man. "Deign to
pardon the careless action. Alas! The foot of the young master is sadly
injured. My husband is a doctor, Gita Kyu[u]an, of wondrous skill in the
Dutch practice. Condescend to enter the poor house close by here, and
allow drugs to be applied to the wound." Shu[u]zen really was suffering
inconvenience and pain from his wound. Besides, as attached to the
office of the _machibugyo[u]_, he sought all means of contact with the
class whose offences were to be dealt with. He at once agreed. Ogita was
absent when they entered. O'Yoshi tended the wound herself. The salve
really had wonderful effect. Flow of blood and pain ceased. Cakes and
tea, for refreshment, were placed before Shu[u]zen. O'Yoshi entertained
him with amusing talk of the wardsmen of Nihonbashi, not the most stupid
in Nippon. She retailed the bath house gossip, and Aoyama carefully took
in costume, manners, and the conversation of the beauty, which did not
at all accord with her station in life. If she was connected with a
doctor now, at some time she had been intimate with men of affairs in
his own caste. He thanked her graciously and would have forced lavish
payment on her. O'Yoshi was all pained surprise and refusal. That her
reluctance was genuine he could easily see. "I am Aoyama Shu[u]zen, and
live in the _yashiki_ at Surugadai. The kindness shown is not to be
forgotten, and perhaps some day this Shu[u]zen can serve his hostess."
With compliments he took his leave. O'Yoshi watched the handsome youth
well out of sight. She could not hear the remark of Shu[u]zen to the
_do[u]shin_--"A suspicious house; no frowsy doctor shows such favour to
his dame. Dress, manners, language, betray contact with the _samurai_."
The officer nodded admiring assent to his young lord's acumen.

Ogita Kuro[u]ji came limping home, to find O'Yoshi--Cho[u]senburo[u]
Yoshi, as this adventure dubbed her--overflowing with her experience. At
first he was rather pleased at such addition to his acquaintance.
O'Yoshi was a bait to all but Jinnai, who would detach him from her. The
others sought his favour to secure hers with greater ease. At mention of
the _do[u]shin_, subordinate officials of the legal machinery, the
official grade of the visitor, his brows knit. "Of official rank--that
will never do! Deign Yoshi to be careful in relations with this man, if
he should again appear. Engaged as is this Kuro[u]ji, the slightest
hint, a suspicion, would be most disastrous."--"Then