Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/225

Rh home as soon as possible. I owe your father a very great deal, so if I take you with me, I am sure he will be suspected of taking sides with the Tairas, and then who can tell what punishment may befall him. I can't bear the thought of my benefactor suffering on my account. Weigh these reasons well, and return home for your father's, your own, and my sake. Frankly, I do not like to part from you, but there is no help for it. Please control your emotion, and listen to reason. I urge you to follow my advice."

"Oh, no!" she sobbed, clutching his sleeve, "how can I part from you when you are going to fight to the death? I will accompany you wherever you go. I swear I will never give you up. Permit me to share your lot in life or in death, my dear Lord Tadanori."

Tadanori was at a loss to know how to deal with Kikuno-Mayé, and Hayashi was equally puzzled how to comfort her.

At this moment the sound of war-cries was wafted in by the wind. A little later the sound was followed by the random beating of bells and drums. A party of soldiers appeared on the scene and their captain rushed up to the gate.