“Yet these are only considered mediocre.  But the price of the finest is so high.”

“If we cannot buy them, we can at least admire them,” the young girl answered dryly.

With gathering smiles, the old woman took from the basket a bunch which was indeed incomparable.

“And what is the price of that?” questioned the mother.

“How should I dare to fix a price?  I leave it to you.  But if you have a little tea, I would willingly drink of it.”

“In the admiration caused by your flowers, we have forgotten our manners.  Wait for one moment, while I fetch some boiling water.”

As soon as the mother had left the room, the woman took a slight parcel from her sleeve.

“What have you there?” asked Eternal Life.

“Something important which you must not see.”

“Oh, but I must see it then.”

“I shall not give it to you,” said the cunning old woman.  “Aya!  You have taken it from me by force!” she added, letting the parcel into the girl’s hand.

Impatiently the child untied the handkerchief, and recognized her slipper.  Her face flushed into scarlet, and she said with difficulty:  “A single one of these objects is of no use, ma-ma.  Why did you show it me?”

“I know a certain Lord who would give his life to have the pair.  Will you not consent to help me?”

Trembling all over, Eternal Life said to her softly: 

“Since you know all, tell me his name and where he lives.”

“He is called Chang, and he owns a hundred myriads of ounces.  He is very gentle; his love is as deep as the sea.  He has lost his soul through thinking of you, and has bidden me arrange a means for his entry.”

“How can it be done?  My father is terrible.  When I have blown out my lamp, he often comes to look into the rooms.  What is your plan, ma-ma?”

The old woman thought for a minute, and then said: 

“It is not very difficult.  You must go to bed early and, as soon as your father has come up and gone down again, you must rise quietly and open the window.  You must wait for a signal, and let down a long piece of cloth.  He will climb up with the help of this rope, and, if he is careful to go away before the fifth watch, no one will surprise you.”

“Admirable!” cried the delighted child.  “When will he come?”

“It is too late to-day.  But I will go to him to-morrow morning.  Give me a pledge of re-assurance for him.”

“Assuredly!  Take the other slipper.  He will give it back to me to-morrow.”

The old woman hid it in her sleeve, for the mother came in by this time with the tea.  Soon after, she took up her basket and went away, accompanied to the door by the two women.

She went straight to the house of Chang, but he was out.  She offered her flowers to the women of the house, waiting for some part of the day in vain.

Next morning she went again to find the young man, but he had not returned.  She went away thoughtful.