d to know
everything, as the tone of contempt indicated. He ran the scroll out in
his hands--"Naruhodo! Ma! Ma! What's this? From some woman: a lascivious
jade indeed!... Eh! Kibei Dono, apology is due your ears. This Kwaiba
laughed at your suspicions." He threw down the scroll, as in a fury.
Kibei picked it up. He began to read:

"Night is the source of pleasure, but greater that pleasure
at sight of Iemon. The day comes when Iemon and Hana will be
husband and wife, in fact if not in form. 'Ah! Day and night
to be at the service of Iemon.' Thus does Hana pray gods and
Buddhas. When distant from his side, even though the time be
short, painful is its passage. Place this letter next to
your very person. May that night come quickly, when the
coming of Iemon is awaited. The connection with O'Iwa San is
the punishment for sin committed in a previous existence.
Condescend to dismiss her from your mind. View the matter
wholly in this light. The spiteful brush (pen) refuses
further service. Hard, hard, is the lot of this Hana. The
honoured Master comes; the heartfelt wish is accomplished.

With compliments,

To Iemon Sama." HANA.

Kwaiba's rage grew and grew with the reading. At Iemon's name he sprang
up and made a movement toward the stand on which reposed his swords.
Laying a hand on the larger weapon he turned with a scowl--"Ah! This
Kwaiba is old, but in vigour he is young. It is for Kwaiba to sport with
the women. They are not to make a fool of him." Kibei sharply
interposed. "Does Kwaiba Dono gain satisfaction by such a vengeance? To
Kibei it seems a poor one. A matter so easily to be settled is not to be
made a scandal in the ward. Deign, honoured Sir, so to regard it. To
punish both at once with death is proper. But is it expedient?
Condescend to hear the words of Kibei."

Kwaiba pulled himself up. It was as if some one had dragged him back.
His rage departed. A cold malice took its place. He smiled blandly--"One
does not quarrel over a harlot. Kwaiba spares their lives. Iemon shall
take Hana home--as wife."--"As wife!" Iemon broke through his fear.
"Surely the honoured _Kashira_ is unreasonable. This Iemon is but the
_muko_ of Tamiya. To demand that O'Iwa San be discarded is going too
far. Positively in this matter, though there have been love passages,
the most intimate relation has never followed--now or in previous
relations."--"You l