With a sudden movement the Princess Sado-ko bent forward and looked into the averted face of the maid Masago.
“You!” she cried, “you love this—” She could not finish her words.
Masago dropped her face within her hands.
“I,” she said. “Yes, I—so humble—the daughter of—”
Slowly the hands fell from the girl’s face. Her eyes met those of Sado-ko’s.
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A WILD flush of color rushed to the face of Sado-ko; a light so clear as at first to dazzle her, flashed through her mind.
“Masago—sister!” she cried. “Oh, the gods give me solution of both our griefs!”
“There is, alas! none for mine,” said Masago, and sullenly wiped away the tears.
The Princess Sado-ko leaned over and spoke in a lowered voice.
“You are affianced to the artist, Kamura Junzo. Is it not so, Masago?”
A motion of impatient assent was the girl’s reply.
“And you do not joyfully anticipate the union?”
“I loathe the very thought,” returned Masago, bitterly.
The princess paused a moment as though to master her amazement.
“Loathe thought of union with Junzo!” she repeated, then laughed with almost childish joy. “It is not strange—in you, perhaps. Now listen once again, and pray you, answer me.”
“I am listening,” said Masago, with sullen impatience. “I will also answer, princess.”
“Call me sister. Name me Sado-ko, I beg.”
“Perhaps you will not do so, Masago, when I have completed. But hear me. You love your home, of course, and also your good parents?”
“It is said I am of an honorably dutiful and filial temperament,” replied Masago, coldly.
“But,” continued Sado-ko, “there are other things you love still more than your dear home? It is possible?”
“It is so,” replied Masago, briefly. “Do not look surprised, O princess. Homes are not all palaces, nor yet are parents all royal.”
“Masago,” said the princess gently, “a palace never makes a home, nor royalty a parent. Your home,” she looked about her with approving eyes,—“it is most sweet and choice, Masago.”
“The simple cottage of a merchant,” said Masago.
“They are kind,” said Masago, and for the first time flushed with some evident feeling.
“And you have little brothers—yes?” Sado-ko’s voice was wistful.