15

Higekuro presently departed, taking the boys with him. All the way back to his house, where he left them, for he could not after all take them to Rokujo~, he gave them his side of the story.

“Just pretend that nothing is amiss. I will look in on you from time to time. It will be no trouble at al?”

They were yet another weight on his spirits, which revived considerably, however, at the sight of his new wife, in such contrast to the queer old wife who had left him.

He made Prince Hyo~bu's hostility his excuse for not writing. The prince thought it rather exaggerated and extreme.

“I think it very unfair of her to be angry with me,” said Murasaki.

“It is difficult for all of us,” said Genji. “Tamakazura has always been an unmanageable young lady, and now she has won me the emperor's displeasure. I understand that Prince Hotaru has been very angry. But he is a reasonable man, and the signs are that he has accepted my explanations. Romantic affairs cannot be kept secret, whatever precautions we may take. I am glad that I have nothing on my conscience.”