Chapter 9: They Attempt to Deceive the Fair Heroine, but Only Excite Her Scorn

From: The Fortunate Union, a Chinese Romance. Translated from the Chinese Original by John Francis Davis (London, 1829)

Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1829 print. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.

CHAPTER IX.

‘© THEY ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE THR FAIR HEROINE, BUT ONLY EXCITE HER SCORN.”

By vulgar slander would he gain his ends,

Bat heaven may not be blinded, nor the sun Robb’d of his light—in vain his words he wastes All smooth and flow’ry as they are ! —with eyes Of clearest vision, she perceives his thoughts In their most deep recesses: while the fool Throws by the little sense he had, and stands A butt for scorn !

Wuewn he had thus fallen a victim to the stupid blun- der of the old man, and to the annoying pomposity and insolence of the village officer, Teihchyngyu hardly knew whether to feel angry or be amused :—however, on his arrival at the house of the former they presented him with refreshment, and he eat with a good appetite, without paying much attention to the cookery. He soon after desired Seaoutan to lay out his bed, and presently fell soundly asleep.

The moon was that night at the full, and when he chanced to awake he found the light streaming in through the window, and the girl, who was shut up in the room with him, sitting close by his side, and endea- vouring to engage his attention. Teihchungyu started up and threw her from him, rebuking her for such be-

haviour.

haviour. On receiving this rebuff, the damsel would willingly have left him altogether; but that being impossible, she sat in sulky silence for some time, and then threw herself down to sleep at the foot of the bed. .

Now it so happened that the old man, though he felt himself obliged to shut up the two prisoners together, could not set his mind at rest with regard to the girl, and had accordingly placed himself in ambush on the outside of the door. When he heard her put to shame by Teihchungyu, he felt convinced of the innocence of the latter. “It was the slut herself that ran away !” thought he ; “ I have done this youth an injury in sup- posing him guilty.”

When daylight appeared, he would gladly have re- leased his prisoner; but the village officer having received no money on the occasion, and being provoked moreover by the behaviour of Teihchungyu, had pre- pared a furious address to his superior. It therefore became necessary that the parties should be conveyed to that tribunal; and the old man called in the assist- ance of his neighbours, and proceeded towards the office of the superior magistrate.*

It chanced that this very morning was the birth-day of that magistrate, when all the authorities of the district went as usual to pay their respects. The doors were still unclosed, and the visitors waiting outside, when they perceived a

crowd

Taoutae, next in rank above a Chefoo.

THE FORTUNATE UNION. | 207

crowd of persons escorting the prisoners towards them, and giving out that it was a case of forcible abduction.

Every body went out to observe the parties, and remarking that the appearance of the youth was greatly superior to the character which his accusers gave him, they put the question to himself, demanding who he was, and for what reason he had carried off the young woman? Teihchungyu, however, did not condescend to give them any reply; and they then turned to the girl, asking her if that young man had carried her off from home ?—She, provoked by the slight which she had lately received at the youth’s hands, answered very glibly in the affirmative. The same statement was re- peated by her to all; and the village officer, considering the point as already settled by such excellent testimony, waited in high spirits until the doors should be thrown open, in order to produce his prisoners, and claim the approbation of his diligence.

In the midst of these self-gratulations, the Chehéen made his appearance. When his chair had been set down, that magistrate observed with astonishment his acquaintance Teihchungyu, and a young woman, sur- rounded by the crowd. “ What is the meaning of this ?” exclaimed he.

The village officer, afraid lest somebody might anti- cipate him, replied in a moment: “ This young man, sir, forcibly carried off the female whom you see from her proper home; but being seized in his flight, to-

gether

gether with the stolen goods, I have brought him here to my superior, and claim his approbation of my exer tions.”

“ Nonsense!” exclaimed the magistrate, highly in- gensed. He then stated the name and quality of the youth, and how lately he had left his own district ; inquiring at the same time who the female mene ‘be that dared to make such an accusation.

