The Screen-Maiden 27 



The old man said : 



" That picture was painted by Hishigawa 

 Kichibei, painted from life. The person whom 

 it represented is not now in the world. But it is 

 said that Hishigawa Kichibei painted her mind as 

 well as her form, and that her spirit lives in the 

 picture. So I think that you can win her." 



Tokkei half rose from his bed, and stared 

 eagerly at the speaker. 



" You must give her a name," the old man 

 continued ; " and you must sit before her pic 

 ture every day, and keep your thoughts constantly 

 fixed upon her, and call her gently by the name 

 which you have given her, until she answers 

 you. . . ." 



" Answers me ! " exclaimed the lover, in 

 breathless amazement. 



" Oh, yes," the adviser responded, " she will 

 certainly answer you. But you must be ready, 

 when she answers you, to present her with what 

 I am going to tell you. ..." 



" 1 will give her my life ! " cried Tokkei. 



" No," said the old man ; " you will present 

 her with a cup of wine that has been bought at 

 one hundred different wine -shops. Then she will 

 come out of the screen to accept the wine. After 



