Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/103

Rh home until the final arrangements were completed. When the Minister had heard the Imperial command, he communicated it to Yoshizané and Komachi. The father almost wept for gratitude, and telling his daughter to stay, left the Court, in an ecstasy of joy.

When she was left alone, Komachi fell into a reverie. It was the greatest honour to her to have been appointed Crown Princess, but it was impossible for her to break her vows with Lord Arihira. Although she had not yet asked her father's permission for the marriage, she already considered herself his wife. Therefore, although she had received a command from the Emperor, she could not desert Arihira without violating her duty as a virtuous woman. On the other hand, how could she disobey the Imperial command? She was indeed in a dreadful dilemma. Only one thing remained for her to do, and that was to take her own life.

With this resolve Komachi unsheathed her dirk with fast falling tears, and she said to herself with a sigh: "I wish I could see my beloved Arihira and father before I die." She raised her hand and was about to plunge the dirk into her throat,