Hagané crushed the red ash of his cigarette, and leaned farther back in his chair. The expression of his face altered slightly,--softened, one might say, were it not still so impressive. If waves of strength and influence had flowed from him before, they ebbed now, leaving consciousness a little thin and dry. Yet all three men smiled faintly, as at a pleasant thought. "Ah, little Onda Yuki-ko, the child of my old kerai." "It is a term meaning 'feudal retainer,'" put in Kanrio, amiably, to Mr. Todd. "Yes," went on Hagané, "I was encouraged last night to see her so strong to look at, and so--pardon vulgarity, your Excellency,--so inoffensive to the eye in personal appearance." Todd flung back his head and laughed outright. "Inoffensive--that's a good one! Why, your Highness, Yuki is quoted as a beauty here in Washington. Artists beg to paint her, and swell photographers to pose. If she intended casting in her lot with us, she could have the pick and choice of half the young bloods here." He sent a merry glance to Kanrio, as for corroboration, but was met by a stare so blank, so baffling, that his smile faded. The prince was carefully, very carefully, lighting a fresh cigarette. "Pardonnez moi!" he mumbled, between coaxing, initial puffs. "It is I who am the stupidity! 'Pick and choice,--young bloods'--I fear I do not quite--er--apprehend." "Your Highness," Kanrio broke in, "Mr. Todd speaks in the idiomatic phrases of society. He desired to transmit the impression that Miss Onda is thought to be beautiful." "Ah, is that it? And--young bloods?" "Young men, I should have said. Pardon my slang. Merely young men, your Highness," explained Cyrus, feeling suddenly quite ill at ease. "Ah, yes," muttered Hagané to himself. "I have a recollection. Last night--" he broke off. His voice was higher and a little careless, as he asked of Todd, directly, "Is Onda Yuki-ko to sail with your family?" "Yes. She had not intended returning till next spring. She wanted to take an extra course in French or something. But she wouldn't stay behind, now that we are going. She and my daughter are like sisters." Todd rose, muttering words to the effect that he had trespassed too long. Hagané rose also. Todd felt resentful, though he could have assigned no definite cause. "Good-morning, your Highness, or, as Miss Yuki has taught me to say, 'Sayonara'! I thank you for the honor of this interview." The word "Sayonara" brought Hagané sharply to himself. "The thanks belong not to me, Excellency," he smiled and stretched out a powerful hand. "Seldom do I so deeply enjoy a conversation with one met for the first time. I consider that Nippon, and our-Sacred Emperor"--(he paused, and the two Japanese bowed deeply,) "are to receive the congratulation." Power and purpose thrilled in his hand-clasp. Todd tingled anew with it. "What a man! What a bottled genius hauled up from a sea of fate!" he said to Kanrio, as they descended the stairs.