allusions that baffle the imagination of the keenest, and so
much sound in so many words? With the possible exception of Meng-hu's
masterpiece, 'The Empty Coffin,' what other work so skilfully conveys
the impression of being taken down farther than one can ever again
come up and then suddenly upraised beyond the possible descent? Where
else can be found so complete a defiance of all that has hitherto been
deemed essential, and, to insert a final wedge, what other poem is
half so long?"

"Your criticism is severe but just," replied the Sovereign, "except
that part having reference to Meng-hu. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of
the proposal, though reasonable, looms a degree stormily into a
troubled future. Can it be permissible even for--"

"Omnipotence!" exclaimed the seer.

"The title is well recalled," confessed the Emperor. "Yet although
unquestionably omnipotent there must surely be some limits to our
powers in dealing with so old established a system as that of the
examinations."

"Who can doubt a universal admission that the composer of 'Concerning
Spring' is capable of doing anything?" was the profound reply. "Let
the mandate be sent out--but, to an obvious end, let it be withheld
until the eve of the competitions."

"The moment of hesitancy has faded; go forth in the certainty,
esteemed," said the Emperor reassuringly. "You have carried your
message with a discreet hand. Yet before you go, if there is any
particular mark of Imperial favour that we can show--something of a
special but necessarily honorary nature--do not set an iron screen
between your ambition and the light of our favourable countenance."

"There is indeed such a signal reward," assented the aged person, with
an air of prepossessing diffidence. "A priceless copy of the immortal
work--"

"By all means," exclaimed the liberal-minded Sovereign, with an
expression of great relief. "Take three or four in case any of your
fascinating relations have large literary appetites. Or, still more
conveniently arranged, here is an unopened package from the stall of
those who send forth the printed leaves--'thirteen in the semblance of
twelve,' as the quaint and harmonious phrase of their craft has it.
Walk slowly, revered, and a thousand rainbows guide your retiring
footsteps."

Concerning the episode of this discreetly-veiled personage the
historians who have handed down the story of the imperishable
affection of Hien and Fa Fei have maintained an illo