He then went in,and found the paths obliterated by long grass,which had sprung up, mingled with weeds of various kinds.It was just the time of the new moon,and by its feeble light he was able to make out the door of the house.Feeling his way,he walked on until he reached the back pavilion,and then went up on to the Moon Terrace, which was such a pleasant spot that he determined to stop there.Gazing westwards, he sat for a long time looking at the moon-a,single thread of light embracing in its horns the peak of a hill[2]without hearing anything at all unusual;so,laughing to himself at the nonsense people talked,he spread his mat upon the floor,put a stone under his head for a pillow,and lay down to sleep. He had watched the Cow-herd and the Lady[3][p.17]until they were just disappearing,and was on the point of dropping off,when suddenly he heard footsteps down below coming up the stairs.Pretending to be asleep,he saw a servant enter, carrying in his hand a lotus-shaped lantern,4 who,on observing Mr.Yin,rushed back in a fright,and said to some one behind,"There is a stranger here!"The person spoken to asked who it was,but the servant did not know;and then up came an old gentleman,who,after examining Mr.Yin closely,said,"It's the future President:he's as drunk as can be.We needn't mind him;besides,he's a good fellow,and won't give us any trouble."So they walked in and opened all the doors;and by-and-by there were a great many other people moving about,and quantities of lamps were lighted,till the place was as light as day. About this time Mr.Yin slightly changed his position,and sneezed;upon which the old man,perceiving that he was awake,came forward and fell down on his knees, saying,"Sir,I have a daughter who is to be married this very night.It was not anticipated that Your Honour would be here.I pray,therefore,that we may be excused."Mr.Yin got up and raised the old man,regretting that,in his ignorance of the festive occasion,he had brought with him no present.5 "Ah,Sir,"replied the old man,"your very presence here will ward off all noxious influences;and that is quite enough for us."He then begged Mr.Yin to assist in doing the honours,and thus double the obligation already conferred. Mr.Yin readily assented,and went inside to look at the gorgeous arrangements they had made.He was here met by a lady,apparently about forty years of age,whom the old gentleman introduced as his wife;and he had hardly made his bow when he heard the sound of flageolets,6 and some one came hurrying in,saying,"He has come!"The old gentleman flew out to meet this personage,and Mr.Yin also stood up,awaiting his arrival.In no long time,a bevy of people with gauze lanterns ushered in the bridegroom himself,who seemed,to be about seventeen or eighteen years old,and of a most refined and prepossessing appearance.The old gentleman [p.18]bade him pay his respects first to their worthy guest;and upon his looking towards Mr.Yin,that gentleman came forward to welcome him on behalf of the host.Then followed ceremonies between the old man and his son-in-law;and when these were over,they all sat down to supper. Hosts of waiting-maids brought in profuse quantities of wine and meats,with bowls and cups of jade or gold,till the table glittered again.And when the wine had gone round several times,the old gentleman told one of the maids to summon the bride. This she did,but some time passed and no bride came.So the old man rose and drew aside the curtain,pressing the young lady to come forth;whereupon a number of
He then went in, and found the paths obliterated by long grass, which had sprung up, mingled with weeds of various kinds. It was just the time of the new moon, and by its feeble light he was able to make out the door of the house. Feeling his way, he walked on until he reached the back pavilion, and then went up on to the Moon Terrace, which was such a pleasant spot that he determined to stop there. Gazing westwards, he sat for a long time looking at the moon—a, single thread of light embracing in its horns the peak of a hill[2]—without hearing anything at all unusual; so, laughing to himself at the nonsense people talked, he spread his mat upon the floor, put a stone under his head for a pillow, and lay down to sleep. He had watched the Cow-herd and the Lady[3] [p. 17] until they were just disappearing, and was on the point of dropping off, when suddenly he heard footsteps down below coming up the stairs. Pretending to be asleep, he saw a servant enter, carrying in his hand a lotus-shaped lantern,4 who, on observing Mr. Yin, rushed back in a fright, and said to some one behind, “There is a stranger here!” The person spoken to asked who it was, but the servant did not know; and then up came an old gentleman, who, after examining Mr. Yin closely, said, “It’s the future President: he’s as drunk as can be. We needn’t mind him; besides, he’s a good fellow, and won’t give us any trouble.” So they walked