While it pleased Shibusawa to see such good cheer and hear praise bestowed upon his father, the encomium did not in any manner carry him away nor cause him to suspect the giver; he merely passed it by as a personal trait, without any regard to the real source of its apparent emanation. Secretly he had long ago determined that he and his family, or any other, would be courted just so long as they made themselves worth the while. He appreciated Ikamon's kindness in suggesting the entertainment, and, regardless of the motive or consequences, proposed to enjoy such benefits as were of right his portion, so long as no moral or material right was infringed upon. After consulting Maido's convenience as to the time of the entertainment, Ikamon and his wife withdrew amid hearty salutations and started toward their home. The sky was clear and the moon up as they sped along in the cool of night, listening to the patter of the carriers' feet, or looking out upon the world of beauty around them. Theirs was a happy contrast with those less fortunate, for--even in feudal Japan--this mighty statesman once delved into mother earth for meagre sustenance. There, too, the lowly rose to power and fame, and, as the great minister leaned back under the golden canopy and sniffed the balmy air floating in at the open sides, he marvelled at his own success and swelled with pride at his extraordinary rise. "It is the power of logic that sends men on their destined way. The sway of chance or the hand of justice has little to do with the mysteries of man's universe; it is the certainty of the thing that counts for much. The success makes right, and Ikamon knows no wrong," said he to himself as they came close to their gilded mansion and a hundred tired backs welcomed the small relief. Ikamon arose and stepped out of the tasselled chair, and stood waiting to assist Yasuko. Ready and willing maids had already spread the leopard skin, and as she thrust forward her dainty, white stockinged feet, two gold-lacquered shoes were placed for them. Her husband extended his hand, and she arose, gracefully walking toward the house where is known "the golden crow" and "the jewelled hare," the law's luxury and man's inheritance. The prime minister drew from his girdle a string of "cash" which he scattered, and a horde of thankful underlings scrambled for the bounty. He too entered the privileged house, and soon after, taking his proper leave, retired to his own chamber, where he planned and schemed the grandest geisha party that his age had known. CHAPTER XXIV THE GEISHA PARTY