Perceiving this, Ling determined to apply at once,
although the light was past, to a Mandarin who was concerned in the
examinations, lest by delay he should lose his chance for the year.
"It is an unfortunate event that so distinguished a person should have
selected this day and hour on which to overwhelm us with his affable
politeness!" exclaimed the porter at the gate of the Yamen, when Ling
had explained his reason for going. "On such a day, in the reign of
the virtuous Emperor Hoo Chow, a very benevolent and unassuming
ancestor of my good lord the Mandarin was destroyed by treachery, and
ever since his family has observed the occasion by fasting and no
music. This person would certainly be punished with death if he
entered the inner room from any cause."
At these words, Ling, who had been simply brought up, and chiefly in
the society of apes, was going away with many expressions of self-
reproach at selecting such a time, when the gate-keeper called him
back.
"I am overwhelmed with confusion at the position in which I find
myself," he remarked, after he had examined his mind for a short time.
"I may meet with an ungraceful and objectionable death if I carry out
your estimable instructions, but I shall certainly merit and receive a
similar fate if I permit so renowned and versatile a person to leave
without a fitting reception.
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