Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/154

102 "My heart is broken!" she wailed amid a torrent of tears. The old woman and Misao looked ruefully at each other.

"Oh, mother!" said Misao tearfully.

"Misao!" said the old woman, her voice broken with sobs. "I have cruelly allowed Jūjirō to go to his death. Hatsugiku, I knew that he had resolved to fight to the end. I desired to let him die manfully, rather than see him executed under the brand of 'traitor.' I made you exchange nuptial cups partly for the sake of a last farewell, and partly that you should both separate without any feelings of regret. My thoughts are too deep for expression!" When they heard her confession, both Hatsugiku and Misao fell to crying convulsively. At that moment, the above mentioned priest came in with an air of innocence. "The bath is ready, good ladies," he said, "will one of you take it?"

"Thanks for your trouble," said Satsuki, turning away her tearful face. "But a fresh bath is harmful to an old woman. The others are younger than I. You had better take it first, sir priest."

"Well, while you are busy declining the bath, it