\"Trulythisyoungladyhasformedamostpervertedattachment，\"saidJasminetoherself。\"Sheremindsmeofthemaninthefairytalewhofellinlovewithashadow，and，sofarasIcansee，sheisnotlikelytogetanymoresatisfactionoutofitthanhedid。\"Sosaying，shetookupapencilandscribbledthefollowinglinesonascrapofpaper：
\"Withthoughtsasardentasaquenchlessthirst，Shesendsmefragrantandmostlusciousfruit;
Withoutablushsheseeksaphenixguest[abachelor]
Whodwellsalonelikecase-envelopedlute。\"
AfterthismentaleffortJasminewenttobed。Norhadherinterviewwiththewaiting-womanmadeasufficientimpressiononhermindtointerfereinanywaywithhersleep。Shewassurprised，however，oncomingintohersitting-roominthemorning，tomeetthesamemessenger，who，ladenwithadishofhoteggsandabrewoftea，beggedJasmineto\"deigntolookdownuponherofferings。\"
\"Manythanks，\"saidJasmine，\"foryourkindattention。\"
\"Youareputtingthesaddleonthewronghorse，\"repliedthewoman。
\"InbringingyoutheseIambutobeyingtheordersofMissKing，whoherselfmadetheteaofleavesfromPu-erhinYunnan，andwhowithherownfairhandsshelledtheeggs。\"
\"Youryounglady，\"answeredJasmine，\"isasbountifulassheiskind。
WhatreturncanImakeherforherkindnesstoastranger？Stay，\"shesaid，asthethoughtcrossedhermindthattheversesshehadwrittenthenightbeforemightproveawholesometonicforthiseffusiveyounglady，\"IhaveafewverseswhichIwillventuretoaskhertoaccept。\"
Sosaying，shetookapieceofpeach-blossompaper，onwhichshecarefullycopiedthequatrainandhandedittothewoman。\"MayI
troubleyou，\"saidshe，\"totakethistoyourmistress？\"
\"If，\"saidJasminetoherselfasthewomantookherdeparture，\"MissKingisabletopenetratethemeaningofmyverses，shewon’tlikethem。Withoutsayingsoinsomanywords，IhavetoldherwithsufficientplainnessthatIwillhavenothingtosaytoher。ButstupidityisashieldsentbyProvidencetoprotectthegreaterpartofmankindfrommanyevils;soperhapsshewillescape。\"
ItcertainlyinthiscaseservedtoshieldMissKingfromJasmine’sshafts。Shewasdelightedatreceivingtheverses，andatoncesatdowntocomposeaquatraintomatchJasmine’sinreply。Withinfinitelaboursheelaboratedthefollowing：
\"SungYuhonth’easternwallsatdeepinthought，AndlongedwithP’etopluckthefragrantfruit。
Ifallthewell-knowntunesbenewlyset，Whatusetotakeagainthehalf-burntlute？\"
Havingcopiedtheseonapieceofsilk-wovenpaper，shesentthemtoJasminebyherfaithfulattendant。Onlookingoverthepaper，Jasminesaid，smiling，\"Whatacleveryoungladyyourmistressmustbe！Theselines，thoughsomewhatinconsequential，areincomparable。\"
But，thoughJasminewaspartlyinclinedtotreatthematterasajoke，shesawthattherewasaserioussidetotheaffair，moreespeciallyasthecoloursunderwhichshewassailingweresoundeniablyfalse。
SheknewwellthatforSungYuhshouldbereadMissKing，andforP’eherownname;andshedetermined，therefore，toputanendtothephilanderingofMissKing，which，inherpresentstateofmind，wasdoublyannoyingtoher。
\"Iamdeeplyindebtedtoyouryounglady，\"shesaid，andthen，beingdeterminedtomakeaplungeintothemorassofuntruthfulness，foragoodendasshebelieved，added，\"and，ifIhadloveatmydisposal，I
shouldpossiblyventuretomakeadvancestowardthefeatherypeach[anuptialemblem];butletmeconfesstoyouthatIhavealreadytakentomyselfawife。HadIthefelicityofmeetingMissKingbeforeI
committedmyselfinanotherdirection，Imightperhapshavebeenahappierman。But，afterall，ifthiswereso，mypositionisnoworsethanthatofmostothermarriedmen，forInevermetonewhowasnotoccasionallyinclinedtocry，liketheboysat’tosscash，’’Harkbackandtryagain。’\"
\"Thiswillbesadnewsformylady，forshehassetherheartuponyoueversinceyoufirstcametotheinn;andwhenyoungmissestakethatsortoffancyandlosetheobjectsoftheirlove，theyareasbadaschildrenwhenforbiddentheirsugar-plums。Butwhat’stheuseoftalkingtoyouaboutayounglady’sfeelings！\"saidthewoman，withavexedtossofherhead;\"Ineverknewamanwhounderstoodawomanyet。\"
\"IamextremelysorryforMissKing，\"saidJasmine，tryingtosuppressasmile。\"Asyouwiselyremark，ayoungladyisasealedbooktome，butIhavealwaysbeentoldthattheirfanciesareasvariableastheshadowofthebamboo;andprobably，therefore，thoughMissKing’sskymaybeovercastjustnow，thegloomwillonlymakeherenjoyto-morrow’ssunshineallthemore。\"
Thewoman，whowasevidentlyinahurrytoconveythenewstohermistress，returnednoanswertothislastsally，but，withcurtailedobeisance，tookherdeparture。
Hernon-appearancethenextmorningconfirmedJasmineinthebeliefthatherbolddeparturefromtruthonthepreviouseveninghadhaditscurativeeffect。Thereliefwasgreat，forshehadfeltthatthesecomplicationswerebecomingtoofrequenttobepleasant，and，reprehensiblethoughitmayappear，herreliefwasmingledwithnosortofcompassionforMissKing。Herswasnotanaturetosympathisewithsuchsuddenandfierceattachments。HeraffectionforTuhadbeenthegrowthofmanymonths，andshehadnofeelingincommonwithayoungladywhocouldtakeaviolentlikingforayoungmansimplyfromseeinghimtakinghispost-prandialease。Itwasthereforewithcompletesatisfactionthatshelefttheinninthecourseofthemorningtopayherfarewellvisitstothegovernorandthejudgeoftheprovince，whohadtakenanunusualinterestinColonelWen’scasesinceJasminehadbecomehispersonaladvocate。Bothofficialshadpromisedtodoalltheycouldfortheprisoner，andhadloadedJasminewithtokensofgoodwillintheshapeofstrangeandrarefruitsandculinarydelicacies。Onthisparticulardaythegovernorhadinvitedhertothemiddaymeal，anditwaslateintheafternoonbeforeshefoundherwaybacktotheinn。
Thefollowingmorningsheroseearly，intendingtostartbeforenoon，andwassteppingintothecourtyardtogivedirectionsto\"TheDragon，\"when，tohersurprise，shewasaccostedbyMissKing’sservant，who，withawaggishsmileandacunningshakeofthehead，said：
\"HowcanonesoyoungasyourExcellencybesuchaproficientintheartofinventingflowersoftheimagination？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidJasmine。
\"Why，lastnightyoutoldmeyouweremarried，andmypooryoungladywhenshehearditwaswrungwithgrief。But，recoveringsomewhat，shesentmetoaskyourservantswhetherwhatyouhadsaidwastrueornot，forsheknowswhatshe’saboutaswellasmostpeople，andtheybothwithonevoiceassuredmethat，farfrombeingmarriedyouhadnotevenexchangednuptialpresentswithanybody。YoumayimagineMissKing’sdelightwhenItookherthisnews。Sheatonceaskedhercousintocalluponyoutomakeaformalofferofmarriage，andshehasnowsentmetotellyouthathewillbehereanon。\"