in and opened all the doors; and by-and-by there were a great many other people moving about, and quantities of lamps were lighted, till the place was as light as day. About this time Mr. Yin slightly changed his position, and sneezed; upon which the old man, perceiving that he was awake, came forward and fell down on his knees, saying, “Sir, I have a daughter who is to be married this very night. It was not anticipated that Your Honour would be here. I pray, therefore, that we may be excused.” Mr. Yin got up and raised the old man, regretting that, in his ignorance of the festive occasion, he had brought with him no present.5 “Ah, Sir,” replied the old man, “your very presence here will ward off all noxious influences; and that is quite enough for us.” He then begged Mr. Yin to assist in doing the honours, and thus double the obligation already conferred. Mr. Yin readily assented, and went inside to look at the gorgeous arrangements they had made. He was here met by a lady, apparently about forty years of age, whom the old gentleman introduced as his wife; and he had hardly made his bow when he heard the sound of flageolets,6 and some one came hurrying in, saying, “He has come!” The old gentleman flew out to meet this personage, and Mr. Yin also stood up, awaiting his arrival. In no long time, a bevy of people with gauze lanterns ushered in the bridegroom himself, who seemed, to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, and of a most refined and prepossessing appearance. The old gentleman [p. 18] bade him pay his respects first to their worthy guest; and upon his looking towards Mr. Yin, that gentleman came forward to welcome him on behalf of the host. Then followed ceremonies between the old man and his son-in-law; and when these were over, they all sat down to supper. Hosts of waiting-maids brought in profuse quantities of wine and meats, with bowls and cups of jade or gold, till the table glittered again. And when the wine had gone round several times, the old gentleman told one of the maids to summon the bride. This she did, but some time passed and no bride came. So the old man rose and drew aside the curtain, pressing the young lady to come forth; whereupon a number of
women escorted out the bride,whose ornaments went tinkle tinkle as she walked along,sweet perfumes being all the time diffused around.Her father told her to make the proper salutation,after which she went and sat by her mother.Mr.Yin took a glance at her,and saw that she wore on her head beautiful ornaments made of kingfisher's feathers,her beauty quite surpassing anything he had ever seen.All this time they had been drinking their wine out of golden goblets big enough to hold several pints,when it flashed across him that one of these goblets would be a capital thing to carry back to his companions in evidence of what he had seen.So he secreted it in his sleeve,and pretending to be tipsy,7 leaned forward with his head upon the table as if going off to sleep."The gentleman is drunk,"said the guests;and by-and- by Mr.Yin heard the bridegroom take his leave,and there was a general trooping downstairs to the tune of a wedding march. When they were all gone the old gentleman collected the goblets,one of which was missing,though they hunted high and low to find it.Some one mentioned the sleeping guest;but the old gentleman stopped him at once for fear Mr.Yin should hear,and before long silence reigned [p.19]throughout.Mr.Yin then arose.It was dark,and he had no light;but he could detect the lingering smell of the food,and the place was filled with the fumes of wine. Faint streaks of light now appearing in the east,he began quietly to make a move, having first satisfied himself that the goblet was still in his sleeve.Arriving at the door, he found his friends already there;for they had been afraid he might come out after they left,and go in again early in the morning.When he produced the goblet they were all lost in astonishment;and on hearing his story,they were fain to believe it, well knowing that a poor student like Yin was not likely to have such a valuable piece of plate in his possession. Later on Mr.Yin took his doctor's degree,and was appointed magistrate over the district of Fei-ch'iu,where there was an old-established family of the name of Chu The head of the family asked him to a banquet in honour of his arrival,and ordered the servants to bring in the large goblets.After some delay a slave-girl came and whispered something to her master which seemed to make him very angry.Then the goblets were brought in,and Mr.Yin was invited to drink.He now found that these goblets were of precisely the same shape and pattern as the one he had at home,and at once begged his host to tell him where he had had these made."Well,"said Mr.Chu, there should be eight of them.An ancestor of mine had them made,when he was a minister at the capital,by an experienced artificer.They have been handed