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through the leafy screens of which rise the upturned yellow roofs of the
temples and official residences； which dot the landscape like golden
islands in an emerald sea； while beyond the wall hurries； between high and
rugged banks； the tributary of the Fu River； which bears to the mighty
waters of the Yangtsze… Kiang the goods and passengers which seek an
outlet to the eastern provinces。
The streets within the walls of the city are scenes of life and bustle；
while in the suburbs stand the residences of those who can afford to live in
peace and quiet； undisturbed by the clamour of the Les and Changs ＇i。e。；
the people。 Le and Chang are the two commonest names in China。＇ of the
town。 There； in a situation which the Son of Heaven might envy； stands
the official residence of Colonel Wen。 Outwardly it has all the appearance
of a grandee's palace； and within the massive boundary…walls which
surround it； the courtyards； halls； grounds； summer…houses； and pavilions
are not to be exceeded in grandeur and beauty。 The office which had fallen
to the lot of Colonel Wen was one of the most sought after in the province；
and commonly only fell to officers of distinction。 Though not without
fame in the field； Colonel Wen's main claim to honour lay in the high
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STORIES
degrees he had taken in the examinations。 His literary acquirements gained
him friends among the civil officers of the district； and the position he
occupied was altogether one of exceptional dignity。
Unfortunately； his first wife had died； leaving only a daughter to keep
her memory alive； but at the time when our story opens； his second spouse；
more kind than his first； had presented him with a much…desired son。 The
mother of this boy was one of those bright； pretty； gay creatures who
commonly gain the affections of men much older than themselves。 She
sang in the most faultless falsetto； she played the guitar with taste and
expression； and she danced with grace and agility。 What wonder； then； that
when the colonel returned from his tours of inspections and parades；
weary with travel and dust； he found relief and relaxation in the joyous
company of Hyacinth！ And was she not also the mother of his son？ Next
to herself； there can be no question that this young gentleman held the
chief place in the colonel's affections； while poor Jasmine； his daughter by
his first venture； was left very much to her own resources。 No one troubled
themselves about what she did； and she was allowed； as she grew up； to
follow her own pursuits and to give rein to her fancies without let or
hindrance。 From her earliest childhood one of her lonely amusements had
been to dress as a boy； and so unchecked had the habit become that she
gradually drifted into the character which she had chosen to assume。 She
even persuaded her father to let her go to the neighbouring boys' school。
Her mother had died before the colonel had been posted to Mienchu； and
among the people of that place； who had always seen her in boy's attire；
she was regarded as an adopted son of her father。 Hyacinth was only too
glad to get her out of the way as much as possible； and so encouraged the
idea of allowing her to learn to read and write in the company of their
neighbours' urchins。
Being bright and clever； she soon gained an intellectual lead among
the boys； and her uncommon beauty； coupled with the magnetism
belonging to her sex； secured for her a popularity which almost amounted
to adoration。 She was tall for her age； as are most young daughters of Han；
and her perfectly oval face； almond…shaped eyes； willow…leaf eyebrows；
small； well…shaped mouth； brilliantly white teeth； and raven…black hair；
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STORIES
completed a face and figure which would have been noticeable anywhere。
By the boys she was worshipped； and no undertaking was too difficult or
too troublesome if it was to give pleasure to Tsunk'ing； or the 〃Young
Noble；〃 as she was called； for to have answered to the name of Jasmine
would have been to proclaim her sex at once。 Even the grim old master
smiled at her through his horn spectacles as she entered the school…house
of a morning； and any graceful turn in her poetry or scholarly diction in
her prose was sure to win for her his unsparing praise。 Many an evening
he invited the 〃young noble〃 to his house to read over chapters from
Confucius and the poems of Le Taipoh； and years afterward； when he died；
among his most cherished papers were found odes signed by Tsunk'ing； in
which there was a good deal about bending willows； light； flickering
bamboos； horned moons； wild geese； the sound of a flute on a rainy day；
and the pleasures of wine； in strict accord with the models set forth in the
〃Aids to Poetry…making〃 which are common in the land。
If it had not been for the indifference with which she was treated in her
home； the favour with which she was regarded abroad would have been
most prejudicial to Jasmine； but any conceit which might have been
engendered in the school…house was speedily counteracted when she got
within the portals of the colonel's domain。 Coming into the presence of her
father and his wife； with all the incense of kindness； affection； and； it must
be confessed； flattery； with which she was surrounded by her school…
fellows； fresh about her； was like stepping into a cold bath。 Wholesome
and invigorating the change may have been； but it was very unpleasant；
and Jasmine often longed to be alone to give vent to her feelings in tears。
One deep consolation she had； however： she was a devoted student；
and in the society of her books she forgot the callousness of her parents；
and； living in imagination in the bygone annals of the empire； she was able
to take part； as it were； in the great deeds which mark the past history of
the state； and to enjoy the converse and society of the sages and poets of
antiquity。 When the time came that she had gained all the knowledge
which the old schoolmaster could impart to her； she left the school； and
formed a reading…party with two youths o