find any temple exactly conforming to their requirements； and after
writing to the paper to announce the fact； abandon the search in
despair。
It was while I was becoming proficient in the inner subtleties of one
of these ordersthey who drink water on all occasions and wear a
badgethat a maiden of some authority among them besought my aid for
the purpose of amusing a band which she was desirous of propitiating
into the adoption of this badge。 It is possible that in the immature
confidence of former letters this person may already have alluded to
certain maidens with words of courteous esteem； but it is now
necessary to admit finally that in the presence of this same Helena
they would all appear as an uninviting growth of stunted and deformed
poppies surrounding a luxuriant chrysanthemum。 At the presumptuous
thought of describing her illimitable excellences my fingers become
claw…like in their confessed inadequacy to hold a sufficiently upright
brush； yet without undue confidence it may be set down that her hands
resembled the two wings of a mandarin drake in their symmetrical and
changing motion； her hair as light and radiant…pointed as the
translucent incense cloud floating before the golden Buddha of
Shan…Si； thin white satin stretched tightly upon polished agate only
faintly comparable to her jade cheeks； while her eyes were more
unfathomable than the crystal waters of the Keng…kiang； and within
their depths her pure and magnanimous thoughts could be dimly seen to
glide like the gold and silver carp beneath the sacred river。
When this insurpassable being approached me with the flattering
petition already alluded to； my gratified emotions clashed together
uncontrollably with the internal feeling of many volcanoes in
movement； and my organs of expression became so entangled at the
condescension of her melodious voice being directly addressed to one
so degraded； that for several minutes I was incapable of further
acquiescence than that conveyed by an adoring silence and an
unchanging smile。 No formality appeared worthy to greet her by； no
expression of self…contempt sufficiently offensive to convey to her
enlightenment my own sense of a manifold inferiority； and doubtless I
should have remained in a transfixed attitude until she had at length
turned aside； had not your seasonable reference to a Swatow
limb…contorter struck me heavily and abruptly turned off the source of
my agreement。 Might not this all…water entertainment； it occurred to
this one； consist in enticing him to drink a potion made unsuspectedly
hot； in projecting him backwards into a vat of the same liquid； or
some similar device for the pleasurable amusement of those around；
which would come within the boundaries of your refined disapproval？ As
one by himself there was no indignity that this person would not
cheerfully have submitted to； but the inexorable cords of an ingrained
filial regard suddenly pulled him sideways and into another direction。
〃But； Mr。 Kong；〃 exclaimed the bee…lipped maiden； when I had explained
（as being less involved to her imagination；） that I was under a vow；
〃we have been relying upon you。 Could you not〃and here she dropped
her eyes and picked them up again with a fluttering motion which our
lesser ones are； to an all…wise end； quite unacquainted with〃could
you not unvow yourself for one night； just to please ME？〃
At these words； the illuminated proficiency of her glance； and her
honourable resolution to implicate me in the display by head or feet；
the ever…revered image of a just and obedience…loving father ceased to
have any further tangible influence。 Let it be remembered that there
is a deep saying； 〃A virtuous woman will cause more evil than ten
river pirates。〃 As for the person who is recording his incompetence；
the room and all those about began to engulf him in an ever…increasing
circular motion； his knees vibrated together with unrestrained
pliancy； and concentrating his voice to indicate by the allegory some
faint measure of his emotion； he replied passionately； 〃Let the
amusement referred to take the form of sitting in a boiling cauldron
exposed to the derision of all beholders； this one will now enter it
wearing yellow silk trousers。〃
*
It is characteristic of these illogical out…countries that the
all…water diversion did not； as a matter to record； concern itself
with that liquid in any detail； beyond the contents of a glass vessel
from which a venerable person； who occupied a raised chair；
continually partook。 This discriminating individual spoke so
confidently of the beneficial action of the fluid； and so unswervingly
described my own feelings at the momentas of head giddiness； an
inexactitude of speech； and no clear definition of where the next step
would be arrived atas the common lot of all who did not consume
regularly； that when that same Helena had passed on to speak to
another； I left the hall unobserved and drank successive portions； in
each case； as the night was cold； prudently adding a measure of the
native rice spirit。 His advice had been well…directed； for with the
fourth portion I suddenly found all doubtful and oppressive visions
withdrawn； and a new and exhilarating self…confidence raised in their
place。 In this agreeable temper I returned to the place of meeting to
find a priest of one of the lesser orders relating a circumstance
whereby he had encountered a wild maiden in the woods； who had
steadfastly persisted that she was one of a band of seven （this being
the luckiest protective number among the superstitious）。 Though unable
to cause their appearance； she had gone through a most precise
examination at his hands without deviating in the slightest
particular； whereupon distrusting the outcome of the strife； the
person who was relating the adventure had withdrawn breathless。
When this versatile lesser priest had finished the narration； and the
applause； which clearly showed that those present approved of the
solitary maiden's discreet stratagem； had ceased； the one who occupied
the central platform； rising； exclaimed loudly； 〃Mr。 Kong will next
favour us with a contribution； which will consist； I am informed； of a
Chinese tale。〃
Now there chanced to be present a certain one who had already become
offensive to me by the systematic dexterity with which he had planted
his inopportune shadow between the sublime…souled Helena and any other
who made a movement to approach her heaven…dowered outline。 When this
presumptuous and ill…nurtured outcast； who was； indeed； then seated
by the side of the enchanting maiden last referred to； heard the
announcement he said in a voice feigned to reach her peach…skin ear
alone； yet intentionally so modulated as to penetrate the furthest
limit of the room； 〃A Chinese tale！ Why； assuredly； that must be a
pig…tail。〃 At this unseemly shaft many of those present allowed
themselves to become immoderately amused； and even the goat…like sage
who had called upon my name concealed his face behind an open hand；
but the amiably…disposed Helena； after looking at the undiscriminating
youth coldly for a moment； deliberately rose and moved to a vacant
spot at a distance。 Encouraged by this fragrant act of sympathy I
replied with a polite bow to indicate the position； 〃On the contrary；
the story which it is now my presumptuous intention to relate will
contain no reference whatever to the carefully…got…up one occupying
two empty seats in the front row；〃 and without further introduction
began the history of Kao and his three brothers； to which I had added
the title； 〃The Three Gifts。〃
At the conclusion of this classical example of the snares ever lying
around the footsteps of the impious； I perceived that the jocular
stripling； whom I had so delicately reproved； was no longer present。
Doubtless he had been unable to remain in the same room with the
commanding Helena's high…spirited indignation； and anticipating that
in consequence there would now be no obstacle to her full…faced
benignity； I drew near with an appropriate smile。
It is somewhere officially recorded； 〃There is only one man who knew
with accurate certainty what a maiden's next attitude would be； and he
died young of surprise。〃 As I approached I had the sensation of
passing into so severe an atmosphere of rigid disfavour； that the
ingratiating lines upon my face became frozen in its intensity；
despite the ineptness of their expression。 Unable to penetrate the
cause of my offence； I made a variety of agreeable remarks； until
finding that nothing tended towards a becoming reconciliation； I
gradually withdrew in despair； and again turned my face in the
direction of that same accommodation which I had already found beneath
the sign of an Encompassed Goat。 Here； by the sarcasm of destiny； I
encountered the person who had drawn the slighting analogy between
this one's pig…tail and his ability as a story…teller。 For a brief
space of time the ultimate development of the venture was doubtfully
poised； but recognising in each other's features the overhanging cloud
of an allied pang； the one before me expressed a becoming contrition
for the jest； together with a proffered cup。 Not to appear out…classed
I replied in a suitable vein； involving the supply of more vessels；
whereupon there