"Rise! you exceed the rites prescribed," she replied.
"I bend my head, not being able to bear the splendour of your beauty."
As she did not seem to be discontented he continued telling her his admiration and his desire. He approached, touched her hand; she started, but did not draw back. He then took her in his arms; she did not make much resistance.
The moments passed rapidly. They spoke to each other in a low voice, when, suddenly in the street, a noise of heavy boots resounded; steps stopped before the door; the lock was shaken; oaths were heard.
The young girl grew pale; she told Flowing-spring to hide himself under the bed. The student felt his heart become quite small; he crouched down in the shadow, not even being able to breathe. From the depth of his hiding-place, he saw an officer enter, his face in black lacquer, covered with a golden cuirass and surrounded by a troop of young girls in long dresses of bright colours.
"I smell an odour of human flesh!" grumbled the officer, walking heavily and going round the room.
"Hide yourself well!" the goddess murmured to her lover, raising herself from the bed and white with terror. "If you can escape from him, wait till we have left, and open the little door at the end of the garden; then run away quickly!"
"There is a man here! I smell him! He must be delivered to me! If not, I shall punish the person who has hidden him."
"We know nothing!" all the young women said together.
"Very well! Let us go out."