18

He sent repeated messengers from his offices, all with the same mes-sage: “We will leave together as soon as it is dark. I do not want you to make this your occasion for establishing residence here. Indeed I would be very upset.”

She did not answer.

“The Genji minister,” argued her women, “says that we needn't be in such a hurry. He says that His Majesty has seen little of us and it is our duty to let him see more. Don't you think it would be rather abrupt and even a little rude if we were to slip off this very night?”

“I plead with her and plead with her,” said Higekuro, “and seem to have no effect at all.”