Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/370

294 other than Iinuma Katsugorō. I feared that the coward murderer might suspect your identity, so I pretended to be ignorant of your personality and even laughed your art to scorn. This afternoon the ruffian Gōsuké had the impudence to propose marriage with my daughter. I flatly refused, and he became angry. He determined to work off his spite against me, and immediately reported to my lord that I had sheltered you. So a few minutes ago my lord summoned me, and peremptorily ordered me to kill you during the course of to-night. How could I possibly do so? I owe a great debt of gratitude to your grandfather Motokatsu. He instructed me in all the secrets of fencing when I was young. At that time my name was Matsunami Kazuyé. But if I disobeyed my lord's commands I should be looked upon as a disloyal retainer. Rather than incur his displeasure I have killed myself. My dying wishes are that you should satisfy my daughter's ardent desire, and make her your wife. If you give me your promise I shall die happy. Do not refuse me this, Katsugorō."

Katsugorō was wonder-struck at Shinzayémon's story. He burst into tears of gratitude.