Now that Fa FAI had attained an age when she could fittingly be sought in marriage the contingency might occur at any time, and the problem confronting her father's decision was this: owing to her incomparable perfection Fa FAI must be accounted one of Wong Ts'in's chief possessions, the other undoubtedly being his secret process of simulating the lustrous effect of pure gold embellishment on china by the application of a much less expensive substitute.
"Kai Lung's Golden Hours"
Ernest Bramah Commentator: Hilaire Belloc
If, on the other hand, Fa FAI went without any added inducement, a mandarin of moderate rank would probably be as high as Wong Ts'in could look, but he would certainly be able to adopt another of at least equal position, at the price of making over to him the ultimate benefit of his discovery.
"Kai Lung's Golden Hours"
Ernest Bramah Commentator: Hilaire Belloc
"Its probable object is not altogether unknown to the one who stands before you," admitted Fa FAI, "and as a dutiful and affectionate daughter it has become a consideration with her whether she ought not to press forward, as it were, to a solution on her own account.
"Kai Lung's Golden Hours"
Ernest Bramah Commentator: Hilaire Belloc