“That cannot be, my lord!”
“I will win and wed you, in the teeth of all Nippon!”
“My lord, I—” Her whisper thrilled with quick alarm. “Free me—Setsu—she’ll kill you!—disgrace—a girl’s dirk!”
I released her, and turned to the upward hastening Setsu as the light of her paper lantern glowed upon us through the darkness.
“Pardon, august ones!” she called. “The charcoal had burnt out and the tinder was misplaced. I could come no sooner.”
“You have done well to come so soon,” murmured Azai.
O Setsu raised her lantern and peered at me under it as she bowed. Her utter devotion to the Princess could not be doubted. I felt a sudden impulse to risk all in her keeping.
“Does O Setsu San desire the death of her Princess?” I asked.
The girl grasped at her dirk, and cast a swift glance from me to Azai. “Does the tojin sama threaten?” she demanded.
“Only you do that,” I replied. “Strike me, and your dirk will pierce through my heart to hers.”