Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/372

 360 CHINESE LITERATURE

brave men are said to have died for love of this entranc- ing heroine of fiction.

Tai-yii was received most kindly by all. Especially so by her grandmother, who shed bitter tears of sorrow over the premature death of Tai-yii's mother, her lost and favourite child. She was introduced to her aunts and cousins, and cousins and aunts, in such numbers that the poor girl must have wondered how ever she should remember all their names. Then they sat down and talked. They asked her all about her mother, and how she fell ill, and what medicine she took, and how she died and was buried, until the old grandmother wept again. " And what medicine do you take, my dear ? " asked the old lady, seeing that Tai-yii herself seemed very delicate, and carried on her clear cheek a suspicious- looking flush.

"Oh, I have done nothing ever since I could eat," replied Tai-yii, "but take medicine of some kind or other. I have also seen all the best doctors, but they have not done me any particular good. When I was only three years of age, a nasty old priest came and wanted my parents to let me be a nun. He said it was the only way to save me."

" Oh, we will soon cure you here," said her grand- mother, smiling. " We will make you well in no time."

Tai-yii was then taken to see more of her relatives, including her aunt, the mother of Pao-yii, who warned her against his peculiar temper, which she said was very uncertain and variable. "What! the one with the jade ? " asked Tai-yii. " But we shall not be together," she immediately added, somewhat surprised at this rather unusual warning. " Oh yes, you will," said her aunt. " He is dreadfully spoilt by his grandmother, who

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