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. You know, of course, that number five was engaged when a
child of six to the son of Li Hung-chang."
"No, I was not aware of the fact; and were they married?"
"No, they were never married. The young man died before they were
old enough to wed. When word of his death was brought to her,
child that she was, she went to our mother and told her she must
never engage her to any one else, as she meant to live and die
the widow of this boy."
"And did she go to Li Hung-chang's home?"
"No, the old Viceroy wanted to take her to his home, build a
suite of rooms for her, and treat her as his daughter-in-law, but
our parents objected because she was so young. The Viceroy loved
her very much, and his eyes often filled with tears as he spoke
of her and the son who had passed away. When the Viceroy died she
wanted to go and kotow at his funeral, and all his family except
the eldest son were anxious to have her do so, and thus be
recognized as one of the family. But this son objected, and
though Lady Li knocked her head on the coffin until it bled he
would not yield, lest she might want her portion."
"And what has become of your sister? How is it that I have never
seen her?"
"She withdrew to a small court, where she has lived with none but
her women servants, not even seeing our father or brothers, and
not allowing a male servant to go near her. And she will not
permit the word Li to be spoken in her presence
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