When the village officer understood the rank of Teihchungyu, he began to quake with fear, and to make excuses. “ It was not my doing, sir,” said he; “ it rests entirely with the old man who made the accusa- tion, and with the woman who confirmed it.”

The Chehéen borrowed an apartment close by, and invited the youth to sit down with him, inquiring by what strange chance he had met with this adventure ? . Teihchungyu related his rencontre with the young man and the girl at the wood-side, upon which the magis- trate exclaimed, “It is a great pity that we do not know the young man’s name !”

“ | happen fortunately to have heard it,” said Teil- chungyu ; “he is the son of the old man’s daughter, and his name is Seuenyin.”

Letaekoong and the girl were immediately sum- moned, and received a lecture from the magistrate, who exclaimed, “ You old villain! was it not bad enough in one so aged as you are, and so near his end, to take a young girl like this into your family; but after care-

lessly

lessly letting her escape, what punishment do you ex- pect for charging an innocent traveller with carrying her off 2”

“ Alas ! sir,” replied the old man, “it was no fault of mine. When this woman was missed, they were found in company, and the crowd apprehended them both, and brought them to the village; she herself too gave her testimony to it; and I should not be blamed for what has happened.” .

“ You old wretch !” rejoined the Chehéen, “it was your daughter’s son Seuenyin that kept up a commu- nication with this woman, and took occasion to carry her off yesterday. They happened, luckily for you, to meet with this young gentleman, who apprehended the girl and brought her back. Is this your gratitude, then, to return evil for good ?”

When he heard the name of Seuenyin, the old man started. “‘ So,” exclaimed he, “‘ was it the young thief himself that ran off with her? This was his ob- ject in coming to cajole me with his smooth speeches!” Then bending several times to the ground, he added, “ There is no need of farther proof, sir ;—you are per- fectly right.”

The magistrate would have issued a warrant for the young man’s apprehension ; but Letaekoong prostrated himself, and while he acknowledged that it was no- thing more than the offence deserved, pleaded the death of the culprit’s father, and the necessity of his assistance

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to his widowed mother’s maintenance, as a reason for letting him off ; adding that, for his own part, he would never see him again.

The Chehéen would next have punished the female prisoner by the application of the thumbikins ;* and here the old man could venture to say nothing. But Teih- chungyu interceded for her, observing that she appeared to constitute the old fellow’s very existence ;+ and as the other, who was fully as guilty, had been excused, she too perhaps might be pardoned. “‘ She has behaved so ill,” said the magistrate, “and afforded so bad an example, that if I were to give her fingers a good squeeze there would be no harm in it; but having the luck to meet with this young gentleman for her inter- cessor, she may be released without punishment.”

Both the old man and the girl now humbled them- selves before the Chehéen in token of gratitude, and took their departure; after which the village officer came in to pay his respects, and having received a lec- ture from the magistrate, was finally dismissed. The Chehéen then turned to Teihchungyu and addressed him thus: “I would gladly have detained you yester- day, sir, to dine with me; but the just causes of dislike which you had against me, and your anxiety to pro- ceed on your journey, made me backward to propose it. I may consider the accidental detention which you

have

Vide ante, page 122 note.

+ Singming, literally Bun xe Yuzn.

have experienced from these people as fortunate for myself, since it gives me an opportunity of inviting you to partake of an entertainment. You may, perhaps, have no objection to forget the past in a little good- fellowship.”

“ I must own,” replied Teihchungyu, “ that the recollection of the past made me unwilling to defer my departure yesterday; but the eminent services and kind- ness which I have experienced to-day at your worship’s hands, make me so willing to accept your invitation, that you would now find it more difficult to get nid of, than to detain me.”

The other was delighted to hear this, and forthwith ordered an entertainment to be laid out where they were ;* after which he went over to pay his respects ta the superior magistrate, and then returned to dine with Teihchungyu. |

Human events in quick vicissitude

Succeed each other ; but true friendship’s ties

Gain strength from time! Ask ye why sovereign heav'n Thus vexes mortals ?—’Tis to try their hearts,

Like metal in the fiery crucible.