Everyoneknowswhatitistopasssuddenlyfromastateofpleasurablehighspiritsintodeepdespondency，toexchangeinaninstantbrightmentalsunshineforcloudandgloom。All，therefore，mustsympathisewithpoorJasmine，whobelievingtheroadbeforehertobesmoothandclear，onasuddenbecamethusawareofamosttroublesomeanddifficultobstruction。Shehadscarcelyfinishedcallingdownanathemasontheheadsof\"TheDragon\"andhiswife，andcursingherownfollyforbringingthemwithher，thantheinndoorswerethrownopen，andaservantappearedcarryingalongredvisiting-
cardinscribedwiththenameofthewealthyinn-proprietor。OntheheelsofthisforerunnerfollowedyoungMr。King，who，witheffusivebows，said，\"IhaveventuredtopaymyrespectstoyourExcellency。\"
PoorJasminewassoupsetbythewholeaffairthatshelackedsomeofthecourtesythatwashabitualtoher，andinherconfusionverynearlyseatedherguestonherrighthand。Fortunatelythisoutrageousbreachofetiquettewasavoided，andthepaireventuallyarrangedthemselvesinthecanonicalorder。
\"ThisoldsonofHan，\"beganMr。King，\"wouldnothavedaredtointrudehimselfuponyourExcellencyifitwerenotthathehasamatterofgreatdelicacytodiscusswithyou。Hehasacousin，thedaughterofVice-PresidentKing，forwhomforyearshehasbeentryingtofindasuitablematch。Thepositionispeculiar，fortheladydeclarespositivelythatshewillnotmarryanyoneshehasnotseenandapprovedof。Untilnowshehasnotbeenabletofindanyonewhomshewouldcaretomarry。ButthepresenceofyourExcellencyhasthrownalightacrossherpathwhichhasshownherthewaytotheplum-grovesofmatrimonialfelicity。\"
HereKingpaused，expectingsomereply;butJasminewastooabsorbedinthoughttospeak，soMr。Kingwenton：
\"ThisoldsonofHan，hearingthatyourExcellencyisstillunmarried，hastakenituponhimselftomakeaproposalofmarriagetoyou，andtoofferhiscousinasyour’basketandbroom。’[wife]Hisinterviewwithyouhas，hemaysay，shownhimthewisdomofhiscousin’schoice，andhecannotimagineapairbettersuitedforoneanother，ormorelikelytobehappy，thanyourExcellencyandhiscousin。\"
\"Idarenotbeanythingbutstraightforwardwithyourworship，\"saidJasmine，\"andIamgratefulfortheextraordinaryaffectionyourcousinhasbeenpleasedtobestowuponme;butIcannotforgetthatshebelongstoafamilywhichisentitledtopassthroughthegateofthepalace[afamilyofdistinction]，andIfearthatmyrankisnotsufficientforher。Besides，myfatherisatpresentunderacloud，andIamnowonmywaytoPekingtotrytoreleasehimfromhisdifficulties。Itisnotime，therefore，formetobebindingmyselfwithpromises。\"
\"AstoyourExcellency’sfirstobjection，\"repliedKing，\"youarealreadythewearerofahatwithasilkentassel，andamanneednotbeaprophettoforetellthatintimetocomeanyoffice，eithercivilormilitary，willbewithinyourreach。Nodoubt，also，yourbusinessinPekingwillbequicklybroughttoasatisfactoryconclusion，andtherecanbenoobjection，therefore，tooursettlingthepreliminariesnow，andthen，onyourreturnfromthecapital，wecancelebratethewedding。Thiswillgiverestandcomposuretomycousin’smind，whichisnowlikeadisturbedsea，andwillnotinterfere，Iventuretothink，withtheaffairwhichcallsyoutoPeking。\"
AsKingproceeded，Jasminefeltthatherdifficultieswereontheincrease。Itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldexplainherpositioninfull，andshehadnosufficientreasonathandtogiveforrejectingtheproposalmadeher，though，asthesametime，herannoyancewasnotsmallathavingsuchamatterforceduponheratamomentwhenhermindwasfilledwithanxieties。\"Then，\"shethoughttoherself，\"thereisaheadofmethatexplanationwhichmustinevitablycomewithWei;
sothat，altogether，ifitwerenotforthedeeplyrootedconvictionwhichIhavethatTuwillbemineatlast，whenheknowswhatIreallyam，lifewouldnotbeworthhaving。Asforthisinn-proprietor，ifhehassolittledelicacyastopushhiscousinuponmeatthiscrisis，I
neednothaveanycompunctionregardinghim;soperhapsmyeasiestwayofgettingoutofthepresenthobblewillbetoaccepthisproposalandtopresenttheboxofpreciousointmenthandedmebyWeiformysistertothisoglinglove-sickgirl。\"SoturningtoKing，shesaid：
\"Sinceyou，sir，andyourcousinhavehonouredmewithyourregard，I
darenotaltogetherdeclineyourproposal，andIwouldthereforebegyou，sir，tohandthis，\"sheadded，producingtheboxofointment，\"toyourhonourablecousin，asatokenofthebondbetweenus，andtoconveytohermypromisethat，ifIdon’tmarryher，Iwillnevermarryanotherlady。\"
Mr。King，withthegreatestdelight，receivedthebox，andhandingittothewaiting-woman，whostoodexpectantby，badehercarryittohermistress，withthenewsoftheengagement。Jasminenowhopedthatherimmediatetroubleswereover，butKinginsistedoncelebratingtheeventbyafeast，anditwasnotuntillateintheafternoonthatshesucceededinmakingastart。Onceontheroad，heranxietytoreachPekingwassuchthatshetravellednightandday，\"feedingonwindandlodginginwater。\"NordidsherestuntilshereachedahotelwithintheHataGateofthecapital。
Jasmine’ssolitaryjourneyhadgivenherabundanttimeforreflection，andforthefirsttimeshehadsetherselfseriouslytoconsiderherposition。Sherecognisedthatshehadhithertofollowedonlytheimpulsesofthemoment，ofwhichthemainonehadbeenthedesiretoescapecomplicationsbythewholesalesacrificeoftruth;andsheacknowledgedtoherselfthat，ifjusticewereevenlydealtout，theremustbeaNemesisinstoreforherwhichwouldbringdistressandpossiblydisasteruponher。Inhercalmermomentsshefeltaninstinctiveforebodingthatshewasapproachingacrisisinherfate，anditwaswithmixedfeelings，therefore，thatonthemorningafterherarrivalshepreparedtovisitTuandWei，whowereasyetignorantofherpresence。
Shedressedherselfwithmorethanusualcarefortheoccasion，choosingtoattireherselfinabluesilkrobeandamauvesatinjacketwhichTuhadonceadmired，toppedbyabrand-newcap。
Altogetherherappearanceasshepassedthroughthestreetsjustifiedtheremarkmadebyapasserby：\"Aprettyyoungster，andmorelikeamaidenofeighteenthanaman。\"
ThehostelryatwhichTuandWeihadtakenuptheirabodewasaninnbefittingthedignityofsuchdistinguishedscholars。Oninquiringatthedoor，Jasminewasusheredbyaservantthroughacourtyardtoaninnerenclosure，where，underthegratefulshadeofawide-spreadingcotton-tree，Tuwasrecliningathisease。Jasmine’sdelightatmeetingherfriendwasonlyequalledbythepleasurewithwhichTugreetedher。Inhisstrongandgraciouspresenceshebecameconsciousthatshewasreleasedfromtheabsorbingcarewhichhadhauntedher，andhersoulleapedoutinnewfreedomassheaskedandansweredquestionsofherfriend。Eachhadmuchtosay，anditwasnotforsometime，whenanoccasionalreferencebroughthisnameforwardthatJasminenoticedtheabsenceofWei。Whenshedid，sheaskedafterhim。
\"Heleftthissomedaysago，\"saidTu，\"havingsomespecialbusinesswhichcalledforhispresenceathome。Hedidnottellmewhatitwas，butdoubtlessitwassomethingofimportance。\"Jasminesaidnothing，butfeltprettycertaininhermindastotheobjectofhishastyreturn。
