Yet would that she might
receive instruction of what only are beauty and virtue in his
adorable presence."
This being written, she presented her one pearl to the attendant
and fled, not looking behind her, as quickly as her delicate feet
would permit.
On the seventh day the compositions, engraved on ivory and bound
with red silk and tassels, were presented to the Emperor, and for
seven days more he forgot their existence. On the eighth the High
Chamberlain ventured to recall them to the Imperial memory, and
the Emperor glancing slightly at one after another, threw them
aside, yawning as he did so. Finally, one arrested his eyes, and
reading it more than once he laid it before him and meditated. An
hour passed in this way while the forgotten Lord Chamberlain
continued to kneel. The Son of Heaven, then raising his head,
pronounced these words: "In the society of the Ideal Woman, she
to whom jealousy is unknown, tranquillity might possibly be
obtained. Let prayer be made before the Ancestors with the
customary offerings, for this is a matter deserving attention.
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