consumption should declare itself, so despite that sincere friendship I
foster for you, I cannot, I fear, last for very long. You are, I admit,
a true friend to me, but what can you do for my unfortunate destiny!"

Upon reaching this point in her reflections, she could not control her
tears, and they rolled freely down her cheeks. So much so, that when
about to enter and meet her cousins, she experienced such utter lack of
zest, that, while drying her tears she turned round, and wended her
steps back in the direction of her apartments.

Pao-yue, meanwhile, had hurriedly got into his new costume. Upon coming
out of doors, he caught sight of Lin Tai-yue, walking quietly ahead of
him engaged, to all appearances, in wiping tears from her eyes. With
rapid stride, he overtook her.

"Cousin Lin," he smiled, "where are you off to? How is it that you're
crying again? Who has once more hurt your feelings?"

Lin Tai-yue turned her head round to look; and seeing that it was Pao-yue,
she at once forced a smile. "Why should I be crying," she replied, "when
there is no reason to do so?"

"Look here!" observed Pao-yue smilingly. "The tears in your eyes are not
dry yet and do you still tell me a fib?"

Saying this, he could not check an impulse to raise his arm and wipe her
eyes, but Lin Tai-yue speedily withdrew several steps backwards. "Are you
again bent," she said, "upon compassing your own death! Then why do you
knock your hands and kick your feet about in this wise?"