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but don t expose me too much to the gaze of a stranger. Having thus cunningly persuaded the Princess, Tayû set the reception-room in order, into which Genji was soon shown. The Princess was all the while experiencing much nervousness, and as she did not know exactly how to manage, she left everything to Tayû, and was led by her to the room to receive her visitor. The room was arranged in such a way that the Princess had her back to the light so that her face and emotions could be obscured. The perfume which she used was rich, still preserving the trait of high birth, but her demeanor was timid, and her deportment awkward. Genji at once noticed this. just as I imagined. She is so simple, thought he, and then he commenced to talk with her, and to explain how passionately he had desired to see her. She, however, listened to him almost in silence, and gave no plain answer. Genji was disconcerted, and at last said, From you I sought so oft reply, But you to give one would not deign, If you discard me, speak, and I Will cease to trouble you again. 117 Tale of Genji The governess of the Princess, Kojijiû by name, who was present, was a sagacious woman, and noticing the embarrassment of the lady, she advanced to her side, and made the following reply in such a well-timed manner that her real object, which was to conceal the deficiencies of her mistress, did not betray itself Not by the ringing of a bell, Your words we wish to stay; But simply, she has nought to tell, And nothing much to say. Your eloquence has so struck me that my mouth is almost closed, said Genji, smiling Not speaking is a wiser part, And words are sometimes vain, But to completely close the heart In silence, gives me pain. He then tried to speak of this thing and that indifferently, but all hopes of agreeable responsiveness on the lady s part being vain, he coolly took his leave, and left the mansion, much disappointed. This evening he slept in his mansion at Nijiô. The next morning Tô- no-Chiûjiô appeared before he had risen. How late, how late! he cried, in a peculiar tone. Were you fatigued last night, eh? Genji rose and presently came out, saying, I have overslept myself, that is all; nothing to disturb me. But have you come from the palace? Was it your official watch-night? 65 Yes, replied Tô-no-Chiûjiô, and I must inform you that the dancers and musicians for the fête in Suzak-in are to be nominated to-day. I came from the palace to report this to my father, so I must now go home, but I will soon return to you. I will go with you, said Genji, but let us breakfast before we start. 65 Young nobles spent a night in the palace in turns, to attend to any unexpected official business. 118 Saffron Flower Breakfast was accordingly brought, of which they partook. Two carriages, Genji s and Tô-no-Chiûjiô s, were driven to the door, but Tô-no- Chiûjiô invited the Prince to take a seat with him. Genji complied, and they drove off. Going along Tô-no-Chiûjiô observed with an envious tone in his voice, You look very sleepy; to which Genji returned an indifferent reply. From the house of Sadaijin they proceeded to the Imperial Palace to attend the selection of the dancers and musicians. Thence Genji drove with his father-in-law to the mansion of the latter. Here in the excitement of the coming fête were assembled several young nobles, in addition to Genji himself. Some practised dancing, others music, the sound of which echoed everywhere around. A large hichiriki and a shakuhachi (two kinds of flute) were blown with the utmost vigor. Even large drums were rolled upon a balcony and beaten with a will. During the following days, therefore, Genji was so busily engaged that no thought came across his mind of revisiting the Princess Hitachi. Tayû certainly came now and then, and strove to induce him to pay the Princess another visit, but he made an excuse on the pretext of being so much occupied. It was not until the fête was over that one evening he resolved to pay a visit there. He did not, however, announce his intention openly, but went there in strict secrecy, making his way to the house unobserved, as there was no one about. On his arrival he went up to the latticed window and peeped through. The curtains were old and half worn out, yet were still left to hang in the once pretty and decorated chamber. There were a few domestic maidens there partaking of supper. The table and service seemed to be old Chinese, but everything else betrayed a scantiness of furniture. In the further room where the mistress was probably dining, an old waitress was passing in and out, wearing a peculiar white dress rather faded in appearance, and an awkward-looking comb in her hair, after the old-fashioned style of those formerly in the service of the aristocratic class, of whom a few might still be retained in a family. Ah, thought Genji, smiling, we might see this kind of thing in the college of ceremonies. One of the maids happened to say, This poor cold place! when one s life is too long, such fate comes to us. Another answered her, How was it we did not like the mansion when the late Prince was living? 119 Tale of Genji Thus they talked about one thing or another connected with their mistress s want of means. Genji did not like that they should know that he had seen and heard all this, so he slyly withdrew some distance, and then advancing with a firm step, approached the door and knocked. [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] |