Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/38

 only companion was her old Amah who had been her nurse when she was a child, and her maid as she grew older. It had been arranged that the Amah was to continue as her maid. Yuhan had insisted on that, quietly, smilingly, but with a firmness that was hard to combat, though no one cared to oppose it.

The old Amah was in no way elated over the good fortune of her little mistress. To her, it seemed as though it was Prince Shou who would be ennobled by having Yuhan in his keeping. She hoped he would treat her well. Nevertheless she had no misgivings for she knew that the man would indeed have to be brave who dared to incur the wrath of Yuhan. She was ambitious, courageous and she had no fear of anything. But her anger was something to be reckoned with. The Amah considered herself fortunate that she had never been exposed to its fury. Yes, she had no doubt, Prince Shou would treat her well.

Yuhan was elated as she gazed upon the retinue, four runners to carry the chair, four body guards and a gaudily arrayed individual, a eunuch, who swaggered about, waiting impatiently to be off. For he was the runner who cleared the way for the retinue, crying, "Make way! Make way!" and creating such a din with a huge gong that the air resounded with clamorous echoes. He was immensely proud of his tintinnabulons office. When he was forced to remain quiet he had the absurd feeling that he was bereft of all personality.

Yuhan noticed with pride that the ropes of the chair were of Imperial Yellow. Before such a chair even