Hagané, to reassure Yuki, had put a hand lightly upon her thick hair. No one but the spirits--if they were near--saw a dull red tide of passion surge up to his broad face, swelling his neck into purple veins, and twitching at the sinews of the powerful hands. But his voice, when he answered, was that of a high-priest. "In our Emperor's name, my child, I accept the gift. May the gods assist me to use it worthily!" Tetsujo, half crawling, reached the tea-tray, and drained a stale cup to the dregs. Yuki lay so still that Iriya took fond alarm. The joy and triumph faded from her face. She met Hagané's look with a slight appealing gesture toward her child. Hagané nodded. She crept to Yuki, tugging at her sleeve, and trying to push her up from the floor. Hagané leaned forward, and picked the girl up like a toy. She put out a faltering hand and touched her mother. "Come, come, my treasure!" whispered Iriya. "Let us go together to your little room, where quiet will best restore you!" "One moment, dame!" said Hagané. "I must speak with Tetsujo, in your presence." The old kerai was on his knees, bowing, his exultation only exaggerating his humility. From the impersonal ring of Hagané's orders, he might have been outlining a Manchurian campaign. "Let there be no delay! Since at any hour I may be ordered to the front, I wish the ceremony over, that I may instruct Yuki in certain official duties before I leave. And remember, this is no time for expenditure or display." "Your will is mine, Augustness." "This is Friday. Next Wednesday, then, at my Tabata villa! All shall be in readiness. Is this as you wish, Yuki-ko?" "Your will is mine, Lord," whispered Yuki, echoing unconsciously her father's words. "The child trembles. May I not conduct her to her chamber?" asked Iriya of the prince. "Yes, dame," replied he, kindly. "And, brave little one, farewell! I am overcharged with duties, and may not see you again till Wednesday, at noon. One instant!" The two women paused, Iriya facing him expectantly, Yuki with head hung low. "I want to say, here, in the presence of my too-zealous Tetsujo, that Yuki is to be treated, from this moment, with the respect and dignity that becomes a Princess Hagané. There is to be no espionage; no opposition; no suggestion of restraint of any kind! My entire confidence is with my future wife. Do you understand that, Onda Tetsujo?" "Yes, Lord," growled Tetsujo, crimson with mortification; but he did not forget to bow. In her own room Yuki stood staring, dazed, ignoring her mother's frequent suggestion to be seated. "No! Let me breathe! Let me learn to breathe again!" muttered she at last, and caught her mother's arm as she stepped to the tiny veranda. From the guest-room beyond, where the two men talked, a soft light gleamed, throwing the pebbled paths of the garden into little Milky Ways of light. The shrubs lay round and dark, like a flock of little clouds. Beyond all rose the tall black hedge of bamboo and of thorn.