Part 40

“I thought, like you, that it would fly far, far away, but no! It only flew above my head a space, then soft alighted on a cherry tree close by, and filled the air with its sweet song.”

“But since?”

“Since then, Masago, the cage is always opened wide. Yet still the nightingale makes its home within.”

“It is a pretty tale,” said Masago, thoughtfully, “but I should fear to lose the bird.”

She arose and began once more to survey the long folds of her silken gown.

Sado-ko looked at her in silence, an expression of wistfulness about her eyes.

“It must be late,” said Masago. “The fog is thick without. Should I not go now?”

Silently the princess arose.

“You are eager to try the new life,” she said, smiling sadly, then sighing.

“Yes, I am eager,” said Masago. “Who would not be?”

“Oka, the guide, is without, Masago. He is safe, is he not?”

“Oh, surely.”

“Then there will be no peril in your return to Aoyama?”

“Oh, none,” said Masago, then hesitated a moment. “But I do not think I will go there to-night.” She appeared to be turning something over in her mind. The princess watched her doubtful face.

“I would much rather go to Tokyo straightway,” said Masago.

“That is well, then,” the other assented. “But first you will need to go up to the palace, for there your attendants still remain. Then I would advise that you leave to-night by norimono. Speak little to the maiden, Natsu-no, who is keen-eared and keener eyed; but if you so desire, make inquiries of the Madame Bara, the chaperone. She is absent-minded and stupid.”

“I do not wish to travel by norimon,” said Masago. Then clasping her hands, she said, “Oh, I have long desired to travel in great royal state in a private train, such as it is said the Prince Komatzu uses.”

“Very well, then. But give your orders at the palace. You will be obeyed. And now—you are going?”

“Shaka! I begin to tremble.”

“And I,” said Sado-ko, tremulously.

“Will not the maid discover—”

“Masago, bear in mind, the maid is but a maid. Treat her so.”

“Ah, true! Yet you bade me be most kind to her.”

“Kind, but not familiar.”

“Oh, I will try. Now, what must I do to call her?”

“Why, clap your hands.”

“So simple a signal for a princess?”

“Yes. Just so. I will illustrate.”