+
+After lending an ear to this argument, Pao-yue cogitated within himself
+for a while. "From what you say," he then observed, "when you say you'll
+go, it means that you'll go for certain!"
+
+"Yes, that I'll go for certain," Hsi Jen rejoined.
+
+"Who would have anticipated," Pao-yue, after these words, mused in his
+own heart, "that a person like her would have shown such little sense of
+gratitude, and such a lack of respect! Had I," he then remarked aloud
+with a sigh, "been aware, at an early date, that your whole wish would
+have been to go, I wouldn't, in that case, have brought you over! But
+when you're away, I shall remain alone, a solitary spirit!"
+
+As he spoke, he lost control over his temper, and, getting into bed, he
+went to sleep.
+
+The fact is that when Hsi Jen had been at home, and she heard her mother
+and brother express their intention of redeeming her back, she there and
+then observed that were she even at the point of death, she would not
+return home. "When in past days," she had argued, "you had no rice to
+eat, there remained myself, who was still worth several taels; and
+hadn't I urged you to sell me, wouldn't I have seen both father and
+mother die of starvation under my very eyes? and you've now had the good
+fortune of selling me into this place, where I'm fed and clothed just
+like a mistress, and where I'm not beaten by day, nor abused by night!
+Besides, though now father be no more, you two have anyhow by putting
+things straight again, so adjusted the family estate that it has resumed
+its primitive condition. And were you, in fact, still in straitened
+circumstances, and you could by redeeming me back, make again some more
+money, that would be well and good; but the truth is that there's no
+such need, and what would be the use for you to redeem me at such a time
+as this? You should temporarily treat me as dead and gone, and shouldn't
+again recall any idea of redeeming me!"
+
+Having in consequence indulged in a loud fit of crying, her mother and
+brother resolved, when they perceived her in this determined frame of
+mind, that for a fact there was no need for her to come out of service.
+What is more they had sold her under contract until death, in the
+distinct reliance that the Chia family, charitable and generous a family
+as it was, would, possibly, after no more than a few entreaties, make
+them a present of her person as well as the purchase money. In the
+second place, never had they in the Chia mansion ill-used any of those
+below; there being always plenty of grace and little of imperiousness.
+Besides, the servant-girls, who acted as personal attendants in the
+apartments of the old as well as of the young, were treated so far
+unlike the whole body of domestics in the household that the daughters
+even of an ordinary and penniless parentage could not have been so
+looked up to. And these considerations induced both the mother as well
+as her son to at once dispel the intention and not to redeem her, and
+when Pao-yue had subsequently paid them an unexpected visit, and the two
+of them (Pao-yue and Hsi Jen) were seen to be also on such terms, the
+mother and her son obtained a clearer insight into their relations, and
+still one more burden (which had pressed on their mind) fell to the
+ground, and as besides this was a contingency, which they had never
+reckoned upon, they both composed their hearts, and did not again
+entertain any idea of ransoming her.
+
+It must be noticed moreover that Hsi Jen had ever since her youth not
+been blind to the fact that Pao-yue had an extraordinary temperament,
+that he was self-willed and perverse, far even in excess of all young
+lads, and that he had, in addition, a good many peculiarities and many
+unspeakable defects. And as of late he had placed such reliance in the
+fond love of his grandmother that his father and mother even could not
+exercise any extreme control over him, he had become so much the more
+remiss, dissolute, selfish and unconcerned, not taking the least
+pleasure in what was proper, that she felt convinced, whenever she
+entertained the idea of tendering him advice, that he would not listen
+to her. On this day, by a strange coincidence, came about the discussion
+respecting her ransom, and she designedly made use, in the first
+instance, of deception with a view to ascertain his feelings, to
+suppress his temper, and to be able subsequently to extend to him some
+words of admonition; and when she perceived that Pao-yue had now silently
+gone to sleep, she knew that his feelings could not brook the idea of
+her return and that his temper had already subsided. She had never had,
+as far as she was concerned, any desire of eating chestnuts, but as she
+feared lest, on account of the cream, some trouble might arise, which
+might again lead to the same results as when Hsi Hsueeh drank the tea,
+she consequently made use of the pretence that she fancied chestnuts, in
+order to put off Pao-yue from alluding (to the cream) and to bring the
+matter speedily to an end. But telling forthwith the young waiting-maids
+to take the chestnuts away and eat them, she herself came and pushed
+Pao-yue; but at the sight of Pao-yue with the traces of tears on his face,
+she at once put on a smiling expression and said: "What's there in this
+to wound your heart? If you positively do wish to keep me, I shall, of
+course, not go away!"
+
+Pao-yue noticed that these words contained some hidden purpose, and
+readily observed: "Do go on and tell me what else I can do to succeed in
+keeping you here, for of my own self I find it indeed difficult to say
+how!"
+
+"Of our friendliness all along," Hsi Jen smilingly rejoined, "there's
+naturally no need to speak; but, if you have this day made up your mind
+to retain me here, it isn't through this friendship that you'll succeed
+in doing so. But I'll go on and mention three distinct conditions, and,
+if you really do accede to my wishes, you'll then have shown an earnest
+desire to keep me here, and I won't go, were even a sword to be laid on
+my neck!"
+
+"Do tell me what these conditions are," Pao-yue pressed her with
+alacrity, as he smiled, "and I'll assent to one and all. My dear sister,
+my own dear sister, not to speak of two or three, but even two or three
+hundred of them I'm quite ready to accept. All I entreat you is that you
+and all of you should combine to watch over me and take care of me,
+until some day when I shall be transformed into flying ashes; but flying
+ashes are, after all, not opportune, as they have form and substance and
+they likewise possess sense, but until I've been metamorphosed into a
+streak of subtle smoke. And when the wind shall have with one puff
+dispelled me, all of you then will be unable to attend to me, just as
+much as I myself won't be able to heed you. You will, when that time
+comes, let me go where I please, as I'll let you speed where you choose
+to go!"
+
+These words so harassed Hsi Jen that she hastened to put her hand over
+his mouth. "Speak decently," she said; "I was on account of this just
+about to admonish you, and now here you are uttering all this still more
+loathsome trash."
+
+"I won't utter these words again," Pao-yue eagerly added.
+
+"This is the first fault that you must change," Hsi Jen replied.
+
+"I'll amend," Pao-yue observed, "and if I say anything of the kind again
+you can wring my mouth; but what else is there?"
+
+"The second thing is this," Hsi Jen explained; "whether you really like
+to study or whether you only pretend to like study is immaterial; but
+you should, when you are in the presence of master, or in the presence
+of any one else, not do nothing else than find fault with people and
+make fun of them, but behave just as if you were genuinely fond of
+study, so that you shouldn't besides provoke your father so much to
+anger, and that he should before others have also a chance of saying
+something! 'In my family,' he reflects within himself, 'generation after
+generation has been fond of books, but ever since I've had you, you
+haven't accomplished my expectations, and not only is it that you don't
+care about reading books,'--and this has already filled his heart with
+anger and vexation,--'but both before my face and behind my back, you
+utter all that stuff and nonsense, and give those persons, who have,
+through their knowledge of letters, attained high offices, the nickname
+of the "the salaried worms." You also uphold that there's no work
+exclusive (of the book where appears) "fathom spotless virtue;" and that
+all other books consist of foolish compilations, which owe their origin
+to former authors, who, unable themselves to expound the writings of
+Confucius, readily struck a new line and invented original notions.' Now
+with words like these, how can one wonder if master loses all patience,
+and if he does from time to time give you a thrashing! and what do you
+make other people think of you?"
+
+"I won't say these things again," Pao-yue laughingly protested, "these
+are the reckless and silly absurdities of a time when I was young and
+had no idea of the height of the heavens and the thickness of the earth;
+but I'll now no more repeat them. What else is there besides?"
+
+"It isn't right that you should sneer at the bonzes and vilify the
+Taoist priests, nor mix cosmetics or prepare rouge," Hsi Jen continued;
+"but there's still another thing more important, you shouldn't again
+indulge the bad habits of licking the cosmetic, applied by people on
+their lips, nor be fond of (girls dressed) in red!"
+
+"I'll change in all this," Pao-yue added by way of rejoinder; "I'll
+change in all this; and if there's anything more be quick and tell me."
+
+"There's nothing more," Hsi Jen observed; "but you must in everything
+exercise a little more diligence, and not indulge your caprices and
+allow your wishes to run riot, and you'll be all right. And should you
+comply to all these things in real earnest, you couldn't carry me out,
+even in a chair with eight bearers."
+
+"Well, if you do stay in here long enough," Pao-yue remarked with a
+smile, "there's no fear as to your not having an eight-bearer-chair to
+sit in!"
+
+Hsi Jen gave a sardonic grin. "I don't care much about it," she replied;
+"and were I even to have such good fortune, I couldn't enjoy such a
+right. But allowing I could sit in one, there would be no pleasure in
+it!"
+
+While these two were chatting, they saw Ch'iu Wen walk in. "It's the
+third watch of the night," she observed, "and you should go to sleep.
+Just a few moments back your grandmother lady Chia and our lady sent a
+nurse to ask about you, and I replied that you were asleep."
+
+Pao-yue bade her fetch a watch, and upon looking at the time, he found
+indeed that the hand was pointing at ten; whereupon rinsing his mouth
+again and loosening his clothes, he retired to rest, where we will leave
+him without any further comment.
+
+The next day, Hsi Jen got up as soon as it was dawn, feeling her body
+heavy, her head sore, her eyes swollen, and her limbs burning like fire.
+She managed however at first to keep up, an effort though it was, but as
+subsequently she was unable to endure the strain, and all she felt
+disposed to do was to recline, she therefore lay down in her clothes on
+the stove-couch. Pao-yue hastened to tell dowager lady Chia, and the
+doctor was sent for, who, upon feeling her pulse and diagnosing her
+complaint, declared that there was nothing else the matter with her than
+a chill, which she had suddenly contracted, that after she had taken a
+dose or two of medicine, it would be dispelled, and that she would be
+quite well. After he had written the prescription and taken his
+departure, some one was despatched to fetch the medicines, which when
+brought were properly decocted. As soon as she had swallowed a dose,
+Pao-yue bade her cover herself with her bed-clothes so as to bring on
+perspiration; while he himself came into Tai-yue's room to look her up.
+Tai-yue was at this time quite alone, reclining on her bed having a
+midday siesta, and the waiting-maids having all gone out to attend to
+whatever they pleased, the whole room was plunged in stillness and
+silence. Pao-yue raised the embroidered soft thread portiere and walked
+in; and upon espying Tai-yue in the room fast asleep, he hurriedly
+approached her and pushing her: "Dear cousin," he said, "you've just had
+your meal, and are you asleep already?" and he kept on calling "Tai-yue"
+till he woke her out of her sleep.
+
+Perceiving that it was Pao-yue, "You had better go for a stroll," Tai-yue
+urged, "for the day before yesterday I was disturbed the whole night,
+and up to this day I haven't had rest enough to get over the fatigue. My
+whole body feels languid and sore."
+
+"This languor and soreness," Pao-yue rejoined, "are of no consequence;
+but if you go on sleeping you'll be feeling very ill; so I'll try and
+distract you, and when we've dispelled this lassitude, you'll be all
+right."
+
+Tai-yue closed her eyes. "I don't feel any lassitude," she explained,
+"all I want is a little rest; and you had better go elsewhere and come
+back after romping about for a while."
+
+"Where can I go?" Pao-yue asked as he pushed her. "I'm quite sick and
+tired of seeing the others."
+
+At these words, Tai-yue burst out laughing with a sound of Ch'ih. "Well!
+since you wish to remain here," she added, "go over there and sit down
+quietly, and let's have a chat."
+
+"I'll also recline," Pao-yue suggested.
+
+"Well, then, recline!" Tai-yue assented.
+
+"There's no pillow," observed Pao-yue, "so let us lie on the same
+pillow."
+
+"What nonsense!" Tai-yue urged, "aren't those pillows outside? get one
+and lie on it."
+
+Pao-yue walked into the outer apartment, and having looked about him, he
+returned and remarked with a smile: "I don't want those, they may be,
+for aught I know, some dirty old hag's."
+
+Tai-yue at this remark opened her eyes wide, and as she raised herself
+up: "You're really," she exclaimed laughingly, "the evil star of my
+existence! here, please recline on this pillow!" and as she uttered
+these words, she pushed her own pillow towards Pao-yue, and, getting up
+she went and fetched another of her own, upon which she lay her head in
+such a way that both of them then reclined opposite to each other. But
+Tai-yue, upon turning up her eyes and looking, espied on Pao-yue's cheek
+on the left side of his face, a spot of blood about the size of a
+button, and speedily bending her body, she drew near to him, and rubbing
+it with her hand, she scrutinised it closely. "Whose nail," she went on
+to inquire, "has scratched this open?"
+
+Pao-yue with his body still reclining withdrew from her reach, and as he
+did so, he answered with a smile: "It isn't a scratch; it must, I
+presume, be simply a drop, which bespattered my cheek when I was just
+now mixing and clarifying the cosmetic paste for them."
+
+Saying this, he tried to get at his handkerchief to wipe it off; but
+Tai-yue used her own and rubbed it clean for him, while she observed: "Do
+you still give your mind to such things? attend to them you may; but
+must you carry about you a placard (to make it public)? Though uncle
+mayn't see it, were others to notice it, they would treat it as a
+strange occurrence and a novel bit of news, and go and tell him to curry
+favour, and when it has reached uncle's ear, we shall all again not come
+out clean, and provoke him to anger."
+
+Pao-yue did not in the least heed what she said, being intent upon
+smelling a subtle scent which, in point of fact, emanated from Tai-yue's
+sleeve, and when inhaled inebriated the soul and paralysed the bones.
+With a snatch, Pao-yue laid hold of Tai-yue's sleeve meaning to see what
+object was concealed in it; but Tai-yue smilingly expostulated: "At such
+a time as this," she said, "who keeps scents about one?"
+
+"Well, in that case," Pao-yue rejoined with a smirking face, "where does
+this scent come from?"
+
+"I myself don't know," Tai-yue replied; "I presume it must be, there's no
+saying, some scent in the press which has impregnated the clothes."
+
+"It doesn't follow," Pao-yue added, as he shook his head; "the fumes of
+this smell are very peculiar, and don't resemble the perfume of
+scent-bottles, scent-balls, or scented satchets!"
+
+"Is it likely that I have, like others, Buddhistic disciples," Tai-yue
+asked laughing ironically, "or worthies to give me novel kinds of
+scents? But supposing there is about me some peculiar scent, I haven't,
+at all events, any older or younger brothers to get the flowers, buds,
+dew, and snow, and concoct any for me; all I have are those common
+scents, that's all."
+
+"Whenever I utter any single remark," Pao-yue urged with a grin, "you at
+once bring up all these insinuations; but unless I deal with you
+severely, you'll never know what stuff I'm made of; but from henceforth
+I'll no more show you any grace!"
+
+As he spoke, he turned himself over, and raising himself, he puffed a
+couple of breaths into both his hands, and hastily stretching them out,
+he tickled Tai-yue promiscuously under her armpits, and along both sides.
+Tai-yue had never been able to stand tickling, so that when Pao-yue put
+out his two hands and tickled her violently, she forthwith giggled to
+such an extent that she could scarcely gasp for breath. "If you still go
+on teasing me," she shouted, "I'll get angry with you!"
+
+Pao-yue then kept his hands off, and as he laughed, "Tell me," he asked,
+"will you again come out with all those words or not?"
+
+"I daren't do it again," Tai-yue smiled and adjusted her hair; adding
+with another laugh: "I may have peculiar scents, but have you any 'warm'
+scents?"
+
+Pao-yue at this question, could not for a time unfold its meaning: "What
+'warm' scent?" he therefore asked.
+
+Tai-yue nodded her head and smiled deridingly. "How stupid! what a fool!"
+she sighed; "you have jade, and another person has gold to match with
+you, and if some one has 'cold' scent, haven't you any 'warm' scent as a
+set-off?"
+
+Pao-yue at this stage alone understood the import of her remark.
+
+"A short while back you craved for mercy," Pao-yue observed smilingly,
+"and here you are now going on talking worse than ever;" and as he spoke
+he again put out his hands.
+
+"Dear cousin," Tai-yue speedily implored with a smirk, "I won't venture
+to do it again."
+
+"As for letting you off," Pao-yue remarked laughing, "I'll readily let
+you off, but do allow me to take your sleeve and smell it!" and while
+uttering these words, he hastily pulled the sleeve, and pressing it
+against his face, kept on smelling it incessantly, whereupon Tai-yue drew
+her hand away and urged: "You must be going now!"
+
+"Though you may wish me to go, I can't," Pao-yue smiled, "so let us now
+lie down with all propriety and have a chat," laying himself down again,
+as he spoke, while Tai-yue likewise reclined, and covered her face with
+her handkerchief. Pao-yue in a rambling way gave vent to a lot of
+nonsense, which Tai-yue did not heed, and Pao-yue went on to inquire: "How
+old she was when she came to the capital? what sights and antiquities
+she saw on the journey? what relics and curiosities there were at Yang
+Chou? what were the local customs and the habits of the people?"
+
+Tai-yue made no reply; and Pao-yue fearing lest she should go to sleep,
+and get ill, readily set to work to beguile her to keep awake. "Ai yah!"
+he exclaimed, "at Yang Chou, where your official residence is, has
+occurred a remarkable affair; have you heard about it?"
+
+Tai-yue perceiving that he spoke in earnest, that his words were correct
+and his face serious, imagined that what he referred to was a true
+story, and she therefore inquired what it was?
+
+Pao-yue upon hearing her ask this question, forthwith suppressed a laugh,
+and, with a glib tongue, he began to spin a yarn. "At Yang Chou," he
+said, "there's a hill called the Tai hill; and on this hill stands a
+cave called the Lin Tzu."
+
+"This must all be lies," Tai-yue answered sneeringly, "as I've never
+before heard of such a hill."
+
+"Under the heavens many are the hills and rivers," Pao-yue rejoined, "and
+how could you know them all? Wait until I've done speaking, when you
+will be free to express your opinion!"
+
+"Go on then," Tai-yue suggested, whereupon Pao-yue prosecuted his
+raillery. "In this Lin Tzu cave," he said, "there was once upon a time a
+whole swarm of rat-elves. In some year or other and on the seventh day
+of the twelfth moon, an old rat ascended the throne to discuss matters.
+'Tomorrow,' he argued, 'is the eighth of the twelfth moon, and men in
+the world will all be cooking the congee of the eighth of the twelfth
+moon. We have now in our cave a short supply of fruits of all kinds, and
+it would be well that we should seize this opportunity to steal a few
+and bring them over.' Drawing a mandatory arrow, he handed it to a
+small rat, full of aptitude, to go forward on a tour of inspection. The
+young rat on his return reported that he had already concluded his
+search and inquiries in every place and corner, and that in the temple
+at the bottom of the hill alone was the largest stock of fruits and
+rice. 'How many kinds of rice are there?' the old rat ascertained, 'and
+how many species of fruits?' 'Rice and beans,' the young rat rejoined,
+'how many barns-full there are, I can't remember; but in the way of
+fruits there are five kinds: 1st, red dates; 2nd, chestnuts; 3rd, ground
+nuts; 4th, water caltrops, and 5th, scented taros.' At this report the
+old rat was so much elated that he promptly detailed rats to go forth;
+and as he drew the mandatory arrow, and inquired who would go and steal
+the rice, a rat readily received the order and went off to rob the rice.
+Drawing another mandatory arrow, he asked who would go and abstract the
+beans, when once more a rat took over the arrow and started to steal the
+beans; and one by one subsequently received each an arrow and started on
+his errand. There only remained the scented taros, so that picking again
+a mandatory arrow, he ascertained who would go and carry away the taros:
+whereupon a very puny and very delicate rat was heard to assent. 'I
+would like,' he said, 'to go and steal the scented taros.' The old rat
+and all the swarm of rats, upon noticing his state, feared that he would
+not be sufficiently expert, and apprehending at the same time that he
+was too weakly and too devoid of energy, they one and all would not
+allow him to proceed. 'Though I be young in years and though my frame be
+delicate,' the wee rat expostulated, 'my devices are unlimited, my talk
+is glib and my designs deep and farseeing; and I feel convinced that, on
+this errand, I shall be more ingenious in pilfering than any of them.'
+'How could you be more ingenious than they?' the whole company of rats
+asked. 'I won't,' explained the young rat, 'follow their example, and go
+straight to work and steal, but by simply shaking my body, and
+transforming myself, I shall metamorphose myself into a taro, and roll
+myself among the heap of taros, so that people will not be able to
+detect me, and to hear me; whereupon I shall stealthily, by means of the
+magic art of dividing my body into many, begin the removal, and little
+by little transfer the whole lot away, and will not this be far more
+ingenious than any direct pilfering or forcible abstraction?' After the
+whole swarm of rats had listened to what he had to say, they, with one
+voice, exclaimed: 'Excellent it is indeed, but what is this art of
+metamorphosis we wonder? Go forth you may, but first transform yourself
+and let us see you.' At these words the young rat laughed. 'This isn't a
+hard task!' he observed, 'wait till I transform myself.'
+
+"Having done speaking, he shook his body and shouted out 'transform,'
+when he was converted into a young girl, most beauteous and with a most
+lovely face.
+
+"'You've transformed yourself into the wrong thing,' all the rats
+promptly added deridingly; 'you said that you were to become a fruit,
+and how is it that you've turned into a young lady?'
+
+"The young rat in its original form rejoined with a sneering smile: 'You
+all lack, I maintain, experience of the world; what you simply are aware
+of is that this fruit is the scented taro, but have no idea that the
+young daughter of Mr. Lin, of the salt tax, is, in real truth, a genuine
+scented taro.'"
+
+Tai-yue having listened to this story, turned herself round and raising
+herself, she observed laughing, while she pushed Pao-yue: "I'll take that
+mouth of yours and pull it to pieces! Now I see that you've been
+imposing upon me."
+
+With these words on her lips, she readily gave him a pinch, and Pao-yue
+hastened to plead for mercy. "My dear cousin," he said, "spare me; I
+won't presume to do it again; and it's when I came to perceive this
+perfume of yours, that I suddenly bethought myself of this old story."
+
+"You freely indulge in abusing people," Tai-yue added with a smile, "and
+then go on to say that it's an old story."
+
+But hardly had she concluded this remark before they caught sight of
+Pao-ch'ai walk in. "Who has been telling old stories?" she asked with a
+beaming face; "do let me also hear them."
+
+Tai-yue pressed her at once into a seat. "Just see for yourself who else
+besides is here!" she smiled; "he goes in for profuse abuses and then
+maintains that it's an old story!"
+
+"Is it indeed cousin Pao-yue?" Pao-ch'ai remarked. "Well, one can't feel
+surprised at his doing it; for many have ever been the stories stored up
+in his brain. The only pity is that when he should make use of old
+stories, he invariably forgets them! To-day, he can easily enough recall
+them to mind, but in the stanza of the other night on the banana leaves,
+when he should have remembered them, he couldn't after all recollect
+what really stared him in the face! and while every one else seemed so
+cool, he was in such a flurry that he actually perspired! And yet, at
+this moment, he happens once again to have a memory!"
+
+At these words, Tai-yue laughed. "O-mi-to-fu!" she exclaimed. "You are
+indeed my very good cousin! But you've also (to Pao-yue) come across your
+match. And this makes it clear that requital and retribution never fail
+or err."
+
+She had just reached this part of her sentence, when in Pao-yue's rooms
+was heard a continuous sound of wrangling; but as what transpired is not
+yet known, the ensuing chapter will explain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+ Wang Hsi-feng with earnest words upbraids Mrs. Chao's jealous notions.
+ Lin Tai-yue uses specious language to make sport of Shih Hsiang-yuen's
+ querulous tone of voice.
+
+
+But to continue. Pao-yue was in Tai yue's apartments relating about the
+rat-elves, when Pao-ch'ai entered unannounced, and began to gibe Pao-yue,
+with trenchant irony: how that on the fifteenth of the first moon, he
+had shown ignorance of the allusion to the green wax; and the three of
+them then indulged in that room in mutual poignant satire, for the sake
+of fun. Pao-yue had been giving way to solicitude lest Tai-yue should, by
+being bent upon napping soon after her meal, be shortly getting an
+indigestion, or lest sleep should, at night, be completely dispelled, as
+neither of these things were conducive to the preservation of good
+health, when luckily Pao-ch'ai walked in, and they chatted and laughed
+together; and when Lin Tai-yue at length lost all inclination to dose, he
+himself then felt composed in his mind. But suddenly they heard
+clamouring begin in his room, and after they had all lent an ear and
+listened, Lin Tai-yue was the first to smile and make a remark. "It's
+your nurse having a row with Hsi Jen!" she said. "Hsi Jen treats her
+well enough, but that nurse of yours would also like to keep her well
+under her thumb; she's indeed an old dotard;" and Pao-yue was anxious to
+go over at once, but Pao-ch'ai laid hold of him and kept him back,
+suggesting: "It's as well that you shouldn't wrangle with your nurse,
+for she's quite stupid from old age; and it's but fair, on the contrary,
+that you should bear with her a little."
+
+"I know all about that!" Pao-yue rejoined. But having concluded this
+remark, he walked into his room, where he discovered nurse Li, leaning
+on her staff, standing in the centre of the floor, abusing Hsi Jen,
+saying: "You young wench! how utterly unmindful you are of your origin!
+It's I who've raised you up, and yet, when I came just now, you put on
+high airs and mighty side, and remained reclining on the stove-couch!
+You saw me well enough, but you paid not the least heed to me! Your
+whole heart is set upon acting like a wily enchantress to befool Pao-yue;
+and you so impose upon Pao-yue that he doesn't notice me, but merely
+lends an ear to what you people have to say! You're no more than a low
+girl bought for a few taels and brought in here; and will it ever do
+that you should be up to your mischievous tricks in this room? But
+whether you like it or not, I'll drag you out from this, and give you to
+some mean fellow, and we'll see whether you will still behave like a
+very imp, and cajole people or not?"
+
+Hsi Jen was, at first, under the simple impression that the nurse was
+wrath for no other reason than because she remained lying down, and she
+felt constrained to explain that "she was unwell, that she had just
+succeeded in perspiring, and that having had her head covered, she
+hadn't really perceived the old lady;" but when she came subsequently to
+hear her mention that she imposed upon Pao-yue, and also go so far as to
+add that she would be given to some mean fellow, she unavoidably
+experienced both a sense of shame and injury, and found it impossible to
+restrain herself from beginning to cry.
