"Do not be anxious about me," said Iwakura, with a strange smile; "I shall escape, I promise you." "Iwakura!" cried the Shogun, gazing at his friend in alarm, "you mean to die! I understand you; but I will not accept safety at such a price. I am master still, am I not? Very well; I command you to follow me." "My beloved lord," said Nagato, in a firm voice, "if it be true that I have served you loyally, do not refuse me the first favor that I ask,--do not order me to leave this palace." "I do not order, friend, I conjure you not to rob me of a companion such as you; I entreat you to fly with us." "I join my supplications to those of my son," said Yodogimi; "do not send us forth with sorrow in our hearts." "Illustrious Prince," said Omiti, in her sweet, shy tones, "it is the first time I have ever spoken to you; but I too would venture to entreat you not to persist in your cruel resolution." Loo fell upon his knees. "Master!" he cried; but he could say no more, and burst into tears. "I recommend this boy to you," said Nagato. "Then you are deaf to our prayers?" said the Shogun. "Can nothing that we say move you?" "If she were lost to you," said the Prince, turning to Omiti, "could you consent to live? Oh, cannot you, to whom I have confided the dread secret of my life, understand how painful my existence is? Do you not see the joy that sparkles in my eyes, now that I approach the end of my sufferings? Had I been unable to serve you, I should long since have ended the torment of life. You are not victorious, as I would wish to see you; but I behold you in some safe retreat, full of flowers, joy, and love. You will be happy, if not powerful; you need me no longer. I am free; I can die." "Ah, cruel friend!" said Fide-Yori, "I see that your resolve is irrevocable." "Make haste!" said the Prince; "you have delayed too long. Reach the shore; Raiden will conceal you under the sail in the bottom of the boat; then he will take the oars. Loo will hold the helm." "No, no!" shrieked the boy, clinging fast to his master's dress, "I cannot go; I will die with you." "Obedience is a good servant's first duty, Loo," said the Prince, gently. "I command you henceforth to obey the master of us both, and to serve him unto death." Loo flung himself, sobbing, down the dark stairs of the underground passage. The two women followed him; then the Shogun descended in his turn. "Farewell! farewell! my friend, my brother! noblest, best, most faithful of my subjects!" he exclaimed, his tears flowing fast. "Farewell, illustrious friend!" said the Prince; "may your happiness last as long as your life!"