hen the honoured Sun (Tento[u] Sama) disappears toward
Ko[u]shu[u], the honoured Moon (Tsuki Sama) appears in the ascendant in
Musashi. The matter is a most important one, not to be brought to an end
by a gesture. Bring the Okusama on the head and shoulders of Jisuke; and
Jisuke tells all to his lordship. The proof is easy, and this Jisuke the
fitting messenger between these lovers.... Oh! Don't lay hand to sword.
Jisuke is active, and the way of retreat is open. The honoured Jisuke is
not one to perish by the hand of the low fellow (_yaro[u]_) Shintaro[u].
In plain terms, the rascal is male concubine of her ladyship; who knows
little of the even balance with which her paramour shares his favours
with her women. Surely Shintaro[u] was born under the sign of the goat.
But that is not all. The very walls can talk. At least that in which the
unhappy O'Shimo, seven months gone with child, stands walled in.
Naruhodo! Such punishment is inflicted on bugs, and worms, and creeping
things; not on human beings. How does Jisuke know? Go question the
plaster, you coward; or learn that Jisuke is, and has been, everywhere
present at council and at deeds. But a word to Cho[u]bei Dono, and
Nishioka crouches at the white sand for confession."

At first astonishment and incredulity, then wrath, now dismay filled the
heart of Nishioka Shintaro[u]. The fellow's insolence, the honorifics
bestowed on Jisuke, the vile terms heaped on himself, showed the secure
ground on which Jisuke stood in his full knowledge of events. For whom
was he spy? He must find out. Jisuke, however, volunteered the
information. "Spy? Jisuke Dono is spy for no one's interest but that of
Jisuke Sama. He would have warned O'Shimo Dono, but repented in time to
have all more completely in his hands. She passed on to her death,
carried out under the eyes of Jisuke, and at the hands--Yes, the hands
of the low fellow Shintaro[u]. Ah! Did beautiful eyebrows inspire this
deed? Was it the love for O'Hagi now, or love for O'Han hereafter? As
rival to his lordship the rascal Shintaro[u] had no chance with O'Shimo
Dono. The clothes prop is the most useful instrument of the house. It
brings things long unseen to light and sight. Jisuke Dono will be the
clothes prop for this completed wickedness--unless his silence be well
bought. Come! Fifty _ryo[u]_: not down: but ten suffices for the
occasion.... Come and demand it of the Okusama? No indeed! Before her
ladyship the prescribed eti