With Yusai's advice and help, Shinzaburo was able before dark to
fix the holy texts over all the apertures of his dwelling. Then
the ninsomi returned to his own house,--leaving the youth alone.
Night came, warm and clear. Shinzaburo made fast the doors, bound
the precious amulet about his waist, entered his mosquito-net,
and by the glow of a night-lantern began to recite the Ubo-
Darani-Kyo. For a long time he chanted the words, comprehending
little of their meaning;--then he tried to obtain some rest. But
his mind was still too much disturbed by the strange events of
the day. Midnight passed; and no sleep came to him. At last he
heard the boom of the great temple-bell of Dentsu-In announcing
the eighth hour.(1)

It ceased; and Shinzaburo suddenly heard the sound of geta
approaching from the old direction,--but this time more slowly:
karan-koron, karan-koron! At once a cold sweat broke over his
forehead. Opening the sutra hastily, with trembling hand, he
began again to recite it aloud. The steps came nearer and
nearer,--reached the live hedge,--stopped! Then, strange to say,
Shinzaburo felt unable to remain under his mosquito-net:
something stronger even than his fear impelled him to look; and,
instead of continuing to recite the Ubo-Darani-Kyo, he foolishly
approached the shutters, and through a chink peered out into the
night. Before the house he saw O-Tsuyu standing, and O-Yone with
the peony-lantern; and both of them were gazing at the Buddhist
texts pasted above the entrance. Never before--not even in what
time she lived--had O-Tsuyu appeared so beautiful; and Shinzaburo
felt his heart drawn towards her with a power almost resistless.
But the terror of death and the terror of the unknown restrained;
and there went on within him such a struggle between his love and