The Kisaki forced herself to smile. "May you triumph, and return speedily," said she.
The Prince retired. As he left the hall he fixed a last lingering look upon her; a singular feeling of disquiet chilled his blood.
"Every time that I part from her I feel as if I should never see her again," he muttered.
She too gazed at him, a prey to the same anguish; she pressed to her lips the tip of the fan which the Prince had given her.
He tore himself from her presence. That very night he reached Osaka, and went at once to the Shogun.
"Is it you!" joyfully exclaimed Fide-Yori. "I did not hope to see you so soon; your presence is a consolation to me amid the cares that overwhelm me."
"What!" said Iwakura, "when we are victorious! Why are you sad?"
"How can you ask me, friend? True, Yoke-Moura drove the enemy from the village that they held near Osaka; but Harounaga has just been completely routed in his retreat on Yamashiro. Two thirds of the kingdom are in the power of our foe."
"No matter! We won the day at Soumiossi; we cast confusion into the camp of Hieyas; we triumphed at Kioto. And the Son of the Gods, starting for a moment from his torpor, is about to order the two parties to be reconciled."
"Hieyas will refuse."