on are elsewhere, far distant. Ya! Hoi! Hoi! Hoi! To fly! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Ho! Ho! Oh! Moreover the disposition of Gombei is not wicked. He seeks
to be the husband. Other purpose there is none. Condescend to be easy in
mind."

But his words carry no weight. The face of O'Iwa in the light has a
glare.

_Gombei_--"As usual: Ma! One deeply distrustful. Iya! These matters,
though in thought, are not to be put in words. The state of affairs is
too urgent to be put into words. Sa! But I hear you say--'Iemon probably
goes to Hachiman. Groundless all these censures.' Do you really believe
this? The intrigue is with the only daughter of Okumura Kinai, by name
Koume. She is indeed a beauty; whether one regard the shape of her face,
her manners, or the carriage of her loins as if the willow of spring.
The intimacy with Iemon could go no further. The proof spoken of is
here. This letter--the sealed envelope: it fell from the sleeve of
Iemon. Stealthily I picked it up, by accident. Now then! Whereabouts is
it? A lengthy thing--Sa! Let's see what's in it. The coquettishness of
the sentences! But let's see what she does say. Eh! What's that? 'The
night is source of pleasure. Great the pleasure at sight of you. With
compliments.' Assuredly there can be no mistake, when she talks this
way--'The day comes. Soon we will be husband and wife; morning and night
to be at your service. With compliments.'[41]--'Thus are the gods
invoked. With compliments.' Eh! What's this? 'When distant from your
side but for a moment, painful Time's course. Place this signature next
your very person (_hadaka_).'--'To-night--come quickly; your advent is
awaited. With compliments.' What a miserable creature is this! Is she
not? But there's still more. 'O'Iwa Sama and matters with her, this is a
punishment due to offence in a previous existence. Condescend to be
relieved in mind. Be sure thus to view it. The spiteful brush (pen)
stops. With compliments.'--'It is hard (my lot); very hard. With
compliments.'--'The honoured master comes; the ever-present desire.' How
now, O'Iwa Sama? Sa! Is there no outbreak as to this? The occasion is no
pleasing one. Is there no harsh remark forthcoming as to one who holds
illicit intercourse with the husband of another? Eh! You are a woman of
marvellous patience! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! At all events say what you think.
'As yet in this matter, as yet in this affair, you are certain of
nothing.' Is that it? That Koume and her mother plot toge