27

The Ichijo~ house, now buzzing with life, was scarcely recognizable. She found it somehow frightening, and at first refused to leave the carriage, which had been pulled up at a veranda. What a foolish child, said her women, who could not think what to do.

Yu~giri had taken the main room of the east wing for his own use. There were whispers of astonishment back at Sanjo~. “When can it all have begun?”

This most proper of gentlemen was showing unexpected tendencies. Everyone concluded that he must have kept the affair secret for months and years. It did not occur to people that in fact the princess was still defending her virtue. The gossip and Yu~giri's continuing attentions made her very unhappy indeed.

It was not the best possible time for nuptial measures, but he pro-ceeded to the princess's rooms when dinner was over and the house was quiet, and demanded that Kosho~sho~ admit him.

“Please, sir. If your affection seems likely to last awhile longer, please do her the kindness of waiting a day or two. It may seem to you that she has come home, but she feels utterly lost and is lying there as if she might be on the point of expiring. She tells me I am being heartless when I try to rouse her. I would find it almost impossible to say more than I have already said even if I were arguing my own case.”

“How very strange. She is a sillier goose than I had imagined.” All over again, he assured Kosho~sho~ that his motives were unassailable.

“Please, sir, I beg of you. I do almost fear that I might have another dead lady on my hands, and your reasoned arguments are beyond me. Please, please do nothing rash or violent.”

“Now this is a unique situation. I have been put at the bottom of the list, and I would like to call in judges and ask whether I deserve to be there.” He fell silent.

Kosho~sho~ smiled. “If you think it unique, then you are confessing that you have not had much experience in these matters. We must by all means call in judges.”