en all that time to know whether I was safe or not, and cried. I
refused to listen to what she was saying and told her plainly that I did
not believe a word. From that time she was finished for me. I had a very
hard time, traveling in a sedan chair, from early morning, before the
sun rose, until dark and in the evening had to stop at some country
place. I am sure you would pity me, old as I am, that I should have had
to suffer in that way.

"The Emperor went all the way in a cart, drawn by a mule, also the
Empress. I went along, and was praying to our Great Ancestors for
protection, but the Emperor was very quiet, and never opened his mouth.
One day something happened. It rained so much and some of the chair
carriers ran away. Some of the mules died suddenly. It was very hot,
and the rain was pouring down on our heads. Five small eunuchs ran away
also, because we were obliged to punish them the night before on account
of their bad behavior to the Magistrate, who did all he could to make
me comfortable, but of course food was scarce. I heard these eunuchs
quarreling with the Magistrate, who bowed to the ground, begging them
to keep quiet, and promised them everything. I was of course very angry.
Traveling under such circumstances one ought to be satisfied that one
was provided for.

"It took us more than a month before we reached Shi An. I cannot tell
you how fatigued I was, and was of course worrying very much, which made
me quite ill for almost three months. So long as I live I cannot forget
it.

"We returned to Peking early in the twenty-eighth year of Kwang Hsu and
I had another dreadful feeling when I saw my own Palace again. Oh! it
was quite changed; a great many valuable ornaments broken or stolen. All
the valuable things at the Sea Palace had been taken away, and someone
had broken the fingers of my white jade Buddha, to whom I used to
worship every day. Several foreigners sat on my throne and had their
photos taken. When I was at the Shi An I was just like being sent
into exile, although the Viceroy's Yamen was prepared for us, but the
building was very old, damp and unhealthy. The Emperor became ill. It
would take a long time to tell you everything; I thought I had enough
trouble, but this last was the worst. When I have time, I will tell you
more about it. I want you to know the absolute truth.

"Now let us come back to the question of Mrs. Conger's private audience.
There must be something special, but I