Tu，attributinghersilencetoareflectiononWeiforhavingleftthecapitalbeforeherfather’saffairwassettled，hastenedtoadd：
\"Hewasveryhelpfulinthematterofyourhonouredfather’sdifficulty，andonlyleftwhenhethoughthecouldnotdoanymore。\"
\"Howdomattersstandnow？\"askedJasmine，eagerly。
\"Wehavepostedamemorialatthepalacegate，\"saidTu，\"andhavearrangedthatitshallreachtherightquarter。Fortunately，also，I
haveanacquaintanceintheBoardofWarwhohasundertakentodoallhecaninthatdirection，andpromisesananswerinafewdays。\"
\"Ihavebroughtwithme，\"saidJasmine，\"apetitionpreparedbymyfather。Whatdoyouthinkaboutpresentingit？\"
\"AtpresentIbelievethatitwouldonlydoharm。Asuperabundanceofmemorialsisasbadasnoneatall。Beyondacertainpoint，theyonlyirritateofficials。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidJasmine;\"Iamquitecontenttoleavetheconductofaffairsinyourhands。\"
\"Wellthen，\"saidTu，\"thatbeingunderstood，Iproposethatyoushouldmoveyourthingsovertothisinn。ThereisWei’sroomatyourdisposal，andyourconstantpresenceherewillbebalmtomylonelyspirit。AttheHataGateyouarealmostasremoteasifyouwereinourstudyatMienchu。\"
Jasminewasatfirststartledbythisproposal。ThoughshehadbeenconstantlyinthecompanyofTu，shehadneverlivedunderthesameroofwithhim，andsheatoncerecognisedthattheremightbedifficultiesinthewayofherkeepinghersecretifsheweretobeconstantlyundertheeyesofherfriend。Butshehadbeensolongaccustomedtoyieldtothepresentcircumstances，andwassoconfidentthatFortune，which，withsomeslightirregularities，hadalwaysstoodherfriend，wouldnotdesertheronthepresentoccasion，thatshegaveway。
\"Byallmeans，\"shesaid。\"Iwillgobacktomyinn，andbringmythingsatonce。Thiswriting-caseIwillleavehere。Ibroughtitbecauseitcontainsmyfather’spetition。\"
Sosaying，shetookherleave，andTuretiredtohiseasy-chairunderthecotton-tree。Butthedemonofcuriositywasabroad，andalightingonthearmofTu’schair，whisperedinhisearthatitmightbewellifheranhiseyeoverColonelWen’spetitiontoseeiftherewasanyargumentinitwhichhehadomittedinhisstatementtotheBoardofWar。Atfirst，Tu，whosenaturewasthereverseofinquisitive，declinedtolistentothesepromptings，butsopersistentdidtheybecomethatheatlastputdownhisbook——\"TheSpringandAutumnAnnals\"——and，seatinghimself，atthesitting-roomtable，openedthewriting-casesoinnocentlyleftbyJasmine。Onthetopwereanumberofredvisiting-cardsbearingtheinscription，inblack，ofWenTsunk’ing，andbeneaththesewasthepetition。CarefullyTureaditthrough，andpassedmentaleulogiesonitasheproceeded。Thecolonelhadputhiscaseskilfully，butTuhadnodifficultyinrecognisingJasmine’shand，bothinthecompositionofthedocumentandinthepenmanship。\"Ifmyattempt，\"hethought，\"doesnotsucceed，wewilltrywhatthiswilldo。\"Hewasonthepointofreturningittoitsresting-place，whenhesawanotherdocumentinJasmine’shandwritinglyingbyit。Thiswasevidentlyaformaldocument，probablyconnected，ashethought，withthecolonel’scase，andhethereforeunfoldeditandreadasfollows：
\"Thefaithfulmaiden，MissWenofMienchuHien，withburningincensereverentlypraystheGodofWartoreleaseherfatherfromhispresentdifficulties，andspeedilytorestorepeacetoherownsoulbynullifying，inaccordancewithherdesire，theengagementofthebambooarrowandthecontractoftheboxofpreciousointment。A
respectfulpetition。\"
AsTureadon，surpriseandastonishmenttookpossessionofhiscountenance。Asecondtimehereaditthrough，andthen，throwinghimselfbackinhischair，brokeoutintoafitoflaughter。
\"So，\"hesaidtohimself，\"Ihaveallowedmyselftobedeceivedbyayounggirlalltheseyears。Andyetnotaltogetherdeceived，\"headded，tryingtofindanexcuseforhimself;\"forIhaveoftenfanciedthattherewasthesavourofawomanaboutthe’youngnoble。’Ihopesheisnotoneofthoseheaven-borngeniiwhoappearonearthtoplaguemen，andwho，justwhentheyhavearousedtheaffectionstheywishedtoexcite，ascendthroughtheairandleavetheirloversmourning。\"
Justatthismomentthedooropened，andJasmineentered，lookingmorelovelythanever，withtheflushbegottenbyexerciseonherbeautifullymouldedcheeks。AtsightofherTuagainburstoutlaughing，toJasmine’snotunnaturalsurprise，who，thinkingthattheremustbesomethingwrongwithherdress，lookedherselfupanddown，totheincreasingamusementofTu。
\"So，\"saidheatlast，\"youdeceitfullittlehussy，youhavebeendeceivingmealltheseyearsbypassingyourselfoffasaman，wheninrealityyouareagirl。\"
Overcomewithconfusion，Jasminehungherhead，andmurmured：
\"Whohasbetrayedme？\"
\"Youhavebetrayedyourself，\"saidTu，holdinguptheincriminatingdocument;\"andherewehavethestoryofthearrowwithwhichyoushotthehawk，butwhattheboxofpreciousointmentmeansIdon’tknow。\"
Confrontedwiththisoverwhelmingevidence，poorJasmineremainedspeechless，anddarednotevenlifthereyestoglanceatTu。Thatyoungman，seeingherdistress，andbeinginnowisepossessedbythescornwhichhehadputintohistone，crossedovertoherandgentlyledhertoaseatbyhim。
\"Doyouremember，\"hesaid，insoalteredavoicethatJasmine’sheartceasedtothrobasifitwishedtoforceanopeningthroughthefinelyformedbosomwhichenclosedit，\"ononeoccasioninourstudyathomeIwishedthatyouwereawomanthatyoumightbecomemywife？LittledidIthinkthatmywishmightbegratified。Nowitis，andIbeseechyoutoletusjoinourlivesinone，andseekthehappinessofthegodsineachother’sperpetualpresence。\"
But，asifsuddenlyrecollectingherself，Jasminewithdrewherhandfromhis，and，standingupbeforehimwithquiveringlipandeyesfulloftears，said：
\"No。Itcanneverbe。\"
\"Whynot？\"saidTu，inalarmedsurprise。
\"BecauseIamboundtoWei。\"
\"What！DoesWeiknowyoursecret？\"
\"No。ButdoyourememberwhenIshotthatarrowinfrontofyourstudy？\"
\"Perfectly，\"saidTu。\"Butwhathasthattodowithit？\"
\"Why，Weidiscoveredmynameontheshaft，andI，tokeepmysecret，toldhimthatitwasmysister’sname。Hethenwantedtomarrymysister，andIundertook，foolthatIwas，toarrangeitforhim。NowI
shallbeobligedtoconfessthetruth，andhewillhavearighttoclaimmeinsteadofmysupposedsister。\"
\"But，\"saidTu，\"IhaveapriorrighttothatofWei，foritwasIwhofoundthearrow。AndinthismatterIshallbereadytooutfacehimatallhazards。But，\"headded，\"Wei，Iamsure，isnotthemantotakeanunfairadvantageofyou。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"askedJasmine。
\"CertainlyIdo，\"saidTu。
\"Then——then——Ishallbe——veryglad，\"saidpoorJasmine，hesitatingly，overcomewithbashfulness，butfullofjoy。
AtwhichgraciousconsentTurecoveredthehandwhichhadbeenwithdrawnfromhis，andJasminesankagainintothechairathisside。
