AN INNER CHAMBER OF YU-PING
you miss the tiger be assured that he will not miss you,'" he remarked at length. "Have you sufficiently considered the eventuality of a dragon killing you?"
"It is no less aptly said, 'To be born is in the course of nature, but to die is according to the decree of destiny.'"
"That is a two-edged weapon, and the dragon may be the first to apply it."
"In that case this person will fall back upon the point of the adage, 'It is better to die two years too soon than to live one year too long,'" replied Chang Tao. "Should he fail in the adventure and thus lose all hope of Melodious Vision, of the house of Shen, there will be no further object in prolonging a wearisome career."
"You speak of Melodious Vision, she being of the house of Shen," said the stranger, regarding his companion with an added scrutiny. "Is the unmentioned part of her father's honourable name Yi, and is his agreeable house so positioned that it fronts upon a summer-seat domed with red copper?"
"The description is exact," admitted Chang Tao. "Have you then, in the course of your many-sided travels, passed that way?"
"It is not unknown to me," replied the other briefly. "Learn now how incautious has been your speech, and how narrowly you have avoided the exact fate of which I warned you. The one speaking to you is in reality a powerful dragon, his name being Pe-lung, from the circumstance that the northern limits are within his sway. Had it not been for a chance reference you would certainly have been struck dead at the parting of our ways."
187
