“These discoveries,” asked Sir Richard, leaning forward, “are discoveries of physical science?” “They are what physical science is hoping to discover by tortuous methods of its own. In the West, if I may say so, you seek reality through the examination of appearances, and you have little sense of it. Here we experience reality and are able to reproduce phenomena, as may be desirable.” “Indeed! Very interesting,” said Sir Richard, biting his lip. “You have laboratories....” But Fulke burst in: “My God! these people could build the Ideal State in about ten minutes, and they sit here thinking and enjoying themselves.” “Those who think do not enjoy,” said Blackwood. “It is in a state of non-thinking that one approaches the final bliss of annihilation.” “Bliss of your big toe!” said old Wang, waking suddenly. The veils fell from his eyes, and one saw that they were used to looking fixedly at things non-human, that they were full of an almost dreadful humour. “In argument on matters of reality,” he added quaintly, “there are no rules of courtesy.” “It is not to be thought,” said Yuan, “that we dream of Utopias. We contemplate reality, each of us from generation to generation in his own way. We perceive the inward structure of things, and occasionally, when apposite, one of us may bring up a discovery from those profound fishings, in the shape of a picture, a poem, or a mechanical contrivance. There have been men of our family who saw that it would be spontaneous to destroy their surroundings in order to shape them according to a greater perfectness perceived in contemplation. They obeyed their natures, but it usually happens that we pass in due time (as my great-grandfather has passed) beyond all interest in the seen world, and lose ourselves in the experience of what is beneath all appearance, whether of life or death.” “Well,” said Lord Sombrewater, “we have already detained you from your contemplative activities long enough for one day. I look forward to many pleasant conversations; and I desire to thank you on behalf of all of us for the very kindly way in which you have looked after our interests for some time past, and for your really lavish provision for our entertainment and comfort.” The company rose. “Oh, but may I ask one question?” said Lychnis, with timidity. The Chinese girls twittered round her, smoothing her clothes. “Did you—I can’t help wanting to know—did you actually fetch us here, or have we come of our own free wills?” There was a certain feeling of embarrassment, but Yuan, who had been regarding her with profound attention, replied: “We were informed of your intention to visit Asia, and since then it has been our most earnest desire that Fate would guide you to this valley.” Lychnis hoped that the rest of their desires in regard to the party would prove convenient, being so difficult to resist. Then aloud: “But supposing you hadn’t liked us?”