Hidetada may not have liked the idea of being disarmed, or disillusioned, but the reasoning of his wife baffled him. Abstruse and as headstrong she had raised him from a secondary place in the family to that of shogun: the very consciousness of that advancement induced some consideration for if not confidence in her abilities, though the methods yet seemed as incomprehensible as the motive hitherto had been elusive. The shogun therefore suffered the disgrace; there was no denying Esyo, whether shamefaced or pleased. Nor did she trust alone to promising; once his sword had been removed, the guard was doubled and instructed to let none pass--there might have been a true samurai among them, though everybody left appeared to be bent wholly upon saving his own neck. Esyo hurriedly disguised herself, for no woman might safely attend unguarded the battlefield. She must see Ieyasu, alone, and that quickly. His own division steadfastly maintained its rigid formation, expecting as well to be called forthwith into action--Honda had intercepted Ieyasu's threat at its threshold--but Hidetada's routed command continued bolting headlong in, bearing tales as disconcerting as untimely. "Honda?" whispered she, approaching and beckoning from the outside. "Yes, my lady," replied he, as nervously as anxiously. "Is he still alive?" "Y-e-s--but desperate." "Then let me in, and see that none else approaches." "I'll do it," swore he, in confidence. Ieyasu sat with his face buried close in his hands. Why none had come to strike the stroke that should save his grace seemed more than he could solve. "Honda," muttered he, at Esyo's approach. "Is there none here, meaner than Honda, to serve me, in this my last right? Shame upon them, ungrateful beggars!" "Shame upon you, my lord," hissed Esyo, her blood fairly boiling, as she ran directly there. "What do you mean, by acting in this way?" Ieyasu looked up, amazed if relieved. He had mistaken her for Honda. "Oh, it is you, is it? I thought you safe in Ozaka, no doubt before this." "Well I might be, and you, too, were you not quite bent upon insulting others." "I, insult anyone? And who might it be, pray." "Among others, Yodogima, my sister." "Yodogima!" "Yes, Yodogima." "Why so?" "She just now sends a message, inquiring about your welfare." "By whom?" "Kyogoku." "She loves me still, and I would kill myself? No, no; I must see her. Esyo; can you arrange it; I would first meet Yodogima?" "Promise me this: you will keep the engagement." "I swear it." "Then lend me your sword; I shall have had need for it before I am returned." Over at Ozaka, men bound and eager, to follow up a significant rout, were massing and ordering and devising the last and only onslaught that had been necessary to end a feudalism, throttle an aristocracy, and implant for good the democracy that Hideyoshi had all but consolidated.