If you would like me to
make it clear to you, have two cups of wine brought in."
Kind-Welcome made haste to arrange all on the table. The healer drank
a draught of burning wine and, turning to the mother, repeated word
for word what the girl had confessed to her, adding:
"And now there is nothing for it but to marry her to Erh-lang, for
otherwise her death is certain."
"My husband will be away for a long time yet. I cannot decide without
him."
"You have only to make the arrangements. You need not celebrate the
marriage until after my Lord's return. She must be given her desire;
there is no other way of saving her."
"If the young man is as desirable as all that ..." the mother murmured
uneasily. "But how shall we bring the thing about?"
"I am going to speak to his elder brother. I will keep you informed."
Without further delay, the venerable go-between went straight to The
Pavilion of the Quick Hedge, where she found Fan behind his counter,
and saluted him:
"Ten thousand happinesses!"
"You come at the right time," he answered with a bow. "I was about to
send to beg you to do so. For some days, I assure you, my brother has
not been able to take a morsel of food. He says that his whole body is
aching, and now he stays in bed. Will you, please, feel his pulse?"
"I will see him. But it is better for me to be alone with him.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66