They had once before drank together ; but it wes on the last occasion a mere affair of ceremony, altogether devoid of the intimacy of friendship; now, however,

p2 they

a dinner may be had at a short notice. An invitation to dinner is called an invitation to wine. One of their red tickets is now lying before the

translator, to this effect: “ At six o'clock on the 7th of the 9th moon I shal! prepare wine, and await the illumination of your presence.”

they had become such good friends, that each pledged the other with mutual good-will; and when the wine had made them frank and communicative, the conver- sation, among other subjects, turned upon Shueypingsin. The Chehéen repeated his exhortations in favour of the match, to which Teihchungyu replied thus: “ It is not right to dissemble between friends, and therefore I will not deceive you. When I first beheld the admirable. deportment and exquisite beauty of Shueypingsin in your worship’s hall, I could not help feeling touched by them, in spite of the unpleasant circumstances of the occasion ; and after my retreat to the priest’s residence, although the meeting had been so transient, and was so unlikely to be repeated, I could not altogether get her out of my mind. When I subsequently became ill, and my sickness had reduced me to extremity, she removed me to her house, and restored me to health, displaying a degree of kindness and attention which almost surpassed that of the nearest kindred. At the same time her conduct was so guarded and reserved, that it left no room for any sentiments except those of the deepest gratitude. I have accordingly refrained from indulging any selfish schemes whatever in relation to my benefactress. The mention of marriage makes me feel as if some act of profanation were suggested against a superior being. Your worship’s first proposal really inspired me with this idea ; it was no affectation of scruple on my part to attract admiration.”

The

The Chehéen sighed. “ Admitting, as you say,” replied he, “‘ that she should be treated like some superior being, there appears to myself no reason why her future life should be passed in singleness. If they think of marriage on her father’s return, and after losing this chance of obtaining yourself, seek some other match, such an event would appear a much greater act of profanation than the other. Suited as you are to one another by your superior qualities, and bound toge- ther by essential services mutually rendered, it would be a dereliction of duty on my part to be aware of the truth, and not do my best to perfect the union.”

“ You view it in a very different light from myself, sir,” said the youth: “ 1 cannot get over my scruples.” The friends had now kept up their meeting until each felt that he had drank enough ; they accordingly stop- ped, and agreed it was best to pass the night at their

Early on the following day, as the magistrate had business at his office, and Teihchungyu was anxious to proceed on his journey, they prepared to separate without loss of time. On the eve of departure, the former took out twelve taels of silver,* and presented

them = In a country where they bave no paper-money—where gold is not

used as a circulating medium—and where silver, instead of being coined, is exchanged on all occasions by weight—the ordinary intercourse between buyers and sellers is attended with some inconvenience ; and it is impossible for a traveller to take much money about with him. The custom of presenting money to friends is therefore the result of necessity.

them to his friend. “ I have one word more of ex- hortation to add,” said he ; and when the youth begged him to speak out, he continued: “ Although to one like yourself, mere literary reputation would not be much real addition, still letters should not be neglected. Instead of passing your time in unprofitable rambling, how much better would it be to acquire fame by glean- ing in the field of learning.” Teihchungyu thanked him cordially for his good advice, and they parted.

At first, as water is to burning coal. '

Oppos’d, they stood; but now united were

Most intimately. When his heart had once

Tarn’d the right way, he understood the path

Of reason.

As he proceeded on his journey, Teihchungyu could not help contrasting the present behaviour of the magistrate with his former conduct, and making reflec- tions thereon. His thoughts then turned to Shueyping- sin. “‘ This maiden,” said he to himself, “ delicate as the spring leaflet of the willow, and beautiful as the tints of the flower Haetang,* surpasses what is related of the charms of Setsze and Maoutseang.+ Then the admirable address with which she thrice discomfited Kwo- ketsu with such mortifying circumstances, was never sur- passed by the most prudent of heroes } with all his wisdom.

Taken

+ The first of these was a celebrated beauty, and queen of one of the petty states during the civil wars : the second was another beauty in history.

+ Tchenping, the Chinese Ulysses, who, during the civil wars, assist- ed one of the contending states with his stratagems.

