ow changed! The Danna is absent. Heigh-ho! Ma! How has this
occurred? What can be done? The cold water in the kettle here...."

Opening her mouth he made her swallow a mouthful. He placed his mouth to
her ear.

_Kosuke_--"Okusama! Your ladyship!"

Gently he stroked her back. Thus nursed, the breath of the heartbroken
O'Iwa faintly returned.

_O'Iwa_--"Hei! Has Kosuke returned? Why do you stroke me thus? I had but
gone to sleep, just now."

"Oh! Oh!" said he--"Ma! Ma! How joyful. Ah! Iya! I say, Okusama; how
long have you been in that state? Your face inspires fear."

At his question again she was the woman. The tears in her breast rose
high and overflowed. For a time she did not answer. When a little calm:

_O'Iwa_--"Deign then to listen. As usual Iemon Dono went forth to
worship at Hachimangu[u]. Subsequently my vertigo was too pronounced.
Two or three drinks were taken of the medicine prescribed by Suian Dono.
Secretly at the rear entered Naosuke no Gombei, to make illicit
courtship. Various were his pleas. Thus--Iemon Dono was deeply in love
with the daughter of Okumura. The worship (_kami-mairi_) was all a lie.
He was contracted to Koume. Hence his affection for me was at an end.
This change was due to the drug. Hear what is to be done. Love
unrequited is to be satisfied by revenge. Thus did Gombei put the
matter. But it is not likely that my husband is so cruel. Heart again
will turn to heart. The attack of vertigo was strong. The hair was
pulled out. Moreover, suddenly the face became altered.... My
appearance: Ma! Gombei then did not lie. By the plotting of the Okumura,
parent and child, I have drunk poison. They have an understanding with
Suian. Eh! At the thought--at the thought--anger rises. My husband, a
man of note, with him she commits adultery. Hence the hatred of these
people. Since the poison has been quaffed; as serpent, as demon, none
shall be my equal. The Okumura, parent and child, are you the kind thus
to act!"

Suddenly she sprang up, and would have dashed out at the front. At her
act the frightened Kosuke put his arms around and stopped her.

_Kosuke_--"Heigh! Heigh! I say, Okusama! The expression of your face has
changed. Heigh-ho! Whither away? Alas! It is plain that she would go to
the _yashiki_ of Okumura. Evil her purpose. She would confute the malice
spoken by Koume, by parent and child. She would fetch away with her
Iemon Dono. Iya! Ho, there! Your honoured judgment strays. She be