洛城劉仲堪，少鈍而淫於典籍，恆杜門攻苦，不與世通。一日，方讀，忽聞異香滿室；少間，珮聲甚繁。驚顧之，有美人入，簪珥光采；從者皆宮妝。劉驚伏地下。美人扶之曰：「子何前倨而後恭也？」劉益惶恐曰：「何處天仙，未曾拜識。前此幾時有侮？」美人笑曰：「相別幾何，遂爾懜懜！危坐磨磚者，非子耶？」乃展錦薦，設瑤漿，捉坐對飲，與論古今事，博洽非常。劉茫茫不知所對。美人曰：「我止赴瑤池一回宴耳；子歷幾生，聰明頓盡矣！」遂命侍者以湯沃水晶膏進之。劉受飲訖，忽覺心神澄徹。既而曛黑，從者盡去，息燭解襦，曲盡歡好。未曙，諸姬已復集。美人起，妝容如故，鬢髮修整，不再理也。劉依依苦詰姓字。答曰：「告郎不妨，恐益君疑耳。妾，甄氏；君，公幹後身。當日以妾故罹罪，心實不忍，今日之會，亦聊以報情癡也。」問：「魏文安在？」曰：「丕，不過賊父之庸子耳。妾偶從游嬉富貴者數載，過即不復置念。彼曩以阿瞞故，久滯幽冥，今未聞知。反是陳思為帝典籍，時一見之。」旋見龍輿止於庭中，乃以玉脂合贈劉，作別登車，雲推而去。劉自是文思大進。然追念美人，凝思若癡，歷數月，漸近羸殆。母不知其故，憂之。家一老嫗，忽謂劉曰：「郎君意頗有思否？」劉以言隱中情，告之。嫗曰：「郎試作尺一書，我能郵致之。」劉驚喜曰：「子有異術，向日昧於物色。果能之，不敢忘也。」乃折柬為函，付嫗便去。半夜而返曰：「幸不悞事。初至門，門者以我為妖，欲加縛縶。我遂出郎君書，乃將去。少頃喚入，夫人亦欷歔，自言不能復會。便欲裁答。我言：『郎君羸憊，非一字所能瘳。』夫人沉思久，乃釋筆云：『煩先報劉郎，當即送一佳婦去。』瀕行，又囑：『適所言，乃百年計；但無泄，便可永久矣。』」劉喜伺之。明日，果一老姥率女郎，詣母所，容色絕世。自言：「陳氏；女其所出，名司香，願求作婦。」母愛之；議聘，更不索貲，坐待成禮而去。惟劉心知其異。陰問女：「係夫人何人？」答云：「妾銅雀故妓也。」劉疑為鬼。女曰：「非也。妾與夫人，俱隸仙籍，偶以罪過謫人間。夫人已復舊位；妾謫限未滿，夫人請之天曹，暫使給役，去留皆在夫人，故得長侍床簀耳。」一日，有瞽媼牽黃犬丐食其家，拍板俚歌。女出窺，立未定，犬斷索咋女，女駭走，羅衿斷。劉急以杖擊犬。犬猶怒，齕斷幅，頃刻碎如麻。瞽媼捉領毛，縛以去。劉入視女，驚顏未定。曰：「卿仙人，何乃畏犬？」女曰：「君自不知：犬乃老瞞所化，蓋怒妾不守分香戒也。」劉欲買犬杖斃。女不可，曰：「上帝所罰，何得擅誅？」居二年，見者皆驚其豔，而審所從來，殊恍惚，於是共疑為妖。母詰劉，劉亦微道其異。母大懼，戒使絕之。劉不聽。母陰覓術士來，作法於庭。方規地為壇，女慘然曰：「本期白首；今老母見疑，分義絕矣。要我去，亦復非難，但恐非禁咒所能遣耳！」乃束薪爇火，拋階下。瞬息煙蔽房屋，對面相失。有聲震如雷，既而煙滅，見術士七竅流血死矣。入室，女已渺。呼嫗問之，嫗亦不知所去。劉始告母：「嫗蓋狐也。」
洛城的劉仲堪年輕時頭腦遲鈍，卻十分痴迷書籍，常常關起門來埋頭苦讀，不與外人交往。有一天，他正在讀書，忽然聞到滿屋異香；過了一會兒，又響起密集的佩飾碰撞聲。他驚訝地回頭一看，只見一位美人走了進來，髮簪耳飾光彩奪目，隨從也都穿著宮中女子的服飾。劉仲堪驚得伏在地上。美人扶起他說：「你怎麼先前那麼傲慢，如今卻這麼恭敬？」劉仲堪越發惶恐，說：「您是哪一位天仙？我從來沒有拜見過。先前什麼時候冒犯過您？」美人笑道：「我們才分別多久，你就糊塗成這樣了！當初端端正正坐著磨磚的，難道不是你嗎？」她讓人鋪開錦墊，擺上美酒，拉著他坐下對飲，又同他談論古今的事情，見識廣博得非同尋常。劉仲堪茫然不知該怎樣應答。美人說：「我不過到瑤池赴了一次宴會，你就已經轉過幾世，聰明才智也全丟光了！」於是命侍女用熱水化開水晶膏，送給他喝。劉仲堪喝完，忽然覺得心神清明透徹。不久天色昏暗，隨從全都離去，兩人熄滅蠟燭，脫下衣服，盡情歡愛。天還沒亮，侍女們就又聚齊了。美人起身時，妝容仍和先前一樣，鬢髮整齊，根本不用重新梳理。劉仲堪依依不捨，再三追問她的姓名。她回答說：「告訴你也無妨，只怕讓你更加疑惑。我是甄氏，你是公幹的轉世。當年你因為我獲罪，我心裡實在不忍。今天來相會，也不過是稍稍報答你的一片痴情。」劉仲堪問：「魏文如今在哪裡？」她說：「丕不過是奸賊父親的一個庸碌兒子罷了。我偶然跟著他享受了幾年富貴，事情過去，也就不再放在心上。他先前因為阿瞞的緣故，長期滯留陰間，如今我也沒聽說他的訊息。倒是陳思替天帝掌管典籍，我偶爾還能見到他。」不久，一輛龍車停在庭院裡。她送給劉仲堪一盒玉脂，告別後登上車，由雲彩托著離去了。從此，劉仲堪的文思大有長進。可是他不斷思念美人，出神發呆，像痴了一樣。過了幾個月，漸漸瘦弱得快要支撐不住了。母親不知道緣故，十分擔憂。家裡一個老婦人忽然對他說：「郎君心裡是不是在思念什麼人？」劉仲堪見她的話說中了自己的心事，就把事情告訴了她。老婦人說：「郎君不妨寫封信，我能替你送去。」劉仲堪又驚又喜，說：「你竟有這樣的奇術，我從前真沒看出來。要是真能送到，我絕不敢忘記你的恩情。」於是寫好信，封起來交給老婦人，她立即走了。半夜回來，她說：「幸好沒有誤事。剛到門口，守門的人把我當成妖怪，想把我捆起來。我便拿出郎君的信，他們才拿進去。不一會兒，就叫我進去。夫人也嘆息流淚，說自己不能再來相會，隨即便要寫回信。我說：『郎君已經瘦弱不堪，不是一封信就能治好的。』