floor. He snatches her up._)

_Shun_

No! I want my Western bride to-night.

_Wong Fe_

But this is a Chinese orchard, and it is springtime. Let me worship a
little.

_Shun_

Never, my mountain bird!

(_Draws her to the steps, where they sit._)

_Wong Fe_

You are weary, beloved?

_Shun_

Not now. I have my rest. To-morrow you shall go with me.

_Wong Fe_

Up the mountain?

_Shun_

I will show you where I dropped the storm in my heart.

_Wong Fe_ (_timidly_)

Will it come again, Yu Tai Shun?

_Shun_

Nothing can wake it again.

_Wong Fe_

Then indeed I am your bride!

_Shun_

Heart of my body art thou, Wong Fe!

(_Holds her to his breast a moment, looking distantly out. Suddenly
sees his friends approaching._)

_Shun_

We have guests?

_Wong Fe_ (_quickly springing up_)

Forgive me! Your friends are here. Prince Ching, and Makuro, from Japan.

_Shun_

Makuro?

(_He throws up his right hand. In a moment_ PRINCE CHING _and_
Makuro _are seen advancing from the orchard_.)

_Wong Fe_

They have had my welcome. I leave you. (_Crosses to right, reluctantly._)

_Shun_

Return to us soon, my gold of the morning.

(_She goes out_. CHING _and the Japanese enter._)

_Ching_

We have waited, Yu Tai Shun. We knew that the setting sun would turn a
bridegroom home.

_Makuro_

Master!

_Shun_

My friend! What brings you to China?

_Makuro_ (_with steady gaze_)

You know. I have come for you.

_Shun_ (_stubbornly, as if chidden_)

My work is done. China is free.

_Ching_

Her slavery is only beginning. You may hide your body but you cannot
bury your mind under peach-blossoms.

_Shun_

The republic is established.

_Ching_

But not a democracy.

_Shun_

My work is done. Twenty years have I given to the cause of the people.
Now until I die I will toil and sing in the fields of my fathers.

(_They have gradually come to centre of room, which servants have
lighted_. WONG FE _silently returns, but at a sign from_ CHING
_she retreats and remains by wall, right, participating in the
scene that follows, though_ YU TAI SHUN _and_ MAKURO _are unaware
of her presence._)

_Makuro_

Do you remember when I stood here once before, Yu Tai Shun?

_Shun_

Can you ask me that, Makuro?

_Makuro_

Why not, when you seem to have forgotten all that passed between us? I
went from that meeting with an imperishable fire in m