“This person must be a hero, a man of courage and virtue, to have conceived a project so advantageous to my Lord.  Not only will my Lord have a thousand ounces to take back with him, not only will your slave gain shelter, but your baggage will be lighter also and more easily handled.  As a plan it satisfies both convention and convenience.  Where are the thousand ounces?”

Struggling with his tears, Li Chia replied: 

“I have not got your consent, so the silver was not given me.”

“You must demand it first thing to-morrow morning.  A thousand ounces is a considerable sum, and it must all be paid into your hand before I enter his cabin.  For I am not merchandise which may be bought on credit.”

It was then the fourth watch of the night.

Shih-niang prepared her toilet-table, saying:  “To-day I must adorn myself to bid farewell to my former protector and to do honor to my new one.  It is no commonplace event.  I must therefore take great pains with paint and perfume, and put on my best jewels and embroidered robes.”

Thereafter, with perfume and paint and jewelry, she added to the splendor of her petalled seduction.  The sun had already risen before she completed her preparations.

Li Chia was disturbed, and yet seemed almost happy.  Shih-niang urged him to insist upon the payment of the money, and he at once carried her answer to the other junk.  Then Sun said: 

“It is easy for me to give the money; but I ought to have the fair one’s jewelry as a proof of her consent.”

Li Chia told this to Shih-niang, who pointed to the casket with the golden lock, and caused it to be taken to Sun, who joyfully counted out a thousand ounces of silver and sent them to Li’s ship.  The young woman herself verified the weight and standard of the metal; and then, leaning over the bulwarks, half opened her scarlet lips and showed her white teeth saying to the dazzled Sun: 

“You can now, I think, give me back my casket for a time.  The Lord Li’s passports are in it, and I must return them to him.”

The other at once ordered the little chest to be brought back and placed on the bridge.  Shih-niang opened it Inside there were several compartments, and she asked Li Chia to help her lift out each in turn.

In the first there were jewels in the shape of king-fisher feathers, jasper pins, and precious earrings, to the value of many hundred ounces.  Shih-niang took up these things in handfuls and threw them into the river.  Li, Sun and the boatmen uttered exclamations of dismay.

In the second compartment were a jade flute and a golden flageolet.  In a third were antique jewels, gold furnishings and a hundred ornaments worth thousands of ounces each.  She threw them all into the river.  The stricken onlookers gave voice to their regret.

Finally she drew out a box filled with pearls and rubies and emeralds and cats’ eyes, whose number and value were beyond computation.  The cries of the wondering bystanders beat in the air like thunder.  She wanted to throw all these into the river also; but Li Chia held her in his arms, while Sun vehemently encouraged him.