ant
Wei, "and he insists on your waiting until the autumn examination is
over. He has every confidence that you will then take your M.A. degree,
and your marriage will, he hopes, put the coping-stone on your happiness
and honour."

"That is all very well," said Wei; "but autumn is a long time hence, and
how do I know that your sister may not change her mind?"

"Has not your younger brother undertaken to look after your interests,
and cannot you trust him to do his best on your behalf?"

"I can trust my elder brother with anything in the world. It is your
sister that I am afraid of," said Wei. "But since you will undertake for
her--"

"No, no," said Jasmine, laughing, "I did not say that I would undertake
for her. A man who answers for a woman deserves to have 'fool' written
on his forehead."

"Well, at all events, I will be content to leave the matter in your
hands," said Wei.

At last the time of the autumn examination drew near, and Tu and Wei
made preparations for their departure to the provincial capital. They
were both bitterly disappointed when Jasmine announced that she was not
going up that time. This determination was the result of a conference
with her father. She had pointed out to the colonel that if she passed
and took her M.A. degree she might be called upon to take office at any
time, and that then she would be compelled to confess her sex; and as
she was by no means disposed to give up the freedom which her doublet
and hose conferred upon her, it was agreed between them that she should
plead illness and not go up. Her two friends, therefore, went alone, and
brilliant success attended their venture. They both passed with honours,
and returned to Mienchu to receive the congratulations of their friends.
Jasmine's delight was very genuine, more especially as regarded Tu, and
the first evening was spent by the three students in joyous converse and
in confident anticipation of the future. As Jasmine took leave of the
two new M.A.'s, Wei followed her to the outer door and whispered at
parting:

"I am coming to-morrow to make my formal proposal to your sister."

Jasmine had no time to answer, but went home full of anxious and
disturbed thoughts, which were destined to take a more tragic turn than
she had ever anticipated even in her most gloomy moments. The same cruel
fate had also decreed that Wei's proposal was to be suspended, like
Buddha, between heaven and earth. The blow fell upon him when he was