king off
present negotiations and coming round to us. This is a matter of
yesterday, and on hearing that the affair of O'Iwa San was definitely
in the hands of Rokuro[u]bei." Cho[u]bei was frightened. Was this the
cause of Kondo[u]'s joy? Had he misinterpreted on his entrance? He put
out a hand, as if to stop the talk of his host. "Deign to allow the
money question to stand as agreed. Such step would put this Cho[u]bei
in an awkward position. The man is found, and soon will be here.
Probably even Kondo[u] Dono will be satisfied."--"Who is he?" asked
Kondo[u].--"One Yanagibara Kazuma. He has practised divination at
Asakusa...."--"A charlatan! A quack doctor! Cho[u]bei, are you mad?"
Rokuro[u]bei pushed back his cushion and his cue in horror. Not a word
did he say of Natsume Kyuzo[u]. Cho[u]bei smiled. He had been trapped;
but he had detected Kondo[u]. "Don't be alarmed. The man is a
_ro[u]nin_, his divination of small account and due to temporary
stress. Kondo[u] Dono will soon judge of the man by his appearance.
Let the subject of Kazuma San be dropped--with that of Natsume San.
Our bargain has been made firm." Kondo[u] looked down. He felt a
little injured. Continued Cho[u]bei--"For his man Cho[u]bei cannot
answer if all be known. Pray follow my plan, and precede us to the
house of Matazaemon. He must not see O'Iwa at this juncture. Tamiya
Dono is ill and not visible. The Obasan is wise enough to do as she is
told. Years have drilled that into her. O'Iwa has taken cold. Her hair
is loose and she cannot think of appearing. Make this known when the
time comes to serve the wine. Meanwhile send her off on some mission;
to the house of Akiyama, or that of the newly-wed Imaizumi."--"But the
man must see the girl," protested Kondo[u]. Answered Cho[u]bei--"He
must see the property. It is with that Cho[u]bei intends he shall
become enamoured. He is not to see the girl until she is his wife. To
keep the estate he will cleave to the woman. Trust Cho[u]bei for a
knowledge of men's hearts ... at least that of Yanagibara Kazuma."
Perhaps he spoke a little too plainly. Rokuro[u]bei had a last touch
of conscience--"Cho[u]bei, what manner of man is this one you bring?
What is his real nature? Tamiya is upright as the walls of the Honmaru
(castle). And Yanagibara Kazuma...." Cho[u]bei's brow wrinkled. He was
spared an answer. Said the maid--"Yanagibara Sama would see the
master."--"Show him in at once," said Rokuro[u]bei.

He rose, as