down in our family from generation to generation,and have now been carefully laid by for some time;but I thought we would have them out today as a compliment to your Honour.However,there are only seven to be found.None of the servants can have touched them,for the old seals of ten years ago are still upon the box,unbroken.I don't know what to make of it."Mr.Yin laughed,and said,"It must have flown away! Still,it is a pity to lose an heirloom of that kind;and as I have a very similar one at home,I shall take upon myself to send it to you." When the banquet was over,Mr.Yin went home,and taking out his own goblet,sent it off to Mr.Chu.The latter was somewhat surprised to find that it was identical with his own,and hurried away to thank [p.20]the magistrate for his gift,asking him at the same time how it had come into his possession.Mr.Yin told him the whole story
women escorted out the bride, whose ornaments went tinkle tinkle as she walked along, sweet perfumes being all the time diffused around. Her father told her to make the proper salutation, after which she went and sat by her mother. Mr. Yin took a glance at her, and saw that she wore on her head beautiful ornaments made of kingfisher’s feathers, her beauty quite surpassing anything he had ever seen. All this time they had been drinking their wine out of golden goblets big enough to hold several pints, when it flashed across him that one of these goblets would be a capital thing to carry back to his companions in evidence of what he had seen. So he secreted it in his sleeve, and pretending to be tipsy,7 leaned forward with his head upon the table as if going off to sleep. “The gentleman is drunk,” said the guests; and by-andby Mr. Yin heard the bridegroom take his leave, and there was a general trooping downstairs to the tune of a wedding march. When they were all gone the old gentleman collected the goblets, one of which was missing, though they hunted high and low to find it. Some one mentioned the sleeping guest; but the old gentleman stopped him at once for fear Mr. Yin should hear, and before long silence reigned [p. 19] throughout. Mr. Yin then arose. It was dark, and he had no light; but he could detect the lingering smell of the food, and the place was filled with the fumes of wine. Faint streaks of light now appearing in the east, he began quietly to make a move, having first satisfied himself that the goblet was still in his sleeve. Arriving at the door, he found his friends already there; for they had been afraid he might come out after they left, and go in again early in the morning. When he produced the goblet they were all lost in astonishment; and on hearing his story, they were fain to believe it, well knowing that a poor student like Yin was not likely to have such a valuable piece of plate in his possession. Later on Mr. Yin took his doctor’s degree, and was appointed magistrate over the district of Fei-ch‘iu, where there was an old-established family of the name of Chu. The head of the family asked him to a banquet in honour of his arrival, and ordered the servants to bring in the large goblets. After some delay a slave-girl came and whispered something to her master which seemed to make him very angry. Then the goblets were brought in, and Mr. Yin was invited to drink. He now found that these goblets were of precisely the same shape and pattern as the one he had at home, and at once begged his host to tell him where he had had these made. “Well,” said Mr. Chu, “there should be eight of them. An ancestor of mine had them made, when he was a minister at the capital, by an experienced artificer. They have been handed down in our family from generation to generation, and have now been carefully laid by for some time; but I thought we would have them out today as a compliment to your Honour. However, there are only seven to be found. None of the servants can have touched them, for the old seals of ten years ago are still upon the box, unbroken. I don’t know what to make of it.” Mr. Yin laughed, and said, “It must have flown away! Still, it is a pity to lose an heirloom of that kind; and as I have a very similar one at home, I shall take upon myself to send it to you.” When the banquet was over, Mr. Yin went home, and taking out his own goblet, sent it off to Mr. Chu. The latter was somewhat surprised to find that it was identical with his own, and hurried away to thank [p. 20] the magistrate for his gift, asking him at the same time how it had come into his possession. Mr. Yin told him the whole story
