18

The Suzaku emperor moved into his temple that same month. Numbers of emotional letters came to Rokujo~, for Genji and of course for the princess. He said several times that Genji must not think about him but must follow his own judgment in his treatment of the princess. He could not even so hide his disquietude. She was so very young and defenseless.

He also wrote to Murasaki. “I fear I have left an unthinking child on your hands. Do please be tolerant. I venture to comfort myself with the thought that the close relationship between you will make it difficult for you to reject her.

“Deep into these mountains I would go,

But thoughts of one I leave still pull me back.

“If I express myself foolishly it is because the heart of a father is darkness.* You must forgive me.”

Genji was with her when it was delivered. It showed deep feeling, he said, and must be treated with respect. He ordered wine for the messenger.

Murasaki did not know how to reply. A long and elaborate letter somehow did not seem appropriate. She finally made do with an im-promptu poem:

“If your thoughts are upon the world you leave behind,

You should not make a point of cutting your ties.”

She gave the messenger a set of women's robes.

So fine was her handwriting that it set the Suzaku emperor to worry-ing anew. He should not have left his artless daughter in a house where the other ladies were so subtle.