Takara still loved him and was none the wiser; thus he continued without danger his complicated relations, though she felt a growing coldness and the oncoming of something, she knew not what. She was now deeply worried and much given to thinking, for there was approaching also a critical period; but when rumours came to her ears, and she chided him about Kinsan, he answered:

“Takara, you do me a great injustice. I am not only true, as you see, but I have anticipated the necessity of keeping at hand one upon whose shoulders may be placed the responsibilities for the care of our child.”

“But why not intrust that service to one whom we know to be best fitted?” asked Takara, anxiously. “There is Nannoto, whose mother carried in her arms your mother’s mother.”

“No, Takara; it is not the service I would trouble myself about. My lady should not so degrade herself.”

“Why degraded? You told me not.”

“It is not the fashion.”

“But if it is my choice?”

“You have no choice.”

“Would you take from a mother her child?”

“The law allows it.”