“My lord, we apologize for the long delay,” he began.
“Have you brought Nagai—where is he?” Terumasa interrupted him.
“Yes, my lord, he is without.”
“That is well. Show him instantly into my presence.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The sliding screens were pushed aside and there, in the ante-chamber, at a very respectful distance calculated for the convenience of making his escape in case of need, sat Nagai, his bent head hiding his face.
“Are you Nagai?”
“Yes, your lordship.”
“Come here, Nagai.”