"You are fond of Chinese art?"

"I am indeed fond of it," I answered.

"I notice you have some pictures painted by the Old Buddha," he
continued, referring to the Empress Dowager by a name by which
she is popularly known in Peking.

"Yes, I have seven pictures from her brush," I answered.

"Do you happen to have any from the brush of the Lady Miao, her
painting teacher?" he inquired.

"I am sorry to say I have not," I replied. "I have tried
repeatedly to secure one, but thus far have failed. I have
inquired at all the best stores on Liu Li Chang, the great curio
street, but they have none, and cannot tell me where I can find
one."

"No, you cannot get them in the stores; she does not paint for
the trade," he explained.

"I am sorry," I continued, "for I should like very much to get
one. I am told she is a very good artist."

"Oh, yes, she paints very well," he went on in a careless way.
"She lives over near our palace. We have a good many of her
paintings. They are very easily gotten."