ge-boy into the house. A white-haired old lady was going
upstairs, whom he took to be the girl's mother. Bowing low, the young
man addressed her as follows: "I am told that you have a vacant plot of
land, which you would be willing to let as building-ground. Is that
true?" The old lady answered, "I am afraid the site is too mean and
confined; it would be quite unsuitable for a gentleman's house. I should
not like to offer it to you." She then took him into the guest-room,
which was a very handsome one, and asked him to be seated, saying, "I
have a daughter who has little either of beauty or accomplishment, but
she is fond of seeing strangers. I should like you to meet her."

So saying, she called for her daughter, who presently entered. Her eyes
sparkled with such fire, her arms were so dazzling white and there was
in her movements such an exquisite grace that the young man could only
leap to his feet in confusion and did not dare raise his eyes. When
their salutations were over, he began to make a few remarks about the
weather; and realized as he did so that her beauty was of a kind he had
never encountered before.

They sat down again. Tea was made and wine poured out. The vessels used
were spotlessly clean. He lingered till the day was almost over; the
curfew-drum sounded its four beats. The old lady asked if he lived far
away. He answered untruthfully, "Several leagues beyond the Yen-p`ing
Gate," hoping that they would ask him to stay. The old lady said, "The
drum has sounded. You will have to go back at once, unless you mean to
break the law."

The young man answered, "I was being so agreeably entertained that I did
not notice how rapidly the day had fled. My house is a long way off and
in the city I have no friends or relations. What am I to do?" Miss Li
then interposed, saying, "If you can forgive the meanness of our poor
home, what harm would there be in your spending the night with us?" He
looked doubtfully at the girl's mother, but met with no discouragement.

Calling his servants, he gave them money and told them to buy provisions
for the night. But the girl laughingly stopped him, saying, "That is not
the way guests are entertained. Our humble house will provide for your
wants to-night, if you are willing to partake of our simple fare and
defer your bounty to another occasion." He tried to refuse, but in the
end she would not allow him to, and they all moved to the western hall.
The curtains, screens, bli