8 Shadowings 



determined to visit one other apartment at the 

 further end of the dwelling, a very small room 

 that had been his wife's favorite resting-place. 

 Approaching the sliding-screen that closed it, he 

 was startled to perceive a glow within. He 

 pushed the screen aside, and uttered a cry of 

 joy ; for he saw her there, sewing by the light 

 of a paper-lamp. Her eyes at the same instant 

 met his own ; and with a happy smile she greeted 

 him, asking only : " When did you come 

 back to Kyoto? How did you find your way 

 here to me, through all those black rooms ? " 

 The years had not changed her. Still she seemed 

 as fair and young as in his fondest memory of 

 her ; but sweeter than any memory there came 

 to him the music of her voice, with its trembling 

 of pleased wonder. 



Then joyfully he took his place beside her, 

 and told her all: how deeply he repented his 

 selfishness, how wretched he had been without 

 her, how constantly he had regretted her, 

 how long he had hoped and planned to make 

 amends; caressing her the while, and asking 

 her forgiveness over and over again. She an- 

 swered him, with loving gentleness, according to 

 his heart's desire, entreating him to cease all 