+
+Pao-yue had, it is true, caught all that had been said, but unable with
+any propriety to take notice of it, he thought it his duty to explain
+matters for her. "She's ill," he observed, "and is taking medicines; and
+if you don't believe it," he went on, "well then ask the rest of the
+servant-girls."
+
+Nurse Li at these words flew into a more violent dudgeon. "Your sole
+delight is to screen that lot of sly foxes!" she remarked, "and do you
+pay any notice to me? No, none at all! and whom would you like me to go
+and ask; who's it that doesn't back you? and who hasn't been dismounted
+from her horse by Hsi Jen? I know all about it; but I'll go with you and
+explain all these matters to our old mistress and my lady; for I've
+nursed you till I've brought you to this age, and now that you don't
+feed on milk, you thrust me on one side, and avail yourself of the
+servant-girls, in your wish to browbeat me."
+
+As she uttered this remark, she too gave way to tears, but by this time,
+Tai-yue and Pao-ch'ai had also come over, and they set to work to
+reassure her. "You, old lady," they urged, "should bear with them a
+little, and everything will be right!" And when nurse Li saw these two
+arrive, she hastened to lay bare her grievances to them; and taking up
+the question of the dismissal in days gone by, of Hsi Hsueeh, for having
+drunk some tea, of the cream eaten on the previous day, and other
+similar matters, she spun a long, interminable yarn.
+
+By a strange coincidence lady Feng was at this moment in the upper
+rooms, where she had been making up the account of losses and winnings,
+and upon hearing at the back a continuous sound of shouting and
+bustling, she readily concluded that nurse Li's old complaint was
+breaking forth, and that she was finding fault with Pao-yue's servants.
+But she had, as luck would have it, lost money in gambling on this
+occasion, so that she was ready to visit her resentment upon others.
+With hurried step, she forthwith came over, and laying hold of nurse Li,
+"Nurse," she said smiling, "don't lose your temper, on a great festival
+like this, and after our venerable lady has just gone through a day in
+excellent spirits! You're an old dame, and should, when others get up a
+row, still do what is right and keep them in proper order; and aren't
+you, instead of that, aware what good manners imply, that you will start
+vociferating in this place, and make our dowager lady full of
+displeasure? Tell me who's not good, and I'll beat her for you; but be
+quick and come along with me over to my quarters, where a pheasant which
+they have roasted is scalding hot, and let us go and have a glass of
+wine!" And as she spoke, she dragged her along and went on her way.
+"Feng Erh," she also called, "hold the staff for your old lady Li, and
+the handkerchief to wipe her tears with!" While nurse Li walked along
+with lady Feng, her feet scarcely touched the ground, as she kept on
+saying: "I don't really attach any value to this decrepid existence of
+mine! and I had rather disregard good manners, have a row and lose face,
+as it's better, it seems to me, than to put up with the temper of that
+wench!"
+
+Behind followed Pao-ch'ai and Tai-yue, and at the sight of the way in
+which lady Feng dealt with her, they both clapped their hands, and
+exclaimed, laughing, "What piece of luck that this gust of wind has
+come, and dragged away this old matron!" while Pao-yue nodded his head to
+and fro and soliloquised with a sigh: "One can neither know whence
+originates this score; for she will choose the weak one to maltreat; nor
+can one see what girl has given her offence that she has come to be put
+in her black books!"
+
+Scarcely had he ended this remark, before Ch'ing Wen, who stood by, put
+in her word. "Who's gone mad again?" she interposed, "and what good
+would come by hurting her feelings? But did even any one happen to hurt
+her, she would have pluck enough to bear the brunt, and wouldn't act so
+improperly as to involve others!"
+
+Hsi Jen wept, and as she, did so, she drew Pao-yue towards her: "All
+through my having aggrieved an old nurse," she urged, "you've now again
+given umbrage, entirely on my account, to this crowd of people; and
+isn't this still enough for me to bear but must you also go and drag in
+third parties?"
+
+When Pao-yue realised that to this sickness of hers, had also been
+superadded all these annoyances, he promptly stifled his resentment,
+suppressed his voice and consoled her so far as to induce her to lie
+down again to perspire. And when he further noticed how scalding like
+soup and burning like fire she was, he himself watched by her, and
+reclining by her side, he tried to cheer her, saying: "All you must do
+is to take good care of your ailment; and don't give your mind to those
+trifling matters, and get angry."
+
+"Were I," Hsi Jen smiled sardonically, "to lose my temper over such
+concerns, would I be able to stand one moment longer in this room? The
+only thing is that if she goes on, day after day, doing nothing else
+than clamour in this manner, how can she let people get along? But you
+rashly go and hurt people's feelings for our sakes; but they'll bear it
+in mind, and when they find an opportunity, they'll come out with what's
+easy enough to say, but what's not pleasant to hear, and how will we all
+feel then?"
+
+While her mouth gave utterance to these words, she could not stop her
+tears from running; but fearful, on the other hand, lest Pao-yue should
+be annoyed, she felt compelled to again strain every nerve to repress
+them. But in a short while, the old matrons employed for all sorts of
+duties, brought in some mixture of two drugs; and, as Pao-yue noticed
+that she was just on the point of perspiring, he did not allow her to
+get up, but readily taking it up to her, she immediately swallowed it,
+with her head still on her pillow; whereupon he gave speedy directions
+to the young servant-maids to lay her stove-couch in order.
+
+"Whether you mean to have anything to eat or not," Hsi Jen advised, "you
+should after all sit for a time with our old mistress and our lady, and
+have a romp with the young ladies; after which you can come back again;
+while I, by quietly keeping lying down, will also feel the better."
+
+When Pao-yue heard this suggestion, he had no help but to accede, and,
+after she had divested herself of her hair-pins and earrings, and he saw
+her lie down, he betook himself into the drawing-rooms, where he had his
+repast with old lady Chia. But the meal over, her ladyship felt still
+disposed to play at cards with the nurses, who had looked after the
+household for many years; and Pao-yue, bethinking himself of Hsi Jen,
+hastened to return to his apartments; where seeing that Hsi Jen was
+drowsily falling asleep, he himself would have wished to go to bed, but
+the hour was yet early. And as about this time Ch'ing Wen, I Hsia, Ch'in
+Wen, Pi Hen had all, in their desire of getting some excitement, started
+in search of Yuean Yang, Hu Po and their companions, to have a romp with
+them, and he espied She Yueeh alone in the outer room, having a game of
+dominoes by lamp-light, Pao-yue inquired full of smiles: "How is it you
+don't go with them?"
+
+"I've no money," She Yueeh replied.
+
+"Under the bed," continued Pao-yue, "is heaped up all that money, and
+isn't it enough yet for you to lose from?"
+
+"Had we all gone to play," She Yueeh added, "to whom would the charge of
+this apartment have been handed over? That other one is sick again, and
+the whole room is above, one mass of lamps, and below, full of fire; and
+all those old matrons, ancient as the heavens, should, after all their
+exertions in waiting upon you from morning to night, be also allowed
+some rest; while the young servant girls, on the other hand, have
+likewise been on duty the whole day long, and shouldn't they even at
+this hour be left to go and have some distraction? and that's why I am
+in here on watch."
+
+When Pao-yue heard these words, which demonstrated distinctly that she
+was another Hsi Jen, he consequently put on a smile and remarked: "I'll
+sit in here, so you had better set your mind at ease and go!"
+
+"Since you remain in here, there's less need for me to go," resumed She
+Yueeh, "for we two can chat and play and laugh; and won't that be nice?"
+
+"What can we two do? it will be awfully dull! but never mind," Pao-yue
+rejoined; "this morning you said that your head itched, and now that you
+have nothing to do, I may as well comb it for you."
+
+"Yes! do so!" readily assented She Yueeh, upon catching what he
+suggested; and while still speaking, she brought over the dressing-case
+containing a set of small drawers and looking-glass, and taking off her
+ornaments, she dishevelled her hair; whereupon Pao-yue picked up the fine
+comb and passed it repeatedly through her hair; but he had only combed
+it three or five times, when he perceived Ch'ing Wen hurriedly walk in
+to fetch some money. As soon as she caught sight of them both: "You
+haven't as yet drunk from the marriage cup," she said with a smile full
+of irony, "and have you already put up your hair?"
+
+"Now that you've come, let me also comb yours for you," Pao-yue
+continued.
+
+"I'm not blessed with such excessive good fortune!" Ch'ing Wen retorted,
+and as she uttered these words, she took the money, and forthwith
+dashing the portiere after her, she quitted the room.
+
+Pao-yue stood at the back of She Yueeh, and She Yueeh sat opposite the
+glass, so that the two of them faced each other in it, and Pao-yue
+readily observed as he gazed in the glass, "In the whole number of rooms
+she's the only one who has a glib tongue!"
+
+She Yueeh at these words hastily waved her hand towards the inside of the
+glass, and Pao-yue understood the hint; and suddenly a sound of "hu" was
+heard from the portiere, and Ch'ing Wen ran in once again.
+
+"How have I got a glib tongue?" she inquired; "it would be well for us
+to explain ourselves."
+
+"Go after your business, and have done," She Yueeh interposed laughingly;
+"what's the use of your coming and asking questions of people?"
+
+"Will you also screen him?" Ch'ing Wen smiled significantly; "I know all
+about your secret doings, but wait until I've got back my capital, and
+we'll then talk matters over!"
+
+With this remark still on her lips, she straightway quitted the room,
+and during this while, Pao-yue having finished combing her hair, asked
+She Yueeh to quietly wait upon him, while he went to sleep, as he would
+not like to disturb Hsi Jen.
+
+Of the whole night there is nothing to record. But the next day, when he
+got up at early dawn, Hsi Jen had already perspired, during the night,
+so that she felt considerably lighter and better; but limiting her diet
+to a little rice soup, she remained quiet and nursed herself, and Pao-yue
+was so relieved in mind that he came, after his meal, over on this side
+to his aunt Hsueeh's on a saunter. The season was the course of the first
+moon, and the school was shut up for the new year holidays; while in the
+inner chambers the girls had put by their needlework, and were all
+having a time of leisure, and hence it was that when Chia Huan too came
+over in search of distraction, he discovered Pao-ch'ai, Hsiang Ling,
+Ying Erh, the three of them, in the act of recreating themselves by
+playing at chess. Chia Huan, at the sight of them, also wished to join
+in their games; and Pao-ch'ai, who had always looked upon him with, in
+fact, the same eye as she did Pao-yue, and with no different sentiment of
+any kind, pressed him to come up, upon hearing that he was on this
+occasion desirous to play; and, when he had seated himself together with
+them, they began to gamble, staking each time a pile of ten cash. The
+first time, he was the winner, and he felt supremely elated at heart,
+but as it happened that he subsequently lost in several consecutive
+games he soon became a prey to considerable distress. But in due course
+came the game in which it was his turn to cast the dice, and, if in
+throwing, he got seven spots, he stood to win, but he was likewise bound
+to be a winner were he to turn up six; and when Ying Erh had turned up
+three spots and lost, he consequently took up the dice, and dashing them
+with spite, one of them settled at five; and, as the other reeled wildly
+about, Ying Erh clapped her hands, and kept on shouting, "one spot;"
+while Chia Huan at once gazed with fixed eye and cried at random: "It's
+six, it's seven, it's eight!" But the dice, as it happened, turned up at
+one spot, and Chia Huan was so exasperated that putting out his hand, he
+speedily made a snatch at the dice, and eventually was about to lay hold
+of the money, arguing that it was six spot. But Ying Erh expostulated,
+"It was distinctly an ace," she said. And as Pao-ch'ai noticed how
+distressed Chia Huan was, she forthwith cast a glance at Ying Erh and
+observed: "The older you get, the less manners you have! Is it likely
+that gentlemen will cheat you? and don't you yet put down the money?"
+
+Ying Erh felt her whole heart much aggrieved, but as she heard Pao-ch'ai
+make these remarks, she did not presume to utter a sound, and as she was
+under the necessity of laying down the cash, she muttered to herself:
+"This one calls himself a gentleman, and yet cheats us of these few
+cash, for which I myself even have no eye! The other day when I played
+with Mr. Pao-yue, he lost ever so many, and yet he did not distress
+himself! and what remained of the cash were besides snatched away by a
+few servant-girls, but all he did was to smile, that's all!"
+
+Pao-ch'ai did not allow her time to complete what she had to say, but
+there and then called her to account and made her desist; whereupon Chia
+Huan exclaimed: "How can I compare with Pao-yue; you all fear him, and
+keep on good terms with him, while you all look down upon me for not
+being the child of my lady." And as he uttered these words, he at once
+gave way to tears.
+
+"My dear cousin," Pao-ch'ai hastened to advise him, "leave off at once
+language of this kind, for people will laugh at you;" and then went on
+to scold Ying Erh, when Pao-yue just happened to come in. Perceiving him
+in this plight, "What is the matter?" he asked; but Chia Huan had not
+the courage to say anything.
+
+Pao-ch'ai was well aware of the custom, which prevailed in their family,
+that younger brothers lived in respect of the elder brothers, but she
+was not however cognisant of the fact that Pao-yue would not that any one
+should entertain any fear of him. His idea being that elder as well as
+younger brothers had, all alike, father and mother to admonish them, and
+that there was no need for any of that officiousness, which, instead of
+doing good gave, on the contrary, rise to estrangement. "Besides," (he
+reasoned,) "I'm the offspring of the primary wife, while he's the son of
+the secondary wife, and, if by treating him as leniently as I have done,
+there are still those to talk about me, behind my back, how could I
+exercise any control over him?" But besides these, there were other
+still more foolish notions, which he fostered in his mind; but what
+foolish notions they were can you, reader, guess? As a result of his
+growing up, from his early youth, among a crowd of girls, of whom, in
+the way of sister, there was Yuean Ch'un, of cousins, from his paternal
+uncle's side, there were Ying Ch'un, and Hsi Ch'un, and of relatives
+also there were Shih Hsiang-yuen, Lin Tai-yue, Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai and the
+rest, he, in due course, resolved in his mind that the divine and
+unsullied virtue of Heaven and earth was only implanted in womankind,
+and that men were no more than feculent dregs and foul dirt. And for
+this reason it was that men were without discrimination, considered by
+him as so many filthy objects, which might or might not exist; while the
+relationships of father, paternal uncles, and brothers, he did not
+however presume to disregard, as these were among the injunctions
+bequeathed by the holy man, and he felt bound to listen to a few of
+their precepts. But to the above causes must be assigned the fact that,
+among his brothers, he did no more than accomplish the general purport
+of the principle of human affections; bearing in mind no thought
+whatever that he himself was a human being of the male sex, and that it
+was his duty to be an example to his younger brothers. And this is why
+Chia Huan and the others entertained no respect for him, though in their
+veneration for dowager lady Chia, they yielded to him to a certain
+degree.
+
+Pao-ch'ai harboured fears lest, on this occasion, Pao-yue should call him
+to book, and put him out of face, and she there and then lost no time in
+taking Chia Huan's part with a view to screening him.
+
+"In this felicitous first moon what are you blubbering for?" Pao-yue
+inquired, "if this place isn't nice, why then go somewhere else to play.
+But from reading books, day after day, you've studied so much that
+you've become quite a dunce. If this thing, for instance, isn't good,
+that must, of course, be good, so then discard this and take up that,
+but is it likely that by sticking to this thing and crying for a while
+that it will become good? You came originally with the idea of reaping
+some fun, and you've instead provoked yourself to displeasure, and isn't
+it better then that you should be off at once."
+
+Chia Huan upon hearing these words could not but come back to his
+quarters; and Mrs. Chao noticing the frame of mind in which he was felt
+constrained to inquire: "Where is it that you've been looked down upon
+by being made to fill up a hole, and being trodden under foot?"
+
+"I was playing with cousin Pao-ch'ai," Chia Huan readily replied, "when
+Ying Erh insulted me, and deprived me of my money, and brother Pao-yue
+drove me away."
+
+"Ts'ui!" exclaimed Mrs. Chao, "who bade you (presume so high) as to get
+up into that lofty tray? You low and barefaced thing! What place is
+there that you can't go to and play; and who told you to run over there
+and bring upon yourself all this shame?"
+
+As she spoke, lady Feng was, by a strange coincidence, passing outside
+under the window; so that every word reached her ear, and she speedily
+asked from outside the window: "What are you up to in this happy first
+moon? These brothers are, really, but mere children, and will you just
+for a slight mistake, go on preaching to him! what's the use of coming
+out with all you've said? Let him go wherever he pleases; for there are
+still our lady and Mr. Chia Cheng to keep him in order. But you go and
+sputter him with your gigantic mouth; he's at present a master, and if
+there be anything wrong about him, there are, after all, those to rate
+him; and what business is that of yours? Brother Huan, come out with
+you, and follow me and let us go and enjoy ourselves."
+
+Chia Huan had ever been in greater fear and trembling of lady Feng, than
+of madame Wang, so that when her summons reached his ear, he hurriedly
+went out, while Mrs. Chao, on the other hand, did not venture to breathe
+a single word.
+
+"You too," resumed lady Feng, addressing Chia Huan; "are a thing devoid
+of all natural spirit! I've often told you that if you want to eat,
+drink, play, or laugh, you were quite free to go and play with whatever
+female cousin, male cousin, or sister-in-law you choose to disport
+yourself with; but you won't listen to my words. On the contrary, you
+let all these persons teach you to be depraved in your heart, perverse
+in your mind, to be sly, artful, and domineering; and you've, besides,
+no respect for your own self, but will go with that low-bred lot! and
+your perverse purpose is to begrudge people's preferences! But what
+you've lost are simply a few cash, and do you behave in this manner? How
+much did you lose?" she proceeded to ask Chia Huan; and Chia Huan, upon
+hearing this question, felt constrained to obey, by saying something in
+the way of a reply. "I've lost," he explained, "some hundred or two
+hundred cash."
+
+"You have," rejoined lady Feng, "the good fortune of being a gentleman,
+and do you make such a fuss for the loss of a hundred or two hundred
+cash!" and turning her head round, "Feng Erh," she added, "go and fetch
+a thousand cash; and as the girls are all playing at the back, take him
+along to go and play. And if again by and by, you're so mean and
+deceitful, I shall, first of all, beat you, and then tell some one to
+report it at school, and won't your skin be flayed for you? All because
+of this want of respect of yours, your elder cousin is so angry with you
+that his teeth itch; and were it not that I prevent him, he would hit
+you with his foot in the stomach and kick all your intestines out! Get
+away," she then cried; whereupon Chia Huan obediently followed Feng Erh,
+and taking the money he went all by himself to play with Ying Ch'un and
+the rest; where we shall leave him without another word.
+
+But to return to Pao-yue. He was just amusing himself and laughing with
+Pao-ch'ai, when at an unexpected moment, he heard some one announce that
+Miss Shih had come. At these words, Pao-yue rose, and was at once going
+off when "Wait," shouted Pao-ch'ai with a smile, "and we'll go over
+together and see her."
+
+Saying this, she descended from the stove-couch, and came, in company
+with Pao-yue, to dowager lady Chia's on this side, where they saw Shih
+Hsiang-yuen laughing aloud, and talking immoderately; and upon catching
+sight of them both, she promptly inquired after their healths, and
+exchanged salutations.
+
+
+Lin Tai-yue just happened to be standing by, and having set the question
+to Pao-yue "Where do you come from?" "I come from cousin Pao-ch'ai's
+rooms," Pao-yue readily replied.
+
+Tai-yue gave a sardonic smile. "What I maintain is this," she rejoined,
+"that lucky enough for you, you were detained over there; otherwise, you
+would long ago have, at once, come flying in here!"
+
+"Am I only free to play with you?" Pao-yue inquired, "and to dispel your
+ennui! I simply went over to her place for a run, and that quite
+casually, and will you insinuate all these things?"
+
+"Your words are quite devoid of sense," Tai-yue added; "whether you go or
+not what's that to me? neither did I tell you to give me any
+distraction; you're quite at liberty from this time forth not to pay any
+notice to me!"
+
+Saying this, she flew into a high dudgeon and rushed back into her room;
+but Pao-yue promptly followed in her footsteps: "Here you are again in a
+huff," he urged, "and all for no reason! Had I even passed any remark
+that I shouldn't, you should anyhow have still sat in there, and chatted
+and laughed with the others for a while; instead of that, you come again
+to sit and mope all alone!"
+
+"Are you my keeper?" Tai-yue expostulated.
+
+"I couldn't, of course," Pao-yue smiled, "presume to exercise any
+influence over you; but the only thing is that you are doing your own
+health harm!"
+
+"If I do ruin my health," Tai-yue rejoined, "and I die, it's my own
+lookout! what's that to do with you?"
+
+"What's the good," protested Pao-yue, "of talking in this happy first
+moon of dying and of living?"
+
+"I _will_ say die," insisted Tai-yue, "die now, at this very moment!
+but you're afraid of death; and you may live a long life of a hundred
+years, but what good will that be!"
+
+"If all we do is to go on nagging in this way," Pao-yue remarked smiling,
+"will I any more be afraid to die? on the contrary, it would be better
+to die, and be free!"
+
+"Quite so!" continued Tai-yue with alacrity, "if we go on nagging in this
+way, it would be better for me to die, and that you should be free of
+me!"
+
+"I speak of my own self dying," Pao-yue added, "so don't misunderstand my
+words and accuse people wrongly."
+
+While he was as yet speaking, Pao-ch'ai entered the room: "Cousin Shih
+is waiting for you;" she said; and with these words, she hastily pushed
+Pao-yue on, and they walked away.
+
+Tai-yue, meanwhile, became more and more a prey to resentment; and
+disconsolate as she felt, she shed tears in front of the window. But not
+time enough had transpired to allow two cups of tea to be drunk, before
+Pao-yue came back again. At the sight of him, Tai-yue sobbed still more
+fervently and incessantly, and Pao-yue realising the state she was in,
+and knowing well enough how arduous a task it would be to bring her
+round, began to join together a hundred, yea a thousand kinds of soft
+phrases and tender words to console her. But at an unforeseen moment,
+and before he could himself open his mouth, he heard Tai-yue anticipate
+him.
+
+"What have you come back again for?" she asked. "Let me die or live, as
+I please, and have done! You've really got at present some one to play
+with you, one who, compared with me, is able to read and able to
+compose, able to write, to speak, as well as to joke, one too who for
+fear lest you should have ruffled your temper dragged you away: and what
+do you return here for now?"
+
+Pao-yue, after listening to all she had to say, hastened to come up to
+her. "Is it likely," he observed in a low tone of voice, "that an
+intelligent person like you isn't so much as aware that near relatives
+can't be separated by a distant relative, and a remote friend set aside
+an old friend! I'm stupid, there's no gainsaying, but I do anyhow
+understand what these two sentiments imply. You and I are, in the first
+place, cousins on my father's sister's side; while sister Pao-ch'ai and
+I are two cousins on mother's sides, so that, according to the degrees
+of relationship, she's more distant than yourself. In the second place,
+you came here first, and we two have our meals at one table and sleep in
+one bed, having ever since our youth grown up together; while she has
+only recently come, and how could I ever distance you on her account?"
+
+"Ts'ui!" Tai-yue exclaimed. "Will I forsooth ever make you distance her!
+who and what kind of person have I become to do such a thing? What (I
+said) was prompted by my own motives."
+
+"I too," Pao-yue urged, "made those remarks prompted by my own heart's
+motives, and do you mean to say that your heart can only read the
+feelings of your own heart, and has no idea whatsoever of my own?"
+
+Tai-yue at these words, lowered her head and said not a word. But after a
+long interval, "You only know," she continued, "how to feel bitter
+against people for their action in censuring you: but you don't, after
+all, know that you yourself provoke people to such a degree, that it's
+hard for them to put up with it! Take for instance the weather of to-day
+as an example. It's distinctly very cold, to-day, and yet, how is it
+that you are so contrary as to go and divest yourself of the pelisse
+with the bluish breast-fur overlapping the cloth?"
+
+"Why say I didn't wear it?" Pao-yue smilingly observed. "I did, but
+seeing you get angry I felt suddenly in such a terrible blaze, that I at
+once took it off!"
+
+Tai-yue heaved a sigh. "You'll by and by catch a cold," she remarked,
+"and then you'll again have to starve, and vociferate for something to
+eat!"
+
+While these two were having this colloquy, Hsiang-yuen was seen to walk
+in! "You two, Ai cousin and cousin Lin," she ventured jokingly, "are
+together playing every day, and though I've managed to come after ever
+so much trouble, you pay no heed to me at all!"
+
+"It's invariably the rule," Tai-yue retorted smilingly, "that those who
+have a defect in their speech will insist upon talking; she can't even
+come out correctly with 'Erh' (secundus) cousin, and keeps on calling
+him 'Ai' cousin, 'Ai' cousin! And by and by when you play 'Wei Ch'i'
+you're sure also to shout out yao, ai, (instead of erh), san; (one, two,
+three)."
+
+Pao-yue laughed. "If you imitate her," he interposed, "and get into that
+habit, you'll also begin to bite your tongue when you talk."
+
+"She won't make even the slightest allowance for any one," Hsiang-yuen
+rejoined; "her sole idea being to pick out others' faults. You may
+readily be superior to any mortal being, but you shouldn't, after all,
+offend against what's right and make fun of every person you come
+across! But I'll point out some one, and if you venture to jeer her,
+I'll at once submit to you."
+
+"Who is it?" Tai-yue vehemently inquired.
+
+"If you do have the courage," Hsiang-yuen answered, "to pick out cousin
+Pao-ch'ai's faults, you then may well be held to be first-rate!"
+
+Tai-yue after hearing these words, gave a sarcastic smile. "I was
+wondering," she observed, "who it was. Is it indeed she? How could I
+ever presume to pick out hers?"
+
+Pao-yue allowed her no time to finish, but hastened to say something to
+interrupt the conversation.
+
+"I couldn't, of course, during the whole of this my lifetime,"
+Hsiang-yuen laughed, "attain your standard! but my earnest wish is that
+by and by should be found for you, cousin Lin, a husband, who bites his
+tongue when he speaks, so that you should every minute and second listen
+to 'ai-ya-os!' O-mi-to-fu, won't then your reward be manifest to my
+eyes!"
+
+As she made this remark, they all burst out laughing heartily, and
+Hsiang-yuen speedily turned herself round and ran away.
+
+But reader, do you want to know the sequel? Well, then listen to the
+explanation given in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+ The eminent Hsi Jen, with winsome ways, rails at Pao-yue, with a view
+ to exhortation.
+ The beauteous P'ing Erh, with soft words, screens Chia Lien.
+
+
+But to resume our story. When Shih Hsiang-yuen ran out of the room, she
+was all in a flutter lest Lin Tai-yue should catch her up; but Pao-yue,
+who came after her, readily shouted out, "You'll trip and fall. How ever
+could she come up to you?"
