“Which Highness, countess?”
“There is only one Royal Highness in the palace now,” said Lady Fuji, smiling up from her frame,—“the Princess Sado-ko.”
Aoi tossed her head angrily. Her mother had been a concubine of one of the Imperial princes, and she was of the blood. Yet she was maid of honor to the Princess Sado-ko, for whom she had no love.
“And what example might she set?” Aoi inquired with evident disdain.
“That of sitting for her portrait to be painted,” explained the Countess Matsuka.
All of the ladies now showed extreme interest in the subject, and several began to speak at once.
“Oh, but she would never countenance it!”
“She fairly despises the ways of us moderns.”
“Just to think, it is in her power to keep our charming artist at court indefinitely.”
“But how lovely to have all our pictures painted. We, of course, would all follow suit.”