which proves conclusively that although a fox may obtain possession of a thing,even at a distance of many hundred miles,he will not venture to keep it altogether.8 1 One of the"Six Boards"(now Seven)at the capital,equivalent to our own War Office.Board of Works.&c. 2 Which,of course,is impossible. 3 The Chinese names for certain stars:beta gamma Aquilae and alpha Lyrae. 4 Lanterns very prettily made to resemble all kinds of flowers are to be seen at the Chinese New Year. 5 This is,as with us,obligatory on all friends invited to a marriage. 6 The accompaniment of all weddings and funerals in China. 7 The soberest people in the world,amongst whom anything like sottishness is comparatively unknown,think it no disgrace,but rather complimentary,to get pleasantly tipsy on all festive occasions;and people who are physically unable to do so frequently go so far as to hire substitutes to drink for them.Mandarins specially suffer very much from the custom of being obliged to take"wine"with a large number of guests.For further on this subject,see No.LIV.,note 1. 8 The wedding-party was,of course,composed entirely of foxes,this animal being believed by the Chinese to be capable of appearing at will under the human form,and of doing either good or evil to its friends or foes.These facts will be prominently brought out in several of the stories to follow. VIII.MISS CHIAO-NO K'UNG HSUEH-LI was a descendant of Confucius.1 He was a man of considerable ability,and an excellent poet.2 A fellow-student,to whom he was much attached, became magistrate at T'ien-t'ai,and sent for K'ung to join him.Unfortunately,just before K'ung arrived his friend died,and he found himself without the means of returning home;so he took up his abode in a Buddhist monastery,where he was employed in transcribing for the priests. Several hundred paces to the west of this monastery there was a house belonging to a Mr.Shan,a gentleman who had known better days,but who had spent all his money in a heavy law-suit;and then,as his family was a small one,had gone away to live in the country and left his house vacant.One day there was a heavy fall of snow which kept visitors away from the monastery;and K'ung,finding it dull,went out.As he was passing by the door of the above-mentioned house,a young man of very elegant appearance came forth,who,the moment he saw K'ung,ran up to him,and with a bow,entered into conversation,asking him to be pleased to walk in.K'ung was much taken with the young man,and followed him inside.The [p.21]rooms were not particularly large,but adorned throughout with embroidered curtains,and from the
which proves conclusively that although a fox may obtain possession of a thing, even at a distance of many hundred miles, he will not venture to keep it altogether.8 1 One of the “Six Boards” (now Seven) at the capital, equivalent to our own War Office, Board of Works, &c. 2 Which, of course, is impossible. 3 The Chinese names for certain stars: beta gamma Aquilae and alpha Lyrae. 4 Lanterns very prettily made to resemble all kinds of flowers are to be seen at the Chinese New Year. 5 This is, as with us, obligatory on all friends invited to a marriage. 6 The accompaniment of all weddings and funerals in China. 7 The soberest people in the world, amongst whom anything like sottishness is comparatively unknown, think it no disgrace, but rather complimentary, to get pleasantly tipsy on all festive occasions; and people who are physically unable to do so frequently go so far as to hire substitutes to drink for them. Mandarins specially suffer very much from the custom of being obliged to take “wine” with a large number of guests. For further on this subject, see No. LIV., note 1. 8 The wedding-party was, of course, composed entirely of foxes, this animal being believed by the Chinese to be capable of appearing at will under the human form, and of doing either good or evil to its friends or foes. These facts will be prominently brought out in several of the stories to follow. VIII. MISS CHIAO-NO K‘UNG HSÜEH-LI was a descendant of Confucius.1 He was a man of considerable ability, and an excellent poet.2 A fellow-student, to whom he was much attached, became magistrate at T‘ien-t‘ai, and sent for K‘ung to join him. Unfortunately, just before K‘ung arrived his friend died, and he found himself without the means of returning home; so he took up his abode in a Buddhist monastery, where he was employed in transcribing for the priests. Several hundred paces to the west of this monastery there was a house belonging to a Mr. Shan, a gentleman who had known better days, but who had spent all his money in a heavy law-suit; and then, as his family was a small one, had gone away to live in the country and left his house vacant. One day there was a heavy fall of snow which kept visitors away from the monastery; and K‘ung, finding it dull, went out. As he was passing by the door of the above-mentioned house, a young man of very elegant appearance came forth, who, the moment he saw K‘ung, ran up to him, and with a bow, entered into conversation, asking him to be pleased to walk in. K‘ung was much taken with the young man, and followed him inside. The [p. 21] rooms were not particularly large, but adorned throughout with embroidered curtains, and from the
