It had made him live a life unlike that of most of his age-mates, a reclusive, provincial life.

On the day when the servants all left I was again sent for to see Sir Percival. The undeserved slur which he had cast on my management of the household did not, I am happy to say, prevent me from returning good for evil to the best of my ability, by complying with his request as readily and respectfully as ever.

Hibiscus Tower was located in the northwestern corner of the present-day city of Chen-chiang on the south bank of the Yangtze. Near Chen-chiang is the Grand Canal, which then as now ran northward and, during the T’ang, formed a vital link between the Yangtze in the south and the Yellow River in the north.

These are my mates, that make their wills their law, / Have some unhappy passenger in chase.