The woman who approached was bowed, but when she lifted her face, they saw the undried tears upon it. Sado-ko recognized at once Natsu-no. The latter came hastily toward her, dropped upon her knees, and hid her face in the folds of the girl’s kimono.
“Do not kneel,” said Sado-ko. “They will see you from the house. Stand up. Now tell me, why do you come here?”
“Sado-ko!”
“Hush! Do not call me by that name. Why are you here?”
“To offer my poor services again, sweet mistress.”
“You have left the Nijo service?” inquired Sado-ko, swiftly.
“The gracious princess granted me my freedom, and so I came—”
Sado-ko put her arm about her old servant.
“Do not tremble so, good maid,” she said, “but tell us in a breath all there is to know.”
“She is to marry Prince Komatzu. All is well with her to-day. In her happiness she was generous and gracious; and so this morning granted me my freedom.”