"What an interesting woman she must have been," exclaimed To-no-Chiujio, with the intention of making Shikib go on with his story. This he fully understood, and, making a grimace, he thus proceeded:-- "Once when I went to her after a long absence--a way we all have, you know--she did not receive me openly as usual, but spoke to me from behind a screen. I surmised that this arose from chagrin at my negligence, and I intended to avail myself of this opportunity to break with her. But the sagacious woman was a woman of the world, and not like those who easily lose their temper or keep silence about their grief. She was quite as open and frank as Sama-no-Kami would approve of. She told me, in a low clear voice, 'I am suffering from heartburn, and I cannot, therefore, see you face to face; yet, if you have anything important to say to me, I will listen to you.' This was, no doubt, a plain truth; but what answer could I give to such a terribly frank avowal? 'Thank you,' said I, simply; and I was just on the point of leaving, when, relenting, perhaps, a little, she said aloud, 'Come again soon, and I shall be all right.' To pass this unnoticed would have been impolite; yet I did not like to remain there any longer, especially under such circumstances: so, looking askance, I said-- Here I am, then why excuse me, is my visit all in vain: And my consolation is, you tell me, come again? No sooner had I said this than she dashed out as follows with a brilliancy of repartee which became a woman of her genius:-- 'If we fond lovers were, and meeting every night, I should not be ashamed, were it even in the light!' "Nonsense, nonsense!" cried Genji and the others, who either were, or pretended to be, quite shocked. "Where can there be such a woman as that? She must have been a devil! Fearful! fearful!" And, snapping their fingers with disapproving glances, they said, "Do tell us something better--do give us a better story than that." Shikib-no-Jio, however, quietly remarked: "I have nothing else to relate," and remained silent. Hereupon a conversation took place to the following effect:--