ight from the window before which he worked.

While Wei Chang was thus engaged the door of the enclosure in which he
laboured was thrust cautiously inwards, and presently he became aware
that the being whose individuality was never completely absent from
his thoughts was standing in an expectant attitude at no great
distance from him. As no other person was present, the craftsmen
having departed in order to consult an oracle that dwelt beneath an
appropriate sign, and Wong Ts'in being by this time among the Outer
Ways seeking an omen as to Fa Fai's disposal, Wei Chang did not think
it respectful to become aware of the maiden's presence until a
persistent distress of her throat compelled him to recognize the
incident.

"Unapproachable perfection," he said, with becoming deference, "is it
permissible that in the absence of your enlightened sire you should
descend from your golden eminence and stand, entirely unattended, at
no great distance from so ordinary a person as myself?"

"Whether it be strictly permissible or not, it is only on like
occasions that she ever has the opportunity of descending from the
solitary pinnacle referred to," replied Fa Fai, not only with no
outward appearance of alarm at being directly addressed by one of a
different sex, but even moving nearer to Wei Chang as she spoke. "A
more essential detail in the circumstances concerns the length of time
that he may be prudently relied upon to be away?"

"Doubtless several gong-strokes will intervene before his returning
footsteps gladden our expectant vision," replied Wei Chang. "He is
spoken of as having set his face towards the Outer Ways, there
perchance to come within the influence of a portent."

"Its probable object is not altogether unknown to the one who stands
before you," admitted Fa Fai, "and as a dutiful and affectionate
daughter it has become a consideration with her whether she ought not
to press forward, as it were, to a solution on her own account. . . .
If the one whom I am addressing could divert his attention from the
embellishment of the very inadequate claw of a wholly superfluous
winged dragon, possibly he might add his sage counsel on that point."

"It is said that a bull-frog once rent his throat in a well-meant
endeavour to advise an eagle in the art of flying," replied Wei Chang,
concealing the bitterness of his heart beneath an easy tongue. "For
this reason it is inexpedient for earthlings to fix their eyes on
those wh