Iyesada frowned.
“Again I ask,” continued Mori, flushed with his feeling, “do you intend to treat with these foreigners?”
“I will treat with them. I will yield, but combating every step.”
“I could declare a truce with you,” said Mori, “and I possess the power to enforce it, if you will assume your rightful function of war lord and expel the foreigners.”
Iyesada looked him through. There was in his glance the patient scorn of the man who sees beyond his life.
“You appear, Prince of Mori, to appreciate European civilization, you who have fashioned rifles. I have looked to you as one who might think with me. I thought you represented progress, in spite of the fact that your activities were directed against myself. I have left you to yourself for a time. I thought you saw, as I see, the new Japan, the Japan that in self-defence must assimilate European civilization to beat back these Europeans. I could offer you much.”
“I belong to the Emperor, who rules by the right of the gods.”
To his feet the Shogun leaped. Into his disease-deadened eyes there came the fire of strong will. He raised his arm.
“Sovereignty belongs to—”
“The Emperor,” finished Mori, passionately.