he prefect was very civil,
but pointed out that, since a higher court had ordered the arrest of
the colonel, he was powerless to interfere in the matter. Many were
the consultations held by the three friends, and much personal relief
Jasmine got from the support and sympathy of the young men. One hope
yet remained to her: Tu and Wei were about to go to Peking for their
doctor's degrees, and if they passed they might be able to bring such
influence to bear as would secure the release of her father.

"Let not the 'young noble' distress himself overmuch," said Wei to her,
with some importance. "This affair will be engraven on our hearts and
minds, and if we take our degrees we will use our utmost exertions to
wipe away the injustice which has been done your father."

"Unhappily," said the more practical Tu, "it is too plain that the
examining magistrates are all in league to ruin him. But let our elder
brother remain quietly at home, doing all he can to collect evidence
in the colonel's favour, while we will do our best at the capital. If
things turn out well with us there, our elder brother had better follow
at once to assist us with his advice."

Before the friends parted, Wei, whose own affairs were always his first
consideration, took an opportunity of whispering to Jasmine, "Don't
forget your honoured sister's promise, I beseech you. Whether we succeed
or not, I shall ask for her in marriage on my return."

"Under present circumstances, we must no longer consider the
engagement," said Jasmine, shocked at his introducing the subject at
such a moment, "and the best thing that you can do is to forget all
about it."

The moment for the departure of the young men had come, and they had no
time to say more. With bitter tears, the two youths took leave of the
weeping Jasmine, who, as their carts disappeared in the distance, felt
for the first time what it was to be alone in misery. She saw little of
her stepmother in those days. That poor lady made herself so ill with
unrestrained grief that she was quite incapable of rendering either help
or advice. Fortunately the officials showed no disposition to proceed
with the indictment, and by the judicious use of the money at her
command Jasmine induced the prison authorities to make her father's
confinement as little irksome as possible. She was allowed to see him at
almost any time, and on one occasion, when he was enjoying her presence
as in his prosperous days he had never