k with Akiyama San." As the man departed--"Cho[u]zaemon is the man.
For gossip and malice he is a very woman. Rejoice and he weeps; weep and
he rejoices. If Akiyama cannot concoct some plan to get rid of O'Iwa,
then no one can.... Alas! O'Hana and Iemon must die by the hand of this
Kwaiba. Kibei will give his aid." The old man and Kibei got much
enjoyment out of the cowardice of Iemon and the fright of O'Hana. But
not for long. Akiyama Cho[u]zaemon, the one-time boy lover of O'Iwa; a
long, lean, hungry-looking man, with long, cadaverous face and a
decidedly bad eye, appeared with the _chu[u]gen_ Kakusuke close behind.
The latter seemed a sort of policeman attending the none-too-willing
Cho[u]zaemon. The latter's brow lightened at sight of the company. He
owed Kwaiba money. Sending away the servant, Kwaiba unfolded the
situation. Said Cho[u]zaemon--"Heigh! Tamiya takes the cast off leman of
Ito[u] Dono. Fair exchange is no robbery; Kibei Uji against O'Hana San.
Iemon San goes into the matter with eyes wide open. The lady is an old
intimate, it is said." This manner of approaching the subject was
Cho[u]zaemon's way. He cared nothing for the scowls of Kibei nor the
wrath of Kwaiba. He was needed, or they would not have called him to
counsel. As for Iemon, he was grateful to Cho[u]zaemon; as neighbour,
and for the insult to Kibei and Kwaiba.

Continued the mediator--"The obstacle of course is the O'Bake. O'Iwa
is to be driven out. And Watanabe won't answer? Maa! Chastity in an
O'Bake! It is a thing unheard of. 'Tis such, once of womankind, who
seduce living men. Tamiya is now head of the House. O'Iwa once driven
out, the property remains in his hands as its representative. She must
be forced to leave of her own will. Good; very good. What is it worth to
Kwaiba Dono?"--"Look to Iemon for commission," said Kwaiba roughly.
"Nay! Nay!" mouthed Cho[u]zaemon. "Kwaiba is Kwaiba; Iemon is Iemon. The
two are to be settled with separately. If Kwaiba Dono had gone to
extremes at the start no question would have been raised. To do so now,
with all present and after discussion, is out of the question. Kwaiba
Dono wishes to adopt Kibei Uji; to get rid of O'Hana San. Iemon San has
been neatly trapped. He must consent. O'Hana is a woman. She has no
voice in the matter. All this is clear. But as to Cho[u]zaemon's labour
in the affair; that it is which interests this Akiyama." He gave a sour
reprimanding look at Kibei. Then he looked impertin