walls hung scrolls and drawings by celebrated masters.On the table lay a book,the title of which was "Jottings from Paradise"and turning over its leaves,K'ung found therein many strange things.He did not ask the young man his name,presuming that as he lived in the Shan family mansion,he was necessarily the owner of the place. The young man,however,inquired what he was doing in that part of the country,and expressed great sympathy with his misfortunes,recommending him to set about taking pupils."Alas!"said K'ung,"who will play the Maecenas to a distressed wayfarer like myself?""If,"replied the young man,"you would condescend so far,I for my part would gladly seek instruction at your hands."K'ung was much gratified at this,but said he dared not arrogate to himself the position of teacher,and begged merely to be considered as the young man's friend.He then asked him why the house had been shut up for so long;to which the young man replied,"This is the Shan family mansion.It has been closed all this time because of the owner's removal into the country.My surname is Huang-fu,and my home is in Shen-si;but as our house has been burnt down in a great fire,we have put up here for a while."Thus Mr.K'ung found out that his name was not Shan.That evening they spent in laughing and talking together,and K'ung remained there for the night. In the morning a lad came in to light the fire;and the young man,rising first,went into the private part of the house.Mr.K'ung was sitting up with the bed-clothes still huddled round him,when the lad looked in and said,"Master's coming!"So he jumped up with a start,and in came an old man with a silvery beard,who began to thank him,saying,"I am very much obliged to you for your condescension in becoming my son's tutor.At present he writes a villainous hand;and I can only hope you will not allow the ties of friendship to interfere with discipline."Thereupon,he presented Mr.K'ung with an embroidered suit of clothes,a sable hat,and a set of shoes and stockings;and when the latter had washed and dressed himself he called for wine and food.K'ung could not make out what the valances of the chairs and tables were made of;they [p.22]were so very bright-coloured and dazzling.By-and-by, when the wine had circulated several times,the old gentleman picked up his walking- stick and took his leave.After breakfast the young man handed in his theme,which turned out to be written in an archaic style,and not at all after the modern fashion of essay-writing.K'ung asked him why he had done this,to which the young man replied that he did not contemplate competing at the public examinations. In the evening they had another drinking-bout,but it was agreed that there should be no more of it after that night.The young man then called the boy and told him to see if his father was asleep or not;adding that if he was,he might quietly summon Miss Perfume.The boy went off,first taking a guitar out of a very pretty case;and in a few minutes in came a very nice-looking young girl.The young man bade her play the Death of Shun;3 and seizing an ivory plectrum she swept the chords,pouring forth a vocal melody of exquisite sweetness and pathos.He then gave her a goblet of wine to drink,and it was midnight before they parted. Next morning they got up early and settled down to work.The young man proved an apt scholar:he could remember what he had once read,and at the end of two or three months had made astonishing progress.Then they agreed that every five days they would indulge in a symposium,and that Miss Perfume should always be of the party. One night when the wine had gone into K'ung's head,he seemed to be lost in a reverie;whereupon his young friend,who knew what was the matter with him,said
walls hung scrolls and drawings by celebrated masters. On the table lay a book, the title of which was “Jottings from Paradise” and turning over its leaves, K‘ung found therein many strange things. He did not ask the young man his name, presuming that as he lived in the Shan family mansion, he was necessarily the owner of the place. The young man, however, inquired what he was doing in that part of the country, and expressed great sympathy with his misfortunes, recommending him to set about taking pupils. “Alas!” said K‘ung, “who will play the Maecenas to a distressed wayfarer like myself?” “If,” replied the young man, “you would condescend so far, I for my part would gladly seek instruction at your hands.” K‘ung was much gratified at this, but said he dared not arrogate to himself the position of teacher, and begged merely to be considered as the young man’s friend. He then asked him why the house had been shut up for so long; to which the young man replied, “This is the Shan family mansion. It has been closed all this time because of the owner’s removal into the country. My surname is Huang-fu, and my home is in Shen-si; but as our house has been burnt down in a great fire, we have put up here for a while.” Thus Mr. K’ung found out that his