At last she said:
"You have pains in the head, and all your body aches. You are in
continual agony, and the earth is hateful to you."
"That is exactly the case," she answered from her bed. "Also I cough a
little."
"But what has caused this illness?"
As the girl did not answer, this wise old visitor turned to the mother
and the attendant, and signed them to go away. They dared not refuse,
and left the room.
"Now we are going to cure you. The illness lies in your heart, and
nowhere else."
"In my heart?" questioned the sick girl.
"You have seen a handsome young man, and he pleases you. Your
suffering rises from that; is it not so?"
"There is nothing of the sort," denied the other.
"Come, come! Tell me the truth, and I will soon find a means to save
your life."
Seeing a chance to reach to her desire, little Victorious-Immortal
decided to tell everything. When she had finished, the very old woman
said:
"Do not be troubled. I know one of his relations who has spoken to
me of him. He is intelligent and level-headed. I shall go and see his
brother, to make arrangements for your marriage, if you finally wish
to marry him."
"You know very well that I do," said the sick child with a smile. "But
will my mother consent?"
"Do not be uneasy. I have my methods."
She was already out of the room, and saying to the mother:
"I know what is the matter with your daughter.
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