红楼梦Chapter18_小升初阅读_小升初-查字典英语网

红楼梦Chapter18

Lady Fengs ear caught what was said. If such be the case， she interposed， may it please your venerable ladyship， and you， my lady， to return for a while to your apartments， and wait; and if you come when its time youll be here none too late.

Dowager lady Chia and the other ladies immediately left for a time and suited their own convenience， and as everything in the garden devolved upon lady Feng to supervise， she ordered the butlers to take the eunuchs and give them something to eat and drink; and at the same time， she sent word that candles should be brought in and that the lanterns in the various places should be lit.

But unexpectedly was heard from outside the continuous patter of horses running， whereupon about ten eunuchs hurried in gasping and out of breath. They clapped their hands， and the several eunuchs (who had come before)， understanding the signal， and knowing that the party had arrived， stood in their respective positions; while Chia She， at the head of all the men of the clan， remained at the western street door， and dowager lady Chia， at the head of the female relatives of the family， waited outside the principal entrance to do the honours.

For a long interval， everything was plunged in silence and quiet; when suddenly two eunuchs on horseback were espied advancing with leisurely step. Reaching the western street gate， they dismounted， and， driving their horses beyond the screens， they forthwith took their stand facing the west. After another long interval， a second couple arrived， and went likewise through the same proceedings. In a short time， drew near about ten couples， when， at length， were heard the gentle strains of music， and couple by couple advanced with banners， dragons， with fans made with phoenix feathers， and palace flabella of pheasant plumes; and those besides who carried gold-washed censers burning imperial incense. Next in order was brought past a state umbrella of golden yellow， with crooked handle and embroidered with seven phoenixes; after which quickly followed the crown， robe， girdle and shoes.