The mirror-stand, combs, and dressing-case were brought in by an attendant. They were all of an extremely antique pattern. He drew an "arm-stool" near him, and resting himself upon it began combing his hair. He was amused at the sight of these articles, which were doubtless a legacy from her parents. The dress of the Princess was in every way nicer. It had been made out of the silk of Genji's present. He recognized it by the tasteful pattern. Turning to her he said, "This year you might become a little more genial, the only thing I wait for above all is a change in your demeanor." To which she, with some awkwardness, said, "In the spring, when numerous birds sing." Such poetic responses were a great delight to Genji, who thought they were the silent touches of time, and that she had made some improvement. He then left and returned to his mansion in Nijio, where he saw the young Violet innocently amusing herself. She wore with grace a long close-fitting cherry-colored dress of plain silk. She had not yet blackened her teeth,[69] but he now made her do so, which gave a pleasant contrast to her eyebrows. He played at their usual games at toys with her, trying in every way to please her. She drew pictures and painted them, so did he also. He drew the likeness of a lady with long hair, and painted her nose with pink. Even in caricature it was odd to see. He turned his head to a mirror in which he saw his own image reflected in great serenity. He then took the brush and painted his own nose pink. Violet, on seeing this, screamed. "When I become ornamented in this way what shall I be like?" inquired Genji. "That would be a great pity. Do wipe it off, it might stain," she replied. Genji partly wiped it off, saying, "Need I wipe it off any more? Suppose I go with this to the Palace?" On this Violet approached and carefully wiped it for him. "Don't put any more color," cried Genji, "and play upon me as Heijiu."[70] The mild sun of spring descended in the west, and darkness slowly gathered over the forest tops, obscuring all but the lovely white plum blossoms which were still visible amidst the gloom. At the front of the porch, also, a red plum blossom, which usually opens very early, was deeply tinged with glowing hues. Genji murmured:-- "The 'red-tinged flower' is far from fair, Nor do my eyes delight to see, But yon red plum which blossoms there, Is full of loveliness to me." What will become of all these personages! FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 65: Young nobles spent a night in the palace in turns, to attend to any unexpected official business.] [Footnote 66: When a new emperor succeeded, two virgins, chosen from the royal princesses, were sent--one to the Shinto temple at Ise, the other to the same temple at Kamo--to become vestals, and superintend the services.]