a really
expert player. Confident in his championship of the ward, he was all
geniality as at the end he sorted and swept back the _go_ stones into
their polished boxes. "_Go-ishi_ of Shingu; soft as a woman's hands. But
never mind the sex. Now for fish and wine.... However, Hana can serve
the liquor for us." To the servant--"Heigh! Some refreshments for the
honoured guests; and convey the request of Kwaiba to O'Hana San, to be
present."

With the wine appeared O'Hana San. She was a beautiful girl. Of not
more than twenty years, on the graceful sloping shoulders was daintily
set a head which attracted attention and admiration. The face was a pure
oval--of the _uri_ or melon, as the Nipponese class it--with high brow,
and was framed in long hair gathered below the waist and reaching nearly
to her ankles with its heavy luxuriant mass. She was dressed for the hot
season of the year in a light coloured Akashi crape, set off by an _obi_
or broad sash of peach colour in which were woven indistinct and
delicate wavy designs. The sleeves, drawn a little back, showed the arms
well up to the shoulder. Glimpses of a beautifully moulded neck and
bosom appeared from time to time as she moved here and there in her
preparation of the service of the wine utensils. The delicate tissue of
the dress seemed to caress the somewhat narrow hips of a girlish figure.
Every movement was studied and graceful. This O'Hana had belonged to the
Fukadaya at Yagura no Shita of Fukagawa. She had been what is known as
an _obitsuke_ harlot, wearing the _obi_ in the usual form, without the
loose overrobe or _shikake_ of the common women. "In the period of
Tempo[u] (1830-1843) all Fukagawa harlots were dressed in this manner."
Attracted by her beauty old Kwaiba had ransomed her and made her his
concubine. For nearly two years she had held this position in his house.
In serving the wine she came to the front and knelt before Iemon as
first to receive it. In handing him the tray with the cup she looked
into his face. The start on the part of both was obvious. Some of the
wine was spilled.

Said Kwaiba--"Then Iemon Uji, you know this woman?" His tone was hard
and truculent. It conveyed the suspicion of the jealous old male.
Iemon's former profession stood him in good stead. He had a glib tongue,
and no intention to deny what had been made perfectly obvious--"It is
fact, and nothing to be ashamed of on the part of Iemon; except as to
attendant conditions beyo