“Ah, yes, that is true, but my rival is not only more powerful, but in every respect more prepossessing and attractive.”
“Indeed? Well, all this interests me very much. Still, I must say, my lord, that though I am in the service of the Mori, I have not seen the knight or courtier who could prove so formidable a rival to you, either in graces or rank—for are you not the son of the great lord of this province?”
“And has not our neighboring lord a son also?”
“Wh—what!” cried the stranger, darting backward as though the youth had dealt him a sharp and unexpected blow; then scanning the other’s face closely, “You do not mean—the Prince—?”
“Yes—the Prince Keiki. That swaggering, bragging, noisy roustabout, who bears so many cognomens.”
“Hum!” said the other. “They call him the Prince Kei—, truly—”
“Yes,” said the youth, jealously, “and also ‘Hikal-Keiki-no-Kimi’ (the Shining Prince Keiki).”
“You have told me strange news indeed,” said the Mori courtier. “I did not know of the betrothal of our Prince. It is very sad, truly.”
“Sad! To be betrothed to the Princess Hollyhock sad?”
“For you, my lord,” replied the other, with a slight smile.