Chin Ko-ching dies, and Chia Jung is invested with the rank of military officer to the Imperial Body-guard. Wang Hsi-feng lends her help in the management of the Jung Kuo Mansion. Lady Feng, it must be added, in prosecuting our narrative, was ever since Chia Liens departure to accompany Tai-yue to Yang Chou, really very dejected at heart; and every day, when evening came, she would, after simply indulging in a chat and a laugh with Ping Erh, turn in, in a heedless frame of mind, for the night. In the course of the night of this day, she had been sitting with Ping Erh by lamp-light clasping the hand-stove; and weary of doing her work of embroidery, she had at an early hour, given orders to warm the embroidered quilt, and both had gone to bed; and as she was bending her fingers, counting the proGREss of the journey, and when they should be arriving, unexpectedly, the third watch struck. Ping Erh had already fallen fast asleep; and lady Feng was feeling at length her sleepy eyes slightly dose, when she faintly discerned Mrs. Chin walk in from outside. My dear sister-in-law, she said as she smiled, sleep in peace; Im on my way back to-day, and wont even you accompany me just one stage? But as you and I have been GREat friends all along, I cannot part from you, sister-in-law, and have therefore come to take my leave of you. There is, besides, a wish of mine, which isnt yet accomplished; and if I dont impart it to you, it isnt likely that telling any one else will be of any use. |