"Myyounglady，"saidthewoman，"isthedaughterofMr。King，whowasavice-presidentofalowercourt。Herfatherandmotherhavingbothvisitedthe’YellowSprings’[Hades]，sheisnowlivingwithanaunt，whohasbeenblessedbytheGodofWealth，andwhosemainobjectinlifeistofindahusbandwhomherniecemaybewillingtomarry。Theyounggentleman，myyounglady’scousin，isoneoftherichestmeninCh’engtu。Allthelargerinnsbelongtohim，andhisprofitsareasboundlessasthefourseas。Heisasanxiousashismothertofindasuitablematchfortheyounglady，andhaspromisedthatsosoonasshecanmakeachoicehewillarrangethewedding。"
"Ishouldhavethought，"saidJasmine，"that，beingtheownerofsomuchwealthandbeauty，theyoungladywouldhavebeenbesiegedbysuitorsfromallpartsoftheempire。"
"Sosheis，"saidthewoman，"andfromherwindowyondersheespiesthem，fortheyallputupatthisinn。Hithertoshehasmadefunofthemall，anddescribestheirappearanceandhabitsinthemostamusingway。’Seethisone，’saysshe，’withhisbachelorcaponandhisnewofficialclothesandawkwardgait，lookingforalltheworldlikeabarn-doorfowldressedupasastork;orthatone，withhisroundshoulders，monkey-face，andcrookedlegs;’andsoshetellsthemoff。"
"Whatdoesshesayofme，Iwonder？"saidJasmine，amused。
"OfyourExcellencyshesaysthathercomparisonsfailher，andthatshecanonlyhopethattheFateswhoguidedyourjewelledchariothitherwardwillnottantaliseherbyanemptyvision，butwillbindyouranklestoherswiththeredmatrimonialcords。"
"HowcanIhopeforsuchhappiness？"saidJasmine，smiling。"Butpleasetotellyouryoungladythat，beingonlyaguestatthisinn，I
havenothingworthyofheracceptancetoofferinreturnforherbounteousgifts，andthatIcanonlyassureherofmyboundlessgratitude。"
Withmanybows，andwithreiteratedwishesforJasmine’shappinessandendlesslongevity，thewomantookherleave。
"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。