+
+Lin Tai-yue went in pursuit of her as far as the entrance, when she was
+impeded from making further progress by Pao-yue, who stretched his arms
+out against the posts of the door.
+
+"Were I to spare Yuen Erh, I couldn't live!" Lin Tai-yue exclaimed, as she
+tugged at his arms. But Hsiang-yuen, perceiving that Pao-yue obstructed
+the door, and surmising that Tai-yue could not come out, speedily stood
+still. "My dear cousin," she smilingly pleaded, "do let me off this
+time!"
+
+But it just happened that Pao-ch'ai, who was coming along, was at the
+back of Hsiang-yuen, and with a face also beaming with smiles: "I advise
+you both," she said, "to leave off out of respect for cousin Pao-yue, and
+have done."
+
+"I don't agree to that," Tai-yue rejoined; "are you people, pray, all of
+one mind to do nothing but make fun of me?"
+
+"Who ventures to make fun of you?" Pao-yue observed advisingly; "and
+hadn't you made sport of her, would she have presumed to have said
+anything about you?"
+
+While this quartet were finding it an arduous task to understand one
+another, a servant came to invite them to have their repast, and they
+eventually crossed over to the front side, and as it was already time
+for the lamps to be lit, madame Wang, widow Li Wan, lady Feng, Ying
+Ch'un, T'an Ch'un, Hsi Ch'un and the other cousins, adjourned in a body
+to dowager lady Chia's apartments on this side, where the whole company
+spent a while in a chat on irrelevant topics, after which they each
+returned to their rooms and retired to bed. Hsiang-yuen, as of old,
+betook herself to Tai-yue's quarters to rest, and Pao-yue escorted them
+both into their apartment, and it was after the hour had already past
+the second watch, and Hsi Jen had come and pressed him several times,
+that he at length returned to his own bedroom and went to sleep. The
+next morning, as soon as it was daylight, he threw his clothes over him,
+put on his low shoes and came over into Tai-yue's room, where he however
+saw nothing of the two girls Tzu Chuean and Ts'ui Lu, as there was no one
+else here in there besides his two cousins, still reclining under the
+coverlets. Tai-yue was closely wrapped in a quilt of almond-red silk, and
+lying quietly, with closed eyes fast asleep; while Shih Hsiang-yuen, with
+her handful of shiny hair draggling along the edge of the pillow, was
+covered only up to the chest, and outside the coverlet rested her curved
+snow-white arm, with the gold bracelets, which she had on.
+
+At the sight of her, Pao-yue heaved a sigh. "Even when asleep," he
+soliloquised, "she can't be quiet! but by and by, when the wind will
+have blown on her, she'll again shout that her shoulder is sore!" With
+these words, he gently covered her, but Lin Tai-yue had already awoke out
+of her sleep, and becoming aware that there was some one about, she
+promptly concluded that it must, for a certainty, be Pao-yue, and turning
+herself accordingly round, and discovering at a glance that the truth
+was not beyond her conjectures, she observed: "What have you run over to
+do at this early hour?" to which question Pao-yue replied: "Do you call
+this early? but get up and see for yourself!"
+
+"First quit the room," Tai-yue suggested, "and let us get up!"
+
+Pao-yue thereupon made his exit into the ante-chamber, and Tai-yue jumped
+out of bed, and awoke Hsiang-yuen. When both of them had put on their
+clothes, Pao-yue re-entered and took a seat by the side of the toilet
+table; whence he beheld Tzu-chuean and Hsueeh Yen walk in and wait upon
+them, as they dressed their hair and performed their ablutions.
+Hsiang-yuen had done washing her face, and Ts'uei Lue at once took the
+remaining water and was about to throw it away, when Pao-yue interposed,
+saying: "Wait, I'll avail myself of this opportunity to wash too and
+finish with it, and thus save myself the trouble of having again to go
+over!" Speaking the while, he hastily came forward, and bending his
+waist, he washed his face twice with two handfuls of water, and when Tzu
+Chuean went over to give him the scented soap, Pao-yue added: "In this
+basin, there's a good deal of it, and there's no need of rubbing any
+more!" He then washed his face with two more handfuls, and forthwith
+asked for a towel, and Ts'uei Lue exclaimed: "What! have you still got
+this failing? when will you turn a new leaf?" But Pao-yue paid not so
+much as any heed to her, and there and then called for some salt, with
+which he rubbed his teeth, and rinsed his mouth. When he had done, he
+perceived that Hsiang-yuen had already finished combing her hair, and
+speedily coming up to her, he put on a smile, and said: "My dear cousin,
+comb my hair for me!"
+
+"This can't be done!" Hsiang-yuen objected.
+
+"My dear cousin," Pao-yue continued smirkingly, "how is it that you
+combed it for me in former times?"
+
+"I've forgotten now how to comb it!" Hsiang-yuen replied.
+
+"I'm not, after all, going out of doors," Pao-yue observed, "nor will I
+wear a hat or frontlet, so that all that need be done is to plait a few
+queues, that's all!" Saying this, he went on to appeal to her in a
+thousand and one endearing terms, so that Hsiang-yuen had no alternative,
+but to draw his head nearer to her and to comb one queue after another,
+and as when he stayed at home he wore no hat, nor had, in fact, any
+tufted horns, she merely took the short surrounding hair from all four
+sides, and twisting it into small tufts, she collected it together over
+the hair on the crown of the head, and plaited a large queue, binding it
+fast with red ribbon; while from the root of the hair to the end of the
+queue, were four pearls in a row, below which, in the way of a tip, was
+suspended a golden pendant.
+
+"Of these pearls there are only three," Hsiang-yuen remarked as she went
+on plaiting; "this isn't one like them; I remember these were all of one
+kind, and how is it that there's one short?"
+
+"I've lost one," Pao-yue rejoined.
+
+"It must have dropped," Hsiang-yuen added, "when you went out of doors,
+and been picked up by some one when you were off your guard; and he's
+now, instead of you, the richer for it."
+
+"One can neither tell whether it has been really lost," Tai-yue, who
+stood by, interposed, smiling the while sarcastically; "nor could one
+say whether it hasn't been given away to some one to be mounted in some
+trinket or other and worn!"
+
+Pao-yue made no reply; but set to work, seeing that the two sides of the
+dressing table were all full of toilet boxes and other such articles,
+taking up those that came under his hand and examining them. Grasping
+unawares a box of cosmetic, which was within his reach, he would have
+liked to have brought it to his lips, but he feared again lest
+Hsiang-yuen should chide him. While he was hesitating whether to do so or
+not, Hsiang-yuen, from behind, stretched forth her arm and gave him a
+smack, which sent the cosmetic flying from his hand, as she cried out:
+"You good-for-nothing! when will you mend those weaknesses of yours!"
+But hardly had she had time to complete this remark, when she caught
+sight of Hsi Jen walk in, who upon perceiving this state of things,
+became aware that he was already combed and washed, and she felt
+constrained to go back and attend to her own coiffure and ablutions. But
+suddenly, she saw Pao-ch'ai come in and inquire: "Where's cousin Pao-yue
+gone?"
+
+"Do you mean to say," Hsi Jen insinuated with a sardonic smile, "that
+your cousin Pao-yue has leisure to stay at home?"
+
+When Pao-ch'ai heard these words, she inwardly comprehended her meaning,
+and when she further heard Hsi Jen remark with a sigh: "Cousins may well
+be on intimate terms, but they should also observe some sort of
+propriety; and they shouldn't night and day romp together; and no matter
+how people may tender advice it's all like so much wind blowing past the
+ears." Pao-ch'ai began, at these remarks, to cogitate within her mind:
+"May I not, possibly, have been mistaken in my estimation of this girl;
+for to listen to her words, she would really seem to have a certain
+amount of _savoir faire_!"
+
+Pao-ch'ai thereupon took a seat on the stove-couch, and quietly, in the
+course of their conversation on one thing and another, she managed to
+ascertain her age, her native village and other such particulars, and
+then setting her mind diligently to put, on the sly, her conversation
+and mental capacity to the test, she discovered how deeply worthy she
+was to be respected and loved. But in a while Pao-yue arrived, and
+Pao-ch'ai at once quitted the apartment.
+
+"How is it," Pao-yue at once inquired, "that cousin Pao-ch'ai was
+chatting along with you so lustily, and that as soon as she saw me
+enter, she promptly ran away?"
+
+Hsi Jen did not make any reply to his first question, and it was only
+when he had repeated it that Hsi Jen remarked: "Do you ask me? How can I
+know what goes on between you two?"
+
+When Pao-yue heard these words, and he noticed that the look on her face
+was so unlike that of former days, he lost no time in putting on a smile
+and asking: "Why is it that you too are angry in real earnest?"
+
+"How could I presume to get angry!" Hsi Jen rejoined smiling
+indifferently; "but you mustn't, from this day forth, put your foot into
+this room! and as you have anyhow people to wait on you, you shouldn't
+come again to make use of my services, for I mean to go and attend to
+our old mistress, as in days of old."
+
+With this remark still on her lips, she lay herself down on the
+stove-couch and closed her eyes. When Pao-yue perceived the state of mind
+she was in, he felt deeply surprised and could not refrain from coming
+forward and trying to cheer her up. But Hsi Jen kept her eyes closed and
+paid no heed to him, so that Pao-yue was quite at a loss how to act. But
+espying She Yueeh enter the room, he said with alacrity: "What's up with
+your sister?"
+
+"Do I know?" answered She Yueeh, "examine your own self and you'll
+readily know!"
+
+After these words had been heard by Pao-yue, he gazed vacantly for some
+time, feeling the while very unhappy; but raising himself impetuously:
+"Well!" he exclaimed, "if you don't notice me, all right, I too will go
+to sleep," and as he spoke he got up, and, descending from the couch, he
+betook himself to his own bed and went to sleep. Hsi Jen noticing that
+he had not budged for ever so long, and that he faintly snored, presumed
+that he must have fallen fast asleep, so she speedily rose to her feet,
+and, taking a wrapper, came over and covered him. But a sound of "hu"
+reached her ear, as Pao-yue promptly threw it off and once again closed
+his eyes and feigned sleep. Hsi Jen distinctly grasped his idea and,
+forthwith nodding her head, she smiled coldly. "You really needn't lose
+your temper! but from this time forth, I'll become mute, and not say one
+word to you; and what if I do?"
+
+Pao-yue could not restrain himself from rising. "What have I been up to
+again," he asked, "that you're once more at me with your advice? As far
+as your advice goes, it's all well and good; but just now without one
+word of counsel, you paid no heed to me when I came in, but, flying into
+a huff, you went to sleep. Nor could I make out what it was all about,
+and now here you are again maintaining that I'm angry. But when did I
+hear you, pray, give me a word of advice of any kind?"
+
+"Doesn't your mind yet see for itself?" Hsi Jen replied; "and do you
+still expect me to tell you?"
+
+While they were disputing, dowager lady Chia sent a servant to call him
+to his repast, and he thereupon crossed over to the front; but after he
+had hurriedly swallowed a few bowls of rice, he returned to his own
+apartment, where he discovered Hsi Jen reclining on the outer
+stove-couch, while She Yueeh was playing with the dominoes by her side.
+Pao-yue had been ever aware of the intimacy which existed between She
+Yueeh and Hsi Jen, so that paying not the slightest notice to even She
+Yueeh, he raised the soft portiere and straightway walked all alone into
+the inner apartment. She Yueeh felt constrained to follow him in, but
+Pao-yue at once pushed her out, saying: "I don't venture to disturb you
+two;" so that She Yueeh had no alternative but to leave the room with a
+smiling countenance, and to bid two young waiting-maids go in. Pao-yue
+took hold of a book and read for a considerable time in a reclining
+position; but upon raising his head to ask for some tea, he caught sight
+of a couple of waiting-maids, standing below; the one of whom, slightly
+older than the other, was exceedingly winsome.
+
+"What's your name?" Pao-yue eagerly inquired.
+
+"I'm called Hui Hsiang, (orchid fragrance)," that waiting-maid rejoined
+simperingly.
+
+"Who gave you this name?" Pao-yue went on to ask.
+
+"I went originally under the name of Yuen Hsiang (Gum Sandarac)," added
+Hui Hsiang, "but Miss Hua it was who changed it."
+
+"You should really be called Hui Ch'i, (latent fragrance), that would be
+proper; and why such stuff as Hui Hsiang, (orchid fragrance)?"
+
+"How many sisters have you got?" he further went on to ask of her.
+
+"Four," replied Hui Hsiang.
+
+"Which of them are you?" Pao-yue asked.
+
+"The fourth," answered Hui Hsiang.
+
+"By and by you must be called Ssu Erh, (fourth child)," Pao-yue
+suggested, "for there's no need for any such nonsense as Hui Hsiang
+(orchid fragrance) or Lan Ch'i (epidendrum perfume.) Which single girl
+deserves to be compared to all these flowers, without profaning pretty
+names and fine surnames!"
+
+As he uttered these words, he bade her give him some tea, which he
+drank; while Hsi Jen and She Yueeh, who were in the outer apartment, had
+been listening for a long time and laughing with compressed lips.
+
+Pao-yue did not, on this day, so much as put his foot outside the door of
+his room, but sat all alone sad and dejected, simply taking up his
+books, in order to dispel his melancholy fit, or diverting himself with
+his writing materials; while he did not even avail himself of the
+services of any of the family servants, but simply bade Ssu Erh answer
+his calls.
+
+This Ssu Erh was, who would have thought it, a girl gifted with
+matchless artfulness, and perceiving that Pao-yue had requisitioned her
+services, she speedily began to devise extreme ways and means to
+inveigle him. When evening came, and dinner was over, Pao-yue's eyes were
+scorching hot and his ears burning from the effects of two cups of wine
+that he had taken. Had it been in past days, he would have now had Hsi
+Jen and her companions with him, and with all their good cheer and
+laughter, he would have been enjoying himself. But here was he, on this
+occasion, dull and forlorn, a solitary being, gazing at the lamp with an
+absolute lack of pleasure. By and by he felt a certain wish to go after
+them, but dreading that if they carried their point, they would, in the
+future, come and tender advice still more immoderate, and that, were he
+to put on the airs of a superior to intimidate them, he would appear to
+be too deeply devoid of all feeling, he therefore, needless to say,
+thwarted the wish of his heart, and treated them just as if they were
+dead. And as anyway he was constrained also to live, alone though he
+was, he readily looked upon them, for the time being as departed, and
+did not worry his mind in the least on their account. On the contrary,
+he was able to feel happy and contented with his own society. Hence it
+was that bidding Ssu Erh trim the candles and brew the tea, he himself
+perused for a time the "Nan Hua Ching," and upon reaching the precept:
+"On thieves," given on some additional pages, the burden of which was:
+"Therefore by exterminating intuitive wisdom, and by discarding
+knowledge, highway robbers will cease to exist, and by taking off the
+jade and by putting away the pearls, pilferers will not spring to
+existence; by burning the slips and by breaking up the seals, by
+smashing the measures, and snapping the scales, the result will be that
+the people will not wrangle; by abrogating, to the utmost degree, wise
+rules under the heavens, the people will, at length, be able to take
+part in deliberation. By putting to confusion the musical scale, and
+destroying fifes and lutes, by deafening the ears of the blind Kuang,
+then, at last, will the human race in the world constrain his sense of
+hearing. By extinguishing literary compositions, by dispersing the five
+colours and by sticking the eyes of Li Chu, then, at length, mankind
+under the whole sky, will restrain the perception of his eyes. By
+destroying and eliminating the hooks and lines, by discarding the
+compasses and squares, and by amputating Kung Chui's fingers, the human
+race will ultimately succeed in constraining his ingenuity,"--his high
+spirits, on perusal of this passage, were so exultant that taking
+advantage of the exuberance caused by the wine, he picked up his pen,
+for he could not repress himself, and continued the text in this wise:
+"By burning the flower, (Hua-Hsi Jen) and dispersing the musk, (She
+Yueeh), the consequence will be that the inmates of the inner chambers
+will, eventually, keep advice to themselves. By obliterating Pao-ch'ai's
+supernatural beauty, by reducing to ashes Tai-yue's spiritual perception,
+and by destroying and extinguishing my affectionate preferences, the
+beautiful in the inner chambers as well as the plain will then, at
+length, be put on the same footing. And as they will keep advice to
+themselves, there will be no fear of any disagreement. By obliterating
+her supernatural beauty, I shall then have no incentive for any violent
+affection; by dissolving her spiritual perception, I will have no
+feelings with which to foster the memory of her talents. The hair-pin,
+jade, flower and musk (Pao-ch'ai, Tai-yue, Hsi Jen and She Yueeh) do each
+and all spread out their snares and dig mines, and thus succeed in
+inveigling and entrapping every one in the world."
+
+At the conclusion of this annex, he flung the pen away, and lay himself
+down to sleep. His head had barely reached the pillow before he at once
+fell fast asleep, remaining the whole night long perfectly unconscious
+of everything straight up to the break of day, when upon waking and
+turning himself round, he, at a glance, caught sight of no one else than
+Hsi Jen, sleeping in her clothes over the coverlet.
+
+Pao-yue had already banished from his mind every thought of what had
+transpired the previous day, so that forthwith giving Hsi Jen a push:
+"Get up!" he said, "and be careful where you sleep, as you may catch
+cold."
+
+The fact is that Hsi Jen was aware that he was, without regard to day or
+night, ever up to mischief with his female cousins; but presuming that
+if she earnestly called him to account, he would not mend his ways, she
+had, for this reason, had recourse to tender language to exhort him, in
+the hope that, in a short while, he would come round again to his better
+self. But against all her expectations Pao-yue had, after the lapse of a
+whole day and night, not changed the least in his manner, and as she
+really was in her heart quite at a loss what to do, she failed to find
+throughout the whole night any proper sleep. But when on this day, she
+unexpectedly perceived Pao-yue in this mood, she flattered herself that
+he had made up his mind to effect a change, and readily thought it best
+not to notice him. Pao-yue, seeing that she made no reply, forthwith
+stretched out his hand and undid her jacket; but he had just unclasped
+the button, when his arm was pushed away by Hsi Jen, who again made it
+fast herself.
+
+Pao-yue was so much at his wit's ends that he had no alternative but to
+take her hand and smilingly ask: "What's the matter with you, after all,
+that I've had to ask you something time after time?"
+
+Hsi Jen opened her eyes wide. "There's nothing really the matter with
+me!" she observed; "but as you're awake, you surely had better be going
+over into the opposite room to comb your hair and wash; for if you
+dilly-dally any longer, you won't be in time."
+
+"Where shall I go over to?" Pao-yue inquired.
+
+Hsi Jen gave a sarcastic grin. "Do you ask me?" she rejoined; "do I
+know? you're at perfect liberty to go over wherever you like; from this
+day forth you and I must part company so as to avoid fighting like cocks
+or brawling like geese, to the amusement of third parties. Indeed, when
+you get surfeited on that side, you come over to this, where there are,
+after all, such girls as Fours and Fives (Ssu Erh and Wu Erh) to dance
+attendance upon you. But such kind of things as ourselves uselessly
+defile fine names and fine surnames."
+
+"Do you still remember this to-day!" Pao-yue asked with a smirk.
+
+"Hundred years hence I shall still bear it in mind," Hsi Jen protested;
+"I'm not like you, who treat my words as so much wind blowing by the
+side of your ears, that what I've said at night, you've forgotten early
+in the morning."
+
+Pao-yue perceiving what a seductive though angry air pervaded her face
+found it difficult to repress his feelings, and speedily taking up, from
+the side of the pillow, a hair-pin made of jade, he dashed it down
+breaking it into two exclaiming: "If I again don't listen to your words,
+may I fare like this hair-pin."
+
+Hsi Jen immediately picked up the hair-pin, as she remarked: "What's up
+with you at this early hour of the morning? Whether you listen or not is
+of no consequence; and is it worth while that you should behave as you
+do?"
+
+"How can you know," Pao-yue answered, "the anguish in my heart!"
+
+"Do you also know what anguish means?" Hsi Jen observed laughing; "if
+you do, then you can judge what the state of my heart is! But be quick
+and get up, and wash your face and be off!"
+
+As she spoke, they both got out of bed and performed their toilette; but
+after Pao-yue had gone to the drawing rooms, and at a moment least
+expected by any one, Tai-yue walked into his apartment. Noticing that
+Pao-yue was not in, she was fumbling with the books on the table and
+examining them, when, as luck would have it, she turned up the Chuang
+Tzu of the previous day. Upon perusing the passage tagged on by Pao-yue,
+she could not help feeling both incensed and amused. Nor could she
+restrain herself from taking up the pen and appending a stanza to this
+effect:
+
+ Who is that man, who of his pen, without good rhyme, made use,
+ A toilsome task to do into the Chuang-tzu text to steal,
+ Who for the knowledge he doth lack no sense of shame doth feel,
+ But language vile and foul employs third parties to abuse?
+
+At the conclusion of what she had to write, she too came into the
+drawing room; but after paying her respects to dowager lady Chia, she
+walked over to madame Wang's quarters.
+
+Contrary to everybody's expectations, lady Feng's daughter, Ta Chieh
+Erh, had fallen ill, and a great fuss was just going on as the doctor
+had been sent for to diagnose her ailment.
+
+"My congratulations to you, ladies," the doctor explained; "this young
+lady has fever, as she has small-pox; indeed it's no other complaint!"
+
+As soon as madame Wang and lady Feng heard the tidings, they lost no
+time in sending round to ascertain whether she was getting on all right
+or not, and the doctor replied: "The symptoms are, it is true, serious,
+but favourable; but though after all importing no danger, it's necessary
+to get ready the silkworms and pigs' tails."
+
+When lady Feng received this report, she, there and then, hastened to
+make the necessary preparations, and while she had the rooms swept and
+oblations offered to the goddess of small-pox, she, at the same time,
+transmitted orders to her household to avoid viands fried or roasted in
+fat, or other such heating things; and also bade P'ing Erh get ready the
+bedding and clothes for Chia Lien in a separate room, and taking pieces
+of deep red cotton material, she distributed them to the nurses,
+waiting-maids and all the servants, who were in close attendance, to cut
+out clothes for themselves. And having had likewise some apartments
+outside swept clean, she detained two doctors to alternately deliberate
+on the treatment, feel the pulse and administer the medicines; and for
+twelve days, they were not at liberty to return to their homes; while
+Chia Lien had no help but to move his quarters temporarily into the
+outer library, and lady Feng and P'ing Erh remained both in daily
+attendance upon madame Wang in her devotions to the goddess.
+
+Chia Lien, now that he was separated from lady Feng, soon felt disposed
+to look round for a flame. He had only slept alone for a couple of
+nights, but these nights had been so intensely intolerable that he had
+no option than to choose, for the time being, from among the young
+pages, those who were of handsome appearance, and bring them over to
+relieve his monotony. In the Jung Kuo mansion, there was, it happened, a
+cook, a most useless, good-for-nothing drunkard, whose name was To Kuan,
+in whom people recognised an infirm and a useless husband so that they
+all dubbed him with the name of To Hun Ch'ung, the stupid worm To. As
+the wife given to him in marriage by his father and mother was this year
+just twenty, and possessed further several traits of beauty, and was
+also naturally of a flighty and frivolous disposition, she had an
+extreme penchant for violent flirtations. But To Hun-ch'ung, on the
+other hand, did not concern himself (with her deportment), and as long
+as he had wine, meat and money he paid no heed whatever to anything. And
+for this reason it was that all the men in the two mansions of Ning and
+Jung had been successful in their attentions; and as this woman was
+exceptionally fascinating and incomparably giddy, she was generally
+known by all by the name To Ku Ning (Miss To).
+
+Chia Lien, now that he had his quarters outside, chafed under the pangs
+of irksome ennui, yet he too, in days gone by, had set his eyes upon
+this woman, and had for long, watered in the mouth with admiration; but
+as, inside, he feared his winsome wife, and outside, he dreaded his
+beloved lads, he had not made any advances. But this To Ku Niang had
+likewise a liking for Chia Lien, and was full of resentment at the
+absence of a favourable opportunity; but she had recently come to hear
+that Chia Lien had shifted his quarters into the outer library, and her
+wont was, even in the absence of any legitimate purpose, to go over
+three and four times to entice him on; but though Chia Lien was, in
+every respect, like a rat smitten with hunger, he could not dispense
+with holding consultation with the young friends who enjoyed his
+confidence; and as he struck a bargain with them for a large amount of
+money and silks, how could they ever not have come to terms (with him to
+speak on his behalf)? Besides, they were all old friends of this woman,
+so that, as soon as they conveyed the proposal, she willingly accepted
+it. When night came To Hun Ch'ung was lying on the couch in a state of
+drunkenness, and at the second watch, when every one was quiet, Chia
+Lien at once slipped in, and they had their assignation. As soon as he
+gazed upon her face, he lost control over his senses, and without even
+one word of ordinary greeting or commonplace remark, they forthwith,
+fervently indulged in a most endearing tete-a-tete.
+
+This woman possessed, who could have thought it, a strange natural
+charm; for, as soon as any one of her lovers came within any close
+distance of her, he speedily could not but notice that her very tendons
+and bones mollified, paralysed-like from feeling, so that his was the
+sensation of basking in a soft bower of love. What is more, her
+demonstrative ways and free-and-easy talk put even those of a born
+coquette to shame, with the result that while Chia Lien, at this time,
+longed to become heart and soul one with her, the woman designedly
+indulged in immodest innuendoes.
+
+"Your daughter is at home," she insinuated in her recumbent position,
+"ill with the small-pox, and prayers are being offered to the goddess;
+and your duty too should be to abstain from love affairs for a couple of
+days, but on the contrary, by flirting with me, you've contaminated
+yourself! but, you'd better be off at once from me here!"
+
+"You're my goddess!" gaspingly protested Chia Lien, as he gave way to
+demonstrativeness; "what do I care about any other goddess!"
+
+The woman began to be still more indelicate in her manner, so that Chia
+Lien could not refrain himself from making a full exhibition of his warm
+sentiments. When their tete-a-tete had come to a close, they both went
+on again to vow by the mountains and swear by the seas, and though they
+found it difficult to part company and hard to tear themselves away,
+they, in due course, became, after this occasion, mutual sworn friends.
+But by a certain day the virus in Ta Chieh's system had become
+exhausted, and the spots subsided, and at the expiry of twelve days the
+goddess was removed, and the whole household offered sacrifices to
+heaven, worshipped the ancestors, paid their vows, burnt incense,
+exchanged congratulations, and distributed presents. And these
+formalities observed, Chia Lien once more moved back into his own
+bedroom and was reunited with lady Feng. The proverb is indeed true
+which says: "That a new marriage is not equal to a long separation," for
+there ensued between them demonstrations of loving affection still more
+numerous than heretofore, to which we need not, of course, refer with
+any minuteness.
