"I always like people when I have once liked them," said Asako; "but everything is different now."
"I see, your heart changes quickly," said her cousin bitterly.
"No, I have tried to change, but I cannot change. I have tried to become Japanese, but I cannot even learn the Japanese language. I do not like the Japanese way of living. In France and in England I was always happy. I don't think I shall ever be happy again."
"You ought to be more grateful," said Sadako severely. "We have saved you from your husband, who was cruel and deceitful—"
"No, I don't believe that now. My husband and I loved each other always. You people came between us with wicked lies and separated us."
"Anyhow, you have made the choice. You have chosen to be Japanese. You can never be English again."
The Fujinami had hypnotized Asako with this phrase, as a hen can be hypnotized with a chalk line. Day after day it was dinned into her ears, cutting off all hope of escape from the country or of appeal to her English friends.
"You had better marry a Japanese," said Sadako, "or you will become old maid. Why not marry Ito San? He says he likes you. He is a clever man. He has plenty of money. He is used to foreign ways."
"Marry Mr. Ito!" Asako exclaimed, aghast; "but he has a wife already."
"They will divorce. It is no trouble. There are not even children."