Sampei shuffled on his seat, with lowered head.
"My brother is unduly harsh," he stammered,--"perchance is ignorant--"
"What of the elders, then, and their petition?" demanded Nara.
"He has sent them home unhurt!" quickly responded Sampei.
"Ay, but with wrongs unredressed."
The young General was silent.
"You are the senior in years," observed the Daimio, pursuing his advantage, "and should claim some authority; further, even, if need be--"
Sampei drew himself up with dignity.
"You, the Daimio of Nara," he said proudly, "should know what is due from a vassal to his feudal chief. I am older in years, but not pure in blood. On my mother's side I am a peasant. I may grieve over my brother's follies, even chide with respectful gentleness, further than that I may not venture, as none should know better than yourself."
Nara felt angry and disappointed, for this was not what he expected. Could this brilliant fellow be destitute of personal ambition? Perhaps, more cunning than he seemed, he was waiting for something more explicit.