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Page 7
"It is indeed a day of unprepossessing circumstances," replied Ling,
and after many honourable remarks concerning his own intellect and
appearance, and those of the person to whom he was speaking, he had
turned to leave when the other continued:
"Ever since your dignified presence illumined this very ordinary
chamber, this person has been endeavouring to bring to his mind an
incident which occurred to him last night while he slept. Now it has
come back to him with a diamond clearness, and he is satisfied that it
was as follows: While he floated in the Middle Air a benevolent spirit
in the form of an elderly and toothless vampire appeared, leading by
the hand a young man, of elegant personality. Smiling encouragingly
upon this person, the spirit said, 'O Fou, recipient of many favours
from Mandarins and of innumerable taels from gratified persons whom
you have obliged, I am, even at this moment, guiding this exceptional
young man towards your presence; when he arrives do not hesitate, but
do as he desires, no matter how great the danger seems or how
inadequately you may appear to be rewarded on earth.' The vision then
melted, but I now clearly perceive that with the exception of the
embroidered cloak which you wear, you are the person thus indicated to
me. Remove your cloak, therefore, in order to give the amiable spirit
no opportunity of denying the fact, and I will advance your wishes;
for, as the Book of Verses indicates, 'The person who patiently awaits
a sign from the clouds for many years, and yet fails to notice the
earthquake at his feet, is devoid of intellect.'"
Convinced that he was assuredly under the especial protection of the
Deities, and that the end of his search was in view, Ling gave his
rich cloak to the attendant, and was immediately shown into another
room, where he was left alone.
After a considerable space of time the door opened and there entered a
person whom Ling at first supposed to be the Mandarin. Indeed, he was
addressing him by his titles when the other interrupted him. "Do not
distress your incomparable mind by searching for honourable names to
apply to so inferior a person as myself," he said agreeably. "The
mistake is, nevertheless, very natural; for, however miraculous it may
appear, this unseemly individual, who is in reality merely a writer of
spoken words, is admitted to be exceedingly like the dignified
Mandarin himself, though somewhat stouter, clad in better garments,
and, it is said, less obtuse of intellect. This last matter he very
much doubts, for he now finds himself unable to recognize by name one
who is undoubtedly entitled to wear the Royal Yellow."
With this encouragement Ling once more explained his position,
narrating the events which had enabled him to reach the second chamber
of the Yamen. When he had finished the secretary was overpowered with
a high-minded indignation.
"Assuredly those depraved and rapacious persons who have both misled
and robbed you shall suffer bow-stringing when the whole matter is
brought to light," he exclaimed. "The noble Mandarin neither fasts nor
receives guests, for, indeed, he has slept since the sun went down.
This person would unhesitatingly break his slumber for so commendable
a purpose were it not for a circumstance of intolerable
unavoidableness. It must not even be told in a low breath beyond the
walls of the Yamen, but my benevolent and high-born lord is in reality
a person of very miserly instinct, and nothing will call him from his
natural sleep but the sound of taels shaken beside his bed. In an
unexpected manner it comes about that this person is quite unsupplied
with anything but thin printed papers of a thousand taels each, and
these are quite useless for the purpose."
"It is unendurable that so obliging a person should be put to such
inconvenience on behalf of one who will certainly become a public
laughing-stock at the examinations," said Ling, with deep feeling; and
taking from a concealed spot in his garments a few taels, he placed
them before the secretary for the use he had indicated.
Ling was again left alone for upwards of two strokes of the gong, and
was on the point of sleep when the secretary returned with an
expression of dignified satisfaction upon his countenance. Concluding
that he had been successful in the manner of awakening the Mandarin,
Ling was opening his mouth for a polite speech, which should contain a
delicate allusion to the taels, when the secretary warned him, by
affecting a sudden look of terror, that silence was exceedingly
desirable, and at the same time opened another door and indicated to
Ling that he should pass through.
In the next room Ling was overjoyed to find himself in the presence of
the Mandarin, who received him graciously, and paid many estimable
compliments to the name he bore and the country from which he came.
When at length Ling tore himself from this enchanting conversation,
and explained the reason of his presence, the Mandarin at once became
a prey to the whitest and most melancholy emotions, even plucking two
hairs from his pigtail to prove the extent and conscientiousness of
his grief.
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