"Ah! you are here, illustrious victor!" she said, bitterly; "you come to receive the praises due your noble deeds."
"It is only when falling from your lovely lips that praise is pleasant to my ear," said the Prince, bowing with somewhat exaggerated politeness; "but you favor me with none but rude and scornful words."
"If we are enemies, it is your own fault," said Yodogimi.
"I never wished to offend you; it was my slight merit which wrought my ruin. You declared war against me; but I never accepted the challenge, and I remained your slave."
"A very humble slave! who attracts all the light to himself, allowing no one else to shine in his presence!"
"Am I really so resplendent?" said the Prince. "Against your will, you see, you let fall the praises which you refused me."
"Cease your raillery!" cried Yodogimi. "I seize this opportunity to tell you that while all the world admire and love you, I detest you."
"She cannot forgive me for Harounaga's defeat," muttered the Prince.
Yodogimi withdrew, hurling an angry glance at Nagato. The beautiful Princess once loved Iwakura in secret. The Prince would not see her love; hence the hatred with which she pursued him.
Nagato left the palace; and, a few hours after, set sail for the Island of Awadsi.