\"But，Tu，dear，\"shesaid，afterapause，\"thereissomethingelsethatImusttellyoubeforeIcanfeelthatmyconfessionsareover。\"
\"What！Youhavenotengagedyourselftoanyoneelse，haveyou？\"saidTu，laughing。
\"Yes，Ihave，\"shereplied，withasmile;andshethengaveherloverafullandparticularaccountofhowMr。Kinghadproposedtoheronbehalfofhiscousin，andhowshehadacceptedher。
\"Howcouldyouframeyourlipstouttersuchuntruths？\"saidTu，halflaughingandhalfinearnest。
\"OTu，falsehoodissoeasyandtruthsodifficultsometimes。ButI
feelthatIhavebeenvery，verywicked，\"saidpoorJasmine，coveringherfacewithherhands。
\"Well，youcertainlyhavegotyourselfintoaprettyhobble。SofarasIcanmakeout，youareatthepresentmomentengagedtooneyoungladyandtwoyoungmen。\"
Thesituation，thusexpressed，wassocomicalthatJasminecouldnotrefrainfromlaughingthroughhertears;but，afterasomewhatlengthenedconsultationwithherlover，herfacerecovereditswontedserenity，androundithoveredahaloofhappinesswhichaddedlightandbeautytoeveryfeature。Thereissomethingparticularlyentrancinginreceivingthefirstconfidencesofapureandlovingsoul。SoTuthoughtonthisoccasion，andwhileJasminewaspouringthemostsecretworkingsofherinmostbeingintohisear，thoselinesofthepoetoftheSungdynastycameirresistiblyintohismind：
’Tissweettoseetheflowerswoothesun，Towatchthequaintwilesofthecooingdove，ButsweeterfartohearthedulcettonesOfheronelovesconfessinghergreatlove。
Butthereisanendtoeverything，eventothe\"ConfucianAnalects，\"
andsotherewasalsotothislovers’colloquy。ForjustasJasminewasexplaining，forthetwentiethtime，theoriginandbasisofherloveforTu，awaiterenteredtoannouncethearrivalofherluggage。
\"Idon’tknowquite，\"saidTu，\"wherewearetoputyourtwomen。But，by-the-bye，\"headded，asthethoughtstruckhim，\"didyoureallytravelallthewayinthecompanyofthesetwomenonly？\"
\"OTu，\"saidJasmine，laughing，\"Ihavesomethingelsetoconfesstoyou。\"
\"What！anotherlover？\"saidTu，affectinghorrorandsurprise。
\"No;notanotherlover，butanotherwoman。Theshort，stoutoneisawoman，andcameasmymaid。Sheisthewifeof’TheDragon。’\"
\"Well，nowhaveyoutoldmeall？ForIamgettingsoconfusedaboutthepeopleyouhavetransformedfromwomentomen，thatIshallhavedoubtsaboutmyownsexnext。\"
\"Yes，Tu，dear;nowyouknowall，\"saidJasmine，laughing。Butnotallthegoodnewswhichwasinstoreforhim，forscarcelyhadJasminedonespeakingwhenaletterarrivedfromhisfriendintheBoardofWar，whowrotetosaythathehadsucceededingettingthemilitaryintendantofMienchutransferredtoapostintheprovinceofKwangsi，andthatthedepartureofthisnoxiousofficialwouldmeanthereleaseofthecolonel，ashealonewasthecolonel’saccuser。ThisnewsaddedonemorechordofjoywhichhadbeenmakingharmonyinJasmine’sheartforsomehours，andreadilysheagreedwithTuthattheyshouldsetoffhomewardonthefollowingmorning。
WithnosuchadventureasthatwhichhadattendedJasmine’sjourneytothecapital，theyreachedMienchu，and，totheirdelight，werereceivedbythecolonelinhisownyamun。Aftercongratulatinghimonhisrelease，whichJasminetookcareheshouldunderstandwasdueentirelytoTu’sexertions，shegavehimafullaccountofhervariousexperiencesontheroadandatthecapital。
\"Itislikeastoryoutofabookofmarvels，\"saidherfather，\"andevennowyouhavenotexhaustedallthenecessaryexplanations。For，sincemyrelease，yourfriendWeihasbeenheretoaskformydaughterinmarriage。FromsomequestionsIputtohim，heisevidentlyunawarethatyouaremyonlydaughter，andIthereforeputhimoffandtoldhimtowaituntilyoureturned。Heisinaveryimpatientstate，and，nodoubt，willbeovershortly。\"
Norwasthecolonelwrong，foralmostimmediatelyWeiwasannounced，who，afterexpressingthegenuinepleasurehefeltatseeingJasmineagain，beganatonceonthesubjectwhichfilledhismind。
\"Iamsoglad，\"hesaid，\"tohavethisopportunityofaskingyoutoexplainmatters。AtpresentIamcompletelynonplussed。OnmyreturnfromPekingIinquiredofoneofyourfather’sservantsabouthisdaughter。’Hehasnotgotone，’quoththeman。Iwenttoanother，andhesaid，’Youmeanthe\"youngnoble，\"Isuppose。’’No，Idon’t，’I
said;’Imeanhissister。’’Well，thatistheonlydaughterIknowof，’saidhe。ThenIwenttoyourfather，andallIcouldgetoutofhimwas，’Waituntilthe\"youngnoble\"comeshome。’Pleasetellmewhatallthismeans。\"
\"Yourgreatdesireistomarryabeautifulandaccomplishedgirl，isitnot？\"saidJasmine。
\"Thatcertainlyismywish，\"saidWei。
\"Wellthen，\"saidJasmine，\"Icanassureyouthatyourbetrothalpresentisinthehandofsuchaone，andagirlwhomtolookatistolove。\"
\"Thatmaybe，\"saidWei，\"Butmywishistomarryyoursister。\"
\"WillyougoandtalktoTuaboutit？\"saidJasmine，whofeltthatthesubjectwasbecomingtoodifficultforher，andwhoseconfidenceinTu’swisdomwasunbounded，\"andhewillexplainitalltoyou。\"
EvenTu，however，founditsomewhatdifficulttoexplainJasmine’ssphinx-likemysteries，andoncertainpointsWeishowedadispositiontobeanythingbutsatisfied。Jasmine’sengagementtoTuimpliedhisrejection，andhewasdisposedtobespleneticanddisagreeableaboutit。Hispridewastouched，andinhisirritationhewasinclinedtoimputetreacherytohisfriendanddeceittoJasmine。TothefirstchargeTuhadareadyanswer，butthesecondwasallthemoreannoyingbecausetherewassometruthinit。However，Tuwasnotinthehumourtoquarrel，andbeingdeterminedtoseekpeaceandensueit，heoverlookedWei’sinnuendosandmadeoutthebestcasehecouldforhisbride。OnMissKing’sbeauty，virtues，andabilityheenlargedwithawealthofdictionandpowerofimaginationwhichastonishedhimself，andJasminealso，towhomheafterwardrepeatedtheconversation。
\"Why，Tu，dear，\"saidthatartlessmaiden，\"howcanyouknowallthisaboutMissKing？Youhaveneverseenher，andIamsureInevertoldyouhalfofallthis。\"
\"Don’taskquestions，\"saidtheenrapturedTu。\"LetitbeenoughforyoutoknowthatWeiisaseagerforthepossessionofMissKingashewasforyoursister，andthathehaspromisedtobemybestmanatourweddingto-morrow。\"
AndWeiwasasgoodashisword。Witheveryregardtoceremonyandancientusage，themarriageofTuandJasminewascelebratedinthepresenceofrelativesandfriends，who，attractedbythenoveltyoftheantecedentcircumstances，camefromallpartsofthecountrytowitnessthenuptials。ByTu’sespecialinstructionsalsoaprominencewasallowedtoWei，whichgratifiedhisvanityandsmootheddowntheruffledfeathersofhisconceit。
JasminethoughtthatnotimeshouldbelostinreducingMissKingtothesamespiritofacquiescencetowhichWeihadbeenbrought，andontheeveningofherwedding-dayshebroachedthesubjecttoTu。
