University of Virginia Library

CHAP. IV.[15]

KWO-khé-tzu hearing Shuey-guwin
say he was not unprovided of an
occasion to plague Tieh-chung-u, was
desirous to know what it was. He
told him, that as his coming so long
a journey was all for the sake of his
niece, it was not to be doubted but
he would yet take an opportunity to
speak with her; and therefore he must
be watched. "Nay, said he, that he

may not do it without our privity,
I will go to my niece and make
her send for him." "That, said his
son-in-law, will be to do him a pleasure;
nay will afford him an opportunity
to bind the marriage contract
with her, and then all my hopes are
at an end, and I am utterly lost."
"Fear not, replied the other, what
I propose is the only means to prevent
his doing it[16] ." Then taking
his leave, he went to the young lady,
whom he thus accosted; "Niece, you
have certainly great penetration and
discernment with regard to mankind:
I shall henceforth pay great deference
to your opinion. For sometime since,
when there was a rumour that Tieh-chung-u
had been guilty of a great misdemeanour,
and was nothing less than
an hypocrite and a cheat, you would
not give the least credit to it, but believed
as well of him as before. Future
inquiries have confirmed your judgment,
and I am now satisfied he is a
man of great honour, sobriety, and
justice." "That, she replied, is an old
affair: why do you mention what is
past?" He said, "I saw this stranger
again to-day: and am therefore convinced
he hath the good qualities I
spoke of." "How can you know a
man's good qualities, said she, by barely
seeing him?" Shuey-guwin told her,
that he had met him that morning
coming out of her house; and had inquired
his business: "For I was apprehensive,
said he, that he had been
doing something, which might bring
a reflection upon you; and therefore
thought it behoved me to call him to
account: but he vindicated himself so
handsomely, and appeared to have
come hither with so good an intention,
that I find him to be a very well-disposed,
sincere, honest man." "Uncle,
said the young lady, how could you
know that he came hither with a good
intention?" "He told me, replied he,
that hearing at court that the Grand
Visitor had issued out two orders to
compel you to marry, and knowing
how much it must be against your
inclinations, he had come hither on
purpose to prevent it. That with this
view, and to make proper inquiries,
he came to-day to your house, but
finding upon the wall the Kao-shé or
declaration in your favour, he was
satisfied, and about to return to court.
From all this I cannot but conclude
favourably of his character." "He
acted just in this noble and upright
manner, replied his niece, from the
very first, when he saw me going to
the Che-hien's. He is a youth of that
justice and generous ardor, that I could
not but do what I did, in recompence
of so much merit." "Certainly, said
her uncle, the assistance he afforded
you at that time, and the kindness you
shewed him afterwards, were both
highly laudable. And now upon the
bare report that you were likely to
be injured, he hath come so far to your
relief. But would it be right to let
him return without any notice of, or
thanks for his trouble?" "Your question,
said she, is very proper: but what
can I do? I am a young woman and
single; and must avoid giving further
occasion for scandal. What though
he hath taken all this trouble, I know
he expects no return from me: thoroughly
convinceed of my grateful
temper, he requires no public proof
of it." "That is very true, said Shuey-guwin;
and yet it would be but right
to invite him to come, that you might
at least pay your compliments to
him."

Shuey-ping-sin had learnt from her old
servant, that he had met with Tieh-chung-u
near Pe-king, and there intreated
his assistance; and that he had afterwards
been fetched back again without
ever explaining the reason of it to him.
She therefore readily supposed, that the
young gentleman having missed him,
was come thither to know the truth of
the matter: and imagining there could
be no better occasion to inform him of
what he must desire to know, consented
to follow her uncle's advice. And yet
she was not without suspicion, that the
latter had some other design in view than
he would acknowledge. She told him
therefore she would be guided by him,
and would prepare a Tieh-tsé or paper of
invitation, but it must run in his name."

She accordingly dispatched Shuey-yeong
with it; whom her uncle directed to
the young gentleman's lodgings.

Tieh-chung-u was reflecting on the
oddness of the adventure, and on the
inconsistency of the Grand Visitor's
conduct, when he saw the old servant
enter, who had occasioned him
so much perplexity. He was very
glad to see him, and eagerly inquired
why he did not follow him to Peking.
The old man informed him
of all that happened from the time
they parted; and accounted for the
change in the Grand Visitor's conduct:
at the same time he explained the reason
of his abrupt return, and begged
his pardon, as he supposed it had occasioned

his journey thither. Then telling
him that his lady was glad to hear
of his arrival, he presented the billet
of invitation. Tieh-chung-u was highly
pleased with the account he gave him,
but would not receive the Tieh-tsé.
"When I went this morning to her
house, said he, I saw the declaration,
which satisfied me of her safety; you
have now cleared up all remaining
doubts; why then should I stay? I
will depart to-morrow." "Sir, replied
the servant, will not you accept
of the invitation, which I bring in
the name of my second master[17] ?"
"There are, said the youth, many
reasons why it would be improper.
And I must insist upon it that there
be no feast or other public acknowledgment
on account of my arrival.
[Your lady's excellent judgment knows
that it would be wrong in me to go,
although her complaisance may have
induced her to invite me[18] .] Return
therefore, and present to her my most
respectful services." Shuey-yeong did
not press him farther, but went and reported
to his lady and her uncle what
he had said. The latter was much disappointed;
but his niece remained very
well satisfied with his refusal, supposing
it proceeded from a forefight of
some mischief intended him.

