"Now," he said, with a pretence of severity.
"Is the day fixed?"
"Yes. Am I to wait here because your eyes are not exactly a beast's, while my father languishes in the Meido?"
"Yea, lord, if you are hap—happy. For the spirits of our augustnesses, no matter where they are, even in the suffering of the hells, are not sad while they make us happy."
"In what book did you learn that?" demanded the soldier.
"In the Bushido," lied the girl, seriously.
"Then I have not read the commandments of the Bushido with sufficient care. I must do it all over. I am glad that there is such a doctrine. One may keep to a holy purpose, but need not hasten it. And to-day I like to linger from the red death; I like it well!"
"Yes, lord, that is a filial duty. To die for—for—the repose of your father's soul. But there is no need of—haste?"
"No," said the disgraceful young soldier, "there is no need of haste."
She laughed and touched his face—where he caught and held her hand.