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being lavishly extended about the grate we had harmoniously arranged
ourselves before it； while this person； at the repeated and explicit
encouragement of the maiden； spoke openly of such details of the inner
chamber as he has already indicated。
〃Is it true； Mr。 Ho〃 （thus the maiden； being unacquainted with the
actual facts； consistently addressed me）； 〃that ladies' feet are relentlessly
compressed until they finally assume the proportions and appearance of
two bulbs？〃 and as she spoke she absent…mindedly regarded her own
slippers； which were out…thrust somewhat to receive the action of the fire。
〃It is a matter which cannot reasonably be denied；〃 I replied； 〃and it is
doubtless owing to this effect that they are designated 'Golden Lilies。' Yet
when this observance has been slowly and painfully accomplished； the
extremities in question are not less small but infinitely less graceful than
the select and naturally…formed pair which this person sees before him。〃
And at the ingeniously…devised compliment （which； not to become large…
headed in self…imagination； it must be admitted was revealed to me as
available for practically all occassions by the really invaluable Quang…
Tsun）； I bowed unremittingly。
〃O； Mr。 Ho！〃 exclaimed the maiden； and paused abruptly at the sound
of her words； as though they were inept。
〃In many other ways a comparison equally irreproachable to the
exalted being at my side might be sought out；〃 I continued； suddenly
forming the ill…destined judgment that I was no less competent than the
more experienced Quang…Tsun to contrive delicate offerings of speech。
〃Their hair is rope like in its lack of spontaneous curve； their eyes as
deficient in lustre as a half…shuttered window； their hands are exceedingly
inferior in colour； and both on the left side； as it may be expressed； their
legs〃 but at this point the maiden drew herself so hastily into herself that
I had no alternative but to conclude that unless I reverted in some way the
enterprise was in peril of being inharmoniously conducted。
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THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
〃Mr。 Ho；〃 said the maiden； after contemplating her inward thoughts for
a moment； 〃you are a foreigner； and you cannot be expected to know by
instinct what may and what may not be openly expressed in this country。
Therefore； although the obligation is not alluring； I think it kinder to tell
you that the matters which formed the subject of your last words are never
to be referred to。〃
At this rebuke I again bowed persistently； for it did not appear
reasonable to me that I could in any other way declare myself without
violating the imposed command。
〃Not only are they never openly referred to；〃 continued the maiden；
who in spite of the declared no allurement of the subject did not seem
disposed to abandon it at once； 〃but among the most select they are； by
unspoken agreement； regarded as 'having no actual existence；' as you
yourself would say。〃
〃Yet；〃 protested this person； somewhat puzzled； 〃to one who has
witnessed the highly…achieved attitudes of those within your Halls of
Harmony； and in an unyielding search for knowledge has addressed
himself even to the advertisement pages of the ladies' papers〃
The maiden waved her hand magnanimously。 〃In your land； as you
have told me； there are many things； not really existing； which for
politeness you assume to be。 In a like but converse manner this is to be so
regarded。〃
I thanked her voluminously。 〃The etiquette of this country is as
involved as the spoken tongue；〃 I said； 〃for both are composed chiefly of
exceptions to a given rule。 It was formerly impressed upon this person； as
a guiding principle； that that which is unseen is not to be discussed； yet it
is not held in disrepute to allude to so intimate and secluded an organ as
the heart； for no further removed than yesterday he heard the deservedly
popular sea…lieutenant in the act of declaring to you； upon his knees； that
you were utterly devoid of such a possession。〃
At this inoffensively…conveyed suggestion； the fire opposite had all the
appearance of suddenly reflecting itself into the maiden's face with a most
engaging concentration； while at the same time she stamped her foot in ill…
concealed rage。
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THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
〃You've been listening at the door！〃 she cried impetuously； 〃and I shall
never forgive you。〃
〃To no extent；〃 I declared hastily （for although I had indeed been
listening at the door； it appeared； after the weight which she set upon the
incident； more honourable that I should deny it in order to conciliate her
mind）。 〃It so chanced that for the moment this person had forgotten
whether the handle he was grasping was of the push…out or turn…in variety；
and in the involvement a few words of no particular or enduring
significance settled lightly upon his perception。
〃In that case；〃 she replied in high…souled liberality； while her eyes
scintillated towards me with a really all…overpowering radiance； 〃I will
forgive you。〃
〃We have an old but very appropriate saying； 'To every man the voice
of one maiden carries further than the rolling of thunder；'〃 I remarked in a
significantly restrained tone； for； although conscious that the circumstance
was becoming more menace…laden than I had any previous intention； I
found myself to be incapable of extrication。 〃Florence〃
〃Oh；〃 she exclaimed quickly； raising her polished hand with an
undeniable gesture of reproof； 〃you must not call me by my christian name；
Mr。 Ho。〃
〃Yet；〃 replied this person； with a confessedly stubborn inelegance；
〃you call me by the name of Ho。〃
Her eyes became ox…like in an utter absence of almond outline。 〃Yes；〃
she said gazing； 〃but thatthat is not your christian name； is it？〃
〃In a position of speakingthis one being as a matter of fact a
discreditable follower of the subli