Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/261

Rh Naozané drew himself up with dignity. "Madame," he said, "I will remind you that the present war is being conducted in accordance with an Imperial edict for the subjugation of the Tairas. It is not a private affair. We are not allowed to make any distinction of persons. You must not blame me if I have dared to kill Lord Atsumori. I did my best to spare his life, but"

He thereupon gave them a detailed account of the circumstances under which he had been obliged to kill the young nobleman. After hearing it, Fuji-no-Kata quite understood the situation, and her anger was much pacified.

"Madame Fuji-no-Kata shotild not stay here any longer," said Naozané. "You must conduct her to some place of safety."

He rose to his feet with the kubi-oké—case for containing a head—in his hand.

"With your leave, madame, I will take Lord Atsumori's head to the headquarters, for General Yoshitsuné's inspection."

"One moment, husband," said Sagami, catching Naozané by the sleeve. "Pray allow Madame to glance at Lord Atsumori's face. It will be the last opportunity she will have of a glimpse of it