name was not Shan. That evening they spent in laughing and talking together, and K‘ung remained there for the night. In the morning a lad came in to light the fire; and the young man, rising first, went into the private part of the house. Mr. K‘ung was sitting up with the bed-clothes still huddled round him, when the lad looked in and said, “Master’s coming!” So he jumped up with a start, and in came an old man with a silvery beard, who began to thank him, saying, “I am very much obliged to you for your condescension in becoming my son’s tutor. At present he writes a villainous hand; and I can only hope you will not allow the ties of friendship to interfere with discipline.” Thereupon, he presented Mr. K‘ung with an embroidered suit of clothes, a sable hat, and a set of shoes and stockings; and when the latter had washed and dressed himself he called for wine and food. K‘ung could not make out what the valances of the chairs and tables were made of; they [p. 22] were so very bright-coloured and dazzling. By-and-by, when the wine had circulated several times, the old gentleman picked up his walkingstick and took his leave. After breakfast the young man handed in his theme, which turned out to be written in an archaic style, and not at all after the modern fashion of essay-writing. K‘ung asked him why he had done this, to which the young man replied that he did not contemplate competing at the public examinations. In the evening they had another drinking-bout, but it was agreed that there should be no more of it after that night. The young man then called the boy and told him to see if his father was asleep or not; adding that if he was, he might quietly summon Miss Perfume. The boy went off, first taking a guitar out of a very pretty case; and in a few minutes in came a very nice-looking young girl. The young man bade her play the Death of Shun;3 and seizing an ivory plectrum she swept the chords, pouring forth a vocal melody of exquisite sweetness and pathos. He then gave her a goblet of wine to drink, and it was midnight before they parted. Next morning they got up early and settled down to work. The young man proved an apt scholar: he could remember what he had once read, and at the end of two or three months had made astonishing progress. Then they agreed that every five days they would indulge in a symposium, and that Miss Perfume should always be of the party. One night when the wine had gone into K‘ung’s head, he seemed to be lost in a reverie; whereupon his young friend, who knew what was the matter with him, said
"This girl was brought up by my father.I know you find it lonely,and I have long been looking out for a nice wife for you.""Let her only resemble Miss Perfume,"said K'ung,“and she will do.”Your experience,.”said the young man,laughing,.“is but limited,and,consequently,anything is a surprise to you.If Miss Perfume is your beau ideal,why,it will not be difficult to satisfy you."[p.23] Some six months had passed away,when one day Mr.K'ung took it into his head that he would like to go out for a stroll in the country.The entrance,however,was carefully closed;and on asking the reason,the young man told him that his father wished to receive no guests for fear of causing interruption to his studies.So K'ung thought no more about it;and by-and-by,when the heat of summer came on,they moved their study to a pavilion in the garden.At this time Mr.K'ung had a swelling on the chest about as big as a peach,which,in a single night,increased to the size of a bowl.There he lay groaning with the pain,while his pupil waited upon him day and night.He slept badly and took hardly any food;and in a few days the place got so much worse that he could neither eat nor drink.The old gentleman also came in,and he and his son lamented over him together. Then the young man said,"I was thinking last night that my sister,Chiao-no,would be able to cure Mr.K'ung,and accordingly I sent over to my grandmother's asking her to come.She ought to be here by now." At that moment a servant entered and announced Miss Chiao-no,who had come with her cousin,having been at her aunt's house.Her father and brother ran out to meet her, and then brought her in to see Mr.K'ung.She was between thirteen and fourteen years old,and had beautiful eyes with a very intelligent expression in them,and a most graceful figure besides.No sooner had Mr.K'ung beheld this lovely creature than he quite forgot to groan,and began to brighten up.Meanwhile the young man was saying,"This respected friend of mine is the same to me as a brother.Try,sister, to cure him."Miss Chiao-no immediately dismissed her blushes,and rolling up her long sleeves approached the bed to feel his pulse.4 As she was grasping his wrist, K'ung became conscious of a perfume more delicate than that of the epidendrum;and then she laughed,saying,"This illness was to be expected;for the heart is touched. Though it is severe,a cure can be effected;but,as