“Now,” said the other, “I will be seated, and pray you also, sit by me, Masago.”
“I do not know you, lady,” said Masago, with sudden brusqueness. “I pray you, speak your mission in my father’s house.”
The other smiled.
“Your father’s house!” she repeated.
“Why do you repeat my words?” said Masago.
“I was told the Prince of Nijo—”
Masago started toward her with a little cry, and that same savage movement with which she had sprung upon the servant. Though inwardly she cherished thought of Nijo, she could not bear that others should speak of it.
“You come here to insult me!” she cried, her bosom heaving with suppressed excitement.
“Be not angry,” said the other, softly. “I came but to speak the truth, and—and to gaze upon—my sister!”
“Sister!” The word escaped the lips of Masago like a cry of pain. “You—you are—”