much in amazement as in courtesy. Kazuma was a striking
figure as he entered the room. His dress of white Satsuma was of finest
quality, and perfectly aligned. The _haori_ (cloak) was of the
corrugated Akashi crape. In his girdle he wore the narrow swords then
coming into fashion, with finely lacquered scabbards. In person he was
tall, fair, with high forehead and big nose. Slender and sinewy every
movement was lithe as that of a cat. Kondo[u] gasped as he made the
accustomed salutations. "This man for O'Iwa! Bah! A fox has stolen a
jewel." All his compunction and discretion vanished before this unusual
presence. Kazuma gracefully apologized for his intrusion, thus
uninvited. Kondo[u] stammered protests and his delight at the
opportunity of meeting Yanagibara Dono. Cho[u]bei smiled inward and
outward delight at thus summarily removing any too pointed objections of
Kondo[u]. For absolute self-possession in this awkward situation the
younger man easily carried the palm. Kazuma acted as would a man double
his years. Cho[u]bei was not only delighted, but astonished. "Whence had
the Sensei produced all this wondrous get-up? Was he in real fact a
magician?" Kazuma knew, but he was not one to enlighten Cho[u]bei or
anyone else. After talk on general matters the affair of the meeting was
broached. Said Kondo[u] Rokuro[u]bei--"Thus to trouble Yanagibara Dono
requires apology, but the affair is not without advantage. The lady is
the daughter of Tamiya, a _do[u]shin_ and favoured by the Hosokawa
House. This Kondo[u] is honoured in presenting Kazuma Dono in
Yotsuya."--"Nay, fear enters.[17] The honour of this meeting with
Kondo[u] Dono is as great as the intrusion has been unseemly. Deign to
pardon the precipitancy of this Kazuma." Kondo[u] protested in his turn.
Said Cho[u]bei--"The presentation made, doubtless the matter is as good
as concluded. But Tamiya Dono is ill; this visit is unexpected. If
Kondo[u] Dono would deign to precede, and ascertain how matters are at
Tamiya, it would be well." To this Kondo[u] assented. Making his excuses
he set out for Samoncho[u], bubbling over with excitement, and praying
that the matter would have certain issue; and thus establish him for
life on the shoulders of the wealthy Tamiya. Prayers? Indeed he did stop
on the road, one lined with the ecclesiastical structures. Kondo[u] had
too much at stake, not to invoke all likely aid.

With his departure Cho[u]bei began to go into the externals of t