+
+The next day, at an early hour, after lady Feng had gone into the upper
+rooms, P'ing Erh set to work to put in order the clothes and bedding,
+which had been brought from outside, when, contrary to her expectation,
+a tress of hair fell out from inside the pillow-case, as she was intent
+upon shaking it. P'ing Erh understood its import, and taking at once the
+hair, she concealed it in her sleeve, and there and then came over into
+the room on this side, where she produced the hair, and smirkingly asked
+Chia Lien, "What's this?"
+
+Chia Lien, at the sight of it, lost no time in making a snatch with the
+idea of depriving her of it; and when P'ing Erh speedily endeavoured to
+run away, she was clutched by Chia Lien, who put her down on the
+stove-couch, and came up to take it from her hand.
+
+"You heartless fellow!" P'ing Erh laughingly exclaimed, "I conceal this,
+with every good purpose, from her knowledge, and come to ask you about
+it, and you, on the contrary, fly into a rage! But wait till she comes
+back, and I'll tell her, and we'll see what will happen."
+
+At these words, Chia Lien hastily forced a smile. "Dear girl!" he
+entreated, "give it to me, and I won't venture again to fly into a
+passion."
+
+But hardly was this remark finished, when they heard the voice of lady
+Feng penetrate into the room. As soon as it reached the ear of Chia
+Lien, he was at a loss whether it was better to let her go or to snatch
+it away, and kept on shouting, "My dear girl! don't let her know."
+
+P'ing Erh at once rose to her feet; but lady Feng had already entered
+the room; and she went on to bid P'ing Erh be quick and open a box and
+find a pattern for madame Wang. P'ing Erh expressed her obedience with
+alacrity; but while in search of it, lady Feng caught sight of Chia
+Lien; and suddenly remembering something, she hastened to ask P'ing Erh
+about it.
+
+"The other day," she observed, "some things were taken out, and have you
+brought them all in or not?"
+
+"I have!" P'ing Erh assented.
+
+"Is there anything short or not?" lady Feng inquired.
+
+"I've carefully looked at them," P'ing Erh added, "and haven't found
+even one single thing short."
+
+"Is there anything in excess?" lady Feng went on to ascertain.
+
+P'ing Erh laughed. "It's enough," she rejoined, "that there's nothing
+short; and how could there really turn out to be anything over and
+above?"
+
+"That this half month," lady Feng continued still smiling, "things have
+gone on immaculately it would be hard to vouch; for some intimate friend
+there may have been, who possibly has left something behind, in the
+shape of a ring, handkerchief or other such object, there's no saying
+for certain!"
+
+While these words were being spoken, Chia Lien's face turned perfectly
+sallow, and, as he stood behind lady Feng, he was intent upon gazing at
+P'ing Erh, making signs to her (that he was going) to cut her throat as
+a chicken is killed, (threatening her not to utter a sound) and
+entreating her to screen him; but P'ing Erh pretended not to notice him,
+and consequently observed smiling: "How is it that my ideas should
+coincide with those of yours, my lady; and as I suspected that there may
+have been something of the kind, I carefully searched all over, but I
+didn't find even so much as the slightest thing wrong; and if you don't
+believe me, my lady, you can search for your own self."
+
+"You fool!" lady Feng laughed, "had he any things of the sort, would he
+be likely to let you and I discover them!"
+
+With these words still on her lips, she took the patterns and went her
+way; whereupon P'ing Erh pointed at her nose, and shook her head to and
+fro. "In this matter," she smiled, "how much you should be grateful to
+me!" A remark which so delighted Chia Lien that his eyebrows distended,
+and his eyes smiled, and running over, he clasped her in his embrace,
+and called her promiscuously: "My darling, my pet, my own treasure!"
+
+"This," observed P'ing Erh, with the tress in her hand, "will be my
+source of power, during all my lifetime! if you treat me kindly, then
+well and good! but if you behave unkindly, then we'll at once produce
+this thing!"
+
+"Do put it away, please," Chia Lien entreated smirkingly, "and don't, on
+an any account, let her know about it!" and as he uttered these words,
+he noticed that she was off her guard, and, with a snatch, readily
+grabbed it adding laughingly: "In your hands, it would be a source of
+woe, so that it's better that I should burn it, and have done with it!"
+Saying this he simultaneously shoved it down the sides of his boot,
+while P'ing Erh shouted as she set her teeth close: "You wicked man! you
+cross the river and then demolish the bridge! but do you imagine that
+I'll by and by again tell lies on your behalf!"
+
+Chia Lien perceiving how heart-stirring her seductive charms were,
+forthwith clasped her in his arms, and begged her to be his; but P'ing
+Erh snatched her hands out of his grasp and ran away out of the room;
+which so exasperated Chia Lien that as he bent his body, he exclaimed,
+full of indignation: "What a dreadful niggardly young wench! she
+actually sets her mind to stir up people's affections with her wanton
+blandishments, and then, after all, she runs away!"
+
+"If I be wanton, it's my own look-out;" P'ing Erh answered, from outside
+the window, with a grin, "and who told you to arouse your affections? Do
+you forsooth mean to imply that my wish is to become your tool? And did
+she come to know about it would she again ever forgive me?"
+
+"You needn't dread her!" Chia Lien urged; "wait till my monkey is up,
+and I'll take this jealous woman, and beat her to atoms; and she'll then
+know what stuff I'm made of. She watches me just as she would watch a
+thief! and she's only to hobnob with men, and I'm not to say a word to
+any girl! and if I do say aught to a girl, or get anywhere near one, she
+must at once give way to suspicion. But with no regard to younger
+brothers or nephews, to young and old, she prattles and giggles with
+them, and doesn't entertain any fear that I may be jealous; but
+henceforward I too won't allow her to set eyes upon any man."
+
+"If she be jealous, there's every reason," P'ing Erh answered, "but for
+you to be jealous on her account isn't right. Her conduct is really
+straightforward, and her deportment upright, but your conduct is
+actuated by an evil heart, so much so that even I don't feel my heart at
+ease, not to say anything of her."
+
+"You two," continued Chia Lien, "have a mouth full of malicious breath!
+Everything the couple of you do is invariably proper, while whatever I
+do is all from an evil heart! But some time or other I shall bring you
+both to your end with my own hands!"
+
+This sentence was scarcely at an end, when lady Feng walked into the
+court. "If you're bent upon chatting," she urgently inquired, upon
+seeing P'ing Erh outside the window, "why don't you go into the room?
+and what do you mean, instead, by running out, and speaking with the
+window between?"
+
+Chia Lien from inside took up the string of the conversation. "You
+should ask her," he said. "It would verily seem as if there were a tiger
+in the room to eat her up."
+
+"There's not a single person in the room," P'ing Erh rejoined, "and what
+shall I stay and do with him?"
+
+"It's just the proper thing that there should be no one else! Isn't it?"
+lady Feng remarked grinning sarcastically.
+
+"Do these words allude to me?" P'ing Erh hastily asked, as soon as she
+had heard what she said.
+
+Lady Feng forthwith laughed. "If they don't allude to you," she
+continued, "to whom do they?"
+
+"Don't press me to come out with some nice things!" P'ing Erh
+insinuated, and, as she spoke, she did not even raise the portiere (for
+lady Feng to enter), but straightway betook herself to the opposite
+side.
+
+Lady Feng lifted the portiere with her own hands, and walked into the
+room. "That girl P'ing Erh," she exclaimed, "has gone mad, and if this
+hussey does in real earnest wish to try and get the upper hand of me, it
+would be well for you to mind your skin."
+
+Chia Lien listened to her, as he kept reclining on the couch. "I never
+in the least knew," he ventured, clapping his hands and laughing, "that
+P'ing Erh was so dreadful; and I must, after all, from henceforth look
+up to her with respect!"
+
+"It's all through your humouring her," lady Feng rejoined; "so I'll
+simply settle scores with you and finish with it."
+
+"Ts'ui!" ejaculated Chia Lien at these words, "because you two can't
+agree, must you again make a scapegoat of me! Well then, I'll get out of
+the way of both of you!"
+
+"I'll see where you'll go and hide," lady Feng observed.
+
+"I've got somewhere to go!" Chia Lien added; and with these words, he
+was about to go, when lady Feng urged: "Don't be off! I have something
+to tell you."
+
+What it is, is not yet known, but, reader, listen to the account given
+in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+ Upon hearing the text of the stanza, Pao-yue comprehends the Buddhistic
+ spells.
+ While the enigmas for the lanterns are being devised, Chia Cheng is
+ grieved by a prognostic.
+
+
+Chia Lien, for we must now prosecute our story, upon hearing lady Feng
+observe that she had something to consult about with him, felt
+constrained to halt and to inquire what it was about.
+
+"On the 21st," lady Feng explained, "is cousin Hsueeh's birthday, and
+what do you, after all, purpose doing?"
+
+"Do I know what to do?" exclaimed Chia Lien; "you have made, time and
+again, arrangements for ever so many birthdays of grown-up people, and
+do you, really, find yourself on this occasion without any resources?"
+
+"Birthdays of grown-up people are subject to prescribed rules," lady
+Feng expostulated; "but her present birthday is neither one of an adult
+nor that of an infant, and that's why I would like to deliberate with
+you!"
+
+Chia Lien upon hearing this remark, lowered his head and gave himself to
+protracted reflection. "You're indeed grown dull!" he cried; "why you've
+a precedent ready at hand to suit your case! Cousin Lin's birthday
+affords a precedent, and what you did in former years for cousin Lin,
+you can in this instance likewise do for cousin Hsueeh, and it will be
+all right."
+
+At these words lady Feng gave a sarcastic smile. "Do you, pray, mean to
+insinuate," she added, "that I'm not aware of even this! I too had
+previously come, after some thought, to this conclusion; but old lady
+Chia explained, in my hearing yesterday, that having made inquiries
+about all their ages and their birthdays, she learnt that cousin Hsueeh
+would this year be fifteen, and that though this was not the birthday,
+which made her of age, she could anyhow well be regarded as being on the
+dawn of the year, in which she would gather up her hair, so that our
+dowager lady enjoined that her anniversary should, as a matter of
+course, be celebrated, unlike that of cousin Lin."
+
+"Well, in that case," Chia Lien suggested, "you had better make a few
+additions to what was done for cousin Lin!"
+
+"That's what I too am thinking of," lady Feng replied, "and that's why
+I'm asking your views; for were I, on my own hook, to add anything you
+would again feel hurt for my not have explained things to you."
+
+"That will do, that will do!" Chia Lien rejoined laughing, "none of
+these sham attentions for me! So long as you don't pry into my doings it
+will be enough; and will I go so far as to bear you a grudge?"
+
+With these words still in his mouth, he forthwith went off. But leaving
+him alone we shall now return to Shih Hsiang-yuen. After a stay of a
+couple of days, her intention was to go back, but dowager lady Chia
+said: "Wait until after you have seen the theatrical performance, when
+you can return home."
+
+At this proposal, Shih Hsiang-yuen felt constrained to remain, but she,
+at the same time, despatched a servant to her home to fetch two pieces
+of needlework, which she had in former days worked with her own hands,
+for a birthday present for Pao-ch'ai.
+
+Contrary to all expectations old lady Chia had, since the arrival of
+Pao-ch'ai, taken quite a fancy to her, for her sedateness and good
+nature, and as this happened to be the first birthday which she was
+about to celebrate (in the family) she herself readily contributed
+twenty taels which, after sending for lady Feng, she handed over to her,
+to make arrangements for a banquet and performance.
+
+"A venerable senior like yourself," lady Feng thereupon smiled and
+ventured, with a view to enhancing her good cheer, "is at liberty to
+celebrate the birthday of a child in any way agreeable to you, without
+any one presuming to raise any objection; but what's the use again of
+giving a banquet? But since it be your good pleasure and your purpose to
+have it celebrated with eclat, you could, needless to say, your own self
+have spent several taels from the private funds in that old treasury of
+yours! But you now produce those twenty taels, spoiled by damp and
+mould, to play the hostess with, with the view indeed of compelling us
+to supply what's wanted! But hadn't you really been able to contribute
+any more, no one would have a word to say; but the gold and silver,
+round as well as flat, have with their heavy weight pressed down the
+bottom of the box! and your sole object is to harass us and to extort
+from us. But raise your eyes and look about you; who isn't your
+venerable ladyship's son and daughter? and is it likely, pray, that in
+the future there will only be cousin Pao-yue to carry you, our old lady,
+on his head, up the Wu T'ai Shan? You may keep all these things for him
+alone! but though we mayn't at present, deserve that anything should be
+spent upon us, you shouldn't go so far as to place us in any
+perplexities (by compelling us to subscribe). And is this now enough for
+wines, and enough for the theatricals?"
+
+As she bandied these words, every one in the whole room burst out
+laughing, and even dowager lady Chia broke out in laughter while she
+observed: "Do you listen to that mouth? I myself am looked upon as
+having the gift of the gab, but why is it that I can't talk in such a
+wise as to put down this monkey? Your mother-in-law herself doesn't dare
+to be so overbearing in her speech; and here you are jabber, jabber with
+me!"
+
+"My mother-in-law," explained lady Feng, "is also as fond of Pao-yue as
+you are, so much so that I haven't anywhere I could go and give vent to
+my grievances; and instead of (showing me some regard) you say that I'm
+overbearing in my speech!"
+
+With these words, she again enticed dowager lady Chia to laugh for a
+while. The old lady continued in the highest of spirits, and, when
+evening came, and they all appeared in her presence to pay their
+obeisance, her ladyship made it a point, while the whole company of
+ladies and young ladies were engaged in chatting, to ascertain of
+Pao-ch'ai what play she liked to hear, and what things she fancied to
+eat.
+
+Pao-ch'ai was well aware that dowager lady Chia, well up in years though
+she was, delighted in sensational performances, and was partial to sweet
+and tender viands, so that she readily deferred, in every respect, to
+those things, which were to the taste of her ladyship, and enumerated a
+whole number of them, which made the old lady become the more exuberant.
+And the next day, she was the first to send over clothes, nicknacks and
+such presents, while madame Wang and lady Feng, Tai-yue and the other
+girls, as well as the whole number of inmates had all presents for her,
+regulated by their degree of relationship, to which we need not allude
+in detail.
+
+When the 21st arrived, a stage of an ordinary kind, small but yet handy,
+was improvised in dowager lady Chia's inner court, and a troupe of young
+actors, who had newly made their debut, was retained for the nonce,
+among whom were both those who could sing tunes, slow as well as fast.
+In the drawing rooms of the old lady were then laid out several tables
+for a family banquet and entertainment, at which there was not a single
+outside guest; and with the exception of Mrs. Hsueeh, Shih Hsiang-yuen,
+and Pao-ch'ai, who were visitors, the rest were all inmates of her
+household.
+
+On this day, Pao-yue failed, at any early hour, to see anything of Lin
+Tai-yue, and coming at once to her rooms in search of her, he discovered
+her reclining on the stove-couch. "Get up," Pao-yue pressed her with a
+smile, "and come and have breakfast, for the plays will commence
+shortly; but whichever plays you would like to listen to, do tell me so
+that I may be able to choose them."
+
+Tai-yue smiled sarcastically. "In that case," she rejoined, "you had
+better specially engage a troupe and select those I like sung for my
+benefit; for on this occasion you can't be so impertinent as to make use
+of their expense to ask me what I like!"
+
+"What's there impossible about this?" Pao-yue answered smiling; "well,
+to-morrow I'll readily do as you wish, and ask them too to make use of
+what is yours and mine."
+
+As he passed this remark, he pulled her up, and taking her hand in his
+own, they walked out of the room and came and had breakfast. When the
+time arrived to make a selection of the plays, dowager lady Chia of her
+own motion first asked Pao-ch'ai to mark off those she liked; and though
+for a time Pao-ch'ai declined, yielding the choice to others, she had no
+alternative but to decide, fixing upon a play called, "the Record of the
+Western Tour," a play of which the old lady was herself very fond. Next
+in order, she bade lady Feng choose, and lady Feng, had, after all, in
+spite of madame Wang ranking before her in precedence, to consider old
+lady Chia's request, and not to presume to show obstinacy by any
+disobedience. But as she knew well enough that her ladyship had a
+penchant for what was exciting, and that she was still more partial to
+jests, jokes, epigrams, and buffoonery, she therefore hastened to
+precede (madame Wang) and to choose a play, which was in fact no other
+than "Liu Erh pawns his clothes."
+
+Dowager lady Chia was, of course, still more elated. And after this she
+speedily went on to ask Tai-yue to choose. Tai-yue likewise concedingly
+yielded her turn in favour of madame Wang and the other seniors, to make
+their selections before her, but the old lady expostulated. "To-day,"
+she said, "is primarily an occasion, on which I've brought all of you
+here for your special recreation; and we had better look after our own
+selves and not heed them! For have I, do you imagine, gone to the
+trouble of having a performance and laying a feast for their special
+benefit? they're already reaping benefit enough by being in here,
+listening to the plays and partaking of the banquet, when they have no
+right to either; and are they to be pressed further to make a choice of
+plays?"
+
+At these words, the whole company had a hearty laugh; after which,
+Tai-yue, at length, marked off a play; next in order following Pao-yue,
+Shih Hsiang-yuen, Ying-ch'un, T'an Ch'un, Hsi Ch'un, widow Li Wan, and
+the rest, each and all of whom made a choice of plays, which were sung
+in the costumes necessary for each. When the time came to take their
+places at the banquet, dowager lady Chia bade Pao-ch'ai make another
+selection, and Pao-ch'ai cast her choice upon the play: "Lu Chih-shen,
+in a fit of drunkenness stirs up a disturbance up the Wu T'ai mountain;"
+whereupon Pao-yue interposed, with the remark: "All you fancy is to
+choose plays of this kind;" to which Pao-ch'ai rejoined, "You've
+listened to plays all these years to no avail! How could you know the
+beauties of this play? the stage effect is grand, but what is still
+better are the apt and elegant passages in it."
+
+"I've always had a dread of such sensational plays as these!" Pao-yue
+retorted.
+
+"If you call this play sensational," Pao-ch'ai smilingly expostulated,
+"well then you may fitly be looked upon as being no connoisseur of
+plays. But come over and I'll tell you. This play constitutes one of a
+set of books, entitled the 'Pei Tien Peng Ch'un,' which, as far as
+harmony, musical rests and closes, and tune go, is, it goes without
+saying, perfect; but there's among the elegant compositions a ballad
+entitled: 'the Parasitic Plant,' written in a most excellent style; but
+how could you know anything about it?"
+
+Pao-yue, upon hearing her speak of such points of beauty, hastily drew
+near to her. "My dear cousin," he entreated, "recite it and let me hear
+it!" Whereupon Pao-ch'ai went on as follows:
+
+ My manly tears I will not wipe away,
+ But from this place, the scholar's home, I'll stray.
+ The bonze for mercy I shall thank; under the lotus altar shave my
+ pate;
+ With Yuean to be the luck I lack; soon in a twinkle we shall separate,
+ And needy and forlorn I'll come and go, with none to care about my
+ fate.
+ Thither shall I a suppliant be for a fog wrapper and rain hat; my
+ warrant I shall roll,
+ And listless with straw shoes and broken bowl, wherever to convert my
+ fate may be, I'll stroll.
+
+As soon as Pao-yue had listened to her recital, he was so full of
+enthusiasm, that, clapping his knees with his hands, and shaking his
+head, he gave vent to incessant praise; after which he went on to extol
+Pao-ch'ai, saying: "There's no book that you don't know."
+
+"Be quiet, and listen to the play," Lin Tai-yue urged; "they haven't yet
+sung about the mountain gate, and you already pretend to be mad!"
+
+At these words, Hsiang-yuen also laughed. But, in due course, the whole
+party watched the performance until evening, when they broke up. Dowager
+lady Chia was so very much taken with the young actor, who played the
+role of a lady, as well as with the one who acted the buffoon, that she
+gave orders that they should be brought in; and, as she looked at them
+closely, she felt so much the more interest in them, that she went on to
+inquire what their ages were. And when the would-be lady (replied) that
+he was just eleven, while the would-be buffoon (explained) that he was
+just nine, the whole company gave vent for a time to expressions of
+sympathy with their lot; while dowager lady Chia bade servants bring a
+fresh supply of meats and fruits for both of them, and also gave them,
+besides their wages, two tiaos as a present.
+
+"This lad," lady Feng observed smiling, "is when dressed up (as a girl),
+a living likeness of a certain person; did you notice it just now?"
+
+Pao-ch'ai was also aware of the fact, but she simply nodded her head
+assentingly and did not say who it was. Pao-yue likewise expressed his
+assent by shaking his head, but he too did not presume to speak out.
+Shih Hsiang-yuen, however, readily took up the conversation. "He
+resembles," she interposed, "cousin Lin's face!" When this remark
+reached Pao-yue's ear, he hastened to cast an angry scowl at Hsiang-yuen,
+and to make her a sign; while the whole party, upon hearing what had
+been said, indulged in careful and minute scrutiny of (the lad); and as
+they all began to laugh: "The resemblance is indeed striking!" they
+exclaimed.
+
+After a while, they parted; and when evening came Hsiang-yuen directed
+Ts'ui Lue to pack up her clothes.
+
+"What's the hurry?" Ts'ui Lue asked. "There will be ample time to pack
+up, on the day on which we go!"
+
+"We'll go to-morrow," Hsiang-yuen rejoined; "for what's the use of
+remaining here any longer--to look at people's mouths and faces?"
+
+Pao-yue, at these words, lost no time in pressing forward.
+
+"My dear cousin," he urged; "you're wrong in bearing me a grudge! My
+cousin Lin is a girl so very touchy, that though every one else
+distinctly knew (of the resemblance), they wouldn't speak out; and all
+because they were afraid that she would get angry; but unexpectedly out
+you came with it, at a moment when off your guard; and how ever couldn't
+she but feel hurt? and it's because I was in dread that you would give
+offence to people that I then winked at you; and now here you are angry
+with me; but isn't that being ungrateful to me? Had it been any one
+else, would I have cared whether she had given offence to even ten; that
+would have been none of my business!"
+
+Hsiang-yuen waved her hand: "Don't," she added, "come and tell me these
+flowery words and this specious talk, for I really can't come up to your
+cousin Lin. If others poke fun at her, they all do so with impunity,
+while if I say anything, I at once incur blame. The fact is I shouldn't
+have spoken of her, undeserving as I am; and as she's the daughter of a
+master, while I'm a slave, a mere servant girl, I've heaped insult upon
+her!"
+
+"And yet," pleaded Pao-yue, full of perplexity, "I had done it for your
+sake; and through this, I've come in for reproach. But if it were with
+an evil heart I did so, may I at once become ashes, and be trampled upon
+by ten thousands of people!"
+
+"In this felicitous firstmonth," Hsiang-yuen remonstrated, "you shouldn't
+talk so much reckless nonsense! All these worthless despicable oaths,
+disjointed words, and corrupt language, go and tell for the benefit of
+those mean sort of people, who in everything take pleasure in irritating
+others, and who keep you under their thumb! But mind don't drive me to
+spit contemptuously at you."
+
+As she gave utterance to these words, she betook herself in the inner
+room of dowager lady Chia's suite of apartments, where she lay down in
+high dudgeon, and, as Pao-yue was so heavy at heart, he could not help
+coming again in search of Tai-yue; but strange to say, as soon as he put
+his foot inside the doorway, he was speedily hustled out of it by
+Tai-yue, who shut the door in his face.
+
+Pao-yue was once more unable to fathom her motives, and as he stood
+outside the window, he kept on calling out: "My dear cousin," in a low
+tone of voice; but Tai-yue paid not the slightest notice to him so that
+Pao-yue became so melancholy that he drooped his head, and was plunged in
+silence. And though Hsi Jen had, at an early hour, come to know the
+circumstances, she could not very well at this juncture tender any
+advice.
+
+Pao-yue remained standing in such a vacant mood that Tai-yue imagined that
+he had gone back; but when she came to open the door she caught sight of
+Pao-yue still waiting in there; and as Tai-yue did not feel justified to
+again close the door, Pao-yue consequently followed her in.
+
+"Every thing has," he observed, "a why and a wherefore; which, when
+spoken out, don't even give people pain; but you will rush into a rage,
+and all without any rhyme! but to what really does it owe its rise?"
+
+"It's well enough, after all, for you to ask me," Tai-yue rejoined with
+an indifferent smile, "but I myself don't know why! But am I here to
+afford you people amusement that you will compare me to an actress, and
+make the whole lot have a laugh at me?"
+
+"I never did liken you to anything," Pao-yue protested, "neither did I
+ever laugh at you! and why then will you get angry with me?"
+
+"Was it necessary that you should have done so much as made the
+comparison," Tai-yue urged, "and was there any need of even any laughter
+from you? why, though you mayn't have likened me to anything, or had a
+laugh at my expense, you were, yea more dreadful than those who did
+compare me (to a singing girl) and ridiculed me!"
+
+Pao-yue could not find anything with which to refute the argument he had
+just heard, and Tai-yue went on to say. "This offence can, anyhow, be
+condoned; but, what is more, why did you also wink at Yuen Erh? What was
+this idea which you had resolved in your mind? wasn't it perhaps that if
+she played with me, she would be demeaning herself, and making herself
+cheap? She's the daughter of a duke or a marquis, and we forsooth the
+mean progeny of a poor plebeian family; so that, had she diverted
+herself with me, wouldn't she have exposed herself to being depreciated,
+had I, perchance, said anything in retaliation? This was your idea
+wasn't it? But though your purpose was, to be sure, honest enough, that
+girl wouldn't, however, receive any favours from you, but got angry with
+you just as much as I did; and though she made me also a tool to do you
+a good turn, she, on the contrary, asserts that I'm mean by nature and
+take pleasure in irritating people in everything! and you again were
+afraid lest she should have hurt my feelings, but, had I had a row with
+her, what would that have been to you? and had she given me any offence,
+what concern would that too have been of yours?"
+
+When Pao-yue heard these words, he at once became alive to the fact that
+she too had lent an ear to the private conversation he had had a short
+while back with Hsiang-yuen: "All because of my, fears," he carefully
+mused within himself, "lest these two should have a misunderstanding, I
+was induced to come between them, and act as a mediator; but I myself
+have, contrary to my hopes, incurred blame and abuse on both sides! This
+just accords with what I read the other day in the Nan Hua Ching. 'The
+ingenious toil, the wise are full of care; the good-for-nothing seek for
+nothing, they feed on vegetables, and roam where they list; they wander
+purposeless like a boat not made fast!' 'The mountain trees,' the text
+goes on to say, 'lead to their own devastation; the spring (conduces) to
+its own plunder; and so on." And the more he therefore indulged in
+reflection, the more depressed he felt. "Now there are only these few
+girls," he proceeded to ponder minutely, "and yet, I'm unable to treat
+them in such a way as to promote perfect harmony; and what will I
+forsooth do by and by (when there will be more to deal with)!"
