"Perhaps, many many years?"
"Perhaps," said Arisuga.
"Until you are mi—married?"
"Perhaps until I am married."
"Beautiful!" cried the girl.
"And who would you have me marry?"
"Isonna!" laughed Hoshiko, "if you were not so great, lord. Oh, she is most sweet to men! Often I have wondered that men do not marry her! Isonna!"
Again the girl plunged from the next room.
"Isonna," said her mistress, "ugly little beast, you are to marry the lord soldier when he is a trifle better."
Isonna forgot her manners in the violence of another amazement. Arisuga shouted with happy laughter.