Instantly Aidzu bowed deeply, but into his face there crept a malignant expression. He then withdrew from the chamber. When he was gone, the Emperor made a dignified gesture of permission to Echizen.
“Sire, this young Prince Mori has devoted his life to your cause, as have I,” he said, in a low but passionate voice.
“Hush! not so loud,” said the Emperor, with a slight shiver. “Wait.”
With quick footsteps he crossed to the door and flung it violently aside. There was none without.
“Proceed,” he said, almost in a whisper.
Echizen lowered his voice still more.
“Sire, the Prince of Mori did not incite these massacres, but protested strongly against them.”
“The proofs! Quick—the proofs!”
Echizen quietly withdrew his sword from his belt. Its point he applied to his own breast. Upon his knees he offered its hilt to his master.
“Sire, my life is at your service, now as ever,” he said.