O'Yoshi was very solicitous over the handsome young man. "Deign to pardon the careless action. Alas! The foot of the young master is sadly injured. My husband is a doctor, Gita Kyu[u]an, of wondrous skill in the Dutch practice. Condescend to enter the poor house close by here, and allow drugs to be applied to the wound." Shu[u]zen really was suffering inconvenience and pain from his wound. Besides, as attached to the office of the _machibugyo[u]_, he sought all means of contact with the class whose offences were to be dealt with. He at once agreed. Ogita was absent when they entered. O'Yoshi tended the wound herself. The salve really had wonderful effect. Flow of blood and pain ceased. Cakes and tea, for refreshment, were placed before Shu[u]zen. O'Yoshi entertained him with amusing talk of the wardsmen of Nihonbashi, not the most stupid in Nippon. She retailed the bath house gossip, and Aoyama carefully took in costume, manners, and the conversation of the beauty, which did not at all accord with her station in life. If she was connected with a doctor now, at some time she had been intimate with men of affairs in his own caste. He thanked her graciously and would have forced lavish payment on her. O'Yoshi was all pained surprise and refusal. That her reluctance was genuine he could easily see. "I am Aoyama Shu[u]zen, and live in the _yashiki_ at Surugadai. The kindness shown is not to be forgotten, and perhaps some day this Shu[u]zen can serve his hostess." With compliments he took his leave. O'Yoshi watched the handsome youth well out of sight. She could not hear the remark of Shu[u]zen to the _do[u]shin_--"A suspicious house; no frowsy doctor shows such favour to his dame. Dress, manners, language, betray contact with the _samurai_." The officer nodded admiring assent to his young lord's acumen.
Ogita Kuro[u]ji came limping home, to find O'Yoshi--Cho[u]senburo[u] Yoshi, as this adventure dubbed her--overflowing with her experience. At first he was rather pleased at such addition to his acquaintance. O'Yoshi was a bait to all but Jinnai, who would detach him from her. The others sought his favour to secure hers with greater ease. At mention of the _do[u]shin_, subordinate officials of the legal machinery, the official grade of the visitor, his brows knit. "Of official rank--that will never do! Deign Yoshi to be careful in relations with this man, if he should again appear. Engaged as is this Kuro[u]ji, the slightest hint, a suspicion, would be most disastrous."--"Then the affair of the Senhimégimi did not block matters? This Yoshi yet is to ride in palanquin, to be a _daimyo[u]'s_ wife?" The tone was a little jeering, and the laugh as of one sceptical. With thoughts on this new love the reference to this futile scheming annoyed her. She would push this acquaintance to the full effect of her charms. Ogita took some offence. He spoke braggingly, but disastrously to the point--"Assuredly 'tis Yoshi who shall be the lady of a _daimyo[u]_ of high place, not of a meagre fifteen or twenty thousand _koku_. Kaga Ke, Maéda Toshitsuné, is grinding his sword. The great Houses in the west--Hosokawa, Bizen, Kato[u], Mo[u]ri, Satsuma, will follow him. Give them but the opportunity in the disorder of Edo, and the sword will be drawn. In a month, Edo, fired at a hundred points will lie in ashes. Then...." He stopped a little frightened. But she feigned the greatest indifference, teased him into opposition. Sitting down before the wine she got out of him the whole affair. Reverting to the accident--"But yourself, an accident has been deigned. Has another Yoshi encountered Kuro[u]ji Dono?" To the tender solicitude half laughing he made jesting answer. "A Yoshi with beard and wearing two swords. To-day the contract was signed by all with the blood seal. The wine feast followed. The talk was earnest, some of it rash. Interposing in the quarrel, the dagger intended for the belly of one, was sheathed in the thigh of this Kuro[u]ji. A trifling flesh wound; well in a day or two, at present rest is needed."--"A dangerous affair; if it gives rise so easily to dispute." Such her comment. "Not so," answered the infatuated veteran. "They are too far in to withdraw." Before her eyes he unrolled the scroll. Her eye quickly ran along the crowded columns of the names--by the score. Here was indeed a big affair. Out of the corner of one eye she watched him put it away.