\"Ishallnotfeel，Tu，dear，\"shesaid，\"thatIhavegainedabsolutionformymanydeceptionsuntilthatveryforwardMissKinghasbeentalkedoverintomarryingWei;andIinsist，therefore，\"sheadded，withanamountofhesitancywhichreducedthedemandtothelevelofaplaintiveappeal，\"thatwestartto-morrowforCh’engtutoseetheyoungwoman。\"
\"Ho！ho！\"repliedTu，intenselyamusedatherattemptedbravado。
\"Thesearebravewords，andIsupposethatImusthumblyregisteryourdecrees。\"
\"OTu，youknowwhatImean。Youknowthat，likeachildwhotakesadelightinconqueringtoyarmies，IlovetofancythatIcancommandsostrongamanasyouare。But，Tu，ifyouknewhowabsolutelyIrelyonyourjudgment，youwouldhumourmyfollyandsayyes。\"
Therewasasubtleincenseofloveandflatteryaboutthisappealwhich，backedasitwasbyalookoftendernessandbeauty，madeitirresistible;andthearrangementsforthejourneyweremadeinstrictaccordancewithJasmine’swishes。
OnarrivingattheinnwhichwassofullofchasteningmemoriestoJasmine，TusenthiscardtoMr。King，who，flatteredbytheattentionpaidhimbysoeminentascholar，cordiallyinvitedTutohishouse。
\"Towhat，\"hesaid，asTu，respondingtohisinvitation，enteredhisreception-hall，\"amItoattributethehonourofreceivingyourillustriousstepsinmymeanapartments？\"
\"Ihaveheard，\"saidTu，\"thatthebeautifulMissKingisyourExcellency’scousin，andhavingafriendwhoisdesirousofgainingherhand，Ihavecometopleadonhisbehalf。\"
\"Iregrettosay，\"repliedKing，\"thatyourExcellencyhascometoolate，asshehasalreadyreceivedanengagementtokenfromaMr。Wen，whopassedherelatelyonhiswaytoPeking。\"
\"Mr。Wenisafriendofminealso，\"saidTu，\"anditwasbecauseI
knewthathistrothwasalreadyplightedthatIventuredtocomeonbehalfofhimofwhomIhavespoken。\"
\"Mr。Wen，\"saidKing，\"isagentlemanandascholar，andhavinggivenabetrothalpresent，heiscertaintocommunicatewithusdirectincaseofanydifficulty。\"
\"Willyou，oldgentleman，\"[atermofrespect]saidTu，producingthelineswhichMissKinghadsentJasmine，\"justcastyoureyesovertheseverses，writtentoWenbyyourcousin？Feelingmostregretfullythathewasunabletofulfilhisengagement，WengavethesetomeasatestimonyofthetruthofwhatInowtellyou。\"
KingtookthepaperhandedhimbyTu，andrecognisedataglancehiscousin’shandwriting。
\"Alas！\"hesaid，\"MrWentoldushewasengaged，but，notbelievinghim，Iurgedhimtoconsenttomarrymycousin。Ifyouwillexcuseme，sir，\"headded，\"Iwillconsultwiththeladyastowhatshouldbedone。\"
Afterashortabsencehereturned。
\"Mycousinisoftheopinion，\"hesaid，\"thatshecannotenterintoanynewengagementuntilMr。Wenhascomeherehimselfandreceivedbackthebetrothalpresentwhichhegaveheronparting。\"
\"Idarenotdeceiveyou，oldgentleman，andwilltellyouatoncethatthatbetrothalpresentwasnotWen’sbutwasmyunworthyfriendWei’s，andcameintoWen’spossessioninawaythatIneednotnowexplain。\"
\"Still，\"saidKing，\"mycousinthinksMr。Wenshouldpresenthimselfhereinpersonandtellhisownstory;andImustsaythatIamofheropinion。\"
\"ItisquiteimpossiblethatMr。Wenshouldreturnhere，\"repliedTu;
\"butmy’stupidthorn’[wife]isintheadjoininghostelry，andwouldbemosthappytoexplainfullytoMissKingWen’sentireinabilitytoplaythepartofahusbandtoher。\"
\"Ifyourhonourableconsortwouldmeetmycousin，she，Iamsure，willbegladtotalkthematteroverwithher。\"
WithTu’spermission，MissKing’smaidwassenttotheinntoinviteJasminetocallonhermistress。Themaid，whowasthesamewhohadactedasMissKing’smessengerontheformeroccasion，glancedlongandearnestlyatJasmine。Herfeatureswerefamiliartoher，butshecouldnotassociatethemwithanyladyofheracquaintance。AssheconductedhertoMissKing’sapartments，shewatchedherstealthily，andbecamemoreandmorepuzzledbyherappearance。MissKingreceivedherwithcivility，andafterexchangingwishesthateachmightbegrantedtenthousandblessings，Jasminesaid，smiling：
\"DoyourecogniseMr。Wen？\"
MissKinglookedather，andseeinginheralikenesstoherbeloved，said：
\"Whatrelationareyoutohim，lady？\"
\"Iamhisveryself！\"saidJasmine。
MissKingopenedhereyeswideatthisstartlingannouncement，andgazedearnestlyather。
\"/Haiyah！/\"criedhermaid，clappingherhands，\"IthoughttherewasawonderfullikenessbetweentheladyandMr。Wen。Butwhowouldhavethoughtthatshewashe？\"
\"Butwhatmadeyoudisguiseyourselfinthatfashion？\"askedMissKing，inanabashedandsomewhatvexedtone。
\"Myfatherwasindifficulties，\"saidJasmine，\"andasitwasnecessarythatIshouldgotoPekingtopleadforhim，Idressedasamanfortheconvenienceoftravel。YouwillrememberthatinthefirstinstanceIdeclinedyourflatteringovertures，butwhenIfoundthatyoupersistedinyourproposal，notbeingabletoexplainthetruth，I
thoughtthebestthingtodowastohandyoumyfriend’sbetrothalpresentwhichIhadwithme，intendingtoreturnandexplainmatters。
AndyouwilladmitthatinonethingIwastruthful。\"
\"Whatwasthat？\"askedthemaid。
\"Why，\"answeredJasmine，\"IsaidthatifIdidnotmarryyourladyI
wouldnevermarryanywoman。\"
\"Well，yes，\"saidthemaid，laughing，\"youhavekeptyourfaithroyallythere。\"
\"ThefriendIspeakof，\"continuedJasmine，\"hasnowtakenhisdoctor’sdegree，andthisstupidhusbandandwifehavecomefromMienchutomakeyouaproposalonhisbehalf。\"
MissKingwasnotonewhocouldreadilytakeinanentirelynewandstartlingidea，andshesatwithahalf-dazedlook，staringatJasminewithoututteringaword。Ifithadnotbeenforthemaid，theconversationwouldhaveceased;butthatyoungwomanwasdeterminedtoprobethemattertothebottom。
\"Youhavenottoldus，\"shesaid，\"thegentleman’sname。Andwillyouexplainwhyyoucallhimyourfriend？Howcouldyoubeontermsoffriendshipwithhim？\"
\"Frommychildhood，\"saidJasmine，\"Ihavealwaysdressedasaboy。I
wenttoaboy’sschool——\"
\"/Haiyah！/\"interjectedthemaid。
\"AndafterwardIjoinedmyhusbandandthisgentleman，Mr。Wei，inareading-party。\"
\"Didn’ttheydiscoveryoursecret？\"
\"No。\"
\"Never？\"
\"Never。\"
\"That’sodd，\"saidthemaid。\"ButwillyoutellussomethingaboutthisMr。Wei？\"
Uponthis，Jasminelaunchedoutinaglowingeulogyuponherfriend。
Sheexpatiatedwithfervouronhisyouth，goodlooks，learning，andprospects，andwithsucheffectdidshespeakthatMissKing，whobegantotakeinthesituation，endedbyacceptingcordiallyJasmine’sproposal。
\"Andnow，lady，youmuststayanddinewithme，\"saidMissKing，whenthebargainwasstruck，\"whilemycousinentertainsyourhusbandinthehall。\"
Atthismealthebeginningofafriendshipwasformedbetweenthetwoladieswhichlastedeverafterward，thoughitwassomewhatunevenlybalanced。Jasmine’sstrongernaturefeltcompassionmingledwithlikingfortheprettydoll-likeMissKing，whiletheyoungladyentertainedtheprofoundestadmirationforherguest。
Therewasnothingtodelaythefulfilmentoftheengagementthushappilyarranged，andatthenextfullmoonMissKinghadanopportunityofcomparingherbridegroomwiththepicturewhichJasminehaddrawnofhim。
