"Why was Sen Lu murdered?" she asked.
"There are those," he replied, "of whom I myself shall ask that question before the day is over."
"You have an idea, then?" she persisted.
"If," he said, "you desire my whole confidence, it is yours."
She sat looking between her horse's ears.
"To tell you the truth," she confessed, "I do not know what I desire. Your philosophy, I suppose, does not tolerate moods. I shall escape from them some time, I expect, but just now I seem to have found my way into a maze. The faces of these people don't even seem real to me, and as for you, I am perfectly certain that you have never been in China in your life."
"Tell me the stimulant that is needed to raise you from your apathy," he asked. "Will you find it in the rapid motion of your horse—a very noble animal—in the joy of this morning's sunshine and breeze, or in the toyland where these puppets move and walk?" he added, glancing down the promenade. "Dear Lady Maggie, I beg permission to pay you a visit of ceremony. Will you receive me this afternoon?"
She knew then what it was that she had been hoping for. She looked down at him and smiled.
"At four o'clock," she invited.
She nodded, touched her horse lightly with the whip, and cantered off. Prince Shan found himself suddenly accosted by a dozen acquaintances, all plying him with questions. He listened to them with an amused smile.