Meantime, both Genji and To-no-Chiujio, in their secret minds, were thinking of the notes of the _koto_ heard before on that evening, and of the bare and pitiable condition of the residence of the Princess whom they had left--a great contrast to the luxury of their present quarters. To-no-Chiujio's idea about her took something of this shape: "If girls who, from a modest propriety, keep themselves aloof for years from our society, were at last to be subdued by our attentions, our affection for them would become irresistible, even braving whatever remarks popular scandal might pass upon us. She may be like one of these. The Prince Genji seems to have made her the object of some attentions. He is not one to waste his time without reason. He knows what he is doing." As these thoughts arose in his mind, a slight feeling of jealousy disturbed him, and made him ready to dare a little rivalry in that quarter; for, it would appear, that after this day amatory letters were often sent both by him and Genji to the Princess, who, however, returned no answer to either. This silence on her part made To-no-Chiujio, more especially, think thus: "A strange rejection; and from one, too, who possesses such a secluded life. True, her birth is high; but that cannot be the only reason which makes her bury herself in retirement. There must be some stronger reason, I presume." As we have before mentioned, Genji and To-no-Chiujio were so intimate that all ceremony was dispensed with between them, and they could ask each other any question without reserve. From this circumstance To-no-Chiujio one day boldly inquired of Genji: "I dare say you have received some replies from the Princess. Have you not? I for my part have thrown out some hints in that quarter by way of experiment, but I gave up in disappointment." "Ah, then, he too has been trying there," thought Genji, smiling slightly, and he replied very vaguely, "I am not particularly concerned whether I get an answer or not, therefore I cannot tell you whether I have received any." "I understand that," thought To-no-Chiujio; "perhaps he has got one; I suspect so."