Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/293

Rh asked for her hand in marriage, but all to no avail. But now the importunate suitor had come in person, bent upon receiving a favourable reply. With arrogant insistence he urged the girl's mother, Misao ("Chastity"), to give an instant consent to his suit. The old lady, in all courtesy, besought him to grant a postponement of the decision, on the plea of her husband's absence and the indisposition of Miyuki herself. But her pleading was thrown away upon Denzō. He rose to his feet declaring that he would make his way into the girl's chamber, to see for himself whether she was ill or not. Woman though she was, Misao could not brook this insolence.

"Remember, Denzō," she cried, "that this house is Akizuki Yuminosuké's castle. Rudeness such as yours I cannot put up with."

With this angry exclamation she snatched a halberd that hung on the wall, shook it from its sheath, and levelled it full at the dastard's heart. At this danger, he was struck with consternation and cried out: "Oh, I beg a thousand pardons, Madame! Since Miyuki is really ill, I shall call again. Again I beg your pardon!" And with that he beat an instant retreat.