+
+When he had reached this point in his cogitations, (he decided) that it
+was really of no avail to agree with her, so that turning round, he was
+making his way all alone into his apartments; but Lin Tai-yue, upon
+noticing that he had left her side, readily concluded that reflection
+had marred his spirits and that he had so thoroughly lost his temper as
+to be going without even giving vent to a single word, and she could not
+restrain herself from feeling inwardly more and more irritated. "After
+you've gone this time," she hastily exclaimed, "don't come again, even
+for a whole lifetime; and I won't have you either so much as speak to
+me!"
+
+Pao-yue paid no heed to her, but came back to his rooms, and laying
+himself down on his bed, he kept on muttering in a state of chagrin; and
+though Hsi Jen knew full well the reasons of his dejection, she found it
+difficult to summon up courage to say anything to him at the moment, and
+she had no alternative but to try and distract him by means of
+irrelevant matters. "The theatricals which you've seen to-day," she
+consequently observed smiling, "will again lead to performances for
+several days, and Miss Pao-ch'ai will, I'm sure, give a return feast."
+
+"Whether she gives a return feast or not," Pao-yue rejoined with an
+apathetic smirk, "is no concern of mine!"
+
+When Hsi Jen perceived the tone, so unlike that of other days, with
+which these words were pronounced: "What's this that you're saying?" she
+therefore remarked as she gave another smile. "In this pleasant and
+propitious first moon, when all the ladies and young ladies are in high
+glee, how is it that you're again in a mood of this sort?"
+
+"Whether the ladies and my cousins be in high spirits or not," Pao-yue
+replied forcing a grin, "is also perfectly immaterial to me."
+
+"They are all," Hsi Jen added, smilingly, "pleasant and agreeable, and
+were you also a little pleasant and agreeable, wouldn't it conduce to
+the enjoyment of the whole company?"
+
+"What about the whole company, and they and I?" Pao-yue urged. "They all
+have their mutual friendships; while I, poor fellow, all forlorn, have
+none to care a rap for me."
+
+His remarks had reached this clause, when inadvertently the tears
+trickled down; and Hsi Jen realising the state of mind he was in, did
+not venture to say anything further. But as soon as Pao-yue had reflected
+minutely over the sense and import of this sentence, he could not
+refrain from bursting forth into a loud fit of crying, and, turning
+himself round, he stood up, and, drawing near the table, he took up the
+pencil, and eagerly composed these enigmatical lines:
+
+ If thou wert me to test, and I were thee to test,
+ Our hearts were we to test, and our minds to test,
+ When naught more there remains for us to test
+ That will yea very well be called a test,
+ And when there's naught to put, we could say, to the test,
+ We will a place set up on which our feet to rest.
+
+After he had finished writing, he again gave way to fears that though he
+himself could unfold their meaning, others, who came to peruse these
+lines, would not be able to fathom them, and he also went on
+consequently to indite another stanza, in imitation of the "Parasitic
+Plant," which he inscribed at the close of the enigma; and when he had
+read it over a second time, he felt his heart so free of all concern
+that forthwith he got into his bed, and went to sleep.
+
+But, who would have thought it, Tai-yue, upon seeing Pao-yue take his
+departure in such an abrupt manner, designedly made use of the excuse
+that she was bent upon finding Hsi Jen, to come round and see what he
+was up to.
+
+"He's gone to sleep long ago!" Hsi Jen replied.
+
+At these words, Tai-yue felt inclined to betake herself back at once; but
+Hsi Jen smiled and said: "Please stop, miss. Here's a slip of paper, and
+see what there is on it!" and speedily taking what Pao-yue had written a
+short while back, she handed it over to Tai-yue to examine. Tai-yue, on
+perusal, discovered that Pao-yue had composed it, at the spur of the
+moment, when under the influence of resentment; and she could not help
+thinking it both a matter of ridicule as well as of regret; but she
+hastily explained to Hsi Jen: "This is written for fun, and there's
+nothing of any consequence in it!" and having concluded this remark, she
+readily took it along with her to her room, where she conned it over in
+company with Hsiang-yuen; handing it also the next day to Pao-ch'ai to
+peruse. The burden of what Pao-ch'ai read was:
+
+ In what was no concern of mine, I should to thee have paid no heed,
+ For while I humour this, that one to please I don't succeed!
+ Act as thy wish may be! go, come whene'er thou list; 'tis naught to
+ me.
+ Sorrow or joy, without limit or bound, to indulge thou art free!
+ What is this hazy notion about relatives distant or close?
+ For what purpose have I for all these days racked my heart with woes?
+ Even at this time when I look back and think, my mind no pleasure
+ knows.
+
+After having finished its perusal, she went on to glance at the
+Buddhistic stanza, and smiling: "This being," she soliloquised; "has
+awakened to a sense of perception; and all through my fault, for it's
+that ballad of mine yesterday which has incited this! But the subtle
+devices in all these rationalistic books have a most easy tendency to
+unsettle the natural disposition, and if to-morrow he does actually get
+up, and talk a lot of insane trash, won't his having fostered this idea
+owe its origin to that ballad of mine; and shan't I have become the
+prime of all guilty people?"
+
+Saying this, she promptly tore the paper, and, delivering the pieces to
+the servant girls, she bade them go at once and burn them.
+
+"You shouldn't have torn it!" Tai-yue remonstrated laughingly. "But wait
+and I'll ask him about it! so come along all of you, and I vouch I'll
+make him abandon that idiotic frame of mind and that depraved language."
+
+The three of them crossed over, in point of fact, into Pao-yue's room,
+and Tai-yue was the first to smile and observe. "Pao-yue, may I ask you
+something? What is most valuable is a precious thing; and what is most
+firm is jade, but what value do you possess and what firmness is innate
+in you?"
+
+But as Pao-yue could not, say anything by way of reply, two of them
+remarked sneeringly: "With all this doltish bluntness of his will he
+after all absorb himself in abstraction?" While Hsiang-yuen also clapped
+her hands and laughed, "Cousin Pao has been discomfited."
+
+"The latter part of that apothegm of yours," Tai-yue continued, "says:
+
+ "We would then find some place on which our feet to rest.
+
+"Which is certainly good; but in my view, its excellence is not as yet
+complete! and I should still tag on two lines at its close;" as she
+proceeded to recite:
+
+ "If we do not set up some place on which our feet to rest,
+ For peace and freedom then it will be best."
+
+"There should, in very truth, be this adjunct to make it thoroughly
+explicit!" Pao-ch'ai added. "In days of yore, the sixth founder of the
+Southern sect, Hui Neng, came, when he went first in search of his
+patron, in the Shao Chou district; and upon hearing that the fifth
+founder, Hung Jen, was at Huang Mei, he readily entered his service in
+the capacity of Buddhist cook; and when the fifth founder, prompted by a
+wish to select a Buddhistic successor, bade his neophytes and all the
+bonzes to each compose an enigmatical stanza, the one who occupied the
+upper seat, Shen Hsiu, recited:
+
+ "A P'u T'i tree the body is, the heart so like a stand of mirror
+ bright,
+ On which must needs, by constant careful rubbing, not be left dust to
+ alight!
+
+"And Hui Neng, who was at this time in the cook-house pounding rice,
+overheard this enigma. 'Excellent, it is excellent,' he ventured, 'but
+as far as completeness goes it isn't complete;' and having bethought
+himself of an apothegm: 'The P'u T'i, (an expression for Buddha or
+intelligence),' he proceeded, 'is really no tree; and the resplendent
+mirror, (Buddhistic term for heart), is likewise no stand; and as, in
+fact, they do not constitute any tangible objects, how could they be
+contaminated by particles of dust?' Whereupon the fifth founder at once
+took his robe and clap-dish and handed them to him. Well, the text now
+of this enigma presents too this identical idea, for the simple fact is
+that those lines full of subtleties of a short while back are not, as
+yet, perfected or brought to an issue, and do you forsooth readily give
+up the task in this manner?"
+
+"He hasn't been able to make any reply," Tai-yue rejoined sneeringly,
+"and must therefore be held to be discomfited; but were he even to make
+suitable answer now, there would be nothing out of the common about it!
+Anyhow, from this time forth you mustn't talk about Buddhistic spells,
+for what even we two know and are able to do, you don't as yet know and
+can't do; and do you go and concern yourself with abstraction?"
+
+Pao-yue had, in his own mind, been under the impression that he had
+attained perception, but when he was unawares and all of a sudden
+subjected to this question by Tai-yue, he soon found it beyond his power
+to give any ready answer. And when Pao-ch'ai furthermore came out with a
+religious disquisition, by way of illustration, and this on subjects, in
+all of which he had hitherto not seen them display any ability, he
+communed within himself: "If with their knowledge, which is indeed in
+advance of that of mine, they haven't, as yet, attained perception, what
+need is there for me now to bring upon myself labour and vexation?"
+
+"Who has, pray," he hastily inquired smilingly, after arriving at the
+end of his reflections, "indulged in Buddhistic mysteries? what I did
+amounts to nothing more than nonsensical trash, written, at the spur of
+the moment, and nothing else."
+
+At the close of this remark all four came to be again on the same terms
+as of old; but suddenly a servant announced that the Empress (Yuean
+Ch'un) had despatched a messenger to bring over a lantern-conundrum with
+the directions that they should all go and guess it, and that after they
+had found it out, they should each also devise one and send it in. At
+these words, the four of them left the room with hasty step, and
+adjourned into dowager lady Chia's drawing room, where they discovered a
+young eunuch, holding a four-cornered, flat-topped lantern, of white
+gauze, which had been specially fabricated for lantern riddles. On the
+front side, there was already a conundrum, and the whole company were
+vying with each other in looking at it and making wild guesses; when the
+young eunuch went on to transmit his orders, saying: "Young ladies, you
+should not speak out when you are guessing; but each one of you should
+secretly write down the solutions for me to wrap them up, and take them
+all in together to await her Majesty's personal inspection as to whether
+they be correct or not."
+
+Upon listening to these words, Pao-ch'ai drew near, and perceived at a
+glance, that it consisted of a stanza of four lines, with seven
+characters in each; but though there was no novelty or remarkable
+feature about it, she felt constrained to outwardly give utterance to
+words of praise. "It's hard to guess!" she simply added, while she
+pretended to be plunged in thought, for the fact is that as soon as she
+had cast her eye upon it, she had at once solved it. Pao-yue, Tai-yue,
+Hsiang-yuen, and T'an-ch'un, had all four also hit upon the answer, and
+each had secretly put it in writing; and Chia Huan, Chia Lan and the
+others were at the same time sent for, and every one of them set to work
+to exert the energies of his mind, and, when they arrived at a guess,
+they noted it down on paper; after which every individual member of the
+family made a choice of some object, and composed a riddle, which was
+transcribed in a large round hand, and affixed on the lantern. This
+done, the eunuch took his departure, and when evening drew near, he came
+out and delivered the commands of the imperial consort. "The conundrum,"
+he said, "written by Her Highness, the other day, has been solved by
+every one, with the exception of Miss Secunda and master Tertius, who
+made a wrong guess. Those composed by you, young ladies, have likewise
+all been guessed; but Her Majesty does not know whether her solutions
+are right or not." While speaking, he again produced the riddles, which
+had been written by them, among which were those which had been solved,
+as well as those which had not been solved; and the eunuch, in like
+manner, took the presents, conferred by the imperial consort, and handed
+them over to those who had guessed right. To each person was assigned a
+bamboo vase, inscribed with verses, which had been manufactured for
+palace use, as well as articles of bamboo for tea; with the exception of
+Ying-ch'un and Chia Huan, who were the only two persons who did not
+receive any. But as Ying-ch'un looked upon the whole thing as a joke and
+a trifle, she did not trouble her mind on that score, but Chia Huan at
+once felt very disconsolate.
+
+"This one devised by Mr. Tertius," the eunuch was further heard to say,
+"is not properly done; and as Her Majesty herself has been unable to
+guess it she commanded me to bring it back, and ask Mr. Tertius what it
+is about."
+
+After the party had listened to these words, they all pressed forward to
+see what had been written. The burden of it was this:
+
+ The elder brother has horns only eight;
+ The second brother has horns only two;
+ The elder brother on the bed doth sit;
+ Inside the room the second likes to squat.
+
+After perusal of these lines, they broke out, with one voice, into a
+loud fit of laughter; and Chia Huan had to explain to the eunuch that
+the one was a pillow, and the other the head of an animal. Having
+committed the explanation to memory and accepted a cup of tea, the
+eunuch took his departure; and old lady Chia, noticing in what buoyant
+spirits Yuean Ch'un was, felt herself so much the more elated, that
+issuing forthwith directions to devise, with every despatch, a small but
+ingenious lantern of fine texture in the shape of a screen, and put it
+in the Hall, she bade each of her grandchildren secretly compose a
+conundrum, copy it out clean, and affix it on the frame of the lantern;
+and she had subsequently scented tea and fine fruits, as well as every
+kind of nicknacks, got ready, as prizes for those who guessed right.
+
+And when Chia Cheng came from court and found the old lady in such high
+glee he also came over in the evening, as the season was furthermore
+holiday time, to avail himself of her good cheer to reap some enjoyment.
+In the upper part of the room seated themselves, at one table dowager
+lady Chia, Chia Cheng, and Pao-yue; madame Wang, Pao-ch'ai, Tai-yue,
+Hsiang-yuen sat round another table, and Ying-ch'un, Tan-ch'un and Hsi
+Ch'un the three of them, occupied a separate table, and both these
+tables were laid in the lower part, while below, all over the floor,
+stood matrons and waiting-maids for Li Kung-ts'ai and Hsi-feng were both
+seated in the inner section of the Hall, at another table.
+
+Chia Chen failed to see Chia Lan, and he therefore inquired: "How is it
+I don't see brother Lan," whereupon the female servants, standing below,
+hastily entered the inner room and made inquiries of widow Li. "He
+says," Mrs. Li stood up and rejoined with a smile, "that as your master
+didn't go just then to ask him round, he has no wish to come!" and when
+a matron delivered the reply to Chia Cheng; the whole company exclaimed
+much amused: "How obstinate and perverse his natural disposition is!"
+But Chia Cheng lost no time in sending Chia Huan, together with two
+matrons, to fetch Chia Lan; and, on his arrival, dowager lady Chia bade
+him sit by her side, and, taking a handful of fruits, she gave them to
+him to eat; after which the party chatted, laughed, and enjoyed
+themselves.
+
+Ordinarily, there was no one but Pao-yue to say much or talk at any
+length, but on this day, with Chia Cheng present, his remarks were
+limited to assents. And as to the rest, Hsiang-yuen had, though a young
+girl, and of delicate physique, nevertheless ever been very fond of
+talking and discussing; but, on this instance, Chia Cheng was at the
+feast, so that she also held her tongue and restrained her words. As for
+Tai-yue she was naturally peevish and listless, and not very much
+inclined to indulge in conversation; while Pao-ch'ai, who had never been
+reckless in her words or frivolous in her deportment, likewise behaved
+on the present occasion in her usual dignified manner. Hence it was that
+this banquet, although a family party, given for the sake of relaxation,
+assumed contrariwise an appearance of restraint, and as old lady Chia
+was herself too well aware that it was to be ascribed to the presence of
+Chia Cheng alone, she therefore, after the wine had gone round three
+times, forthwith hurried off Chia Cheng to retire to rest.
+
+No less cognisant was Chia Cheng himself that the old lady's motives in
+packing him off were to afford a favourable opportunity to the young
+ladies and young men to enjoy themselves, and that is why, forcing a
+smile, he observed: "Having to-day heard that your venerable ladyship
+had got up in here a large assortment of excellent riddles, on the
+occasion of the spring festival of lanterns, I too consequently prepared
+prizes, as well as a banquet, and came with the express purpose of
+joining the company; and why don't you in some way confer a fraction of
+the fond love, which you cherish for your grandsons and granddaughters,
+upon me also, your son?"
+
+"When you're here," old lady Chia replied smilingly, "they won't venture
+to chat or laugh; and unless you go, you'll really fill me with intense
+dejection! But if you feel inclined to guess conundrums, well, I'll tell
+you one for you to solve; but if you don't guess right, mind, you'll be
+mulcted!"
+
+"Of course I'll submit to the penalty," Chia Cheng rejoined eagerly, as
+he laughed, "but if I do guess right, I must in like manner receive a
+reward!"
+
+"This goes without saying!" dowager lady Chia added; whereupon she went
+on to recite:
+
+ The monkey's body gently rests on the tree top!
+
+"This refers," she said, "to the name of a fruit."
+
+Chia Cheng was already aware that it was a lichee, but he designedly
+made a few guesses at random, and was fined several things; but he
+subsequently gave, at length, the right answer, and also obtained a
+present from her ladyship.
+
+In due course he too set forth this conundrum for old lady Chia to
+guess:
+
+ Correct its body is in appearance,
+ Both firm and solid is it in substance;
+ To words, it is true, it cannot give vent,
+ But spoken to, it always does assent.
+
+When he had done reciting it, he communicated the answer in an undertone
+to Pao-yue; and Pao-yue fathoming what his intention was, gently too told
+his grandmother Chia, and her ladyship finding, after some reflection,
+that there was really no mistake about it, readily remarked that it was
+an inkslab.
+
+"After all," Chia Cheng smiled; "Your venerable ladyship it is who can
+hit the right answer with one guess!" and turning his head round, "Be
+quick," he cried, "and bring the prizes and present them!" whereupon the
+married women and waiting-maids below assented with one voice, and they
+simultaneously handed up the large trays and small boxes.
+
+Old lady Chia passed the things, one by one, under inspection; and
+finding that they consisted of various kinds of articles, novel and
+ingenious, of use and of ornament, in vogue during the lantern festival,
+her heart was so deeply elated that with alacrity she shouted, "Pour a
+glass of wine for your master!"
+
+Pao-yue took hold of the decanter, while Ying Ch'un presented the cup of
+wine.
+
+"Look on that screen!" continued dowager lady Chia, "all those riddles
+have been written by the young ladies; so go and guess them for my
+benefit!"
+
+Chia Cheng signified his obedience, and rising and walking up to the
+front of the screen, he noticed the first riddle, which was one composed
+by the Imperial consort Yuean, in this strain:
+
+ The pluck of devils to repress in influence it abounds,
+ Like bound silk is its frame, and like thunder its breath resounds.
+ But one report rattles, and men are lo! in fear and dread;
+ Transformed to ashes 'tis what time to see you turn the head.
+
+"Is this a cracker?" Chia Cheng inquired.
+
+"It is," Pao-yue assented.
+
+Chia Cheng then went on to peruse that of Ying-Ch'un's, which referred
+to an article of use:
+
+ Exhaustless is the principle of heavenly calculations and of human
+ skill;
+ Skill may exist, but without proper practice the result to find hard
+ yet
+ will be!
+ Whence cometh all this mixed confusion on a day so still?
+ Simply it is because the figures Yin and Yang do not agree.
+
+"It's an abacus," Chia Cheng observed.
+
+"Quite so!" replied Ying Ch'un smiling; after which they also conned the
+one below, by T'an-ch'un, which ran thus and had something to do with an
+object:
+
+ This is the time when 'neath the stairs the pages their heads raise!
+ The term of "pure brightness" is the meetest time this thing to make!
+ The vagrant silk it snaps, and slack, without tension it strays!
+ The East wind don't begrudge because its farewell it did take!
+
+"It would seem," Chia Cheng suggested, "as if that must be a kite!"
+
+"It is," answered T'an C'h'un; whereupon Chia Cheng read the one below,
+which was written by Tai-yue to this effect and bore upon some thing:
+
+ After the audience, his two sleeves who brings with fumes replete?
+ Both by the lute and in the quilt, it lacks luck to abide!
+ The dawn it marks; reports from cock and man renders effete!
+ At midnight, maids no trouble have a new one to provide!
+ The head, it glows during the day, as well as in the night!
+ Its heart, it burns from day to day and 'gain from year to year!
+ Time swiftly flies and mete it is that we should hold it dear!
+ Changes might come, but it defies wind, rain, days dark or bright!
+
+"Isn't this a scented stick to show the watch?" Chia Cheng inquired.
+
+"Yes!" assented Pao-yue, speaking on Tai-yue's behalf; and Chia Cheng
+thereupon prosecuted the perusal of a conundrum, which ran as follows,
+and referred to an object;
+
+ With the South, it sits face to face,
+ And the North, the while, it doth face;
+ If the figure be sad, it also is sad,
+ If the figure be glad, it likewise is glad!
+
+"Splendid! splendid!" exclaimed Chia Cheng, "my guess is that it's a
+looking-glass. It's excellently done!"
+
+Pao-yue smiled. "It is a looking glass!" he rejoined.
+
+"This is, however, anonymous; whose work is it?" Chia Cheng went on to
+ask, and dowager lady Chia interposed: "This, I fancy, must have been
+composed by Pao-yue," and Chia Cheng then said not a word, but continued
+reading the following conundrum, which was that devised by Pao-ch'ai, on
+some article or other:
+
+ Eyes though it has; eyeballs it has none, and empty 'tis inside!
+ The lotus flowers out of the water peep, and they with gladness meet,
+ But when dryandra leaves begin to drop, they then part and divide,
+ For a fond pair they are, but, united, winter they cannot greet.
+
+When Chia Cheng finished scanning it, he gave way to reflection. "This
+object," he pondered, "must surely be limited in use! But for persons of
+tender years to indulge in all this kind of language, would seem to be
+still less propitious; for they cannot, in my views, be any of them the
+sort of people to enjoy happiness and longevity!" When his reflections
+reached this point, he felt the more dejected, and plainly betrayed a
+sad appearance, and all he did was to droop his head and to plunge in a
+brown study.
+
+But upon perceiving the frame of mind in which Chia Cheng was, dowager
+lady Chia arrived at the conclusion that he must be fatigued; and
+fearing, on the other hand, that if she detained him, the whole party of
+young ladies would lack the spirit to enjoy themselves, she there and
+then faced Chia Cheng and suggested: "There's no need really for you to
+remain here any longer, and you had better retire to rest; and let us
+sit a while longer; after which, we too will break up!"
+
+As soon as Chia Cheng caught this hint, he speedily assented several
+consecutive yes's; and when he had further done his best to induce old
+lady Chia to have a cup of wine, he eventually withdrew out of the Hall.
+On his return to his bedroom, he could do nothing else than give way to
+cogitation, and, as he turned this and turned that over in his mind, he
+got still more sad and pained.
+
+"Amuse yourselves now!" readily exclaimed dowager lady Chia, during this
+while, after seeing Chia Cheng off; but this remark was barely finished,
+when she caught sight of Pao-yue run up to the lantern screen, and give
+vent, as he gesticulated with his hands and kicked his feet about, to
+any criticisms that first came to his lips. "In this," he remarked,
+"this line isn't happy; and that one, hasn't been suitably solved!"
+while he behaved just like a monkey, whose fetters had been let loose.
+
+"Were the whole party after all," hastily ventured Tai-yue, "to sit down,
+as we did a short while back and chat and laugh; wouldn't that be more
+in accordance with good manners?"
+
+Lady Feng thereupon egressed from the room in the inner end and
+interposed her remarks. "Such a being as you are," she said, "shouldn't
+surely be allowed by Mr. Chia Cheng, an inch or a step from his side,
+and then you'll be all right. But just then it slipped my memory, for
+why didn't I, when your father was present, instigate him to bid you
+compose a rhythmical enigma; and you would, I have no doubt, have been
+up to this moment in a state of perspiration!"
+
+At these words, Pao-yue lost all patience, and laying hold of lady Feng,
+he hustled her about for a few moments.
+
+But old lady Chia went on for some time to bandy words with Li
+Kung-ts'ai, with the whole company of young ladies and the rest, so that
+she, in fact, felt considerably tired and worn out; and when she heard
+that the fourth watch had already drawn nigh, she consequently issued
+directions that the eatables should be cleared away and given to the
+crowd of servants, and suggested, as she readily rose to her feet, "Let
+us go and rest! for the next day is also a feast, and we must get up at
+an early hour; and to-morrow evening we can enjoy ourselves again!"
+whereupon the whole company dispersed.
+
+But now, reader, listen to the sequel given in the chapter which
+follows.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+ Pao-yue and Tai-yue make use of some beautiful passages from the Record
+ of the Western Side-building to bandy jokes.
+ The excellent ballads sung in the Peony Pavilion touch the tender
+ heart of Tai-yue.
+
+
+Soon after the day on which Chia Yuan-ch'un honoured the garden of Broad
+Vista with a visit, and her return to the Palace, so our story goes, she
+forthwith desired that T'an-ch'un should make a careful copy, in
+consecutive order, of the verses, which had been composed and read out
+on that occasion, in order that she herself should assign them their
+rank, and adjudge the good and bad. And she also directed that an
+inscription should be engraved on a stone, in the Broad Vista park, to
+serve in future years as a record of the pleasant and felicitous event;
+and Chia Cheng, therefore, gave orders to servants to go far and wide,
+and select skilful artificers and renowned workmen, to polish the stone
+and engrave the characters in the garden of Broad Vista; while Chia Chen
+put himself at the head of Chia Jung, Chia P'ing and others to
+superintend the work. And as Chia Se had, on the other hand, the control
+of Wen Kuan and the rest of the singing girls, twelve in all, as well as
+of their costumes and other properties, he had no leisure to attend to
+anything else, and consequently once again sent for Chia Ch'ang and Chia
+Ling to come and act as overseers.
+
+On a certain day, the works were taken in hand for rubbing the stones
+smooth with wax, for carving the inscription, and tracing it with
+vermilion, but without entering into details on these matters too
+minutely, we will return to the two places, the Yu Huang temple and the
+Ta Mo monastery. The company of twelve young bonzes and twelve young
+Taoist priests had now moved out of the Garden of Broad Vista, and Chia
+Cheng was meditating upon distributing them to various temples to live
+apart, when unexpectedly Chia Ch'in's mother, nee Chou,--who resided in
+the back street, and had been at the time contemplating to pay a visit
+to Chia Cheng on this side so as to obtain some charge, be it either
+large or small, for her son to look after, that he too should be put in
+the way of turning up some money to meet his expenses with,--came, as
+luck would have it, to hear that some work was in hand in this mansion,
+and lost no time in driving over in a curricle and making her appeal to
+lady Feng. And as lady Feng remembered that she had all along not
+presumed on her position to put on airs, she willingly acceded to her
+request, and after calling to memory some suitable remarks, she at once
+went to make her report to madame Wang: "These young bonzes and Taoist
+priests," she said, "can by no means be sent over to other places; for
+were the Imperial consort to come out at an unexpected moment, they
+would then be required to perform services; and in the event of their
+being scattered, there will, when the time comes to requisition their
+help, again be difficulties in the way; and my idea is that it would be
+better to send them all to the family temple, the Iron Fence Temple; and
+every month all there will be to do will be to depute some one to take
+over a few taels for them to buy firewood and rice with, that's all, and
+when there's even a sound of their being required uttered, some one can
+at once go and tell them just one word 'come,' and they will come
+without the least trouble!"
