“Cousin,” said the princess to Komatzu, ignoring altogether the Duchess Aoi, “your sudden appearance at my gate has frightened both my maid and me, who in our solitary evening rambles not often meet with visitors.”
Komatzu answered:—
“The Duchess Aoi and the Lady Moon both beguiled me into a like garden wandering. We came but by chance to your august gate.”
“But will you not step inside?” asked Sado-ko. “Pray, cousin, will you not walk with me?” she sweetly urged.
Glad to accompany his cousin, the prince, softly clapping his hands, ordered an attendant to unfasten the gate. Aoi was about to follow him to the other side, when stopped by the voice of the princess. “We do not need your further service to-night,” she said.
The mortified duchess bowed to the earth, and slowly moved away.
When she was gone and the Princess Sado-ko should have breathed more freely, a reaction came. She clung with sudden faintness to the waiting-maid, Natsu-no.
“Cousin, you are ill!” cried the dismayed Komatzu.
She tried to laugh, but her voice was shaking and her words piteous.
“I but stumbled on my gown, Sir Cousin.”