Page:Ernest Bramah - Kai Lungs Golden Hours.djvu/132

 these things aiding Ming-shu's plan, as she would be difficult to reach and impossible to instruct when reached.

"The extremity is almost hopeless enough to be left to the ever-protecting spirits of one's all-powerful Ancestors," declared Kai Lung at length. "Did she from whom you come forecast any confidence?"

"She had some assurance in a certain plan, which it is my message to declare to you." "Her wisdom is to be computed neither by a rule nor by a measure. Say on."

"The keeper of the women's prison-house lies within her hollowed hand, nor will silver be wanting to still any arising doubt. Wrapped in a prison garb, and with her face disguised by art, she whose word I bear will come forth at the appointed call and, taking her place before Shan Tien, will play a fictitious part."

"Alas! dotard," interrupted Kai Lung impatiently, "it would be well if I spent my few remaining hours in kowtowing to the Powers whom I shall shortly meet. An aged and unsightly hag! Know you not, O venerable bat, that the smooth perfection of the one you serve would shine dazzling through a beaten mask of tempered steel? Her matchless hair, glossier than a starling's wing, floats like an autumn cloud. Her eyes strike fire from damp clay, or make the touch of velvet harsh and stubborn, according to her several moods. Peach-bloom held against her cheek withers incapably by comparison. Her feet, if indeed she has such commonplace attributes at all, are smaller"

"Yet," interrupted the hag, in a changed and quite melodious voice, "if it is possible to delude the imagination of one whose longing eyes dwell so constantly