ScholarsareplentifulinChina，butitwasplainlyimpossiblethatmenofsuchdistinguishedlearningasTuandWeishouldbeleftamongtheunemployed，andalmostimmediatelyaftertheirmarriagetheywereappointedtoimportantpostsintheempire。Turoserapidlytothehighestrank，anddied，atagoodoldage，viceroyofthemetropolitanprovinceandseniorguardiantotheheirapparent。Weiwasnotsosupremelyfortunate，butthen，asTuusedtosay，\"hehadnotaJasminetohelphim。\"
THEREVENGEOFHERRACE
BY
MARYBEAUMONT
Thelowhedge，wherethecreepersclimbed，dividedthelawnanditsmagnificentWellingtoniasfromthemeadow。Therewaslittlegrasstobeseen，foritwasatthistimeonevastprofusionofdelicateixiasofeverybrightandtendershade。
Theeveningwasstill，andtheairheavywithscent。Inaroomopeningupontheverandawreathedwithwhite-and-scarletpassion-flowers，whereshecouldseethegardenandthemeadow，and，beyondall，theMountainBeautiful，layasickwoman。Herdarkfacewaslovelyasanautumnleafislovely——hecticwiththepassinglife。Hereyeswanderedtotheuppersnowsofthemountain，fromtimetotimerestinguponthebrown-hairedEnglishgirlwhosatonalowstoolbyherside，holdingthefrailhandinhercool，firmclasp。
Theinvalidwasspeaking;hervoicewascuriouslysweet，andtherewasapeculiarityaboutthe\"s，\"andanoccasionalturnofthesentence，whichtoldthelistenerthatherEnglishwasanacquiredlanguage。
\"Iamgladheisnothere，\"shesaidslowly。\"Idonotwanthimtohavepain。\"
\"Butperhaps，Mrs。Denison，youwillbemuchbetterinadayortwo，andabletowelcomehimwhenhecomesback。\"
\"No，Ishallnotbeherewhenhecomesback，anditisjustasitshouldbe。Iaskedhimtoturnroundasheleftthegarden，andI
couldseehim，oh，sowell！Helookedkindandsobeautiful，andhewavedtomehishand。Nowhewillcomeback，andhewillbesad。Hedidnotwanttoleaveme，butthegovernorsentforhim。Hewillbesad，andhewillrememberthatIlovedhim，andsomedayhewillbegladagain。\"Shesmiledintothetroubledfacenearher。
Thegirlstrokedthethickdarkhairlovingly。
\"Don’t，\"sheimplored;\"ithurtsme。Youarebetterto-night，andthechildrenarecomingin。\"Mrs。Denisonclosedhereyes，andwithherlefthandshecoveredherface。
\"No，notthechildren，\"shewhispered，\"notmydarlings。Icannotbearit。Imustseethemnomore。\"Shepressedhercompanion’shandwithasuddenclosepressure。\"Butyouwillhelpthem，Alice;youwillmakethemEnglishlikeyou——likehim。Wewillnotpretendto-night;itisnotlongthatIshallspeaktoyou。IaskyoutopromisemetohelpthemtobeEnglish。\"
\"Dear，\"thegirlurged，\"theyaresuchadeliciousmixtureofEnglandandNewZealand——prettier，sweeterthananymereEnglishchildcouldeverbe。Theyareenchanting。\"
Butintothedyingwoman’seyesleapedaneagerflame。
\"TheymustallbeEnglish，noMaori！\"shecried。Aviolentfitofcoughinginterruptedher，andwhentheparoxysmwasovershewastooexhaustedtospeak。TheEnglishnurse，Mrs。Bentley，anelderlyYorkshirewoman，whohadbeenwithMrs。Denisonsinceherfirstbabycamesixyearsago，andwhohad，infact，beenHoraceDenison’sownnurse-maid，cameinandsenttheagitatedgirlintothegarden。\"Foryouhaven’thadabreathoffreshairto-day，\"shesaid。
AtthedoorAliceturned。Thelargeeyeswererestinguponherwithanintentandsolemnregard，inwhichlayamessage。\"Whatwasit？\"shethought，asshepassedthroughthewidehallsweetwithflowers。\"Shewantedtosaysomething;Iamsureshedid。To-morrowIwillaskher。\"
Butbeforethemorrowcamesheknew。Mrs。Dennisonhadsaid/good-
bye/。
Thefuneralwasover。Mr。Denison，whohadlookedunaccountablyillandwearyformonths，hadbeensenthomebyMr。Danbyforatleastayear’schangeandrest，andthedoctor’syoungsisterhadyieldedtovariouspressure，andpromisedtostaywiththechildrenuntilhereturned。Therewaseveryreasonforit。ShehadlovedandbeenlovedbythegentleMaorimother;shedelightedinthedarkbeautyandsweetnessofthechildren。Andthey，ontheirside，clungtoherastoanadorablefairyrelative，doweredwithloveandthefruitsoflove——
talesandnewgamesandtenderways。Bestreasonofall，inasense，Mrs。Bentley，thatkindautocrat，entreatedhertostay，\"asthehappiestthingforthechildren，andtopleasethatpoorlambwelaidyonder，whofairlongedthatyoushould！Shewasmightilytakenupwithyou，MissDanby，andyou’veyourbrotherandhiswifenear，sothatyouwon’tbelonesome，andifthere’saughtIcandotomakeyoucomfortable，you’veonlytospeak，miss。\"AsforMr。Denison，hewaspatheticallygratefulandrelievedwhenAlicepromisedtoremain。
Aftertheeveningrompandthelastgood-night，whenthetwoelderchildren，BenandMarie，calledafterhermother，Maritana，hadgivenhertheirlastinjunctionstobesureandcomeforthem\"herveryownself\"onherwaydowntobreakfastinthemorning，sheusuallyrodedownbetweenthecabbage-trees，downbytheoldrata，firedlastautumn，awaythroughthegrasslandstothedoctor’shouse，afewmilesnearerRochester;orheandhiswifewouldrideouttochatwithher。
Butthereweremanyeveningswhenshepreferredthequietoftheairyhouseandthegarden。Thecoloniallifewasnewtoher，everythinghaditscharm，andinthecoloniesthereisalwaysalettertowritetothoseathome——themail-bagisneversatisfied。Onsucheveningsitwashercustomtocrossthemeadowtothecopseoffeatherytreesbeyond，where，sungtobythebrookandtheTui，thechildren’smotherslept。AndfromthehighpresenceoftheMountainBeautifultherefelladewofpeace。
ShewouldoftenaskMrs。Bentleytositwithheruntilbedtime，andrevelintheshrewdnorth-countrywoman’sexperiences，andherimpressionsofthenewlandtowhichlovehadbroughther。Bothwomengrewtohaveasincereandtrustfulaffectionforeachother，andonenight，sevenoreightmonthsafterMrs。Denison’sdeath，Mrs。BentleytoldastorywhichexplainedwhathadfrequentlypuzzledAlice——thepatientsorrowinMrs。Denison’seyes，andMr。Denison’sharassedanddejectedmanner。\"Butforyourgoodnesstothechildren，\"saidtheoldwoman，\"andthewaythatpreciousbabytakestoyou，Idon’tthinkI
shouldbewillingtosaywhatIamgoingtodo，miss。Thoughmydearmistresswishedit，andsaid，theverylastnight，’Youmusttellherallaboutit，someday，Nana，’——andIpromised，toquiether，——Idon’tthinkIcouldbringmyselftoitifIhadn’tlivedwithyouandknownyou。\"Andthenthegoodnursetoldherstrangeandmovingtale。
Shedescribedhowhermasterhadcomeoutyoungandcareless-heartedtoNewZealandintheserviceofthegovernment，andhowscandalisedandangryhisfatherandmother，theoldTorysquireandhiswife，hadbeentoreceivefromhim，afterayearortwo，lettersbrimmingwithaboyishloveforhis\"beautifulMaoriprincess，\"whomhedescribedashaving\"thesweetestheartandtheloveliesteyesintheworld。\"ItgavethemlittlecomforttohearthatherfatherwasoneofthewealthiestMaorisintheisland，andthat，thoughbuthalfcivilisedhimself，hehadhadhisdaughterwelleducatedinthe\"bishop’s\"andotherEnglishschools。Tothemshewasasavage。Therewasnothreatofdisinheritance，fortherewasnothingforhimtoinherit。Therewaslittlemoney，andtheestatewasentailedontheelderbrother。Butallthatcouldbedonetointimidatehimwasdone，andinvain。Thensilencefellbetweentheparentsandtheson。
