"Lord, you said," she prompted. "Say on. Do not listen—do not observe the ugly Isonna. She has a trouble of the head."
Hoshiko drooped her own in some sort of gentle guilt.
"Ah, but I displeased you also," said Arisuga.
"Lord—I—no. I have a distemper. In it I am harsh to Isonna. That is what she is for. That is why my father keeps her. That she may bear my distemper. Presently I will go and put my arms about her, so, and all will be well!"
She illustrated with her own person.
"So?" asked the soldier, laughing; "certainly all will be well!" and she came with another laugh and knelt at his bed. She touched him. She chattered on helplessly.
"Truly, all will be well. She loves me, wicked as I am to her, and with a touch I can win her!"
"Yes!" he agreed. "Or any one, I should fancy!"
Thus, at least, she had cunningly won him from his wonder at the scene he had just witnessed, if she had not won all else she had hoped for.
"May I ask a question?" said the girl.