t meeting
her friend was only equalled by the pleasure with which Tu greeted her.
In his strong and gracious presence she became conscious that she was
released from the absorbing care which had haunted her, and her soul
leaped out in new freedom as she asked and answered questions of her
friend. Each had much to say, and it was not for some time, when an
occasional reference brought his name forward that Jasmine noticed the
absence of Wei. When she did, she asked after him.

"He left this some days ago," said Tu, "having some special business
which called for his presence at home. He did not tell me what it was,
but doubtless it was something of importance." Jasmine said nothing, but
felt pretty certain in her mind as to the object of his hasty return.

Tu, attributing her silence to a reflection on Wei for having left the
capital before her father's affair was settled, hastened to add:

"He was very helpful in the matter of your honoured father's difficulty,
and only left when he thought he could not do any more."

"How do matters stand now?" asked Jasmine, eagerly.

"We have posted a memorial at the palace gate," said Tu, "and have
arranged that it shall reach the right quarter. Fortunately, also, I
have an acquaintance in the Board of War who has undertaken to do all he
can in that direction, and promises an answer in a few days."

"I have brought with me," said Jasmine, "a petition prepared by my
father. What do you think about presenting it?"

"At present I believe that it would only do harm. A superabundance of
memorials is as bad as none at all. Beyond a certain point, they only
irritate officials."

"Very well," said Jasmine; "I am quite content to leave the conduct of
affairs in your hands."

"Well then," said Tu, "that being understood, I propose that you should
move your things over to this inn. There is Wei's room at your disposal,
and your constant presence here will be balm to my lonely spirit. At
the Hata Gate you are almost as remote as if you were in our study at
Mienchu."

Jasmine was at first startled by this proposal. Though she had been
constantly in the company of Tu, she had never lived under the same roof
with him, and she at once recognised that there might be difficulties in
the way of her keeping her secret if she were to be constantly under the
eyes of her friend. But she had been so long accustomed to yield to the
present circumstances, and was so confident that Fortune, which, w