+
+Madame Wang gave a patient ear to this proposal, and, in due course,
+consulted with Chia Cheng.
+
+"You've really," smiled Chia Cheng at these words, "reminded me how I
+should act! Yes, let this be done!" And there and then he sent for Chia
+Lien.
+
+Chia Lien was, at the time, having his meal with lady Feng, but as soon
+as he heard that he was wanted, he put by his rice and was just walking
+off, when lady Feng clutched him and pulled him back. "Wait a while,"
+she observed with a smirk, "and listen to what I've got to tell you! if
+it's about anything else, I've nothing to do with it; but if it be about
+the young bonzes and young Taoists, you must, in this particular matter,
+please comply with this suggestion of mine," after which, she went on in
+this way and that way to put him up to a whole lot of hints.
+
+"I know nothing about it," Chia Lien rejoined smilingly, "and as you
+have the knack you yourself had better go and tell him!"
+
+But as soon as lady Feng heard this remark, she stiffened her head and
+threw down the chopsticks; and, with an expression on her cheeks, which
+looked like a smile and yet not a smile, she glanced angrily at Chia
+Lien. "Are you speaking in earnest," she inquired, "or are you only
+jesting?"
+
+"Yuen Erh, the son of our fifth sister-in-law of the western porch, has
+come and appealed to me two or three times, asking for something to look
+after," Chia Lien laughed, "and I assented and bade him wait; and now,
+after a great deal of trouble, this job has turned up; and there you are
+once again snatching it away!"
+
+"Compose your mind," lady Feng observed grinning, "for the Imperial
+Consort has hinted that directions should be given for the planting, in
+the north-east corner of the park, of a further plentiful supply of pine
+and cedar trees, and that orders should also be issued for the addition,
+round the base of the tower, of a large number of flowers and plants and
+such like; and when this job turns up, I can safely tell you that Yun
+Erh will be called to assume control of these works."
+
+"Well if that be really so," Chia Lien rejoined, "it will after all do!
+But there's only one thing; all I was up to last night was simply to
+have some fun with you, but you obstinately and perversely wouldn't."
+
+Lady Feng, upon hearing these words, burst out laughing with a sound of
+Ch'ih, and spurting disdainfully at Chia Lien, she lowered her head and
+went on at once with her meal; during which time Chia Lien speedily
+walked away laughing the while, and betook himself to the front, where
+he saw Chia Cheng. It was, indeed, about the young bonzes, and Chia Lien
+readily carried out lady Feng's suggestion. "As from all appearances,"
+he continued, "Ch'in Erh has, actually, so vastly improved, this job
+should, after all, be entrusted to his care and management; and provided
+that in observance with the inside custom Ch'in Erh were each day told
+to receive the advances, things will go on all right." And as Chia Cheng
+had never had much attention to give to such matters of detail, he, as
+soon as he heard what Chia Lien had to say, immediately signified his
+approval and assent. And Chia Lien, on his return to his quarters,
+communicated the issue to lady Feng; whereupon lady Feng at once sent
+some one to go and notify dame Chou.
+
+Chia Ch'in came, in due course, to pay a visit to Chia Lien and his
+wife, and was incessant in his expressions of gratitude; and lady Feng
+bestowed upon him a further favour by giving him, as a first instalment,
+an advance of the funds necessary for three months' outlay, for which
+she bade him write a receipt; while Chia Lien filled up a cheque and
+signed it; and a counter-order was simultaneously issued, and he came
+out into the treasury where the sum specified for three months'
+supplies, amounting to three hundred taels, was paid out in pure ingots.
+
+Chia Ch'in took the first piece of silver that came under his hand, and
+gave it to the men in charge of the scales, with which he told them to
+have a cup of tea, and bidding, shortly after, a boy-servant take the
+money to his home, he held consultation with his mother; after which, he
+hired a donkey for himself to ride on, and also bespoke several
+carriages, and came to the back gate of the Jung Kuo mansion; where
+having called out the twenty young priests, they got into the carriages,
+and sped straightway beyond the city walls, to the Temple of the Iron
+Fence, where nothing of any note transpired at the time.
+
+But we will now notice Chia Yuean-ch'un, within the precincts of the
+Palace. When she had arranged the verses composed in the park of Broad
+Vista in their order of merit, she suddenly recollected that the sights
+in the garden were sure, ever since her visit through them, to be
+diligently and respectfully kept locked up by her father and mother; and
+that by not allowing any one to go in was not an injustice done to this
+garden? "Besides," (she pondered), "in that household, there are at
+present several young ladies, capable of composing odes, and able to
+write poetry, and why should not permission be extended to them to go
+and take their quarters in it; in order too that those winsome persons
+might not be deprived of good cheer, and that the flowers and willows
+may not lack any one to admire them!"
+
+But remembering likewise that Pao-yue had from his infancy grown up among
+that crowd of female cousins, and was such a contrast to the rest of his
+male cousins that were he not allowed to move into it, he would, she
+also apprehended, be made to feel forlorn; and dreading lest his
+grandmother and his mother should be displeased at heart, she thought it
+imperative that he too should be permitted to take up his quarters
+inside, so that things should be put on a satisfactory footing; and
+directing the eunuch Hsia Chung to go to the Jung mansion and deliver
+her commands, she expressed the wish that Pao-ch'ai and the other girls
+should live in the garden and that it should not be kept closed, and
+urged that Pao-yue should also shift into it, at his own pleasure, for
+the prosecution of his studies. And Chia Cheng and madame Wang, upon
+receiving her commands, hastened, after the departure of Hsia Chung, to
+explain them to dowager lady Chia, and to despatch servants into the
+garden to tidy every place, to dust, to sweep, and to lay out the
+portieres and bed-curtains. The tidings were heard by the rest even with
+perfect equanimity, but Pao-yue was immoderately delighted; and he was
+engaged in deliberation with dowager lady Chia as to this necessary and
+to that requirement, when suddenly they descried a waiting-maid arrive,
+who announced: "Master wishes to see Pao-yue."
+
+Pao-yue gazed vacantly for a while. His spirits simultaneously were swept
+away; his countenance changed colour; and clinging to old lady Chia, he
+readily wriggled her about, just as one would twist the sugar (to make
+sweetmeats with), and could not, for the very death of him, summon up
+courage to go; so that her ladyship had no alternative but to try and
+reassure him. "My precious darling" she urged, "just you go, and I'll
+stand by you! He won't venture to be hard upon you; and besides, you've
+devised these excellent literary compositions; and I presume as Her
+Majesty has desired that you should move into the garden, his object is
+to give you a few words of advice; simply because he fears that you
+might be up to pranks in those grounds. But to all he tells you,
+whatever you do, mind you acquiesce and it will be all right!"
+
+And as she tried to compose him, she at the same time called two old
+nurses and enjoined them to take Pao-yue over with due care, "And don't
+let his father," she added, "frighten him!"
+
+The old nurses expressed their obedience, and Pao-yue felt constrained to
+walk ahead; and with one step scarcely progressing three inches, he
+leisurely came over to this side. Strange coincidence Chia Cheng was in
+madame Wang's apartments consulting with her upon some matter or other,
+and Chin Ch'uan-erh, Ts'ai Yun, Ts'ai Feng, Ts'ai Luan, Hsiu Feng and
+the whole number of waiting-maids were all standing outside under the
+verandah. As soon as they caught sight of Pao-yue, they puckered up their
+mouths and laughed at him; while Chin Ch'uan grasped Pao-yue with one
+hand, and remarked in a low tone of voice: "On these lips of mine has
+just been rubbed cosmetic, soaked with perfume, and are you now inclined
+to lick it or not?" whereupon Ts'ai Yuen pushed off Chin Ch'uan with one
+shove, as she interposed laughingly, "A person's heart is at this moment
+in low spirits and do you still go on cracking jokes at him? But avail
+yourself of this opportunity when master is in good cheer to make haste
+and get in!"
+
+Pao-yue had no help but to sidle against the door and walk in. Chia Cheng
+and madame Wang were, in fact, both in the inner rooms, and dame Chou
+raised the portiere. Pao-yue stepped in gingerly and perceived Chia Cheng
+and madame Wang sitting opposite to each other, on the stove-couch,
+engaged in conversation; while below on a row of chairs sat Ying Ch'un,
+T'an Ch'un, Hsi Ch'un and Chia Huan; but though all four of them were
+seated in there only T'an Ch'un, Hsi Ch'un and Chia Huan rose to their
+feet, as soon as they saw him make his appearance in the room; and when
+Chia Cheng raised his eyes and noticed Pao-yue standing in front of him,
+with a gait full of ease and with those winsome looks of his, so
+captivating, he once again realised what a mean being Chia Huan was, and
+how coarse his deportment. But suddenly he also bethought himself of
+Chia Chu, and as he reflected too that madame Wang had only this son of
+her own flesh and blood, upon whom she ever doated as upon a gem, and
+that his own beard had already begun to get hoary, the consequence was
+that he unwittingly stifled, well nigh entirely, the feeling of hatred
+and dislike, which, during the few recent years he had ordinarily
+fostered towards Pao-yue. And after a long pause, "Her Majesty," he
+observed, "bade you day after day ramble about outside to disport
+yourself, with the result that you gradually became remiss and lazy; but
+now her desire is that we should keep you under strict control, and that
+in prosecuting your studies in the company of your cousins in the
+garden, you should carefully exert your brains to learn; so that if you
+don't again attend to your duties, and mind your regular tasks, you had
+better be on your guard!" Pao-yue assented several consecutive yes's;
+whereupon madame Wang drew him by her side and made him sit down, and
+while his three cousins resumed the seats they previously occupied:
+"Have you finished all the pills you had been taking a short while
+back?" madame Wang inquired, as she rubbed Pao-yue's neck.
+
+"There's still one pill remaining," Pao-yue explained by way of reply.
+
+"You had better," madame Wang added, "fetch ten more pills tomorrow
+morning; and every day about bedtime tell Hsi Jen to give them to you;
+and when you've had one you can go to sleep!"
+
+"Ever since you, mother, bade me take them," Pao-yue rejoined, "Hsi Jen
+has daily sent me one, when I was about to turn in."
+
+"Who's this called Hsi Jen?" Chia Chen thereupon ascertained.
+
+"She's a waiting-maid!" madame Wang answered.
+
+"A servant girl," Chia Cheng remonstrated, "can be called by whatever
+name one chooses; anything is good enough; but who's it who has started
+this kind of pretentious name!"
+
+Madame Wang noticed that Chia Cheng was not in a happy frame of mind, so
+that she forthwith tried to screen matters for Pao-yue, by saying: "It's
+our old lady who has originated it!"
+
+"How can it possibly be," Chia Cheng exclaimed, "that her ladyship knows
+anything about such kind of language? It must, for a certainty, be
+Pao-yue!"
+
+Pao-yue perceiving that he could not conceal the truth from him, was
+under the necessity of standing up and of explaining; "As I have all
+along read verses, I remembered the line written by an old poet:
+
+ "What time the smell of flowers wafts itself into man, one knows the
+ day is warm.
+
+"And as this waiting-maid's surname was Hua (flower), I readily gave her
+the name, on the strength of this sentiment."
+
+"When you get back," madame Wang speedily suggested addressing Pao-yue,
+"change it and have done; and you, sir, needn't lose your temper over
+such a trivial matter!"
+
+"It doesn't really matter in the least," Chia Cheng continued; "so that
+there's no necessity of changing it; but it's evident that Pao-yue
+doesn't apply his mind to legitimate pursuits, but mainly devotes his
+energies to such voluptuous expressions and wanton verses!" And as he
+finished these words, he abruptly shouted out: "You brute-like child of
+retribution! Don't you yet get out of this?"
+
+"Get away, off with you!" madame Wang in like manner hastened to urge;
+"our dowager lady is waiting, I fear, for you to have her repast!"
+
+Pao-yue assented, and, with gentle step, he withdrew out of the room,
+laughing at Chin Ch'uan-erh, as he put out his tongue; and leading off
+the two nurses, he went off on his way like a streak of smoke. But no
+sooner had he reached the door of the corridor than he espied Hsi Jen
+standing leaning against the side; who perceiving Pao-yue come back safe
+and sound heaped smile upon smile, and asked: "What did he want you
+for?"
+
+"There was nothing much," Pao-yue explained, "he simply feared that I
+would, when I get into the garden, be up to mischief, and he gave me all
+sorts of advice;" and, as while he explained matters, they came into the
+presence of lady Chia, he gave her a clear account, from first to last,
+of what had transpired. But when he saw that Lin Tai-yue was at the
+moment in the room, Pao-yue speedily inquired of her: "Which place do you
+think best to live in?"
+
+Tai-yue had just been cogitating on this subject, so that when she
+unexpectedly heard Pao-yue's inquiry, she forthwith rejoined with a
+smile: "My own idea is that the Hsio Hsiang Kuan is best; for I'm fond
+of those clusters of bamboos, which hide from view the tortuous
+balustrade and make the place more secluded and peaceful than any
+other!"
+
+Pao-yue at these words clapped his hands and smiled. "That just meets
+with my own views!" he remarked; "I too would like you to go and live in
+there; and as I am to stay in the I Hung Yuan, we two will be, in the
+first place, near each other; and next, both in quiet and secluded
+spots."
+
+While the two of them were conversing, a servant came, sent over by Chia
+Cheng, to report to dowager lady Chia that: "The 22nd of the second moon
+was a propitious day for Pao-yue and the young ladies to shift their
+quarters into the garden; that during these few days, servants should be
+sent in to put things in their proper places and to clean; that Hsueh
+Pao-ch'ai should put up in the Heng Wu court; that Lin Tai-yue was to
+live in the Hsiao Hsiang lodge; that Chia Ying-ch'un should move into
+the Cho Chin two-storied building; that T'an Ch'un should put up in the
+Ch'iu Yen library; that Hsi Ch'un should take up her quarters in the
+Liao Feng house; that widow Li should live in the Tao Hsiang village,
+and that Pao-yue was to live in the I Hung court. That at every place two
+old nurses should be added and four servant-girls; that exclusive of the
+nurse and personal waiting-maid of each, there should, in addition, be
+servants, whose special duties should be to put things straight and to
+sweep the place; and that on the 22nd, they should all, in a body, move
+into the garden."
+
+When this season drew near, the interior of the grounds, with the
+flowers waving like embroidered sashes, and the willows fanned by the
+fragrant breeze, was no more as desolate and silent as it had been in
+previous days; but without indulging in any further irrelevant details,
+we shall now go back to Pao-yue.
+
+Ever since he shifted his quarters into the park, his heart was full of
+joy, and his mind of contentment, fostering none of those extraordinary
+ideas, whose tendency could be to give birth to longings and hankerings.
+Day after day, he simply indulged, in the company of his female cousins
+and the waiting-maids, in either reading his books, or writing
+characters, or in thrumming the lute, playing chess, drawing pictures
+and scanning verses, even in drawing patterns of argus pheasants, in
+embroidering phoenixes, contesting with them in searching for strange
+plants, and gathering flowers, in humming poetry with gentle tone,
+singing ballads with soft voice, dissecting characters, and in playing
+at mora, so that, being free to go everywhere and anywhere, he was of
+course completely happy. From his pen emanate four ballads on the times
+of the four seasons, which, although they could not be looked upon as
+first-rate, afford anyhow a correct idea of his sentiments, and a true
+account of the scenery.
+
+The ballad on the spring night runs as follows:
+
+ The silken curtains, thin as russet silk, at random are spread out.
+ The croak of frogs from the adjoining lane but faintly strikes the
+ ear.
+ The pillow a slight chill pervades, for rain outside the window falls.
+ The landscape, which now meets the eye, is like that seen in dreams by
+ man.
+ In plenteous streams the candles' tears do drop, but for whom do they
+ weep?
+ Each particle of grief felt by the flowers is due to anger against me.
+ It's all because the maids have by indulgence indolent been made.
+ The cover over me I'll pull, as I am loth to laugh and talk for long.
+
+This is the description of the aspect of nature on a summer night:
+
+ The beauteous girl, weary of needlework, quiet is plunged in a long
+ dream.
+ The parrot in the golden cage doth shout that it is time the tea to
+ brew.
+ The lustrous windows with the musky moon like open palace-mirrors
+ look;
+ The room abounds with fumes of sandalwood and all kinds of imperial
+ scents.
+ From the cups made of amber is poured out the slippery dew from the
+ lotus.
+ The banisters of glass, the cool zephyr enjoy flapped by the willow
+ trees.
+ In the stream-spanning kiosk, the curtains everywhere all at one time
+ do wave.
+ In the vermilion tower the blinds the maidens roll, for they have made
+ the night's toilette.
+
+The landscape of an autumnal evening is thus depicted:
+
+ In the interior of the Chiang Yuen house are hushed all clamorous din
+ and noise.
+ The sheen, which from Selene flows, pervades the windows of carnation
+ gauze.
+ The moss-locked, streaked rocks shelter afford to the cranes, plunged
+ in sleep.
+ The dew, blown on the t'ung tree by the well, doth wet the roosting
+ rooks.
+ Wrapped in a quilt, the maid comes the gold phoenix coverlet to
+ spread.
+ The girl, who on the rails did lean, on her return drops the
+ kingfisher flowers!
+ This quiet night his eyes in sleep he cannot close, as he doth long
+ for wine.
+ The smoke is stifled, and the fire restirred, when tea is ordered to
+ be brewed.
+
+The picture of a winter night is in this strain:
+
+ The sleep of the plum trees, the dream of the bamboos the third watch
+ have already reached.
+ Under the embroidered quilt and the kingfisher coverlet one can't
+ sleep for the cold.
+ The shadow of fir trees pervades the court, but cranes are all that
+ meet the eye.
+ Both far and wide the pear blossom covers the ground, but yet the hawk
+ cannot be heard.
+ The wish, verses to write, fostered by the damsel with the green
+ sleeves, has waxed cold.
+ The master, with the gold sable pelisse, cannot endure much wine.
+ But yet he doth rejoice that his attendant knows the way to brew the
+ tea.
+ The newly-fallen snow is swept what time for tea the water must be
+ boiled.
+
+But putting aside Pao-yue, as he leisurely was occupied in scanning some
+verses, we will now allude to all these ballads. There lived, at that
+time, a class of people, whose wont was to servilely court the
+influential and wealthy, and who, upon perceiving that the verses were
+composed by a young lad of the Jung Kuo mansion, of only twelve or
+thirteen years of age, had copies made, and taking them outside sang
+their praise far and wide. There were besides another sort of
+light-headed young men, whose heart was so set upon licentious and
+seductive lines, that they even inscribed them on fans and screen-walls,
+and time and again kept on humming them and extolling them. And to the
+above reasons must therefore be ascribed the fact that persons came in
+search of stanzas and in quest of manuscripts, to apply for sketches and
+to beg for poetical compositions, to the increasing satisfaction of
+Pao-yue, who day after day, when at home, devoted his time and attention
+to these extraneous matters. But who would have anticipated that he
+could ever in his quiet seclusion have become a prey to a spirit of
+restlessness? Of a sudden, one day he began to feel discontent, finding
+fault with this and turning up his nose at that; and going in and coming
+out he was simply full of ennui. And as all the girls in the garden were
+just in the prime of youth, and at a time of life when, artless and
+unaffected, they sat and reclined without regard to retirement, and
+disported themselves and joked without heed, how could they ever have
+come to read the secrets which at this time occupied a place in the
+heart of Pao-yue? But so unhappy was Pao-yue within himself that he soon
+felt loth to stay in the garden, and took to gadding about outside like
+an evil spirit; but he behaved also the while in an idiotic manner.
+
+Ming Yen, upon seeing him go on in this way, felt prompted, with the
+idea of affording his mind some distraction, to think of this and to
+devise that expedient; but everything had been indulged in with surfeit
+by Pao-yue, and there was only this resource, (that suggested itself to
+him,) of which Pao-yue had not as yet had any experience. Bringing his
+reflections to a close, he forthwith came over to a bookshop, and
+selecting novels, both of old and of the present age, traditions
+intended for outside circulation on Fei Yen, Ho Te, Wu Tse-t'ien, and
+Yang Kuei-fei, as well as books of light literature consisting of
+strange legends, he purchased a good number of them with the express
+purpose of enticing Pao-yue to read them. As soon as Pao-yue caught sight
+of them, he felt as if he had obtained some gem or jewel. "But you
+mustn't," Ming Yen went on to enjoin him, "take them into the garden;
+for if any one were to come to know anything about them, I shall then
+suffer more than I can bear; and you should, when you go along, hide
+them in your clothes!"
+
+But would Pao-yue agree to not introducing them into the garden? So after
+much wavering, he picked out only several volumes of those whose style
+was more refined, and took them in, and threw them over the top of his
+bed for him to peruse when no one was present; while those coarse and
+very indecent ones, he concealed in a bundle in the outer library.
+
+On one day, which happened to be the middle decade of the third moon,
+Pao-yue, after breakfast, took a book, the "Hui Chen Chi," in his hand
+and walked as far as the bridge of the Hsin Fang lock. Seating himself
+on a block of rock, that lay under the peach trees in that quarter, he
+opened the Hui Chen Chi and began to read it carefully from the
+beginning. But just as he came to the passage: "the falling red
+(flowers) have formed a heap," he felt a gust of wind blow through the
+trees, bringing down a whole bushel of peach blossoms; and, as they
+fell, his whole person, the entire surface of the book as well as a
+large extent of ground were simply bestrewn with petals of the blossoms.
+Pao-yue was bent upon shaking them down; but as he feared lest they
+should be trodden under foot, he felt constrained to carry the petals in
+his coat and walk to the bank of the pond and throw them into the
+stream. The petals floated on the surface of the water, and, after
+whirling and swaying here and there, they at length ran out by the Hsin
+Fang lock. But, on his return under the tree, he found the ground again
+one mass of petals, and Pao-yue was just hesitating what to do, when he
+heard some one behind his back inquire, "What are you up to here?" and
+as soon as Pao-yue turned his head round, he discovered that it was Lin
+Tai-yue, who had come over carrying on her shoulder a hoe for raking
+flowers, that on this hoe was suspended a gauze-bag, and that in her
+hand she held a broom.
+
+"That's right, well done!" Pao-yue remarked smiling; "come and sweep
+these flowers, and throw them into the water yonder. I've just thrown a
+lot in there myself!"
+
+"It isn't right," Lin Tai-yue rejoined, "to throw them into the water.
+The water, which you see, is clean enough here, but as soon as it finds
+its way out, where are situated other people's grounds, what isn't there
+in it? so that you would be misusing these flowers just as much as if
+you left them here! But in that corner, I have dug a hole for flowers,
+and I'll now sweep these and put them into this gauze-bag and bury them
+in there; and, in course of many days, they will also become converted
+into earth, and won't this be a clean way (of disposing of them)?"
+
+Pao-yue, after listening to these words, felt inexpressibly delighted.
+"Wait!" he smiled, "until I put down my book, and I'll help you to clear
+them up!"
+
+"What's the book?" Tai-yue inquired.
+
+Pao-yue at this question was so taken aback that he had no time to
+conceal it. "It's," he replied hastily, "the Chung Yung and the Ta
+Hsueeh!"
+
+"Are you going again to play the fool with me? Be quick and give it to
+me to see; and this will be ever so much better a way!"
+
+"Cousin," Pao-yue replied, "as far as you yourself are concerned I don't
+mind you, but after you've seen it, please don't tell any one else. It's
+really written in beautiful style; and were you to once begin reading
+it, why even for your very rice you wouldn't have a thought?"
+
+As he spoke, he handed it to her; and Tai-yue deposited all the flowers
+on the ground, took over the book, and read it from the very first page;
+and the more she perused it, she got so much the more fascinated by it,
+that in no time she had finished reading sixteen whole chapters. But
+aroused as she was to a state of rapture by the diction, what remained
+even of the fascination was enough to overpower her senses; and though
+she had finished reading, she nevertheless continued in a state of
+abstraction, and still kept on gently recalling the text to mind, and
+humming it to herself.
+
+"Cousin, tell me is it nice or not?" Pao-yue grinned.
+
+"It is indeed full of zest!" Lin Tai-yue replied exultingly.
+
+"I'm that very sad and very sickly person," Pao-yue explained laughing,
+"while you are that beauty who could subvert the empire and overthrow
+the city."
+
+Lin Tai-yue became, at these words, unconsciously crimson all over her
+cheeks, even up to her very ears; and raising, at the same moment, her
+two eyebrows, which seemed to knit and yet not to knit, and opening wide
+those eyes, which seemed to stare and yet not to stare, while her
+peach-like cheeks bore an angry look and on her thin-skinned face lurked
+displeasure, she pointed at Pao-yue and exclaimed: "You do deserve death,
+for the rubbish you talk! without any provocation you bring up these
+licentious expressions and wanton ballads to give vent to all this
+insolent rot, in order to insult me; but I'll go and tell uncle and
+aunt."
+
+As soon as she pronounced the two words "insult me," her eyeballs at
+once were suffused with purple, and turning herself round she there and
+then walked away; which filled Pao-yue with so much distress that he
+jumped forward to impede her progress, as he pleaded: "My dear cousin, I
+earnestly entreat you to spare me this time! I've indeed said what I
+shouldn't; but if I had any intention to insult you, I'll throw myself
+to-morrow into the pond, and let the scabby-headed turtle eat me up, so
+that I become transformed into a large tortoise. And when you shall have
+by and by become the consort of an officer of the first degree, and you
+shall have fallen ill from old age and returned to the west, I'll come
+to your tomb and bear your stone tablet for ever on my back!"
+
+As he uttered these words, Lin Tai-yue burst out laughing with a sound of
+"pu ch'ih," and rubbing her eyes, she sneeringly remarked: "I too can
+come out with this same tune; but will you now still go on talking
+nonsense? Pshaw! you're, in very truth, like a spear-head, (which looks)
+like silver, (but is really soft as) wax!"
+
+"Go on, go on!" Pao-yue smiled after this remark; "and what you've said,
+I too will go and tell!"