Taken as she was by surprise, and hurried away with violence, she yet retained her presence of mind, and when brought before the Chehéen could plead her own cause with such extraordinary courage and address !” He in like manner went over all that she had done for himself, not forgetting the kind care and foresight she evinced in despatching her servant with a supply for his journey, when the offensive behaviour of her uncle had driven him from the house—on an occasion, too, when any other person would have taken umbrage at his abrupt departure. “‘ Among the greatest beauties of history,” thought he to himself, “ were Setsze and Wunkeun,* but their conduct served to debase their charms ;—while on the other hand Mengkwong and Wooyen,+ who were celebrated for their virtue, were not equally famous on the soore of beauty. Shueypmgsin, who combines every excellence in her own person, calls for the best exertions of some worthy person to obtain her, and whoever should succeed in his pursuit would doubtless be the happiest of mortals, Alas, for myself and my unhappy destiny! Living in the same age with her, suitable in years and every other respect, loving and valuing each other as we do, how untoward has been the course of events! We met in

adverse

t+ The first is always quoted as the pattern of wives: history says of the second, that ‘her features were ugly without a parallel.’

adverse circumstances, in public conversed together without any previous intervention of friends, and sat at the same entertainment, contrary to all the rules of esta- blished custom. Thus, while we formed for each other the most generous of friendships, the possibility of a more intimate union became remoter than ever; for should we think of marriage now, our past actions would ‘avail nothing to save our character. Did the proposal emanate from myself, I should not only become the object of general reproach, but Shueypingsin herself would despise me! Alas! my resolution is made up. We must preserve our present relation to each other, if we would avoid shame and repentance.”

—“ But this maiden,” continued he to himself, “ is not only excellent as regards her own conduct: the advice she gave me relating to my present pursuits is well worthy of consideration. She counselled me to continue my father’s line of life, instead of wandering forth alone and independent to the limits of the empire. This indeed is a prescription which exactly suits my complaint: for if, instead of doing myself some credit by attainments in letters, I pass my whole time in a restless search of adventure, men will give me the character of an unsettled vagabond, until Shueypingsin herself joins in the scorn against me! I will hasten home, and prepare for the next general examination of graduates ; I may perchance have the good fortune to realize the hopes of my family: and hereafter, whether

I obtain

I obtain office or not, I shall be more at liberty to chuse my course of life. How much better than this unsettled and contentious existence!” His resolution thus formed, Teihchungyu took the nearest road towards his home.

Her words were past—but yet upon his ear

Soft accents linger’d, and each transient scene

Gone by, still serv'd to agitate his breast :

Devotedness like his exists in semblance, ©

But none in deep degree.

When Shueypingsin, after waiting for some time, found that the domestic whom she had despatched did not return, she began to fear lest some mischief had befallen him ; and was already in a state of painful suspense, when towards the close of day her steward appeared, and having explained the causes of his delay, made a verbal report of his proceedings, and of the message with which he had been charged by Teih- chungyu. She listened in silence, and when she had dismissed the servant, soliloquized thus: “‘ The timely succour which he lent me has spirited up against him some mortal enemies, and exposed him to the worst dangers: but I have happily sent him away safe at last, and may now set my heart at rest on Ais account !—Let me not forget, however, that Kwoketsu is still combined with my uncle for mischief: they will not forget what has passed, and it will require all my attention to counteract their plots.”

Fortunately for her, the haughty and unceremonious

departure

departure of Teihchungyu had so annoyed her uncle, that he did not venture to pay her another visit for some days. One morning, however, he came over in high glee to see the young lady. “ Niece,” said he, “ have you heard the strange news?” She pleaded the retired life of a female, in her situation, as a sufficient reason for being ignorant of what was passing abroad. “ Well then,” continued her uncle, “ you must know that when I advised you to marry Teihchungyu, I had the best opinion of his character; but you were fortu- nately steady in refusing a hasty assent. Your hap- piness might otherwise have been ruined for life! Can you guess what sort of person he has proved himself to be ?” .

