“What is your honorable desire, maiden?”
“The chamber darkens, O princess. Will your Highness deign to permit the honorable light?”
“I am quite satisfied,” said Sado-ko, and rested her head contentedly against the artist’s arm. The maid did not move.
“Will not the noble princess permit her evening meal?” she asked in trembling tones.
“I am not hungry,” said the Princess Sado-ko. She smiled up at her lover’s now adoring face.
“Princess, the hour of—”
Sado-ko turned toward the maid with the first show of impatience.
“Pray return to your seat, Natsu-no,” she said, “and when I need your service, I will so advise you.”
Without replying, Natsu-no slowly moved to her seat; but she kept her face toward those two figures now silhouetted in the twilight of the room.
“You still are uneasy?” asked the Princess Sado-ko. “Do you not like the touch of me?”