That evening was thence passed without further incident, save an apparently growing discomfiture on Ieyasu's part and the corresponding rise in spirit of Hideyoshi; who not deigning to parley with Yodogima--he took her at her word, and prided himself in doing so--began resolutely further to carry out and not to forestall. Yodogima had done her part, and well: there seemed nothing more that she could or would do to save a waiting lover; she had made it possible for him to claim her, and to drink the draught that Hideyoshi himself should not have questioned, and he had failed to do either--might be as easily duped into a more fatal blunder, made the scapegoat of his own waiting or incapacity, or both, and the princess at once raised above his further consideration. Thus Hideyoshi planned and Ieyasu dallied, perhaps dreamed, and marvelled the audacity, perchance effect, with which Yodogima commanded, possibly ordered. The following day, however, clouded over and Date and Hideyoshi counselled and bantered till early evening, when they stood on the latter's suggestively improvised ramparts cogitating the plight of Hojo farther down in the foreground. "You are the greater man," plead Date, no longer doubtful of Hideyoshi's resources or motive, "and I am ready to surrender my lands and do you service." "Ah; then you shall know what it is to toast a man like Hideyoshi; to-night you shall sit next to me; and, by the way, face the smartest woman in these parts: look you well that your tongue neither outruns nor belies the manner due or occasion expected." At table Date, true to conviction and in consonance better with propriety, proposed the health of Hideyoshi, their duly lord and henceforth recognized master. Flushing scarlet, Yodogima barely touched the cup that stood filled for another purpose; it seemed to her that Ieyasu, who now sat at her side, must intercede, should realize that opportunity were fast slipping away: he only whitened, then drank the liquor as prudence dictated. Hideyoshi smiled, and turning to Date attempted their present relief by suggesting, bluntly: "The princess reserves discreetly her response till occasion more pleasantly affords; Ieyasu may yet drink with a better color, if not more grace." The next day, in consequence, brought with it a train of circumstances as swift as it had been unexpected--to all except, perhaps, Hideyoshi. Matsuda, Hojo's main reliance, had succumbed, not to valor but to gold, and that night his master's head graced a place at table--opposite to Ieyasu: who now, once more, faced at greater distance Yodogima, but entertained as before, close at hand, Saji, in whom the now startled and cringing daimyo from Mikawa may have found some little consolation, if not a rising prospect.