ld.' Can there--can there by no chance have been
some hope-inspiring error?"

"Thus were the names inscribed on the parchment which after the public
announcement will be affixed to the Hall of Ten Thousand Lustres,"
replied Fa Fei. "With her own unworthy eyes this incapable person
beheld it."

"The name 'Hien' is in no way striking or profound," continued the one
in question, endeavouring to speak as though the subject referred to
some person standing at a considerable distance away. "Furthermore, so
commonplace and devoid of character are its written outlines that it
has very much the same appearance whichever way up it is looked
at. . . . The possibility that in your graceful confusion you held the
list in such a position that what appeared to be the end was in
reality the beginning is remote in the extreme, yet--"

In spite of an absorbing affection Fa Fei could not disguise from
herself that her feelings would have been more pleasantly arranged if
her lover had been inspired to accept his position unquestioningly.
"There is a detail, hitherto unrevealed, which disposes of all such
amiable suggestions," she replied. "After the name referred to,
someone in authority had inscribed the undeniable comment 'As usual.'"

"The omen is a most encouraging one," exclaimed Hien, throwing aside
all his dejection. "Hitherto this person's untiring efforts had met
with no official recognition whatever. It is now obvious that far from
being lost in the crowd he is becoming an object of honourable
interest to the examiners."

"One frequently hears it said, 'After being struck on the head with an
axe it is a positive pleasure to be beaten about the body with a
wooden club,'" said Fa Fei, "and the meaning of the formerly elusive
proverb is now explained. Would it not be prudent to avail yourself at
length of the admittedly outrageous Tsin Lung's services, so that this
period of unworthy trial may be brought to a distinguished close?"

"It is said, 'Do not eat the fruit of the stricken branch,'" replied
Hien, "and this person will never owe his success to one who is so
detestable in his life and morals that with every facility for a
scholarly and contemplative existence he freely announces his
barbarous intention of becoming a pirate. Truly the Dragon of Justice
does but sleep for a little time, and when he awakens all that will be
left of the mercenary Tsin Lung and those who associate with him will
scarcely be enough to fill an