🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 5

She was not disappointed in her hopes.1 When night had lowered its curtain of darkness she went down into the garden and caught sight of San-Syeng.2 But instead of going to meet him, she turned and rushed into the house like a frightened kitten.3

San-Syeng was stupefied and broken up by her sudden disappearance.4 Despairing of being able to talk with the girl he loved, he resolved to write to her.5 So the next evening he returned to the garden with a letter.6 Again the young girl appeared for a few minutes.7 He walked in front of her, tossed the letter over the garden wall, and left.8

The young girl ran to pick it up, hurried with it to her room, where she read the neat characters:9

“Mademoiselle, excuse my boldness.10 I have but a few words to say.11 Do you know what the butterfly is?12 It is an insect that is fond of flowers.13 Nights when attracted by the light of the lamps which it takes for flowers, it throws itself into the flame and perishes.”14

“This is a comparison that applies to me closely,” thought the young girl.15 “I shall have my answer for this young man to-morrow.”16

The next evening when San-Syeng returned to his post by the garden wall he saw the girl raise both hands and point to the moon.17

After this graceful and significant gesture she ran into the house.18

San-Syeng went home, much perplexed.19 “She made a sign to me,” he pondered, “but what meaning does this sign have?”20 He reflected for a long time, conjuring up hypothesis after hypothesis.21 Finally, he struck his forehead with an exclamation of joy, crying: “I believe I have it.22 The girl raised both of her hands, she must have meant the number ten.23 Then she pointed to the moon, that surely means at night.24 She wanted to tell me that she would meet me to-morrow evening at ten o’clock.25 That’s it beyond a doubt.”26

He awaited with impatience the following evening.27 Long before the appointed time he was in the garden, worried and anxious as to whether he had not given an erroneous interpretation to the young girl’s gesture.28 At ten o’clock she came daintily along the garden path, advancing gaily and smiling.29 She paused to pick a flower which she placed between her lips.30 One might have thought she was playing the flute, so sweet were the soft, low sounds of song which came from her throat.31 Picking up a dead branch she amused herself by whipping the leaves which strewed the ground.32 San-Syeng contemplated the vision with an admiration that held him spellbound.33 One might have said it was like a cat entrapping a mouse.34 When she arrived within a few paces of him she stopped as if frightened and seemed about to draw back.35 Then San-Syeng advanced toward her.36 “How beautiful she is,” was his thought.37 So great was his admiration that he could not find a single word to say.38 The young girl too remained silent.39 San-Syeng thought, “My first words must express all the love I feel, but my tongue is weak and incapable of it.40 What is her feeling toward me?41 Does she have a tender and loving heart, or has wickedness already penetrated this beautiful young soul?42 Let’s try a little trick.”43

The girl saw San-Syeng drop suddenly to the ground.44 Without an instant’s hesitation she ran to his help.45 Supporting his head in her hands, and after dusting off his clothes which had been soiled by the fall, she assisted him to arise and led him to a nearby bench.46

Then San-Syeng said wearily, as if he were just regaining consciousness, “Pardon me, mademoiselle, I am confused with all the trouble I am giving you.”47

“Not at all, sir,” replied the young girl.48 “I am happy to have been able to render you assistance.49 I only ask for permission to put one question to you.50 Where do you live?”51

“I live at Nam-Hai and my name is San-Syeng.”52

“Has it been very long since you left that town?”53

“Almost six months.”54

“And have you seen many interesting things on your journey?”55

“Yes, many.”56

“Your parents are still alive, I suppose?”57

“No, mademoiselle, I lost my parents a long time ago.58 And are your father and mother still alive?”59

“My father is dead and I live with my mother.60 Wasn’t it you who came here playing the flute the other evening?”61

“It was I, mademoiselle.62 And tell me, didn’t you reply on your instrument?”63

“Yes.”64

“I am very grateful.65 You have condescended to listen, you have not repulsed me, and this evening you have given me the greatest of pleasures by talking with me.”66

“But, sir, were you ill just a while ago?”67

“Mademoiselle, I lost my head through love of you.68 May I in turn ask why you did not reply to my note?69 You made a sign to me and I imagined that you were inviting me to return this evening at ten o’clock.70 Was I right?”71

“Yes, sir, you divined my thoughts exactly.72 Do you know you have given evidence of great intelligence.73 You have captured my heart without the slightest effort, like the fisherman who catches a fish that is surprised to see itself so easily taken.74 Now you may call me Yeng-So-Yei, for that is my name.”75

At these words, San-Syeng seized the hand of the girl and covered it with kisses.76

“I have not sought to ensnare you.77 It was merely my love, my boundless love, which impelled me to act thus.78 But it is late.79 Your mother will notice your absence and will become worried.80 Let us meet again to-morrow at the same hour.”81

The young girl nodded her head as a sign of acquiescence and withdrew into the house.82 In the solitude of her room she thought for a long time of the events of the evening.83 “I love this young man,” she said, “he is so intelligent and has such a splendid appearance.84 In giving him my heart I have done nothing but obey my father’s counsel.85 Therefore, I should have no remorse about my conduct.86 I shall marry the man I love and accomplish my father’s wish.”87

Similar reflections agitated San-Syeng’s mind.88 “How beautiful and good she is!” he would repeat to himself.89 “I love her to distraction.90 I can never wait until to-morrow evening to see her.91 How long this night and day are going to be!”92

The hours rolled around, however, and the time came for San-Syeng to visit the girl once more.93 She came running to meet him, her face radiant with joy and happiness.94 After they had exchanged a few words of greeting she said to San-Syeng:95

“Let’s go into the house.96 We can talk better.97 You can come to my room where no one will disturb us.”98

“But don’t you fear that your mother will notice something?”99

“My mother is very old and feeble, we have nothing to fear from her.”100

San-Syeng followed the young girl.101 He was much impressed to see with what skill she had arranged her room.102 He complimented her on her taste and good judgment and added: “How happy you must be!”103

“And aren’t you happy, too?”104

“Alas, I have lost my parents, and I am alone in the world.105 Life is no longer attractive to me.106 You have given me the first pleasure in my life and I am obliged to resume my travels within a few days.”107

“But why must you leave?108 Haven’t you told me that you loved me?”109