and trembling hands. He could not take
his eyes from the shining white of the face before him, the glazed
smooth surface left in many places between the black of the pock marks.
The removal of the hood had somewhat disarrayed the hair, leaving the
broad expanse of forehead more prominent, the puffed heavy eyelids in
the face more conspicuous. In the depths shone two tiny points, the
eyes. Indeed, as Cho[u]bei afterwards described it, eyelids and eyes had
the appearance of _kuzumanju_, the dumplings of white rice paste with
the black dots of dark brown bean paste sunk deep in the centre. Never
had O'Iwa appeared to such disadvantage. She was now engaged in removing
the white garment, to appear in her proper array as bride and wife.
Iemon took advantage of this absence to step to the _ro[u]ka_. In
leaving the room Kondo[u] had given a wink to Cho[u]bei. Iemon almost
ran into him. He seized him by the arm. The young man's voice was
excited. He spoke in a whisper, as one who could barely find speech.
With satisfaction Cho[u]bei noted that he was frightened, not angered.
"What is that? Who is that creature?" were the first words of Iemon.
Replied Cho[u]bei coldly--"That is the wife of Tamiya Iemon; O'Iwa San,
daughter of Matazaemon Dono; your wife to eight thousand generations."
Then roughly--"Deign, Iemon San, not to be a fool. In the purchase of
cow or horse, what does the buyer know of the animal? Its real qualities
remain to be ascertained. O'Iwa San is ugly. That much Cho[u]bei will
admit. She is pock-marked, perhaps stoops a little. But if the daughter
of the rich Tamiya, a man with this splendid property, had been a great
beauty, this Iemon would not have become the _muko_ of Tamiya, the
future master of its wealth. What qualification had he for such a
position--a diviner, a man whose pedigree perhaps would not stand too
much search." He looked keenly at Iemon, and noted with satisfaction how
the last thrust had gone home. Cho[u]bei must know more of Iemon,
ex-Kazuma. He determined on that for the future.

He continued--"Withdrawal at this juncture would merely create scandal.
Matazaemon is not so bereft of friends that such a step would not cause
serious displeasure in high quarters. The insult would find an avenger.
Then consider please: the old man is kept alive by the anxiety to see
his granddaughter established in life, the line of the Tamiya assured.
He will die within the month. If the old woman hangs on too lo