“How! What do you mean?”
“He demands to be at once confronted with Nagai.”
“Did I not warn you....” began Iyeyasu, angrily; then he checked himself, and with arms folded and head sunk on his breast, considered the situation.
“You say that Lord Ikeda insists on seeing Nagai Naokatsu at once?” he queried presently, looking up.
“Yes, your lordship.”
“Then by all means, let him see Nagai. Lord Ikeda is not a madman. He has come here to marry my daughter. It is not likely, unless he is out of his mind, that he will upset all our plans and imperil the favour of the Regent just to satisfy an old grudge.”
“Judging from his words and manner there is no saying what he may or may not do, your lordship.”
“Humph!”
“Should he put his hand on his sword when he finds Nagai before him, we shall not be able to stop him from wreaking his vengeance. Or should he demand Nagai’s head for a wedding present, how can we refuse?”
“Will he go so far as that?”