Butonespringdaycamethenewsofagrandson，calledBenjaminafterhisgrandfather，andanurgentletterfromtheirboyhimself，enclosingaprettilyandhumblywordednotefromthenewstrangedaughter，beggingforanEnglishnurse。Shetoldthemthatshehadnownofatherandnomother，fortheyhaddiedbeforethebabycame，andifshemightloveherhusband’sparentsalittleshewouldbeglad。
\"Myladyreadtheletterstomeherself，\"Mrs。Bentleysaid;\"I’dtakenthehousekeeper’splaceabitbefore，andsheaskedmetofindherasensibleyoungwoman。Well，Itried，buttherewasn’tagirlintheplacethatwasfittonurseMasterHorace’schild。Andtheendofitwas，Icamemyself，forMasterHoracehadbeenlikemyownwhenhewasalittlelad。Myladypretendedtobevexedwithme，butthedayI
sailedshethankedmeinwordsIneverthoughttohearfromher，forshewasabitproudalways。\"Thefaithfulservant’svoicetrembled。
Sheleanedbackinherchair，andforgotforthemomentthenewhouseandthenewduties。Shewasbackagainintheoldnurserywiththefair-hairedchildplayingaboutherknees。ButAlice’sfacerecalledher，andshecontinuedthestory。Shehad，shesaid，dreadedthemeetingwithhernewmistress，andwaspreparedtofindher\"asortofaheathenwoman，who’dpulldownMasterHoracetillhecouldn’tcallhimselfagentleman。\"
Butwhenshesawthegracefulcreaturewhoreceivedherwithgentlewordsandgesturesofkindliness，andwhenshefoundheryoungmasternotonlycontent，buthappy，andwhenshetookinherarmsthelaughinghealthybaby，shefelt——thoughsheregretteditsdarkeyesandhair——moreathomethanshecouldhavebelievedpossible。Thenurseriesweresolargeandcomfortable，andsomuchconsiderationwasshowntoher，thatsheconfessed，\"IshouldhavebeenmoreungratefulthanacatifIhadn’tsettledcomfortable。\"
Thencamenearlyfivehappyyears，duringwhichtimeheryoungmistresshadfoundawarmandsecureplaceinthegoodYorkshireheart。\"ShewasthatlovingandthatkindthatDickBurdas，thegroom，usedtosaythathebelievedshewasanangelashadtookupwiththemdarkfolks，toshow’emwhatanangelwaslike。\"Mrs。Bentleywenton：
\"Shewasn’talwaysquitehappy，andIwonderedwhatbroughttheshadowintoherface，andwhyshewouldattimessighthatdeepthatIcouldhavecried。AfterabitIknewwhatitwas。ItwastheMaoriinher。
Shetoldmeonenightthatshewasawickedwoman，andoughtnevertohavemarriedMasterHorace，forshegottiredsometimesoftheEnglishhouseanditsways，andlongedforherfather’s/whare/;（that’sanativehut，miss）。ShegrievedsomethingawfulonedaywhenshehadbeentoseeoldTim，theMaoriwholivesbehindthestables。Shecalledherselfabadandungratefulwoman，andthoughttheremustbesomeevilspiritinhertemptingherintotheoldways，because，whenshesawTimeating，andyouknowwhatbadstufftheyeat，shehadfairlongedtojoinhim。ShegavemeafrightIdidn’tgetoverfornighaweek。Sheleanedherbonnyheadagainstmyknee，andIstrokedhercheekandhummedsomesillynurserytune，——forshewasallofatrembleandlikeachild，——andshefellasleepjustwhereshewas。\"
\"Poorthing！\"saidAlice，softly。
\"Eh，butit’swhat’scomingthatupsetsme，ma’am。Eh，whatsufferingformyprettylamb，andherthatwouldn’thavehurtaworm！Babywouldbeaboutsixmonthsoldwhenshecameinonedaywithhiminherarms，andthey/were/apicture。Hislittlehandwasfastinherhair。Shealwayswalkedasifshe’dwheelsonherfeet，thatglidingandgraceful。Shehadonasortofsheenyyellowsilk，andhercheekswerelikethemdamaskrosesathome，andhereyesfairshonelikestars。
’Isn’theabeauty，Nana？’sheaskedme。’Ifonlyhehadblueeyes，andthathairofgoldlikemyhusband’s，andnottheseuglyeyesofmine！’AndasshespokeshesighedasIdreadedtohear。ThenshetoldmetohelphertounpackhernewdressfromParis，whichshewastowearattheRochesterracesthenextday。MasterHoracealwayschoseherdresses，andhewasrightproudofherinthem。Andnextmorninghecameintothenurserywithher，andshewasallinpalered，andthatbeautiful！’Isn’tshescrumptious，Nana？’hesaid，inhisboyishway。’Don’tspoilherdress，children。HowlikeherMariegrows！’
Thosetwolittleonestheyhadgotheronherkneesontheground，andwerehuggingherasiftheycouldn’tlethergo。Butwhenhesaidthat，shegotupverystillandwhite。
\"’Iamsorry，’shesaid;’theymustneverbelikeme。’
\"’Theycan’tbeanyonebetter，canthey，baby？’heansweredher，andhetossedthechildnearlyuptotheceiling。Buthelookedworriedashewentout。Isawthemdriveaway，andtheylookedhappyenough。Andoh，miss，Isawthemcomeback。Wewereintheporch，meandthechildren。MasterHoraceliftedherdown，andIheardhimsay，’Nevermind，Marie。’Butsheneverlookedhiswaynorours;shewalkedstraightinandupstairstoherroom，pastmybonnydarlingwithhisarmstretchedouttoher，andpastMissMarie，whowasjumpingupanddown，andshouting’Muvver’;andIheardherdoorshut。ThenMasterHoracetookbabyfromme。
\"’Gouptoher，’hesaid，andIcouldscarcehearhim。Hisfacewasalldrawnlike，butIfeltthatsillyandstupidthatIcouldsaynothing，andjustwentupstairs。\"Mrs。Bentleyputherknittingdown，andthrowingherapronoverherheadsobbedaloud。
\"Onurse，whatwasit？\"criedAlice，andthecolourlefthercheeks。
\"Dotellme。Iamsosorryforthem。Whatwasit？\"Itwasseveralminutesbeforethegoodwomancouldrecoverherself;thenshebegan：
\"Shetoldme，andDickBurdashetoldme，anditwaslikethis。Whentheygottotherace-course，——itwasthefirstracesthey’dhadinRochester，——allthegentrywasthere，andthosethatknewheralwaysmadeadealofher，shehadsuchhalf-shy，winningways。Andsheseemedverybright，Dicksaid，talkingwiththegovernor’slady，whoisfulloffunandsparkle。Thecarriageswerealltogether，andMajorBeaumont，akindoldgentlemanwho’salwaysbeenagoodfriendtoMasterHorace，wouldhavetheminhiscarriageforluncheon，orwhateveritwas。Dicksayshewasthinkingthatshewastheprettiestladythere，whenhiseyewascaughtbytwoorthreepartiesofMaorissettingthemselvesrightinfrontofthecarriages。Therewerefourorfiveineachlot，andtheyweremostlyold。Theygotouttheirsharks’
fleshandthatbadcorntheyeat，andbegantomaketheirmealofthem。NearMrs。Denisontherewasoneoldmanwithabettersortofface，andDickheardhersaytomaster，’Isn’thelikemyfather？’
