nddaughter and heir of Tamiya Matazaemon, a higher
_do[u]shin_. She is the wife of the _go-kenin_, Tamiya Iemon."

Toemon now was truly aghast. "Heir and wife of _go-kenin_! This Toemon
had not the slightest inkling of her _status_. Cho[u]bei has juggled
this Toemon most outrageously." He turned savagely on O'Matsu. "So much
for stupid brutality. One must give you head, or have no peace. Why not
treat the woman kindly, learn her story? Lies or truth that of all the
women in the house is known. But O'Iwa San was a mark for malice.
Cho[u]bei has lied. Between you the house is ruined. Since when were
_samurai_ women sold to life service? Fool! It means imprisonment,
exile, to those implicated. This Toemon ends his days among the savage
fishermen of Sado." He would have struck her. Kakusuke and the
_banto[u]_ interposed. The woman did not budge. Defiant, she stood with
folded arms--"It was Toemon's arrangement to buy her in blind belief of
Cho[u]bei. Why blame this Matsu? Since when were women exempt from
service or punishment? The rule of the house is one or the other. How
long has it been since O'Seki left the house--in a box; and Toemon had
to make answer at the office." Then catching herself up in the presence
of strangers--"Danna Sama, this is no time for a quarrel. Those of the
house will say nothing; in their own interest. As for this worthy
gentleman, the Lady O'Iwa was wife and heir neither of himself nor his
master. Toemon San is grossly neglectful of courtesy due to guests.
Leave Mobei San to this Matsu." She whispered in his ear.

Toemon had now recovered his balance. Kakusuke was a _chu[u]gen_. He
had an object in coming to Toemon's house, instead of making report at
once to his master, to the outraged Iemon Dono. Of course Toemon
misinterepreted this motive; and Kakusuke was quite ready to profit by
his mistake. To the now courteous brothel keeper he was equally cordial.
O'Matsu and her women carried off Mobei, to salve his wounds, regale him
with fish and wine and good treatment, carefully to make inventory of
his goods, and repack them with substantial diminution of purchases.
What more could Mobei ask. His valued rosary, the necklace, the
_kanzashi_, all the treasures were uninjured. His exchequer was palpably
swollen, and more pleasingly than his phiz. His beating had turned out a
good day's venture; and without misgiving he can be left in the careful
hands of O'Matsu and her women. Meanwhile Kakusuke and