There was a pause of expectation. Then the square in the head of the dragon moved aside. Dimly seen, appeared the upper portion of the head of the Emperor Kommei Tenno.
The Lord of Catzu spoke while still kneeling, without daring to gaze in the direction of the Emperor behind the screen.
“Your Serene Majesty, Son of Heaven and Father of Earth,” he said, unctuously, “the insignificant shogunate desires, as of old, to render its filial submission to thee, and to give every evidence of its love and devotion.”
“It is well,” said a voice from within the dragon’s head.
“The Shogun,” continued Catzu, after a respectful pause, “as war lord of your Serene Highness, desires to ask your Majesty’s permission to banish all foreigners now in your imperial realm as most noxious to your Majesty, and to close again the ports of Nippon. The Shogun has sent an embassy to Europe, that this may be done without violence and in dignity.”
This time there was no response from the Mikado behind the tapestry. Catzu, having paused an instant, resumed:
“Has your Serene Highness any commands for his war lord?”
The voice issued again from the dragon hangings. It was a trifle raised now, but perfectly clear.
“It is decreed that the Prince of Echizen is made premier to the Shogun, and first minister in all our empire.”
Catzu was taken aback. His head, however, was bent to the ground in submission.