Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/84

36 love-letter, bearing the signature of Fukakusa-no-Shōshō Arihira! Was he the man who had so often written to her? It was not that she had felt no sympathy for the love-sick suitor. She had ignored his letters because it was contrary to womanly modesty to become unduly intimate with a man without first receiving her father's permission. She was glad to think that Arihira was not offended at her seeming cold-heartedness, and had that day followed her. She felt almost inclined to unbosom herself to him; but she suddenly remembered that she was the daughter of a daimyo. If she committed a rash or thoughtless act, the good name of her family, and the reputation of her father might be compromised.

With these thoughts Komachi abruptly excused herself, and began to retire to her resting-place, which was surrounded with curtains. But Arihira caught her by the long, flowing sleeve of her dress and poured into her ears eloquent words of love.

"If you refuse, you will send me to my death," he concluded with tears. "Give me your sympathy, dear lady!"

"Lord Arihira," she answered tenderly, "your appreciation gives me great pleasure. But if I