"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." "Then I shall not come with you." So the old woman went up into the sick man's room, and he said to her feebly: "Mother Wang, it is very long since I saw you. Alas! You come too late! My life is finished!" "In what special way are you so seriously ill?" she asked, sitting near the bed and touching his wrist. After a moment she continued: "Shall I tell you the name of your illness? It is called Victorious-Immortal, little daughter of Chou, and her house is near the Ts'ao Gate." The sick man was startled and sat up: "How do you know that?" "Her family has commissioned me to come and arrange your marriage." Immediate happiness revived the young man. He rose and came down with the wise visitor to his astonished brother. "I am cured," he announced, "And all goes very well." Meanwhile the old woman was saying: "The family of Chou has sent me especially to talk to you about a marriage." All was soon settled, the first gifts were exchanged, and the comforted hearts of the two young people were filled with joy. But they had to wait Lord Chou's return before proceeding with the ceremony. Chou did not come back until eight months later. It is needless to say that, when he did so, all his relations and friends came to drink cups of wine with him to "wash down the dust of the journey." At last his wife told him what had happened, affirming that all was decided. But the eyes of the master of the house became round and white, and he bellowed: "O filthy imbecile, who gave you the right to betroth our daughter to a wine merchant? Is there no son of decent family who would marry her? Do you wish to make us a laughing-stock?" While he was thus cursing his wife, the servant came up to them, crying: "Come quickly and save the child! She was behind the door, and heard your cries. She fell down and is no longer breathing." Stumbling in her haste, the mother ran out. She saw her daughter lying on the ground and was about to raise her, but her husband prevented her, saying: "Leave her! She was bringing dishonor on us! If she is to die, then let her die!"