Hideyoshi smiled, and turning to Date attempted their present relief by suggesting, bluntly:
The princess reserves discreetly her response till occasion more pleasantly affords; Ieyasu may yet drink with a better color, if not more grace.
The next day, in consequence, brought with it a train of circumstances as swift as it had been unexpected—to all except, perhaps, Hideyoshi. Matsuda, Hojos main reliance, had succumbed, not to valor but to gold, and that night his masters head graced a place at table—opposite to Ieyasu: who now, once more, faced at greater distance Yodogima, but entertained as before, close at hand, Saji, in whom the now startled and cringing daimyo from Mikawa may have found some little consolation, if not a rising prospect.
Let us now listen to Saji; it may prove to be not only her fair due, but our most agreeable opportunity, commanded Hideyoshi, in great liberality, as it appeared to others, yet with a hidden earnestness that neither Yodogima nor Ieyasu mistook.
Saji did as bid; it seemed quite immaterial to her: all the heart that God had really given her had long ago been drilled or tooled away, for Hideyoshi believed in duty—ruled or reasoned to preach and practice down or up as convenience less necessity required. Ieyasu turned red.
A growing, pitiless consciousness began to take hold on Yodogimas hitherto buoyant, confiding trust. The very mat on which the princess sat seemed sinking or rising as the moments flew or lingered. Alternating flashes left her undetermined. Heaven or worse had been a relief: Hideyoshi angered for once, and for the first time looked his rival straight in the face. Ieyasus eyes fell to the significant fright across the table. Yodogimas look then had strengthened him, but he dare not meet her gaze.
Saji, Saji, mumbled he, half conscious, half appealingly.
She only smiled, but the dead lips of Hojo moved him:
My wife, gentlemen, my wife!
Yodogima had been spared the sight of Hideyoshis gruesome lesson: likewise she had been denied its consolation; yet she could believe Ieyasus vain resolution no less than final, if not voluntary. And it may have been so. Like examples had been flaunted in the face of others less capable or worthy, had been used time and again by men more considerate, if as determined, but never before might the charge of cruelty be laid at the door of Hideyoshi; who had suffered Shibata the right of honorable demise, spared Shimadzu the loss of his ancestral name, and let Ieyasu more than once slip any fate that he might have chosen, still Hojos head must adorn a sorrowful plight.