+
+"You maintain," Lin Tai-yue rejoined sarcastically, "that after glancing
+at anything you're able to recite it; and do you mean to say that I
+can't even do so much as take in ten lines with one gaze?"
+
+Pao-yue smiled and put his book away, urging: "Let's do what's right and
+proper, and at once take the flowers and bury them; and don't let us
+allude to these things!"
+
+Forthwith the two of them gathered the fallen blossoms; but no sooner
+had they interred them properly than they espied Hsi Jen coming, who
+went on to observe: "Where haven't I looked for you? What! have you
+found your way as far as this! But our senior master, Mr. Chia She, over
+there isn't well; and the young ladies have all gone over to pay their
+respects, and our old lady has asked that you should be sent over; so go
+back at once and change your clothes!"
+
+When Pao-yue heard what she said, he hastily picked up his books, and
+saying good bye to Tai-yue, he came along with Hsi Jen, back into his
+room, where we will leave him to effect the necessary change in his
+costume. But during this while, Lin Tai-yue was, after having seen Pao-yue
+walk away, and heard that all her cousins were likewise not in their
+rooms, wending her way back alone, in a dull and dejected mood, towards
+her apartment, when upon reaching the outside corner of the wall of the
+Pear Fragrance court, she caught, issuing from inside the walls, the
+harmonious strains of the fife and the melodious modulations of voices
+singing. Lin Tai-yue readily knew that it was the twelve singing-girls
+rehearsing a play; and though she did not give her mind to go and
+listen, yet a couple of lines were of a sudden blown into her ears, and
+with such clearness, that even one word did not escape. Their burden was
+this:
+
+ These troth are beauteous purple and fine carmine flowers, which in
+ this way all round do bloom,
+ And all together lie ensconced along the broken well, and the
+ dilapidated wall!
+
+But the moment Lin Tai-yue heard these lines, she was, in fact, so
+intensely affected and agitated that she at once halted and lending an
+ear listened attentively to what they went on to sing, which ran thus:
+
+ A glorious day this is, and pretty scene, but sad I feel at heart!
+ Contentment and pleasure are to be found in whose family courts?
+
+After overhearing these two lines, she unconsciously nodded her head,
+and sighed, and mused in her own mind. "Really," she thought, "there is
+fine diction even in plays! but unfortunately what men in this world
+simply know is to see a play, and they don't seem to be able to enjoy
+the beauties contained in them."
+
+At the conclusion of this train of thought, she experienced again a
+sting of regret, (as she fancied) she should not have given way to such
+idle thoughts and missed attending to the ballads; but when she once
+more came to listen, the song, by some coincidence, went on thus:
+
+ It's all because thy loveliness is like a flower and like the comely
+ spring,
+ That years roll swiftly by just like a running stream.
+
+When this couplet struck Tai-yu's ear, her heart felt suddenly a prey to
+excitement and her soul to emotion; and upon further hearing the words:
+
+ Alone you sit in the secluded inner rooms to self-compassion giving
+ way.
+
+--and other such lines, she became still more as if inebriated, and like
+as if out of her head, and unable to stand on her feet, she speedily
+stooped her body, and, taking a seat on a block of stone, she minutely
+pondered over the rich beauty of the eight characters:
+
+ It's all because thy loveliness is like a flower and like the comely
+ spring,
+ That years roll swiftly by just like a running stream.
+
+Of a sudden, she likewise bethought herself of the line:
+
+ Water flows away and flowers decay, for both no feelings have.
+
+--which she had read some days back in a poem of an ancient writer, and
+also of the passage:
+
+ When on the running stream the flowers do fall, spring then is past
+ and gone;
+
+--and of:
+
+ Heaven (differs from) the human race,
+
+--which also appeared in that work; and besides these, the lines, which
+she had a short while back read in the Hsi Hiang Chi:
+
+ The flowers, lo, fall, and on their course the waters red do flow!
+ Petty misfortunes of ten thousand kinds (my heart assail!)
+
+both simultaneously flashed through her memory; and, collating them all
+together, she meditated on them minutely, until suddenly her heart was
+stricken with pain and her soul fleeted away, while from her eyes
+trickled down drops of tears. But while nothing could dispel her present
+state of mind, she unexpectedly realised that some one from behind gave
+her a tap; and, turning her head round to look, she found that it was a
+young girl; but who it was, the next chapter will make known.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+ The drunken Chin Kang makes light of lucre and shows a preference for
+ generosity.
+ The foolish girl mislays her handkerchief and arouses mutual thoughts.
+
+
+
+But to return to our narrative. Lin Tai-yue's sentimental reflections
+were the while reeling and ravelling in an intricate maze, when
+unexpectedly some one from behind gave her a tap, saying: "What are you
+up to all alone here?" which took Lin Tai-yu so much by surprise that
+she gave a start, and turning her head round to look and noticing that
+it was Hsiang Ling and no one else; "You stupid girl!" Lin Tai-yue
+replied, "you've given me such a fright! But where do you come from at
+this time?"
+
+Hsiang Ling giggled and smirked. "I've come," she added, "in search of
+our young lady, but I can't find her anywhere. But your Tzu Chuan is
+also looking after you; and she says that lady Secunda has sent a
+present to you of some tea. But you had better go back home and sit
+down."
+
+As she spoke, she took Tai-yue by the hand, and they came along back to
+the Hsiao Hsiang Kuan; where lady Feng had indeed sent her two small
+catties of a new season tea, of superior quality. But Lin Tai-yue sat
+down, in company with Hsiang Ling, and began to converse on the merits
+of this tapestry and the fineness of that embroidery; and after they had
+also had a game at chess, and read a few sentences out of a book, Hsiang
+Ling took her departure. But we need not speak of either of them, but
+return now to Pao-yue. Having been found, and brought back home, by Hsi
+Jen, he discovered Yuan Yang reclining on the bed, in the act of
+examining Hsi Jen's needlework; but when she perceived Pao-yue arrive,
+she forthwith remarked: "Where have you been? her venerable ladyship is
+waiting for you to tell you to go over and pay your obeisance to our
+Senior master, and don't you still make haste to go and change your
+clothes and be off!"
+
+Hsi Jen at once walked into the room to fetch his clothes, and Pao-yue
+sat on the edge of the bed, and pushed his shoes off with his toes; and,
+while waiting for his boots to put them on, he turned round and
+perceiving that Yuean Yang, who was clad in a light red silk jacket and a
+green satin waistcoat, and girdled with a white crepe sash, had her face
+turned the other way, and her head lowered giving her attention to the
+criticism of the needlework, while round her neck she wore a collar with
+embroidery, Pao-yue readily pressed his face against the nape of her
+neck, and as he sniffed the perfume about it, he did not stay his hand
+from stroking her neck, which in whiteness and smoothness was not below
+that of Hsi Jen; and as he approached her, "My dear girl," he said
+smiling and with a drivelling face, "do let me lick the cosmetic off
+your mouth!" clinging to her person, as he uttered these words, like
+twisted sweetmeat.
+
+"Hsi Jen!" cried Yuean Yang at once, "come out and see! You've been with
+him a whole lifetime, and don't you give him any advice; but let him
+still behave in this fashion!" Whereupon, Hsi Jen walked out, clasping
+the clothes, and turning to Pao-yue, she observed, "I advise you in this
+way and it's no good, I advise you in that way and you don't mend; and
+what do you mean to do after all? But if you again behave like this, it
+will then, in fact, be impossible for me to live any longer in this
+place!"
+
+As she tendered these words of counsel, she urged him to put his clothes
+on, and, after he had changed, he betook himself, along with Yuan Yang,
+to the front part of the mansion, and bade good-bye to dowager lady
+Chia; after which he went outside, where the attendants and horses were
+all in readiness; but when he was about to mount his steed, he perceived
+Chia Lien back from his visit and in the act of dismounting; and as the
+two of them stood face to face, and mutually exchanged some inquiries,
+they saw some one come round from the side, and say: "My respects to
+you, uncle Pao-yue!"
+
+When Pao-yue came to look at him, he noticed that this person had an
+oblong face, that his body was tall and lanky, that his age was only
+eighteen or nineteen, and that he possessed, in real truth, an air of
+refinement and elegance; but though his features were, after all,
+exceedingly familiar, he could not recall to mind to what branch of the
+family he belonged, and what his name was.
+
+"What are you staring vacantly for?" Chia Lien inquired laughing.
+
+"Don't you even recognise him? He's Yuen Erh, the son of our fifth
+sister-in-law, who lives in the back court!"
+
+"Of course!" Pao-yue assented complacently. "How is it that I had
+forgotten just now!" And having gone on to ask how his mother was, and
+what work he had to do at present; "I've come in search of uncle
+Secundus, to tell him something," Chia Yuen replied, as he pointed at
+Chia Lien.
+
+"You've really improved vastly from what you were before," added Pao-yue
+smiling; "you verily look just is if you were my son!"
+
+"How very barefaced!" Chia Lien exclaimed as he burst out laughing;
+"here's a person four or five years your senior to be made your son!"
+
+"How far are you in your teens this year?" Pao-yue inquired with a smile.
+
+"Eighteen!" Chia Yuen rejoined.
+
+This Chia Yuen was, in real deed, sharp and quick-witted; and when he
+heard Pao-yue remark that he looked like his son, he readily gave a
+sarcastic smile and observed, "The proverb is true which says, 'the
+grandfather is rocked in the cradle while the grandson leans on a
+staff.' But though old enough in years, I'm nevertheless like a
+mountain, which, in spite of its height, cannot screen the sun from
+view. Besides, since my father's death, I've had no one to look after
+me, and were you, uncle Pao, not to disdain your doltish nephew, and to
+acknowledge me as your son, it would be your nephew's good fortune!"
+
+"Have you heard what he said?" Chia Lien interposed cynically. "But to
+acknowledge him as a son is no easy question to settle!" and with these
+words, he walked in; whereupon Pao-yue smilingly said: "To-morrow when
+you have nothing to do, just come and look me up; but don't go and play
+any devilish pranks with them! I've just now no leisure, so come
+to-morrow, into the library, where I'll have a chat with you for a whole
+day, and take you into the garden for some fun!"
+
+With this remark still on his lips, he laid hold of the saddle and
+mounted his horse; and, followed by the whole bevy of pages, he crossed
+over to Chia She's on this side; where having discovered that Chia She
+had nothing more the matter with him than a chill which he had suddenly
+contracted, he commenced by delivering dowager lady Chia's message, and
+next paid his own obeisance. Chia She, at first, stood up and made
+suitable answer to her venerable ladyship's inquiries, and then calling
+a servant, "Take the gentleman," he said, "into my lady's apartment to
+sit down."
+
+Pao-yue withdrew out of the room, and came by the back to the upper
+apartment; and as soon as madame Hsing caught sight of him, she, before
+everything else, rose to her feet and asked after old lady Chia's
+health; after which, Pao-yue made his own salutation, and madame Hsing
+drew him on to the stove-couch, where she induced him to take a seat,
+and eventually inquired after the other inmates, and also gave orders to
+serve the tea. But scarcely had they had tea, before they perceived Chia
+Tsung come in to pay his respects to Pao-yue.
+
+"Where could one find such a living monkey as this!" madame Hsing
+remarked; "is that nurse of yours dead and gone that she doesn't even
+keep you clean and tidy, and that she lets you go about with those
+eyebrows of yours so black and that mouth so filthy! you scarcely look
+like the child of a great family of scholars."
+
+While she spoke, she perceived both Chia Huan and Chia Lan, one of whom
+was a young uncle and the other his nephew, also advance and present
+their compliments, and madame Hsing bade the two of them sit down on the
+chairs. But when Chia Huan noticed that Pao-yue sat on the same rug with
+madame Hsing, and that her ladyship was further caressing and petting
+him in every possible manner, he soon felt so very unhappy at heart,
+that, after sitting for a short time, he forthwith made a sign to Chia
+Lan that he would like to go; and as Chia Lan could not but humour him,
+they both got up together to take their leave. But when Pao-yue perceived
+them rise, he too felt a wish to go back along with them, but madame
+Hsing remarked smilingly, "You had better sit a while as I've something
+more to tell you," so that Pao-yue had no alternative but to stay. "When
+you get back," madame Hsing added, addressing the other two, "present,
+each one of you, my regards to your respective mothers. The young
+ladies, your cousins, are all here making such a row that my head is
+dazed, so that I won't to-day keep you to have your repast here." To
+which Chia Huan and Chia Lan assented and quickly walked out.
+
+"If it be really the case that all my cousins have come over," Pao-yue
+ventured with a smirk, "how is it that I don't see them?"
+
+"After sitting here for a while," madame Hsing explained, "they all went
+at the back; but in what rooms they have gone, I don't know."
+
+"My senior aunt, you said you had something to tell me, Pao-yue observed;
+what's it, I wonder?"
+
+"What can there possibly be to tell you?" madame Hsing laughed; "it was
+simply to make you wait and have your repast with the young ladies and
+then go; but there's also a fine plaything that I'll give you to take
+back to amuse yourself with."
+
+These two, the aunt and her nephew, were going on with their colloquy
+when, much to their surprise, it was time for dinner and the young
+ladies were all invited to come. The tables and chairs were put in their
+places, and the cups and plates were arranged in proper order; and,
+after the mother, her daughter and the cousins had finished their meal,
+Pao-yue bade good-bye to Chia She and returned home in company with all
+the young ladies; and when they had said good-night to dowager lady
+Chia, madame Wang and the others, they each went back into their rooms
+and retired to rest; where we shall leave them without any further
+comment and speak of Chia Yuen's visit to the mansion. As soon as he saw
+Chia Lien, he inquired what business it was that had turned up, and Chia
+Lien consequently explained: "The other day something did actually
+present itself, but as it happened that your aunt had again and again
+entreated me, I gave it to Chia Ch'in; as she promised me that there
+would be by and by in the garden several other spots where flowers and
+trees would be planted; and that when this job did occur, she would, for
+a certainty, give it to you and finish!"
+
+Chia Yuen, upon hearing these words, suggested after a short pause; "If
+that be so, there's nothing for me to do than to wait; but, uncle, you
+too mustn't make any allusion beforehand in the presence of aunt to my
+having come to-day to make any inquiries; for there will really be ample
+time to speak to her when the job turns up!"
+
+"Why should I allude to it?" Chia Lien rejoined. "Have I forsooth got
+all this leisure to talk of irrelevant matters! But to-morrow, besides,
+I've got to go as far as Hsing Yi for a turn, and it's absolutely
+necessary that I should hurriedly come back the very same day; so off
+with you now and go and wait; and the day after to-morrow, after the
+watch has been set, come and ask for news; but mind at any earlier hour,
+I shan't have any leisure!" With these words, he hastily went at the
+back to change his clothes. And from the time Chia Yun put his foot out
+of the door of the Jung Kuo mansion, he was, the whole way homeward,
+plunged in deep thought; but having bethought himself of some expedient,
+he straightway wended his steps towards the house of his maternal uncle,
+Pu Shih-jen. This Pu Shih-jen, it must be explained, kept, at the
+present date, a shop for the sale of spices. He had just returned home
+from his shop, and as soon as he noticed Chia Yun, he inquired of him
+what business brought him there.
+
+"There's something," Chia Yun replied, "in which I would like to crave
+your assistance, uncle; I'm in need of some baroos camphor and musk, so
+please, uncle, give me on credit four ounces of each kind, and on the
+festival of the eighth moon, I'll bring you the amount in full."
+
+Pu Shih-jen gave a sardonic smile. "Don't," he said, "again allude to
+any such thing as selling on tick! Some time back a partner in our
+establishment got several ounces of goods for his relatives on credit,
+and up to this date the bill hasn't as yet been settled; the result
+being that we've all had to make the amount good, so that we've entered
+into an agreement that we should no more allow any one to obtain on tick
+anything on behalf of either relative or friend, and that whoever acted
+contrary to this resolution should be, at once, fined twenty taels, with
+which to stand a treat. Besides, the stock of these articles is now
+short, and were you also to come, with ready money to this our mean shop
+to buy any, we wouldn't even have as much to give you. The best way
+therefore is for you to go elsewhere. This is one side of the question;
+for on the other, you can't have anything above-board in view; and were
+you to obtain what you want as a loan you would again go and play the
+giddy dog! But you'll simply say that on every occasion your uncle sees
+you, he avails himself of it to find fault with you, but a young fellow
+like you doesn't know what's good and what is bad; and you should,
+besides, make up your mind to earn a few cash, wherewith to clothe and
+feed yourself, so that, when I see you, I too may rejoice!"
+
+"What you, uncle, say," Chia Yun rejoined smiling, "is perfectly right;
+the only thing is that at the time of my father's death, I was likewise
+so young in years that I couldn't understand anything; but later on, I
+heard my mother explain how that for everything, it was lucky that you,
+after all, my uncles, went over to our house and devised the ways and
+means, and managed the funeral; and is it likely you, uncle, aren't
+aware of these things? Besides, have I forsooth had a single acre of
+land or a couple of houses, the value of which I've run through as soon
+as it came into my hands? An ingenious wife cannot make boiled rice
+without raw rice; and what would you have me do? It's your good fortune
+however that you've got to deal with one such as I am, for had it been
+any one else barefaced and shameless, he would have come, twice every
+three days, to worry you, uncle, by asking for two pints of rice and two
+of beans, and you then, uncle, would have had no help for it."
+
+"My dear child," Pu Shih-jen exclaimed, "had I anything that I could
+call my own, your uncle as I am, wouldn't I feel bound to do something
+for you? I've day after day mentioned to your aunt that the misfortune
+was that you had no resources. But should you ever succeed in making up
+your mind, you should go into that mighty household of yours, and when
+the gentlemen aren't looking, forthwith pocket your pride and hobnob
+with those managers, or possibly with the butlers, as you may, even
+through them, be able to get some charge or other! The other day, when I
+was out of town, I came across that old Quartus of the third branch of
+the family, astride of a tall donkey, at the head of four or five
+carriages, in which were about forty to fifty bonzes and Taoist priests
+on their way to the family fane, and that man can't lack brains, for
+such a charge to have fallen to his share!"
+
+Chia Yuen, upon hearing these words, indulged in a long and revolting
+rigmarole, and then got up to take his leave.
+
+"What are you in such a hurry for?" Pu Shih-jen remarked. "Have your
+meal and then go!"
+
+But this remark was scarcely ended when they heard his wife say: "Are
+you again in the clouds? When I heard that there was no rice, I bought
+half a catty of dry rice paste, and brought it here for you to eat; and
+do you pray now still put on the airs of a well-to-do, and keep your
+nephew to feel the pangs of hunger?"
+
+"Well, then, buy half a catty more, and add to what there is, that's
+all," Pu Shih-jen continued; whereupon her mother explained to her
+daughter, Yin Chieh, "Go over to Mrs. Wang's opposite, and ask her if
+she has any cash, to lend us twenty or thirty of them; and to-morrow,
+when they're brought over, we'll repay her."
+
+But while the husband and wife were carrying on this conversation, Chia
+Yuen had, at an early period, repeated several times: "There's no need to
+go to this trouble," and off he went, leaving no trace or shadow behind.
+But without passing any further remarks on the husband and wife of the
+Pu family, we will now confine ourselves to Chia Yuen. Having gone in
+high dudgeon out of the door of his uncle's house, he started straight
+on his way back home; but while distressed in mind, and preoccupied with
+his thoughts, he paced on with drooping head, he unexpectedly came into
+collision with a drunken fellow, who gripped Chia Yuen, and began to
+abuse him, crying: "Are your eyes gone blind, that you come bang against
+me?"
+
+The tone of voice, when it reached Chia Yuen ears, sounded like that of
+some one with whom he was intimate; and, on careful scrutiny, he found,
+in fact, that it was his next-door neighbour, Ni Erh. This Ni Erh was a
+dissolute knave, whose only idea was to give out money at heavy rates of
+interest and to have his meals in the gambling dens. His sole delight
+was to drink and to fight.
+
+He was, at this very moment, coming back home from the house of a
+creditor, whom he had dunned, and was already far gone with drink, so
+that when, at an unforeseen moment, Chia Yuen ran against him, he meant
+there and then to start a scuffle with him.
+
+"Old Erh!" Chia Yuen shouted, "stay your hand; it's I who have hustled
+against you."
+
+As soon as Ni Erh heard the tone of his voice, he opened wide his
+drunken eyes and gave him a look; and realising that it was Chia Yuen, he
+hastened to loosen his grasp and to remark with a smile, as he staggered
+about, "Is it you indeed, master Chia Secundus? where were you off to
+now?"
+
+"I couldn't tell you!" Chia Yuen rejoined; "I've again brought
+displeasure upon me, and all through no fault of mine."
+
+"Never mind!" urged Ni Erh, "if you're in any trouble you just tell me,
+and I'll give vent to your spite for you; for in these three streets,
+and six lanes, no matter who may give offence to any neighbours of mine,
+of me, Ni Erh, the drunken Chin Kang, I'll wager that I compel that
+man's family to disperse, and his home to break up!"
+
+"Old Ni, don't lose your temper," Chia Yuen protested, "but listen and
+let me tell you what happened!" After which, he went on to tell Ni Erh
+the whole affair with Pu Shih-jen. As soon as Ni Erh heard him, he got
+into a frightful rage; "Were he not," he shouted, a "relative of yours,
+master Secundus, I would readily give him a bit of my mind! Really
+resentment will stifle my breath! but never mind! you needn't however
+distress yourself. I've got here a few taels ready at hand, which, if
+you require, don't scruple to take; and from such good neighbours as you
+are, I won't ask any interest upon this money."
+
+With this remark still on his lips, he produced from his pouch a bundle
+of silver.
+
+"Ni Erh has, it is true, ever been a rogue," Chia Yuen reflected in his
+own mind, "but as he is regulated in his dealings by a due regard to
+persons, he enjoys, to a great degree, the reputation of generosity; and
+were I to-day not to accept this favour of his, he'll, I fear, be put to
+shame; and it won't contrariwise be nice on my part! and isn't it better
+that I should make use of his money, and by and by I can repay him
+double, and things will be all right!"
+
+"Old Erh," he therefore observed aloud with a smile, "you're really a
+fine fellow, and as you've shown me such eminent consideration, how can
+I presume not to accept your offer! On my return home, I'll write the
+customary I.O.U., and send it to you, and all will be in order."
+
+Ni Erh gave a broad grin. "It's only fifteen taels and three mace," he
+answered, "and if you insist upon writing an I.O.U., I won't then lend
+it to you!"
+
+Chia Yuen at these words, took over the money, smiling the while. "I'll
+readily," he retorted, "comply with your wishes and have done; for
+what's the use of exasperating you!"
+
+"Well then that will be all right!" Ni Erh laughed; "but the day is
+getting dark; and I shan't ask you to have a cup of tea or stand you a
+drink, for I've some small things more to settle. As for me, I'm going
+over there, but you, after all, should please wend your way homewards;
+and I shall also request you to take a message for me to my people. Tell
+them to close the doors and turn in, as I'm not returning home; and that
+in the event of anything occurring, to bid our daughter come over
+to-morrow, as soon as it is daylight, to short-legged Wang's house, the
+horse-dealer's, in search of me!" And as he uttered this remark he
+walked away, stumbling and hobbling along. But we will leave him without
+further notice and allude to Chia Yuen.
+
+He had, at quite an unexpected juncture, met this piece of luck, so that
+his heart was, of course, delighted to the utmost degree. "This Ni Erh,"
+he mused, "is really a good enough sort of fellow, but what I dread is
+that he may have been open-handed in his fit of drunkenness, and that he
+mayn't, by and by, ask for his money to be paid twice over; and what
+will I do then? Never mind," he suddenly went on to ponder, "when that
+job has become an accomplished fact, I shall even have the means to pay
+him back double the original amount."
+
+Prompted by this resolution, he came over to a money-shop, and when he
+had the silver weighed, and no discrepancy was discovered in the weight,
+he was still more elated at heart; and on his way back, he first and
+foremost delivered Ni Erh's message to his wife, and then returned to
+his own home, where he found his mother seated all alone on a
+stove-couch spinning thread. As soon as she saw him enter, she inquired
+where he had been the whole day long, in reply to which Chia Yuen,
+fearing lest his parent should be angry, forthwith made no allusion to
+what transpired with Pu Shih-jen, but simply explained that he had been
+in the western mansion, waiting for his uncle Secundus, Lien. This over,
+he asked his mother whether she had had her meal or not, and his parent
+said by way of reply: "I've had it, but I've kept something for you in
+there," and calling to the servant-maid, she bade her bring it round,
+and set it before him to eat. But as it was already dark, when the lamps
+had to be lit, Chia Yuen, after partaking of his meal, got ready and
+turned in.
+
+Nothing of any notice transpired the whole night; but the next day, as
+soon it was dawn, he got up, washed his face, and came to the main
+street, outside the south gate, and purchasing some musk from a
+perfumery shop, he, with rapid stride, entered the Jung Kuo mansion; and
+having, as a result of his inquiries, found out that Chia Lien had gone
+out of doors, Chia Yuen readily betook himself to the back, in front of
+the door of Chia Lien's court, where he saw several servant-lads, with
+immense brooms in their hands, engaged in that place in sweeping the
+court. But as he suddenly caught sight of Chou Jui's wife appear outside
+the door, and call out to the young boys; "Don't sweep now, our lady is
+coming out," Chia Yuen eagerly walked up to her and inquired, with a face
+beaming with smiles: "Where's aunt Secunda going to?"
+
+To this inquiry, Chou Jui's wife explained: "Our old lady has sent for
+her, and I expect, it must be for her to cut some piece of cloth or
+other." But while she yet spoke, they perceived a whole bevy of people,
+pressing round lady Feng, as she egressed from the apartment.
+
+Chia Yuen was perfectly aware that lady Feng took pleasure in flattery,
+and delighted in display, so that hastily dropping his arms, he with all
+reverence, thrust himself forward and paid his respects to her. But lady
+Feng did not even so much as turn to look at him with straight eyes; but
+continued, as hitherto, her way onwards, simply confining herself to
+ascertaining whether his mother was all right, and adding: "How is it
+that she doesn't come to our house for a stroll?"
+
+"The thing is," Chia Yuen replied, "that she's not well: she, however,
+often thinks fondly of you, aunt, and longs to see you; but as for
+coming round, she's quite unable to do so."
+
+"You have, indeed, the knack of telling lies!" lady Feng laughed with
+irony; "for hadn't I alluded to her, she would never have thought of
+me!"
