Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/382

 3/0 CHINESE LITERATURE

the arrangement would have to be carried out. Then Tai-yii saw no escape but the one last resource of all ; when at that moment Pao-yii entered, and with a smile on his face began to offer her his congratulations too.

"Thank you, cousin," cried she, starting up and seizing him rudely by the arm. " Now I know you for the false, fickle creature you are ! "

" What is the matter, dear girl ? " inquired Pao-yii in amazement. " I was only glad for your sake that you had found a lover at last."

"And what lover do you think I could ever care to find now ? " rejoined Tai-yii.

" Well," replied Pao-yii, " I should of course wish it to be myself. I consider you indeed mine already ; and if you think of the way I have always behaved towards you . . ."

" What ! " said Tai-yii, partly misunderstanding his words, " can it be you after all ? and do you really wish me to remain with you ? "

" You shall see with your own eyes," answered Pao-yii, " even into the inmost recesses of my heart, and then perhaps you will believe."

Thereupon he drew a knife, and plunging it into his body, ripped himself open so as to expose his heart to view. With a shriek Tai-yii tried to stay his hand, and felt herself drenched wrth the flow of fresh warm blood ; when suddenly Pao-yii uttered a loud groan, and crying out, " Great heaven, my heart is gone ! " fell senseless to the ground. " Help ! help ! " screamed Tai-yii ; " he is dying ! he is dying ! " " Wake up ! wake up !" said Tai-yii's maid ; " whatever has given you nightmare like this?"

So Tai-yii waked up and found that she had had a

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