21

Miyanokimi had rooms in the west wing. Numerous other young women had gathered to enjoy the moonlight. She too was a princess, he thought, and sighed again, this time at the uncertainty of human destinies. He started toward her rooms, remembering that he had been among the tentative candidates for her hand. Two or three little girl s, very pretty in formal livery, had been strolling up and down the veranda. They retreated at his approach. There was nothing to be shy about, thought he, but such was the way with little girls. He stopped before the south door and coughed to attract attention. An elderly woman came out.

“I might say that I have had secret thoughts about your lady, but I fear I would sound altogether too gauche and unimaginative. So here I am, seeking as best I can to describe 'what lies beyond mere thoughts].'“*

A forward sort, the woman chose to make reply in her mistress's stead. “In the rather unexpected pass we have arrived at, the views of my lady's royal father come frequently to mind. I have more than once heard her speak of them. I feel sure that these indirections of yours would give her much pleasure.”

He was being put off like any wayward young man. He had failed to make his point.

“I have never been one to abandon people near me, and now more than ever, in this 'unexpected pass,' it would please me if she might find cause to look to me for support. But one is not always delighted to be confronted with an intermediary, you may perhaps have guessed, when one wishes to address a lady.”

Somewhat discommoded, she seems to have stirred her lady to action.

“I have 'not even the aged pines of Takasago'* for comrades.” This time it was Miyanokimi's own voice, gentle and youthful. “Your assurance that you have not forgotten gives me comfort.”

Though the remark was acceptable enough in itself, he was of two minds about it. Here was a princess of the blood reduced to addressing a man, albeit briefly, as if she were an ordinary lady-in-waiting. He longed for a glimpse of her, since there could be no doubt about her grace and distinction; and then a flicker of wry amusement crossed his mind. Niou would be ill again!