“I would get out and go you a bout myself, were it not for shocking the household keeper’s sensibilities,” said he to his son, quietly, as the latter was about to leave his chair for the coveted run through the woods and over the hills.

Shibusawa’s fleetness brought him, before many hours had passed, to the selfsame gate behind which most of his boyhood days had been spent. He drew a deep breath as he entered, and while walking along the old winding road to the main front he said to himself:

“What is sweeter and better than the environment of early home?”

He immediately, upon entering, set himself to work directing a few added touches that would please and encourage his father’s home-coming. Such trifling attentions he accounted a great pleasure, and as he grew older in appreciation of a parent’s tenderness he lost no opportunity to show his affectionate esteem. Nor did he misplace even one, for Maido in his way repaid the trouble many fold.

When they had arrived at Kanazawa, the season had so far advanced that they at once settled down for the winter. Though disappointed in not being able to visit other parts of the prefecture, they took much satisfaction in the quiet of their country house, and Magokoro (the real or red heart, or maple leaves) smiled sweetly and soon the snow fell beautifully. They did not lack for plenty to do and see, and when once settled there was much company, for Maido had been gone for a long time and his neighbours were not only glad at having seen him return, but some of the mikado’s court, not far distant, were interested in knowing the reason.

Nor was Takara disinterested, though she did not call. And a certain prince who had once upon a time been deeply in love with her and who was still quite attentive, manifested more than an interest; he was anxious, and upon Shibusawa’s return he at first took it upon himself to visit Kanazawa rather often. Aside from these personal attractions, the south brewed a storm that was destined to spread until it had claimed the attention of some persons even much farther north than Kanazawa. Thus plenty both of interest and variety engaged Maido, nor would Shibusawa flinch from his part.

CHAPTER XXVII
SHIBUSAWA RECLAIMED

It was now some considerable time since Takara had been spirited by the ronin from Tokyo to Kyoto, where she had gone into seclusion at her mother’s house and so remained. The gaiety at court had little attraction for her, and she undertook to devote herself to a new life which should atone for all past failures. She had had her trial with men, and placing them all in the same category undertook to discard them as so much rubbish.