Description: The Story of the Stone Volume 1Note on Spelling Introduction Chapter 1: Zhen Shi-yin makes the Stone''s acquaintance in a dream; and Jia Yu-cun finds that poverty is not incompatible with romantic feelings Chapter 2: A daughter of the Jias ends her days in Yangchow city; and Leng Zi-xing discourses on the Jias of Rong-guo House Chapter 3: Lin Ru-hai recommends a private tutor to his brother-in-law; and old lady Jia extends a compassionate welcome to the motherless child Chapter 4: The Bottle-gourd girl meets and unfortunate young man; and the Bottle-gourd monk settles a protracted lawsuit Chapter 5: Jia Bao-yu visits the Land of Illusion; and the fairy Disenchantment performs the ''Dream of Golden Days'' Chapter 6: Jia Bao-yu conducts his first experiment in the Art of Love; and Grannie Liu makes her first entry into the Rong-guo mansion Chapter 7: Zhou Rui''s wife delivers palace flowers and finds Jia Lian pursuing night sports by day; Jia Bao-yu visits the Ning-guo mansion and has an agreeable collquy with Qin-shi''s brother Chapter 8: Jia Bao-yu is allowed to see the strangely corresponding golden locket; and Xue Bao-chai has a predestined encounter with the Magic Jade Chapter 9: A son is admonished and Li Gui recieves an alarming warning; a pupil is abused and Tealeaf throws the classroom in an uproar Chapter 10: Widow Jin''s self-interest gets the better of her righteous indignation; and Doctor Zhang''s dianosis reveals the orgin of a puzzling disease Chapter 11: Ning-guo House celebrates the birthday of an absent member; and Jia Rui conceives an illicit passion for his attractive cousin Chapter 12: Wang Xi-feng sets a trap for her admirer; and Jia Rui looks into the wrong side of the mirror Chapter 13: Qin-shi posthumanously acquires the status of a Noble Dame; and Xi-feng takes on the management of a neighbouring establishment Chapter 14: Lin Ru-hai is conveyed to his last resting-place in Soochow; and Jia Bao-yu is presented to the Prince of Bei-jing at a roadside halt Chapter 15: At Water-moon piory Xi-feng finds how much profit may be procured by the abuse of power; and Qin Zhong discovers the pleasures that are to be had sunder cover of darkness Chapter 16: Jia Yuan-chun is selected for glorious promotion to the Imperial Bedchamber; and Qin Zhong is summoned for premature departure on the Journey into Night Chapter 17: The inspection of the new garden becomes a test of talent; and Rong-guo House makes itself ready for an important visitor Chapter 18: A brief family reunion is permitted by the magnanimity of a gracious Emperor; and an Imperial Concubine takes pleasure in the literacy progress of a younger brother Chapter 19: A very earnest young woman offers counsel by night; and a very endearing one is found to be a source of fragrance by day Chapter 20: Wang Xi-feng castigates a jealous attitude with some forthright speaking; and Lin Dai-yu makes a not unattractive speech impediment the subject of a jest Chapter 21: Righteous Aroma discovers how to rebuke her master by saying nothing; and artful Patience is able to rescue hers by being somewhat less than truthful Chapter 22: Bao-yu finds Zen enlightenment in an operatic aria; and Jia Zheng sees portents of doom in lantern riddles Chapter 23: Words for the ''Western Chamber'' supply a joke that offends; and songs from the ''Soul''s Return'' move a tender heart to anguish Chapter 24: The Drunken Diamond shows nobility of character in handling his money; and the Quiet-voiced Girl provides material for fantasy by losing her handkerchief Chapter 25: Two cousins are subjected by witchcraft to the assaults of demons; and the Magic Jade meets an old acquaintance while rather the worse for wear Chapter 26: A conversation on Wasp Waist Bridge is a cover for communication of a different kind; and a soliloquy overheard in the Naiad''s House reveals unsuspected depths of feeling Appendix Characters in Volume I Genealogical Tables

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