f the healing sleep of nature," said
the Emperor, not grasping the inner significance of the words. "Now
that you are somewhat rested, esteemed sire, suffer this one to show
you the various apartments of the palace so that you may select for
your own such as most pleasingly attract your notice."

"Yet a little longer," entreated Ten-teh. "A little longer by your
side and listening to your voice alone, if it may be permitted, O
sublime one."

"It is for my father to command," replied Kwo Kam. "Perchance they of
the eleven villages sent some special message of gratifying loyalty
which you would relate without delay?"

"They slept, omnipotence, or without doubt it would be so," replied
Ten-teh.

"Truly," agreed the Emperor. "It was night when you set forth, my
father?"

"The shadows had fallen deeply upon the Upper Seng Valley," said
Ten-teh evasively.

"The Keeper of the Imperial Stores has frequently conveyed to us their
expressions of unfeigned gratitude for the bounty by which we have
sought to keep alive the memory of their hospitality and our own
indebtedness," said the Emperor.

"The sympathetic person cannot have overstated their words," replied
Ten-teh falteringly. "Never, as their own utterances bear testimony,
never was food more welcome, fuel more eagerly sought for, and
clothing more necessary than in the years of the most recent past."

"The assurance is as dew upon the drooping lotus," said Kwo Kam, with
a lightening countenance. "To maintain the people in an unshaken
prosperity, to frown heavily upon extortion and to establish justice
throughout the land--these have been the achievements of the years of
peace. Yet often, O my father, this one's mind has turned yearningly
to the happier absence of strife and the simple abundance which you
and they of the valley know."

"The deities ordain and the balance weighs; your reward will be the
greater," replied Ten-teh. Already he spoke with difficulty, and his
eyes were fast closing, but he held himself rigidly, well knowing that
his spirit must still obey his will.

"Do you not crave now to partake of food and wine?" inquired the
Emperor, with tender solicitude. "A feast has long been prepared of
the choicest dishes in your honour. Consider well the fatigue through
which you have passed."

"It has faded," replied Ten-teh, in a voice scarcely above a whisper,
"the earthly body has ceased to sway the mind. A little longer,
restored one; a very brief