夫人想了很久，放下筆說：『請你先回去告訴劉郎，我馬上送一位好妻子過去。』臨走時，她又叮囑：『剛才說的，是一輩子的安排；只要不洩露，就能長久相守。』」劉仲堪歡喜地等著。第二天，果然有一位老婦人領著一個姑娘來見他的母親，那姑娘的容貌美得世間少有。老婦人自稱姓陳，說姑娘是自己的女兒，名叫司香，願意嫁來做媳婦。母親很喜歡她；商議聘禮時，老婦人一點財物也不要，一直等到婚禮辦完才走。只有劉仲堪心裡知道這件事不尋常。他私下問司香：「你是夫人的什麼人？」她回答：「我原是銅雀的一名歌妓。」劉仲堪懷疑她是鬼。司香說：「不是。我和夫人都名列仙籍，只因犯了過錯，被貶到人間。夫人已經恢復了原來的仙位，我受罰的期限還沒滿。夫人向天曹請求，暫時讓我供她差遣，我的去留都由夫人決定，所以才能長久陪伴你。」有一天，一個瞎眼老婦人牽著一條黃狗到他家討飯，一面打著拍板，一面唱著民間小曲。司香出去看，腳還沒站穩，那狗就掙斷繩子撲來咬她。她驚慌逃跑，絲衣的衣襟被撕破了。劉仲堪趕緊拿棍子打狗。狗仍怒氣不消，把咬下來的那片衣料嚼得頃刻間碎成麻絲一般。瞎眼老婦人揪住狗頸上的毛，重新拴好，把它帶走。劉仲堪進屋看司香，見她還滿臉驚恐，便說：「你是仙人，怎麼竟怕一條狗？」司香說：「你不知道，那條狗是老瞞變的。他大概是生氣我沒有遵守他分香時留下的禁戒。」劉仲堪想買下那條狗，用棍子打死。司香不肯，說：「這是上帝對他的懲罰，怎麼能擅自殺他？」住了兩年，見過司香的人都驚歎她的美貌，可是仔細打聽她的來歷，卻始終含糊不清，於是大家都懷疑她是妖怪。母親追問劉仲堪，他也稍稍透露了其中的奇異之處。母親大為恐懼，告誡他斷絕這段關係。劉仲堪不聽。母親便暗中找來術士，讓他在庭院裡作法。術士剛在地上劃定地方，要設壇作法，司香就悽然說：「本來想和你相守到老，如今老母親疑忌我，我們夫妻的情分也就斷了。要我走，並不難，只怕禁咒未必能趕走我！」她把柴捆起來，點著火，扔到臺階下面。轉眼間，濃煙籠罩了房屋，面對面的人也看不見彼此。忽然一聲巨響，如同雷鳴；隨後煙散了，只見術士七竅流血，已經死了。進屋一看，司香也不見了。他們叫老婦人來問，她也不知去向。劉仲堪這才告訴母親：「那老婦人大概是隻狐狸。」
洛城刘仲堪，少钝而淫于典籍，恒杜门攻苦，不与世通。一日，方读，忽闻异香满室；少间，珮声甚繁。惊顾之，有美人入，簪珥光采；从者皆宫妆。刘惊伏地下。美人扶之曰：「子何前倨而后恭也？」刘益惶恐曰：「何处天仙，未曾拜识。前此几时有侮？」美人笑曰：「相别几何，遂尔懜懜！危坐磨砖者，非子耶？」乃展锦荐，设瑶浆，捉坐对饮，与论古今事，博洽非常。刘茫茫不知所对。美人曰：「我止赴瑶池一回宴耳；子历几生，聪明顿尽矣！」遂命侍者以汤沃水晶膏进之。刘受饮讫，忽觉心神澄彻。既而曛黑，从者尽去，息烛解襦，曲尽欢好。未曙，诸姬已复集。美人起，妆容如故，鬓发修整，不再理也。刘依依苦诘姓字。答曰：「告郎不妨，恐益君疑耳。妾，甄氏；君，公干后身。当日以妾故罹罪，心实不忍，今日之会，亦聊以报情痴也。」问：「魏文安在？」曰：「丕，不过贼父之庸子耳。妾偶从游嬉富贵者数载，过即不复置念。彼曩以阿瞒故，久滞幽冥，今未闻知。反是陈思为帝典籍，时一见之。」旋见龙舆止于庭中，乃以玉脂合赠刘，作别登车，云推而去。刘自是文思大进。然追念美人，凝思若痴，历数月，渐近羸殆。母不知其故，忧之。家一老妪，忽谓刘曰：「郎君意颇有思否？」刘以言隐中情，告之。妪曰：「郎试作尺一书，我能邮致之。」刘惊喜曰：「子有异术，向日昧于物色。果能之，不敢忘也。」乃折柬为函，付妪便去。半夜而返曰：「幸不悮事。初至门，门者以我为妖，欲加缚絷。我遂出郎君书，乃将去。少顷唤入，夫人亦欷歔，自言不能复会。便欲裁答。我言：『郎君羸惫，非一字所能瘳。』夫人沉思久，乃释笔云：『烦先报刘郎，当即送一佳妇去。』濒行，又嘱：『适所言，乃百年计；但无泄，便可永久矣。』」刘喜伺之。明日，果一老姥率女郎，诣母所，容色绝世。自言：「陈氏；女其所出，名司香，愿求作妇。」母爱之；议聘，更不索赀，坐待成礼而去。惟刘心知其异。阴问女：「系夫人何人？」答云：「妾铜雀故妓也。」刘疑为鬼。女曰：「非也。妾与夫人，俱隶仙籍，偶以罪过谪人间。夫人已复旧位；妾谪限未满，夫人请之天曹，暂使给役，去留皆在夫人，故得长侍床箦耳。」一日，有瞽媪牵黄犬丐食其家，拍板俚歌。女出窥，立未定，犬断索咋女，女骇走，罗衿断。刘急以杖击犬。犬犹怒，龁断幅，顷刻碎如麻。瞽媪捉领毛，缚以去。刘入视女，惊颜未定。曰：「卿仙人，何乃畏犬？」女曰：「君自不知：犬乃老瞒所化，盖怒妾不守分香戒也。」刘欲买犬杖毙。女不可，曰：「上帝所罚，何得擅诛？」居二年，见者皆惊其艳，而审所从来，殊恍惚，于是共疑为妖。母诘刘，刘亦微道其异。母大惧，戒使绝之。刘不听。母阴觅术士来，作法于庭。方规地为坛，女惨然曰：「本期白首；今老母见疑，分义绝矣。要我去，亦复非难，但恐非禁咒所能遣耳！」乃束薪爇火，抛阶下。瞬息烟蔽房屋，对面相失。有声震如雷，既而烟灭，见术士七窍流血死矣。入室，女已渺。呼妪问之，妪亦不知所去。刘始告母：「妪盖狐也。」
