Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/298

228 man. But her father, through the good offices of her lord, had now betrothed her to a stranger! No way of escape was left for her as long as life endured. So finally she formed the desperate resolve to take her own life, that so she might to the end remain faithful to Asojirō. Thereupon, all in tears, she set herself to writing letters to her parents, and her nurse, imparting to them her melancholy purpose, and imploring their forgiveness for her disobedience. This done, she softly made her way down to the courtyard, and stole out through the postern gate, while yet the evening bell was mournfully tolling the departing day, and the air was full of the saddening cries of birds winging their way to their nests.

No long time had passed when Asaka, candlestick in hand, entered Miyuki's room, crying, "Miyuki! Miyuki!" but her charge was nowhere to be seen. Everywhere she searched, and what was her amazement to find on the desk a letter in Miyuki's hand, bearing the superscription: "Left to my Dear Parents!" In answer to her piercing cry: "My lord! My lady!" Yuminosuké and Misao rushed into the room. The father made no delay in opening the ominous