Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/373

 allows him to have his own way in everything. Instead of being hard at work, as he ought to be by now, he idles away his time with the girls, thinking only how he can enjoy himself, without any idea of making a career or adding fresh lustre to the family name. Beware of him, I tell you."

The dinner-hour had now arrived, and after the meal Tai-yii was questioned as to the progress she had made in her studies. She was already deep in the mysteries of the Four Books, and it was agreed on all sides that she was far ahead of her cousins, when suddenly a noise was heard outside, and in came a most elegantly dressed youth about a year older than Tai-yii, wearing a cap lavishly adorned with pearls. His face was like the full autumn moon. His complexion like morning flowers in spring. Pencilled eyebrows, a well - cut shapely nose, and eyes like rippling .vaves were among the details which went to make up an unquestionably handsome exterior. Around his neck hung a curious piece of jade ; and as soon as Tai-yii became fully conscious of his presence, a thrill passed through her delicate frame. She felt that somewhere or other she had looked upon that face before.

Pao-yii for it was he saluted his grandmother with great respect, and then went off to see his mother ; and while he is absent it may be as well to say a few words about the young gentleman's early days.

Pao-yii, a name which means Precious Jade, was so called because he was born, to the great astonishment of everybody, with a small tablet of jade in his mouth a beautifully bright mirror-like tablet, bearing a legend inscribed in the quaint old style of several thousand years ago. A family consultation resulted in a decision

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