6

The intermediary was an unprincipled man. He was sorry for what had happened, because he had expected favors from both sides.

“You want one of the governor's own daughters, then? They're still very young, but maybe I could tell him. The next-oldest they call Himegimi. I hear she's his favorite.”

“Well—it might not seem very nice just to drop the poor girl and ask for another, now that I've gone this far. But let me tell you how I really feel. I got into this because the governor is a man of substance who handles himself well, and I wanted his backing. That's all. I don't ask for beauty or superior morals. It wouldn't be any trouble at all to find that sort of thing, and good manners and a good family to boot. But a poor man who marries a girl with tastes beyond his means is asking for trouble, and can't expect much praise from the world. No, I've seen enough examples of that sort of thing, and I think I'd be willing to put up with a little roughness for a safe, dependable marriage. If you tell the governor how I feel and if he feels the same, I don't see how anyone could object.”