21

Yu~giri was observing what he could from behind curtains. Usually he would have been afraid of being apprehended, but today sorrow had overcome caution. He dabbed at his eyes.

It was all too sad, thought Saisho~. With Omiya's connivance, she took advantage of the evening confusion to arrange one last meeting.

They sat for a time in silent tears, suddenly shy before each other.

“Your father is being very strict. I will do as he wishes. But I know I will be lonely without you. Why did you not let me see more of you when it was possible?”

“I only wish I had.”

“Will you think of me?” There was an engaging boyishness in the gently bowed figure.

Lamps were lighted. A great shouting in the distance proclaimed that the minister was on his way back from court. Women darted here and there preparing to receive him. The girl was trembling.

If they wanted to be so noisy, thought the boy, let them; but he would defend her.

Her nurse found him in this defiant attitude. Outrageous—and Prin-cess Omiya had without a doubt known of it.

“It will not do, my lady,” she said firmly. “Your father will be furious. Your young friend here may have many excellent qualities. Of them I do not know. I do know that you were meant for someone better than a page boy dressed in blue.”

A page boy in blue! Anger drove away a part of the sorrow.

“You heard that?

“These sleeves are crimson, dyed with tears of blood.

How can she say that they are lowly blue? It was very unkind.”

“My life is dyed with sorrows of several hues.

Pray tell me which is the hue of the part we share.”

She had scarcely finished when her father came to take her away.