his fear that he became as one suffering in the body the pains of
the Sho-netsu hell.(2)

Presently he heard the voice of the maid-servant, saying:--

"My dear mistress, there is no way to enter. The heart of
Hagiwara Sama must have changed. For the promise that he made
last night has been broken; and the doors have been made fast to
keep us out.... We cannot go in to-night.... It will be wiser for
you to make up your mind not to think any more about him, because
his feeling towards you has certainly changed. It is evident that
he does not want to see you. So it will be better not to give
yourself any more trouble for the sake of a man whose heart is so
unkind."

But the girl answered, weeping:--

"Oh, to think that this could happen after the pledges which we
made to each other!... Often I was told that the heart of a man
changes as quickly as the sky of autumn;--yet surely the heart of
Hagiwara Sama cannot be so cruel that he should really intend to
exclude me in this way!... Dear Yone, please find some means of
taking me to him.... Unless you do, I will never, never go home
again."

Thus she continued to plead, veiling her face with her long
sleeves,--and very beautiful she looked, and very touching; but
the fear of death was strong upon her lover.

O-Yone at last made answer,--"My dear young lady, why will you