“There is a difference. You are a man; I am a woman.” “You have been mine now for over two weeks,” said Koan-lo the Second. “Do you still love me, Sie?” “Look into mine eyes and see,” she answered. “And are you happy?” “Happy! Yes, and this is the happiest day of all, because today my father obtains his freedom.” “How is that, Sie?” “Why, Koan-lo, you know. Does not my father receive today the balance of the price you pay for me, and is not that, added to what you sent in advance, sufficient to purchase my father’s freedom? My dear, good father—he has worked so hard all these years. He has ever been so kind to me. How glad am I to think that through me the God of Restoration has decreed that he shall no longer be a slave. Yes, I am the happiest woman in the world today.” Sie kissed her husband’s hand. He drew it away and hid with it his face. “Ah, dear husband!” cried Sie. “You are very sick.” “No, not sick,” replied the miserable Koan-lo—“but, Sie, I must tell you that I am a very poor man, and we have got to leave this pretty house in the country and go to some city where I will have to work hard and you will scarcely have enough to eat.” “Kind, generous Koan-lo,” answered Sie, “you have ruined yourself for my sake; you paid too high a price for me. Ah, unhappy Sie, who has pulled Koan-lo into the dust! Now let me be your servant, for gladly would I starve for your sake. I care for Koan-lo, not riches.” And she fell on her knees before the young man, who raised her gently, saying: “Sie, I am unworthy of such devotion, and your words drive a thousand spears into my heart. Hear my confession. I am your husband, but I am not the man who bought you. My cousin, Koan-lo the First, sent for you to come from China. It was he who bargained for you, and paid half the price your father asked whilst you were in Canton, and agreed to pay the balance upon sight of your face. Alas! the balance will never be paid, for as I have stolen you from my cousin, he is not bound to keep to the agreement, and your father is still a slave.” Sie stood motionless, overwhelmed by the sudden and terrible news. She looked at her husband bewilderedly. “Is it true, Koan-lo? Must my father remain a slave?” she asked. “Yes, it is true,” replied her husband. “But we have still one another, and you say you care not for poverty. So forgive me and forget your father. I forgot all for love of you.” He attempted to draw her to him, but with a pitiful cry she turned and fled. * * * * * Koan-lo the first sat smoking and meditating.