洛城的刘仲堪年轻时头脑迟钝，却十分痴迷书籍，常常关起门来埋头苦读，不与外人交往。有一天，他正在读书，忽然闻到满屋异香；过了一会儿，又响起密集的佩饰碰撞声。他惊讶地回头一看，只见一位美人走了进来，发簪耳饰光彩夺目，随从也都穿着宫中女子的服饰。刘仲堪惊得伏在地上。美人扶起他说：“你怎么先前那么傲慢，如今却这么恭敬？”刘仲堪越发惶恐，说：“您是哪一位天仙？我从来没有拜见过。先前什么时候冒犯过您？”美人笑道：“我们才分别多久，你就糊涂成这样了！当初端端正正坐着磨砖的，难道不是你吗？”她让人铺开锦垫，摆上美酒，拉着他坐下对饮，又同他谈论古今的事情，见识广博得非同寻常。刘仲堪茫然不知该怎样应答。美人说：“我不过到瑶池赴了一次宴会，你就已经转过几世，聪明才智也全丢光了！”于是命侍女用热水化开水晶膏，送给他喝。刘仲堪喝完，忽然觉得心神清明透彻。不久天色昏暗，随从全都离去，两人熄灭蜡烛，脱下衣服，尽情欢爱。天还没亮，侍女们就又聚齐了。美人起身时，妆容仍和先前一样，鬓发整齐，根本不用重新梳理。刘仲堪依依不舍，再三追问她的姓名。她回答说：“告诉你也无妨，只怕让你更加疑惑。我是甄氏，你是公干的转世。当年你因为我获罪，我心里实在不忍。今天来相会，也不过是稍稍报答你的一片痴情。”刘仲堪问：“魏文如今在哪里？”她说：“丕不过是奸贼父亲的一个庸碌儿子罢了。我偶然跟着他享受了几年富贵，事情过去，也就不再放在心上。他先前因为阿瞒的缘故，长期滞留阴间，如今我也没听说他的消息。倒是陈思替天帝掌管典籍，我偶尔还能见到他。”不久，一辆龙车停在庭院里。她送给刘仲堪一盒玉脂，告别后登上车，由云彩托着离去了。从此，刘仲堪的文思大有长进。可是他不断思念美人，出神发呆，像痴了一样。过了几个月，渐渐瘦弱得快要支撑不住了。母亲不知道缘故，十分担忧。家里一个老妇人忽然对他说：“郎君心里是不是在思念什么人？”刘仲堪见她的话说中了自己的心事，就把事情告诉了她。老妇人说：“郎君不妨写封信，我能替你送去。”刘仲堪又惊又喜，说：“你竟有这样的奇术，我从前真没看出来。要是真能送到，我绝不敢忘记你的恩情。”于是写好信，封起来交给老妇人，她立即走了。半夜回来，她说：“幸好没有误事。刚到门口，守门的人把我当成妖怪，想把我捆起来。我便拿出郎君的信，他们才拿进去。不一会儿，就叫我进去。夫人也叹息流泪，说自己不能再来相会，随即便要写回信。我说：‘郎君已经瘦弱不堪，不是一封信就能治好的。’夫人想了很久，放下笔说：‘请你先回去告诉刘郎，我马上送一位好妻子过去。’临走时，她又叮嘱：‘刚才说的，是一辈子的安排；只要不泄露，就能长久相守。’”刘仲堪欢喜地等着。第二天，果然有一位老妇人领着一个姑娘来见他的母亲，那姑娘的容貌美得世间少有。老妇人自称姓陈，说姑娘是自己的女儿，名叫司香，愿意嫁来做媳妇。母亲很喜欢她；商议聘礼时，老妇人一点财物也不要，一直等到婚礼办完才走。只有刘仲堪心里知道这件事不寻常。他私下问司香：“你是夫人的什么人？”她回答：“我原是铜雀的一名歌妓。”刘仲堪怀疑她是鬼。司香说：“不是。我和夫人都名列仙籍，只因犯了过错，被贬到人间。夫人已经恢复了原来的仙位，我受罚的期限还没满。夫人向天曹请求，暂时让我供她差遣，我的去留都由夫人决定，所以才能长久陪伴你。”有一天，一个瞎眼老妇人牵着一条黄狗到他家讨饭，一面打着拍板，一面唱着民间小曲。司香出去看，脚还没站稳，那狗就挣断绳子扑来咬她。她惊慌逃跑，丝衣的衣襟被撕破了。刘仲堪赶紧拿棍子打狗。狗仍怒气不消，把咬下来的那片衣料嚼得顷刻间碎成麻丝一般。瞎眼老妇人揪住狗颈上的毛，重新拴好，把它带走。刘仲堪进屋看司香，见她还满脸惊恐，便说：“你是仙人，怎么竟怕一条狗？”司香说：“你不知道，那条狗是老瞒变的。他大概是生气我没有遵守他分香时留下的禁戒。”刘仲堪想买下那条狗，用棍子打死。司香不肯，说：“这是上帝对他的惩罚，怎么能擅自杀他？”住了两年，见过司香的人都惊叹她的美貌，可是仔细打听她的来历，却始终含糊不清，于是大家都怀疑她是妖怪。母亲追问刘仲堪，他也稍稍透露了其中的奇异之处。母亲大为恐惧，告诫他断绝这段关系。刘仲堪不听。母亲便暗中找来术士，让他在庭院里作法。术士刚在地上划定地方，要设坛作法，司香就凄然说：“本来想和你相守到老，如今老母亲疑忌我，我们夫妻的情分也就断了。要我走，并不难，只怕禁咒未必能赶走我！”她把柴捆起来，点着火，扔到台阶下面。转眼间，浓烟笼罩了房屋，面对面的人也看不见彼此。忽然一声巨响，如同雷鸣；随后烟散了，只见术士七窍流血，已经死了。进屋一看，司香也不见了。他们叫老妇人来问，她也不知去向。刘仲堪这才告诉母亲：“那老妇人大概是只狐狸。”
Liu Zhongkan of Luoyang was slow-witted as a boy but besotted with books. He kept his door shut and toiled at his studies, having no dealings with the world. One day, as he was reading, a strange fragrance suddenly filled the room; a moment later came a busy jingling of pendants. He looked round in alarm. A beautiful lady came in, her hairpins