procession arrived within a short distance of the house it halted; and a
richly dressed man -- evidently a person of rank -- advanced from it,
approached Akinosuke, bowed to him profoundly, and then said:--


"Honored Sir, you see before you a kerai [vassal] of the Kokuo of Tokoyo.
[1] My master, the King, commands me to greet you in his august name, and
to place myself wholly at your disposal. He also bids me inform you that he
augustly desires your presence at the palace. Be therefore pleased
immediately to enter this honorable carriage, which he has sent for your
conveyance."


Upon hearing these words Akinosuke wanted to make some fitting reply; but
he was too much astonished and embarrassed for speech;-- and in the same
moment his will seemed to melt away from him, so that he could only do as
the kerai bade him. He entered the carriage; the kerai took a place beside
him, and made a signal; the drawers, seizing the silken ropes, turned the
great vehicle southward;-- and the journey began.


In a very short time, to Akinosuke's amazement, the carriage stopped in
front of a huge two-storied gateway (romon), of a Chinese style, which he
had never before seen. Here the kerai dismounted, saying, "I go to
announced the honorable arrival,"-- and he disappeared. After some little
waiting, Akinosuke saw two noble-looking men, wearing robes of purple silk
and high caps of the form indicating lofty rank, come from the gateway.
These, after having respectfully saluted him, helped him to descend from
the carriage, and led him through the great gate and across a vast garden,
to the entrance of a palace whose front appeared to extend, west and east,