His correct understanding of the political situation, while not generally known, had been due in no small measure to his relations with Takara. The return of Shibusawa to Kanazawa had aroused her interest, and stimulated her to take a more active part in the affairs of life. In fact she had even gone so far as to delve into politics, and whatever Takara did she did with an energy. Thus she not only continued her indifferent relations with Daikomitsu, but actually sought to open, upon the same terms, some sort of intercourse with the house of Maido, including her own husband, Shibusawa.
Until now she had taken no particular notice of his return from abroad. She had always held considerable regard for her husband, though in her own heart she felt there never could be anything of family interest between them. It might have been intrigue, but it could not have been love that now prompted her to seek him.
While Daikomitsu did not know so much--Takara had not taken the pains to tell him anything--he was not jealous of Shibusawa. He had never been jealous of anybody, and only dreaded their coming together again as being the possible means of her total loss to him; he planned accordingly.
"I shall be going to Tokyo in a few days, Takara, and I trust upon my return your heart will not have gone in Shibusawa's direction."
"Foolish boy! You might sooner expect it yourself. However, I am going to invite them over, and I shall want you to carry the message."
"Oh, no; I shall for that excuse you; it is the daimyos' call, not the princes'."
"And when do you expect such a gathering?"
"Not later than Tenno-Sai. It is a good time."
"I would return even before that, should you wish it."
Daikomitsu proceeded directly to Tokyo, and upon his arrival found the shogun's party considerably stirred up over what threatened to become a serious breach. It had been strongly hinted by some of Ikamon's enemies that the lord daimyo of Kanazawa had withdrawn in disgust, and for no other reason than a hearty dislike of his son-in-law's encouragement of everything foreign. There was also gaining ground a feeling that the crafty minister had used too much to his own advantage the powers of the shogun. Notwithstanding this latter charge, the real cause for dissension centred in the growing distrust of the foreigners. Here as in Kyoto it had already become the main issue, and strong overtures were being made to some of the leaders in the mikado's ranks for a coalition of all the anti-foreign forces.