midday
Her affection for Tu had been the growth of many months , and she had no feeling in common with a young lady who could take a violent liking for a young man simply from seeing him taking his post-prandial ease . It was therefore with complete satisfaction that she left the inn in the course of the morning to pay her farewell visits to the governor and the judge of the province , who had taken an unusual interest in Colonel Wen 's case since Jasmine had become his personal advocate . Both officials had promised to do all they could for the prisoner , and had loaded Jasmine with tokens of good will in the shape of strange and rare fruits and culinary delicacies . On this particular day the governor had invited her to the midday meal , and it was late in the afternoon before she found her way back to the inn . The following morning she rose early , intending to start before noon , and was stepping into the courtyard to give directions to `` The Dragon , '' when , to her surprise , she was accosted by Miss King 's servant , who , with a waggish smile and a cunning shake of the head , said : `` How can one so young as your Excellency be such a proficient in the art of inventing flowers of the imagination ? '' `` What do you mean ? '' said Jasmine .