“You are too good; but I have no hope of release, and I am ready to die.”
“Your death would serve no end, and I do not intend to let your life be sacrificed. Listen,” she came nearer and whispered in Katsuno’s ear, “I have managed to get your guard sent away on some pretext, and to-night, Katsuno, you shall escape.”
“Indeed, no, my lady; that cannot be! I am quite prepared for death. Without Hachiya my life is nothing to me, and should his lordship discover what you had done his wrath would be terrible,—What might he not do to you!”
“Have no fears on that point. It is not likely my lord will suspect that I had any hand in your escape, but at the worst he will not kill me. Do not think of me, but fly!”
“But, my lady,...”
“Oh, how obstinate you are! Why will you throw your life away? Katsuno, as your mistress, I command you to escape this night!”
Seeing her mistress would take no refusal the girl gave in, and they proceeded to discuss plans.
“And when you are safe, Katsuno, how will you spend your life?”
“I shall become a nun and spend my life praying to Buddha for the peace of my dead husband’s soul.”