Synopsis

Heisafirefighter,hisfaceblackenedbysmoke,comingfromtheflames,andinoneglance,hislifewasset.Thefirsttimehemettheyounggirl,shebentslightlytowardshimandsaid,“Sir...”Hewasamused,thinkingshewasalittleeccentric...Shehadneverseensuchahandsomeman,talllikeageneral,andwhentheireyesmet,shewasbewilderedandforgotshewasn'tinthepalace...Later,duringtheschoolartperformance,theyounggirlsatonstage,dressedinancientcostume,withaveilcoveringherface,holdingapipa,hereyebrowsshy,appearingbothdelicateandgraceful...Heraisedhisalluringeyes,recallingthegirlsaidsheknewalittleaboutmusicalinstrumentsandchess;shewasmodest.Seeinghimintheaudience,herheartraced,wantingtoperformwellbutaccidentallystruckthewrongchord,fortunatelyunnoticedbyhim...Laterstill,theyounggirl,nowgrown,suddenlyconfessedtohim,andtheusuallycalmandcomposedmanwascaughtoffguard...Itwasaloveshehadhiddendeepinherheartformanyyears,likeshardsofglassinherpalm,bothapatientenduranceandimpulsiveagony...Thejoyofloveatfirstsight,ahiddenaffection...Shewouldneverknowthatthebrothershesecretlyadmiredhadbeenwaitingforhertogrowup...