you suppose." There was vexation in the tone of
the Regent, and, at bottom, he was naturally enough annoyed at this part
of policeman which he had to play. Ki-Chan asked us if we had no more
than two trunks. "Only two; everything has been brought here; there
remains in our house not a rag, not a bit of paper." "What have you got
in your two trunks?" "Here are the keys; open them, empty them, and
examine them at your pleasure." Ki-Chan blushed, and moved back. His
Chinese delicacy was touched. "Do these trunks belong to me?" he said,
with emotion. "Have I the right to open them? If anything should be
missed afterwards, what would you say?" "You need not be afraid; our
religion forbids us rashly to judge our neighbour." "Open your trunks
yourselves; I want to know what they contain; it is my duty to do so; but
you alone have the right to touch what belongs to you."

We broke the seal of the Tale-Lama, the padlock was removed, and these
two trunks, which had been pierced by all eyes for a long time past, were
at last opened to the general gaze. We took out the contents, one after
another, and displayed them on a large table. First came some French and
Latin volumes, then some Chinese and Tartar books, church linen,
ornaments, sacred vases, rosaries, crosses, medals, and a magnificent
collection of lithographs. All the spectators were lost in contemplation
at this small European museum. They opened large eyes, touched each
other with the elbow, and smacked their tongues in token of admiration.
None of them had ever seen anything so beautiful, so rich, so marvellous.
Everything white they considered silver, everything yellow, gold. The
faces of all brightened up, and they seemed entirely to forget that we
were suspected and dangerous people. The Thibetians put out their
tongues and scratched their ears at us; and the Chinese made us the most
sentimental bows. Our bag of medals, especially, attracted attention,
and it seemed to be anticipated that, before we left the court, we should
make a large distribution of these dazzling gold pieces.

The Regent and Ki-Chan, whose minds were elevated above those of the
vulgar, and who certainly did not covet our treasure, nevertheless forgot
their character as judges. The sight of our beautiful coloured pictures
transported them quite out of themselves. The Regent kept his hands
joined, and preserved a continuous stare with his mouth open, whilst
Ki-Chan, showing o