20

Omiya sent a note to her granddaughter: “Your father may be angry with me, but you will understand my feelings. Do let me have another look at you.”

Beautifully dressed, she came to her grandmother's apartments. She was fourteen, still a child but already endowed with a most pleasing calm and poise.

“You have been my little plaything all these mornings and nights. I have scarcely let you out of my sight. I Will be very lonely without you.” She was weeping. “I have thought a great deal about what is to come and who will see you through it all. I am sorry for you. Who will you have now that they are taking you away?”

Also in tears and much embarrassed, the girl was unable to look at her grandmother.

Saisho~, the boy's nurse, came in. “I had thought of myself as serving both of you,” she said softly. “I am very sorry indeed that you are leaving. Whatever plans your esteemed father may have for marrying you to someone else, do not let him have his way.”

Yet more acutely embarrassed, Kumoinokari looked at the floor.

“We must not speak of such difficult things,” said Omiya. “Life is uncertain for all of us.”

“That is not the point, my lady,” replied Saisho~ indignantly. “His Lordship dismisses the young master as beneath his contempt. Well, let him go asking whether anyone is thought better.”