“Well, your affianced did not come. Is not that welcome news for you?”
Sado-ko smote her hands together. She had become white, and her lips were quivering.
“Why did he not come?”
Ohano shrugged her plump shoulders.
“The gods alone know why, Masago. It seems he went out early in the day before the fog arose, and—Why, how you startle me to-day!”
With a half-stifled cry the princess sprang to her feet, and stood before Ohano trembling in agitation.
“You do not mean that he has met with harm?” she cried in a horrified tone. “Oh, you sit there smiling when my heart is bursting with its fear. Why do you not explain—”
Her breath came in gasps. She could scarcely enunciate her words. Ohano stared up at her aghast.
“Shaka, Masago! You are beside yourself with most incomprehensible agitation.”
With an eloquent, piteous gesture the girl threw out her hands.