ARROW-BEARER
Alas! even during the hours of joy, anxiety assails us. Alas that, when the delicious perfume of a flower caresses us, we must watch with dread the storm which is always threatening on the horizon. The gazelle had a little respite because the tiger was wounded. If he recovers, he will immediately begin again the pursuit of his prey.
GOLDEN LOTUS
What is the meaning of that allusion?
ARROW-BEARER
That the Tartar Emperor, who reigns at Peking and considers us, the dispossessed Chinese, as rebels, has just been vanquished in the war which the dangerous Western Barbarians made against him. With great difficulty he has obtained peace, and he has not yet recovered from the effects of his defeat.
GOLDEN LOTUS
Ah! yes, the rumor of that war came to us. But what was the cause of it?
TRANQUIL BEAUTY
How politics interest her!