You are a friend to Ishida?
Yes, my lady, with growing interest.
Then I would warn you: beware of Ishida.
The old man trembled perceptibly; to question the integrity of a friend was more than he could do, and to listen to a proposal like that had fairly unnerved him—yet he knew this daughter of an older champion, had studied her every mood from childhood up: no uncertain thing could prompt her to make such a declaration.
I thank you, Yodogima—pardon the allusion; I was thinking of your father, replied he, presently the moments passed.
Thank you, my lord, responded she, no less spontaneously.
A greater respect could not have been paid him, or an honor more highly appreciated; the old diplomat thenceforth knew no higher duty, cherished not a thought other than to uphold the child whose mother he believed divinely cast, no matter what his opinion or other mens contentions might be—about a father.
Maeda had pledged himself irredeemably, and Yodogima believed the fortress impregnable against the arms alike their cunning of any man or combination that might dare or choose to go against it. Night came on, and they parted; the ship she had fancied vanished, with the light that lowered real.