returning a present which my father made you."

"Amongst men of gentle birth," said Yukiyé, laughing scornfully, "it
is the custom to requite presents, in the first place by kindness, and
afterwards by a suitable gift offered with a free heart. But it is no
use talking to such as you, who are ignorant of the first principles
of good breeding; so I have the honour to give you back the sword."

As Yukiyé went on bitterly to reprove Matagorô, the latter waxed very
wroth, and, being a ruffian, would have killed Yukiyé on the spot; but
he, old man as he was, was a skilful swordsman, so Matagorô,
craven-like, determined to wait until he could attack him unawares.
Little suspecting any treachery, Yukiyé started to return home, and
Matagorô, under the pretence of attending him to the door, came behind
him with his sword drawn and cut him in the shoulder. The older man,
turning round, drew and defended himself; but having received a severe
wound in the first instance, he fainted away from loss of blood, and
Matagorô slew him.

The mother of Matagorô, startled by the noise, came out; and when she
saw what had been done, she was afraid, and said--"Passionate man!
what have you done? You are a murderer; and now your life will be
forfeit. What terrible deed is this!"

"I have killed him now, and there's nothing to be done. Come, mother,
before the matter becomes known, let us fly together from this house."

"I will follow you; do you go and seek out my Lord Abé Shirogorô, a
chief among the Hatamotos,[16] who was my foster-child. You had better
fly to him for protection, and remain in hiding."