“ I know nothing of his birth and family,” replied the young lady ; “ but from what I have observed of his conduct, it would plainly appear that he is a young man of extraordinary virtue.”

“ Of extraordinary virtue indeed!” exclaimed the other impatiently ; “ you used to have a great share of penetration once, niece; what has become of it on this occasion ?”

“ In what way has he belied his former character ?” inquired Shueypingsin.

“ Why, he is nothing better than a practised se- ducer,” replied her uncle ; “ I know not what schemes he might have had in view when he pretended sickness, and gained a lodging in this house; but you may con-

sider

sider it the height of good luck on your part that he was obliged, by the sound rating I gave him, to desist, and took his departure in an affected passion. The earthen pitcher, however, gets broken at last, and no sooner did he reach the neighbouring village than he betrayed himself.”

“ Pray what was it he did to betray himself?” asked the young lady.

“ A person of some wealth in that neighbourhood,” replied he, “ has a young mistress, of whom he is ex- tremely fond; but whom this youth, by some unknown device, contrived to seduce away and carry off: un- luckily for him that person happens to maintain a great number of idle retainers, who presently gave chase in all directions, and very soon overtook the fugitives. They first of all beat him until he was half dead,* and then carried him before the village officer. Now if he had possessed any discretion, and humbled himself before the man in authority, he might possibly have been let off after a gentle correction—though I will not answer for even that ; but, strange to say, he had the extreme folly, although in this unhappy predicament, to put on a blustering air and provoke the officer, who be- came so enraged that he has carried him before his superior, Every one declares that there is no doubt

of

® The old gentleman's amplification is evident: he is one of those who ‘ de megnis majora loquuntur.’

of his guilt, and he must be banished* beyond the frontier.”

“ Where did you hear all this, uncle?” inquired Shueypingsin.

“* When his worship the Chehéen,” replied Shueyun, “ went to visit the Taoutae on his birth-day, his fol- lowers learned these particulars, which were afterwards transmitted to myself.”

“ Well,” said his niece, smiling composedly, “ let Teihchungyu be what you say he is,—it concerns myself no more than if the favourite disciple+ of Confucius had really been a murderer.”

“ I know it does not concern you,” exclaimed he ; “ but this event proves how very difficult it is to be sure of a person’s character on a short acquaintance, and that, to avoid the chance of being deceived, one’s knowledge must be better founded than on a casual meeting.”

“ In a matter with which I have so little concern,” observed Shueypingsin, “ there is not much occasion to argue the point; but what you have been pleased to say seems intended to ridicule my want of penetration, in forming a wrong opinion of this young man. Did it

refer

» There are two kinds of exile, of which the principal is banishment into Tartary, and condemnation to slavery, or military service—the other is temporary exile to the distance of 300 leagues from the cul- prit’s home.

+ Named Tsengsen—allusion to a passage in one of their classics.

refer to any person but himself, I should not think it worth while to say a word in reply ; but after the mutual services we have rendered each other, the slur you throw upon his character implies that our acquaint- ance was dishonest, and slanders his reputation equally with my own: I have therefore a good reason for re- pelling it.”

“‘ I do not know,” cried her uncle, “ whether to be most angry or amused by what you say. I never had any cause of enmity towards this young man; what should make me slander him, then? He happens to be a libertine, and entices away a young woman: you live quietly at home, and know nothing about it; but the people near the magistrate’s office report it to me. Why blame me on ¢heir account? If you chuse to say that you mistook his character, and that this was a thing you could not help, I can understand you :—but if you at- tempt to maintain that he really is not guilty, I suspect all the water in the yellow river will never wash him clean from the imputation.”

“ If I think it worth while to maintain any thing,” replied Shueypingsin, “‘ it will be that he is not what you call him, and that the whole is the slanderous in- vention of worthless people. You may then learn that I was not deceived in my good opinion: any other point I do not think it necessary to argue.”

“ My good niece, you are very obstinate,” said Shueyun: “that he is guilty has been proved by a

number

number of witnesses ; what is there for you to say on the subject ?”

