48 Shadowings 



the charming person whom he had so fervently 

 prayed to meet, unhappy also because of the 

 fear that he might never meet her again. 



But scarcely had he passed from the gateway 

 into the street, when he saw a young girl walking 

 alone in the same direction that he was going ; 

 and, even in the dusk of the dawn, he recognized 

 her at once as the person to whom he had been 

 introduced before the temple of Benten. As he 

 quickened his pace to overtake her, she turned 

 and saluted him with a graceful bow. Then for 

 the first time he ventured to speak to her ; and 

 she answered him in a voice of which the sweet- 

 ness filled his heart with joy. Through the yet 

 silent streets they walked on, chatting happily, 

 till they found themselves before the house 

 where Baishu lived. There he paused spoke 

 to the girl of his hopes and fears. Smiling, she 

 asked : "Do you not know that I was sent for 

 to become your wife ? " And she entered with 

 him. 



Becoming his wife, she delighted him beyond 

 expectation by the charm of her mind and heart. 

 Moreover, he found her to be much more accom- 

 plished than he had supposed. Besides being 



