“Oh, then, my father,” she cried, clasping her hands together, “you will be lenient towards him, will you not? You will permit him to see me?”
“I have nothing against your lover,” said her father, with slight irritation.
“Oh, father!” In a moment her face was aglow with hope and happiness.
“I advise you to listen to me,” he rejoined, coldly.
“Speak! speak, august father! I will follow your commands faithfully, joyfully.”
“I wish to know the nature of this prince, his habits, his mode of life, and the esteem in which he is held by his people. Once you have learned these facts, you must secure for me specific details concerning his political schemes against the Shogun.”
Gradually Wistaria had risen to her feet. She had grown strangely pale. Her eyes were frightened and apprehensive.
“You desire,” she repeated, slowly, as though she scarce comprehended the words—“you desire to know the secrets of—of his honorable party?”
“Exactly.”
“You desire,” she began to repeat, “to know the secrets—”