“The wretch! How could I bear to see him toying with my fair one? I will be the death of him yet.” “Your Graciousness is making a mistake. It is the ‘plucked tassel’ story over again. But if you remember Prince Chuang of Chʻu made no fuss about the liberties taken with his lady love, although the hat-tassel in her hand betrayed the culprit. His restraint stood him in good stead, for the same man saved his life when he was hemmed in by the hosts of Tsʻin. After all Cicada is only a woman, but Lü Pu is your trustiest friend and most dreaded commander. If you took this chance of making the girl over to him, your kindness would win his undying gratitude. I beg you, Sir, to think over it well.” Tung Cho hesitated a long time; he sat murmuring to himself. Presently he said, “What you say is right. I must think over it.” Li Ju felt satisfied. He took leave of his master and went away. Cho went to his private rooms and called Cicada. “What were you doing there with Lü Pu?” said he. She began to weep. “Thy handmaid was in the garden among the flowers, when he rushed in on me. I was frightened and ran away. He asked why I ran away from a son of the family and pursued me right to the pavilion, where you saw us. He had that halberd in his hand all the time. I felt he was a vicious man and would force me to his will so I tried to throw myself into the lily pond, but he caught me in his arms and held me so that I was helpless. Luckily just at that moment you came and saved my life.” “Suppose I send you to him.” She shrieked with terror. “After having been yours to be given to a mere slave! Never! I would rather die.” And with this she snatched down a dagger hanging on the wall to kill herself. Tung Cho plucked it from her hand and, throwing his arms about her, cried, “I was only joking.” She lay back on his breast hiding her face and sobbing bitterly. “This is the doing of that Li Ju,” said she. “He is much too thick with Lü Pu. He suggested that, I know. Little he cares for your reputation or my life. Oh! I would like to eat him alive.” “Do you think I could bear to lose you?” “Though you love me yet I must not stay here. That Lü Pu will do me some harm if I do. I fear him.” “We will go to Meiwu to-morrow, you and I, and we will be happy together and have no cares.” She dried her tears and thanked him. Next day Li Ju came again to persuade Tung Cho to send the damsel to Lü Pu. “This is a propitious day,” said he. “He and I standing in the relation of father and son I cannot very well do that,” said Tung Cho. “But I will say no more about his fault. You may tell him so and soothe him as well as you can.” “You are not being beguiled by the woman, are you?” said Li. Tung Cho coloured. “Would you like to give your wife to some body else? Do not talk about this any further. It would be better not to.” Li left the chamber. When he got outside he cast his eyes up to heaven, saying, “We are dead men, slain by the hand of this girl.”