Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/465

Rh "I am greatly honoured, and pleased to see Your Highness," said he, making a low obeisance to her. "You may have heard of me. I am Tei Shiryō, formerly a minister of the late most lamented Emperor. It is true that my wife and son are Japanese, but we should be monsters of ingratitude if we did not do our best to repay the Emperor for all his favours. I am old, but my son is young and brave, and well-skilled in tactics and military arts. So he can be of some service to you. I assure you that we shall not rest a moment until we have restored the Ming dynasty, and calmed the unrestful soul of the deceased Emperor. Have no doubts on that point, dear lady!"

"Are you indeed Tei Shiryō," asked the Princess, "of whom I have so often heard? Many thanks for your loyal and grateful intentions. May Heaven help you in your gallant undertaking—"; with these words speech failed her, and she was overcome with emotion.

Then Kokusenya and his parents consulted together, and decided that he should immediately cross over to China, and search for General Go Sankei, and with his assistance undertake the