and earrings glittering; her attendants were all dressed as palace women. Liu, startled, threw himself down on the floor. The lady raised him up. “Why so haughty before and so humble now?” she said. More frightened than ever, Liu said, “Which heavenly immortal are you? I have never had the honour of meeting you. When was I ever rude to you?” The lady laughed. “Has it been so long since we parted, that you are this muddled? Was it not you who sat bolt upright grinding bricks?” She had a brocade mat spread and jade nectar set out, pulled him down to sit, and drank with him, talking of things past and present with uncommon learning. Liu was at a loss and could find nothing to say. “I went to just one banquet at the Jasper Pool,” said the lady, “and you have gone through several lives — and all your wits are gone!” She told an attendant to dissolve some crystal paste in hot water and give it to him. Liu drank it down, and at once felt his mind turn clear and bright. Soon dusk fell. The attendants all left; the candles were put out, clothes loosened, and the two of them took their pleasure to the full. Before dawn the women had gathered again. The lady rose; her face and dress were as before, her hair still smooth and neat, needing no tending. Clinging to her, Liu begged to know her name. “There is no harm in telling you,” she said, “but I fear it will only puzzle you more. I am Lady Zhen; you are Gonggan reborn. In those days you were punished because of me, and in my heart I could not bear it. This meeting is a small repayment for your foolish love.” “Where is Emperor Wen of Wei now?” he asked. “Pi? He was nothing but the mediocre son of a villainous father. I happened to follow him in his wealth and pleasures for a few years, and once it was over I gave him no more thought. Because of A-Man he was kept a long time in the underworld; I have heard nothing of him since. It is Chen Si, rather, who keeps the records for the Emperor on High; I see him now and then.” Then a dragon carriage was seen to stop in the courtyard. She gave Liu a box of jade salve, said goodbye, and mounted the carriage; clouds bore it away. From then on Liu’s writing improved greatly. But he pined