“And you will send away that thin, wicked lictor?”
“Eh? Yes, yes; he is a rogue.”
“And you will rebuild the hospital at Ho Yong?”
“No, no; a waste of money.”
“You won’t?” she pulled his ears again. “Not even for me?” Her red lips parted and her breath blew warm upon his cheek.
The viceroy moved restlessly, hopelessly.
Her lips, just touching his ear, whispered, “Only that one little promise, my husband.”
A tremor passed through the Viceroy’s great frame.
“Yes,” he muttered in a thick voice, lifting his hands to clasp her to him but in that instant she stood beyond his reach, her face flushed and dimpled with smiles.
Distant she stood, looking at him, smiling, blushing, mocking; then taking his fat face between her little hands she tilted it back, laughing softly a laugh like the low notes of a wood-warbler.