—'Yes, so I see,' I replied; 'he was a great general. I admire him very much. His splendid career, which I read many years ago in history, is still vividly impressed on my memory!'
—'And Jeanne d'Arc too, I suppose,' she said.
—'Of course, mademoiselle.'
—'Women sometimes do fine things, don't they! but Japan is a country of heroes and heroines.'
—'I dare say, but Jeanne d'Arc especially appeals to one's imagination.'
—'I admire your Bushido so much,' said she.
—'Do you? I am glad to hear you say so.'
Looking up, my eyes caught sight of many pictures hanging on the walls: for the most part they seemed family portraits, and most of them men in military uniform. I was tempted to make some observations, and unconsciously stood up to approach nearer to them. She followed my example and walked by my side. Pointing to them, one after another, she told me this was her grandfather, that her great-grandfather, these were this one's sons or daughters, those that one's, etc. Amongst them, no doubt, there were some who had done noble service for their country; that fact was evident from the pedigree of her family. But, unlike ordinary people, she had neither the necessity nor desire to glorify her ancestors, but for my part I wished she had explained a little more of their history. Finally, she pointed out a picture as that of her mother, saying she did not like it, and that it did not resemble her.
—'Why not? One cannot expect a portrait to be like the original at every stage of life,' I remarked.
—'No! I did not mean exactly in that way,' she answered.