35

Niou chanced to be with the princess when the ivy was delivered.

“From the Sanjo~ house,” said the woman nonchalantly.

So she would have to go through it all over again! Nakanokimi wished that she could somehow hide the gift.

“Most remarkable,” said Niou, his manner richly insinuating.

He took up the ivy and a letter that said in part: “Have you been better these last few days? I paid a visit to your mountain village, and lost my way among the clinging mountain mists. I shall tell you all about it when I see you. The abbot and I went over plans for rebuilding the house as a memorial hall. When I have your approval I shall see to arrangements for moving it. Perhaps I may ask you to give Bennokimi the necessary instructions.”

“Very cool and distant,” said Niou.” He must have known I would be here.”

There was possibly a grain of truth in it; but Nakanokimi, delighted that the letter was so innocuous, now found herself damned by the very innocuousness. Her irritation was visible, and so charming that he had to forgive her everything.

“Send off an answer, now. I won't watch.” He turned away.

Since a show of reluctance would only make matters worse, she took up her brush.

“I am very envious of you, running off to the mountains. I have been thinking that very much the disposition you suggest should be made of the house; and I think too that, rather than seek some other'cave among the rocks'* when the time comes for me to leave the world, I would like to keep it in repair. I shall be very pleased indeed if you remodel it as you find appropriate.”

It seemed an easy, relaxed friendship, thought Niou, that offered no ground for jealousy; but he was suspicious all the same, knowing that he himself would not dream of allowing everything to meet the eye. It was not an easy situation for Nakanokimi.