Page:Strange stories from a Chinese studio.djvu/53

24 STRANGE STORIES FROM

she drew from her arm a gold bracelet which she pressed down upon the suffering spot, until by degrees the swelling rose within the bracelet and overtopped it by an inch and more, the outljmig parts that were inflamed also passing under, and thus very considerably reducing the extent of the tumour: With one hand she opened her robe and took out a knife with an edge as keen as paper, and pressing the bracelet down all the time with the other, proceeded to cut lightly round near the root of the swelling. The dark blood gushed forth, and stained the bed and the mat ; but Mr. K'ung was delighted to be near such a beauty, — not only felt no pain, but would willingly have continued the operation that she might sit by him a little lofiger. In a few moments the whole thing was removed, and looked like a growth which had been cut off a tree. Here Miss Chiao-no called for water to wash the wound, and from between her lips she took a red pill as big as a bullet, which she laid upon the flesh, and; after drawing the skin together, passed round and round the place. The first turn felt like the searing of a hot iron ; the second lijce a gentle itching ; and at the third he experienced a sensation of lightness and coolness which penetrated into his very bones and marrow. The young lady then returned the pill to her mouth, and said, " He is cured," hurrying away as fast as she could. Mr. K'ung jumped up to thank her, and found that his complaint had quite disappeared. Her beauty, however, had made such an impression on him that his troubles were hardly at an end. From this moment he gave up his books, and took no interest in anything. This state of things was soon noticed by the young man, who said to him, " My brother, I have found a fine match for you." " Who is it to be ? " asked K'ung. '* Oh, one of the family," replied his friend. Thereupon Mr. K'ung remained some time lost in thought, and at length said, *' Please don't ! " Then turning his face to the wall, he repeated these lines :—

Speak not of lakes and streams to him who once has seen the sea ; The clouds that circle Wu's peak are the only clouds for me.*

The young man guessed to whom he was alluding, and replied, " My father has a very high opinion of your' talents

? B jr a famous poet^ nanaed Yuan Chto, a.d. 779-831.