Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/371

Rh "Words fail me in which to express my thanks," he said. "You have spared my life and sacrificed your own, out of gratitude for my grandfather. I will gladly accept Hatsuhana as my bride. We will now, with your permission, exchange the nuptial cup, and celebrate our marriage before you die."

He ordered the maid-servant to bring cups and saké, and exchanged a cup of the wine with Hatsuhana. The girl was overwhelmed with gratitude and grief, with which there was a mingling of joy. She muttered a few words of thanks to her father, and she and her mother burst into bitter tears.

Katsugorō rose to his feet. "Now," he said, "I have discovered my enemy's whereabouts. I will go and take my revenge. Farewell, Sir Shinzayémon."

With these words he prepared to depart.

"Do not be so rash," said Shinzayémon, raising his hand. "Your impatience is natural, but I must remind you that Gōsuké has received warning of his danger, and is carefully guarded by scores of samurai. If you try to attack him single-handed, you are sure to suffer the fate of a 'summer