Then he came back and glided under his blankets.

“There is nothing at all.  But it is very cold.”

From the distant town came the far sound of the gongs and drums of the third watch.  Taking heart, Feng went forward in a snow which deadened his steps.  He quickly shovelled the fresh earth from the grave, and then lighted his lantern.  Its yellow light lit up but a single point.  Forcing two long crowbars between the joints, he loosened one brick, and then another.  At last the coffin was uncovered.  He inserted his pick under the lid, and pried it off and laid it on one side.  The corpse was brought to view.

“Small sister,” he murmured.  “I am only going to borrow a little of your useless wealth.  Do not you grudge it me!”

He took the veil from that charming face.  The head was covered with ornaments of gold, and also with pearls.  He took them all.  He was tempted by the fine and silken garments of the corpse.  He stripped it.

But suddenly, the body shook itself and pushed the thief away with violence.  He uttered a cry of imbecile terror and shrank back.  The corpse had sat up and, in that little light, looked at the open tomb, the scattered tools, and her own unclothed body.  The wretched lad, obeying instinctive habit, trembled and lied: 

“Little sister, I have come to save you.”

Naturally, when little Victorious-Immortal had heard the foul Chou’s violent words, her despair had made her lose all sign of life.  It was for this reason that she had been put in her coffin while still alive.  Aroused now by the cold, her first thought was to remember her father’s anger.  Her only refuge then was the house of her betrothed, and she said:  “If you will take me to The Pavilion of the Quick Hedge, you may have a heavy reward.”

“That is easy,” answered Feng, seeking in vain for how he should escape.

Ought he to kill her?  He hardly had the courage after such a shock.  He decided to give her back a few clothes.  He put the jewels and his implements in the sack, together with the extinguished lantern, and quickly covered the grave with earth again.  Then, because the girl was too weak to walk, he took her on his back and went away from that place.  But instead of going to Fan’s house, he went to his own.  His mother opened the door to him, and cried in terror: 

“Have you stolen the corpse also?”

“Do not speak so loud,” he answered, setting down his burdens.

He went to his bed, and there put little Victorious-Immortal.  He drew a knife from his girdle and showed it to the girl: 

“Little one, I have some business to settle with you.  If we come to an agreement, I will take you to Fan’s house.  If not, you very well behold this knife, and I shall cut you in two pieces.”

“What do you want with me?” she asked.

“You are going to stay here without making a noise and without trying to escape, until I take you to Fan.  As for the rest, we will speak of it another time.”