11

She went to Ukifune's room. The girl was charming, beautiful—a superior girl, without question, despite what had happened. In tears, the governor's wife told the nurse her story.

“Men are utterly cruel. I have always said to myself that I must have no favorites among my sons-in-law, but I have known that I would give up everything for the husband of this one. And look at him, throwing her over because she has no father, taking a mere child in her place. He's impossible. I do not want to be where I have to see him or hear his voice. Just listen to them if you will—as if it were the greatest honor in the world. They're a match for each other, that man and my good husband. I want no part of it. I only wish that I could get out of this house.”

The nurse was incensed. It was good of him to look down upon her lady. “But there's nothing to carry on about. I say she's lucky this has happened. If that's the sort of person he is, well, let's just say that he has no taste. We'll wait for someone with good taste to come along. I had just the quickest glimpse of the gentleman at Uji the other day, and it added years to my life. If he says he's interested, well, all we have to do is let things run their course.”

“You're mad. Everyone says it takes the most extraordinary kind of woman to interest him. Lord Yu~giri and Lord Ko~bai and Prince Hotaru all went down on their knees, they say, and he sent them away and finally got one of His Majesty's own daughters. I imagine he just thinks of putting the child in his mother's service and seeing her now and then. It would be a fine house to be in, of course, but I would worry even so. Everyone says how lucky her sister is, and certainly she has her worries. The only man you can trust is the man who is willing to make do with one wife. I know that well enough from my own experience. The prince at Uji was a fine, sensitive gentleman, but he treated me as if I were less than human. I can't tell you how much I suffered. The governor is a complete boor and not at all good-looking, but the years have gone quietly by because he has been faithful to me. The sort of thing he did tonight isn't easy to live with, but he has never given me reason to be jealous. When we have had our quarrels they have been out in the open. All those grand houses, ministers and princes and that sort of people—they may be so stylish they make you dizzy. But a woman has to remember her place in the world. That's what makes all the difference, and that's why I'm so sad for the poor child. I only wish I could make her a match that people wouldn't laugh at.”