Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/116

RV 111 (THE PEAR GARDEN) green pool, lighted by green and yellow lanterns that hung in the trees near by. Her body was faintly golden, a golden girl with the fragrance and glory of flowers. Even I, a eunuch, was stirred by her beauty but above this there was a strength, a fascination, a greatness of spirit, a divine power about her—give it whatever term you wish—yet undeniably it was there. An old amah placed a green silken robe about her body as she stepped from the pool. It clung to her body as smoothly as the calyx sheathes the petals of a flower."

"You are a friend of China," Li Lin-fu declared, "for you have found the very girl of which we are in search."

"But she is the concubine of Prince Shou!"

"No matter. Even a Prince must step aside at the Emperor's command."

Through the watches of the night they talked, until the tardy moon rose with the dawn at its heels.

A popular saying in Court circles was that "Li Lin-fu had honey on his lips but in his heart a sharp sword." He used flattery as adroitly as a soldier might use arrows or spears. He won his verbal victories because of his understanding of human nature. In a conference, he always spoke last. He was courteous and considerate. He conveyed the impression that nothing mattered except the subject under discussion. He knew that listening is a fine art. He seemed to weigh every word that was uttered. Those with a grievance were thankful when they were able to lay matters before him. Li had the gift RV 111 (111)