The Dream of the Red Chamber

ted with the golden clasp - In an unexpected meeting,

ager lady Chia of his wish that Ch'in Chung should come over to the family school. "The presence for himself of a friend as schoolmate would," he argued, "be fitly ex

"In a day or two," she added, "Ch'in Chung will be co

the theatrical performance to come off the day after the morrow. Dowager lady Chia was, it is true, well on in years, but was, nevertheless, very fond of enjoyment

bitually partial to a quiet life, also took her departure after she had seen the old lady retire. Lady Feng subs

side gate, at the back of the drawing-room, he would be prevented by something or other, and fearing, what would be making matters worse, lest he should come across his father, he consequently thought it better to go on his way by a detour. The nurses and waiting-maids thereupon came to help him to change his clothes; but they saw him not change, but go out again by the second door. These nurses and maids could not help following him out; but they were still under the impression that he was go

"this we call dreaming a pleasant dream, f

t was only after they had chatted for ever so long, that they went on their way. The nurse calle

d, "is in the Meng P'o Chai small library having his

these words, t

Pear Fragrance Court, where, as luck would have it, he met the head manager of the Household Treasury, Wu Hsin-teng, who, in compan

of them alone, a certain butler, called Ch'ien Hua, promptly came forward, as he had not seen Pao-yü for man

some characters written by you, master Secundus, in the composite style. The writing is cer

them?" inquired P

" they replied, "and every one praises them v

ü smilingly; "but if you do want any, tell

whole party waited till he had gone by, befo

upon matters of no mome

getting some needlework ready to give to the waiting-maids to work at. Pao-yü forthwith paid his respec

d, to think of coming to see me; come along on the stove-couch at once!- Bring som

t a halter," Mrs. Hsüeh remarked with a sigh; "he's daily running here and th

ays ago to again think of her, and send round to inquire after her. She's now in there, and you can go and see her. It's warmer th

tep towards the interior, he found Pao Ch'ai seated on the couch, busy over some needlework. On the top of her head was gathered, and made into a knot, her chevelure, black as lacquer, and glossy like pomade. She wore a honey-coloured wadded

nd her eyes, juicy plums. She was sparing in her words, chary in her talk, so much so that people said that she posed as a simpleton. She was

eupon Pao Ch'ai raised her head, and perceiving Pao-yü walk in, she got up at once and rep

the very edge of the couch, she told Ying Erh to bring tea and asked likewise after dowager

his person he wore a light yellow, archery-sleeved jacket, ornamented with rampant dragons, and lined with fur from the ribs of the silver fox; and was clasped with a dark sash, embroidered with different-coloured butt

'ai with a smile, "but haven't, after all, had an opportunit

hand. Pao Ch'ai held it in her palm. It appeared to her very much like the egg of a bird, resplendent as it was l

on the Ta Huang Hills, and which had dropped into the Ch'ing Keng cave, in a state o

of stones was e

hath sprung fiction

le life, divine,

terfuge! foul bag

adverse, how true!

as! the jade's s

hed, in nameless hill-

s renowned and maid

also appended a faithful representation of it; but its real size is so very diminutive, as to allow of its being held by a child in his mouth while yet unborn, that were it to have been drawn in its ex

htly enlarged, to admit of the reader being able, conveniently, to peruse the ins

ks as: "What could be, pray, the size of the mouth of a child in his

of the jade

of Spiritua

se me not and n

constant luck w

verse was

spirits and the acc

predestine

osticate w

t, twisted it again to the face, and

se me not and n

constant luck w

e asked Ying Erh laughingly: "Why don't you go and po

led Ying Erh, "would appear to pair wit

caught these words, "are there really eight character

ys," remarked Pao Ch'ai, "th

Pao-yü entreatingly, "ho

, "There are also two propitious phrases engraved on this charm, and that's why I we

golden fringe. Pao-yü promptly received it from her, and upon minute examination, found that there were in fact four characters on each side; the eight ch

m me and cast

the r

ennial freshnes

loud, and then twice again to himself, he said as he smiled, "Dear cousin, t

"by a mangy-pated bonze, who explained that the

, but speedily called her to task for not going to bring th

ume or other, of what kind he could not tell. "What perfume have you used, my cousin," he forthwith as

, "to the odour of fumigation; good clothes

bserved Pao-yü, "

some reflection; "it's the scent of the 'cold

rked Pao-yü smiling, "that they have such a

," Pao Ch'ai rejoined laughingly; "is

suddenly some one outside say, "Miss Lin is come;"

xclaimed forthwith, smirking signific

offering her a seat, whereupon Pao Ch'ai adde

nued Tai-yü, "that he was h

meaning of yours,"

day, and I to come to-morrow, wouldn't there be, by a division of this kind, always some one with you every day? and in thi

n noticing that she wore a cloak made

anding below. "Fetch my wrapper!" Pao-yü remarked, and Tai-yü readily

questioned Pao-yü; "I only wish it br

and amuse yourself with your cousin. Your aunt has, in there, got ready tea and fruits. I'll tell the waiting-maid to go and fetch you

y of some goose feet and ducks' tongues he had tasted some days before, at his eldest sister-in-law's, Mrs. Yu's, "aunt" Hsüeh promptly produced severa

of the best quality; but dame Li came forward and rem

: "My nurse, I'll take j

g for your favour, gave you only a drop of wine to drink, and how this brought reproaches upon me for a couple of days. You don't know, my lady, you have no idea of his disposition! it's really dreadful; and when he has had a little wine he shows

at ease, and go and drink your own wine! I won't let him have too mu

nurse Li along with her and give her also a

no alternative but to go for a time with

: I prefer it cold!" Pao-yü

s. Hsüeh; "cold wine will make y

know that the properties of wine are mostly heating? If you drink wine warm, its effects soon dispel, but if you drink it cold, it at once congeals in you; and as upon your

good deal of sense, speedily put down the cold wine,

sing up her lips and smiling, when, strange coincidence, Hsüeh Yen, Tai-

m sorry to have given whoever it is the trouble; I'm obliged t

Yen, "that you would, miss, feel col

ls you, but that you treat what I say, day after day, as so much wind blowing past your ears! How is

of him, but he made no remark, merely laughing to himself and paying no further notice. Pao Ch'ai, again, knew f

e cold," interposed "aunt" Hsüeh, "and is it not a

ne else's house, wouldn't it have been a slight upon them? Is it forsooth nice to think that people haven't so much as a hand-stove, and that one has fussily to