there is already a swelling,not without using the knife."Then [p.24]she drew from her arm a gold bracelet which she pressed down upon the suffering spot,until by degrees the swelling rose within the bracelet and overtopped it by an inch and more,the outlying parts that were inflamed also passing under,and thus very considerably reducing the extent of the tumour:With one hand she opened her robe and took out a knife with an edge as keen as paper,and pressing the bracelet down all the time with the other,proceeded to cut lightly round near the root of the swelling.The dark blood gushed forth,and stained the bed and the mat;but Mr.K'ung was delighted to be near such a beauty,not only felt no pain,but would willingly have continued the operation that she might sit by him a little longer.In a few moments the whole thing was removed,and looked like a growth which had been cut off a tree. Here Miss Chiao-no called for water to wash the wound,and from between her lips she took a red pill as big as a bullet,which she laid upon the flesh,and,after drawing the skin together,passed round and round the place.The first turn felt like the searing of a hot iron;the second like a gentle itching;and at the third he experienced a
“This girl was brought up by my father. I know you find it lonely, and I have long been looking out for a nice wife for you.” “Let her only resemble Miss Perfume,” said K‘ung, “and she will do.” “Your experience,” said the young man, laughing, “is but limited, and, consequently, anything is a surprise to you. If Miss Perfume is your beau ideal, why, it will not be difficult to satisfy you.” [p. 23] Some six months had passed away, when one day Mr. K‘ung took it into his head that he would like to go out for a stroll in the country. The entrance, however, was carefully closed; and on asking the reason, the young man told him that his father wished to receive no guests for fear of causing interruption to his studies. So K‘ung thought no more about it; and by-and-by, when the heat of summer came on, they moved their study to a pavilion in the garden. At this time Mr. K‘ung had a swelling on the chest about as big as a peach, which, in a single night, increased to the size of a bowl. There he lay groaning with the pain, while his pupil waited upon him day and night. He slept badly and took hardly any food; and in a few days the place got so much worse that he could neither eat nor drink. The old gentleman also came in, and he and his son lamented over him together. Then the young man said, “I was thinking last night that my sister, Chiao-no, would be able to cure Mr. K‘ung, and accordingly I sent over to my grandmother’s asking her to come. She ought to be here by now.” At that moment a servant entered and announced Miss Chiao-no, who had come with her cousin, having been at her aunt’s house. Her father and brother ran out to meet her, and then brought her in to see Mr. K‘ung. She was between thirteen and fourteen years old, and had beautiful eyes with a very intelligent expression in them, and a most graceful figure besides. No sooner had Mr. K‘ung beheld this lovely creature than he quite forgot to groan, and began to brighten up. Meanwhile the young man was saying, “This respected friend of mine is the same to me as a brother. Try, sister, to cure him.” Miss Chiao-no immediately dismissed her blushes, and rolling up her long sleeves approached the bed to feel his pulse.4 As she was grasping his wrist, K‘ung became conscious of a perfume more delicate than that of the epidendrum; and then she laughed, saying, “This illness was to be expected; for the heart is touched. Though it is severe, a cure can be effected; but, as there is already a swelling, not without using the knife.” Then [p. 24] she drew from her arm a gold bracelet which she pressed down upon the suffering spot, until by degrees the swelling rose within the bracelet and overtopped it by an inch and more, the outlying parts that were inflamed also passing under, and thus very considerably reducing the extent of the tumour: With one hand she opened her robe and took out a knife with an edge as keen as paper, and pressing the bracelet down all the time with the other, proceeded to cut lightly round near the root of the swelling. The dark blood gushed forth, and stained the bed and the mat; but Mr. K‘ung was delighted to be near such a beauty, not only felt no pain, but would willingly have continued the operation that she might sit by him a little longer. In a few moments the whole thing was removed, and looked like a growth which had been cut off a tree. Here Miss Chiao-no called for water to wash the wound, and from between her lips she took a red pill as big as a bullet, which she laid upon the flesh, and, after drawing the skin together, passed round and round the place. The first turn felt like the searing of a hot iron; the second like a gentle itching; and at the third he experienced a