for the lady, sunk in thought as if in a daze, and after some months he had wasted nearly to death. His mother did not know the cause and was worried. An old woman of the household suddenly said to him, “Young master, is someone on your mind?” Her words touched his secret, and Liu told her. “Try writing a letter, young master,” she said. “I can deliver it.” Liu was surprised and delighted. “You have strange powers, and I never saw it till now. If you can really do this, I will never forget it.” He folded a sheet into a letter and handed it to her, and off she went. She came back at midnight. “Luckily I didn’t spoil things. When I first got to the gate, the gatekeepers took me for a demon and were going to tie me up. So I brought out your letter, and they took it in. Soon I was called inside. Her ladyship sighed and wept too, and said she could not meet you again. She was about to write an answer. I said, ‘The young master is worn to the bone; a letter won’t cure him.’ Her ladyship thought for a long time, then laid down her brush and said, ‘Please go back first and tell Master Liu I will send him a good wife at once.’ Just as I was leaving she told me as well: ‘What I have just said is a plan for a lifetime. So long as it does not leak out, it can last forever.’” Liu waited gladly. The next day, sure enough, an old woman brought a girl to his mother’s rooms, a girl of matchless beauty. The old woman said her family name was Chen, that the girl was her daughter, called Sixiang, and that she wished her to become Liu’s wife. His mother loved the girl. When they discussed the betrothal, the old woman asked for no gifts at all, but stayed until the wedding was done and then left. Only Liu knew in his heart that something strange was afoot. He asked the girl privately, “What are you to the lady?” “I was once a singing girl of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace,” she answered. Liu suspected she was a ghost. “No,” she said. “The lady and I are both on the rolls of the immortals; we were banished to the world of men for some offence. The lady has gone back to her old place. My term of banishment is not yet up. The lady asked the heavenly office to let me