Set in China, and telling in fictional form the story of the Empress Dowager. The story of a beautiful young woman named Orchid who, on her way to Pekin to meet her betrothed, meets "the handsome young son of a country cobbler." An unusual relationship is subsequently formed between the girl who has grown up "with the feeling that she was one day destined to be the Empress of China," and the young man whose service as Palace Attendant in the Imperial Court requires that he first be castrated (that is one *hell* of a job-description requirement). Red cloth w/black spine lettering, 362 pages (including Appendix), dust jacket illustration by H. Hurd. A bit of slant, discoloured/lightly stained cover edges, tanned/lightly soiled edges, gift inscription to previous owner, in significantly worn dust jacket. A scarce title in any condition, especially with a dust jacket. Jacket in protective mylar sleeve.