Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/104

 “I knew it; I always knew your heart,” he sobbed. “Only we never had a chance to speak.”

She threw her arms about Lü Pu. “If I cannot be your wife in this life I will in the ages to come,” she whispered.

“If I do not marry you in this life, I am no hero,” said he.

“Every day is a year long. O pity me! Rescue me!”

“I have only stolen away for a brief moment and I am afraid that old rebel will suspect something, so I must not stay too long,” said Pu.

The girl clung to his robe.

“If you fear the old thief so much I shall never see another sunrise.”

Lü Pu stopped. “Give me a little time to think,” said he. And he picked up his halberd to go.

“In the deep seclusion of the harem, I heard the stories of your prowess; you were the one man who excelled all others. Little did I think that you of all men would rest content under the dominion of another.”

And tears rained again!

A wave of shame flooded his face. Leaning his halberd against the railing he turned and clasped the girl to his breast, soothing her with fond words. The lovers held each other close swaying to and fro with emotion. How could they bring themselves to say farewell?

In the meantime Tung Cho missed his henchman and doubt filled his heart. Hastily taking leave of the Emperor, he mounted his chariot and returned to his palace. There at the gate stood Lü Pu’s well known steed, riderless. He questioned the doorkeepers and they told him the Marquis was within. He sent away his attendants and went alone to the private apartments. Lü Pu was not there. He called Cicada, but she did not reply. He asked where she was and the waiting maids told him she was in the garden among the flowers.

So he went into the garden and there he saw the lovers in the pavilion in most tender talk. Lü Pu’s halberd was leaning on the railing beside him.

A howl of rage escaped Tung Cho and startled the lovers. Lü Pu turned, saw who it was and ran away. Cho caught up the halberd and ran in pursuit. But Lü Pu was fleet of foot while his master was very stout. Seeing no hope of catching the runaway Cho hurled the halberd. Lü Pu fended it off and it fell to the ground. Cho picked it up and ran on. But by this time Lü Pu was far ahead. Just as Cho was running out at the garden gate he dashed full tilt against another man running in, and down he went.

We shall presently see who the other runner was.