"'Bring her to me,' he ordered his attendants, as she, not knowing that it was the Emperor and his suite, but thinking that it was only some great mandarin, would have passed on.
"When the soldiers approached her, saying at the same time, 'The Emperor who waits yonder has sent for you,' she was greatly terrified. Her face turned very white, and her knees trembled so that she could hardly stand, for she knew not what was about to befall her.
"When she had prostrated herself before Kaou-tsung he ordered all his attendants to withdraw to a little distance and there remain until he summoned them, for he wished to speak, unheard by others, to this fair maiden. When they were alone he said kindly:
"'Rise, most beautiful one, for I desire to look at you.'
"Blushing at his words, she raised her face but remained upon her knees.
"'Verily the sun seemed hid when I saw not your eyes,' Kaou-tsung continued, for he was much impressed with her beauty.
"Seeing that she did not speak, but only blushed the more, he asked:
"'What is your name?'
"'Woo How,' she murmured, all abashed.
"'What!' cried the astonished Emperor; 'not Woo How, the daughter of one Tai-ting?'