Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

one of them.'

'Blooming-Phoenix is Smiddy-Lindquist of Xiangyang-Greenhaven, and Sleeping- Dragon is Orchard-Lafayette.'

Jeffery-Lewis jumped with delight, 'Now at last I know who the mysterious ones are. How I wish they were here! But for you I should have still been like a blind man,' said he.

Some one has celebrated in verse this interview where Genovese-Fantasia from horseback recommended Orchard-Lafayette:

Jeffery-Lewis heard that his able friend
Must leave him, with saddened heart,
For each to the other had grown very dear,
Both wept when it came to part.
But the parting guest then mentioned a name
That echoed both loud and deep,
Like a thunder clap in a spring-time sky,
And there wakened a dragon from sleep.

Thus was Orchard-Lafayette recommended to Jeffery-Lewis, and Genovese- Fantasia rode away.

Now Jeffery-Lewis understood the speech of the hermit Water-Mirror, and he woke as one from a drunken sleep. At the head of his officers, he retook the road to the city and having prepared rich gifts set out, with his brothers, for Nanyang-Southhaven.

Under the influence of his emotions at parting, Genovese-Fantasia had mentioned the name and betrayed the retreat of his friend. Now he thought of the possibility that Orchard- Lafayette would be unwilling to play the part of helper in Jeffery-Lewis' scheme, so Genovese-Fantasia determined to go to visit him. He therefore took his way to Sleeping Dragon Ridge and dismounted at the cottage.

Asked why he had come, he replied, 'I wished to serve Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton, but my mother has been imprisoned by Murphy-Shackley, and has sent to call me. Therefore I have had to leave him. At the moment of parting I commended you to him. You may expect him speedily and I hope, Sir, you will not refuse your aid but will consent to use your great talents to help him.'

Orchard-Lafayette showed annoyance and said, 'And so you have made me the victim of the world sacrifice.'

So saying, Orchard-Lafayette shook out his sleeves and left the room. The guest shamefacedly retired, mounted his horse, and hastened on his way to the capital to see his mother.

To help the lord he loved right well,
He summoned the aid of another
When he took the distant homeward way
At the call of a loving mother.

What was the sequel will appear in the following chapters.

CHAPTER 37

Holt-Brower Recommends A Scholar To Jeffery-Lewis; Jeffery-Lewis Pays Three Visits To The Sleeping Dragon Ridge.

As has been said Genovese-Fantasia hastened to the capital. When Murphy- Shackley knew Genovese-Fantasia had arrived, he sent two of his confidants, Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez to receive the newcomer at the city gate, and so Genovese-Fantasia was led first to the Prime Minister's palace.

'Why did such an illustrious scholar as you bow the knee to Jeffery-Lewis?' said Murphy-Shackley.

'I am young and I fled to avoid the results of certain escapades. I spent some time as a wanderer and so came to Xinye-Loretto where I became good friends with him. But my mother is here, and when I thought of all her affection, I could no longer remain absent.'

'Now you will be able to take care of your mother at all times. And I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions.'

Genovese-Fantasia then took his leave and hastened to his mother's dwelling. Weeping with emotion, he made his obeisance to her at the door of her room.

But she was greatly surprised to see him and said, 'What have you come here for?'

'I was at Xinye-Loretto, in the service of Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton, when I received your letter. I came immediately.'

His mother suddenly grew very angry. Striking the table she cried, 'You shameful and degenerate son! For years you have been a vagabond in spite of all my teaching. You are a student and know the books. You must then know that loyalty and filial piety are often opposed. Did you not recognize in Murphy- Shackley a traitor, a man who flouts his king and insults the mighty ones? Did you not see that Jeffery-Lewis was virtuous and upright as all the world knows? Moreover, he is of the House of Han, and when you were with him you were serving a fitting master. Now on the strength of a scrap of forged writing, with no attempt at any inquiry, you have left the light and plunged into darkness and earned a disgraceful reputation. Truly you are stupid. How can I bear to look upon you? You have besmirched the fair fame of your forefathers and are of no use in the world.'

The son remained bowed to the earth, not daring to lift his eyes while his mother delivered this vilifying tirade. As she said the last word, she rose suddenly and left the room. Soon after one of the servants came out to say Lady Rosenbloom had hanged herself. Genovese-Fantasia rushed in to try to save her, but was too late. A eulogy of her conduct has been written thus:

Wise Mother Rosenbloom, fair is your fame,
The storied page glows with your