Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/297

Rh was no easy task for me to get rid of him by threats. I fear that, presuming upon his sister's influence, he will try to steal a march upon us again with some unreasonable demand. If the news of your betrothal comes to his ear he is certain to try to frustrate it. So your wisest course is to give a prompt consent to your father's arrangement. Can you think that we could do anything to the detriment of our beloved daughter? It is best for you to entrust everything to us. Come, daughter, speak up quickly and say that you consent! But there is a matter about which I wish to ask your father's advice. I shall be back in a moment, my dear." With that the old lady disappeared into the inner room to see her husband.

Ill-fated Miyuki! She did not know of the adoption of her lover Miyagi Asojirō, by his uncle, and the consequent alteration of his name to Komazawa Jirōzayémon. To her Jirōzayémon and Asojirō were different men. Hence her mother's words struck despair into her heart. She reflected that at all costs she must hold to her vows with Asojirō. In accordance with the precept that "a chaste woman never marries twice," she ought not to enter into marriage with another