She smoothed with little restless hand the foreign fabric of his coat. Her voice was somewhat faint:—
“If his Majesty should not consent, Komatzu?”
“Why even dream of such a thing?” he asked. “Am I not the very one most fitted for your husband, and have I not served well his Majesty?”
She seized his hand and held it close against her face.
“Komatzu, were I not of equal rank with you,—if I were but a simple maiden of humble parentage,—would you still love me?”
“I do not love your rank, sweet cousin, but your own self.”
“But if I were not of your rank, what then?”
“Capricious Sado-ko, why ask such foolish questions?”
“Would you still marry me if I were not a royal princess?”
“I still would love you, Sado-ko. I could not marry you in that event. Why, you turn your face away! The tears are in your eyes. Cousin, you are too fanciful.”