proposal.

"And now, lady, you must stay and dine with me," said Miss King, when
the bargain was struck, "while my cousin entertains your husband in the
hall."

At this meal the beginning of a friendship was formed between the two
ladies which lasted ever afterward, though it was somewhat unevenly
balanced. Jasmine's stronger nature felt compassion mingled with liking
for the pretty doll-like Miss King, while the young lady entertained the
profoundest admiration for her guest.

There was nothing to delay the fulfilment of the engagement thus happily
arranged, and at the next full moon Miss King had an opportunity of
comparing her bridegroom with the picture which Jasmine had drawn of
him.

Scholars are plentiful in China, but it was plainly impossible that men
of such distinguished learning as Tu and Wei should be left among
the unemployed, and almost immediately after their marriage they were
appointed to important posts in the empire. Tu rose rapidly to the
highest rank, and died, at a good old age, viceroy of the metropolitan
province and senior guardian to the heir apparent. Wei was not so
supremely fortunate, but then, as Tu used to say, "he had not a Jasmine
to help him."




THE REVENGE OF HER RACE, By Mary Beaumont