upon the other, and
so remain throughout the rigour of the night."

As they approached the cloudy pinnacle whereon was situated the
dragon's cave, one came forth at a distance to meet them. As she drew
near, alternating emotions from time to time swayed Chang Tao's mind.
From beneath a well-ruled eyebrow Pe-lung continued to observe him
closely.

"Fuh-sang, the unattractive daughter of my dwindling line," remarked
the former person, with refined indifference. "I have rendered you
invisible, and she, as her custom is, would advance to greet me."

"But this enchanting apparition is Melodious Vision!" exclaimed Chang
Tao. "What new bewilderment is here?"

"Since you have thus expressed yourself, I will now throw off the mask
and reveal fully why I have hitherto spared your life, and for what
purpose I have brought you to these barren heights," replied Pe-lung.
"In the past Shen Yi provoked the Deities, and to mark their
displeasure it was decided to take away his she-child and to
substitute for it one of demoniac birth. Accordingly Fuh-sang, being
of like age, was moulded to its counterpart, and an attendant gnome
was despatched with her secretly to make the change. Becoming
overwhelmed with the fumes of rice-spirit, until then unknown to his
simple taste, this clay-brained earth-pig left the two she-children
alone for a space while he slept. Discovering each other to be the
creature of another part, they battled together and tore from one
another the signs of recognition. When the untrustworthy gnome
recovered from his stupor he saw what he had done, but being
terror-driven he took up one of the she-children at a venture and
returned with a pliant tale. It was not until a few moons ago that
while in a close extremity he confessed his crime. Meanwhile Shen Yi
had made his peace with those Above and the order being revoked the
she-children had been exchanged again. Thus the matter rests."

"Which, then, of the twain is she inherent of your house and which
Melodious Vision?" demanded Chang Tao in some concern. "The matter can
assuredly not rest thus."

"That," replied Pe-lung affably, "it will be your engaging task to
unravel, and to this end will be your opportunity of closely watching
Fuh-sang's unsuspecting movements in my absence through the night."

"Yet how should I, to whom the way of either maiden is as yet no more
than the title-page of a many-volumed book, succeed where the father
native to one has failed?