the drunken Chin Kang makes light of lucre and shows a preference for generosity. The foolish girl mislays her handkerchief and arouses mutual thoughts. But to return to our narrative. Lin Tai-yues sentimental reflections were the while reeling and ravelling in an intricate maze, when unexpectedly some one from behind gave her a tap, saying: What are you up to all alone here? which took Lin Tai-yu so much by surprise that she gave a start, and turning her head round to look and noticing that it was Hsiang Ling and no one else; You stupid girl! Lin Tai-yue replied, youve given me such a fright! But where do you come from at this time? Hsiang Ling giggled and smirked. ve come, she added, in search of our young lady, but I cant find her anywhere. But your Tzu Chuan is also looking after you; and she says that lady Secunda has sent a present to you of some tea. But you had better go back home and sit down. As she spoke, she took Tai-yue by the hand, and they came along back to the Hsiao Hsiang Kuan; where lady Feng had indeed sent her two small catties of a new season tea, of superior quality. But Lin Tai-yue sat down, in company with Hsiang Ling, and began to converse on the merits of this tapestry and the fineness of that embroidery; and after they had also had a game at chess, and read a few sentences out of a book, Hsiang Ling took her departure. But we need not speak of either of them, but return now to Pao-yue. Having been found, and brought back home, by Hsi Jen, he discovered Yuan Yang reclining on the bed, in the act of examining Hsi Jens needlework; but when she perceived Pao-yue arrive, she forthwith remarked: Where have you been? her venerable ladyship is waiting for you to tell you to go over and pay your obeisance to our Senior master, and dont you still make haste to go and change your clothes and be off! |