"The Prince of Nagato." "Ah-ha! I consent to the marriage." "And what princess do you name to take the place of the one who is to leave me?" "I will name any one whom you may select." "I thank you, master," said the Kisaki; "and I depart from your divine presence, imploring your pardon for having dared to interrupt your repast." "Oh, it's no matter!" said Go-Mitzou-No, who hastened, as soon as his wife had gone, to make up for lost time. CHAPTER XIV. THE HAWKING-PARTY. Some days after the reception of the embassy, towards the tenth hour of the morning, the hour of the serpent, a young cavalier rode at full speed along the road which leads from Osaka to Kioto. At that hour the road is very crowded; beasts of burden, pedlers, men and women of the people pass and repass along its entire length. Peasants carry the produce of their fields to the suburban towns; they are on their way to Fusimi, Yodo, and Firacca. Merchandise of every kind is taken from Osaka to Kioto,--rice, salt-fish, metals, and precious woods; while Kioto sends to the city of the Shogun tea, silk, bronze vases, and various sorts of lacquered ware. The young horseman paid not the faintest heed to the crowd; he gave his steed the reins, and urged him on with his voice. Moreover, the road was always free before him; people sprang quickly aside at the sound of the furious galloping feet, and the passers-by retreated to the roadside, which was bordered here and there with houses made of beech-wood. The rider moved so rapidly that, in spite of all their efforts, the curious could not distinguish his features. "It's a warrior," said one; "I saw the gleam of his weapons." "That was no great thing to see," said another; "every time he moved he glittered like lightning." "It's a warrior of high rank; I saw the gold thongs of his whip of office." "Is he a general?" "Ask the swallow, as she flies, to see whether the copper horns shine upon his helmet; she alone is capable of overtaking that knight." When he reached Kioto, the young soldier did not slacken his pace; he rode through the city at a gallop, and entering the palace, inquired for the envoys of the Shogun. "They are at the summer-palace," was the answer; "or rather they are not there. They have joined our divine Kisaki in the chase; they started at sunrise." "In which direction did they go?" "Towards the shores of Lake Biva, at the foot of the mountains," replied the lackey; "but, my lord, do you wish to join the illustrious hunters?" "Bring me a horse," said the young man coldly, without answering the question. At the same time he alighted, and the servant led away his weary steed; soon two grooms brought forward another, equipped, and full of spirit. The soldier again mounted, and rode away.