“ You assert that it has been proved by witnesses,” answered she, “ and until we hear something authentic on the subject, I will not debate the point with you; but, judging from reason and principle, I must still maintain that this young man cannot be what you say: and though such a report may have gone abroad, ad- mitting that it is not a fabrication altogether, there must yet be something more in it than has come to light—for should he really prove to be guilty of the charge, I will engage to forfeit both my eyes to you.”

“ Why, the woman he carried off has been appre- hended in his company,” exclaimed Shueyun, “ and taken before the village officer, who transferred them both to his superior. They are now on trial: there can be no fabrication in this. Your attempt to vindicate his character after matters have reached this point, only proves that you are blinded by excess of love.”

“ Tt is vain attempting to persuade you at present, uncle,” said the young lady ; “ but do not be too posi- tive. If you will only inquire a little farther, you may arrive at the real truth.”

“ Inquire farther or not,” replied he, “Teihchungyu is nothing better than a seducer. Since you are obstinate, however, and wish me to make farther inquiries, there is no harm in so doing, it is only the loss of a few

hours—let that rest: but as you argue from reason and principle

principle that he cannot be guilty, pray let me hear how you attain to that conclusion ?”

“ These two words, reason and principle,” said his niece, “are of a mysterious nature. Those to whom they have been revealed can comprehend them; but they will still remain unintelligible to ali others. It is very difficult to explain them to people who possess neither reason nor principle ;*—but as you have asked me, I must speak out. Now reason has taught me to distinguish between virtuous and vicious conduct, and that all those whose actions and conversation are re- gulated by virtue, must be incapable of the reverse. I have observed Teihchungyu, from the public hall of justice to the private dwelling,—that no action or word was contrary to virtue and propriety. Unless endowed with the natural gift of right reason, he could not have behaved thus; and such being the case, to say that he can be guilty of a charge like this is absurd and impossible. I distinguish likewise between selfish and disinterested principle, and judge that truly generous characters are incapable of selfish conduct. From my first meeting with this young man until his final departure, I saw that his exertions to rescue me were perfectly disin- terested, and in favour of 9 mere stranger. Unless the principles of his conduct were the very opposite of sel- fish, he could not have acted thus; and such being the case, to pretend that he can be a selfish seducer is alto-

gether

This was the unkindest cut of all.

gether impossible and absurd. My opinion of him, being well grounded, is positive, and the fear of death should not make me change it. But if what you charge against him were true, it would prove that nature * had been a blunderer in the constitution of the human race ; it would imply that all the maxims of the sages were founded in error, and must accordingly be false. The popular maxim prefers the evidence of sight to that of hearing ;—do not be in such a hurry to laugh at me, but go and inquire once more. Should you really be able to establish all that has been alleged against this young man, it will not be too late for your triumph ; but until that be done, it is unfair to judge of such a person by the opinions of worthless people.”

“ Well,” said her uncle laughing, “ if you chuse to pursue a subject which should be so unpleasant to you, I will go and make further inquiry, and then hear what more you have to say.”

“ Uncle,” replied the young lady with a smile, «* I hope you will not fail to return, even though the inquiry turn out unlucky for yourself.”

As Shueyun took his departure, he could not help exclaiming to himself, “ How is it that this young girl possesses such sense and penetration! What, if all I have heard should be really false ?—But let me go straight to the magistrate’s and ascertain.”

On

THE FORTUNATE UNION. : 225

On his arrival there, he saw-one of the people at- tached to the office, and learned from him that a young man had really been apprehended in company with the woman who ran away—but as this account was con- fused by the addition, that the young man so appre- bended was not the person that had enticed her away, Shueyan interrogated a lad who was attached to the magistrate’s person. He then learned the whole truth, and, struck with astonishment, cjaculated to himself, “ This girl without joking is a most extraor- dinary person! What I believed to be most true, she had the ready hardihood to maintain was decid- edly false, and offered to forfeit her eyes in the event of being mistaken. At my departure, too, she hinted her suspicion that I should not like to return, when the unpleasant truth was known.—How I[ triumphed over her at first! I traly have not the face* to go back to her just now!” After some hesitation, Let me go,” thought he to himself, ‘ and. con- sult with Kwoketsu; something or other may yet turn up.” oe

