"It is Hidetsugu's fault," shouted Ishida, undisguising in the confusion and rushing forward. "He has poisoned the princess--please strike him and pardon her," continued he, snatching the cup away and dashing its contents upon the floor. "No," replied Yodogima, composedly; "Ishida speaks falsely; it is mine to answer." Outside the rattle and purpose of troops made itself quickly apparent, and Ieyasu sprang up, commanding: "My sword." Then, "Forward, guards!" The taiko only railed the harder; he could not look or feel beyond the insult sustained; Yodogima had committed an act no penalty other than direst torture could atone. "I have not seen Hidetsugu, know not his purpose, or any other man's, but I also have a duty to perform: if in that I have transgressed, then let me suffer therefor. What is one life as compared with so many?" continued Yodogima, without any intimation as to what she herself, Ishida, and the Sen-no-rikyu alone knew. "Hideyoshi has been insulted and the guilty must suffer. How are the captains? Where Ieyasu?" demanded the taiko, nervously. "Time will tell," suggested Ishida. "In the meantime your humble servant would advise that Hideyori be taken in charge--I myself, with your lordship's permission, shall attend Yodogima." "Let Oyea stand sponsor for Hideyori; Yodogima has proven herself untrustworthy--do with her as you like; I shall have enough to attend Hidetsugu. Produce the child," commanded the taiko, believing himself abused beyond forgiveness. Yodogima sank down bewildered. Jokoin had been an onlooker and believed her sister in the right, though she knew nothing and could not account for the circumstance. "Never mind, sister; Jokoin shall console you," promised she, coming forward in a manner strictly her own, however menacingly it may have seemed. "And you, Hideyoshi, are just as mean as you can be. Now, then," continued Jokoin, stamping her foot in the taiko's presence. "Hei, yeo! Ishida, we shall have enough of it, before done; I know this little elf, of old," threatened Hideyoshi, vainly trying to hide a deeper, more laborious concern. The world, however, seemed awhirl, and Yodogima had surrendered, but Harunaga watched his chance: "Do not despair, Yodogima; the child shall not be torn from its mother," whispered he, and his words roused within her a new life. Hidetsugu came in--he had flown at Ishida's accusation--in the charge of Ieyasu, who had surrounded and taken him at his own quarters, while in the act of communicating with Mori, a friend to Ishida. It had been the kwambaku's guards marching, contrary to his orders or knowledge, but well within the plans and connivance of Ishida, that caused the disturbance, prompting Ieyasu to adopt extreme measures--cutting down and dispersing them without inquiry or cause. Ishida laughed. He stood at Hideyoshi's right. Yodogima in the melee had disappeared, in company with Jokoin, as induced by Harunaga.