serve her for a while, and whether I go or stay is up to her. So I can wait on you at your bedside for a long time.” One day a blind old woman leading a yellow dog came begging at the house, beating clappers and singing country songs. The girl came out to look. Before she had even stood still, the dog broke its rope and went for her. She fled in terror, and her silk skirt tore. Liu quickly beat the dog with a stick. The dog, still furious, gnawed the torn piece of cloth, and in a moment it was shredded like hemp. The blind woman caught it by the scruff, tied it up and led it away. Liu went in to see the girl; she was still pale with fright. “You are an immortal, my dear,” he said. “How can you be afraid of a dog?” “You don’t know,” she said. “The dog is old A-Man reborn. He is angry that I did not keep his command about the shared incense.” Liu wanted to buy the dog and beat it to death. The girl would not allow it. “He is being punished by the Lord on High. How can we kill him on our own?” She had been there two years. All who saw her were amazed at her beauty, but when they asked where she came from, the answers were hazy, and so everyone began to suspect she was a demon. Liu’s mother questioned him, and he hinted a little at the strangeness. His mother was terrified and told him to break with her. Liu would not listen. His mother secretly found a sorcerer and had him work his rites in the courtyard. Just as he was marking out an altar on the ground, the girl said sorrowfully, “I had hoped to grow old with you. Now your mother suspects me, and our bond is at an end. If she wants me gone, that is not hard — but I doubt spells and charms can send me away!” She bound up a bundle of firewood, set it alight and threw it down below the steps. In an instant smoke covered the house, so that people face to face could not see each other. There was a crash like thunder; then the smoke cleared, and the sorcerer lay dead, blood streaming from his eyes, ears, nose and mouth. They went into her room: the girl had vanished. They called the old servant woman to ask her, but she too was gone, no one knew where. Only then did Liu tell his mother, “The old woman must have been a fox.”