Now I was to hear the instrument of the _samurai_ ladies, played by none other than Azai herself. She adjusted the ivory plectrums upon her plump little fingers and, kneeling beside the _koto_, began to play. Though mostly in the minor key and full of quick transitions that were often discordant to me, her music had many passages of plaintive sweetness. My enjoyment may have been due in part to the personality of the player, for the Occidental ear is not attuned to Oriental music. Yet the _koto_ is certainly far more harmonious than the twanging _samisen_.
When the Princess finished playing, I called for writing materials, and attempted by means of words and drawings to describe the harpsichord and pianoforte. I used one of the chests as a table for drawing my figures, and it was necessary for Azai to kneel across from me that she might bend near enough to follow the lines I drew to illustrate my explanations. It was natural that our glances should meet. I saw my soul in her sweet eyes.
In the midst, one of the wall screens at the foot of the room was flung open, and Gengo the chamberlain entered, insolently erect.
“His Highness the Tycoon commands the presence of the _tojin_,” he announced.
“Kwannon!” gasped Azai, and she sprang up to interpose her slender figure between me and the chamberlain. “My lord--I fear! Should it mean--the worst--I will rejoin my lord!”
“Without my lord I could not live! If my lord goes from this life, I will follow!”
Her eyes glowed up into mine with that light of utter devotion. If I died, she also would die. There was no hope of dissuading her. I bowed in formal leave. She kowtowed with her ladies. I advanced to Gengo and passed out without a backward glance.
In the anteroom my austerity subdued Gengo to his usual obsequiousness. He bowed low before my glance, and ushered me out with the utmost deference. But as we recrossed into the enclosure of the main palace he halted and signed to Yuki and Fujimaro to turn aside.
“Rejoin your fellow-retainers,” he commanded.
“It is not permissible,” stated the chamberlain.
“It was permissible when I came with the Prince of Owari.”
“The Shogun has summoned me. My attendants accompany me to the waiting room. Lead on.”