Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/56

 "To be at leisure for a single day," said he, "is to be for that day an immortal."

He yawned.

Her eyes mirrored her disappointment.

"Why be sad?" he asked slowly. "The green hills and the white clouds are contented, nor do they strive to be an entire landscape. He who renounces fame, has no sorrow."

"You mean you renounce your claim to the throne?"

"I have worthier brothers. One of them will govern well. My father has ever found me a cause for worry. He would never inflict me upon the people as their ruler. But I have no time for weeping. Life is too good. I am attuned to the great creed of inaction of Chuang Tzu. 'Do nothing and everything will be done.' The student who toils by lantern light the long night through does not arrive at tomorrow's dawn even one step ahead of him who sleeps beneath a willow tree. If I were Emperor, could I enjoy greater luxury? I could afford to live forever on nightingales' tongues if such were my wish. I have so much gold and jewels that to toil for more would only be added burden. My precious concubine is the fairest woman in all the world. My ambition slumbers peacefully. Having you, I have everything."

Far from being pleased, however, Yuhan was disappointed. It was not enough. Surely there was something more for her than to be the concubine of a generous prince.

Thereafter, for many days and nights, she mulled