for having taken such a
liberty in your absence; but, indeed, although appearances are against
us, there has been nothing wrong."

"Certainly," said O Hiyaku, coming to her lover's support, "Master
Takasegawa is not at all to blame. It was I who invited him to drink
wine; so I hope you will excuse him."

Jiuyemon sat pondering the matter over in his mind for a moment, and
then said to the wrestler, "You say that you are innocent; but, of
course, that is a lie. It's no use trying to conceal your fault.
However, next year I shall, in all probability, return to my own
country, and then you may take O Hiyaku and do what you will with her:
far be it from me to care what becomes of a woman with such a stinking
heart."

When the wrestler and O Hiyaku heard Jiuyemon say this quite quietly,
they could not speak, but held their peace for very shame.

"Here, you Takasegawa," pursued he; "you may stop here to-night, if
you like it, and go home to-morrow."

"Thank you, sir," replied the wrestler, "I am much obliged to you; but
the fact is, that I have some pressing business in another part of the
town, so, with your permission, I will take my leave;" and so he went
out, covered with confusion.

As for the faithless wife, O Hiyaku, she was in great agitation,
expecting to be severely reprimanded at least; but Jiuyemon took no
notice of her, and showed no anger; only from that day forth, although
she remained in his house as his wife, he separated himself from her
entirely.

Matters went on in this way for some time, until at last, one fine
day, O Hiyaku, looking out of doors, saw the wrestler Takasegawa
passing in the street, so she called out to him--

"Dear me, Master Takasegawa, can that be you! What a long time it is
since we have met! Pray come in, and have a chat."

"Thank you, I am much obliged to you; but as I do not like the sort of
scene we had the other day, I think I had rather not accept your
invitation."

"Pray do not talk in such a cowardly manner. Next year, when Jiuyemon
goes back to his own country, he is sure to give me this house, and
then you and I can marry and live as happily as possible."

"I don't like being in too great a hurry to accept fair offers."[43]

[Footnote 43: The original is a proverbial expression like "Timeo
Danaos et dona ferentes."]

"Nonsense! There's no need for showing such delicacy about accepting
what is given you."

And as she spoke, she caught the wrestler by the hand