Part 69

She averted her face, not hesitating in her deceit.

“Your jealousy is misplaced, Komatzu. They told you truly last night. I was—as women often are—witless. Who would not be at such a shock?”

“You speak of your betrothal?”

“I do. Do you not understand, Komatzu?”

She went closer to him. “The thought of union with another than yourself unnerved me.”

He spoke impetuously, and as though a weight was lifted from his mind:—

“Princess, could I believe your words, I would be the happiest prince in all the land.”

“Believe them,” she pleaded. “It is the truth I speak; I swear it by all the eight million gods of heaven, and by our ancestor, the Sun-god. I went to Kamakura, rashly, blindly, wildly, because of love for you.”

He looked searchingly into her eyes. Then as if satisfied he stooped and kissed her lips, a habit they had recently adopted at court.

“I have suffered, Sado-ko, more than I ever dreamed possible. I thought this artist-fellow was alone responsible for your action.”

“Komatzu, he is already betrothed to the merchant’s daughter, a simple maid, who bears a small resemblance to me.”

He made a gesture of denial.

“That is impossible, princess. What, you compare one of her class with you! It is most gracious. No one in all the land can equal you in beauty.”

She smiled in happiness.

“Your journey was a fortunate event, though a morsel for the gossips, princess. Do you know that this latest caprice so moved the young and easily shocked Crown Prince, that in disgust he hastened to his father, and on his knees besought him to grant another wife?”

They laughed.

“What happened next?”

“One hour after you left Tokyo, Sado-ko was humiliated, her betrothal being publicly annulled. It made a noisy story for a space.”

“And next what happened?”

“Next, I too presented myself before his Majesty, who, being uncle as well as father, was ready to condone offence unfitted for a future Empress. Consequently, when I begged him to grant me your hand in marriage, he graciously consented.”

“And you followed me at once?”

“At once.”

When Komatzu had left her, Masago stood for some time looking from the casement of the palace.

“To think,” she murmured, “of the folly I was near to committing but last night. The court is cold and heartless, yet it is my true, true home, for there is the only one on earth who loves me.” She sighed. “I am an outcast from my childhood’s home—even my stupid mother denies me. It was fitting!”

The voice of the waiting-woman, Natsu-no, broke upon her meditations.

“Exalted princess!” She turned slowly toward the woman. At her haggard aspect she was touched.

“What is it, Natsu-no?” she asked with compassion.

“I am no longer young,” said the woman. “I was handmaiden to the mother of the Princess Sado-ko, and from her birth I served the latter.”