74 



THE MANDAKIN'S LADIES. Chap. IV. 



tion which was going on ; nor did this seem to 

 give any offence to their superior. 



On one side of the room there was a glass 

 window having a gauze or crape curtain behind 

 it, and apparently constructed to give light to a 

 passage leading to some of the other parts of the 

 mansion. While sitting with my host I had more 

 than once observed the curtain move and expose 

 a group of fair faces having a sly peep at me 

 through the window. These were his wives and 

 daughters, whom etiquette did not permit to 

 appear in public or in the presence of a stranger. 

 I did not appear to notice them — although I saw 

 them distinctly enough all the time — for had I 

 done so they would have disappeared immediately ; 

 and as one rarely has an opportunity of seeing 

 the ladies of the higher classes in China, I was 

 willing to look upon their pretty faces as long 

 as possible. A circumstance occurred, however, 

 which put a speedy end to their peep-show, and 

 for which they had no one but themselves to 

 blame. Whether they had fallen out amongst 

 themselves about places at the window, or whe- 

 ther it was only a harmless giggle, I cannot tell — 

 it sounded very like the latter ; but the noise, 

 whatever it was, caught the ear of their lord and 

 master, who turned his head quickly to the win- 

 dow in question, and darted a look of anger and 

 annoyance at the unfortunates, who instantly took 

 to their heels, and I saw them again no more. 



The ladies in this part of China are famed for 



