hip,
and upon the lucky chance by which he and O Koyo had come to meet each
other.

When Kihachi heard this story, he was greatly flattered, and said--

"I am sure I am very much obliged to you. For one of our daughters,
whom even the common people despise and shun as a pollution, to be
chosen as the concubine of a noble Hatamoto--what could be a greater
matter for congratulation!"

So he prepared a feast for Chokichi, and went off at once to tell O
Koyo the news. As for the maiden, who had fallen over head and ears in
love, there was no difficulty in obtaining her consent to all that was
asked of her.

Accordingly Chokichi, having arranged to bring the lovers together on
the following day at Oji, was preparing to go and report the glad
tidings to Genzaburo; but O Koyo, who knew that her friend O Kuma was
in love with Chokichi, and thought that if she could throw them into
one another's arms, they, on their side, would tell no tales about
herself and Genzaburo, worked to such good purpose that she gained her
point. At last Chokichi, tearing himself from the embraces of O Kuma,
returned to Genzaburo, and told him how he had laid his plans so as,
without fail, to bring O Koyo to him, the following day, at Oji, and
Genzaburo, beside himself with impatience, waited for the morrow.

The next day Genzaburo, having made his preparations, and taking
Chokichi with him, went to the tea-house at Oji, and sat drinking
wine, waiting for his sweetheart to come.

As for O Koyo, who was half in ecstasies, and half shy at the idea of
meeting on this day the man of her heart's desire, she put on her
holiday clothes, and went with O Kuma to Oji; and as they went out
together, her natural beauty being enhanced by her smart dress, all
the people turned round to look at her, and praise her pretty face.
And so after a while, they arrived at Oji, and went into the tea-house
that had been agreed upon; and Chokichi, going out to meet them,
exclaimed--

"Dear me, Miss O Koyo, his lordship has been all impatience waiting
for you: pray make haste and come in."

But, in spite of what he said, O Koyo, on account of her virgin
modesty, would not go in. O Kuma, however, who was not quite so
particular, cried out--

"Why, what is the meaning of this? As you've come here, O Koyo, it's a
little late for you to be making a fuss about being shy. Don't be a
little fool, but come in with me at once." And with these words she
caught fast hold of O