Page:Leaves from my Chinese Scrapbook - Balfour, 1887.djvu/192

 announced the arrival of the Lady Wind. This caused a tremendous flutter among the girls, who all hastened out to welcome her. The philosopher stepped on one side, where he could peep at what was going on without being seen. When the ladies of the many-tinted robes had all made their obeisance, one of them said—

"We were just on the way to visit you, but this kind host detained us"—which was a very artful way of putting it. "We never thought you were so near at hand. However, we have met, and that is the purpose we both had."

"I have been coming to see you for a long while," replied the Lady Wind, "but I have had a great deal to do lately. This is the first time I have had any leisure at all, and you see that I have come at once."

"It is a clear and glorious night," rejoined the girl; "stay and rest with us a while, and we will keep your birthday." Then, turning to the Lady of the Azure Robe, she begged her to procure some wine.

"But may we stay in this place?" inquired the Lady Wind.

"Why not?" replied the lady who had introduced herself by the name of Aspen. "The owner is a kind and worthy man, and the place itself is charming."

"But where is the owner? " asked the new arrival.

Then Hsuän-wei started out of his hiding-place, and, lifting his eyes, beheld the Lady Wind. Her form was graceful, and had a certain gauzy, floating appearance, like a gossamer; but her words were cold, like the breath that plays among the leaves of a forest; and when Hsuän-wei stood near her a chill struck him to the bone, so that he shivered from head to foot.