+
+"Isn't your nephew afraid," Chia Yuen protested smilingly, "of being
+blasted by lightning to have the audacity of telling lies in the
+presence of an elder! Even so late as yesterday evening, she alluded to
+you, aunt! 'Though naturally,' she said, 'of a weak constitution, you
+had, however, plenty to attend to! that it's thanks to your supremely
+eminent energies, aunt, that you're, after all, able to manage
+everything in such a perfect manner; and that had you ever made the
+slightest slip, there would have long ago crept up, goodness knows, what
+troubles!'"
+
+As soon as lady Feng heard these words, her whole face beamed with
+smiles, and she unconsciously halted her steps, while she proceeded to
+ask: "How is it that, both your mother and yourself, tattle about me
+behind my back, without rhyme or reason?"
+
+"There's a reason for it," Chia Yuen observed, "which is simply this.
+I've an excellent friend with considerable money of his own at home, who
+recently kept a perfumery shop; but as he obtained, by purchase, the
+rank of deputy sub-prefect, he was, the other day, selected for a post
+in Yunnan, in some prefecture or other unknown to me; whither he has
+gone together with his family. He even closed this shop of his, and
+forthwith collecting all his wares, he gave away, what he could give
+away, and what he had to sell at a discount, was sold at a loss; while
+such valuable articles, as these, were all presented to relatives or
+friends; and that's why it is that I came in for some baroos camphor and
+musk. But I at the time, deliberated with my mother that to sell them
+below their price would be a pity, and that if we wished to give them as
+a present to any one, there was no one good enough to use such perfumes.
+But remembering how you, aunt, had all along in years gone by, even to
+this day, to spend large bundles of silver, in purchasing such articles,
+and how, not to speak of this year with an imperial consort in the
+Palace, what's even required for this dragon boat festival, will also
+necessitate the addition of hundred times as much as the quantity of
+previous years, I therefore present them to you, aunt, as a token of my
+esteem!"
+
+With these words still on his lips, he simultaneously produced an
+ornamented box, which he handed over to her. And as lady Feng was, at
+this time, making preparations for presents for the occasion of the
+dragon boat festival, for which perfumes were obligatory, she, with all
+promptitude, directed Feng Erh: "Receive Mr. Yuen's present and take it
+home and hand it over to P'ing Erh. To one," she consequently added,
+"who seems to me so full of discrimination, it isn't a wonder that your
+uncle is repeatedly alluding, and that he speaks highly of you; how that
+you talk with all intelligence and that you have experience stored up in
+your mind."
+
+Chia Yuen upon hearing this propitious language, hastily drew near one
+step, and designedly asked: "Does really uncle often refer to me?"
+
+The moment lady Feng caught this question, she was at once inclined to
+tell him all about the charge to be entrusted to him, but on second
+thought, she again felt apprehensive lest she should be looked lightly
+upon by him, by simply insinuating that she had promptly and needlessly
+promised him something to do, so soon as she got a little scented ware;
+and this consideration urged her to once more restrain her tongue, so
+that she never made the slightest reference even to so much as one word
+about his having been chosen to look after the works of planting the
+flowers and trees. And after confining herself to making the first few
+irrelevant remarks which came to her lips, she hastily betook herself
+into dowager lady Chia's apartments.
+
+Chia Yuen himself did not feel as if he could very well advert to the
+subject, with the result that he had no alternative but to retrace his
+steps homewards. But as when he had seen Pao-yue the previous day, he had
+asked him to go into the outer library and wait for him, he therefore
+finished his meal and then once again entered the mansion and came over
+into the I Hsia study, situated outside the ceremonial gate, over at old
+lady Chia's part of the compound, where he discovered the two lads Ming
+Yen, whose name had been changed into Pei Ming, and Chu Yo playing at
+chess, and just arguing about the capture of a castle; and besides them,
+Yin Ch'uan, Sao Hua, T'iao Yuen, Pan Ho, these four or five of them, up
+to larks, stealing the young birds from the nests under the eaves of the
+house.
+
+As soon as Chia Yuen entered the court, he stamped his foot and shouted,
+"The monkeys are up to mischief! Here I am, I've come;" and when the
+company of servant-boys perceived him, they one and all promptly
+dispersed; while Chia Yuen walked into the library, and seating himself
+at once in a chair, he inquired, "Has your master Secundus, Mr. Pao,
+come down?"
+
+"He hasn't been down here at all to-day," Pei Ming replied, "but if you,
+Mr. Secundus, have anything to tell him, I'll go and see what he's up to
+for you."
+
+Saying this he there and then left the room; and Chia Yuen meanwhile gave
+himself to the inspection of the pictures and nicknacks. But some
+considerable time elapsed, and yet he did not see him arrive; and
+noticing besides that the other lads had all gone to romp, he was just
+plunged in a state of despondency, when he heard outside the door a
+voice cry out, with winning tone, and tender accents: "My elder
+brother!"
+
+Chia Yuen looked out, and saw that it was a servant-maid of fifteen or
+sixteen, who was indeed extremely winsome and spruce. As soon however as
+the maid caught a glimpse of Chia Yuen, she speedily turned herself round
+and withdrew out of sight. But, as luck would have it, it happened that
+Pei Ming was coming along, and seeing the servant-maid in front of the
+door, he observed: "Welcome, welcome! I was quite at a loss how to get
+any news of Pao-yue." And as Chia Yuen discerned Pei Ming, he hastily too,
+ran out in pursuit of him, and ascertained what was up; whereupon Pei
+Ming returned for answer: "I waited a whole day long, and not a single
+soul came over; but this girl is attached to master Secundus' (Mr.
+Pao's) rooms!" and, "My dear girl," he consequently went on to say, "go
+in and take a message. Say that Mr. Secundus, who lives under the
+portico, has come!"
+
+The servant-maid, upon hearing these words, knew at once that he was a
+young gentleman belonging to the family in which she served, and she did
+not skulk out of sight, as she had done in the first instance; but with
+a gaze sufficient to kill, she fixed her two eyes upon Chia Yuen, when
+she heard Chia Yuen interpose: "What about over the portico and under the
+portico; you just tell him that Yuen Erh is come, that's all."
+
+After a while this girl gave a sarcastic smile. "My idea is," she
+ventured, "that you, master Secundus, should really, if it so please
+you, go back, and come again to-morrow; and to-night, if I find time,
+I'll just put in a word with him!"
+
+"What's this that you're driving at?" Pei Ming then shouted.
+
+And the maid rejoined: "He's not even had a siesta to-day, so that he'll
+have his dinner at an early hour, and won't come down again in the
+evening; and is it likely that you would have master Secundus wait here
+and suffer hunger? and isn't it better than he should return home? The
+right thing is that he should come to-morrow; for were even by and by
+some one to turn up, who could take a message, that person would simply
+acquiesce with the lips, but would he be willing to deliver the message
+in for you?"
+
+Chia Yuen, upon finding how concise and yet how well expressed this
+girl's remarks had been, was bent upon inquiring what her name was; but
+as she was a maid employed in Pao-yue's apartments, he did not therefore
+feel justified in asking the question, and he had no other course but to
+add, "What you say is quite right, I'll come to-morrow!" and as he
+spoke, he there and then was making his way outside, when Pei Ming
+remarked: "I'll go and pour a cup of tea; and master Secundus, have your
+tea and then go."
+
+Chia Yuen turned his head round, as he kept on his way, and said by way
+of rejoinder: "I won't have any tea; for I've besides something more to
+attend to!" and while with his lips he uttered these words, he, with his
+eyes, stared at the servant-girl, who was still standing in there.
+
+Chia Yuen wended his steps straightway home; and the next day, he came to
+the front entrance, where, by a strange coincidence, he met lady Feng on
+her way to the opposite side to pay her respects. She had just mounted
+her carriage, but perceiving Chia Yuen arrive, she eagerly bade a servant
+stop him, and, with the window between them, she smiled and observed:
+"Yuen Erh, you're indeed bold in playing your pranks with me! I thought
+it strange that you should give me presents; but the fact is you had a
+favour to ask of me; and your uncle told me even yesterday that you had
+appealed to him!"
+
+Chia Yuen smiled. "Of my appeal to uncle, you needn't, aunt, make any
+mention; for I'm at this moment full of regret at having made it. Had I
+known, at an early hour, that things would have come to this pass, I
+would, from the very first, have made my request to you, aunt; and by
+this time everything would have been settled long ago! But who would
+have anticipated that uncle was, after all, a man of no worth!"
+
+"Strange enough," lady Feng remarked sneeringly, "when you found that
+you didn't succeed in that quarter, you came again yesterday in search
+of me!"
+
+"Aunt, you do my filial heart an injustice," Chia Yuen protested; "I
+never had such a thought; had I entertained any such idea, wouldn't I,
+aunt, have made my appeal to you yesterday? But as you are now aware of
+everything, I'll really put uncle on one side, and prefer my request to
+you; for circumstances compel me to entreat you, aunt, to be so good as
+to show me some little consideration!"
+
+Lady Feng laughed sardonically. "You people will choose the long road to
+follow and put me also in a dilemma! Had you told me just one word at an
+early hour, what couldn't have been brought about? an affair of state
+indeed to be delayed up to this moment! In the garden, there are to be
+more trees planted and flowers laid down, and I couldn't think of any
+person that I could have recommended, and had you spoken before this,
+wouldn't the whole question have been settled soon enough?"
+
+"Well, in that case, aunt," ventured Chia Yuen with a smile, "you had
+better depute me to-morrow, and have done!"
+
+"This job," continued lady Feng after a pause, "is not, my impression
+is, very profitable; and if you were to wait till the first moon of next
+year, when the fireworks, lanterns, and candles will have to be
+purveyed, I'll depute you as soon as those extensive commissions turn
+up."
+
+"My dear aunt," pleaded Chia Yuen, "first appoint me to this one, and if
+I do really manage this satisfactorily, you can then commission me with
+that other!"
+
+"You know in truth how to draw a long thread," lady Feng observed
+laughing. "But hadn't it been that your uncle had spoken to me on your
+account, I wouldn't have concerned myself about you. But as I shall
+cross over here soon after the repast, you had better come at eleven
+a.m., and fetch the money, for you to enter into the garden the day
+after to-morrow, and have the flowers planted!"
+
+As she said this, she gave orders to drive the "scented" carriage, and
+went on her way by the quickest cut; while Chia Yuen, who was
+irrepressibly delighted, betook himself into the I Hsia study, and
+inquired after Pao-yue. But, who would have thought it, Pao-yue had, at an
+early hour, gone to the mansion of the Prince of Pei Ching, so that Chia
+Yuen had to sit in a listless mood till noon; and when he found out that
+lady Feng had returned, he speedily wrote an acknowledgment and came to
+receive the warrant. On his arrival outside the court, he commissioned a
+servant to announce him, and Ts'ai Ming thereupon walked out, and merely
+asking for the receipt, went in, and, after filling in the amount, the
+year and moon, he handed it over to Chia Yuen together with the warrant.
+Chia Yuen received them from him, and as the entry consisted of two
+hundred taels, his heart was full of exultant joy; and turning round, he
+hurried to the treasury, where after he had taken over the amount in
+silver, he returned home and laid the case before his mother, and
+needless to say, that both the parent and her son were in high spirits.
+The next day, at the fifth watch, Chia Yun first came in search of Ni
+Erh, to whom he repaid the money, and then taking fifty taels along with
+him, he sped outside the western gate to the house of Fang Ch'un, a
+gardener, to purchase trees, where we will leave him without saying
+anything more about him.
+
+We will now resume our story with Pao-yue. The day on which he
+encountered Chia Yuen, he asked him to come in on the morrow and have a
+chat with him, but this invitation was practically the mere formal talk
+of a rich and well-to-do young man, and was not likely to be so much as
+borne in mind; and so it was that it readily slipped from his memory. On
+the evening of the day, however, on which he returned home from the
+mansion of the Prince Pei Ching, he came, after paying his salutations
+to dowager lady Chia, madame Wang, and the other inmates, back into the
+garden; but upon divesting himself of all his fineries, he was just
+about to have his bath, when, as Hsi Jen had, at the invitation of Hsueeh
+Pao-ch'ai, crossed over to tie a few knotted buttons, as Ch'in Wen and
+Pi Hen had both gone to hurry the servants to bring the water, as T'an
+Yun had likewise been taken home, on account of her mother's illness,
+and She Yueh, on the other hand, was at present ailing in her quarters,
+while the several waiting-maids, who were in there besides to attend to
+the dirty work, and answer the calls, had, surmising that he would not
+requisition their services, one and all gone out in search of their
+friends and in quest of their companions, it occurred, contrary to their
+calculations, that Pao-yue remained this whole length of time quite alone
+in his apartments; and as it so happened that Pao-yue wanted tea to
+drink, he had to call two or three times before he at last saw three old
+matrons walk in. But at the sight of them, Pao-yue hastily waved his hand
+and exclaimed: "No matter, no matter; I don't want you," whereupon the
+matrons had no help but to withdraw out of the rooms; and as Pao-yue
+perceived that there were no waiting-maids at hand, he had to come down
+and take a cup and go up to the teapot to pour the tea; when he heard
+some one from behind him observe: "Master Secundus, beware, you'll
+scorch your hand; wait until I come to pour it!" And as she spoke, she
+walked up to him, and took the cup from his grasp, to the intense
+surprise, in fact, of Pao-yue, who inquired: "Where were you that you
+have suddenly come to give me a start?"
+
+The waiting-maid smiled as she handed him the tea. "I was in the back
+court," she replied, "and just came in from the back door of the inner
+rooms; and is it likely that you didn't, sir, hear the sound of my
+footsteps?"
+
+Pao-yue drank his tea, and as he simultaneously passed the servant-girl
+under a minute inspection, he found that though she wore several
+articles of clothing the worse for wear, she was, nevertheless, with
+that head of beautiful hair, as black as the plumage of a raven, done up
+in curls, her face so oblong, her figure so slim and elegant, indeed,
+supremely beautiful, sweet, and spruce, and Pao-yue eagerly inquired:
+"Are you also a girl attached to this room of mine?"
+
+"I am," rejoined that waiting-maid.
+
+"But since you belong to this room, how is it I don't know you?" Pao-yue
+added.
+
+When the maid heard these words, she forced a laugh. "There are even
+many," she explained, "that are strangers to you; and is it only myself?
+I've never, before this, served tea, or handed water, or brought in
+anything; nor have I attended to a single duty in your presence, so how
+could you know me?"
+
+"But why don't you attend to any of those duties that would bring you to
+my notice?" Pao-yue questioned.
+
+"I too," answered the maid, "find it as difficult to answer such a
+question. There's however one thing that I must report to you, master
+Secundus. Yesterday, some Mr. Yuen Erh or other came to see you; but as I
+thought you, sir, had no leisure, I speedily bade Pei Ming tell him to
+come early to-day. But you unexpectedly went over again to the mansion
+of the Prince of Pei Ching."
+
+When she had spoken as far as this, she caught sight of Ch'iu Wen and Pi
+Hen enter the court, giggling and laughing; the two of them carrying
+between them a bucket of water; and while raising their skirts with one
+hand, they hobbled along, as the water spurted and plashed. The
+waiting-maid hastily come out to meet them so as to relieve them of
+their burden, but Ch'iu Wen and Pi Hen were in the act of standing face
+to face and finding fault with each other; one saying, "You've wetted my
+clothes," the other adding, "You've trod on my shoes," and upon, all of
+a sudden, espying some one walk out to receive the water, and
+discovering, when they came to see, that it was actually no one else
+than Hsiao Hung, they were at once both so taken aback that, putting
+down the bucket, they hurried into the room; and when they looked about
+and saw that there was no other person inside besides Pao-yue they were
+at once displeased. But as they were meanwhile compelled to get ready
+the articles necessary for his bath, they waited until Pao-yue was about
+to divest himself of his clothes, when the couple of them speedily
+pulled the door to behind them, as they went out, and walked as far as
+the room on the opposite side, in search of Hsiao Hung; of whom they
+inquired: "What were you doing in his room a short while back?"
+
+"When was I ever in the room?" Hsiao Hung replied; "simply because I
+lost sight of my handkerchief, I went to the back to try and find it,
+when unexpectedly Mr. Secundus, who wanted tea, called for you sisters;
+and as there wasn't one even of you there, I walked in and poured a cup
+for him, and just at that very moment you sisters came back."
+
+"You barefaced, low-bred thing!" cried Ch'iu Wen, turning towards her
+and spurting in her face. "It was our bounden duty to tell you to go and
+hurry them for the water, but you simply maintained that you were busy
+and made us go instead, in order to afford you an opportunity of
+performing these wily tricks! and isn't this raising yourself up li by
+li? But don't we forsooth, even so much as come up to you? and you just
+take that looking-glass and see for yourself, whether you be fit to
+serve tea and to hand water or not?"
+
+"To-morrow," continued Pi Hea, "I'll tell them that whenever there's
+anything to do connected with his wanting tea, or asking for water, or
+with fetching things for him, not one of us should budge, and that
+_she_ alone should be allowed to go, and have done!"
+
+"If this be your suggestion," remarked Ch'iu Wen, "wouldn't it be still
+better that we should all disperse, and let her reign supreme in this
+room!"
+
+But while the two of them were up to this trouble, one saying one thing,
+and another, another, they caught sight of two old nurses walk in to
+deliver a message from lady Feng; who explained: "To-morrow, someone
+will bring in gardeners to plant trees, and she bids you keep under more
+rigorous restraint, and not sun your clothes and petticoats anywhere and
+everywhere; nor air them about heedlessly; that the artificial hill
+will, all along, be entirely shut in by screening curtains, and that you
+mustn't he running about at random."
+
+"I wonder," interposed Ch'iu Wen with alacrity, "who it is that will
+bring the workmen to-morrow, and supervise the works?"
+
+"Some one or other called Mr. Yuen, living at the back portico," the old
+woman observed.
+
+But Ch'iu Wen and Pi Hen were neither of them acquainted with him, and
+they went on promiscuously asking further questions on his account, but
+Hsiao Hung knew distinctly in her mind who it was, and was well aware
+that it was the person whom she had seen, the previous day, in the outer
+library.
+
+The surname of this Hsiao Hung had, in fact, been originally Lin, while
+her infant name had been Hung Yue; but as the word Yue improperly
+corresponded with the names of Pao-yue and Tai-yue, she was, in due
+course, simply called Hsiao Hung. She was indeed an hereditary servant
+of the mansion; and her father had latterly taken over the charge of all
+matters connected with the farms and farmhouses in every locality. This
+Hung-yue came, at the age of sixteen, into the mansion, to enter into
+service, and was attached to the Hung Yuan, where in point of fact she
+found both a quiet and pleasant home; and when contrary to all
+expectation, the young ladies as well as Pao-yue, were subsequently
+permitted to move their quarters into the garden of Broad Vista, it so
+happened that this place was, moreover, fixed upon by Pao-yue. This Hsiao
+Hung was, it is true, a girl without any experience, but as she could,
+to a certain degree, boast of a pretty face, and as, in her own heart,
+she recklessly fostered the idea of exalting herself to a higher
+standard, she was ever ready to thrust herself in Pao-yue's way, with a
+view to showing herself off. But attached to Pao-yue's personal service
+were a lot of servants, all of whom were glib and specious, so that how
+could she ever find an opportunity of thrusting herself forward? But
+contrary to her anticipations, there turned up, eventually on this day,
+some faint glimmer of hope, but as she again came in for a spell of
+spiteful abuse from Ch'iu Wen and her companion, her expectations were
+soon considerably frustrated, and she was just plunged in a melancholy
+mood, when suddenly she heard the old nurse begin the conversation about
+Chia Yuen, which unconsciously so affected her heart that she hastily
+returned, quite disconsolate, into her room, and lay herself down on her
+bed, giving herself quietly to reflection. But while she was racking and
+torturing her brain and at a moment when she was at a loss what decision
+to grasp, her ear unexpectedly caught, emanating from outside the
+window, a faint voice say: "Hsiao Hung, I've picked up your pocket
+handkerchief in here!" and as soon as Hsiao Hung heard these words, she
+walked out with hurried step and found that it was no one else than Chia
+Yuen in person; and as Hsiao Hung unwillingly felt her powdered face
+suffused with brushes: "Where did you pick it up, Mr. Secundus?" she
+asked.
+
+"Come over," Chia Yuen smiled, "and I'll tell you!" And as he uttered
+these words, he came up and drew her to him; but Hsiao Hung twisted
+herself round and ran away; but was however tripped over by the step of
+the door.
+
+Now, reader, do you want to know the sequel? If so the next chapter will
+explain.
+
+
+
+
+END OF BOOK I
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ ERRATA [as noted in the original book].
+
+
+ Preface rhythm not rhymes
+
+ Chap. I Page 7 Line 30 on _not_ in
+ " " " 13 " 11 _dele_ he
+ " II " 22 " 18 Yue-ts'un _not_ Y-tues'un
+ " " " 22 " 25 dele _one_ the
+ " " " 30 " 14 imbued with _not_ by
+ " III " 50 " 33 rhythm _not_ rythm
+ " IV " 64 " 27 _dele_ as _and read:_ and his
+ widowed mother etc.
+ " " " 65 " 3 _dele_ in _and read_: while the
+ rest of his
+ " V " 80 " 23 monitory _not_ Monotony
+ " " " 87 " 21 fervour _not_ favour
+ " VI " 92 " 20 bonzes _not_ bonze
+ " " " 93 " 1 _Read_: Ai-ya, exclaimed old Goody;
+ It may very well be said that the
+ marquis' door etc.
+ " " " 99 " 4 _read_: a la Chao Chuen
+ " VII " 114 " 13 Chia Jung _not_ Ch'ia Jung
+ " " " 119 " 10 steward _not_ setward
+ " IX " 140 " 10 whiff _not_ wiff
+ " " " 141 " 26 roll _not_ rollster
+ " X " 157 " 16 action _not_ actions
+ " XIII " 196 " 23 in the fear _not_ in fear
+ " XIV " 199 " 39 roll _not_ rollster
+ " XV " 215 " 23 preparations _not_ preparation
+ " XVI " 231 " 22 But these words _not_ But that these
+ words etc.
+ " " " 238 " 33 roll _not_ rollester
+ " XVIII " 270 " 11 _delete_ he
+ " " " 270 " 40 otter _not_ other
+ " " " 280 " 20 roll _not_ rollster
+ " XIX " 290 " 15 _supply_ 'the' _before_ milk
+ " XX " 304 " 39 _read_: lying down, and she felt etc.
+ " XXI " 321 " 35 though he was _not_ were
+ " " " 324 " 12 _supply_ 'with' _after_ fumbling
+ " XXIII " 331 " 32 _read_: a fancy to _not_ for
+ " " " 338 " 13 _supply_ 'himself' _after_
+ laying
+ " XXIII " 349 " 38 him _not_ her
+ " " " 353 " 39 devotes his energies to _not_ upon
+ " " " 361 " 1 felt _not_ fell
+ " " " 371 " 21 lips _not_ slips
+
+
+
+ ERRATA [additional ones caught during Project Gutenberg proofreading.]
+
+ Chap. I Page 3 Line 23: mustn't _not_ must'nt
+ II " 29 " 33: tranquility _not_ tranquilty
+ III " 44 " 2: library _not_ litrary
+ III " 50 " 18: neck _not_ neek
+ III " 50 " 19: ornaments _not_ ormaments
+ V " 70 " 26: consistency _not_ consisteney
+ V " 73 " 13: "daughter, Shou Ch'ang" _not_
+ "daughter. Shou Ch'ang"
+ V " 86 " 15: haven't _not_ have'nt
+ VI " 95 " 20: You've _not_ Youv'e
+ VI " 95 " 34: it's _not_ its
+ VI " 96 " 2: come _not_ came
+ VII " 114 " 14: Isn't _not_ Is'nt
+ VIII " 121 " 17: subsequently _not_ subequently
+ IX " 145 " 1: consternation _not_ conternation
+ X " 155 " 37: night's _not_ night't
+ XI " 167 " 28: Isn't _not_ Is'nt
+ XII " 179 " 1: insistence _not_ insistance
+ XII " 182 " 33: affectionate _not_ affectunate
+ XIII " 198 " 37: roll _not_ rollster
+ XIV " 203 " 22: Ts'ai's _not_ T'sai's
+ XIV " 206 " 1: exclaimed _not_ exclained
+ XV " 218 " 21: each _not_ eaeh
+ XVI " 226 " 34: pupil _not_ purpil
+ XVII " 249 " 35: intertwine _not_ interwine
+ XVII " 252 " 29: isn't _not_ is'nt
+ XVII " 255 " 15: and _not_ aud
+ XVII " 260 " 35: unexpectedly _not_ unexpectly
+ XVIII " 280 " 20: roll _not_ rollster
+ XX " 315 " 12: three)." _not_ three."
+ XXI " 329 " 31: Isn't _not_ Is'nt
+ XXII " 341 " 11: hasn't _not_ has'nt
+ XXII " 344 " 16: enjoy _not_ injoy
+ XXII " 346 " 6: meetest _not_ metest
+ XXII " 346 " 20: Isn't _not_ Is'nt
+ XXIII " 349 " 10: difficulties _not_ diffiulties
+ XXIII " 356 " 1: autumnal _not_ autummal
+ XXIII " 356 " 41: manuscripts _not_ manscripts
+ XXIV " 364 " 38: back," _not_ back,
+ XXIV " 368 " 19: neighbours _not_ neighours
+ XXIV " 377 " 17: opportunity _not_ apportunity
+
+
+[Notes on Project Gutenberg edition. The original Chinese novel was
+written by Cao Xueqin. Another author later added half again as much. H.
+Bencraft Joly translated only the work of the first author, essentially
+two-thirds of the whole; the work ends abruptly at the end of volume II
+as if he intended to go on, but the third volume was never published.
+The work was not well proofread originally. There are other better and
+more complete English translations, but this is the only one we could
+find that is in the public domain in the USA.
+
+Both lists of errata have been corrected in the text. The error noted
+in the original errata list as being on page 140 was actually on page
+145. There were far too many punctuation errata that were corrected,
+to list them all here.
+
+There IS such a word as 'teapoy'; it is NOT 'teapot' and it means a
+three-legged table. 'Dullness' was consistently spelled 'dulness' and is
+left thus. 'Decrepit' was consistently spelled 'decrepid' and is left
+thus. 'Dote, dotes,' etc. was consistently spelled 'doat, doats,' etc.
+and is left thus. 'License' is spelled once thus and once 'licence.' The
+word 'speciality' appears only once, and that is the proper British
+spelling.
+
+Whenever a proper name normally contained an umlaut we attempted to
+supply it in the instances where it was missing; this was most common
+with the name Pao-yue. There were also variations of use of apostrophes
+in proper names, and many were corrected. Neither of these is
+listed in the errata above.]
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, HUNG LOU MENG, BOOK I ***
+
+This file should be named 7hlm110.txt or 7hlm110.zip
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