orange skin."

"Doubtless it will be so," agreed Fa Fei, regretting, however, that
Hien had not been content to prophesy a more limited act of vengeance,
until, at least, her father had come to a definite decision regarding
her own future. "Alas, though, the Book of Dynasties expressly says,
'The one-legged never stumble,' and Tsin Lung is so morally
ill-balanced that the proverb may even apply to him."

"Do not fear," said Hien. "It is elsewhere written, 'Love and leprosy
few escape,' and the spirit of Tsin Lung's destiny is perhaps even at
this moment lurking unsuspected behind some secret place."

"If," exclaimed a familiar voice, "the secret place alluded to should
chance to be a hollow cedar-tree of inadequate girth, the unfortunate
spirit in question will have my concentrated sympathy."

"Just and magnanimous father!" exclaimed Fa Fei, thinking it more
prudent not to recognize that he had learned of their meeting-place
and concealing himself there had awaited their coming, "when your
absence was discovered a heaven-sent inspiration led me to this spot.
Have I indeed been permitted here to find you?"

"Assuredly you have," replied Thang-li, who was equally desirous of
concealing the real circumstances, although the difficulty of the
position into which he had hastily and incautiously thrust his body on
their approach compelled him to reveal himself. "The same inspiration
led me to lose myself in this secluded spot, as being the one which
you would inevitably search."

"Yet by what incredible perversity does it arise, venerable Thang-li,
that a leisurely and philosophical stroll should result in a person of
your dignified proportions occupying so unattractive a position?" said
Hien, who appeared to be too ingenuous to suspect Thang-li's craft, in
spite of a warning glance from Fa Fei's expressive eyes.

"The remark is a natural one, O estimable youth," replied Thang-li,
doubtless smiling benevolently, although nothing of his person could
be actually seen by Hien or Fa Fei, "but the recital is not devoid of
humiliation. While peacefully studying the position of the heavens
this person happened to glance into the upper branches of a tree and
among them he beheld a bird's nest of unusual size and richness--one
that would promise to yield a dish of the rarest flavour. Lured on by
the anticipation of so sumptuous a course, he rashly trusted his body
to an unworthy branch, and the next moment, notwithstanding his