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 beautifully dressed." The mandarin fluttered his fan in grateful acknowledgment. "And your daughter? I hope Miss Wu is well?"

Wu Li Chang bowed—his head as well as his fan this time.

"And now, Mr. Wu"—she could wait no longer, and as she spoke she moved a few steps towards him—"what news?"

"Good," Wu said assuringly. "So that it does not need to travel fast," he added suavely, moving to the table, motioning her deferentially to a seat beyond it.

"Ah! thank God!" She was tremulous with the intensity of her relief, for she had feared the worst. It's a sorry trick that mother-hearts have. "And thank you, Mr. Wu," she added earnestly, with a pretty, friendly gesture that was very womanly and very English. But she was too restless, and too anxious still for details, to take at once the seat Wu again indicated. And she moved about the room a little, hoping Wu would volunteer more, and a little at a loss what to say next if he did not of his own accord immediately slake in full the burning torment of her anxiety. "Ah Wong, take my scarf," she said, unwinding it. It was light and lacy, but even it seemed to stifle her. Ah Wong came for the gauze, and backed away again, standing immovable, uninterested, by the door.

Mrs. Gregory waited, a little pantingly, but Wu said nothing. She looked round the room, not at its treasures, but looking for her own next words, piteously afraid of blundering, unable to be patient.

Wu Li Chang did not misunderstand, but he pretended to, and said in a pleased voice, "You find my modest treasures interesting?"

"Very," she forced herself to lie. She had heard a