The mystic flowery land; a personal narrative . a charming young Soochow lady, named Wang Seou , adistant relative of hers, and an orphan, whose mother had recentlydied, leaving her a considerable sum of money—about !? 15,000—in trust of an aunt who was supj)0sed to act as her guardianuntil she should marry or arrive at a certain age. Seou Jae was not only young, l)ut a beauty of the most raretype, peculiar to the women of Soochow, who are famed throughouttlic Far East for their comeliness, and was a tropical flower thatone could very imperfectly imagine, and then only associate withunreal
The mystic flowery land; a personal narrative . a charming young Soochow lady, named Wang Seou , adistant relative of hers, and an orphan, whose mother had recentlydied, leaving her a considerable sum of money—about !? 15,000—in trust of an aunt who was supj)0sed to act as her guardianuntil she should marry or arrive at a certain age. Seou Jae was not only young, l)ut a beauty of the most raretype, peculiar to the women of Soochow, who are famed throughouttlic Far East for their comeliness, and was a tropical flower thatone could very imperfectly imagine, and then only associate withunrealistic dreams of sea-divided shores. Her complexion was veryfair, her nose straight and delicate, aiul her mouth small and firm,yet betraying a tenderness whicli was most discernible in herhirge expressive eyes. Having received a good education, she s])okeKnglish Ihiently, and — like many of lier own country-peojile, wasstudious ;ilmost beyoiul her age, and very intelligent. Alter our introduction 1 frequently had the pleasure of meeting. A SOOCUOW LAUY. celestial ladies. 0| her ;it Mr. E —s house; uiid she always made ^rood companywith her l)ri<,ht and fascinatin<r ways, and amused me immenselywith her quaint Ijooldore and legends. She told them in such hconvincing and descriptive munner that my mind l)ecanu with familiar spirits. It is needless to say that, in spite oi her nationality, I hecamcvery attached to her; and it was evident to me that my esti-emwas reciprocated. She was too pure-minded and straightforwardto try and conceal her regard, wiiich was manifested in her ownmodest manner. After a time she would never sit beside me, Imlahvays, according to the custom of her country, a little behindmy chair, deferentially, and ready to serve me. So that I wasobliged to turn half round to converse with her, and it made mefeel most impolite. In the quiet summer evenings, we used to wander hand inhand about through the gardens—her female attendant o
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectchinade, bookyear1896
