nd then passed
through, humming as he went, with a peculiar smile,

"Like that scarlet-tinged plum."

None but Tayu understood the real allusion. One of the women observed,
"The weather is too frosty, perhaps he has seen some one reddened by
the frost." Another said, "What an absurdity! There is no one among us
of that hue, but perhaps Sakon or Uneme may be like this," and thus
they chattered on till the matter dropped.

The letter was soon sent by Tayu to the Princess, who assembled all
her attendants round her, and they all read it together, when the
following was found in it:--

Of my rare visits you complain,
But can the meaning be,
Pray come not often, nor again,
For I am tired of thee.

On the last day of the year he made the following presents to the
Princess, sending them in the same case as the Naoshi had been sent to
him: stuff for a complete dress, which had originally been presented
to himself; also rolls of silk, one of the color of the purple grape,
another of the Kerria japonica color, and others. All these were
handed to the Princess by Tayu. It should be observed that these
presents were made by Genji to the Princess chiefly on account of her
reduced circumstances. Her attendants, however, who wished to flatter
their mistress, exclaimed, "Our scarlet dress was very good, too.
Scarlet is a color which never fades. The lines we sent were also
excellent. Those of the Prince are, no doubt, a little amusing, but
nothing more."

The Princess, flattered by the remarks, wrote down her verse in her
album, as if worthy of preservation.

The New Year began with the morrow; and it was announced that the
Otoko-doka (gentlemen's singing dances) would soon take place in which
Genji would take part. Hence he was busy in going backwards and
forwards, to practise, but the lonely residence of the saffron flower
began to draw his thoughts in that direction. So after the ceremony of
the State Festival, on the seventh day, he betook himself there in the
evening, after he had left the Emperor's presence, having made a
pretence of retiring to his own private apartments. On this occasion
the appearance of the lady happened to be a little more attractive,
and Genji was pleased, thinking there might be a time when she would
improve still more. When the sun shone forth he rose to leave. He
opened the casement on the western side of the mansion, and, looking
at the corridor, perceived that its roo