Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/331

RV 326 (VICTORY) "It shall be done at once," said Kao.

"An excellent plan," agreed Kuo-chung. It was somewhat of a relief to know that the Emperor did not intend to attempt resisting the invasion at Changan. That could only lead to ignominious defeat. So unstrung was Kuo-chung, he forgot he was Premier of China, and fell back into the dubious status of an Imperial echo.

While the people were being rounded up, Ming Huang went to the apartment of Yang Kuei-fei. She greeted him with outstretched arms. He felt tired, old, feeble.

Unemotionally, in a voice scarcely above a whisper, he told her of the catastrophe that had befallen him.

She listened silently, with mingled emotions. Never in her eyes had he towered to such heights of grandeur even though he sat with bowed head. He did not seem old to her, but strong and stalwart as the bamboo which defies the wind. Despite this crushing blow, he made no selfish plea.

"And so I have come to you to say good-bye. Before another dawn, I will leave the Palace at the head of my men, perhaps never to return. If I do, China will still be China, and a T'ang Emperor will still sit upon the throne."

"And what of me?" she whispered.

"Remain here," he told her. "You will be safe. You are in no danger. Soon An Lu-shan will come to you; if not, I shall return. In either case, this Palace will ever be the dwelling place of the most beautiful woman RV 326 (326)