9

It was also of course reminiscent, for Genji and To~ no Chu~jo~ had not met in a very long time. When they did not see each other they were always finding themselves at odds over things that did not matter, but when they were together all the solid reasons for friendship reasserted themselves. They talked of happenings old and recent, and presently it was evening. To~ no Chu~jo~ continued to press wine on his mother's guests.

“I have hesitated to visit Mother without an invitation. And what would you have said if I had known you were here and not come?”

“Nothing at all, except to apologize for my own remissness—though I have at times, you know, had reason to be annoyed with you.” +

The troublesome matter of the younger generation, thought To~ no Chu~jo~, retreating into polite silence.

“In the old days,” said Genji, “I never felt comfortable unless I had your opinion on every matter, public and private, large and small, and the two of us in His Majesty's service seemed like two wings serving one bird. As the years went by there were from time to time things that rather went against my wishes. They were private. In matters of public policy I have never doubted our being on the same side, and I do not doubt it now. I find my thoughts turning more to the past, and I also find that we see less and less of each other. It is entirely proper that you should stand on the dignity of your office, and yet I do sometimes wish that in private matters ceremony might be dispensed with. There have been times when I have wished that you might come calling.”

“Yes, it is as you say. In the old days you must have thought it ill-mannered and inconsiderate of me to make such demands on your time. I had no secrets from you and I profited enormously from your advice. You praise me too highly when you suggest that I have ever performed as your companion wing. I have made use of your enormous abilities to support my own inadequate ones and so I have been privileged to be of service to His Majesty. You must not for a moment think that I am ungrateful. But it is once again as you say: we see far too little of each other.”

Genji presently found a chance to turn to his main subject.

“How perfectly extraordinary.” To~ no Chu~jo~ was in tears. “I believe that my feelings once got the better of me and I told you of my search for the girl. As I have risen to my modest position in the world I have gathered my stupid daughters around me, not omitting the least-favored of them. They have found ways to make themselves known. And when I think of the lost ones, it is she who comes first to mind.”

they remembered the confessions made and the conclusions reached that rainy night, they laughed and wept and the earlier stiffness disappeared. It was very late when they went their separate ways.

“The sight of you brings fond memories,” said Genji, “and I do not at all want to leave.” It was not like him to weep so easily. Perhaps he had had too much to drink.

Princess Omiya was weeping copiously. The sight of Genji, so much handsomer and grander than in the old years, made her think of her late daughter. It does seem to be true that a nun's habit and briny waters have an affinity for each other.*

Genji let the opportunity pass to touch upon Yu~giri's affairs. It would have been in bad taste to introduce so clear a case of injustice on To~ no Chu~jo~'s part, and To~ no Chu~jo~ himself thought the matter one for Genji to bring up. And so the tension between them was not after all completely dispelled.

“I know that I should see you home,” said To~ no Chu~jo~, “but you gave me such short notice, and I would not want to attract attention. I will call on you soon to tell you again how grateful I am for this visit.”

Genji replied that it had been a joy to find Omiya less ill than he had feared and that he would hold To~ no Chu~jo~ most firmly to his engagement to bestow the ceremonial train.

They parted in the best of spirits, on the surface at least. Their retinues were very grand. The various sons and brothers in attendance would have liked very much to know what had been discussed. Both Genji and To~ no Chu~jo~ seemed happy with the discussion, and so who might be expected to resign what office now, and in favor of whom? No one suspected what had in fact been the reason for the meeting.