told her. Subsequently, she returned inside. Here she found a whole
crowd of people trying to do the best to benefit Pao-yue. But after they
had completed every arrangement, dowager lady Chia impressed on their
minds that it would be better were they to carefully move him into his
own quarters. With one voice they all signified their approval, and with
a good deal of bustling and fussing, they speedily transferred Pao-yue
into the I Hung court, where they stretched him out comfortably on his
own bed. Then after some further excitement, the members of the family
began gradually to disperse. Hsi Jen at last entered his room, and
waited upon him with singleness of heart.

But, reader, if you feel any curiosity to hear what follows, listen to
what you will find divulged in the next chapter.




CHAPTER XXXIV.

Tai-yue loves Pao-yue with extreme affection; but, on account of this
affection, her female cousin gets indignant.
Hsueeh P'an commits a grave mistake; but Pao-ch'ai makes this mistake a
pretext to tender advice to her brother.


When Hsi Jen saw dowager lady Chia, Madame Wang and the other members of
the family take their leave, our narrative says, she entered the room.
and, taking a seat next to Pao-yue, she asked him, while she did all she
could to hide her tears: "How was it that he beat you to such extremes?"