existed between them. Wei was the more clever of the two. He wrote
poetry with ease and fluency, and his essays were marked by correctness
of style and aptness of quotation. But there was a want of strength in
his character. He was exceedingly vain, and was always seeking to excite
admiration among his companions. This unhappy failing made him very
susceptible of adverse criticism, and at the same time extremely jealous
of any one who might happen to excel him in any way. Tu, on the other
hand, though not so intellectually favoured, had a rough kind of
originality, which always secured for his exercises a respectful
attention, and made him at all times an agreeable companion. Having
no exaggerated ideas of his capabilities, he never strove to appear
otherwise than he was, and being quite independent of the opinions of
others, he was always natural. Thus he was one who was sought out by
his friends, and was best esteemed by those whose esteem was best worth
having. In outward appearance the youths were as different as their
characters were diverse. Wei was decidedly good-looking, but of a kind
of beauty which suggested neither rest nor sincerity; while in Tu's
features, though there was less grace, the want was fully compensated
for by the strength and honest firmness of his countenance.

For both these young men Jasmine had a liking, but there was no question
as to which she preferred. As she herself said, "Wei is pleasant enough
as a companion, but if I had to look to one of them for an act of true
friendship--or as a lover," she mentally added--"I should turn at once
to Tu." It was one of her amusements to compare the young men in her
mind, and one day when so occupied Tu suddenly looked up from his book
and said to her:

"What a pity it is that the gods have made us both men! If _I_ were a
woman, the object of my heart would be to be your wife, and if _you_