d on the _ro[u]ka_. It was O'Hana. To his
alarmed inquiry as to what was wrong she answered in the voice of one
trying to suppress great pain. "This Hana knows not. Opening a closet to
get the spices used in preparing the meal, a rat sprang out. It
scratched the face of Hana. Truly the pain is very great." She groaned,
Iemon gently raised her. At the look on his face O'Hana said--"There is
a mirror in the toilet set (_kyo[u]dai_). Deign to get it for Hana." He
did not get it--this dower gift once of O'Iwa--but tried to soothe
her--"Let be: the wounds soon will heal. The pain will pass away." She
shoved him aside and ran to the toilet stand. She took the hand-mirror
to the solitary lamp lighting the room. Aghast she contemplated her
features. One side of the face was completely discoloured. It was a dark
red, almost black, with the mark of five fingers plainly visible, as if
a hand had struck her. No rat had made this wound. O'Hana leaned over,
her head resting almost on her knees. Iemon touched her shoulder--"Don't
mind it. Truly the pain will pass with dawn. Hana...." He drew back from
the scowling madness in the face raised to him--"Sa! Sa! Iemon! Iemon!
Easily did you get hold of all my property, to waste it on O'Hana. 'Twas
like grasping wet millet. Then, barbarous as you were, you sold me to
the vile life of a street harlot. Ah! Vengeance!" In fright Iemon
retreated. O'Hana, taking herself to be O'Iwa, all her madness had
returned. She sprang up. Screens were beaten and torn to pieces. With
the heavy mirror she turned on him, seeking vengeance for her imagined
wrongs. Iemon narrowly escaped injury as he dashed in to grapple with
her. He succeeded in dragging her away from the lamp. Thus did this wild
battle rage in the half dark room. The fictitious strength of the ill
woman gave out. He held her on the floor, as one subdued. As she
relapsed into a sleep, almost of unconsciousness, he ventured to release
her. Going to a closet he placed the mirror beside the bamboo stick;
both hidden away.

All night he watched over her. Wearied out, with day he sought an aid
readily given. The nurse, however, in alarm soon roused him. O'Hana was
raving madly in a high fever. The woman could not restrain her. Her
cries were terrible, but not more so than the speech from her
lips--"O'Iwa, pardon! With the drugs of Suian this Hana would palsy
O'Iwa's mind and body; poison the very springs of life, cut off all hope
of issue. Ah! Vain