WhatMasterHoraceansweredhedidn’thear;hesaysheneversawanythinglikeherface，sosadandwild，andworkingforalltheworldasifsomethingwerefightingherwithin。ThenallinaminutesheranoutandslippeddowninherbeautifuldressclosebytheoldMaoriinhisdirtyrags，andwasrubbingherfaceagainsthis，asthemfolksdowhentheymeet。ShehadjusttakenamouthfuloftherawfishwhenMasterHoracemissedher。Hehadn’tnoticedherslipaway。Butinamomentheseemedtounderstandwhatitmeant。HesawtheMaoricomeoutstronginherface，andheknewtheMaorihadgotthebetterofeverything，husbandandfriendsandall。Hegavealittlecry，andinaminutehehadheronherfeetandwasbringingherbacktothecarriage。SomefolksthoughtDickBurdasaroughhardman，andIknowhewasashockerofalad（hewasfraWhitby），butthatnighthecriedlikeababywhenhetell’tme，\"andMrs。Bentleyfellforamomentintothedialectofheryouth。
\"Hesaid，\"shecontinued，\"thatshelookedlikeapoorstrickenthingcondemned，andletherselfbeledbackassubmissiveasachild，andMasterHorace’sfacewaslikethedead。Hedidn’tthinkanyonebutthemajorandDr。Danbysawhergo，allwasdoneinaminute。Butitwasdone，andsomefewhadseen，anditgotout，andthingsweresaidthatwasn’ttrue。Notthedoctor！No，miss，youneedn’ttellmethat;
he’stoldnone，thatI’llwarrant。He’sfaithfulandhe’sclose。\"
\"OMrs。Bentley，howdreadfulforher，howdreadful！\"andthegirlwentdownonherkneesbytheoldwoman，hertearsflowingfast。
\"That’sit，miss，youunderstand。Ifeellikethat。ItwasbadenoughforMasterHoracewiththefuturebeforehim，andhischildrentothinkof，butforheritwasdesperatecruel。Eh，ma’am，whatshewentthrough！Shelovedmorethanyou’dhavethoughtuspoorhumanbeingscould。And，afterall，thenaturewasinher;shedidn’tputitthere。
I’vehadadealtodotokeepdownsinfulthoughtssincethen;there’salotofthingsthat’swronginthisworld，ma’am。\"
\"Whatdidshedo？\"Alicewhispered。
\"She！Shewasforgoingawayandleavingeverything;shefeltherselftheworstwomanintheworld。ItwasonlybybeggingandprayingofheronmykneesthatIgothertostayinthehousethatnight，forshewassofarEnglish，andhadsuchafancy，thatshesaweverythingblackerthananyEnglishwomanwould，eventhepartick’lerest。
AfterwardMasterHoracewasthatgoodandgentle，andshelovedhimsomuch，thathepersuadedhertosaynothingmoreaboutit，andtotrytoliveasifithadn’tbeen。Andsosheseemedtodo，outwardlike，tootherpeople。Butitwasn’teverthesameagain。Somethinghadbrokeninthemboth;withhimitwashistrustandhispride，butinheritwasherheart。\"
\"Butthechildren——surelytheycomfortedher。\"
\"Eh，miss，thatwastheworst。Poorlamb，poorlamb！Neverafterthatday，thoughtheyweremoretohernorchildreneverweretoamotherbefore，wouldshehavethemwithher。Justamorningandagood-nightkiss，andaquarterofanhouratmost，andImusttakethemaway。Shewatchedthemplayinthegardenfromherwindoworthelittlehillthere，andwhentheywereasleepshewouldsitbythemforhours，sayinghowbonnytheywereandhowgoodtheyweregrowing。Andshelookedaftertheirclothesandtheirfoodandeverylittletoyandpleasure，butnevercameinforarompandachatanymore。\"
\"Dear，braveheart！\"murmuredthegirl。
\"Yes，ma’am，youfeelforher，Iknow。ShewasfairterrifiedofthemturningMaoriandshamingtheirfather。Thatwasit。Youdidn’tnotice？No;afteryoucameshewastooilltobearthemabout，anditseemednatural，Idaresay。TheMaorisareafearfuldelicatesetoffolks。Abadcoldtakesthemoffintoconsumptiondirectly。Andwithhertherewasthesorrowaswellasthecold。Itwaswonderfulthatshelivedsolong。\"
AlicethrewherarmsroundMrs。Bentley’sneck。
\"Onurse，itisallsodreadfulandsad。Couldn’twehavesomehowkeptherwithusandmadeherhappy？\"
Theoldwomanheldherclose。\"Nay，mydearbairn，neverafterthathappened。It，orworse，mighthavecomeagain。It’ssomethingstrongerinthemthanweknow;it’stheveryblood，I’mthinking。Butshe’sgonetobetheangelthatDickalwayssaidshewas。\"
Alicelookedawayoverthestarlitgardentowheretheplumytreesstirredinthenightwind。\"No，\"shesaid，fervently，\"not’gonetobe，’nursedear;shewasanangelalways。Dickwasright。\"
KINGBILLYOFBALLARAT
BY
MORLEYROBERTS
KingBillywasgiventostrollingupanddownthestreetsofBallaratwhenthatevisceratedcitywasmerelyinprocessofdisembowelment，beforealluvialmininggavewaytoquartz-crushing，whentheindividualhadachance，ifaveryvagueone，ofsuddenanddelightfulfortune。TheBallaratblackswereascalylot，totalkofthemlikeill-fedhogs，asmenwerewonttodo。Theydwinedanddwindled，asnativeswillbeforetheresourcesofcivilisation：thebloodthirstyonesgotkilledout;therumthirstyonesdiedout;thewildcorroboreewasreducedtoapoverty-strickenimitationofitsformerglory。KingBilly’sauthoritygrewlesswiththeincreaseofhisclothes。Thebrassplatewithhisnameonitwasaboutthelastrelicofhisprecariouspower，andwaschieflyvaluedasameansofnotifyingthepublicgenerallythattheymightstanddrinkstoamonarchiftheysawfitandwerenottoohumble。Hewasnothaughty，andneverpresumedonhisplate，asparvenuswill。Hecameofanancientstock，andcouldaffordtocondescend，evenifhecouldnotaffordtopayfordrinks。
Hewasverykindtochildren，——whitechildren，ofcourse，——andwashale-fellow-well-metwithmanyofthem。
HewasparticularlyfondofAnnieColborn，whosefatherwasamagistrateandagoldcommissioner，andapersonofverygreatimportance。WhetherornotKingBillywaswiseinhisgeneration，andoutoftheunwrittenScripturesofthesomberbushhadculledamaximinculcatingthewisdomofmakingfriendsofthesonsofMammon，I
cannotsay，buthewasalwaysgoodtoAnnie。Formyownpart，Idonotbelievethesimple-heartedoldkinghadanysuchnotioninsidehisthickantipodeanskull。Hewasgoodbecausehewasnotbad，whichistheverybestmoralityafterall，andagreatadvanceonmuchwehearof。And，besides，hewassometimeshungry，andMr。Colborn’sChinesecookwasveryhaughty，andnottobeapproachedexceptthroughanintermediary。AndwhosocapableofconciliatingWongasAnnie？Wongwouldmakehercakesevenwhenhispigtailhungdespondentlyfromhisachingheadafteranopiumdebauch，andhischeekswereshiningwithanythingbutgladness;forifyougetdrunkveryoftenonopiumyoushine。
OldBillywasmostlytobefoundwheretherewasachanceofadrink;
butifthefountainsweredriedup，orhehadbeeninsultedbysomedemocratic，revolutionary，king-hatingminerknockinghishighhatdownoverhiseyes，heusuallywentuptoMr。Colborn’splace，andsatonthefence，oronalogoutsidethegate。SohewasoftenverymelancholywhenAnniecameout。Onedayhishatwasvery，verybadlybulgedindeed。
\"Yourhatisverybadto-day，KingBilly，\"saidsix-year-oldAnnie，asshestoodinfrontofhimcritically，withherheadononeside。
Withoutknowingit，thechildhadcometolookuponthestateofthepoorking’shatasemblematicalofhisstateofmind。Whenitshutuplikeaclosedconcertinahisbarometerwaslow。
\"Yes，missy，\"saidtheking;\"whitemanknock’umovereyes，and\"——
witharubdownhisface——\"skin’umnose。\"
Sheinspectedhisnosecarefully——thoughfromacertaindistance，becauseherownnosewasverygood，bothinsideandout，andsheknewthekingnevergotwashedunlessitrainedwhenhewasverydrunk。Andthiswastheendofsummer。IthadnotrainedsinceNovember。