Shuey guwin, greatly mortified with
the disappointment, went to his son-in-law,
and related to him what had happened,
telling him he looked upon the other's
shyness as only counterfeited in order
to cover a design of seeing his niece in
private. He therefore advised him
still to keep a good look out. "This
fellow, said Kwo-khé-tzu, is a demon.
And as I am a plain man void of all
art or cunning, how shall I be able to
look out after him. Am not I the
chief person of figure in this city? He
knows too, how much I desire to marry
your niece; yet he is always coming

here and soliciting her: in which he
opposes me, and declares himself my
enemy. He hath already discovered
our intentions to deceive him, and
therefore will henceforth be distrustful.
To what purpose then shall we
wait for an occasion to catch him? No:
to-morrow I will go myself and visit
him in form: he cannot but return
the compliment: when he comes I
will receive him with great courtesy,
and make a handsome entertainment;
to which I will invite several young
rakes of this city, sons of great Mandarines,
and my particular acquaintance:
at the same time we will plant
some strong lusty fellows near at hand.
When he comes we will ply him with
wine, and when he is in liquor, provoke
him to throw out some affronting
expression; which will afford us
a handle to fall upon him, and beat
him so severely that he shall breathe
his last. Then will we present a petition
to the Grand Visitor, wherein the
disturbance shall be made to appear the
effect of his own quarrelsome disposition.
Thus shall we get clear of this
difficulty, and prevent any body of figure
from ever venturing again to try
their strength with the principal youths
of this city: which we shall also render
famous for men of bravery and valour."
Shuey-guwin approved of this design,
yet could not help expressing some
apprehension about the consequence.
"What, said the other, have I to
fear? do you consider the exalted rank
of my father?" "Go then, replied
Shuey-guwin, set about it directly, he
intends to be gone early in the morning."
Upon which the other calling
his people together, and preparing a
billet of compliments, ordered his chair,
and set out immediately with great
attendance. When he arrived at the
lodgings, he sent in the paper, and
Siow-tan informed his master of the
visit; who thereupon bade him to
return for answer that he was not at
home[19] . Kwo-khé-tzu called to the
boy, and getting out of his chair talked
to him a good while: then got into
it again and returned home.

Tieh-chung-u learnt from his servant,
that Kwo-khé-tzu had inquired after
him with great courtesy, and had
given him a very kind invitation to
see him. "Wherefore is all this shew
of kindness, said he to himself? He is
certainly my enemy, and only means

to deceive me. Besides, what time have
I to spend in feasting and merriment?
No! I am satisfied that Shuey-ping-sin is
in safety, and will return to-morrow."
But then he suddenly recollected that
the other was the son of a Mandarine of
the first rank. "Besides, said he, he
came like a To-fang or Whirlwind[20] ; he
raised the whole city as he came along,
and every body is acquainted with the
honour he did me. After this, if I
do not go, I shall be universally condemned
for rudeness and ill-manners;
therefore I cannot avoid it. Upon
second thoughts I will go early in
the morning. He is a man of ease
and luxury, and lies in bed late; I will
therefore go before he is stirring. I will
only leave my compliments for him
and will return." Having formed this
resolution, he ordered his servant to
prepare his bed, and to call him up
early.

These precautions were however fruitless;
for Kwo-khé-tzu had appointed one
of his attendants to wait near the inn,
and to pick up what information he
could about the repayment of his visit.
From a servant of the inn this man
learnt the directions the young gentleman
had given when he retired to
rest; of which he did not fail to apprize
his master: so that when Tieh-chung-u
went in the morning, he found

he had long been waiting to receive
him. Kwo-khé-tzu gave him the most
courteous receation, having even gone
out into the street to meet him.
"Why! said he, smiling with great
appearance of joy, and saluting him in
the most respectful manner; Why do
you give yourself so much trouble in
doing me this favour?" Tieh-chung-u
seeing himself so highly caressed, imagined
it was to cover some evil design.
He would gladly have returned, but
could not now without great incivility:
he accordingly attended him into the
great hall, and would there have made
him the customary salute; but the other
told him it was too ordinary a place for
that honour, and therefore begged he
might show him farther within the house.
He then carried him into the second
hall, where the usual ceremonies past
between them. This done, they sat
down, and Kwo-khé-tzu called for tea.
He afterwards took occasion to tell his
guest, that he had long since heard of
his high reputation, and had wished to
have the honour of conversing with
him. "When I was first informed
of your coming here, said he, I sought
for an occasion to see you: and to-day
it is my good fortune to be favoured
with a visit. I should be glad if you
would extend it to eight or ten days."
Tieh-chung-u having drunk his tea, set
down his cup, and rising from his chair
said, "Sir, your regard and friendship
certainly demand that I should stay
here longer. But I must be gone immediately:
strong necessity requires it:
could I fly as swift as an arrow from
a bow it would not be amiss." This
said, he was going away: but Kwo-khé-tzu
embraced him saying, "You
must then stay three days with me."
"It is very certain, he replied, that I
must be gone; I beg therefore you will
not detain me." He then was going
to force himself from him: but the
other took hold of his hand, and said,
"Although I am unworthy of this
favour myself, you ought to shew some
respect to my family and rank: you
should not have visited me, if you esteemed
us all so insignificant. No!
now you are come, I must make you
owner (or master) of this country[21] by
giving you an entertainment." "I
would not willingly refuse the many
favours you confer on me, said Tieh-chung-u:
but I must be gone Every
thing is packed up ready for my departure:
and it is impossible for me
to stay here longer." "I cannot force
you to stay, said the other; but I
am ashamed that I am not able to
persuade you. However, as you are
come so early you must stay and breakfast
with me: it shall not detain you
long. You must not mortify me by
a refusal of this. When breakfast is
over you may prosecute your journey."
"Would you leave me to my
own inclinations, said Tieh-chung-u, I
could wish to be excused: but if you
will have it so, I must submit. Yet
according to order and propriety, upon
the first visit how can I stay and give
you this trouble?" "Between friends,
replied the other, you must not talk
of trouble."