"'Alas!' exclaimed the Emperor, in a tone which plainly indicated that
the evasive Shan-se had adopted a course which did not commend itself,
'how unendurable a condition of affairs is it for a person of acute
mental perception to be annoyed by the inopportune behaviour of one
who is only fit to mix on terms of equality with beggars, and low-
caste street cleaners--'
"'Such a condition of affairs is indeed most offensively unbearable,
illustrious Being,' remarked Shan-se, who clearly perceived that his
former silence had not been productive of a delicate state of feeling
towards himself.
"'It has frequently been said,' continued the courteous and pure-
minded Emperor, only signifying his refined displeasure at Shan-se's
really ill-considered observation by so arranging his position that
the person in question on longer enjoyed the sublime distinction of
gazing upon his benevolent face, 'that titles and offices have been
accorded, from time to time, without any regard for the fitting
qualifications of those to whom they were presented. The truth that
such a state of things does occasionally exist has been brought before
our eyes during the past few days by the abandoned and inefficient
behaviour of one who will henceforth be a marked official; yet it has
always been our endeavour to reward expert and unassuming merit,
whenever it is discovered.
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