Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/377

Rh am aware of everything. The best thing for you to do, is to apologize to his honour at once. Sir Mizoguchi, it is a great disgrace to a samurai to be thrown down by a beggar woman. I think it is advisable for you to forgive this woman, and take your immediate departure."

"Well," said the governor, softened by Tokuyémon's advice, "as her rudeness was caused by her passion for me, I am almost inclined to pity her. Tokuyémon, I leave this matter to you. Advise this beggar never to repeat such rudeness again. When one possesses such a handsome countenance as I do, it is sometimes apt to prove rather a curse. Yai, you virago! You should not fall in love with every attractive man who passes here."

With these words the governor strutted away. The old man approached Hatsuhana to console her.

"I at once recognized the true state of affairs," he said, "but it would be useless for you to dispute with a daikwan, so I purposely decided in his favour, and managed to persuade him to leave you. My intentions were entirely for your benefit. Do not misunderstand me."