\"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。