“It is the law of the land, Nehachibana, and as long as it is such, it is our duty to abide by its decree.”

“But the law is so unjust!”

“The injustice is in the making of it. But there, now, let us not discuss that any further. You have done your part, and I will venture it is better a husband whom you love, than a wife who loves your husband. Come, now, when shall I expect you to pay us a visit in the country?”

“I wish you were not going so far. I am seldom allowed such a privilege, and were I—oh, that other one! I should never give her the satisfaction. I hate her! I love—oh, I dare not, I cannot go away! Come with me, now, won’t you? I want you to see—to see with your own eyes—I shall have revenge!”

“But you must not, my dear Nehachibana. It is not she that has wronged you; and it is a terrible thing to misjudge. Better suffer the wrong; the charity will repay you the sacrifice.”

“Then look, as I have done these many days, and you will know better a woman’s way. It is an image of the devil, and its eyes rivet me. Come?”

“To please you, Nehachibana.”

Nehachibana arose and stealthily disappeared; in a few moments she returned and, scarcely speaking above a whisper, bade Shibusawa follow. Guiding him through several rooms, into a long passageway, thence to a chamber out of which a soft light shone through the frail paper partition, she cautioned him, then pushed back the slide a little and beckoned him approach. Kinsan sat in deep thought near a small screen, with the child fondled in her lap, and for the moment did not observe their entrance. She had often been intruded upon in such a manner and therefore paid little heed. Perhaps she meditated the night of her début upon the stage; or she may have been thinking of another time when all the world seemed glorified to her. The visitors approached, however, and their stockinged feet made hardly any noise on the soft, matted floor. They came at Kinsan’s back, partly sidewise, and when not too far away Nehachibana clutched at Shibusawa’s kimono and pointing her bony finger at the child, leaned forward and said, almost breathlessly: