The suggestion fell cold upon Ieyasu’s now troubled conviction; he had been outdone by a rival: there was not the slightest doubt about that in his mind; Ieyasu respected aptness, even though himself slow to act. Nor was he longer in doubt as to Yodogima’s constancy or love; one glance had convinced him beyond recalling, and he could not have envied, for he had often said that the secret of happiness lies in kindly feeling. Then what was it that prompted him quickly to answer:

“Not to-day, but to-morrow?”

“As the princess likes,” retorted Hideyoshi, his admiration growing with quest and confidence.

“More—it is a guest’s pleasure,” commanded she, replacing the cup and glancing at Hideyoshi, without so much as disturbing a visitor or confusing their host.

That evening was thence passed without further incident, save an apparently growing discomfiture on Ieyasu’s part and the corresponding rise in spirit of Hideyoshi; who not deigning to parley with Yodogima—he took her at her word, and prided himself in doing so—began resolutely further to carry out and not to forestall. Yodogima had done her part, and well: there seemed nothing more that she could or would do to save a waiting lover; she had made it possible for him to claim her, and to drink the draught that Hideyoshi himself should not have questioned, and he had failed to do either—might be as easily duped into a more fatal blunder, made the scapegoat of his own waiting or incapacity, or both, and the princess at once raised above his further consideration.

Thus Hideyoshi planned and Ieyasu dallied, perhaps dreamed, and marvelled the audacity, perchance effect, with which Yodogima commanded, possibly ordered. The following day, however, clouded over and Date and Hideyoshi counselled and bantered till early evening, when they stood on the latter’s suggestively improvised ramparts cogitating the plight of Hojo farther down in the foreground.

“You are the greater man,” plead Date, no longer doubtful of Hideyoshi’s resources or motive, “and I am ready to surrender my lands and do you service.”

“Ah; then you shall know what it is to toast a man like Hideyoshi; to-night you shall sit next to me; and, by the way, face the smartest woman in these parts: look you well that your tongue neither outruns nor belies the manner due or occasion expected.”

At table Date, true to conviction and in consonance better with propriety, proposed the health of Hideyoshi, their duly lord and henceforth recognized master.

Flushing scarlet, Yodogima barely touched the cup that stood filled for another purpose; it seemed to her that Ieyasu, who now sat at her side, must intercede, should realize that opportunity were fast slipping away: he only whitened, then drank the liquor as prudence dictated.