“And did you come with my august parent, then?”
“On the same steamer—yes. It was an accidental meeting.”
“Ah, then you did not come back for the purpose of helping them?”
“No, I had another purpose. I came to break your betrothal with Yamashiro Yoshida.”
“Well, they have saved you that trouble,” she said, sighing.
He regarded her keenly.
“Why do you sigh? You have regrets?”
“Yes,” she admitted, “for if they had not cast me off I could have remained in Japan. Now—” Her voice faltered and she turned her head away.
“Now?” he repeated.
“Ah, yes,” she said, “I begin to see there is nothing else to be done. I am resigned.”