19

Yu~giri picked this unfortunate time to come calling. He called fre-quently these days, hoping for a few words with Kumoinokari. He saw To~ no Chu~jo~'s carriage and slipped guiltily off to his own room.

To~ no Chu~jo~ had several of his sons with him, but they were not permitted access to the women's quarters. The late chancellor's sons by other ladies continued to be attentive, and various grandsons were also frequent callers. None of them rivaled Yu~giri in looks. He was her favorite grandchild. Now that he had been taken away Kumoinokari was the one she kept beside her. And Kumoinokari too was being taken away. The loneliness would be too much.

“I must look in at the palace,” said To~ no Chu~jo~. “I will come for her in the evening.”

He was beginning to think that he must act with forbearance and presently let the two have their way. But he was angry. When the boy had advanced somewhat in rank and presented a somewhat more imposing figure, he might see whether they were still as fond of each other. Then, if he chose to give his permission, he would arrange a proper wedding. In the meantime he could not be sure—for children were not to be trusted— that his orders would be obeyed, and he had no confidence in his mother. So, with the other daughter his main material, he put together a case which he argued before his wife and his mother, and brought Kumoinokari home.