With no knowledge of the language, she had hesitated before accompanying them, and had stood on the platform for half an hour before she at last yielded to the agitated entreaties of the officer in charge of the escort--a man with little English, and who knew that his life depended upon his persuading the beautiful Westerner to accompany him. Why had not Talham come himself to receive her? The officer-escort had been full of apologies and explanations in his pidgin English. Captain Talham was honourably engaged, also he had honourably hurt his foot digging and could not ride. He had not sent her a line of welcome, which was strange, but she had come so far, and it was absurd to shrink from the thirty miles journey which she was promised. A luxurious palanquin, borne upon mules and lined with rose silk, was a tempting conveyance. The bottom of the shaky vehicle was covered with down cushions. That novelty of the silken nest pleased her. An impassive bystander, watching the departure of the caravan, sidled up on some pretext to where she sat and muttered under his breath “Ko’lien,” shaking his head the while. She repeated it, “Ko’lien.” “What does it mean?” The officer rode by her side and chatted with her in such English as he could master. It occurred to her, after they had gone some ten _li_ on the road, to ask carelessly the meaning of the words which the strange Chinaman had employed. “Ko’lien,” repeated the escort with a beaming smile. “He mean makee piecee solly.” “Makee piecee solly,” she repeated. “So it meant ‘I am sorry for you!’ Why should he be sorry?” Later she understood, and was sorry enough for herself. Her destination was farther than thirty miles. They halted that night at a village where rough but reasonable accommodation was provided for her, and Hoo Sin was promised in the morning. But it was not until the evening of the next day, after hard going, that they passed through the deserted streets of a big city, and turned into a walled courtyard and came to a halt before a handsome building. She got out of the palanquin, stiff and aching. She was feeling depressed and untidy, and in no mood to meet the man of her choice. They made it clear to her that she might go to her room, and for this she was grateful. Again there was no Talham, but the commander of the escort was at pains to explain that possibly her lover would not be in till later, and that he had not expected her arrival so soon. She was shown to the room which she now occupied, a curious little room filled with Western knick-knacks, and evidently prepared for her. She had made her hurried toilet, and was wondering exactly how she could summon the attendant, when the door opened and a Chinaman walked into the room. She saw at once that he was of a different class to the men who had escorted her. His garments were of silk and beautifully embroidered; his face was almost aesthetic, his mien lofty and commanding.