"Do you know Judge Siu? He has a daughter——"
"Judge Siu's daughter?" asked the priest, astonished. "Well—yes—but wait, I will show her to you."
The-peaceful felt his heart overflowing with joy; his beloved one was living; he was going to see her by the light of day. He quickly followed his companion.
Passing the first court, they crossed a threshold and found themselves in a yard planted with high pine-trees and bordered by a low pavilion. The bonze, passing in first, pushed a door, and, turning round, said:
"Here is Judge Siu's daughter!"
The other stopped, terrified; on a trestle a heavy black lacquered coffin bore this inscription in golden letters: "Coffin of Double-peony, Judge Siu's daughter."
On the wall was an unfolded painting representing the little maid; a white lantern decorated with two red peonies was hung over it.
"Yes, she has been there for the last two years; her parents, according to the rite, are waiting for a favourable day to bury her."
The student silently turned on his heel and went back, not deigning to reply to the mocking bow of the priest.
Evening arrived; he locked himself in, and, covering his head with his blankets, he waited; sleep came to him only at daybreak.