Hsüeh, "as to entertain such notions! No s

st then in a state of exultation and excitement, (a state) enhanced by the conversation and laughter of his cousins, so that was he ready to agree to having n

your father is at home to-day, and see that

once sank within him, and gently putting the

ole company; why, if uncle should ask to see you, well, say that aunt Hsüeh detained you. This

rring up his spirits, adding, as she addressed him in a low tone of v

"Now, Miss Lin, don't you urge him on; you should after all, give him good

ous! Old lady Chia has also time after time given him wine, and if he now takes a cup or two more here, at his aunt's, lady Hsüeh's house, there's no harm

heard. "Really," she observed, "every remark this girl Lin

cheek, she exclaimed, "Oh the tongue of this frowning girl! one can ne

ugh fright, let the trifle you've taken lie heavy on your stomach, and thus make me uneasy; but just drink at your pleasure, and as much as you like, and le

l come," she continued, "and keep you company while you have

the waiting-maids what to do. "You remain here," she enjoined, "and mind, be diligent while I go home and change; when

likewise all quietly slipped out, at the first opportunity they found, while there remained but two waiting-maids, who were only too glad to curry favour with Pao-yü. But fortunately "aunt" Hsüeh, by much coaxing and persuading, only let

had drunk a few cups of strong tea, Mrs. Hsüeh felt more easy in her mind. Hsüeh Yen and the

or not?" inquired

rowsy eyes. "If you want to go,"

e've been here nearly the whole day,"

ood-bye, and the waiting-maids at o

to put it on. The girl promptly took the hood, made of deep red c

id thing! gently a bit; is it likely you've never s

fast down, and taking the hood she rested its edge on the circlet round his forehead. She then raised the ball of crimson velvet, which was as large as a walnut, and put it in such a way that, as

he eventually took the wrapper

nterposed aunt Hsüeh, "are yet com

ao-yü. "We have the waiting-maids to esco

ompany the two cousins; and after they had both expressed (to these women) their regret

rs. Hsüeh's, she was extremely pleased; but noticing that Pao-yü had had some wine, she gave or

when suddenly she bethought herself of Pao-yü's attendants, "How is i

ut simply explained that she had come in a few moments back, and that

turning round and swaying from side to side. "Why then ask after

the door of his bedroom, where he saw p

but though when you get up, you were full of the idea of writing, you only wrote three characters, when you discarded the penc

n the morning. "Where are the three character

to stick them over the door. I was afraid lest any one else should spoil them, as they were being pasted, so I

o-yü grinning, "if your hands are cold

the two of them looked at the three characters, which he recently had wr

ly, "tell me without any prevarication which

l. "They're all well done," she rejoined, with a smirk, "How is it you'v

sked Pao-yü smiling; "what about si

ove-couch in the inner room, and, on looking in, Pa

eeded, speaking to Ch'ing Wen, "there was a small dish of dumplings, with bean-curd outside; and as I thought you would like to have some, I asked Mr

r me; as I had just finished my meal, I put them by in there, but when nurse Li came she saw them. 'Pao-yü,' she said, 'is not l

h brought in tea, and Pao-yü pre

ved all of them, as they burst out

g. "This morning," he therefore inquired of Hsi Hsüeh, "when you made a cup of maple-dew tea, I told you that that kind

ed Hsi Hsüeh, "but nurse Li came

and on the ground, and as it broke into small fragments,

I just simply had a little of her milk, when I was a brat, and that's all; and now she has got into the way of thinking herself

there and then, to tell dowager lad

im speak of writing, and inquire after the dumplings, she did not think it necessary to get up, but when he flung the tea-cup on the fl

r lady Chia came in, meanwhil

. Your decision to send her away is good," she went on to advise Pao-yü, "and we are all willing to go also; and why not avail yourself of this opportunity to

ift of what Pao-yü kept on still muttering, and all they could make out was an endless string of words; but his eyes grew heavier and drowsier, and they forthwith waited upon him until he went to sleep;

in, but when they heard that Pao-yü was tipsy, they too did not venture to approach, but gently made inquiries as

to tell him that young Mr. Jung, living in the mansion on

hung, with his handsome countenance, and his refined manners, would be a fit companion for Pao-yü in his studies, felt extremely delighted at heart; and hav

o enchanted with him, that at the time of his departure, they all had presents to give him; even dowager lady Chia herself pr

ome all that way, so you had better come and live over here with me. You'll then be always with your cousin Pao-yü,

ach one of her remarks, and on his retu

Field Force, and was well-nigh seventy. His wife had died at an early period, an

er infancy, who when she grew up, was beautiful in face and graceful in manners, and who by reason of some

d at home keeping up his former lessons; and (his father) had been just thinking of talking over the matter with his relatives of the C

ty, and that both the eyes of everyone in the other establishment were set upon riches and honours, so that he could not contribute anything short of the amount (given by others); but his son's welfare throughout life was a serious consideration, and he, needless to say, had to scrape together from the East and

they came to school, the