Nor was Takara disinterested, though she did not call. And a certain prince who had once upon a time been deeply in love with her and who was still quite attentive, manifested more than an interest; he was anxious, and upon Shibusawa's return he at first took it upon himself to visit Kanazawa rather often. Aside from these personal attractions, the south brewed a storm that was destined to spread until it had claimed the attention of some persons even much farther north than Kanazawa. Thus plenty both of interest and variety engaged Maido, nor would Shibusawa flinch from his part. CHAPTER XXVII SHIBUSAWA RECLAIMED It was now some considerable time since Takara had been spirited by the ronin from Tokyo to Kyoto, where she had gone into seclusion at her mother's house and so remained. The gaiety at court had little attraction for her, and she undertook to devote herself to a new life which should atone for all past failures. She had had her trial with men, and placing them all in the same category undertook to discard them as so much rubbish. One day while discussing the matter with Daikomitsu she said to him: "They are disappointing and, I believe, a burden to the real woman. No, Daikomitsu, you could not have me, were I free and you made of gold. I prefer another kind of happiness." "You do not mean what you say, Takara. You are chafing a bit under the weight of your misfortunes. You have my sympathy and my love too, if you will." "I have a husband." "And of what sort? I vow not of your own choice." "A woman has no choice." "Nor should she; nor would she, had I the say." "Thanks. I understand there are some would-be friends who are interested in all that goes with feudalism except the inheritance. You might have that, were you as clever as they." "I belong to the literati." "Oh, you do? It is strange; I had heard nothing of that since you were here last. I trust it will not get noised around too much--Ikamon might hear it." "Well?" "He is worth the while." "Tetsutaisho's the better man. I like him." "Then he has told you?" "You seem agitated. I hope you do not count him one of the new school. Though he is close to Ikamon, I will admit." "No; I had another thing in mind. Go on with your talk. The mood is a modest one." "I'll trust you, though it were better a man kept his own counsel." "Daikomitsu? Ha, ha; how egotistical!" "And you really love me?" "No." "Then you hate me." "No." "What chance is there between hate and love?" "It is there that I would trust a woman."