He proceeded straight to his son-in-law, and re- ported every circumstance as it occurred. “ Sir,” said the other, “do not concern yourself so much about the truth or falsehood of this affair. To achieve any thing on such an occasion as this, a little invention

VOL. 1. Q is

place.

v

is indispensable, and thongh the report be fulse, we must speak and act just as if it were true. This Teihchungyu has done enough, to admit of our adding a little more, and we may give a colouring to the circumstances, without the absolute imputation of lying.” .

“ Oh,” said the other, “ if that is all, I can easily accommodate you. What need of more than a few verses to lampoon him, which you may declare came from some person unknown. These you may shew to your niece; and let there be ever so many witnesses of the real truth, who shall dis- prove it?”

“ A very good scheme,” observed Shueyun,—“ but who is to make the verses >”

“ Who else but myself,” replied his son-in-law, —* the accomplished scholar and man of genius, Kwoketsu !”

‘* If you will undertake the task, so much the bet- ter,” said the other, ‘‘ but as soon as they are com- posed, pray write them out for me.”

“* There is not much in their composition,” gb- served Kwoketsu, “ and I will repeat them to you;

but

It may be perceived, that the characters of these two worthies are

in strict keeping throughout.

but as to the writing, I will not answer for being able to do that myself.”

“ Let us hear them first,” said Shueyun; “ we may put them on paper afterwards.”

The other now proceeded to rehearse the verses,* and Shueyun clapped his hands with delight. “ Very good indeed !” cried he, ‘‘ very good! I am only afraid that the last two lincs may betray too much, and excite a suspicion of yourself being the author ;— better omit them.”

“ Let them suspect what they please!” said Kwo- ketsu, “‘ Those two lines are of great consequence, and must not be omitted.”

“ Very well,” answered the other,—“ but this must be written out before I can shew it to her.”

_ © That is easily done,” said the young mag, so calling a domestic of the family who could write, he dictated the lines, and when they were finished, presented them to Shueyun. “ If you will shew her this’ paper, sir, it may serve to break dowa her delicate pride a little. Should she consent

a2 to

© The lines themselves, twenty-eight in number, are intended by the author to be very stupid and miserable, as proceeding from so illiterate a person. Their whole point consists in their abusiveness, and in the re- currence of the same word or character at the end of every line, which it was found impossible to preserve in English; and as many of them were absolutely untranslateable from their shocking grossness, it wat judged best to omit them altogether.

to have me, then well; but if she gives herself any fine airs, the new imperial commissioner is already appointed, and happens to be a pupil of my father’s. I shall court her no more myself, but persuade the commissioner to take upon himself the absolute dis- posal of her person, and on the ground of her father having no son to succeed him, authorize me to marry her at ber own house, instead of bringing her home to mine. We will then see what she can do to escape me!”

Shueyun by no means relished this scheme. “ If you do that,” observed he with alarm, “ the whole property must become your own, and our family estate will be lapsed for ever. Let me beg you to espouse her in the usual manner.”

The other could not help laughing at his fright. “ You take me too strictly at my word. My only object in adopting this plan is to get possession of her person—that being secured, I shall bring her home. Think you my family is so miserably poor, that we must be coveting the property of your’s, or wishing to become their heirs ?”

Shueyun was delighted. ‘ It is just what I should have expected from you,” cried he; “ but wait while I go and shew her these lines; if she is offended, [ will mention the commissioner’s visit and its conse- quences, There is little fear of her persevering after that.”

s* Lose

- Lose no time,” exclaimed Kwoketsa with impa-

tience.—“ I wait here for good news !”

Shueyun took his departure with the verses to call upon his niece—but to see her virtue triumphant over every trial, as pure gold survives its fiery test, the reader must proceed to the next chapter.

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Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-davis/Chapter 9

Chapter 9: They Attempt to Deceive the Fair Heroine, but Only Excite Her Scorn

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